A Conversation with Jamie Bautista: Disturbance and Art as a Force for Good (2 of 3)

Here is part 2 of my conversation with Jamie Bautista on artists and content creators who make use of art into a force for good. Part 1, Art is Creating an Emotional Response can be read here.

SLIA: What art pieces and projects can you recommend that has evidence of this channeling of disturbance into a force for good? Triggered is one, but what else is out there?

I think there are a lot of art projects and content out there that is all about channeling disturbance into a force for good. A lot of protest art I think are examples of that. The whole reason I wanted to do more art for society was because of theater productions like Dulaang UP’s The Kundiman Party, PETA’s Charot or the independently produced Desaparesidos, which were created out of their respective creative teams’ desire to address something disturbing politically. 

During times of crisis like typhoons or the recent pandemic, there were many artistic projects created to raise funds for those affected. The ones I remember well for the pandemic were Bayanihan Musikahan and Lockdown Cinema, though those were more projects using existing art to raise funds.

Jamie Bautista with mentee, Kat Rodriguez

To be honest, I personally don’t know of many projects like ours that create opportunities for others to create art specifically to help change society. That’s why I was so intrigued by the project that resulted in Triggered because I hadn’t heard of or been invited to anything like it before. Usually, we’re asked to support these types of works financially by buying something or donating. But being asked to contribute art, to help younger artists create more art, that was different. 

The closest thing I can think of that’s similar is the AHA Learning Center headed by Jaton Zulueta, that works with many artists in many fields like writing, illustration, video editing, music, and performing to provide education to the less fortunate in different communities, and even went online during the pandemic (I also contributed some Private Iris content for them in their digital lessons). That’s why I think there should be more groups that not only create art to make a difference, but that provide outlets of creativity for both artists and even non-professional artists (remember, our student writers for Triggered were non-literature majors in Management, Social Sciences, etc.) so the positive effect is multiplied.

It’s why I think the Leni Robredo campaign was also a great model for how to provide artistic outlets for people by giving both a clear goal and a driving spirit. The amount of art created for the campaign I’m sure was triggered by frustration with the previous administration but channeled into trying to bring into being a better culture and form of government, rather than simply using art to complain and protest. It provided an outlet for people who wanted to do something, whether by creating art, talking to people house to house, or joining rallies. Even just the creative signs in the rallies were examples of art being used to channel dissatisfaction into something clever yet constructive.

Where to buy Trigerred: TRIGERRED: Creative Responses to the 

Extra-Judicial Killings in the Philippines | Shopee Philippines

Philippine Children's Literature Today @ the IASL Regional Workshop for School Libraries, Indonesia

Ias lworkshop2016 indonesia from Zarah Gagatiga

2016 NCBD Bumasa at Lumaya Blog Tour Round Up

I know this is so late, but, as I always say in my defense, better late than never.

As this is the final round up for the Bumasa at Lumaya blog tour, here are links to visit if you need to review on the first round up and the second one. Here is where you can read the list of bloggers who participated in the Bumasa at Lumaya volume 2 blog tour.  The first round up can be read here while the second round up is at this link. And now, for remaining two bloggers who posted on the Bumasa and Lumaya volume 2 * drum roll* --

Tarie Sabido, PBBY President, wrote about her book giveaway for the blog tour. You will also find a comprehensive content of the book in her post. This blog tour contest has three winners. They won a copy of Bumasa at Lumaya volume 2 by simply posting a comment on Tarie's post. Easy as pie.

Jord Earving Gadingan wrote a chapter review. He picked Lin Accacio-Flores' writing tips and found out how easy and accessible is Lola Lin's narrative. Jord has added Lola Lin in his list of writers to read.

So, that's about it folks. This blog tour ends officially now, but the aspiration to produce quality books for children and teens in the country today continues. Proof of this is the literary festival that is happening today at the Raffles, Makati. More on that in another post.

Have a restful long weekend, everyone!

Book Review: What Things Mean

What Things Mean
By Sophia N. Lee
Scholastic, Singapore 2016

I am trying to remember when I first met Sophia N. Lee. Was it in a KUTING workshop or during the PBBY Kabanata Workshop? I couldn't recall anymore. What I remember is reading the three chapters of a novel that Sophia N. Lee was working with at the time. It had a narrative voice that was sensitive, introspective and curiously delightful to read. I was intrigued at the format she was trying to experiment with. Each chapter began with a word and what followed were definitions of it. I immediately warmed up to the fledgeling novel.

