Author Visit: KYu at the Beacon Academy

 

The Lighthouse Diary Entry #78: Martial Law Stories PH

Taking off from Russell Molina’s talk last August 29 for Filipino Week, here is one line that refuses to leave: “Martial Law is not an event. It is an idea. Ideas can be resurrected.”

It is a reminder that history is not a closed book. What we choose to forget can return; what we choose to silence can echo louder. To read, to question, to remember, these acts become our guardrails against the resurrection of ideas that once brought fear and darkness. This week, the BA Library will highlight books on Martial Law as an act of remembrance and courage.

In doing so, we affirm the importance of human rights as the foundation of a just society. Above all, we honor our shared humanity by keeping memory alive through stories.

First up is Russell Molina and Kajo Baldissimo's 12:01.

This haunting graphic novel tells the story of young people sneaking past curfew during Martial Law. When one of them is caught and never seen again, the narrative becomes a powerful allegory for memory, silence, and the disappeared. Combining stark visuals with sparse, searing text, 12:01 confronts readers with the enduring shadows of authoritarian rule.

Target Readers: Older teens (Grades 10–12) and adults

Philo and TOK Connections:

• How does art, in this case, a graphic novel, convey truths about history differently from official records?

• Can silence itself be a form of knowledge, especially in remembering trauma and loss?

• How do we know the past when sources are incomplete or deliberately suppressed?

• How do stories (like 12:01) act as artefacts or avenues of remembrance?

Check the BA Library OPAC. Our Book List on Martial Law is publicly accessible.

https://library.beaconacademy.ph/cgi-bin/koha/opac-shelves.pl?op=view&shelfnumber=105&sortfield=title

The Lighthouse Diary #63: "I Love Studying in the Library"

Our grade 10 Philosophy class had research in the library today. 

I heard one student say, "I love studying in the library".

Music to my ears.

Another came up to me with a book on epistemology saying, "Miss, I didn't realize our library has good books. It's so, varied!"

My heart beat triple time in joy. I smiled to her and replied, "Thank you! We will keep our library books relevant for your learning needs."

Their Philosophy teacher asked, "Miss Zee, Mark (not his real name) is looking for a new topic. The Inductive Method. Which volume of the World Book Encyclopedia will he use and where is it located?"

I was intrigued so I went over to Mark. "How did you come up with that topic? Aren't you assigned to read up on logic?"

"There's a "see Inductive Method" after the last paragraph, Ms. Zee. So I suppose I can look it up in another volume." Mark said.

"Aha! The article is cross referenced" I exclaimed. "Can you show me where the term "see Inductive Method" is found"?

Once he did, I congratulated him for being sharp and for paying attention to what he is reading. 

"This topic or entry is cross referenced. It is one way of locating additional information in an encyclopedia." I said. 

I then brought him to the set of World Book Encyclopedia, showed him volume "I" and handed it to him. He was all smiles and politely thanked me.

I made a mental note to add cross references as tools in locating information when I do a briefing or a library orientation on the use of encyclopedias. When I do, I will have to emphasize its connection to hyperlinks and the manner in which knowledge can expand and deepened.

Yes. I had a good day at work today. 

Flight of the Fireflies: Children's and Young Adult Library Servicces

Fligt of the Fireflies by zarah gagatiga