A Tale of Two Author Visits Done by One Author

Candy Gourlay is already back in the UK doing the usual stuff (I think): writing, visiting schools, enjoying her time with family and friends. Her two weeks stay in Manila has left me with good memories to keep until she visits again next year. Here's a photo essay of Candy Gourlay's visit to The Beacon Academy and Tanauan South Central Elementary School.

At the Academy, she talked about her new novel, Shine, the positive things one can get with a series of rejections, and the challenging and dangerous experiences she had during the Martial Law years and the the People Power Revolution as a journalist.

She had book signing after her talk. Students and teachers bought her books, of course. She signed my copies of Tall Story and Shine too.

I gave Candy a tour of the school and, like a true blue, dakilang writer's fan, I had a picture taken with her. A week after her visit, we met again to open a school library in Tanauan, Batangas and to visit schools there.

A gleeful Candy Gourlay with students of Tanauan South Central School. The kids held the books like gifts received at Christmas day! The school library is a project of the Sambat Trust UK.

Once a journalist, always a journalist. Candy's camera is fabulous! She has an eye for stories. She snaps pictures of little things that do not seem to matter but in close scrutiny, such mundane things tell so much about life and culture.

The students prepared thank you cards for the UK authors and donors who sent books through Candy's outreach, Authors for the Philippines.

Nicoel Ramos, Candy's niece, a budding artist and TV personality came along. She sang A Whole New World to the delight of the kids present during the program. Nicole brought the house down with her rendition of Let It Go! The kids sang along. Even the adults were impressed.

See Candy taking a photo of Nicole. Isn't she the perfect stage aunt? She could be one of them Titas of Manila!

All together now! Here we are with teachers and DepEd Officials, Barangay Officers and Parents of Tanauan South Central Elementary School. They gave is certificates of appreciation.

The entrance to a whole new world of reading experiences begins at the library!

The Grade School Department of Miriam College donated 40 boxes of books. Thanks so much to Ms. Theres Pelias who made an effort in staging the book drive and the librarians of the Miriam Grade School Library for adding up more books to the collection.

Teachers on stand by. Waiting for Candy to cut the ribbon.

The crew: Estan Cabigas, photographer; Wijo Fernandez, fim maker; MJ Tumamac, writer and Ghe Gulles, field coordinator. 

With the opening of a new library on one Tanauan City's most populated district, I hope that more kids can have better access to books and reading. Candy saw two more schools that day. The Ambulong Elementary School and the Janopol Elementary School. Ambulong ES is trying its best to keep the library alive but Janopol ES was struck by the recent typhoon. So, a recovery plan is on the way. Special thanks to all the donors; Anvil Publishing House for providing Candy's transportation; and to everyone who made Candy's visit to Tanauan a humbling and meaningful experience.

This 2015, which library will Candy Gourlay visit next?

Sambat Trust's 2014 Birthday Campaign

The Launching of Janopol Elementary School Library

Last June 26, 2014 was the launching of the school library at Janopol Elementary School, Brgy. Janopol Occidental, Tanauan, Batangas. It is the 11th school library that Sambat Trust UK has set up in Tanauan. The launching was a star-studded affair because officials from the local government unit, the DepEd and the Sanguniang Barangay were there. Annie Pacana-Lumbao, guest author, gave a talk and a read aloud to students and a round table discussion with Janopol Elementary school teachers.

The principal of Janopol Elementary School, Madame Emma Punzalan, was thankful for the donations and support given by the local DepEd and the Sanguniang Barangay. There were no students present during the launch because they had classes. But, when the boxes of books were turned over to Principal Punzalan, Dr. Cecil Carandang Assistant Superintendent of Tanauan, DepEd, Brgy. Captain Albert Dalisay and Atty. Ferdinand Perez of the Mayor's Office were like little children who received gifts on Christmas day. It took the host of the program a few minutes to go back to the launching ceremony to continue. Each of the adults who opened the boxes of books took one book to browse and read.

When they had their chance to deliver a message, they all made mention of the beautiful books they laid their hands on. Atty Perez was impressed with the story of Ang Munting Patak Ulan. He said that such books are truly educational and entertaining. "Not only does it tell the story about a little raindrop's adventure, it also teaches young readers the subject of the water cycle." Brgy. Capt. Dalisay wanted to bring home a chapter book. How he wished that everyone in the barangay can visit the new school library in Janopol Elementary School! Now that is something to think about.

When Dr. Carandang delivered her message to teachers, PTA Officers and LGU Officials present that day, she was very proud to share the news that Tanauan schools topped the NAT in the district. She credits the school libraries set up by Sambat Trust as contributing factors to this achievement. "A library in the school provides information, additional knowledge and increased self confidence to students. The presence of books and libraries mean that we support student learning." She encouraged the teachers of Janopol Elementary School to use the library and make it a functional learning center.

