Call for Help

Dear Friends, Readers of this blog and concerned Citizens,

My family and I survived the disaster that was Ondoy. We are currently staying at my father in-law's house in San Pedro, Laguna. I am thankful to God for keeping my family together. It is the aftermath of this tragedy where we need the help and support of people and the community.

Our house in #56 Dahlia St. Garden Royale Villas, U. Velasco Ave., Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City was damaged by the flood. Its front door and bedroom window was broken. Water leaked from the roof and its electrical wiring got wet. When we left last Sunday for dry ground, we have no idea on the extent of the damage. It will take a few weeks for water to subside then we will know what needs to be repaired.

It is in this regard that I am seeking help from generous and philanthropic people. We could not afford another bank loan or PAGIBIG loan to finance the repair and rebuilding of our house. Your donations will be put to good use. I will issue a financial report and receipts as proof that donated cash was spent for this purpose.

Donations can be coursed via my BPI account no. 0219032579, Savings Account name Zarah C. Gagatiga. My contact numbers are 09209602884 or 09182293587. Email address is zarah.gagatiga@gmail.com. Thank you very much!

Facebook and the Great FLood

I am stranded in Quezon City while I write this. I am dry, warm and well fed. Where I am, there is electricity and wifi connection. I should not complain given my current predicament in the midst of this epic flood. But my mind wanders off to Pasig City where my husband, two kids and yaya (nanny) are. The last SMS I got from them was that the water has reached the dinning table and that they are all staying in the second floor of our house. Electricity has been cut as well as the water supply. It is going to be a long night for me.

I am worried and very miserable despite the comfort afforded by friends who are stuck in the clinic too. I am kept abreast with news via online and Facebook. And if these are consolations, then I thank God for the contact to the outside world.

It's interesting to read the posts and profile of friends and contacts. Facebook has now become a support group, a prayer request room, an emergency hotline, a news room, and a venue where you can get updates from friends and family.

Public Library Blogs

I'm squeezing this in before packing my stuff for the Philippine Public Librarians League, Inc. (PPLLI) Baguio conference. This is an exciting discovery that must be blogged about.

I was impressed by the Quezon City Public Library's (QCPL) blog and website. I just found out this morning in my last attempt to source out websites for my talk tomorrow. Their blog presents a good image of their library. It even has a working OPAC running via OpenBiblio. What's more, their library blog covers a good range of reader's services for children and teens. Plus, there are several branches with WiFi connection! What a perfect example for my talk tomorrow on the use of web technology for the delivery of reader's services!

I hope to meet a librarian from QCPL to know more about their automation process and other projects. I am continuously on the look out for such initiatives so I can feature them in this blog. Will blog about Baguio and the PPLI conference soon!

Good PR for Filipino Librarians

Ronald Lim, writer and journalist has written once again about us, Filipino Librarians and the online presence that we have been making of late. In his article about Prof. Igor Cabbab's seminar at the Manila International Book Fair yesterday, Lim featured Prof. Cabbab's initiatives on using online and internet technology to an improved library service.

Kudos to Prof. Cabbab who has been getting good press lately. What's more, my blog and Von Totanes' blog, and the "popular" blogging that we do about what we do and who are were briefly mentioned too. Along with it is the breaking of Filipino librarian stereotypes. It could not have come at a better time since Vilma Santos is recently starring in a commercial movie as the typical "losyang" (unglamorous) librarian.

Just a note when you read up the link. My blog's name is SCHOOL LIBRARIAN IN ACTION and not Filipino Librarian In Action. Nonetheless, thanks to Ronald Lim for this write up. He wrote about my blogging adventures a few years back. Sadly, the online article could no longer be found in Manila Bulletin's web page. It seems that we have some good connections and friends in print and online media.

Live Blogging: Reader's Theatre Contest @ The MIBF 2009

I'm here now at the Manila International Book Fair in SMX as judge in the Reader's Theatre contest sponsored by Rex Bookstore and Teacher Created Materials. The hall is bustling with children. They do not seem nervous, but the adults, their teachers and parents, seem to be.

There are three categories in the contest -- Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced. There are six schools competing in the Beginners category while five schools will vie for the Reader's Theatre Fluency Award in the Intermediate and the Advanced categories. Apart from myself, Dr. Luis Gatmaitan and Teacher Gabby of Toddler's Unlimited, are judges too.

