Sa Aklat May Laya!

Pilgrim's Progress: Only God

I was cleaning my laptop a few weeks ago. Weeding out old files. Keeping the ones that hold sentimental value and the documents that prove our family’s reason for being to a safer storage. Oh boy, do I have a lot of memories stored in my laptop. One of these is a .mov file I made in April 2009 about the Family Encounter Weekend (FEW) we attended as family auxiliary. Of the numerous files I was organizing, this one made me stop from my inventory. I watched it and I was hurled back to the past.

I remember the Prietos, Tito Eli and Tita Edith, leading us through the three day retreat for families. We were joined by our MEW batchmates then, the Macalalads and the Antonios as assisting auxiliary. Fr. Ruben Tanseco was the spiritual director of that weekend and the family sharers were the Concepcions and the Escosias. How time has changed and so many things have happened since then. Some of the people in that FEW are still active in Magis Deo. Many have left us for a variety of reasons. A few faces I recall and I wonder where they are right now.

At the end of the video, I could only utter a prayer of thanks. We have grown and matured through Magis Deo’s formation programs and it enriched many areas and facets of our lives. We are grateful to belong to a community that nurtures couples as well as their children.

Nine years ago, both of our kids, Nico and Zoe, were young grade school students. Now, Nico is a junior in college in UP Diliman and Zoe is in 10th grade at the school where I currently work. I was, at the time, unemployed. I have just retired from Xavier School after fourteen solid years of service with and among Jesuits and lay partners. I was neither young nor old to sit in a rocking chair. I wanted to try something new. Something entirely different. For the next two years, I worked freelance. Domeng, on the other hand, was fully employed. To this day, he remains consistent, stable and steadfast.

That’s when another realization hit me. Domeng is my constant.

Right now, he is the reliable presence in my life. As I have learned in Magis Deo, one’s relationship with God reflects his or her relationship with his or her spouse.God is my home and it is in His strong and steadfast love where I rest. This fills me with contentment and joy. However, the mere idea of death and being rent apart from Domeng assaults me with sadness and deep anxiety. I often wonder how the widows and widower in the community manage life on their own.

I turn to prayer. I lift all these thoughts to God. For who else could fill the empty spaces and the vacancies in life? Only God.

Teacher on Center Stage: Annie Lee Masongsong of DepEd Oriental Mindoro

Teacher Annie shares her takeaways from the workshop.

The blog's Teacher in Center Stage is Ms. Annie Lee Masongsong who teaches Mangyan children in Labo Elementary School, Oriental Mindoro. She narrates how she learned the Mangyan language and the long travel she takes regularly to teach them.

I met her during the K-3 teacher training in Mindoro early this month. Her story as teacher to Mangyan children in Labo, Bacud Oriental Mindoro is inspirational. She writes stories for her students in Mangyan language so that she can further teach them how to read and write in level 2 language.

Read on and get to know her more!

If not a teacher today, what would you be?

If I am not a teacher surely I am a social worker or a founder of a foundation that supports and takes care of the children, like orphans.
What do you teach the Mangyans and describe your experience being with them in their community?

To become a teacher of the Mangyans is not easy.

It was a culture shock for me actually. Before one reaches the place where they live, one would need to walk for four to five hours on mountains and cross sixteen raging rivers. No cellphone signal. Going home before the sunset is not really possible because of the distance. The language used by my pupils is really alien to me. It is difficult to stand in front of them when I talk a lot in teaching lessons and in giving them activities that none of them would get the correct answer because of the language barrier. One thing more, most of them attended the class with an empty stomach.

There are times when I cannot eat well because I am thinking of them. Giving up to this kind of work came to my mind. I cried every night because I felt useless. Then one afternoon when I was about to give up, my pupils came around me and said they want to play with me. They held my hands and said, "Madam eglaro tam isna sa baskebolan ". It means I have to play with them in the playground. From then on, I realized that I have a mission in Labo and in the life of each child in the community.

Teacher Annie reaches her destination at mid-morning after crossing rivers and climbing mountains.