One of my hobbies when I was in my tweens, and up to my teenage years, was that I collected words, quotes and paragraphs that strike me as powerful, subtle, poignant, riveting and mind boggling. During those wonder years, I had no awareness of the purpose of collecting such "stuff". I loved to read (I still do) and words fascinated me (still). So, I jotted down in a notebook, all the words, quotes and paragraphs I could find that piqued my fancy. Some words I remember. Others I forgot. I realized I needed to use them. I did so by keeping a diary. My curated words and quotes, lines of poetry and paragraphs finally found another home, another life. I grew up, of course, and started collecting other things.

But that childhood memory remains. It is one of those memories that make me ask myself, to this day, why I did that when my friends were interested in something more exciting than collecting words. That's why, when I first read Sophia N. Lee's drafts, I saw my fourteen year old self: a word collector trying to find the meaning of things.

I have connected one dot to another.

What Worked

What Things Mean is about Olive who sees herself a little different from her cousins and her classmates. It bothers her, a lot, but Sophia N. Lee approaches this personal issue with a nuanced narration of stories from her quirky uncles, her cousins, her aunts, her grandmother and her mother who has her own unique style of evading the truths that Olive wishes to discover.  Her journey towards self discovery is a quiet one; subtle and insightful. Thank you, Ms. Lee, for this portrayal of the un-emo teenager.

I am so tired of the big drama and the loud characterization of obnoxious teens, especially in mainstream telenovelas and kalyeserye. In real life, some can be overly dramatic and annoying. True. There are those who suffer in silence and somehow, turn out fine later on. To me, this teenager was given a voice through Olive.

I enjoyed her conversations with her uncles the most. Her aunts, her grandmother and her mother are all strong women characters. Each is presented with a personal battle and could hold their own in the midst of their internal conflicts. Yet, it is the male characters whom I found to be giving more sensible advice to Olive. While the women in the novel are always there for each other, most times, she feels isolated in their midst. But, don't we all feel this way in our own family sometimes? The thing is, the uncles and her father are either often away or missing, however, the men in this novel made a bigger impact on me.

I cried when Uncle Ricky had to leave again. I cried when Uncle Sol's postcards are left unappreciated. I cried when Olive finally met her father. I cried for their wives and their daughters who must cope, endure and accept that taking leave is part of life.

The truth is not an easy pill to swallow. But, it sets us free. Olive's journey to this new found freedom has just begun.

What did not work

There is no sequel.

So I won't know how Olive's relationship with her father progressed. I am left with a hole full of questions. Only my imagination could fill in the gap for answers. Which, if you think about it, isn't that bad at all.

I read this book at a time in my life when I am battling with my own issues of detachment. I couldn't thank Ms. Lee enough for getting in touch with me. I am glad I accepted to review this book because once again, I realized that the gaps, the spaces and the lacunas in our lives are necessary to complete us and make us whole again.

I am honored and privileged to have witnessed the life cycles of Olive, the novel's turn about into a published book, and that of Ms. Sophia N. Lee, Filipina and writer.

Recommended for readers age 13 and up!

The 4th National Children's Book Awards Best Reads of 2014 and 2015

CITATIONS

4^th National Children’s Book Awards

Best Reads of 2014 and 2015

Dumaan si Butiki

Written by Mary Gigi Constantino

Illustrated by Ray Sunga

Published by Adarna House, Inc.

Sino ang mag-aakala na eksayting ang paglalakbay ng isang butiki? Sobrang nakakaaliw ang pagsulpot-sulpot kung saan-saang bahagi ng bahay ng butiki sa kuwento. Ang simpleng texto ay nagamit pa upang ituro ang konsepto ng kabaliktaran, sa paraang kaaya-aya. Kung kaya, hindi ka magsasawa sa pagsubaybay sa lahat ng dinaanan ni Butiki.   

-Prepared by Ms. Kristine Canon

Haluhalo

Illustrated by Eli F. Camacho

Published by Adarna House, Inc.