The organizers sent a package two months ago containing the guide and information tools for the contest. Along with these are sample books from the Reader's Theatre catalog, company brochure and a pamphlet on Reader's Theatre. Very helpful materials. The awards criteria include the following: Meaningful interpretation of chosen topics (50%); Diction and Articulation (25%); Performance Level/Showmanship (15%) and Creativity and Originality (10%). I remember last year, I judged the Salaysayan Contest of the PBBY and it was a delight. There were illuminating revelations. This time, I expect to be blown away with children performing and displaying their talents.

Live Blogging: Literacy Night at CLP

My mini-workshop with the parents ended thirty minutes ago. I'm now watching the presentations of the kids. The primary graders had chamber telling of Thunder Cake and Big Brother Mike. The intermediate grades are performing Lon Popo.

I'm so proud of the kids! They were bursting with energy during the workshop (which is expected with kids, of course!) Now, they are organized and more restrained. Their costumes are fantastic. The props, ingenuous! It's obvious that they made it themselves. Oh, now I face the difficult task of judging!

Live Blogging: At Teacher Tin's CLP

Five more minutes and it's show time!

I'm here at CLP (Create and Learning Path), Teacher Tin's school in Merville, Paranaque for a talk cum workshop for parents on Storytelling. Afterwards, we'll be watching the kids' performance. Each class will present a chamber theatre of their chosen stories. These kids were my students in the storytelling workshop I conducted last week. It was fun!

But later I face the difficult task of judging them.

Ako ay Librarian ( I am a Librarian).

At hindi ako Losyang! (And I am not unglamorous!)

At may nagbibigay pa ng flowers sa akin, ha! (I still receive flowers from admirers, ha!)

Carry mo magsuot ng ganyang earrings? (Can you wear such big, dangling earrings?)

Mukha bang losyang? (Do I look unglamorous?)

Kasama ang aking kabiyak. (With my beloved Papadoms).

Blog Stats and Traffic

It has been six months since I placed the BlogPatrol counter in this blog. Statistics from BlogPatrol tells me that I'm getting an average of eighty visitors a day. I also get to see the detailed views that readers go to.

Here are the top twenty posts that readers of this blog visit.

Top 20 Pages Viewed for Week of Sept. 08 to Sept. 14
Visitors URL of Page Visited
112 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com
39 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2008/09/information-literacy-skills- lesson.html
32 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/09/young-adult-literature-for-lis-students.html
30 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/09/library-20-revolution.html
16 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html
15 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/09/healing-and-handkerchief-man.html
14 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2007/09/parts-of-book.html
12 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/06/aklatan-ni-mika.html
12 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2006/02/lesson-plan-information-literacy-using.html
12 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2006_07_01_archive.html
11 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2007/05/book-review-for-one-more-day-by-mitch.html
11 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/08/mae-astrid-tobias-1979-2009.html
10 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/09/continuing-professional-growth-for.html
10 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/08/mercy-servida-filipino-librarian.html
10 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/03/let-wild-rumpus-start.html
9 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/08/carlo-j-caparas-on-ancs-media-in-focus.html
9 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html
9 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2007/08/national-book-awards-2006.html
8 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html
8 http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/06/as-result-of-ah1n1-assault.html

One thing I learned to keep the blog stats and traffic high is to keep writing relevant and current topics. Back links help a lot too. Web design and navigation is a factor as well, but it is the content that readers will keep going back to. Well, at least,to readers of this blog that is.

Healing and The Handkerchief Man

Among the many wonderful stories found in Dianne De Las Casas' Handmade Tales, it is the Handkerchief Man that I feel so confident in telling. It has everything every Preschool and K-2 student would love -- a handkerchief that can be turned into a puppet, songs, actions and a little bit of dancing on the side.

Last August 19, 2009, the preschoolers of Ridgefield had a blast with Handkerchief Man. They sang along and danced with him. I was enthralled with their enthusiasm!

I remember some telling gigs ago, I told the same story to a group of grade two students. The kids wondered what happened to the spunky and spritely Handkerchief Man next. Thus, a prolonged session on the many what-ifs and adventures the Handkerchief Man encountered. Some believed he fell in a well and drowned. Others thought that the Old Woman ran after him and caught up eventually. A few were convinced that the Handkerchief Man was smart enough to squeeze himself out of any trouble.

Such is the power of stories! My jaded heart slowly heals as I begin to find hope once more among the people I meet and mingle with. One of these days, I will record and document the healing qualities of stories. Beginning from my own experiences, in every performance I do from one school to another, I will write them down. I will research and further explore the therapeutic claims of stories and storytelling. Then, perhaps, I shall be ready to go back to Singapore and share how stories and storytelling can heal the soul and enrich a life.

