Days 2-3 of the 7th Rizal Library International Conference: Connecting Libraries, Information & Community Knowledge

Congratulations to the Rizal Library, to Dr. Vernon R. Totanes and his competent and dependable staff for a successful celebration of its 50th year! The celebration was indeed, golden!

They launched a time train exhibit highlighting innovations and innovators that set the Rizal Library as a modern academic portal with an efficient and professional staff that continuously relate to its learning community with a love and loyalty akin to Rizal's relationship with the Philippines. I thought I have seen a good looking library mascot in its arch rival school, but Rizal Library's "Pepe" has to be the better looking one. Sorry, Jolibee, I know you have cool dance moves, but a young Jose Rizal mascot is my choice at the end of the day.

They conducted the 7th Rizal Library International Conference with paper presenters from the US, Singapore, Indonesia, Barbados, Australia and of course, the Philippines. The cadre of keynote speakers, the majority of them are non-librarians, are true lovers of books, libraries and the written word.

Dr. Reina Reyes, Ph.D. dazzled! She glowed as she spoke about the stories that lie beneath big data and how librarians can mine them to its potential. She bubbled with joy and I wondered about the books she read as a child. Dr. Nikki Carsi Cruz, Ph.D. is a historian and she knew the power of stories and when to appropriately use them. A friend from the book industry, Christine Bellen, took participants, visitors and guests to Calamba and back to Manila in her musical, Batang Rizal. Respect to Jerry Respeto for the accessible music that delighted everyone in the room. My favorite, so far, is the Kuwento Rap with Monkey and Tortoise dancing about, enacting the famous Tagalog folktale that launched a thousand Filipino tales and storybooks for children.

Paper presenters were a mix of young and seasoned researchers, academicians, dreamers and visionaries. Where else can you find an interdisciplinary conference with an international appeal, but in the Rizal Library International Conference. Pioneered by Hon. Lourdes T. David, her former team of librarians stayed true to her mission and legacy of fostering academic research in Library and Information Science by staging a gathering of curious, critical and creative thinkers in one big hall. Only this time, the younger set of librarians in the Rizal Library showed more - magis, by crossing content and accepting research subjects that will enrich the practice of LIS and the production of research in the discipline.

In the process, the Rizal Library library and staff succeeded in creating a research community beyond Katipunan and Loyola Heights.

I came. I saw. I CLICKED. See you in the next Rizal Library International Conference!

PPT: Project LEARN @ the 7th Rizal Library International Conference

Project LEARN @ the 7thRILC from Zarah Gagatiga

Today is National Children's Book Day!

It was on the third Tuesday of July when Jose Rizal's The Monkey and the Tortoise was published in Trubner's Oriental Record in London. History accords it as the first Filipino folk tale to be published in an international periodical. It would be important to note that, The Monkey and the Tortoise was dedicated by Rizal to his nieces and nephews. Translating and adapting two stories by Hans Christian Andersen (I can only remember The Ugly Duckling), Rizal seemed bent on leaving a legacy to his nieces and nephews, as well as to young Filipino people.

Stories are legacies. Stories bridge time and space. Stories bring peoples together. Stories build communities.

And so today, the PBBY leads the celebration of the National Children's Book Day. Remembering Rizal. Continuing a legacy. Bringing people from all walks of life together.

This year's theme is Laging Bago ang Mundo ng Libro. Institutional members like the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Museo Pambata and the National Library of the Philippines have all scheduled activities for parents, teachers, librarians, book lovers and children's literature advocates. The PBBY partnered with the National Book Development Board for the second staging of the Philippine Children's Book Summit. A Syorytelling Festival and Illustrators' Fair are events included in the summit's program. It will be held in the GT Toyota Asian Center in UP Diliman.

If you are free today, drop by the CCP for activities and join us in the awarding ceremony of the Salanga and Alcala Prizes. The NLP will run a three day conference on Young Adult Library Services in Naga City on July 20-22. Museo Pambata has scheduled a storytelling workshop to be conducted by Kuya Bodjie Pascua on July 22 as well.

Happy NCBD! Laging Bago ang Mundo ng Libro!

Today is the 30th NCBD!

We go back to the where it all began!

The folk tale “The Monkey and the Tortoise” popularized by Dr. Jose Rizal was first published in Trubner's Record July 1889 issue. It was originally drawn in the scrapbook of Paz Pardo de Tavera when Rizal stayed in Paris France in December 1885.

The National Library of the Philippines holds a copy of the folktale complete with English translations. The book was done by Austin Craig and was published in 1912. It has a copy of the original also published in Austin Craig's “Lineage, Life and Labors of Jose Rizal Philippine Patriot : A Study of the Growth of Free Ideas in the Trans-Pacific American Territory” published in 1913.argc

Many thanks to National Library of the Philippines (NLP) librarian, Ann Rosette Crelencia for sending this press release on Rizal's The Monkey and the Tortoise, currently on display in the Rare Book Section of the NLP.

