Author Chat with ZarahG: Rhandee Reads, Writes and Rises Above the Pande...

And finally, it is here - my author chat with Rhandee Garlitos. 

What I hoped would be an October-November offering of the blog and my YouTube Channel turned out to be a New Year's week special. Though the recording of this chat happened last year in late September, the topics that Rhandee and I discussed in the first part is just appropriate to the times. 

Here we talked about the hard blows that the pandemic has given everyone and yet, we see ourselves -- and everyone, rising above the challenges. Watch and listen as we converse on the changes and the adaptations that artists, content creators and innovators are making in this uncertain times.

Do watch out for announcements of workshops and online selling of Rhandee's books over at Facebook. This is the link - https://www.facebook.com/rhandee.garlitos

Book Review: Wing of the Locust

Reposting the review and #bookstagram of Wing of the Locust (Jacob, Scholastic 2020) here in the blog. 

Feel free to click on my IG post to view more photos of the book. The cover is beautiful and the novel is a wonderful read. I will be wrapping up this blog tour this weekend with links to posts of book bloggers who participated in this reading adventure. Do watch out for the roundup because I will be including recommended activities for teachers, librarians and book clubs to do to further enjoy the book and expand appreciation for the world that Joel Donato Ching Jacob created.

 

Tingnan ang post na ito sa Instagram

Isang post na ibinahagi ni Zarah Gagatiga (@zarah815)

 

The Lighthouse Diary Entries 2020

 Work From Home officially begins this week. 

Sigh. 

Hope floats and I hang on to faith. 

The blog has always been a venue for my musings and writings on the work that I do since I started out. It is no different that, to this day, I blog about my experiences and practice of school librarianship in the Beacon Academy. Looking back in 2020, I was able to write and post six entries. Not bad given how tough the year was for everyone else. 

This is not a resolution, but I do hope to write more about WFH and school librarianship in the COVID-19 era.

Here are links to the The Lighthouse Diary for 2020. It pretty much sums up my work life last year.

The Lighthouse Diary #18: Volcanic Eruption and E-Learning

The Lighthouse Diary #19: Volcano, Viruses and Vigilance

The Lighthouse Diary #20: A Vital Support System

The Lighthouse Diary #21: Two Weeks of BA Library Online

The Lighthouse Diary Entry #22: Getting Ready for Academic Year 2020

The Lighthouse Diary Entry #23: Statistics as Science and Story

My Reading Inventory Part 2: Books That Got Me Through 2020

 

3x3 Movie and TV Series Review: The Prom, Bridgerton, The Princes Switch (1 and 2)

Here is my 3x3 reviews of Netflix movies and TV series I have seen over the holiday break. It was fun to watch them all but none of of them has really resonated with me.

The Prom (Murphy, Martin, Beguelin Ryan Murphy Productions, 2019) has spectacular acting. The music and the choreography are dazzling and on quiet and gentle moments, it is honest in its message of inclusion and tolerance. Then again, on its final note, I felt I had been chewing gum all along.

Vanessa Hudgens shines in the The Princess Switch (Rohl, Burger and Metzger MCPA, 2018) and The Princess Switched Again (Rohl, Burger and Metzger MPCA, 2020). A very predictable script is made charming by the actors' visuals and production design. These two movies are Christmas candy canes and I had to drink hot chocolate less the sugar and the vanilla right after.

And then, there is Bridgerton (Van Dusen, Netflix 2020). Is it worth all the hype?

It is not Pride and Prejudice so don't keep your hopes up if you are a loyal Austen fan. There are eye-rolling moments but the chemistry between Rege Jane Page and Phoebe Dynevor, as well as the friendship of Eloise and Penelope make up for the enormous cliché. Women in this Regency era TV series are given agency enough to crack open the patriarchy a little bit but it is Lady Danbury, portrayed by Adjoah Andoh, who wields power over them all.

Oh, Lady Danbury! How to be you? There are explorations of gender roles and the treatment of race in a multiracial London is a given. Yet, social class and elitism remain the primary conflicts affecting beloved characters. The OST is pretty cool!

My 2020 Reading Inventory

Tingnan ang post na ito sa Instagram

Isang post na ibinahagi ni Zarah Gagatiga (@zarah815)

On Instagram, I posted seven photos of books I plan to read for 2020 around early January. Of the the seven books, I have only read one book in full, which is Liwag and Brion's In Their Own Voice (ADMU Press), a book of essays by young people in a journey of understanding themselves and the world they create and inhabit. Proust and the Squid and The Gutenberg Elegies are books I munched on. These are non-fiction titles which fill in my need for functional reading. All three titles serve a purpose for professional growth. 

For fiction books, I finished nine titles on top of the 19 picture books published by Room to Read, plus, a memoir. I failed to post reviews on all of them on the blog or on Goodreads though.

Yes, it's a tough year even in this department. I am ploughing my way through two books now and started another non-fiction title. Blame it on the pandemic, yes -- like everything else. 

On the one hand, I have seen more than a dozen Kdramas and Netflix originals. 

Then again, I resolve to read more books this year in digital and print format. A balance is essential. It is good for the brain and for my well-being. 

My Top 9 on Instagram

 

Tingnan ang post na ito sa Instagram

Isang post na ibinahagi ni Zarah Gagatiga (@zarah815)

2020 Monthly First Post

Just to review how 2019 went for me as seen in the blog, before continuing on with a blogging tradition, here was my opening paragraph:

As I keep up with this blog tradition, I am also reminded of how fortunate I have been this 2019. The year is awfully hard and I could not have made it this far if not for the support of friends at work, in the book industry and in Philippine School Librarianship. As the year ends, I can only say thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

2020 totally trumps 2019. 

