The 2nd Filipino ReaderCon

Last year, around September, Flips Flipping Pages, a group of Filipino readers and book bloggers, teamed up with publishers to stage the 1st Filipino ReaderCon at the Manila International Book Fair. The event was a roaring success both on site and online venues. And because of the warm reception of Pinoy readers and book bloggers that the organizers experienced from last year, they're having a second run of the conference on August 18, 2012 at the Filipinas Heritage Library. The theme of the conference this year is, "United We Read". This time, Flips Flippine Pages is collaborating with the National Book Development Board and the Ayala Foundation.

The conference promises a program that caters to all Filipino readers. Specifically, the objectives of the conference are:

* provide support, instruction, and social time for book club members and book bloggers
* celebrate readers and reading in the Philippines
* promote a closer connection between readers and writers and/or publishers
* acknowledge beloved Filipino books through the Readers’ Choice Book Awards


Yours truly will be a panelist for the topic “Reading Everywhere: Scanning the Reading Environment.” The organizers invited me to discuss what bookstores do and don’t do for readers, how you would characterize the Filipino reader from the perspective of a bookseller or librarian, what the current gaps in bookselling are, and whether libraries are still important. The panel will be at 9:15 AM to 10:35 AM.

It is going to be an interesting panel since the organizers gave me discussion points that I am eager to talk about as well. The last in the list of talking points is extremely challenging. Everyone seems to be asking of the relevance of libraries in this day and age.

I hope to see you there!

The 1st Filipino ReaderCon: Filipino Readers Make it Social

Filipino Friday: On to ReaderCon!

September 9 - What do you hope will happen in the Filipino ReaderCon? What are you expecting from the event?

First of all, as reader, literacy advocate and President of the Philippine Board on Books for Young People, I wish the organizers of the Filipino ReaderCon a successful convention. As a reader I am happy to find readers who, like me, are still in love with the written word. As literacy advocate and PBBY President, I hope that the efforts and ideals of the organizers won't go to waste; that this ReaderCon won't turn into a one hit wonder. In my years in the industry and in the advocacy of literacy, I have seen many literacy campaigns and initiatives fizzle out. Some crashed and burned and a few died a natural death.

I have great expectations on the ReaderCon but not on the event itself. I would like to see the aftermath. I expect to see greater influence of readers affecting and effecting others who need conversion. If not this, then greater effort on the readers part to turn their love, their passion, into a mission. Celebrating reading is wonderful. Making a non-reader read or providing reading materials to those in need of it the most is another. But yes. The advocacy begins with a recognition that reading must be highlighted and celebrated among those who've discovered it's magic and power so that they could, hopefully, share this discovery to others.

May the ReaderCon be an event that would narrow the great divide between those who have books and those who have no books at all. May it be a celebration of reading, not so much as a privilege but as a right for all. May it continue to have sponsors who, acting collectively with the organizers of the ReaderCon, set up another convention next year for readers of all ages.

Bumasa at lumaya!

Filipino Friday: The Pinoy Book Reader

August 26 - How hard or easy is it to be a book lover in the Philippines? What are some of your frustrations as a Filipino reader (e.g. availability of books)? What are positive aspects of being a reader based in the Philippines (e.g. book prices are lower here than they are abroad)?

As far as my experience goes, access and availability of books has always been easy for me because I work in a library and I have good connections in the publishing industry. The nature of my work has allowed me easier access to books I want to read in print and online formats.

What I am frustrated about is the divide that exist between those who have access to and those who do not have access to books and reading materials. It seems, in this day and age, despite the advances in technology, reading and materials are available only to those who can afford it. Perhaps, it is time, with the ReaderCon marching around the corner, to consider translating a hobby into an advocacy.

I love books and reading so much that I would like to share this love to others. And this love stretches outside my family home and the reading communities I belong to. By actively participating in projects that foster the love of reading and the establishment of school libraries and literacy centers, my frustration turns to satisfaction. A Pinoy Book Reader can make a bit of a difference.

Filipino Friday Meme Topics

So that I will always remember.

The topics are:

August 12 - Introduction. Tell us everything that we need to know about you as a Filipino reader. You can talk about the genres that you read, your favorite authors, your comfort reads and your best books of 2011. You can also include links of where other readers can find you online: blog, Twitter, Goodreads, Shelfari, etc.

August 19 - How did you become a reader? What factors influenced you to take up reading as a hobby and why do you enjoy it so much?

August 26 - How hard or easy is it to be a book lover in the Philippines? What are some of your frustrations as a Filipino reader (e.g. availability of books)? What are positive aspects of being a reader based in the Philippines (e.g. book prices are lower here than they are abroad)?

September 2 - Do you read Filipino literature? If yes, what are some books by Filipino authors that you can recommend to fellow readers?

September 9 - What do you hope will happen in the Filipino ReaderCon? What are you expecting from the event?

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