The Museo Pambata Mobile Library

The MP Mobile Library is at rest in the museum grounds.

A Mobile Library is one example of inclusive programming. Most public libraries carry on programs like this to reach areas and communities where books are scarce and access to information is poor. The Museo Pambata, a non-government foundation, has been running a mobile library since 1995.

Charlot Cachuela, MP's librarian and resident storyteller tells us more about the mobile library's history, activities and future projects.

How did the mobile library begin?

The Mobile Library had its beginning in 1995, shortly after the opening of Museo Pambata. In fulfillment of the museum’s thrust to promote literacy, staff members and volunteers regularly visited underserved areas in Manila aboard a Tamaraw FX carrying 50 books and a simple sign that read "Museo Pambata Mobile Library". From then on, the advocacy program continues to serve to Filipino children especially when it finally had a real mobile library van.
What are its programs, schedule of visits to communities and activities?

The main goal of the project is to provide reading materials to children who doesn't have an access to books and from there encourage them to read. Thus we do, storytelling enhanced with arts and crafts. There is also an allotted time for reading the books. Different workshops, such as storytelling, creative facilitation and establishing reading centers are among the activities being provided to the volunteers and community leaders who are interested with the project. The mobile library visits communities every Saturday but can have activities on a weekdays during school breaks.

Charlot telling a story to kids in Museo Pambata

Why is it still operational? Name factors that have been helpful for you and the MP mobile library to function?

Through all the support from the people who believe in the project, whether they are sponsors, volunteers, community leaders, parents and friends, the mobile library van still rolling its wheels. The project will continuously serve the children as long as needed. The organization seeks funds to keep it moving. Collaborating with interested local government units and schools also make to the project sustain.

What are the future plans or activities of the MP Mobile Library?

One of our dreams is to make a smaller mobile library van which can go along narrow streets of Manila. We cannot bring the big bus into smaller communities because of its size plus its old already, serving us for 14 years. A new look, a new vehicle in the future to reach more children.

Visit the Museo Pambata website and FB Page for updates on activities and projects for kids and children's rights advocate.

Storytelling Workshop for Kids 2018: Imagine! Play! Wonder!

Salaysayan 2018: A Reading Aloud and Storytelling Festival Post Script

These librarians performed The Old Taylor in Readers' Theatre 

The 2018 Salaysayan Reading Aloud and Storytelling Festival came to pass at the Museo Pambata last July 29, 2018 after being postponed due to bad weather last July 18, 2018.

There are really moments when all you needed to do is to trust the divine forces of the universe to put things in place. What I feared to be a Salaysayan of poor attendance turned out as the opposite!

Museo Pambata came in full support, as well as the storytellers who volunteered. Rey Bufi, Melai Ramirez and the National Library of the Philippines' Storytelling and Puppetry Troupe, Kuya Rich, Teacher Psalm, Teacher Mars and the UP Diliman Librarians of the Filipiniana Department headed by Roel Randilla, thank you to all of you for sharing your time and takents! You made 100 plus kids happier with your stories. To Teacher Motie Andal, we hope to have you again next time for a more intensive workshop on books, reading and supporting teachers and parents in their journey as literacy teachers to their kids in school and at home.

Our local book publishers didn't sell as much, but I thank you for ever supporting PBBY in all its endeavours!

Dear friends in the profession, Audrey Anday and Darrel Marco, with Eleanor Llave coming in as a surprise volunteer, your presence and friendship weigh more precious than gold. The PBBY ladies, Tarie Sabido, Fran Ong and Ani Almario who were with me from start to finish of the Salaysayan.

We can always do better next year!