The next time I ascended, I brought food for the Mangyan kids and we cooked them simple food for lunch. We do this now every day. I started to solicit food from my friends, school supplies and used clothes for them. I studied their language and used them in my everyday teaching with the kids. I was happy with the result because I am in the stage of winning the battle. I am really happy to be with my students.

How did you learn the language of the Mangyans?

I learned their language by interviewing the adults of the community. I have a notebook of words and its translation in their native language and of course I used their mother tongue in school. It really works!
Now, I am writing stories just for them. It is written in their mother tongue with Filipino subtitle. I am communicating to one of my possible donors for a library. Honestly I just want to have published story books so that it would be my legacy to them when the time calls me to leave that place.

Teacher Annie (far right) with cultural workers in the Mangyan village at Labo, Bacud Oriental Mindoro

Do you wish to help Teacher Annie in providing books and reading materials for her students in Labo Elementary School? Post a comment or get in touch with me via email: zarahg815@gmail.com. I am organizing a book drive for the Mangyans in Mindoro!

Filipino Librarian of the Month: Arvin Delen of the DepED Oriental Mindoro

Arvin Delen holding a copy of A Tale of Two Dreams

The blog's Filipino Librarian of the month is Mr. Arvin Delen.

Mr. Delen is 27 years old from Leuteboro II, Socorro, Oriental Mindoro. He finished elementary education at Leuteboro Elementary School in 2003 and secondary school at Leuteboro National High School in 2007. He graduated from the Philippine Normal University (PNU) Manila as scholar (Trinidad M. Albarracin Scholarship) with the degree of Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS) last March 21, 2012. He took Librarian Licensure Examination last November 3-4, 2012 and Licensure Examination for Teacher last September 25, 2016. His first job was in Don Bosco Technical College as High School Librarian for almost a year.

He met a vehicular accident in  2013 thus, he stayed at home for almost 2 years. Once fully recuperated, he applied to the DepEd Division of Oriental Mindoro as Librarian II, where he is serving as Division Librarian up to the present.

1. As a Division Librarian in the DepEd, enlighten us on the nature of your work and community involvement in Oriental Mindoro. 

As Division Librarian, one of my tasks is to manage, maintain and monitor uploaded catalogue of materials in the LRMDS Portal. The LRMDS Portal is a web based catalogue and repository of learning, teaching and professional development resources. It functions as a clearinghouse. That is, it provides information about the location of resources (hardcopy and soft copy) and allows users of the system to access directly digitized versions of resources that are published and stored within the LR Portal repository. But, this portal is still in the process of upgrading the system and as Librarian, I only provide technical assistance and identify the needs of the division Library Hubs and Learning Resource Centers.

2. What has been the most challenging experience you had, so far? How did you overcome the challenge? 

The most challenging experience I had was my accident last June 6, 2013. I overcome the challenge by praying and believing that everything happens for a reason and (that) I can survive.

When it comes to my job right now, the most challenging part was the acceptance of the culture shock I experienced during my first year in working here in DepEd. I overcome this by simply being me and to get along with everyone. And also, being happy and loving my work. I pray always.

With Arvin Delen (L) and Karol Manalaysay (R), Alice Panares and Bernadette Solina-Wolf
Standing are public teachers of Oriental Mindoro 

3. As a Division Librarian, how are you helping the Indigenous Peoples (IP) in Mindoro? 

As a division Librarian, I am helping our IPs here in Mindoro by visiting and knowing their needs when it comes to reading materials. It is very challenging for me because sometimes there is no allotted budget for them for their reading materials. I have to be very versatile and ask for help from other stakeholders and other institutions which can give support for them.

4. Why Library and Information Science (LIS)? 

Library and Information Science for me is a God’s will. It is His profession for me. This profession helped me to flourish as an individual. It is very important because libraries provide scientific services and fullfil social needs. It is essential in our society because human skills can be developed without any formalized training for some. Moreover, LIS is vitally important for development. Therefore, librarians, libraries, and library associations, as well as information systems, all play a role in fostering creativity, innovation, and dealing with people's needs and expectations.

Thank you and God bless!!! ☺

Understanding Information Literacy the Millinneal Way

Teacher Training in Mindoro: Bernadette Solina-Wolf, Teacher Trainer

1. What are your top 3 most memorable experience of the DepEd Mindoro Or. Teacher Training? 

For me, there were so many highlights in the workshop which made me realize the importance of book illustrators/writers to interact with teachers especially those in the provinces. 