After the ribbon cutting and morning snacks, Annie Pacana-Lumbao gave a read aloud of her first published book, And That Won't Wake Me Up! which her daughter, Anelka, co-wrote. The students were engaged and delighted at the interactive techniques of Ms. Pacana-Lumbao. Indeed, everyone can relate to the difficulty of waking up in the morning to go to school.

When Ms. Pacana-Lumbao finished her read aloud, she shared her experience of writing the book with her daughter and getting it published by Adarna House. The students would have wanted to stay on, but their teachers were waiting for their turn. During Ms. Pacana-Lumbao's round table discussion with them on reading, books and literacy development, the creation of student made books and teacher made resources came up. In light of the K-12 Curriculum, teachers are encouraged to be content creators too. The Tanaun DepEd leaders were quick to reply on the initiatives they have had in place for the development of reading materials especially those that prmote mother tongue base instruction. The teachers expressed that they are looking forward for more training sessions on teaching literacy.

Well, the work is cut out for Sambat Trust UK!

NBDB Booklatan in Malabon and Then Some

A week long Booklatan was held in the last week of March by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) in Malabon National High School. I was there last weekend as an invited speaker on library marketing. The event had several surprises for me.

Surprise number 1: Ken Spillman

Who would have thought Ken Spillman, author and literacy advocate, would be there? He flew to Manila to award a grant of PHP 10,000.00 to a Filipino author as additional funds for him/her to attend the Asian Festival of Chidlren's Content in Singapore this May 2014. That lucky author happened to be Genaro Gojo Cruz. When he learned that NBDB set up a Booklatan, he volunteered to tell stories to the kids there.

When we met, we had a book swap. I gave him copies of my book since the last time we saw each other, he gave me copies of his books. And yes, Ken, I still owe you a neat write up and a book review. Before he left Malabon, he handed to me his book donations to Sambat Trust UK's next school library project. I hope the next time we meet, I'll be able to take Ken to the schools that Sambat Trust UK has adopted.

Surprise number 2: Mayor Lenlen Oreta, the storytelling mayor of Malabon

I saw how Mayor Lenlen Oreta read aloud an Adarna Big Book for kids aged 4-7. Seated on straw mats, they eagerly listened to the mayor read aloud the story of two puppies, siblings who have opposite personalities. Mayor Oreta is a pro. He has questions prepared for pre, during and post reading. I learned later on that he visits schools once a week to do storytelling sessions. Now that's a literacy initiative worth emulating.

Surprise number 3: Malabon Teachers don't know who Augie Rivera and Christine Bellen are.

Two authors born in Malabon and Malabon teachers must know who they are and the contributions these two talented authors have given to Philippine Children's Literature.

Surprise number 4: Audience were all teachers

I expected to speak to Malabon librarians, but I was the only librarian in the room. So I had to adjust my stance to cater teachers' needs and interests. It's a good thing that reading and literacy are two concepts that teachers share with librarians. It was not at all difficult for me to make adjustments. However, the absence of librarians in a workshop meant for them is a cause of alarm. While the local LGU and the DepEd division they're sent out memos, librarians were excluded from attending. I learned about this from one of the participants.

Thinking about this, I feel that advocacy initiatives of librarianship in the political, educational and cultural aspects of Philippine society must be in place. What do I mean by this? I'll reserve a separate post on library advocacy. For now, it is good to talk about the relevance of libraries and the important roles librarians do. Those who are given this opportunity should do more than talk about topics, trends and issues that concern librarians  and the profession. It is essential to emphasize integration and collaboration with allied professionals. Teachers can set up reading and literacy centers. True. Librarians are there to sustain these reading centers and transform them into learning hubs where readers can critically think on their own, make well informed decisions and be useful citizens who can contribute to the growth of the community.

Filipino librarians, our work is cut out for us.

Help Us Build Libraries in Batangas

Help get books to children in the Philippines by voting for Sambat Trust in The Big Break 2014.

The good cause with the most votes receives £2,000; enough for Sambat Trust to build a new school library in the Philippines!

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Raya students interview Zarah Gagatiga about Sambat Trust UK

Here is the translation of my interview with two students from Raya School. Thanks to MJ Tumamac for translating the Filipino transcript to English.

Note: When this interview was conducted, only Trapiche Elementary School has submitted an annual report. As of March 18, 2014, the rest of the schools with Sambat Trust libraries have turned in their reports. 

Diego Montenejo and Pepe Domingo, who are students from the Raya School, sent me questions about the advocacy of Sambat Trust UK. They wanted to know what the charity does in Tanauan City, Batangas. Here is the transcript of the interview.