Ang aklat na ito, ay kumpleto sa sangkap, puwera lang sa salita. Marami itong iba't ibang kulay, siksik sa tamis at umaapaw sa aliw.  Kung sa bagay, ano pa ba ang kailangan sabihin kung kitang-kita naman at madali maintindihan ng bata man o matanda ang paggawa at pagkain ng haluhalo? Haaay! ang sarap ulit-ulitin ang pagbabasa sa nalikhang aklat ni Eli F. Camacho na Haluhalo.

-Prepared by Ms. Kristine Canon

Mang Andoy's Signs

Written by Mailin Paterno

Illustrated by Isabel Roxas

Published by Ilaw ng Tahanan Publishing, Inc.

We see it everywhere. A crowd of funny, wise, vulgar, ridiculous words and phrases rendered in bold strokes and colorful letters. But as the sight becomes too familiar, the messages they convey are soon ignored.  Thus, it is refreshing to read  Mailin Paterno's simple story about a billboard maker who turned harsh warnings into gentle reminders. Isabel Roxas complemented it with her signature whimsical illustrations using bright splashes of color and chaotic spreads that actually make sense.  Together, they created Mang Andoy's Signs, a delightful book for both children and adults. This book truly deserves a sign of its own saying: "Simply marvelous!"

  -Prepared by Ms. Cecilia Picache

Salusalo para kay Kuya

Written by Ergoe Tinio

Illustrated by JC Galag

Published by Adarna House, Inc.

Masarap maging bahagi ng pamilyang Pilipino. Malaki, maingay pero masaya. Para bang ibinalik ako sa pagkabata ng “Salusalo para kay Kuya.” Naalala ko noong bata pa ako, kapag kaarawan ko na ay sabik na sabik akong gumising nang maaga para buksan ang aking mga regalo. Ramdam mo rin ang pagmamahal ng isang kapamilya sa kaanak sa kuwento. Sa bawat pahina ng kuwento, nangungusap ang mga mapinpintog na pisngi ng mga tauhan, abala sa isang salusalo, pero masaya pa rin ang lahat. Ipinapa-alaala na dapat tayong maging katulad ni Bubuy Boy, na umiiyak ng bahaghari, na kahit na parang may iniwan na malaking butas ang ating kaanak kapag sila ay pumanaw na, kailangan tayong maging malakas at puno ng pag-asa at sariwain ang mga inspirasyong iniwan nila.

Salamat Ergoe Tinio, JC Galag, at Adarna House sa mahusay na kuwento!

-Prepared by Mr. Troy Lacsamana

Supremo

Written by Xi Zuq

Illustrated by Al Estrella

Published by Adarna House, Inc.

Supremo is an engaging read.  This heartwarming story takes you back to the good old days when you felt lucky to have a best friend and you felt tingled upon seeing your crush. Its flowing language, realistic plot, and catchy illustrations come together to give you one unforgettable ride. It makes you laugh out loud; it makes you stop and think; it even manages to make you shed tears. And, just when you start thinking you’ve had it all, it reminds you of your social responsibility―without pushing it down your throat forcibly. Kids will love this, and adults will enjoy it, too. Supreme, indeed!

-Prepared by Prof. Portia Padilla

Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon

Written by Edgar Calabia Samar

Published by Adarna House, Inc.

"Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon is a captivating tale of a young boy’s courage amidst the enveloping darkness in his life. Edgar Calabria Samar pulls us into a world of mysterious events and frightening characters from Philippine folklore. He expertly weaves in elements from role-playing video games, a concept that connects with young readers (and to gamers of all ages). This book takes us on a rollercoaster ride full of adventure, suspense, and danger. 

Finally, a hero like Janus Silang claims his space in our imagination. He rises above the challenges and gives hope―a bright star leading us out of the darkness."

-Prepared by Mr. Dan Matutina

Book Review: 12:01

12:01
Russell Molina and Kajo Baldisimo
Anino Comics

In February, as the nation celebrated the 30th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution, Anino Comics and the EDSA People Power Commission launched a graphic novel set during the final years of Martial Law and the 1986 People Power Revolution.

