What to Read this Summer: Filipiniana YA Novels

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Books on Martial Law for Children & Young Adults: A curated library guide

Highlighting stories that preserve memory, foster critical thinking, and honor human rights.

Early Readers (5–10 years old)

• Sayaw ng mga Ilaw – Cheeno Marlo Sayuno, illus. Aaron Asis
  A girl longs to learn a traditional dance as her family faces absence and loss under Martial Law.

• Isang Harding Papel – Augie Rivera, illus. Rommel Joson
  A child’s paper garden becomes a symbol of hope while her mother is imprisoned.

• Si Jhun-Jhun, Noong Bago Ideklara ang Batas Militar – Augie Rivera, illus. Brian Vallesteros
  A bilingual story showing how Martial Law disrupted ordinary childhood.

• Ito Ang Diktadura – Equipo Plantel, illus. Mikel Casal
  A simple yet powerful introduction to dictatorship, translated into Filipino.

Middle Readers (11–14 years old)

• Salingkit: A 1986 Diary – Cyan Abad-Jugo
  A diary of friendship and awakening during the People Power Revolution.

• Martial Law Babies – Arnold Arre
  A graphic novel capturing the humor, nostalgia, and struggles of a generation raised during Martial Law.

Older Teens & Young Adults (15+ years old)

• Dekada ’70 – Lualhati Bautista
  A family’s story of awakening and resistance during the Marcos dictatorship.

• Desaparesidos – Lualhati Bautista
  A former activist confronts the trauma of the disappeared and the silence of history.

• 12:01 – Russell Molina, illus. Kajo Baldisimo
  A haunting graphic novel about curfew, disappearance, and the shadows of authoritarian rule.

• The Gun Dealer’s Daughter – Gina Apostol
  A privileged daughter is drawn into activism, memory, and guilt during Martial Law.

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

Filipino Friday: Surprise, Reader!

This is already a tradition. If there's a Filipino ReaderCon, expect a Filipino Friday a month before the conference begins.

Surprise, Reader! Hello, it’s the first week of Filipino Fridays 2014! Whether it’s your first time to participate or not, tell us a bit about yourself. More specifically, tell us about your favorite book discoveries for this year. Any author you have started reading this year that you can’t get enough of? A book you didn’t think you’d like, but you ended up liking/loving? Any book series that you just have to get your hands on? Have you discovered anything new from Filipino authors this year?

 So, here goes.

My 2014 reading year can be described in one word: ROMANCE. Thanks to Tarie Sabido for introducing me to Rainbow Rowell. After reading Eleanor and Park, I read Fangirl, Attachments and Landline.

Another joyful reading discovery is Sophie Divry's The Library of Unrequited Love. The librarian narrator is sarcastic, snotty and very French. I read a book by a Malaysian author this year as well. Tan Kwan Eng's The Garden of Evening Mist is sentimental but honest. I love the language and the dreamy narration of the main character. When it comes to the brutal parts (setting is World War 2 in the Asia Pacific), the author's elegant handling of language cushioned me to safer landings. Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking is a memoir I thought I wouldn't like. But her way of making meaning about death afforded me a mirroring of my own relationship with my husband and my perception of life in general. It is one of those books that will grow on you as you read along.

This year I got hooked on reading more ebooks too. I have a slew of erotic romance novels saved in my Kindle reader. Cora Seton, JA Huss and Melanie Shawn are but a few of my favorite reads. As for Filipiniana titles, I loved Shine by Candy Gourlay; thrilled over Edgar Samar's Janus Silang although I stopped somewhere in chapter 4 to give in to my kids' demands that they read it first; and right now, I am falling in love with Nick Joaquin all over again. Gotita De Dragon, an anthology of his short stories, is my kind of magic realism.

Until next Filipino Friday!

Aklatan 2013

Aklatan in English translates to library.

But the Aklatan event on September 11, 2013 pertains to a book fair that highlights Filipino books on sale. What makes this book fair interesting is its promotional pitch: date your favorite Pinoy writer. What a way to meet and greet your favorite author!

Aklatan 2013 is spearheaded by Visprint, Inc. and the National Book Development Board. Read more via http://www.panitikan.com.ph/content/local-publishers-hold-first-annual-aklatan-all-filipino-book-festival">Panitikan.com.ph

The 2012 Best Reads: Winners of the 2nd National Children's Book Awards

Ncba winners flyer 2 from Zarah Gagatiga

Picture! Picture!