Salaysayan 2018 Program: A Read Aloud and Storytelling Festival

Salaysayan 2018

A Read Aloud and Storytelling Festival

In celebration of National Children’s Book Day, the PBBY stages the 2nd Storytelling Festival with emphasis on Read Aloud as a strategy to bring to life books and the written word. This year’s Salaysayan is not a contest nor a competition but a celebration of the different and varied ways we can enjoy and learn from narratives and stories. Because PBBY believes in the valuable role of families in nurturing children’s curiosity and  in teaching them literacy skills, a talk for parents is included in the this year’s program. To further guide parents in selecting reading materials for their children, PBBY and Museo Pambata will stage a book display and book selling by publishers of children’s books.

By offering this wholistic and integrated program in this year’s Salaysayan, we are hopeful that we can achieve our goal of developing readers with a genuine love for books and stories. We dream that one day, our young readers become confident creators of their own narratives who are able to define, flavor and shape this nation’s collective narrative.

Date: Tuesday July 17, 2018

Time: 1PM - 4PM

Venue: Museo Pambata

Registration Fee: Php 250.00

Online Registration: June 20, 2018 - July 11, 2018

Book Selling from 10AM - 4PM

Program

1:00 - 2:00 PM - Registration 2:00 - 2:30 PM - Plenary and Orientation at Karapatan Hall by Zarah G 2:30 - 3:30 PM - Parenting Talk: Children Growing Up With Books: A Developmental Perspective  Resource Person: Teacher Vic Villanueva

SET A	SET B
2:30 - 3:00 - Room 1 Old Manila	Room 4 Bahay na Bato
3:00 - 3:30 - Room 2 I love my Planet Earth	Room 5 Paglaki ko room
3:30 - 4:00 - Room 3 Aklatang Pambata	Room 6 Katawan Ko Area

Summer Workshop 2: Imagine! Play! Wonder!

My 2016 In Retrospect: My Life as A Storyteller

One of the amazing things that happened to me last year was the recognition and appreciation I received from peers in the culture and the arts. Museo Pambata included my work and the advocacy I do on literacy development and reading in the Paglaki Ko Room: Gusto Ko Maging Kuwentista. I owe it to Museo Pambata since they gave me the opportunity to be a storyteller. I started out as a volunteer storyteller in their afternoon storytelling sessions back in the 90s. Padayon!

Here is a bit of history about the building of the Paglaki Ko Room told in blog links:

Letter of Invitation: Paglaki ko, gusto ko maging kuwentista - It was in August 2015 when I got the letter from Museo Pambata. Of course, I was shocked first. Then, elated. The reality that I am old hit me last.

The Ang Paglaki Ko Room in Museo Pambata - The Kuwentista Room is part of the Ang Paglaki Ko Exhibit that showcases the writing, illustrating and telling of stories to children and the young at heart. Visit the room in Museo Pambata! It is an interactive room where kids can actually write, draw, listen and view recorded videos of storytellers. It is so cool!

Kuwentista Room Launching Day - Here's how we celebrated the launching of the Kuwentista Room. All storytellers featured in the exhibit told stories, live!

There was a time when I thought of giving up on telling stories. But, Philip Pullman reminded me that stories and storytelling are the things we need most in the world.

Museo Pambata News: Launch of the Paglaki Ko, Gusto Ko Maging Kuwentista Room

Kuya Jay plays the flute to start us off in storytelling.

Last July 26, 2016, Museo Pambata launched a new exhibit room that completes and complements its literacy and creative development advocacy among children and the young at heart. The Paglaki Ko, Gusto Ko Maging Kuwentista Room was finally unveiled after a year of fundraising, grant seeking, designing the area and planning of activities for it to come alive. Thanks to the ever hopeful and persistent President of Museo Pambata, Nina Lim-Yuson, who did not give up on seeing this exhibit into existence. Her team of intrepid young dreamers followed through: Maricel "Mamu" Montero, Noreen "Tich" Parafina, Conrad Raquel and the rest of the Museo Pambata Museum Guides worked hard to make the room an accessible and attractive feature of the Paglaki Ko Room.