Young Adult Literature for LIS Students

Here is a great development in Young Adult Library Services in Philippine school and public librarianship -- LIS students studying and reading the literature for Young Adults. Igor Cabbab of the School of Library and Information Science sent me a lengthy reply when I asked about the reading list he has in his LIS 115 class over at Facebook.

His class has an interesting array of Young Adult titles. Take note that the titles of books mentioned were chosen by readers in the collegiate level (age range of 16-21 years old). Below is Prof. Igor's reply to my query.

It's been some time since I've taught this subj. 10 yrs? I'm rusty. :( Plus they all beat me in the reading time department). I opted for a survey type initially, drawing from what the class is actually reading plus stuff they've already gone through. This is so I could build up the subject again for the coming years. (YA Lit concept-wise, we went ... Read Morefor both matls written specifically for YA and what YA actually read as a springboard for discussions) Local side, seems they read Young Blood (inq compilations), Bo Sanchez, Bob Ong, David Hontiveros, etc. Spec Lit and Cont Realistic Fic is strong with them. Not much on Hist Fic and Bio. They do read a lot of diverse stuff for Non-fic. Poetry? Not much, they do write stuff on their own and some frequent fic and poetry sites.

I was surprised with the reading list they came up with (I left it up to reporters as to what they would want their classmates to read). It was so diverse. Works like Asimov's Bicentennial Man, A String of Pearls (original Sweeney Todd), A Constant Princess (Catherine of Aragon), Thin (anorexia), Kite Runner, an excerpt from A Mary Magdalene Decoding Da Vinci book (title escapes me right now), The Bible, Nick Joaquin, etc.

We still have comics, graphic novels, LGBT, etc. up for discussion. :D
I actually learn a lot too. It's a nice insight on how they think. I'd teach this subject again in a heartbeat. (May mga mangiyak-ngiyak pa dyan habang nag-ci-cirle discussion... Aminin). :D

Oh, yeah. Sherlock Holmes, Paris Hilton, the Roald Dahl bio, Michael Moore on George Bush too. :D

Oh, and there was that local Scooby Doo type gang solving mysteries which was mentioned, the series title of which I can't remember. *sigh* I have the memory of a goldfish. :(

Library 2.0 Revolution

CNN.com publishes online this brave article on Library 2.0. The digitization of library holdings is no longer a fictional matter. The virtual roles that librarians must play and portray to a younger, hipper and hi-tech generation is imminent.

It is a continuous evolution. From library services to the image of librarians online and in real time, change is inevitably happening.

Continuing Professional Growth for Librarians

It's raining seminars and workshops! Take your pick! See you in one or two sessions!

September 22-24 “Empowering Library Users Through Readers Services”PPLLI
City Travel Hotel Kisad Road, Baguio City.

Live-in participants will be charged a fee of Four Thousand Two Hundred pesos (4,200.00) which will cover registration fee, food,accommodation, seminar kits, handouts, certificates. Live-out participants will be charged a fee of Three Thousand Six Hundred Pesos (3,600.00) which will cover registration fee, snacks and lunch,seminar kits, handouts and certificates, and Three Thousand Six Hundred Pesos (3,600.00) for accompanying person who is not a seminar participant.

September 20 Service: Learning Techniques in Projecting Good Image of the Library or Office OCLC
9:00-11:00 a.m. It will be held at SMX Convention Center (MOA). OCLC has applied for CPE points.
Non-members will be charged P200, members P150, and college students P 100.00. The forum fee is inclusive of snacks and certificates.

September 18 The Power of Etiquette and Being Happy in Library and Information Services PLAI-NCR
Time 8:00 A.M. – 12:00 Noon
Venue: SMX Convention Center (MOA)
Forum Fee, Inclusive of snacks and certificates: Php 75.00 for students; Php 100.00 for members; Php 150.00 for non-members

September 17 “Digital Debates on Archives, Museums and Libraries”PAARL
8:00 – 12:00 noon at Meeting Rooms 5-6, SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
Fee: P250.00 as PAARL members and P300.00 for non-members
September 17 “Book CARE 101: Introduction to the CARE and REPAIR of Books”Ortigas Foundation, Inc. (OFI) and the UP Library Science
3pm, Manila International Bookfair, SMXConvention Center, PasayCity.
This seminar is for FREE. Kindly send in your reservations and other inquiries to uplsaa@yahoo. com

September 17 "Creative Techniques in Teaching Library and Information Science"PATLS
Meeting Room 4, SMX Mall of Asia, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City. Registration starts at 8:00 A.M. while the forum begins at 9:00 A.M.
Fee of Php150.00 for members, Php200.00 for non-members, and Php75.00 for undergraduate students. Forum fee is inclusive of snacks and certificates.

