Thank You Ms. Neni!

Last week, several writing organizations, reading advocacy groups and industry stakeholders gathered to bid goodbye and thank Ms. Neni Sta. Romana Cruz for eight fruitful years of service to the National Book Development Board. Held at the Training Hall of JRich Holdings, the office of Precious Pages and Lampara Books, Ms. Neni was feted, serenaded and given a tribute she will remember forever. After all, for us, we believe that "Neni is Forever".

I knew Ms. Neni as far back as childhood. Because my mother, a librarian, worked at the International School Manila, she brought me to work during summer and had me spend the day at the Children's Media Center. There, Ms. Neni held office. She is not a librarian. She is a writer and a reader; a lover of books and a children's literature advocate. All through my growing up year in high school and college, Ms. Neni and I would cross paths. As a young librarian, I dared join the PBBY's 1st Storytelling Contest. During that time, she was its President.

And the rest is history for me and Ms. Neni.

We were together in Sa Aklat Sisikat as trainors, advocates in PBBY and partners in the staging of the first National Children's Book Awards. She is off now to a long awaited vacation and retirement beckons. What a wonderful life!

Below are links to blog posts about Ms. Neni and to some where I just had to mention her because she is worth all the credit.

When Ms. Neni asked me about literacy teaching without using books at all.
When Ms. Neni got curious about blogging as a writing exercise
When Ms. Neni recommended me to speak in the Reading Conference in Bangkok
When Ms. Neni became my editor
When working with Ms. Neni becomes a delightful experience
When Ms. Neni stands beside you to cut a ribbon 

2nd National Children's Book Award Postponed

Yes. You read this post's title correctly.

PBBY and NBDB are postponing this year's National Children's Book Award due to the low turn out of books published last year. While NBDB had a press release via Business World last month, PBBY board member Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz wrote about the postponement of the NCBA this year. Here's an excerpt from the full article on the conduct of the NCBA after every two years.

The 2nd NCBA would have reviewed all books published in 2010. Unfortunately, the current body of published titles with only about 34 titles does not appear to warrant a yearly competition for now. It was therefore decided that the NCBA be held on alternate years until the publishing situation brightens. Details for the nomination period for the 2012 NCBA will be announced at the National Children’s Book Day ceremonies on the third Tuesday of July. 

Read the full article, Books that hurt -- and heal in the Inquirer where in books for bibliotherapy are further identified as well as the promising prospect of new titles of Rizaliana for children.

PaperTigers Zooms On Philippine Chidlren's Literature

PaperTigers is currently featuring Philippine Children's Literature in their website. Reviews and views by Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz and Tarie Subido are great reads! Carla Pacis, Panch Alcaraz and Serge Bumatay are featured as well.

While this news is something all Filipino librarians specializing in children's and young adult library services must read, PaperTigers provides a comprehensive interview with Nancy Harrington. Ms. Harrington and her husband Dan are the proponents of a book donation and library development project in Mindanao and other parts of the southern islands in the country. Book for the Barrios has set up floating libraries in Agusan.

Thanks to PaperTigers! It could not have come at a better time but now.