With the launch of the storytelling area, children will know the many uses of language and why books, have an interesting role in creative play and imagination. Writers write stories. Illustrators draw the visuals to shape the narrative into palpable possibilities that lead to the understanding of the stories. Storytellers open up avenues of exploring these two art forms further on. The cycle of creative production comes full circle and the promise of new creative pursuits begins.

Melay Ramirez Abad participates in the storytelling with gusto!

I am honored and humbled to be a part of the six storytellers featured in the exhibit. My work as a school librarian has extended beyond the four walls of the library and into places where more children can access, not just books and stories, but opportunities to dream, to wonder and to take flight. It takes a village to raise a child and greater determination to see them become creative and productive citizens of the world.

L-R: Tich Noreen, Mamu Montero, JK Anicoche, Rey Bufi, Charlot Cachuela,
Teacher Mars, Kuya Bodjie, me and Nina Lim-Yuson

Visit Museo Pambata! Let your children imagine, play and wonder! Bring out the inner child in you!

Paglaki Ko, Gusto Ko Maging Kwentista Room in Museo Pambata

A week ago, I received an email from Museo Pambata President, Nina Lim Yuson, informing me that the Paglaki Ko, Gusto Ko Maging Kuwentista Room will soon be open to the public. Here's a snippet of Ms. Yuson's letter that really made my day.

Museo Pambata is very happy and excited to finally launch/open the exhibit on the Storyteller or Kwentista. This will be on July 26, Tuesday at 2 pm in the Career Options/Paglaki Ko Gusto Kong Maging..theme room at Museo Pambata.

This interactive area was designed by Conrad Raquel in collaboration with Museo Pambata's Exhibit Department.

All six of you were chosen for your love for storytelling, children and books. We hope to inspire kids and adults to be good storytellers, like you through the exhibits.

In a previous post, I wrote about being chosen as one of the storytellers who is featured in the exhibit. It was in August 2015 when I received the letter.  Apart from myself, the featured storytellers are: Kuya Rey Bufi, JK Anicoche, Mars Mercado, Charlot Cachuela and Kuya Bodjie Pascua.

Despite challenges in funding, Museo Pambata was able to successfully push the project through. They are amazing! Talk about tenacity and commitment!

Here now is the e-invite of the launch. Consider it as my invitation to you! If you are not free to join us, then visit Museo Pambata when you are free or when you are in Manila.

Paglaki ko, gusto ko maging kwentista!

Museo Pambata has chosen me as one of the six storytellers to be included in the roster of artists and creatives who push for the development of literacy and children's rights. I am deeply honored.

I struggle to keep the self inflicted flattery down low. I pray to be blessed with the grace of smallness. I do want to be recognized for the hard work I put in as a teacher librarian, storyteller and author. And truly, I am happy. But I also need to keep in mind that this honor is not entirely my own doing. In many ways, I have the support of friends in the industry. I know that my parents were instrumental in building in me a positive work ethic. My children are my constant inspiration. My husband is my worst critic (and this is a good thing).

More than anything, this honor of being inducted as a role model for young people inspires me to do more. To never stop creating and looking for possibilities when the road that is ahead presents dead ends. To the Museo Pambata people, this early, I thank you for this honor. In this day and age, our work in providing young people with the chance to grow roots and wings is all the more challenging. May we draw strength from each other and inspire more young people to continue what we have started.

See you all next month in the launching of the new Ang Paglaki Ko room!

Augie Rivera on Martial Law and Writing Historical Fiction for Kids

Noong Nobyembre 27, 2014 ay nag launch ang Adarna House at ang Edsa People Power Commission ng aklat pambata tungkol sa Martial Law, ang Isang Harding Papel. Ang aklat ay sinulat ni Augie Rivera at ginuhit ni Rommel Joson. Ito ay inilimbag ng Adarna House.

Narito ang aking interview kay Augie Rivera tungkol sa aklat. Sinagot rin niya ang mga tanong tungkol sa kanyang paglikha ng kwento at sa inspirasyon niya sa kwento ni Jenny.