Hindi Ka Nag-Iisa

This video will definitely strengthen Noynoy Aquino's presidential bid.



“HINDI KA NAG IISA”
Composed by: Ogie Alcasid
Sung by: Regine Velasquez

Sasamahan ka namin
Kahit paligid ay madilim
Iilawan ang daan tungo sa magandang kinabukasan.
Ika’y mamuno,kami ay susunod
pagkakaisa’y ating itaguyod
ang Pilipinas ay naghihintay
handa kaming kumilos,handang umalalay.

Hindi ka nag-iisa
sa paggising ng bayan
kami ay kasama,hindi ka mag-iisa.
Isasapuso ang dangal ng ating bayan
Sa tulong at biyaya ng maykapal

Magkakapit bisig,tayo…
ituloy natin laban ni Ninoy at Cory,
Nang bawa’t mamamayan
pagmamahal natin sa bayan
‘wag na nating itago, ‘di tayo susuko

Hindi ka nag-iisa
Sa paggising ng bayan
kami ay kasama,hindi ka mag-iisa
isasa puso ang dangal ng ating bayan

Sa tulong at biyaya ng maykapal
Magkakapit bisig,tayo…
Sama-sama bawat Filipino
Mula noon,ngayon at kailan pa man
hindi ka nag iisa……

Filipiniana Rare Books & Ephemera

I have been immersed in the development of a collection on Filipiniana, rare books and the ephemera since August. It is an interesting branch of Library and Information Science. I consider the experience as a re-education. I thought I had it all - an education in the traditional library school that provided for the basic rudiments of the job and the liberal and progressive graduate studies after. As far as learning is concerned, it is never too late to expand one's horizons.

Last week, I had the pleasure of finally meeting Mario Feir and his collection of Filipiniana rare book and ephemera collection. Mr. Feir, collector and bibliophile invites librarians and scholars, even the curious to peruse and browse through his esteemed collection. He has a war books collection and a host of titles on Philippine folk tales. Blair and Robertson's encyclopedia on everything Filipiniana is in his roster of prized possessions.

I leaned towards the children's book collection. Of course. And dear me! Mr. Feir has a copy of Urbana & Felisa, c. 1896.

I've been to modern libraries here and abroad, but the sensual appeal of old books has its own charm and spirit that could easily win me over. I love technology, but there is something about paper that is so naturally endearing. Perhaps, when I set foot in the British Library or the Library of Congress in Washington DC, then my horizon and perspective on books, reading and the library will likewise change.

Mr. Feir can be reached via 02-856-0957. His place is in One McKinley Place, 11A, 26 St., Crescent Park West. Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The posh condominium across Crescent Park is Pacific Plaza. There lives another Filipiniana and rare book collector. His story is yet another tale to blog about!

Philippine Blog Awards: One Blogging Nation

Winners of the Philippine Blog Awards (PBA) were announced last October 9, 2009 at the PETA Theater in Quezon City. This goes for Luzon blogs and bloggers only. There is a scheduled announcement of winners for the Visayas and Mindanao regions. With the theme, One Blogging Nation, the PBA aimed to cover and unify the Filipino Blogging Community.

Going through the list of winners this year, I was pleasantly surprised to find Jim Paredes' Writing On Air come out as the winner for Best Personal Blog. I love his writing and his reflections on life, parenting, music, art and culture. Since redesigning my personal blog early this year, I have not gotten back to putting the old blogroll. As for the Best Filipiniana Blog, Dennis Villegas beat out my personal favorite for the award. But no matter, there's still next year.

As an added info, Juned Sunido, true blue blogger and Filipino blog mover is part of the board and organizing committee of the PBA 2009. He is also a licensed librarian.

The Fiipinas Heritage Library

I was in a historic place yesterday.

The Nielsen Tower, Manila's first international airport during the pre-war years, still stands at the corner of Makati Ave., and Ayala Ave. What is now a cosmopolitan center was, in the past, an airstrip. The tower now houses the Filipinas Heritage Library (FHL). Home to rare books, vinyl records, selected Filipiniana, photos and resources on museology, the FHL (my acronym) is a haven for researchers, artists, scholars, students and the curious on Philippine arts, culture and history. Ms. Maritoni Ortigas of the FHL was a gracious and amiable lady who gave the tour.

