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!

Breaking Barriers Philippine Blog Tour Featured Chapter: Chapter 7 Taking a Knee

Cris Tanjutco Ngo over at Teacher's Pet posted a chapter review of Breaking Barriers: How to Knock Out Adversity and Live Life as a Champion by John Couret (Write Hook Media, LLC, 2016) .

She said in her blog:

While I read each chapter, I felt like I was going through a quick huddle with a coach. It gave me just enough time to regroup, think things over or get that much needed burst of adrenaline.

Click the link to Cris Tanjutco Ngo's blog post and discover how wonderfully John Couret made her reckon to try boxing again. What's more, this particular chapter in the book allowed Cris Tanjutco to ruminate about grit, taking stock, pacing one's moves and reflecting on one's strengths and weaknesses before making a crucial move or decision in life.

July 3 - Introduction of the Breaking Barriers: How to Knockout Adversity and Live Life as a Champion Blog Tour 

July 4 - About Write Hook Media 

July 5 - Cris Tanjutco Ngo of Teacher's Pet Featured Chapter: Chapter 7 Taking a Knee (Knowing When to Regroup) 

July 7 - Zarah Gagatiga's Featured Chapter: Chapter 8  Fighting Against All Odds (Serious Health Issues) 

July 9 - Book Reviews, Featured Chapter & Author Interview by Xi Zuq's Nook,  Foster Carry and tsa-tsub!

NCBD Blog Tour: Favorite Books for Children and Young Adults

We begin the NCBD Blog Tour today!

Hulyo 7 – 13: Favorite Books

What is your favorite book for children and young adults?

The book should be written, illustrated, or published by a Filipino. There are no restrictions on the number of answers, genre, date of publication, language, etc.

My favorite children's books and YA novel are:

1. Alamat ng Ampalaya by Augie Rivera (Adarna House) - Because social justice is underrated.
2. Sandosenang Sapatos by Luis Gatmaitan (OMF-Hiyas) - Because life is not perfect and we are flawed beings. But our flaws and imperfections do not prevent us from loving. And this love, when it is real, can allow us to accomplish great things.
3. Chenelyn! Chenelyn! by Rhandee Garlitos (Adarna House) - Because we should be people for others, besides, this book is a good storytelling piece. The language and repetitive lines: Chenelyn! Chenelyn! make it so.
4. The Great Duck and Crocodile Race by Robert Magnuson (OMF-Hiyas) - Because one-upmanship is a paradigm or a mindset that must not be patronized. Collaborate instead. Cooperate and help each other out.
5. Shine by Candy Gourlay - Because I believe that words are powerful either when it is spoken or silenced.

So, there. Remember that July 21 is National Children's Book Day. See you in the Summit and in the NCBD Book Fair at the Rizal Library.

Umuulan ng Libro! The 32nd National Children’s Books Day will be celebrated through two events. The Philippine Children’s Book Summit on July 21 at Elements Centris, EDSA, and the Children’s Book Fair on July 25 at Rizal Library, Ateneo de Manila University. The Librarian’s Workshop: Creative Reading Programs for School Libraries Servicing K-12 Learners will also be held on July 25. For more information about any of the above events, please email pbby@adarna.com.ph or visit Philippine Board On Books For Young People Page on Facebook.

Blog Tour: NCBD Book Fair 2015

Magandang araw!

Inaanyayahan namin kayong makilahok sa isang BLOG TOUR mula Hulyo 7 –25, 2015. Ang BLOG TOUR ay bahagi ng isang buwang pagdiriwang ng National Children’s Book Day (NCBD), na papatak ngayong July 21, 2015.

Ipinagdidiriwang ang NCBD tuwing ikatlong Martes ng Hulyo bílang paggunita sa pagkakalimbag ng “The Monkey and the Turtle” ni Jose Rizal sa Trubner’s Oriental Record sa London. Nangunguna ang
Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) sa pagdiriwang nito. Para sa impormasyon tungkol iba pang mga gawain ngayong buwan, bisitahin ang PBBY sa Facebook.

Bawat linggo, magpo-post ang mga lalahok sa BLOG TOUR ng sagot (sa anumang wikang ginagamit nila) sa mga tanong na may kinalaman sa mga Pilipinong aklat pambata at pangkabataan. Kailangang mai-post ito bago mag-6:00 NG dahil ibabahagi ito ng PBBY sa kanilang Facebook page nang mga 7:00 NG. Maaari namang gamitin ang mga hashtag na #UmuulanNgLibro #NCBDBookfair2015 at #NCBD2015 sa pagbabahagi sa social media.

Narito ang mga tanong sa bawat linggo:

        Hulyo 7 – 13: Paboritong Aklat

Ano ang paborito mong aklat pambata at pangkabataan? (Kailangang isinulat o iginuhit ito ng isang Pilipino. Maaari namang maglista nang higit sa isa pa.)