Pangalawa mo ng Martial Law book ito. Bakit ka muling nagsulat ng aklat tungkol sa Martial Law para sa mga bata? 

Ang kuwentong ‘Isang Harding Papel’ ay base sa ilang mga tunay na pangyayari at karanasan. Matagal ko na itong naisulat at bahagi sana ng limang libro sa seryeng ‘Batang Historyador’ ngunit minabuti kong unahing ilabas ang kuwentong ‘FQS’ na ‘Si Jhun-jhun, Noong Bago Ideklara ang Batas Mililtar.’ Kaya naitago muna sa ‘baul’ ang kuwento.

Sa dami ng revisionist takes sa Martial Law at sa ating kasaysayan na naglipana ngayon sa social media, naisipan kong balikan ang kuwento. Nag-revise ako ng konti, at saka ko ito ipinasa sa Adarna House. Sila ang nakaisip na i-tie up ito sa EDSA People Power Commission dahil naghahanap daw sila ng ganoong tipo ng kuwento.

Ayun. Makalipas ang labing-apat na taon, sa wakas ay dumating din ang tamang panahon para mailathala ito bilang isang libro.

Sa pamamagitan ng kuwento, umaasa akong mapupukaw ang interes ng batang mambabasa, mag-uusisa, at gugustuhing malaman ang iba pang mga kuwento ng pakikipagsapalaran, pangarap at pagkamulat ng mga batang gaya ni Jenny sa madilim na kabanatang ito ng ating kasaysayan. Malimit nating sabihin: ‘Ang mga kabataan ngayon, walang alam sa kasaysayan. Walang sense of history.’ Madalas din natin silang sabihan: ‘never forget.’ Pero, paano nila malilimutan ang isang bagay na hindi naman nila naranasan? Ang kasaysayan ay hindi lang pagmememorya ng mahahalagang petsa, pangyayari, at buhay ng mga bayani. Bilang mga ‘Martial Law babies’ na tumanda na, at karamiha’y mga magulang na rin, tungkulin natin na ipaalam sa mga bata ang kasaysayan. Ikuwento natin sa kanila ang kasaysayan. Ipakita. Iparamdam. Sana, ang mga aral ng nagdaan ay makatulong upang mabuo ang mas maalab nilang pagmamahal sa bayan at pagmamahal sa kasaysayan.

Rommel Joson and Augie Rivera at the book launch

May personal ka bang karanasan tungkol sa Martial Law na nasasalamin as aklat? Ano ito? 

Lumaki ako noong panahon ng Martial Law. Kaya’t na-excite akong isulat ang kuwento. Isa siyang magandang pagkakataon para magbalik-tanaw sa aking kabataan, at gamitin ang ilang mga detalye at karanasan para pandagdag sa texture at nuances ng kuwento. Noong panahong iyon, masugid kong sinubaybayan ang iba’t ibang mecha o robot anime sa telebisyon. Mekanda tuwing Lunes. Daimos tuwing Martes. Mazinger Z tuwing Miyerkules. Grendaizer tuwing Huwebes. At Voltes V tuwing Biyernes. Pagkagaling sa eskuwela, nakatutok na ako sa telebisyon. Lilipad ako kasama ang mga robot, kakalabanin namin ang mga Boazanian beast fighters, at ipagtatanggol ang buong bayan… bago mag-curfew o maghapunan!

Nang biglang i-ban ni Marcos ang Voltes V sa telebisyon dahil sobrang bayolente raw at naglalaman diumano ng mga subersibong mensahe, kabilang ako sa mga batang nagalit at naghimagsik ang damdamin. May dineprive sa ‘yo eh. May biglang inalis. May biglang inagaw. At hindi mo naiintindihan kung bakit. In a way, kahit bata ka, naramdaman mo na may nangyaring repression.