September 16 “Net Generation Libraries”*ASLP
9-11 a.m.at the SMX Convention Center, Meeting Rooms 4 & 5, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
Fees are as follows: of P200 for non-member; P100 for member; and P50 for students covers certificates.

September 16 “REVISED PENAL CODE: TOWARD A MORE HUMANE AND RESPONSIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES”PGLL
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the The National International Book Fair 2009 at SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.
Registration fee is FREE to members, P150 (non-members) and P75.00 (students) and the participants will receive handouts and certificate. .
September 16 Focusing on Our Health: Enhancing Wellness in the WorkplaceMAHLAP
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM at SMX Convention Center, Pasay City
September 9-10 “Basics and Beyond Librarianship: Towards a Compleat Librarian.” Holy Angel University - Library Department in cooperation with C & E
Venue: Casa Nena, STL Building, Holy Angel University, Angeles City.
Registration fee: P1,500.00

September 6 Review Classes for Librarians PATLS
every Sunday from September 6 to November 8, 2009 (except November 1) from 8:00-12:00 a.m. and 1:00-5:00 p.m. at the Philippine Normal University, Edilberto P. Dagot Hall, Conference Room.
Review Fee is 3,000 Pesos while the Pre-Board Exam is 300 Pesos.

Mercy Servida, Filipino Librarian

I've heard a lot of things about the Lopez Museum, its famed library and its collection cum vault of rare books and documents. I was impressed to see the private collections of Gilda Cordero-Fernando and Freidrich Umbreit, to name a few, among its shelves But meeting Mercy Servida, librarian of the Lopez Musem Library was the highlight of my visit there last August 20, 2009.

She is dynamism personified. She has thirty years in the field of special librarianship but her passion and dedication to her profession oozes out. Her approach to readers' services was congenial and personal. She admits not knowing IT, but her desire to know new technology for the improvement of library services is laudable. She keeps an open mind and a listening ear to external and internal people of the library. She seems to have a clinical eye on the needs of her clients that she could provide information right then and there. No wonder, she is the favorite of Neni Sta. Romana Cruz, writer and teacher, the historian, Ambeth Ocampo and Gaspar Vibal, the rare book collector and brainchild behind Filipiniana.Net.

I am riding the Servida bandwagon.

She gave me and my companions a guided and comprehensive tour of the library. Except for the vault, I now know the collection of the Lopez Museum like a friend. I saw how the staff digitizes the rare books and decade old periodicals. I had a better understanding of the process involved in conversion and preservation of rare books, periodicals and primary sources. She is full of life as she explained the history of every collection. At the end of the visit, she made me reailize that (the librarian) stereotypes will forever remain unless we make an effort to break free from it.

Mercy Servida, Filipino Librarian has proven that librarians do more than dust the shelves.

The Manila International Storytelling Festival 2009

And so it came to pass.

The Manila International Storytelling Festival has folded up yesterday, August 29, 2009 in De La Salle Zobel, Ayala Alabang. As the visiting storytellers finished their performances early last night, I'm positive that they had been treated to Filipino hospitality to its fullest. Participants, on the other hand, witnessed one of the greatest performances on earth. It may sound like the circus, but it is more.

Let me begin with my attendance to the workshop session of Eth-Noh-Tec on body movements in storytelling. I was ten minutes late. Nancy Wang and Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo were winding down on their last routine of the telling. I could tell it was a splendid performance as they blended movement, music and language beautifully into one composition. They had to be the best tandem storytellers in this side of the world!

Their session was a full-bodied participation workshop, meaning, every part of your body - external parts and internal parts - were engaged. In three hours, they covered everything you need to know for an effective performance telling. I loved the group activity best because I gained new friends, I performed, I had fun! Best of all, I got to do the techniques they taught to make my movements when telling stories more energized, cohesive and controlled. I'm expecting a lot form myself after attending their session. My goal now is to eliminate the awkward movements and body language I use and convey when telling. This would mean investing on time for practice. Art is also DISCIPLINE. The skills necessary for storytelling must be honed and polished.

And this is what struck me during the matinee. Except for our local tellers, the visiting foreign tellers displayed a class and sophistication to their telling. They were POLISHED. Indeed, the Filipino's ways and techniques of storytelling still has a long way to go. By saying this would mean challenges for us, Filipino storytellers.