It begins with four friends, bandmates, who miss the curfew. Afraid of being caught by the police, they seek refuge in an abandoned printing press, which one of them recognizes as his father’s former workplace. As he recounts the story of his father’s capture by the Metrocom, the reader gains an overview of law enforcement during the Marcos years. The story escalates when the bandmates leave their hiding place and encounter a jeepney driver searching for his daughter, missing after several rallies and mobilizations in Tondo, Manila. Alas, the police catches up with them, and a few good men heed the call of the brave. The story ends at a concert during the height of the EDSA Revolution, with the bandmates playing their song not just for freedom, but in memory of their fallen comrade.

What I enjoyed 

Molina is a gifted storyteller, honest and unpretentious in his use of words. What you read is what you get with Russell, and yet he is able to layer events and emotions into a multi-dimensional narrative. In 12:01, Molina is not just telling the story of four friends dreaming of making it big in the music industry; he is also showing us that we all have dreams that can be crushed or realized by forces larger than ourselves. Tragedy can happen anytime, especially during the Martial Law years, but he shows readers how people can live through such dangerous times. And so, we persist.

Baldisimo’s illustrations are dynamic. They are kinetic where they need to be, haunting and nostalgic in exactly the right panels, and dramatic and melancholic when the moment calls for it. The broken coffee cup. The old picture frame. The drumsticks left unmoved on top of a garbage can. His artwork enhances and enriches Molina’s skilled storytelling. And the book cover-- powerful.

What I hope it had

This is more of a suggestion than a critique, and I hope Anino Comics gets to read this review.

There are three songs in the graphic novel: Hala, Tahan Na, and Gising Na. These are seamlessly woven into the plot. But it would have been a great way to further engage teenage readers if guitar chords or tabs for these songs were included. Add a downloadable or streaming MP4/MP3 recording, and you’d have a multimedia material perfect for the digital native.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (Four bookmarks out of five)

Preview: Bookwatch July Issue

Here is a sneak peek of the July issue of Bookwatch. On the cover is a kapre, smoking a tobacco, regaling his young audience with stories great and small. How apt since we celebrate National Children's Book Day (NCBD) this month. Certainly, there are stories to tell, great and small, about the NCBD and the people behind its industry.

As guest writer for this issue, I wrote a think piece on the PBBY Salanga and Alcala Prizes. I threw in a bit of history of the awards and how it helped the industry grow into what it is today. The National Children's Book Award (NCBS) is  in the article as well as the necessity of raising the bar in children's and young adult (YA) book publishing in the country.

Speaking of YA, there's news on the KABANATA Workshop too and a brief mention about the Pilar Perez Medallion. Such is the history for a clamor of books and reading materials for teens. This issue looks into that and if you are a children's lit or YA lit advocate, you may just find the list of tales and stories of the fantastic a starting point to campaign for the development of YA lit in the country today.

Thanks to Paolo Chikiamco, editor of Bookwatch, for giving me this wonderful opportunity to write about what is very close to my heart. Here's hoping we can keep inspiring more people to support the growth of Philippine Children's and Young Adult Literature.

Spooky Books and Spooky Sweets

One of the more interesting questions asked of me in the 6th Rizal International Conference after presenting my paper concerned reading promotion to young adults. I answered by starting off with the three kinds of readers: avid readers; reluctant readers; non-readers. Different strategies can be employed to make them visit the library and borrow books. The easiest to entice are the acid readers. 

Here is the proof.

This week, I introduced the library's Spooky Sweets Spooky Books borrowing promo. Students who will borrow three "spooky books" will get a spooky sweet. It's a one day book-reading promo that will start in Oct. 30.

On Monday, I first displayed books that fall under the horror, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy genre. Any title that would qualify as a scary or spooky read, I set it up on display. Stephen King was a default choice. Along side his book, I put up Jonathan Stroud's The Amulet of Samarkand and Rick Yancey's The Monstrumologist. The library has two PC desk I use as display area for books. I set the books there for everyone to see.

On the other PC desk, I set up Joe Hill's Locke and Key, Erin Hick's Brain Camp and G.Willow Wilson's Alif the Unseen.

After recess, four books were borrowed by two students who are avid readers and frequent borrowers of the library. I then, replenished the vacant display racks with new books. I pulled out classics like Dracula and Frankenstein; contemporary Pinoy graphic novels like the Trese series by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo; and the parody on the three wise men, Unholy Night by Seth Graham Greene. By lunch time, Dracula and Frankenstein were gone.