Marahil, collective angst din ‘yon ng isang henerasyon. Pero kung may mga batang nagluksa sa biglaang pagkawala ni Voltes V na itinuring nilang bayani at kaibigan, may mga batang iba naman ang biglang nawala sa buhay nila. Iba naman ang kanilang pinagdaanan— namuhay at lumaki sila nang malayo sa piling ng kanilang tatay, nanay, ate o kuya, na ipinakulong dahil sumalungat sa mga isinusulong ng Bagong Lipunan.

Mas sentimental ang treatment mo ng Martial Law experiences ng bidang bata sa Hardin kumpara ng Kay Junjun. May kinalaman ba ang gender dahil babae ang bida? 

Sa palagay ko, pareho lang na malungkot o sentimental ang ‘Jhun-jhun’ at ‘Hardin’ dahil hindi talaga maiiwasan. Parehong naganap ang kuwento sa maligalig, malungkot at madilim na kabanata ng ating kasaysayan. Pero ilan lamang ito sa mas marami pang kuwento ng mga batang nagkamulat at dumanas din ng parehong hirap at pasakit na pinagdaanan ng matatanda noong panahong ‘yon.

Babae ang bida dahil may pinagbasehan ako sa kuwento— ang mga tunay na karanasan ni Jenny Cortes (na pinsan-in-law ko; pinsan ni Mike) noong bata pa siya at dumadalaw sa kaniyang nanay na isang political detainee.

 Pinili ko ang imahe/metaphor ng bulaklak para sa kuwento dahil nainspire ako sa mga wooden sculptures ni Jenny sa kaniyang unang exhibit na ‘Wall Flowers’. At dahil ang bulaklak din ay simbolo ng pag-usbong ng buhay at pag-asa.

Ano ang hindi pa naisusulat ni Augie Rivera? 

Marami pa. Mas marami pang kuwento. Mas marami pa sanang programang pambata sa telebisyon. Isang musical. Isang coming of age na pelikula. Marami pa.

The book launch was held in Museo Pambata. Kuya Bodjie read aloud the story, Isang Harding Papel

Toy Drive at the Museo Pambata

Wrap Up: The NCBD Fair 201

The weather did not cooperate at all last week. The wind blew off from the sea. A tropical storm passed through the southern side of the Philippines which made the whole day gray, gloomy and wet. But the bad weather didn't stop the PBBY to head on to Museo Pambata for the 31st celebration of the National Children's Book Day. The event was already postponed a week before due to another storm that struck Manila. There was no reason for another postponement.

PBBY with the Salanga and Alacala Prize winners

The NCBD Program was in full swing at 9AM that morning of July 22. Kids from different schools visited the various booths of book sellers and publishers. They had a blast with storytellers during the storytelling sessions at the Karapatan Hall. The librarians workshop had more than half of the expected number of attendees. In the afternoon, the awarding ceremonies of the Salanga and Alcala Prizes capped the whole day celebration of the NCBD.

Participants of the NCBD Librarians' Workshop

Bookmark's Booth at Museo Pambata

This year's NCBD celebration deviated from tradition. The PBBY board members wore t-shirst that has the new PBBY logo designed by Studio Dialogo. But some things remain: friends whom we all can count on to boost and enrich the industry; promising talents and artists we welcome to Philippine Children's Literature; and the presence of hundreds of Filipino kids, our inspiration to continue this advocacy for books and reading.

Touched base with author and friend, Becky Santos-Gerodias

The PBBY will rest for but a few days but we'll be back next month for the Alcala Retrospective, Gunita't Guhit at UP Diliman. And then there's the KABANATA Workshop that will take place in the next few months. Our work is never done. We continue. We move on. We have fun!

Echo-Workshop on the IASL 42nd Annual Conference: The School Library as Venue for Life Skills Development

Mark your calendars!

On July 15, 2014, I'll be giving an echo-workshop session to school librarians on The 42nd IASL Conference held in Bali, Indonesia last August 27-31, 2013. This is in congruence to the celebration of the 31st National Chidlren's Book Day. The echo-session workshop will be at 9AM - 12 NN. Venue is in Museo Pambata.