 My most memorable was listening to the Hanunuo dialect in the tandem storytelling session of Zarah and Teacher Nesla.  It was both fun and moving because all the participants of the workshop got so engrossed in the storytelling and when the Mangyan teacher got so self-conscious after doing so well in her version of storytelling, all the teacher/participants would encourage her to go on by singing the Hanunuo lullaby in chorus.  It was all so spontaneous and uplifting to experience.

Another most memorable experience was meeting Teacher Annie Lee who teaches Mangyan children in the hinterlands of a place called Labo and took time to study the Buhid-Bangon dialects and write stories (with Filipino text) for both Mangyans and Tagalogs.  I do hope her stories get published!

My third most memorable is not to a specific person but that of the teachers as a whole---their open-ness to learn Zarah Gagatiga's storytelling techniques, Alice Panares' creative writing exercises and even understand the technicalities of illustration was really what any facilitator would wish for!

2. What are your non-negotiables when illustrating a picture book or children’s story book?

I was thinking hard on this.  A non-negotiable thing happens when everything has been agreed upon from the very start---the compensation, the manuscript and upon approval of the studies or what we call comprehensives--the final art.  It is not that as an illustrator, you'd want to have your way and period. It is just in my view, to allow the creative process to flow unhindered after all is discussed. Any change of storyline should be from the very start. When the final art is presented, that's it. Final.It has been studied through. Non-negotiable. Or else, it becomes more expensive.

3. Why nut art or bao art? How did it came to be? 

 NutArt or the my artworks in the bao was an idea presented by my husband Michael.  He said that the coconut shell is really under-estimated.  All the Filipinos can think of it as uling/charcoal.  Of course, souvenir shops do have items out of coconut shells but to use it as a canvas has been overlooked.  Michael thought of the porcelain plates in Europe where exquisite artworks are painted on them.  So why not have a Filipino version of those porcelain plates? He also developed a particular stand for the bao so the whole thing is really hand-made/home-made in every sense.  And then he said it should be named NutArt short for (coco)NutArt. So German. So no-nonsense.  

4. How to buy your books and acquire your bao art?

The STARS Kindergarten books can be availed or ordered in any Precious Pages Bookstores. Other books can be had online via my other publishers LG&M/Vibal and Bookmark Inc.

I have also a blogspot of the Nutart where you can see samples of what I have had produced so far. http://nutart.blogspot.com. 

I actually do them on commissions so email me at : mbw.vph@gmail.com

Teacher Training in Mindoro: K-3 Teachers Read, Write, Tell and Draw Stories

Oriental Mindoro K-3 Teachers Learn to Write & Draw Storybooks in DepEd Workshop

By Joy Solina

“Ito ang pinaka-da best sa dami ng mga na-attendan kong training!” raved a participant
from the 40 Kindergarten to Grade 3 teachers who attended DepEd’s first workshop
on book evaluation and design with storytelling and illustration last May 5 and 6, 2018
in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro.

“There might be a part 2!” program host and DepEd Librarian 2 Arvin Delen
told the trainers at the end of the highly successful workshop.

Sponsored by the DepEd Learning Resource Management Office of Oriental Mindoro led by
Superintendent Malou Servando and Lampara Publishing
House, the Division Training workshop on Managing Resources: Book Evaluation
and Book Design for Filipino Children with Storytelling and Book Illustration based on
Philippine Culture equipped teachers on how to evaluate a book, use existing children’s
books to promote reading, and create their own storybooks based on their particular
needs and local culture.

L-R: Arvin Delen (DepEd Division Librarian), trainers Zarah Gagatiga, Alice Panares, Bernadette Solina-Wolf and
Karol Manalaysay (Project Development Officer, DepEd Oriental Mindoro)

Its powerhouse trainers were art educator and curriculum reviewer Alice Panares from the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, multi-awarded children’s book author and storyteller
Zarah Gagatiga, and Ilustrador ng Kabataan founding member and established children’s book illustrator Bernadette Solina-Wolf. For 1.5 days, they taught the teachers techniques in storytelling, writing,
and illustrating their own stories in highly interactive sessions at the Kamayan Penthouse Resort
in Dalahican, Roxas, Oriental Mindoro.