Rizal and Bonifacio

The Rizal journal is available at the Ayala Museum. Bought it last year being Rizal's 150th birthday. The Bonifacio planner is a recent acquisition from UP Press. 2013 is Bonifacio's 150th year.

I find their life stories very romantic.

Illustrator of the Month: Yasmin Doctor

2011 Alcala Prize winner, Yasmin Doctor, graciously agreed to my request for interview. Her clean and colorful illustrations rendered Rizaldy, the 2011 Salanga Prize winning story of Eugene Evasco, a relevant read. Last I heard, Lg & M is serious at publishing the story book in time for December 2011. It would be the final month of the sesquicentennial celebration of Rizal's birth year.

Ms. Doctor's interview below is an interesting tale of a botanist enthusiast turned illsutrator. She reveals her creative process with Rizaldy as well.

Why do you draw?

No matter what I do I always end up drawing or painting. I’ve always wanted to be a botanist, I’m a frustrated forager; still, I end up drawing. It’s funny to be honest, yet it amazes me most of the time that I have this potential to make something using lines and shapes.

When did you discover that you have a talent for illustrating?

It was in college. I’m no fine arts grad, so I didn’t really know where to start back then. It was through my 4th sister who introduced me to Ang-INK (Illustrador ng Kabataan). She showed me the site and asked me whether I’d like to join. I thought, “Why not? Mukhang exciting, miske wala akong masyadong alam sa illustration!” (It looks exciting though I know nothing about illustrating for children.)

Describe your creative process

Several character studies. The faces of Mona, John Paul, and Rizaldy were based from the faces of Mona Lisa, The Pope John Paul, and Rizal (respectively). (I) Devoted a Sunday for research and had an intense walk-a-thon from Quiapo – Binondo – Fort Santiago – Luneta – Lawton and back to Quaipo. Was just walking, looking around for ideas that could help me in making the entry.

What are your dream projects?

To have many art-related projects (hehe). Siguro for now, to have an art project that can fulfill that botanist / forager fantasy of mine.

What are your favorite works by another illustrator?

Marami(Plenty). Cat Painter by Mark Salvatus, yung Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu by Serj Bumatay, Sarimanok vs. Ibong adarna by Jess Abrera, and any book illustrated by Jiri Trnka.

Illustrador Idols?

My idol list gets longer and longer as I grow older, but first on the list is my dad. In general, I like being with productive people. Good vibes!

Rizal's Many Loves

Rizal and the 2011 NCBD

And so the 2011 National Children's Book Day came to pass. Every year, it brings forth new insights and old delights. Listening to Prof. Ambeth R. Ocampo last Tuesday, 19 July 2011 at the UST Museum affirmed what a friend told me so many years ago. This country needs historians who tell stories.

Prof. Ocampo prepared an impressive keynote, a lecture really, on Rizal. Indeed, he has spent a great investment studying about Rizal. His keynote-lecture is the longest in PBBY-NCBD history I have heard yet. Here are some of the insights I gathered from his keynote-lecture --

a. Rizal read and translated stories, folktales really, for his family especially his nephews and nieces. He did not create new stories for them but translated five folktales from the collection of Hans Christian Andersen. I could only remember three of the five titles Prof. Ocampo mentioned: The Little Match Girl; The Fir Tree; and The Ugly Duckling. Rizal also translated William Tell on top of these. It is obvious that his choice of stories reflect the values he wanted his family and country men to know and live out. This prompted me to think about the themes of the stories I choose and tell for my children, friends, family and community members.

b. Rizal was a teacher and he dreamed of setting up a school in Dapitan. He was a hopeful man, keeping in mind his vision despite the imminent possibility of execution.

c. Rizal believed in fraternities and initiations as a test of mental stamina and strength of character. In Dapitan, Rizal conducted classes for youngsters. He would walk a new student through the forest, leave him there and have the older students spook the newbie. The later would run back to safety only to discover a welcome party awaiting him.

There are still five more months to go till December 2011 and the whole nation will culminate Rizal's 150th birth year in a myriad of homages. I have ticked a number of Rizal events in my list. To mention a few, there's the Mercato Rizal of PBBY where everything Rizal related will be sold. This will open mid-August and I will post updates in the blog.

On the same day, Eugene Evasco and Yasmin Doctor were awarded the Salanga and Alacala respectively. Eighty new children's books were presented and launched. The UST was a gracious host and CCP provided good food. Friends from KUTING, Ang INK and Alitaptap came as well as comrades in literacy advocacy. The most surprising for me was to have met a former co-teacher and godmother of my eldest, Becky Santos-Gerodias, now a published author of LG and M Publishing House. Congrats, Teacher Becky!

Indeed it was an NCBD peppered with new insights and flavored with old delights. Until next year! Maligayang Araw ng Panitikang Pambata!

The 28th National Children's Book Day

Repairing and Restoring the Noli and the Fili

The Germans! They are here!