There is a workshop fee of Php 500.00. For inquiries and registration detail, email pbby@adarna.ph The DepEd advisory and endorsement will follow.

Keep checking the blog or visit the PBBY website in the following weeks for updates.

The School Library as Venue for the Development of Life Skills: An Echo and Workshop Session of the 42nd IASL Conference in Bali, Indonesia held on August 27-31, 2013

The echo-workshop session will discuss life skills and well being indicators, and how librarians can use these skills and concepts in planning, implementing and evaluating programs and services for children and teenagers.  21st century trends in school library management and administration will also be presented as well as information on participation on professional learning networks, particularly in the International Association of School Libraries.

A Very Bookish Wedding

Writers Beverly "Bebang" Wico Siy and Ronald "Poy" Verzo tied the knot yesterday at San Agustin Church. Reception followed at the Ramon Magsaysay Hall along Roxas Blvd. Congratulations Beb and Poy!

The Museo Pambata Book Mobile Van was the bride's bridal car.

This wedding was the most unique I have attended yet. It's a book themed wedding and the reception showcased what Beb and Poy are all about: writers in love! The bridal car was a book mobile courtesy of Museo Pambata; our guest tags were bookmarks from old catalog cards; the center piece on every table were books from the Verzo Family Library. The hall was filled with friends and familiar faces from the writing and publishing industry.

As in any wedding, there were songs and a dance by the couple. Again, Beb and Poy did their own take on this as the singers were poets who sang songs of love and life. Their wedding dance was a Dance Revo of Dirty Dancing's I have the Time of My Life theme. Lakbay Lahi performed their signature world music ensemble and three young poets delivered a Balagtasan on staying single or pursuing the vocation of married life.

Thank you, Beb and Poy for inviting me and allowing me to bring my hubby. It's an honor to be witnesses to your union. We wish you all the best and may you have more books and poems to write in the future!

Museo Pambata: Storytelling Workshop

Museo Pambata: Art & Objects

Museo Pambata is encouraging art enthusiasts to help MP fulfill some of its 2012 wishes!

Art and Objects, a fund raising event to benefit Museo Pambata Foundation Inc., is an art sale and auction that gathers artists who personally donated art pieces for this cause.

Items for sale include those by Ben Cabrera, Anita Magsaysay-Ho, Juvenal Sanso, Brenda Fajardo, Araceli Dans and ‘objects’ such as a Ramon Orlina glass sculpture and Jon and Tessie Pettyjohn’s pottery.

The art sale and auction will be held on October 2 at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati. Art pieces can be viewed at the mezzanine of the hotel until October 6. These can also be viewed online via www.museopambata.org/artandobjects.

MP is a non-stock, non-profit organization which relies on sponsorships, grants and voluntary contributions to carry out its projects.

“We hope that through this sale and auction of Filipino art pieces, we would be able to raise enough funds to fulfill some of our wishes. That is, to renew one of the exhibit rooms, install a better playground for the children, acquire a big outdoor tent for summer events and a string of physical requirements such as sound systems and air conditioning units,” MP President Nina Yuson said.

Through sponsorships and grants in 2011, MP was able to renew one exhibit room, welcome 20,822 subsidized children and adults to the museum, 35 Metro Manila barangays through its Mobile Library, and hold the 2nd Asian Children’s Museum Conference.

The Museo Pambata Foundation, Inc. is a non-stock, non-profit organization that established the first interactive children's museum in the Philippines. Opened to the public in 1994, Museo Pambata has distinguished itself for its educational programs and its interactive exhibits. Committed to provide alternative education and uphold the welfare of children, Museo Pambata has also conducted various programs and activities held in the museum, in Manila's schools and communities and in different cities nationwide. Its educational programs and special activities are anchored on the advocacy of children's rights, primarily on their right to education, health, recreation, and mental and physical development. In March 2012, Museo Pambata was shortlisted and received a Special Commendation from the jury of the First Children's Museum Award in Bologna, Italy “for inspiring the creation of new children's museums in the Philippines and Asia”.