On October 30, reluctant and avid readers flocked the library for the books, and yes, the goodies. We had a good number. We had 25 spooky sweets this morning. At the end of the day, we only had 10 spooky sweets left. So this book promo spiked our circulation statistics today.

Locke and Key and Alif the Unseen were borrowed at recess.

The spooky sweets were made by Ms. Joan Everly Macalalad. She is the baker behind Cup N Cakes Wonderland.

The Best of Philippine Ghost Stories was borrowed too!

What I'll be doing next is to get feedback from the borrowers by having them fill out a bookmark for a quick review of the books. I will then post these bookmarks on the library bulletin board for everyone to read. It will be up there for one term. What happens to the bookmarks at end of term?

That is another story. Keep visiting the blog and you will find out what we did with the bookmarks! 

Book Convo: Shine by Candy Gourlay (SPOILER ALERT)

I love it when my kids read with me. When they read YA books of my choice and I in turn read theirs, I feel bonded with them. I love it even more when we talk about books we have read. I get new insights from them. I learn about their thought processes, their choices and current disposition. Then, I recommend more books for them to read! 

So I thought of sharing our book conversations (convo) with you all.

These are my questions for Zoe, my daughter (13 years old), who read Shine at the height of Candy Gourlay's rock star visit in Manila.

Mama Z: What did you like about Shine?

Zoe: I like the idea of the surprises in the novel. It gave me goosebumps!
Mama Z: What did you not like about Shine?

Zoe: Nothing. I liked everything about the book. Oh, except for Kat.
Mama Z: Who was the most interesting character and what made him/her interesting ?

Zoe: Danny and Rosa are interesting. I am not sure if Danny has another story. Where did he get weird tattoos? How did he know Rosa all along? Even if Rosa is the narrator she has that "something" and that makes it interesting.

Mama Z: That "something" is perhaps, her attitude? Her curiosity?

Zoe: Hmm… I think so. She sounds like one of my friends.

My recommendation: Read this book with an older set of readers and talk about it.
There is so much to peel away from Shine: relationships, the ghosts of our past, the truths we believe in;
the choices we make; the stories we tell and share.
In the end, the reader would further ruminate on the things that matter in his or her life.
That's what the book did to me. It gave me a lot to think about.

Mama Z: Do you think the death of _____ was worth it?

Zoe: I think she deserves it. She could harm Rosa really bad. Like what she did with Rosa's mom.

Mama Z: What would you want to ask Candy Gourlay?

Zoe: I want to ask Ms. Gourlay if there will be a book 2 of Shine. Will Danny and Rosa's friendship 
continue?

At first, Zoe didn't fully grasp the death scene of one of the characters in the novel. We had to go back to the text and unlock the description of that character's passing. The teacher in me had to tell her how words can be used to say something and mean another and that, much of our experiences in real life come into play when we read.

Books bring people together. Keep reading! And keep talking about books read with friends and family, and people who share the same passion. Until the next book convo! Abangan!

The Books That Bind Us: Mythology Class

When my first born, Nico, was in sixth grade, he read Mythology Class by Arnold Arre. I have kept a copy over the years, but, honestly, I have not finished reading it until Zoe, my daughter pushed me to. With her brother's influence, she read the novel, of course. 

Last month, during my four day stay in Sagada, I willed myself to read it. And yes, like my kids, I enjoyed the book as well.

Zoe's note on the title page

What worked

Arre successfully merged the old stories of Philippine lower legends and myths within the modern day setting. He knows his myths and he can tell stories. He invites readers to take the fantasy ride using familiar experiences: family, barkada, malls and pop culture, academic life, falling in love and near death experiences. Once you're hooked, he transports you to the what-if universe. The thing is, you would give him a chance because the possibility of this fantasy world to be real is a metaphor for living a life.

I don't exactly know what my kids found enjoyable in Mythology Class, but for me, being a fantasy reader, the stories I loved from childhood propels me to keep on hoping in light of the many challenges this world has to offer. Like the hero of the novel, Nicole Lacson, one must have faith in order to live and thrive. And yes, the romantic in me believes that keeping the faith will lead me to find love even in the most difficult of times.