        Hulyo 14 – 19: Dream Date

Sinong manunulat o ilustrador ang nais mong makasama sa isang araw/gabí? (Kailangang mga aklat pambata at pangkabataan ang nililikha niya. Maaari ring maglista nang higit sa isa pa.)

        Hulyo 20 – 25: Wish List

Anong Pilipinong aklat pambata o pangkabataan ang gusto mong mailimbag? (Maaaring paksa, uri ng aklat, o ng isang manunulat o ilustrador. Maaaring maglista nang higit sa isa pa.)

Kung nais ninyong makilahok sa BLOG TOUR at tumulong sa pag-aanunsiyo ng mga gawain ng PBBY sa buwang ito, pakibigay ang sumusunod na impormasyon:
•       Pangalan (na gagamitin ng PBBY sa mga post nito)
•       Blog (pangalan ng blog at url)
•       Deskripsiyon (pagpapakilala sa isang pangungusap)
•       Mga Petsa ng Paglahok (isang araw bawat linggo, maliban sa Hulyo 21)
•       Tutulong sa mga Anunsiyo? (oo/hindi)

Umaasa kami sa inyong positibong tugon!


Sumasainyo,

Zarah Gagatiga
School Librarian in Action
(lovealibrarian.blogspot.com)

Xi Zuq (MJ)
Xi Zuq’s Nook
(xizuqsnook.com)

Janus Silang Blog Tour Author Interview: Edgar Samar

Super thanks to MJ Tumamac for translating the Filipino version of this interview to English!

Edgar Calabia Samar Interview
Janus Silang Blog Tour

English Translation

Why did you venture on writing for teens?

My first published work is actually a picture book entitled Uuwi na ang Nanay Kong si Darna! (Adarna House, 2002), with illustrations by Russell Molina. On one hand, creating Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon is my return to writing for younger readers because after [Uuwi na ang Nanay Kong si] Darna, I started publishing novels and poetry for older readers. The idea for Janus Sílang had been incubating in my mind for a long time but I did not have the opportunity to work on it until I got a RCW (Research & Creative Work) Faculty status in Ateneo [de Manila University], which coincided with last year’s invitation by Adarna House that I write a YA novel. 

What is the biggest challenge you came across as a writer for teens?

I had a lot of things to consider, from the language register that I was going to employ up to the novels’ content. For a lot of times, I had to weigh between making a truthful voice for my characters as well as a realistic story flow, and its would-be impression to my teen readers. Should Janus be cursing or not? Would that be genuine for his character? How would the readers accept that? I think that teen readers of my novel would be able to relate to Janus’s character. The problem would arise maybe from some parents and teachers as they see literature as something young readers should imitate or something that directly influences them. I admire those teachers and parents who look at their students or children’s reading materials as an opportunity to discuss the issues that children are really experiencing. In the face of these challenges, I hope that parents and teachers would see in Janus Sílang the things that children can positively gain.   

Who and what is your inspiration in creating Janus Silang?

I was also asked with this question in my previous interviews. The truth is I have long wanted to write a novel that I think the people I value would read and like, especially by my childhood friends I spent time with growing up in San Pablo. My personal challenge here was valuing simple storytelling. In my previous novels, like Walong Diwata ng Pagkahulog, the project of essaying is more dominant than narrating. For this book, I wanted to create a novel that would make my readers excited and ecstatic. I also wanted to be understood even by a regular teenager. If he reads my novel instead of playing DOTA even just for a few hours, I know that my time in writing this book is not wasted. After he reads the book, and while he waits for Book 2, he may play DOTA again. 

What novel or poem you wish you had written?

A lot! For one, I envy David Mitchell’s Ghostwritten for it is one of the best debut novels I have read. On the other hand, I inherited from Kundera my fondness of essaying in my novels, and his The Unbearable Lightness of Being is I think the book I have read repeatedly the most. Among Filipino works, I am still amazed by Tony Perez’s Cubao Pagkagat ng Dilim. But I also know that every writer has his own world that cannot be penetrated by anyone except when being read. I cannot write like any one of the writers I admire. My own writing is actually recognition and exploration of a world I hope that is not similar with other writers. 

What is next after Janus Sílang?

Wait for the next books in the Janus Sílang series. The second installment hopefully will come out this November and it is entitled Si Janus Sílang at ang Digmaang Manananggal-Mambabarang. I am also finishing for Adarna the book 101 Nilalang na Kagila-gilalas, an encyclopedia of creatures and characters of our own folklore. It might also come out this year, so wait for it! For now, I hope that a lot of teens would read Janus Sílang. It is now available this May in bookstores and it has a series of book launches also this month. Thanks a lot!