1. Who started Sambat Trust and why did he create it?

Mr. Anthony Mariano started Sambat Trust. He wanted to help Tanauan City, where his family is from, through providing scholarship programs and building libraries in public elementary schools. Mr. Mariano is Filipino-British and he grew up in London.

2. How big is Sambat Trust’s impact on the children’s lives?

Sambat Trust’s library projects are a source of inspiration for the children. If there is a library in their school, it motivates them to study hard.

3. What are your future plans for the children of Tanauan?

I want to have more libraries in Tanauan City and, hopefully, kids will read more often.

4. How many children visit your libraries?

According to the report from Trapiche Elementary School, all of their students go to the library for they have a schedule to visit the library. We don’t have reports, however, from the other four school libraries.

5. What kinds of books do you encourage the children to read?

Most of the books in Sambat Trust’s libraries are produced by local publishers. We also put foreign books but there are only a few. We usually purchase the books from Adarna House.

6. What books do the children usually read? Or what are their favorite books?

They love picture books and illustrated picture books. With no title in particular, but the children really like books with drawings.

7. Why do you do this advocacy?

Because I love to read and I have the ability to help in building libraries. As a Filipino, this is what I can do for our country. I also believe that education will liberate my fellow Filipinos from poverty. They should be taught how to read and think. And we do this through Sambat Trust’s scholarship program and school library projects.

8. What is your favorite part or aspect in your work?

I am happy every time we build libraries and when I know that there are kids who learn to read because they have access to our libraries. Besides the classroom, the library is also a place where children can think freely as they learn to read.

Panayam ng mga Mag-aaral ng Raya School tungkol sa Sambat Trust UK

Ang mga mag-aaral ng Raya School na sina Diego Montenejo at Pepe Domingo ay nagpadala ng mga tanong ukol sa adbokasiya ng Sambat Trust UK. Gusto nilang malaman kung ano ang mga ginagawa ng charity para sa mga taga Tanauan, Batangas. Narito ang transcript ng panayam.

1.Sino ang nagsimula ng Sambat Trust at bakit niya binuo ito?

Si G. Anthony Mariano ang nagsimula ng Sambat Trust. Gusto niyang makatulong sa mga kababayan niyang taga Tanauan sa pamamagitan ng scholarship program at pagpapatayo ng mga aklatan sa mga pampublikong paaralan. Filipino British is G. Mariano. Lumaki siya sa London. Ang kanyang mga magulang ay tubong Tanauan, Batangas.

2. Gaano kalaki ang epekto ninyo sa buhay ng mga bata?

Nakakapagbigay ng inspirasyon sa mga bata ang library project ng Sambat Trust. Pag may aklatan sila sa paaralan, nagiging masipag sila sa pag-aaral.

3. Ano ang plano ninyo sa hinaharap para sa mga bata?

Gusto kong magkaroon pa ng maraming aklatan sa Tanauan at sana, makapag basa pa ng mas madalas ang mga bata.

4. Gaano karaming bata ang pumupunta sa mga library ninyo?

Sa report ng Trapiche Elementary School, lahat ng mag-aaral nila ay nakakapunta sa aklatan dahil may schedule sila ng pag bisita sa aklatan. Subalit, wala pa kaming balita sa apat pang paaralan na binigyan namin ng aklatan.

5. Anong klaseng mga libro ang pinapabasa ninyo sa mga bata?

Mga aklat na limbag ng lokal na publishers ang nasa mga aklatan na project ng Sambat Trust. May foreign books rin pero, iilan lamang. Madalas ay sa Adarna House kami bumibili ng mga aklat.

6. Ano ang mga librong palaging binabasa o paborito ng mga bata?

Mga picture books at illustrated story books. Walang pinakasikat na aklat pero, gustong gusto nila ang mga aklat na may drawing.

7. Bakit ninyo ginagawa ang adbokasiyang ito? 

Mahilig aking magbasa at may kakayanan akong tumulong sa pagbuo ng aklatan. Bilang isang Filipino, ito na ang magagawa ko para sa bayan. Naniniwala rin ako na edukasyon ang makakapagbigay ng kalayaan mula sa kahirapan sa mga kababayan nating mahihirap. Dapat Silang turuan Kung paano magbasa at mag isip. Sa scholarship program at school library project namin ito magafawa.

8. Ano ang inyong paboritong bahagi o aspekto sa trabaho ninyo?

Masaya ako pag may nabubuo kaming aklatan at pag nalalaman  ko na may mga batang natututong magbasa dahil may aklatan silang pinuputahan. Bukod sa silid aralan, ang aklatan ay isang lugar kung saan makakapag isip ng malaya ang isang batang natututong magbasa.

MARCHing On to the Next School Library Project