What's amazing about Mythology Class is that, it holds an appeal to young readers a decade and four after its publication. That happens when you put a well researched and well written story together. As for the illustrations, the black and white renditions are very accessible.

What did not work

I could not help but think of Arre's purpose for creating Mythology Class. Perhaps it is a response to the many Gaimanish graphic novels that abound in the market, that Filipino readers and comic book creators need to read something homegrown. It's no biggie, really. But, I am looking at more original stuff. Then again, I contradict myself. There is nothing new under the sun. With brilliant craftsmanship, something old can be turned into a fresh and new creation. I give props to Arre for achieving this.

Zoe's note at the end of the book.

Lastly, the binding is not that sturdy. I think this is one area where our publishers can improve on. I am looking forward to a newer edition. So, if Mr. Arre happens to read this review, I hope he would give it a thought.

Rating: 4 Bookmarks

Recommended: Gr. 5 and up

Blog Tour of Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon: Author Interview

SI JANUS SILANG AT ANG TIYANAK NG TÁBON

Kuwento ni Edgar Calabia Samar

Inilimbag ng Adarna House, Inc. (2014)

Tungkol sa Aklat/Blurb

Sa tournament ng TALA Online sa bayan ng Balanga, namatay ang lahat ng manlalaro maliban kay Janus. Sunod-sunod pa ang naging kaso ng pagkamatay ng mga kabataan sa computer shops sai ba’t ibang panig ng bansa. Kinontak si Janus ng nagpakilalang Joey, isa rin umano sa mga nakaligtas sa paglalaro ng TALA na gaya niya. Hindi inasahan ni Janus ang mga matutuklasan niya mula rito na mag-uugnay sa kanya sa misteryo ng kinahuhumalingan niyang RPG—at sa alamat ng Tiyanak mula sa Tábon!

Tungkol sa Manunulat

Si Edgar Calabia Samar ay ipinanganak sa Lungsod San Pablo at nakapagsulat na ng dalawang nobela, ang Walong Diwata ng Pagkahulog (2009) at Sa Kasunod ng 909 (2012). Itong Janus Sílang series ang una niyang kathang YA. Nagtuturo siya ngayon ng Panitikan at Malikhaing Pagsulat sa Ateneo de Manila University. Mahigit sampung taon na ang nakararaan nang una siyang makakilala ng isang Púsong.

a. Bakit ka nangahas magsulat para sa mga bagets?

Aklat-pambata po ang kauna-unahan kong aklat, ang Uuwi na ang Nanay Kong si Darna! (Adarna House, 2002) na may mga guhit n Russell Molina. Sa isang banda, isang pagbabalik sa akin sa mga mas nakababatang mambabasa ang pagsusulat ko ng Si Janus Sílang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon. Pagkatapos kasi ng Darna, mga nobela’t aklat ng tula ang inilathala ko na mas pang-mature na mambabasa. Matagal nang nililimliman sa isip ko ang idea para sa Janus Sílang pero hindi nagkaroon ng pagkakataong upuan hanggang sa magkaroon nga ako ng RCW (Research & Creative Work) Faculty status sa Ateneo, na nakasabay pa ng paanyaya ng Adarna House na magsulat ng isang YA novel noong isang taon.

b. Ano ang pinakamalaking pagsubok na hinarap mo bilang manununlat ng mga bagets?

Marami akong kinailangang isaalang-alang dito, mula sa rehistro ng wika hanggang sa nilalaman. Sa maraming pagkakataon, kailangan kong manimbang sa pagitan ng pagiging makatotohanan sa tinig ng mga tauhan at daloy ng kuwento sa isang banda, at sa maaaring maging datíng nito sa mga kabataang mambabasa. Nagmumura ba si Janus o hindi? Makatotohanan ba iyon sa karakter niya? Paano iyon tatanggapin ng mga mambabasa? Alam ninyo, sa loob ko, sa tingin ko’y mas masasakyan ang karakter ni Janus ng mga kabataang magbabasa sa nobela. Mas magkakaproblema siguro sa ilang magulang at guro na ang tingin sa relasyon ng panitikan at batang mambabasa ay basta gagayahin ng bata o makaiimpluwensiya sa bata ang anumang babasahin nito. Humahanga ako sa mga guro at magulang na tinitingnan ang babasahin ng kanilang estudyante o mga anak bilang pagkakataon upang mapag-usapan sa paaralan o sa bahay ang ilang usapin na sa palagay ko’y totoong pinagdadaanan ng mga bata. Sa harap ng mga pagsubok na hinarap ko rito, sana’y makita rin ng mga magulang at guro ang mapahahalagahan ng mga kabataan sa Janus Sílang.

c. Sino at ano ang inspirasyon mo  para mabuo si Janus Silang?