Also present were the three teachers from San Teodoro Central School,
Oriental Mindoro who won the 2017 National Competition for Storybook Writing for Kindergarten
to Grade 3 Teachers for their originally written and illustrated book, “Si Tamaro at ang Kagubatan.”

They are Eleonor Q. Bicol, Mary May Rolaine S. Alvea, and Ginalyn S. Deniega.

Teachers Eleanor Q. Bicol, Mary May Rolaine S. Alvea and Ginalyn S. Deniega

DepEd organizers Arvin Delen and Project Development Officer 2 Karol Manalaysay
encouraged participants to share what they learned with other teachers and expressed
their desire to see Oriental Mindoro teachers win again in the next national storybook
writing competition.

Teacher Training in Mindoro : Tandem Telling with Teacher Nelsa

Last weekend, I was in Mindoro to run a two day workshop for K-3 teachers in the DepEd. In the next few days, I will be sharing this experience to you all, my dear readers, because we had a blast with the public school teachers there. Also, there were many learning experiences gained from working with DepEd Mindoro Oriental that are worth trumpeting out loud.

For the meantime, here is a short video clip of my tandem telling with Teacher Nelsa, a member of the Hanunio Mangyan community.

Writing Tip #1: Keep the Writing Muscles in Good Condition

I often tell workshop participants that writing is not an easy task. Stories do not always come in full bloom. It takes skill and time to craft a story. One strategy to skills building is to carve a writing time into one’s routine on a regular basis. Keeping a journal is a good start.

A diary is different from a writing journal since the former is a personal documentation of one’s activities and experiences. The later is a tool designed to develop specific writing skills. Both are helpful in building writing skills over all, but the writing journal has a special purpose. Journals can be in print or in digital format. 

Once you have set a writing routine or schedule, and your journal ready for writing in, organize mini topics or prompts that functions as writing exercises. Writers write all the time and they keep their writing muscles in good condition.

To begin with, here are some writing prompts you can do.

1. Write a paragraph about a person you met recently.

2. What did you eat for lunch? Describe how the food tastes like.

3. Choose photo number 10 in your phone and remember when and where it was taken. Write about the experience in your journal.

4. Take a walk in the mall, at the park or sit in a cafe. Write what you hear, what you see and what feel at that moment.

5. Remember a dream you had and spontaneously write it on an empty page as the memory comes spilling out.

6. Think of two characters from a TV show you like or otherwise. How will they talk if they are in cafe or some place unfamiliar.

7. Imagine yourself as an object, a pencil, a dress or a car. How would you look or feel like?

8. Compare opposites: light and shadow, sunrise and sunset, coffee and tea, etc.

These writing prompts will keep you going. Do not think of the grammar. Not at this stage. There is another phase and time to improve that.

Call for Manuscript Submissions-National Book Development Trust Fund Grant 2018

Lifting these information from the website of the National Book Development Board:

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONSThe National Book Development Board (NBDB) is calling for applications for the National Book Development Trust Fund (NBDTF) Grant for 2018. Authors and organizations are invited to submit at least 25% of their manuscripts or research works for books. The chosen works will receive a maximum grant of P200,000.00 each.

Categories include I.  Supplementary Reading Materials written in the Mother Tongue (Grades 1 to 3); II.  Supplementary Reading Materials for Senior High School Students (Grades 11 and 12);  III.  Supplementary Reading Materials for All Grade Levels

HOW TO APPLYSubmit the following documents:

1. Applicant’s curriculum vitae (in the case of juridical entities, its SEC registration documents, as may be applicable, and the curriculum vita of the authors-applicants).

1. A sworn statement indicating that the submitted work is an original and unpublished work, and that the applicant is the copyright-holder of the work.

1. A project proposal with project objectives; proposed scope of work (i.e., table of contents); timeline; budget and resources; and other relevant information supporting the author’s capacity to undertake the project.