We need to cull out tales from our oral tradition. To tell these tales, one must be true to its cultural, historical and political context. Book based storytelling is great however, there are many elements in our culture which we could still explore to incorporate in our storytelling. Thus, the many techniques we could use -- local props, indigenous materials, songs and rhymes. Research into the history of our people and nation is necessary so that, our stories will be known by a unique Filipino voice. More storytelling sessions and festivals rather than contest! Use Filipino when telling. It helps achieve spontaneity. We're all English Second Language learners. We're bound to make mistakes! And of course, the different sectors concerned in storytelling must be one in the development and advocacy of storytelling in the Philippines.

Filipino storytellers, myself included, are skilled, creative and competent. But we still need to immerse ourselves in our own cultural heritage and history to enrich our telling. The techniques will follow. First, we need to put up content and substance in our stories so that we could tell them with justice.

The Perks of Storytelling

Last Thursday, I was at Lantana, Cubao telling stories to preschool and primary grades students. My program included two book based Storytelling, draw-and-tell, participative telling and several stories from Dianne De Las Casas' Handmade Tales. For this session, I told Ang Alamat ng Lamok, Pandakotyong and Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin from the Lola Basyang Series of Anvil/

It was an enjoyable session! I was amazed at the kids' reactions when after each telling, a group of them would hug me or give me a kiss. There were several boys and girls in the grade one level who even asked for blessings (mano po). The perks! The school Immaculada Concepcion Cathedral School is a Catholic school. I was there the whole day. My voice was nearly lost at the end of the gig, but, after an hour or so of quiet time, it got back to its normal strength.

There I met the librarian, Ms. Divina Ramirez who attended my workshop on storytelling in 2004. I was so embarrassed for I no longer remember her. She was so proud to tell me that she follows the library activities I shared in the workshop like author visits and yes, regular storytelling.

A storyteller in the Philippines doesn't earn much. Then again, when I think about it, nothing will compensate the work that a storyteller does. I delight in meeting people and performing, losing myself to their smiles, their laughters and the emotions they give back. I am thankful to Anvil Publishing, and people who continuously give me the opportunity to do what I am passionate about.

Mae Astrid Tobias (1979-2009)

The Philippine Children's Literature industry mourns the passing of one of its promising and prolific young writers. Mae Astrid Tobias succumbed to Lupus Sunday morning, 23 August 2009.

Her remains lie in state at the Paket Santiago Memorial Homes in San Roque, Marikina City. KUTING, the premiere organization of children's writers in the Philippines, will be in charge of the necrological services tonight. There will be a mass at 7 PM after which, the program remembering Ms. Tobias' life and works will commence. She was KUTING's President from 2004-2006.

Ms. Tobias' published works include the Palanca winning story, Bayong ng Kuting (A Basket of Kittens), Haribon's environmental stories for children and National Commission for Culture and the Arts' Hudhud Epic for children. Her latest book published by Adarna House, Bakawan (Mangrove) was launched last 21 July during the celebration of National Children's Book Day. Astrid, as her family and friends call her, left many unfinished book projects for Museo Pambata and Vibal Foundation.

She will be laid to rest on Wednesday, 26 August 2009. Prayers requested.

Beautiful Capul

The wifi connection in the island is wonky due to the weak signal I'm getting every night in my mobile phone. Pictures of this beautiful place will be posted, hopefully, by tomorrow night. It's going to be a long travel back to Manila so going online in transit is quite impossible.

This afternoon, the teachers brought us to the historic parola or lighthouse. The view took my breath away. I wished to stay for one more day and see other sites in the island, walk on the beach and comb the shore for shells, take pictures and buy some pasalabongs. But duties and obligation await me in Manila.

I will come back to Capul.

Second Day in Capul

The first day of the SAS Teacher Training Workshop here in Capul, Northern Samar folded up two hours ago. It had been a very fruitful day. The teachers of Capul are responsive and eager to learn. They're work ethic and self esteem are very high. What's more, they came wearing their yellow t-shirt that says: I'm Proud To Be A Teacher!

It's been a tiring day for me considering that I was restless last night. It was so warm. I made a mistake not to remind Cats to request for a generator. People in town depend on solar energy. Electrical power begins at 4PM and ends at 12 midnight. Now we all know better.