Naitanong din ito sa akin sa mga naunang panayam. Ang totoo, matagal ko nang gustong makapagsulat ng nobelang sa palagay ko’y mababasa’t magugustuhan ng mga taong mahalaga sa akin, lalo pa ang mga kababata’t kaibigan sa paglaki ko sa San Pablo. Hamon sa akin dito ang pagpapahalaga sa simpleng pagkukuwento. Sa mga una kong nobela, tulad ng Walong Diwata ng Pagkahulog, higit na nangingibabaw ang proyekto ng pagsasanaysay kaysa pagsasalaysay. Ngayon, gusto ko lang lumikha ng nobelang pananabikan ng mambabasa. Ngayon, gusto kong maunawaan kahit ng isang karaniwang teenager. Kapag binasa niya ang nobela ko sa halip na mag-DOTA sa loob ng kung ilang oras, alam kong hindi nasayang ang panahon ko sa pagsusulat nito. Pagkatapos niyang magbasa at habang hinihintay ang Book 2, puwede na ulit siyang mag-DOTA muna. 

d. Ano ang nobela o tula na sana ay ikaw ang nakapagsulat at hindi ang manunulat o makata ng tula o nobelang iyon?

Napakarami! Kinaiinggitan ko ang Ghostwritten ni David Mitchell; isa sa pinakamahusay na unang nobela ng isang manunulat na nabasa ko. Kay Kundera ko naman minana ang pagkahumaling sa pagsasanaysay sa nobela, at ang kaniyang The Unbearable Lightness of Being siguro ang nobelang nabasa ko nang pinakamaraming beses. Sa mga Filipino, nanghihina pa rin ako sa harap ng Cubao Pagkagat ng Dilim ni Tony Perez. Pero alam ko rin na bawat manunulat ay may daigdig na kaniya lang, na halos imposibleng mapasok ng iba maliban sa pagbabasa. Hindi ako makapagsusulat na tulad ng sino man sa kanila. Ang mismong pagsusulat ko’y pagkilala’t paggalugad sa mundong umaasa akong hindi basta-basta kamukha ng sa ibang manunulat.

e. Ano na ang susunod pagtapos ang Janus Silang? 

Abangan ninyo ang mga kasunod na libro sa serye ng Janus Sílang. Sa Nobyembre ngayong taon umano lalabas ang ikalawang aklat ng serye, na may pamagat na Si Janus Sílang at ang Digmaang Manananggal-Mambabarang.Tinatapos ko rin para sa Adarna ang isang encyclopedia ng mga nilalang at tauhan ng ating panitikang-bayan, ang101 Nilalang na Kagila-gilalas. Maaaring lumabas din ito ngayong taon. Abangan ninyo! Sa ngayon, sana’y maraming kabataan ang makapagbasa ng unang aklat ng Janus Sílang. Lalabas na ito sa book stores ngayong Mayo, at magkakaroon ng serye ng book launches ngayon ding buwan na ito. Maraming salamat! 

Bookstore Tour Dates

- May 10 - Powerbooks (Greenbelt or Trinoma)

- May 17 - Powerbooks (Greenbelt or Trinoma)

- May 24 - Fully Booked SM North EDSA

Links

Blog Tour Schedule: www.xizuqsnook.com; www.adarnahouse.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janus.silang

Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/story/13119778-janus-silang-at-ang-tiyanak-ng-t%C3%A1bon

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/OWQ0NTM2YWM0MTZlOGE0OTA5ZDM3ZWQ2ZWM2NDI3OjM=/

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Call for Applications: KABANATA Young Adult Writer's Workshop

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) formally launches the KABANATA Young Adult Writer’s Workshop with a call for fellowship applications. Slated to begin in October 2014 in Quezon City, KABANATA aims to provide a venue and support system to writers who share in PBBY’s commitment to the promotion of a culture of reading among Filipino youth by providing this growing population with books that recognize their culture, aspirations, and sense of maturity.