1. NBDB Certificate of Registration.

1. Manuscript Format: in 12-point type, Times New Roman, with 1-inch margins, and sequentially numbered on 8.5’ x 11’ bond paper; in quadruplicate copies. A digital copy shall also be submitted.

1. Manuscript Substance: at least 25% of the manuscript, written in the identified language category for Supplementary Reading Materials written in the Mother Tongue, and in English or Filipino for Supplementary Reading Materials for all other grade levels.

 APPLICATION PERIODDeadline for submission for the Supplementary Reading Material written in the Mother Tongue is on 31 July 2018 and deadline for the Supplementary Reading Materials for all other grade levels is on 30 September 2018.Interested applicants should email their applications to oed@nbdb.gov.ph with the subject: NBDTF 2018 Application (Name of author/s or organization).You may download a copy of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9521, National Book Development Trust Fund Act, here. CONTACT INFORMATIONFor inquiries, please contact:National Book Development BoardUnit 2401 Prestige TowerF. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center,Pasig City 1605, PhilippinesTelefax: +632 570 6198 or +632 687 1804Email: helpdesk@nbdb.gov.ph

Winners of the Wordless Book Prize 2018

Congratulations to Harry Monzon and Christian Oliver Cruz for winning the 2018 Wordless Book Prize!

Pagkatapos ng Unos by Harry Monzon

Pibo by Christian Oliver Cruz

Details of the 2018 Wordless Book Prize and the PBBY book awards can be read here: https://pbby.org.ph/awardees_2018

Filipino Library Consortium: Consortium of the South

The blog’s Filipino Librarians of the month is a consortium. The Consortium of the South awarded its most outstanding librarian of 2018, Ms. Kit Pedrasa of the Lyceum, Calamba Laguna. Apart from this initiative of recognizing the professional excellence of their community members, they also hold workshops and fora, build stronger networks and camaraderie. Know more about them through this interview I had with its current officers.

1. How did COTS begin and why a consortium? 

Consortium of the South was initiated by University of Perpetual Help System (UPHS)-Dalta, Las Piñas in the year 2010. The founding president was Mr. Anthony M. Tamayo of UPHS-Dalta. 

 

It is composed of six (6) member institutions: 

1. University of Perpetual Help System DALTA

2. Southville International School and Colleges

3. San Beda College Alabang

4. Olivarez College

5. Lyceum of the Philippines Laguna

6. PATTS College of Aeronautics

 

To date it has 10 members, Manila Tytana Colleges, Immaculate Heart of Mary College, Paranaque, Laguna College of Business Administration, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Calamba.

 

The Consortium was established because there was a need for collaborative ventures between and among schools. It is open to higher education institutions with common and shared interests in providing opportunities

for the advancement of higher education institutions with the goals of raising the achievement of all students and improving quality in higher education. Its essence is to enrich and enhance the other members.

 

2. What services and programs COTS implement that has been successful among its members? Why and how has the service or program successful? 

Libraries or Learning Resource Centers is one of the seven (7) basic elements for twinning, linkages and networking among the members. The library committee intends to boost its presence in academic settings through specific breakthrough programs for library clients. Its goal is to share knowledge and resources among library administrators in the field of library management, assessment and services.

 

Resource Sharing and inter-library loan service (ILL), sharing of best library practices among its members, recognizing outstanding librarians and library personnel of the year and conducting training or workshop for its 

members based on the training need assessment.

 

This program has been successful because member schools is strengthening its resource sharing by providing guidelines on the inter-library loan of resources and services. Student researchers among its members has 

availed this services by visiting and doing research among the CotS member schools.

 

This school year is the 3rd Search for Outstanding Librarian and Library Personnel of the Year. The search was successful, member schools have sent and participated in the search.

 

Sharing of library best practices is continuous. Every meeting the host institution will share at least one library best practice. Member schools are encouraged to do the same activity or library practices.

 

The first library training/workshop has been conducted last April 13 at Manila Tytana Colleges. The training was attended by 15 participants both librarians and library assistant from different member schools. The 

workshop is free for the members. 

 

3. What are the goals of the outstanding library staff and librarian award? 

The search was conducted to empower librarians and library support staff and to develop inspiration, self-confidence and dignity to our profession. 