It has many function rooms and events venue for rent on special occasions such as book launchings and workshops. The bookshop houses souvenirs, mostly Filipiniana, of course. What caught my attention though was the location of the library. It's in the basement. In school librarianship, libraries must be central to the physical location of the school for accessibility. At FHL, the collection is secured below.

This is not to say that the library is a bunker. It is well lighted and airconditioned. There is a room for readers and researchers and the Filipiniana collection is growing! The good thing about this basement location is the security and privacy afforded for users and its resources. The upper rooms can be noisy places when workshops and events occur.

There's a membership fee for those who wish to frequent the library and attend its events on a regular basis. This cat seems like an interested patron. Cat can't wait to curl upon a good book.

I found it standing by the door of the library. The library staff does not seem to mind the cat. Mrs. Ortigas didn't even shoo it away when she led me and the rest of her visitors to the door at the end of the visit. Now that's one kind of library service that speaks for itself. Everyone is welcome in the library be it beast or man!
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Villa in Manila

In memory of Jose Garcia Villa, Poet Laureate and National Artist for Literature.


Manila has recognized and remembered one of its literary sons. This marker was put up in 1999 with the attendance of the PBBY board members.

First, A Poem Must Be Magical
By Jose Garcia Villa

First, a poem must be magical,
Then musical as a seagull.
It must be a brightness moving
And hold secret a bird’s flowering
It must be slender as a bell,
And it must hold fire as well.
It must have the wisdom of bows
And it must kneel like a rose.
It must be able to hear
The luminance of dove and deer.
It must be able to hide
What it seeks, like a bride.
And over all I would like to hover
God, smiling from the poem’s cover.

Source: http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Literature/Poems/Others/First_A_Poem_Must.htm

Book Launchings: Foldabots & The Filipino Family

The talented Mr. Jomike Tejido will be launching a new "interactive book". His Dinosaur Pop-Up book by the Adarna House was a hit among kids and kids at heart. Now, Jomike ventures into gadgets, animals and other watchamacallirs, the art of paper folding and cutting that entertains and teaches a skill or two at the same time. Below are details of his new book and its launching

WHERE: POWERBOOKS LIVE, Greenbelt 3, Makati

WHEN: Nov. 15, 2008, Saturday

TIME: 3pm- 5pm

WEBSITE: www.foldabots.multiply.com


FOLDABOTS are cut-out paper robots that can transform into animals or vehicles, and back!. The best thing about it is that kids can make it themselves!

FOLDABOTS is an on-going monthly publication in K-Zone Magazine since May 2006. Pinoy kids have been creating the characters that shout Pinoy pride: Buhawi, the Phil. Eagle, Kidlat the race car, Ukay the excavator truck, Bangis the guard dog and many others! It's a fusion of art, Filipino nationalism and toy-collecting where kids don't just buy toys, but learn to create them!

THE TOY BOOK also has 12 free AGIMAT POWER playing cards for hours and hours of fun! YOU JUST GOTTA BE THERE, And be part of Foldabots history! The event will be covered and uploaded in Youtube for the world to see! GAMES! DRAWING CONTEST! PRIZES! plus Special prizes for early birds who sign up!

On the side of more serious things, Quenna Lee-Chua and Dr. Honey Carandang will likewise have their own book launching. Their book, The Filipino Family: Surviving the World will be launched at Powerbooks, Megamall on November 8, 2008 at 10 AM. Knowing Queena Lee-Chua, I'm pretty sure the book is a product of scholarly research.

The start of November seems to be an exciting and productive one for the book and publishing industry. It's National Book Month and very soon, workshops and Book Week activities will abound. Watch out for more announcements!

My Poem Will Visit A US 1st Grade Classroom

Sue Ferguson, a school librarian from the US made my day today when she sent me this email--

I am emailing to find out if I could have your permission to use the poem you made up about parts of a book in a lesson I am going to give my first grade classes next month. I think my classes would really enjoy it.

I said yes, of course. Happiness!

And then there is this email from Mario Feir, a rare book collector of Filipiniana inviting me (and Kenneth Yu) to view and see his library in Bonifacio, Global City. Now I wonder if Kenneth, after my infamous blog posts about his student days in Xavier School, would be glad to join me one weekend?