Two conservators from Germany are in town to do minor repair and restoration of Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Rizal's Last Farewell and his retelling of William Tell are also included in the restoration project by the National Library of the Philippines. Rare Book Collection Head, Rosette Crelencia is supervising the project with financial aid from the Federal Republic of Germany via the German Embassy. The ties that bind Blumentritt and Rizal remains strong in this day and age.

But really, the connection goes beyond the personal friendship that Rizal had with Blumentritt. Restoring the works of the national hero is a relevant and timely project given his 150th birthday in 19 June 2011. Thank you to the Germans! Their technology and expertise in preservation and conservation assures that generations of Filipinos will be able to see Rizal's books, national treasures all!

The PBBY was afforded a viewing of the restoration work earlier this week. It was an awesome sight! There is something sentimental and immortal at the sight of the books being swept clean and restored. It is meticulous work and Rizal indeed deserves such reverence. According to the conservators, the Noli and the Fili are in very good state that they only need to do minor repairs. Good job, National Library of the Philippines!

Here's hoping that, apart from the rare Rizaliana, books and literature by other Filipino heroes will be repaired and restored. The budget for such project costs millions, true. Then again, one should seek in order to find!

Mercado Rizal

2011 Salanga Prize Winners

Congratulations to Eugene Evasco for winning the grand prize of the 2011 Salanga Award. His story, Rizaldy, will be awarded the Salanga Medal on July 2011 during the celebration of the 28th National Children's Book Day.

Honorable mention goes to Patricia Gomez for her story Pepe's Gift.

Filipino Librarians: Librarians of the NLP

Kudos to the librarians of the Filipiniana and Rare Book Collection of the National Library of the Philippines (NLP). The privileged viewing they afforded the PBBY of rare Rizaliana was an awe inspiring experience.

From L-R Ms. Rosette Crelencia; Ms. Malou Go; my daughter, Zoe who wants to be a nurse, a librarian and a writer when she grows up; and Mr. Narciso Cruz.



The PBBY went to see Jose Rizal's manuscripts -- the two novels, The Monkey and the Tortoise, his travel journals, Mi Ultimo Adios (which was written by hand on thin paper like tissue), Makamisa and more journals where his sketches and doodles appeared -- in line with the celebration of our National Heroes' sesquicentennial next year. PBBY is going Rizaliana for the 2011 National Children's Book Day!

Rare Books & Rizaliana

Salanga 2011 Prize Goes Rizaliana

Because it's Rizal's 150th next year, PBBY remembers his relevance in Philippine Children's Literature.

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) is now accepting entries for the 2011 PBBY-Salanga Prize. The contest is co-sponsored by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and The National Library.

2011 marks the 150th birth anniversary of Jose Rizal. To commemorate this event, all 2011 PBBY-Salanga entries should be inspired in part or in whole by the life or works of Jose Rizal. Prizes will be awarded in an appropriate ceremony to be held during the celebration of National Children’s Book Day in July 2011.
CONTEST RULES

1. The contest is open to all Filipino citizens except those who are related to any PBBY member up to the third degree of consanguinity.

2. Stories should be intended for children aged 6 to 12 years old. The plot and the sequence must be capable of sustaining an illustrated book of 28 to 32 pages.

3. Entries may be in Filipino or English.

4. Entries must be in hard copy, double-spaced, on short bond paper. Maximum length is five (5) pages.

5. Each entry should be accompanied by a brief note explaining how the story was inspired by Rizal, as well as the source of the said information (i.e. title of book/article on Jose Rizal).

6. A contestant may send in more than one (1) entry.

7. Each entry must be signed by a pen name only. Five (5) copies of each entry should be placed in an envelope, on the face of which only the pen name of the contestant should appear.

8. Together with each entry, contestants must submit a second envelope, on the face of which the pen name shall appear. This must contain the contestant’s full name, address, contact numbers, a short literary background, and a notarized certification from the author, vouching for the originality of the entry and for the freedom of the organizers from any liability arising from the infringement of copyright in case of publication, and affirming that the entry or any variant thereof has (a) never been published nor (b) won any other contest i.e. that it has never won 1st, 2nd, 3rd, honorable mention in any other contest or otherwise been awarded a medal, a citation, or included in a publicized list of meritorious entries to a literary contest.

9.All entries must be sent through snail mail to the PBBY Secretariat, c/o Adarna House, Inc., Scout Torillo cor. Scout Fernandez Sts., Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City.

10. All entries must be received by the PBBY Secretariat no later than 5:00 p.m., November 15, 2010.

11. Winners will be announced no later than December 17, 2010. Non-winning entries may be claimed at the PBBY Secretariat until January 10, 2011.

The winning story will be the basis for the 2011 PBBY-Alcala Prize. For more details, interested parties may contact the Philippine Board on Books for Young People, at Telefax 372-3548 or email pbby[at]adarna.com.ph.