 

4. What does COTS have for the community in the future?

The CotS library committee will continue to support the library consortium by developing and improving library services and programs. The group will also continue to provide library activities to its librarian and library staff that will make them more efficient, productive and effective CotS library personnel.

To date, COTS does not have a social media account yet. You may get in touch with them through Marife Madronio Tejero of the Manila Tytania College.

Writing Workshop: Weaving Stories for Kids and Teens

My writing worshop last Sunday, April 29, 2018 at Happy Grandma’s Cafe had been productive because participants left the workshop with story ideas. To achieve this, we looked at the status of Philippine Children’s Literature and the publishing industry. We set our own definitions on children’s literature based on Clarkson’s Ten Values of Children’s Literature. We discussed the storytelling model of David Leiber and how it can help us recall, craft and share our stories. Remembering favorite books read as children made us all see how diverse our choices and taste are in the reading materials we engaged in as kids growing up. And my, oh my! How our books “carbon” date us! Revisiting memories of childhood led us to discover the wealth of stories waiting to be shared and told. It was a wonderful afternoon of shared dreams and common goals!

One of the workhoppers, Ms. Alma Lumawag was brave enough to have her manuscript critiqued. And, sure enough, it helped her see areas of improvements on her manuscript. Getting feedback from peers is a helpful strategy for all writers.

Thank you, Happy Grandma’s Cafe for welcoming us! I hope to see you again soon!

For now, there are ideas to tame or prune. There are manuscripts to review. There are dreams to build. And there are stories to tell and weave!

Storytelling Workshop for Kids at the Museo Pambata

Priming Activity #2: Philippine Children's Literature Today

Greeting PASLI A Happy 40th Anniversary

Librarian Authors at the 9th PILF

And so it came to pass. 

The 9th Philippine International Literary Festival commenced last Apri 19 and ended on April 20, 2018. Held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, AUTHORities, was well attended by Filipinos from all walks of life and from different members of the book industry. From tne literati to the academics, teachers to students, aspiring authors and veterans, art enthusiasts to the curious, book nerds and gamers, the Natioal Book Development Board and the Cultural Center of the Philippines deserved praise and congratulations. It was no mean feat! A fitting celebration to Buwan ng Panitikan.

As for me, it was one memorable literary event because, as a librarian I was there to present a book project with friends, Darrel Marco and MJ Cagumbay Tumamac. I also ran a workshop on storytelling at the Little Theatre. That’s a first for me and a tick of my bucket list.

There were interesting coversations about book history after our panel presentation especially from the wonderful ladies at Ilaw ng Tahanan Books. Dr. Ina Castro, Vice President of the Nutrition Center of the Philippines came to support us too. Librarian friends, Audrey Anday and Ann Grace Bansig, had fun attending talks and watched a movie at the Festival. But most of all, they were present at our panel to cheer us on.

I hope that we have inspired more librarians to write, not just books about Library and Information Science, but also explore allied topics and subject related to the discipline. 

Priming Activity #1: Storytelling Can Change the World

Filipino Librarian of the Month: Melissa Odono Naval

The blog's Filipino Librarian of the Month is Melissa Odono Naval, school librarian at Southville International School and Colleges. Known among peers and friends in Southville as Ms. Mel, she is a very colorful personality in the community and has earned the school's admiration and respect because of her dedication towards her work. She was second place in the recently concluded Search for Outstanding Librarian in the Consortium of the South.

How did you become a school librarian?

Staying in the library as a custodian or a full-time librarian did not cross my mind more so becoming a licensed one.

Yes, I have not asked myself what made me stay in the library for more than 10 years. If I am into superstitions, I would say it is my good luck staying in the library but unfortunately, I strongly believe that it is really God's plan that he put me in the field of librarianship for a greater purpose.
Let me share with you my short story.

This happened when our librarian in my previous work resigned and there was no one to stay or take care of our library then.  As tradition dictates, books were returned at the end of the academic year, clearing of teachers' accountabilities by the assigned librarian.  Since no one would do that anymore, books returned were placed anywhere in the library.  My heart felt bad seeing books scattered anywhere.  Without any knowledge, nor skills, I volunteered to our principal to fix the returned books while teaching, monitoring and mentoring faculty in the department. Even during that time, there was really a scarcity of licensed librarian and not one has applied yet for the position.

