January Author of the Month: John Patrick Solano (2 of 2)

The Author of the Month for January is Mr. John Patrick Solano (JPS). I admire his most recent book Ang Dangkal ni Matmat (Tahanan Books).  

Here is my short review of the book. 

Ang Dangkal ni Matmat is now available in bookstores. You may also order online at www.tahananbooks.ph or from your favorite booksellers.

His other book, Paano Magbilang si Nanay?, won the National Children's Book Award last year. 

It is available online at shop.vibalgroup.com or from your favorite booksellers.

In this part 2 of my author interview, I asked Mr. Solano what his tips for aspiring writers are. Here are five tips to inspire the young and the young at heart to keep writing!

1.       What are your 5 tips for young writers?

 Well, I still consider myself as a young writer having just started publishing a book in 2020. But here are my 5 tips:

1.       Read, read, and read. Read different genres and literary forms.

2.      Write what you know and what you’re passionate about. But you can also research for the topics you don’t know.

3.      Always ask yourself what’s new that you can offer, something that other writers haven’t written yet. It could be a topic that hasn’t been explored yet or a new perspective about a familiar topic.

4.      Write, write, and write. Explore different genres and forms. Experiment. Keep on practicing to hone your writing skills.

5.      Try, try, and try. It’s normal to get a rejection letter from writing contests, workshops, and publications. It’s better to try but fail than to have not tried at all. Just keep on trying.

Who is John Patrick Solano?

John Patrick F. Solano graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Master of Science degree in Mathematics from the Prince of Songkla University in Thailand as a Thailand’s Education Hub for ASEAN Countries scholar, and Master of Arts degree in Malikhaing Pagsulat from the University of the Philippines Diliman. He was a fellow for Palihang Rogelio Sicat in 2017 and Cordillera Creative Writing Workshop and Angono Summer Writers Workshop in 2014. He won 2nd Prize at the 66th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (Filipino Poetry for Children) in 2016. He is the author of Paano Magbilang si Nanay?, published by Chikiting Books in 2020, which won Kids’ Choice Awards for Picture Books Category at the 7th National Children’s Book Awards, and Ang Dangkal ni Matmat, published by Tahanan Books in 2022.

The 2nd National Children's Book Award Best Reads for 2012 Rules

The National Book Development Board and the Philippine Board on Books for Young People present the 2nd National Children's Book Award Best Reads for 2012 Rules

Children’s Book, Definition 

A printed and bound volume that explicitly states it is for children and/or young people, hereby understood to refer to those falling within the ages 0-19 years. These include works like fiction (e.g. storybooks, young adult novels, fantasy, science fiction), non-fiction (e.g. poetry, biographies/autobiographies, developmental books, reference books, board books, bath books, pop-up books, how-to books, etc.), picture books (wordless or otherwise), graphic novels or comic books expressly labeled for children. At this time, the awards do not cover electronic books or textbooks.

Eligible Book

A book is eligible to be nominated and considered for the NCBA if it is:

a. Published in the Philippines with a corresponding International Standard Book Number (ISBN) by an NBDB-registered publisher within the two (2) years preceding the year of selection (e.g. if the year of selection is 2020, then an eligible book must have been published in 2018 or 2019). This year, books published in 2010 and 2011 will be accepted;

b. Authored by a Filipino citizen;

c. Written in Filipino, English or any other Philippine language specifically included by the PBBY and the NBDB for a specific year;

d. Released to the public in the eligible year as stated in 2 (a) hereof, proof of which shall be any of the following, proof of which shall be submitted with the nomination:

i. Delivery receipt/s to a bookstore, or a dealer/jobber, or any similar entity that has the ability to distribute books to the public;

ii. A donation to a school or library, which need not be formally accepted in an instrument by the beneficiary. It is enough that the donation is received, acknowledged and/or certified by the beneficiaries of said donation in writing;

iii. Distributed in book stores or entities that sell the book, including online distribution, proof of which should be provided;

iv. Produced/printed by a book facility/entity, as shown by a document that said book has been produced in quantities consistent with the act of publication. It is, however, understood, that the specific number of copies shall not be part of the criteria to determine the books to be selected for the Awards.