For more information, call 523-1797, 5231798, 536-0595 or email info@museopambata.org.

Museo Pambata's Mobile Library @ 17

At 1PM today, I'll be at the Museo Pambat to lend an inspirational message to Museo Pambata people who are part of the Mobile Library. The Mobile Library turned 17 years old last month. If not for the bad weather last 21 July, celebration would have pushed through. We wait for better weather, so today 4 August, is the  designated day. This event is a meaningful moment (for me) because my talk is a way for me to go back and give back to Museo Pambata.

Not many know this, but I actually started conducting writing workshops for children at Museo Pambata. It was at Museo Pambata where I joined the finals of the PBBY Storytelling Contest. Long before Salaysayan, PBBY had conducted contests on storytelling. I did not win, but I had a string of invites to tell stories after the Museo Pambata - PBBY gig. This was in the late 90's. Who would have thought I'd be part of PBBY? Who would have thought that I'd continue on telling stories and doing workshops.

Telling stories with the kids who attended the summer workshops @ Museo Pambata (late 90s).

For later, I will talk about the following: reading books and enjoying it makes a whole difference to a growing child; storytelling is a calling, a sharing of self; anyone is a storyteller; preparing for a storytelling.

Will blog more about the activity after! And yes, will post pictures!

 

The 29th NCBD @ Museo Pambata

Russel Molina accepts the 2012 Salanga Prize

After months of preparation, the PBBY has concluded the 29th NCBD celebration at Museo Pambata. The Salanga and Alcala Prizes were awarded to Russell Molina and Hubert Fucio respectively. Honorable mentions: Dang Bagas and Jun Matias for the Salanga and Jonathan Ranilla and Aldy Aguirre were given their plaques as well. Tarie Sabido was inducted as new board representative for book bloggers/book reviewers and I did a tandem telling of Anong Gupit Natin Ngayon, the winning Salanga of 2012, with Abs de Lina of Batibot. Museo Pambata people, Nina Lim Yuson, Maricel "Mamu" Montero and Noreen "Tich" Parafina were such warm hosts. The PBY Secretariat and staff were so efficient, as always, that this year's 29th NCBD was indeed a humorously successful affair.

Teacher Dina Ocampo gave a brilliant keynote on language, reading and mother tongue. It was a keynote where in everyone meaningfully derived nuggets of learning on the use of one's mother tongue. Indeed, language plays a great role in reading and writing development as well as the context. The intermission number by The Minstrels of Hope was a delight.

The Minstrels of Hope

I met old friends - CLAPI, Librarians from Manila and the National Library of the Philippines, Neni SR Cruz who is now Chairman of the National Book Development Board, and finally, met Honey de Peralta and Paolo Chikiamco in person. I was also able to touch base with my former grad school professor, Lina Diaz de Rivera who gave me a copy of her recent book, Teaching Filipino Novels, published by Anvil.

Thank you to those who celebrated NCBD in their schools and learning communities: Teacher Jerson Capuyan of St. La School, Rochelle Siverio, Cynthia Sumagaysay Del Rosario, OMF-Hiyas Publication to mention a few. In the coming days, I will post pictures you sent and activities you had with your kids.

Until next NCBD! Magbasa sa Sariling Wika!

Children and Climate Change

The 2nd Asian Children's Museum Conference drums up the issue of climate change and its effect on children.



From the website of Museo Pambata -- Feb 2 to 4, 2012 Join our 2nd Asian Children's Museum Conference! Global warming has many causes and only one solution: YOU! Join us as we bring speakers from all around the world to discuss how we and our children can help Mother Earth in the fight against climate change. Visit www.museopambata.org/acmc for more details. Early bird rates apply until December!

Gcina Mhlope Becker is Back!