Lack of knowledge or lack of skills did not stop me to help and serve.  A great opportunity came when a PAASCU accreditor recommended that, at least, someone who has units in the field could man the library.

I embraced this new challenge and took units after finishing my Master's in Filipino. At that time  I was already in paper writing. I saw the urgency and weighed the need for our school.  In the journey of studying, I thirsted for more and little by little, I applied all the learning and skills from my professors but most especially from my classmates whom I  shared the same plight. I have realized, am I enjoying every bit of work, every bit of challenge and empathised with my friends and acquaintances' stories in the library.  

With passion, grit and determination, I was ready to move forward so I decided to take the board exam for librarians (which our batch was the last to take the exam as non-BLIS graduates).  As I have mentioned, it was indeed a God's plan because I passed the board exams.  I even pushed more for a bigger challenge and inspired by Sir Johnny Buenrostro, I enrolled in MLIS in Baliuag, Bulacan until I finally finished and graduated my MLIS in 2012.

In the year 2010, I have decided to leave my previous work.  I applied for a teaching position in various schools but there was  no vacancy in my field of expertise.  So I decided to apply as a librarian and Southville International School & Colleges gave me the opportunity to truly experience the role of a librarian in different facets. I have been an academic librarian and presently a school librarian. Being a librarian is challenging, yet fulfilling and exciting.

2. What have you learned from years of experience working with students and teachers?

Working with students and teachers in the library have taught me the real meaning of service on a wider scope and with greater responsibilities. Customers are different and unique in so many ways.  I have learned to tailor-fit the library services and activities on their needs and types.  Working with students in the library gave me the opportunity to wear different hats: a teacher, a friend, a parent, a counsellor. Working with teachers/faculty have taught me to improve and work on my relationship with them, to provide for their teaching needs and to always be on my toes.  To give in on their request without bending the library's policies and procedures but to meet them half-way. Working  hand in hand with them made some of my work easy. I have gained partners in promoting everything about the library and on personal note, I have even won friends.

Working with Southville’s students and faculty have taught me to develop, hone and live the true value and meaning of 5Cs,  Competence, Character, Collaboration, Creativity and Commitment to Achieve.

What is the greatest challenge school librarians face in this day and age?

Based from my experiences and conversations with colleagues, the greatest challenge of school librarians are budget related, manpower and support from management.

How can this challenge be overcome? 

a.  In order to get support from management, librarians must make a noise in the community to show and let everyone be aware that the library exist.  Forward to them all seminar invites pertaining to administration for them to attend and be with other administrations so they could understand little things about the library.  Involve them in all the activities.

b. If budget is really limited, work and coordinate with different publishing companies and initiate book fairs. Entice these publishing companies on different student-centered activities on major library celebrations.  Launch a book drive donation from students, teachers or parents. Benchmark with other schools and coordinate for possible book donation.

c.  For lack of manpower, librarians can coordinate with teachers or discipline head of the school and open the possibility of the library as a venue for students to do community service, SHS service learning and immersion.

Think of something we do not know about Melissa yet. How can this “hidden” self be a gift to PH LIS?

I am a passionate librarian and an event organizer.  I think, if I will be given the chance to be one of the organizers of any organizations, I could apply the skills and training I had with Southville.

I always wanted to turn my weaknesses into strength. I am scared of deep water however, I am doing ways to conquer my fear of water by going to beaches and pools and learning to swim with my loved ones. Turning my weakness/fears into strength can be a self gift to the LIS profession because it helps people in unlocking their potential and it makes them a successful one in every aspect of their lives personally or professionally.

Others would see me as a happy individual, very jolly, likes to mingle and entertain everyone, with a strong will and determination.  Others even perceive me with a strong personality.  But behind this, like any other human being, I am also vulnerable. However this won't stop me from doing my passion to serve others, to inspire and encourage people around me especially colleagues in the field of teaching and of librarianship.

Despite many challenges as a librarian, we can all soar high amazingly and conquer our fears and weaknesses to be servants of God.  Be a blessing to every all.