Nomination

Anybody whether publisher, author or illustrator may nominate a book for the NCBA, as long as the person or entity is registered with the NBDB as a publisher, author or illustrator. The nomination form duly accomplished and signed by the nominating party shall serve as the official letter of nomination and shall be submitted to the NBDB at the address below together with the books, at one form per nominated title. The number of copies to be submitted for consideration will be based on the number of judges plus one copy each for NBDB and PBBY. This year, there being five (5) judges, the number of books to be submitted shall be seven (7).

The Executive Director
National Book Development Board
2/F National Printing Office Building
NIA Northside Road, Bgy. Pinyahan
Quezon City

Subject: The National Children’s Book Awards

After documenting the submissions, the NBDB shall submit nominated books directly to the members of the Board of Judges.

Selection of Awardees

a. The BoJ shall select a maximum of ten (10) titles from all the nominees, without any further ranking the titles, to be proclaimed as the recommended reading titles. The BoJ, on the other hand, is not obliged to select any minimum number of recommended titles, should it not find any nominee deserving of recommendation.

b. Each selected title shall be given a trophy during the NCBA awarding ceremonies. In addition, a citation shall be written by a member of the BoJ about each selection. This citation shall be read aloud during the awarding ceremonies.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from the NBDB ( HYPERLINK "http://www.nbdb.gov.ph) and PBBY (www.pbby.org.ph" www.nbdb.gov.ph) and PBBY (www.pbby.org.ph) websites. Deadline for submission of entries is on January 31, 2012.

The People Behind the 1st NCBA

L-R Totet de Jesus; Dr. Nina Lim Yuson; Sally Labanda; Atty. Andrea Pasion-Flores (NBDB); Dr. Dennis Gonzales (NBDB); Rayvi Sunico; Dean Dina Ocampo; Zarah Gagatiga; Dr. Luis Gatmaitan.

* Karina Bolasco and Emily Abrera attended the awards ceremony but they had to leave for another appointment. Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz is currently abroad.

The 1st NCBA: Celebrating the Book & The Child Reader

I did not know the winners of the first National Children's Book Award until I signed the certificates ten minutes before the awards ceremony last Saturday, 24 July at The Mandarin Hotel. Bookblogger superstar Tarie Sabido, being one of the judges, blogged about the winners. It was a great event, a celebration of books and the child reader.

I'm still gathering up the photos so it won't be up until the next few days. For the meantime, I share with you my message during the ceremony.

National Artist Virgilio Alamrio; Professor Emeritus Amelia Lapena-Bonifacio; members of the board, NBDB and PBBY; members of the board of judges of the first National Children’s Book Awards;

Aren’t we all excited, if not anxious, to know who the winners of the 1st National Children’s Book Awards are? Please bear with us for a few more minutes as we follow the dictate of tradition. Dennis and I are required to give our staple message. This will be short, but sweet. Promise.

There’s a song used to spice up read aloud sessions with preschoolers. It goes like this –

The author writes the book
The author writes the book
Hi-ho! Library! Oh!
The author writes the book

The illustrator draws
The illustrator draws
Hi-ho! Library! Oh!
The illustrator draws

The publisher puts it together
The publisher puts it together
Hi-ho! Library! Oh!
The publisher puts it together**

Pretty cute, huh? Cuteness aside, the song has a serious message specially tailored for children who are beginning to discover the many wonders of words and the worlds that these words could open. Such is the power of books! Great is the influence and inspiration of those who create and keep them!

Today, we recognize them – authors, illustrators, publishers and the professionals who provide access to one of humanity’s greatest creations, the book. Today, we award the books that they painstakingly labored for. On top of the bookmaking troupe, however, is the child reader who, I believe is the reason for the NCBA’s inception.

The winners of the first National Children's Book Awards will definitely be delighted and honored. We share in your euphoria. As you receive your award today, you have etched your name in the annals of Philippine Children's Literature. No doubt that the award will make a good addition to your resume, a feather on the cap as the old idiom goes. Congratulations!

Then again, let us not forget, that the best award a book can get is the affirmation from its child reader and the enjoyment it gives its intended audience. Enjoy the ceremony! Thanks to all who made the first National Children's Book Day a reality!

** From Judy Freeman's Hi-ho! Library-oh!

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.