The venue for the training is in the newly constructed municipal hall which is just across the 16th century church built by the Jesuits. The name of the parish is St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish but is being run by the Catarman Diocese. I was amazed at the fortress like structure. According to Kagawad Marlon, the church was a "balwarte" and watch tower during the Spanish period. On September 14, the church will be instituted as a historic site by the National Historical Commission. Ambeth Ocampo will be present to grace the occasion. We hope to hear mass there tomorrow.

Another site we hope to visit before we leave for Manila is the lighthouse or parola. It was built by the Americans and was used during during World War II to help ships and the US Navy navigate its way into Leyte Gulf. There is more to Capul than meets the eye. Apart from these historic sites, its people are its real treasure. Their language is very unique to the region. An anthropological restoration is in the works. Tomorrow, I'll be conducting the session on Experience Stories. Talk about right timing!

Since yesterday, we had to contend ourselves wading in the pool tides. Not bad at all. It's very relaxing actually. Late this afternoon, Cats, Jojo and I did our debriefing by the shore. Once we're done, we hit the sea to wade in the low tide. The twilight view was magnificent.

Air, Land and Sea

The Sa Aklat Sisikat (SAS) Teacher Training Workshop (TTW) in Capul, Northern Samar has to be the most adventurous TTW yet.

The team for this TTW is composed of Cats Alcaraz, Reading Coordinator, Jojo Pagsibigan, Group Facilitator, and yours truly, Master Trainer. We started out early for a flight to Catarman, Northern Samar via Cebu Pacific. I am always awed at the beauty of blue. Sky and sea. Flecks of white clouds peppered the sky and the sun loved us back. When the plane touched ground, I nearly fell on my knees in homage.

This is my first time to reach Visayan soil. Though married to a full blooded Waray, I felt strange to be in an island far away from Luzon. Hearing the dialect of my in-laws did not help the feeling of alienation. Yet, the adventurer in me surfaced when Cats asked where to have lunch. I dropped the proposal of eating in the nearest Jollibee, the most popular fast food chain in the Philippines. Yes, Von Totanes, every nook and cranny of the Philippines is littered with Jollibee. Very soon, the President might just proclaim Jollibee as the national insect of this banana republic! Hey, if Carlo Caparas is National Artist, it's not impossible for Jollibee to join him in GMA's roster of the president's national choices.

Going back to Catarman, we ate at a local restaurant named Ron-Ron. Move over Lavander Brown! We Filipinos know our nicknames to heart but we know better when to change consonants to call those we hold dear. The lunch was superb! Simple but superb! We ordered big shrimps. Hilabos swimming in buttery sauce with pepper and ginger. The fish tinola was delicious, but a film of oil layered on top of the swordfish in the soup. It stuck in the lips and around the mouth that eating it was like applying grease in the face. The swordfish was meaty and that salvaged the dish. And of course, the kinilaw na tanigue was the star of our lunch date at Ron-Ron! Ang SARAP! I suddenly missed my mother-in-law who could make the best kinilaw na tanigue in our part of the metro. Lesson learned -- when in a new town, eat the local food to experience the flavor of its culture and way of life. Ginger, pepper, onions and garlic. The Warays know how to mix these falvors well with a dose of sweetness using coconut milk or sugary butter. It shows in their disposition and life style!

The hearty meal was immediately digested an hour and half when we reached Allen, Northern Samar. The jeepney ride was long and hot that riding the boat to Capul excited the three of us. It was a relaxing experience to be out there in the open sea. The surface of the water was coated with cellophane. Mt. Mayon seem to stand like a guardian in the south. San Antonio, an island north of Capul, was a mysterious mass of land. It looked dark green from a distance. Pirate ships and galleons patrolled these waters for centuries. And here we are now, visiting Capul like missionaries of long ago.

Finally, we hit dry land in Capul. I tell you, reaching the island was not the end of the journey. The scooter ride beat out the plane, the jeepney and the boat! I was squeezed between manong driver, my luggages and Jojo Pagsibigan on the scooter going to our rented beach house. It was like riding the caterpillar at your local carnival. My last motorbike ride was with my father twenty-eight years ago. No point of comparison. Let's just say that I trust my father when it comes to driving a motorbike.

At the end of the day, we waded in the beach till twilight, enjoying the warm water and white sand at low tide. It was my first to see and touch see grass. The three of us had other interesting discoveries. I'll save them for tomorrow's post! Promise!

It's pretty late. I need to sleep or else have the electrically powered lights run out on me. There are small lamps powered by solar energy around the house, but a city slicker like myself worships the power of MERALCO. I miss the hubby. I miss the kids. Tomorrow is another day.