The 2023 Readership Survey by the National Book Development Board

Children's Book Summit: Prospects and Directions in Philippine Children's Literature (1 of 4)

Ang Top Ten Bonggang Ganap sa PH Kids Lit (2009 to present)

Prospects and Directions in Philippine Children’s Literature

Zarah C. Gagatiga, Teacher Librarian and Board Member PBBY

Children’s Book Summit 2019

Anong Ganap? Ang Bonnga!

For my talk this afternoon, I listed down ten bonggang ganap in Philippine children’s literature from 2009 to present. By children’s literature I included distribution of children’s books, readership and documentation in my presentation. I used the slang words Bongga and Ganap because I like using them. Bongga came about in the late 70s and the early 80s which means fancy, stylish, outlandish (in a good way) and extravagant. Ganap on the other hand is a recent invention coming around in 2017 pertaining to a happening, an occurrence that is truly eventful or a role and a performance of great relevance. There have been movements and developments in Philippine Children’s Literature in the past decade that are indeed relevant and fanciful, in a good way.

I based my selection of these top ten amazing, notable and worthy of reckoning events and developments in Philippine Children’s Literature from 2009 to present on my participation in projects organized by the PBBY with its partners; my professional practice as librarian; and by reading research and news, articles and essays on the state and status of children’s literature in the country. It is my hope that from this list, I could discuss implications, present facts, share inspiring stories and identify prospects and directions of the book industry, especially, children’s books.

Back in July 2016, I attended a summer workshop on Book History. It was organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) in partnership with the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP).  It was facilitated by Ramon Sunico, teacher, poet and wide eyed wanderer. The participants of the workshop were mainly content creators, book distributors and book lovers. Mr. Sunico set the tone of the workshop by laying down the very reason why we create books. We make them because we want to dream and we want to remember.

The 2019 Children's Book Summit

Call for Submissions: Papers, Panels, Talks, and Workshops for the 9th Philippine International Literary Festival (PILF) ​

Reposting this from the NBDB FB Page:

The National Book Development Board (NBDB), the government agency mandated to develop and support the Philippine book industry, is conducting the 9th Philippine International Literary Festival (PILF). The event is a landmark project of the NBDB that celebrates literature and promotes best practices through discourse on issues of authorship and readership shaping the book industry.

The Philippine International Literary Festival shall be held on April 19-20, 2018 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Pasay City, Philippines as part of the Buwan ng Panitikan (National Literature Month) celebration.

In line with this, we welcome submissions of proposals from individuals and organizations for breakout sessions that are of professional interest to our attendees (book lovers, writers, illustrators, book designers, librarians, publishers, etc.).

Session topics must hew to the theme “(AUTHOR)ITIES,” underscoring the power and voice that come with creation. Sessions may also revolve around innovative ideas or unique research on any of the following topics:

• Reading

• Libraries

• Storytelling

• Book talks

• Ethnography

• Community outreach

• Book programs for differently abled

• Literary adaptations (book to film, book to games/apps, etc.)

• Technology

• Gaming

• Social media

• Rights acquisition

Submission guidelines:

• Proposals for papers, panels, talks, or workshops must include an abstract (200-250 words) written in a style that is accessible to a variety of readers, including the general public. The session may be in Filipino or English. Abstracts must be submitted in English or be accompanied by an English translation.

• Proposals must indicate your chosen type of presentation (paper, panel, talk, or workshop) and its duration. We welcome 10-15-minute presentations for talks and papers and 30-60-minute presentations for panels. Workshops may be longer than 60 minutes. (Some talks and paper presentations may be merged by the NBDB in one session depending on the topic.)

• Proposals for panels must include a panel abstract and paper abstracts.

• Proposals for workshops must include a 3- to 4-sentence summary for the session.

• All proposals must be sent by filling out this form: https://goo.gl/forms/WtZqK2kxlCQEk0Jo2

All presenters are responsible for handouts and other materials required for their session. Successful applicants will receive priority registration to the festival and complimentary luncheons. Each presenter is responsible for their travel and accommodations.

Deadline for submissions is February 18, 2018. Notice of acceptance of proposals will be emailed by February 28, 2018.

For further information, please contact Ms. Debbie Nieto at oed@nbdb.gov.ph (cc: litfest@nbdb.gov.ph) or at (632) 929 3887 loc. 804.

More information about previous festivals may be found on the NBDB website at booksphilippines.gov.ph.

NCBD 2015: Philippine Children's Book Summit

NBDB's Kapihan with Librarians

I am looking forward to this round table discussion with stakeholders of the book industry. Meanwhile, I am sifting through my list of what to share and what not to share.

A Postscript on the 2nd ReaderCon

I owe this one to Honey de Peralta, especially, because I have not responded to her email properly. And like what I've said in previous posts, I've been sidelined from blogging due to domestic and work related duties. Dear Me. When it rains, it pours!