For a period of at least six months, fellows accepted to KABANATA will meet monthly for learning sessions with industry experts, and progress discussions with their co-fellows. Upon novel completion, PBBY will help fellows with publication by inviting publishers to bid on the finished works. With this, KABANATA hopes to produce chapter books and young adult novels that will set the bar for similar endeavors to aspire to, and be the growth spurt of what will hopefully become a thriving, diverse, and quality Filipino literature inventory for kids and teens.

Applicants are asked to submit, among other requirements, a novel-in-progress represented by three chapters and a chapter outline. Novels-in-progress should be aimed towards children within the age of 9 to 16. Those interested may visit pbby.org.ph or bit.ly/kabanata to see the application guidelines, fellowship requirements, and complete workshop details. For further inquiries, contact KABANATA via pbby.kabanata@gmail.com or (02) 352-6765 local 119.

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) is a private, non-stock, non-profit organization committed to the development and promotion of children’s literature in the Philippines and is the lead agency in the annual celebration of National Children’s Book Day (NCBD), which falls on the third Tuesday of July. 

Coming Soon: KABANATA

Teen Read Week: My Young Adult Reading List

Here's another query I got from Rochelle Silverio of the UP School of Library and Information Science over at Facebook --

Hi po! I just want to humbly ask on what are your top ten books-to-read for Filipino young adults (local and foreign titles)? I will include them in class. Thank you and hoping for a reply, Coffee Goddess!

She sent me this question a few months back. I deem it appropriate to post it this week for Teen Read Week. I remember sending her a slew of links from this blog on Young Adult (YA) reads I've reviewed over the years. I thought I really did not answer the question so, here goes my post on the matter.

First of all, YA Literature is a name given by American publishers to their line of books for teenagers (13-19 years old). I think this definition for our local YA books, few as they are, will do for now. In the late 80s and early 90s I read Judy Blume, Richard Peck, SE Hinton, Katherine Patterson and a host of romance series for teens like Sweet Dreams and Sweet Valley High. The local materials I read as a teenager were adult fiction that I found available in my lola's sari-sari store and reading materials swapped from friends. I could not name a Filipino YA writer from my teenage years. Nick Joaquin and Paz Marquez Benitez did not write YA. But, I read their works in freshman college. Laro sa Baga, serialized in Liwayway was an adult material but I read it anyway.

Like Philippine Children's Lit, YA Lit is a young enterprise in the country. We do not have a solid body of work on Philippine YA Lit yet. Back in the 90's, the PBBY espoused the Pilar Perez Award to recognize manuscripts written for Filipino teenagers. While it produced note worthy reads, it did not live long. I surmise that the market was unaware of the reading potential among Filipino teenagers. Perhaps the timing to blaze a trail on a Philippine YA award was not ripe yet. Besides, there exist the economic challenge of publishing a YA novel or novella. During the Ang INK Forum last February, a clamor for chapter  books and YA novel surfaced. In the 2nd ReaderCon last August, participants, especially teachers were in search of books for their high school students. The need was narrowed down to novels and novellas in the vernacular.

So, what to do? In my own little way, responding to Ms. Silverio's query and gathering bibliographic data on YA Lit is a start.

My list begins with JK Rowling's Harry Potter series. These books grow with the reader.  Harry Potter is not perfect and his friends are flawed characters. But they all rise to the occasion to defeat Voldemort. JK Rowling made nerds and geeks look cool by saving the world not with magic wands  but with love and sacrifice.

And the rest are...

Candy Gourlay's Tall Story

John Green's Looking for Alaska

Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book

Richard Peck's Here Lies the Librarian

Markus Zusak's The Book Thief

Laura Gallego-Garcis's The Legend of the Wandering King

Mary Ann Schaffer'sThe Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Cornelia Funke's Inkheart

Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Game

KUTING's Baget's Anthology

These are recent reads. As a teenager, I read these books. And here are some more - speculative fiction I love to reread! Dear me. This are just fiction books.

There's a long list of non-fiction reads as well!

The 2012 Best Reads: Winners of the 2nd National Children's Book Awards

Ncba winners flyer 2 from Zarah Gagatiga