Memoir: The Courage to Begin

 

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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.

Book Review: Ang Dangkal ni Matmat

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Book Giving Day 2022

 

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Book Review: From Manila with Love: A Balikbayan Story

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Recommended Reads: Must Have Children's Books at the MIBF 2019 (1 of 4)

The Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) is just around the corner!

Here's hoping you have saved enough to buy books for your toddlers, your children and your teenagers. Whether you are a teacher, a parent, a grandparent, an adult working for kids' welfare and well-being or a children's literature advocate and enthusiast, may you find this list of recommended books helpful when choosing and buying books for young readers.

For this first batch, I have identified ten titles plus one!

Adarna House
1. Tingnan Mo, O! Isinulat ni Noelle Pabiton at Iginuhit ni  Gica Tam
2. Sirena Ba 'Yan? Is That A Mermaid? By Candy Gourlay Illustrated by Francesca Chessa Billungual Edition
3. Ang Taon ng Pusa Isinulat ni Jaume Copons at Iginuhit ni  Agustín Comotto

Anvil Publishing
1. 1..2...3.. by Aaron Randy
2. Bone Talk by Candy Gourlay

The Bookmark Inc.
Common Courtesies Series by Didith T. Rodrigo

Hiyas / OMF Lit

Porcupine Pirate Plans the Perfect Day by Robert Magnuson

Lampara Books

Green / Luntian by Becky Bravo Illustrated by Beth Parrocha

Tahanan Books for Young Readers
1. Pitong Tsinelas Kuwento ni Divine Gil Reyes Guhit ni Benjor Catindig
2. Folk Songs Series: Kaisa-Isa Niyan (Alvarez and Prudente); Pakitong-Kitong (Monzon and Prudente); Ed-Edoy (Albano and Prudente)

Plus one - Karapatdapat: Bata alamin ang iyong karapatan (CANVAS and Ang INK)

Do come back and check the blog for three more batches of children's books to buy and acquire for your home library and school reading centers.

Book Review: Mang Andoy's Signs

I learned about the new book that Ms. Mailin Paterno was working on back in 2013. Apart from this "chismis", I also heard that the book was under the production line of Tahanan Books For Young Readers. The chosen illustrator for the project happened to be Ms. Pepper Roxas whose collaborative work with May Tobias Papa and Adarna House, Araw sa Palengke, won them the 1st National Children's Book Award Best Reads of 2010. You put Ms. Paterno and Ms. Roxas together and Tahanan's reliable people then you have Mang Andoy's Signs, a quiet book that wonderfully speaks to us of the different ways to creatively and responsibly use language.

With my writer friend, Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, and the author of Mang Andoy's Signs, Ms. Mailin Paterno

The good news that Ms. Paterno is back with a published book for children is reason enough to celebrate. We missed her in the industry: her prose, poetry and voice.

Here are a few lines from the book. Read them aloud.

... a quiet man who made signs...
... a tiny workshop in the middle of a crowded noisy street...

Beautiful contradictions!

Ms. Roxas' illustrations complement Ms. Paterno's prose. The images I conjured is enriched through her collages. There is so much to see and to take in in every page. A feast for the eyes! That part of the book where Mang Andoy puts up the signs is an invitation to play with the author and the illustrator. Ms. Roxas provided an environment where members of the community are seen reacting to this attempt of creating order in chaos. Ms. Paterno further challenges the reader to interact not only with the written word, but the spaces in between them. There is something hidden  there. The silence in these spaces made me wonder. And then, there is that arrival at an AHA moment. Oh, what fun!

The reader has to be perceptive to discover this. The clue is to listen to the child's fearless question. There lies the magic of Mang Andoy's Signs.

Written in English, the book is deftly translated in Filipino by Mr. Eugene Evasco. He stays true to form that his Tagalog stands at par with the poetic prose of Ms. Paterno's. I am recommending this book to readers of all ages. A good read this month of August. This month when we celebrate Buwan ng Wika, let us reflect on the purpose of our use of language and the unspoken ones that lie in between.