So I begin.

A big congratulations to the organizers of the 2nd ReaderCon: the National Book Development Board, the Filipinas Heritage Library and the collective group of Filipino Book Bloggers! Organizing an event is not a walk in the park but you guys made it look so easy. Your passion for books and reading fueled the success of the 2nd ReaderCon. May you continue to influence and inspire readers, especially the very young ones, to love books and nurture in themselves a culture of reading. The 1st Readers Choice Award was pretty cool especially that in the category for children's books children were judges. Schools and learning communities working with and for children should learn from this example. If we envision a reading nation, we need to involve our kids in deciding, choosing and creating books and reading materials. Let's start them young! Maybe next year, a young adult (YA) novel category can be judged by teens?

In the panel where I sat in to present the role of the library to readers and book lovers, a clamor for more books in Filipino surfaced. English novels by Filipino writers, for teens and older or more mature readers, are readily available. There is a steady production and distribution of such materials. The Tagalog novel for YA is a gap in the reading scheme. The industry has its work cut out for them.

I enjoyed seating in the teachers and reading program panel too. One's love for reading does not grow like mushrooms after the rain. Reading, being a complex activity, needs to be taught in formal settings like the classroom. Teachers are natural reading instructors. While there are expensive reading programs presented during the panel, I was impressed at the innovative reading program run by a public school in Caloocan.  CENTEX's reading program is a classic example of government and non-government project.

I did not finish the whole event and missed on panels by authors after lunch. I did buy books, bookmarks and a handsome Harry Potter book pendant. What joy! Looking forward to the next ReaderCon!

The Great Philippine Book Cafe

New Guidelines of the Bureau of Customs

On the importation of books, the Bureau of Customs has issued new guidelines for the duty and free tax importation of books. Here's an introductory paragraph from the website of the National Book Development Board (NBDB) --

The Bureau of Customs recently issued Customs Memorandum Order No. 25-2011 or the Guidelines for the Duty and Tax Free Importation of Books. The said memorandum contains guidelines on the coverage and operational provisions of the duty and tax free importation of books under Section 105 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines for uniformity in the treatment of book importations.

The full article can be read here. Copy of the Customs Memorandum Order No. 25-2011 is downloadable form the NBDB website.

LOL means Lit Out Loud!

More info at the National Book Development Board website.

1st National Children's Book Award MOA Signing

National Children's Book Awards in the Inquirer

A much needed press release/article by Neni Sta. Romana Cruz on the National Children's Book Awards is in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Read on and nominate your favorite children's book published in 2008 and 2009. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the National Book Development Board (NBDB) website.

PBBY & NBDB Team Up for the 1st National Children's Book Awards

After months of brainstorming, planning and meetings in person and online, the first National Children's Book Awards is here!

In July of this year, the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Philippine Board on Books for the Young (PBBY) present the first ever National Children’s Book Awards (NCBA), giving honor to the 10 best books for children and young adult for the years 2008 and 2009. The deadline for nominations is on April 15, 2010.

The NCBA rules can be viewed here. Copy of the nomination form is available via the NBDB website.

Buklat Bulilit 2009 Opening Ceremony

Buklat Bulilit opened in TriNoma Mall today with a simple program for kids invited from a local school. The four day long book fair drums up the importance of books and reading as it offers reading materials for children and young adults. The activities during the book fair are as follows -

July 29 - 10:30 am - Opening Ceremony

July 30 - 10:00 am - Storytelling Session

July31 - 2:00 pm - Storytelling
11:00 am & 3:30 pm - Oishi Mascot Dance

August 1 - 10:30 am - Hand Puppet Making
1:00 pm - Cooking Demo
3:30 pm - Lecture on the Novel for Young Adults

For details of the activities, contact the TriNoma Concierge or call 892-1801 loc. 21. This event is brought to the public by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People, Filipinas Heritage Library, TriNoma, the National Book Development Board, Jolibee and Oishi.

Buklat Bulilit 2009

Should you miss the week long book fair in Marikina City's Convention Center, you can catch it up at the TriNoma on July 29 - August 1.

The National Book Development Board (NBDB), Filipinas Heritage Library, and the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) invite kids and kids-at-heart to take part in Buklat Bulilit, a children’s book festival showcasing the best of Philippine children’s literature at the TriNoma Mall from July 29 to August 1.

Buklat Bulilit features a series of events that promote the love of reading and books among the young. Storytelling, cooking demos, book fairs, and mascot appearance await kids of all ages at the Cinema Lobby, 4th Level of the TriNoma in celebration of Children’s Book Month.

Buklat Bulilit is presented by Filipinas Heritage Library, Philippine Board on Books for Young People, National Book Development Board, and TriNoma, in partnership with Anvil Publishing, Adarna House, Jollibee, and Oishi.