Blog Tour: Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin

ANG IKAKLIT SA AMING HARDIN

Kuwento ni Bernadette Villanueva Neri

Guhit ni CJ de Silva

Salin sa Ingles ni Jennifer del Rosario-Malonzo

Layout ni Jennifer Padilla-Quintos

Inilimbag ng Publikasyong Twamkittens (2012)

Tungkol sa Aklat

Aklat-pambatang tumatalakay sa mga di-kumbensiyunal at di-tradisyunal na pamilya ang Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin (2012). Partikular nitong tinutuunan ang mga hámong hinaharap ng isang batang may dalawang nanay.

Tungkol sa mga Manlilikha

NAGSULAT

Nagtapos ng MA Filipino: Malikhaing Pagsulat si Bernadette Villanueva Neri sa UP Diliman at BA Mass Communication major in Journalism sa UP Baguio. Kumakatha siya ng mga kuwentong pambata, sanaysay, dula, at maikling kuwentong lesbiyana (na binansagan niyang “naratibô” o naratibo ng mga tibô). Kasalukuyan siyang nagtuturo sa UP Diliman, kasabay ng pagkuha ng duktorado sa Malikhaing Pagsulat sa parehong paaralan. Kasama niya ngayon sa bahay ang limang muning na tulad niya’y mahilig din sa ikaklit at iba pang mga halaman. 

GUMUHIT

Si CJ de Silva ay nakilala bilang Promil Kid sa mga commercial nito noong 90s. Ngayon, si CJ naman ang gumagawa ng mga patalastas bilang Art Director sa isang advertising agency. Hilig pa rin niya ang magpinta at gumuhit.

NAGSALIN SA INGLES

Nanay ng dalawang munting binibi si Jennifer del Rosario-Malonzo. Siya ay isang manunulat, editor, mananaliksik, at aktibista. Nag-aral siya ng peryodismo sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas at kasalukuyang nagtatrabaho sa isang internasyunal na organisasyon. Mahilig siya sa tula at potograpiya, at nait matutong maggitara.

NAG-LAYOUT

Si Jennifer T. Padilla-Quintos ay nanay ng dalawang masayahing batang sina Gaby at Joaquin. Isa siyang graphic artist, art teacher at manggagawang pangkultura. Nagtapos siya ng Fine Arts sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Diliman.

IKAKLIT LINKS

Panayam sa mga manlilikha

Manunulat (Det). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IHOcloUho0

Gumuhit (CJ). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxEVBijAvTc

Nagsalin sa Ingles (Ate Jeni). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxKiDUJTxSk

Nag-layout (Ate Poti). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHgrzEvcFAo

Mga Video Blurb

Vlad Gonzales (Guro, Kritiko, Manunulat). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdKF9QrQj74

Rose Torres-Yu (Guro, Kritiko, Manunulat). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU9VZjx-zDU

Poti Padilla-Quintos (Nanay). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mGn5kV_5Nc

Ging, Rose & Roni (Rainbow Family). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJSLAweBEbc

Roni (Batang may dalawang nanay). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Net09DFwbXs

Teaser

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sadP76IWbaw

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

Code

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/OWQ0NTM2YWM0MTZlOGE0OTA5ZDM3ZWQ2ZWM2NDI3OjI=/

Blog Tour: Guardians of Tradition

In case you missed it, there's a blog tour on this fantastic non-fiction book written by a friend of mine, Mae Astrid Tobias. Her book, Guardians of Tradition: Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan, is being reviewed and featured in these blogs:

KUTING-mate Agay on Agay is a Girl

Mina V. Esguerra on Publishing in Pajamas

Sol on The Belle of A Boulevard

Monique on Marginalia

In case you've not purchased a copy yet for your library, head on to the Adarna House website for orders!

Blog Tour: Guardians of Tradition

A few weeks back, I said yes to a blog tour that will feature the book, Guardians of Tradition: The Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan by Mae Astrid Tobias. Published by Adarna House, this non-fiction book is illustrated by Rommel Joson with beautiful photographs by Renato S. Rastrollo.

 The blog tour started yesterday, 13 October 2013 and you can read the reviews and excerpts from these blogs:

Dia Pelaez

Tina Matanguihan

Freine

Chris Mariano

Xi Zuq

Josephine Litonjua

I'm excited to read the reviews of the book bloggers who joined in the blog tour.

With Mae Astrid Tobias, ca 2005

 As for me, participating in the blog tour is my simple way of celebrating Mae Astrid Tobias' achievements as a writer and dreamer. A long time ago, in my past life as a grade school librarian, I invited Astrid for a talk on campus writing, journalism and on her writing life to grade school students of Xavier School San Juan. How she emphasized the importance of research when doing a writing project! I even wrote an article about her author visit in the school's website. Read the article in this link.

My excerpt and book give-away info is scheduled on 19 October, 2013.