But I am alive and I am with my family. No complains. Only gratitude for the immense graces received.

January -  Movie Review: The Two Popes

Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce play Pope Benedict and Pope Francis respectively and with such conviction that I had to remind myself very so often that this is a Netflix movie written by Anthony McCarten. Make no mistake, it is a good thing as McCarten wrote Bohemian Rhapsody and Darkest Hour. Both are Oscar winning movies that elevated Freddie Mercury into the status deserving of a god and Gary Oldman as a tough but endearing Winston Churchill. Both actors in the said movie won an Oscar too.

February - Bibliotherapy Guide and Module: Storytelling for Growth and Healing Version 1 - Full Text

March - Masaya Maging Ako! Masaya Maging Tayo!

Finally! Na-launch na rin ang Masaya Maging Ako, ang aming aklat pambata ni Jamie Bauza.  Ito ay binuo, nilikha at ginawang espesyal na handog para sa mga bata na walang aklatan at salat sa babasahing akma sa kanilang kultura at konteksto. Kasama namin sa proseso ng paglikha ng aklat ang mga bumubuo sa komunidad ng Panitikang Pambata ng Pilipinas. Mula sa Ang Illustrador ng Kabataan, kasama ang apat na publishers ng mga aklat pambata, Adarna House, Lampara Books, Hiyas-OMF at Anvil Publishing hangang sa staff ng Room to Read, nagsanib puwersa ang lahat upang makapaglimbag ng 20 aklat sa ilalim ng Kuwentong Musmos Book Project ng Room to Read. Ang paglulunsad ay ginanap sa Museo Pambata noong Huwebes, February 27, 2020.

April - Online Bibliotherapy: Coping and Living Through the COVID-19 Pandemic

It is the third week of the Emergency Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the country and the second week of total lockdown in our province. It has been a crazy three weeks. It demands from us a great flexibility to cope, survive and thrive through this pandemic.

May - empowerEd Podcast Channel: Fostering Literacy in Times of School Closures

Yay! I got the news from Francis Jim Tuscano that the podcast where he and I talked about literacy and learning in the time of pandemic is up. He has this post in his Facebook Page.

June - Pathfinder: COVID-19 Updated 6.1.2020

Here is the link to the Pathfinder COVID-19 in Google Doc. The document can also be viewed below.

July - July 21 is National Children's Book Day!

August - Using Google Site To Make A Library Website (1 of 2)

On Sunday night, I posted on Facebook photos of the library website I made using Google Site. The Pioneer is one of two library websites I made during quarantine spilling over the summer while preparing for the opening of online distance learning. 

September - The Lighthouse Diary Entry #23: Statistics as Science and Story

A grade 10 student asked me about the NBA and statistics. Thanks to the student's Personal Project Supervisor and PP Coordinator for this chance to connect with a fan of the NBA from one of our students.

October - Art and Bibliotherapy Service Online: Kora Dandan Albano's Aral-Aralan

Towards the end of September, a colleague dropped the idea of using a painting for an appreciation post in the school's internal social media platform. Picking up the idea from him, I put together three posts to follow through with recommended readings for reflection and de-stressing. The painting, Aral-aralan by Kora Dandan Albano became the centerpiece of the art and bibliotherapy service.

November -  Paghilom at Pag-asa sa Panahon ng Pandemya: Following Through Miyawing Kuting's Story

For the participants of the Bibliotherapy workshop/webinar, this is our post activity to close the experience. Simply answer the questions below like you would answer or write in a diary or journal. If the spirit moves you, post on your socmed accounts or timeline the fruits of your reflection.

December - Learn From Home: Ep 1 Setting A Learn From Home Routine and Procedures

Learn from Home is a program of  YGoal. The aim of the program is to support parents, guardians, and those who take on a “parental” role on how learning can be facilitated efficiently at home especially in the modification of the delivery of education in this time of unprecedented change. 

2021 is but a few hours away. No one really prepared us for the pandemic. I keep my hopes up and faith in God. Have a safe and blessed New Year to all!

3x3 Reviews of Christmas Stories on Netflix: A Movie, A Documentary and A Web-TV Series

The holiday break afforded me more time to watch and binge on Netflix of movies, mini-series and documentaries that are listed in my watch list for over a year now. Here is my review of Ghost of Girlfriends Past (movie), Home for Christmas Season 2 (web-TV series) and Holiday Movies That Made Us: The Night Before Christmas (documentary).

Holiday Movies That Made Us : The Night Before Christmas (Frost and Volk-Weiss, Netflix 2020) - A family favorite, it was fascinating to know the behind the scenes and the back stories of Jack and Sally. They are the one true pairing. Next to It's A Wonderful Life, this dark fantasy movie will remain a must-see movie at Christmas time.

Ghost of Girlfriends Past (Waters, Lucas and Moore, New Line Cinema 2009) - Why did I even bother streaming this movie?  I should have invested my time over one of the Hallmark Holiday movies in Netflix instead. All the talent of the good actors wasted in a movie that failed to put the magic and a new insight to a beloved Christmas novel.

Home for Christmas Season 2 (Sorensen, Netflix 2020) - Wonderful! Season 2 continues to show the complexities and the imperfections in families, relationships and one's personal journey to self worth. Johanne comes full circle with an ending that affirms how love conquers all, indeed!

So, there. You know which show to take time on. Have a restful holiday break!

Photo sources:

Ghost of Girlfriends Past- https://bhsblueprint.org/showcase/2015/02/04/ghosts-of-girlfriends-past-stereotypes-of-men-and-women/

Home for Christmas Season 2 - https://webbiesworld.com/each-and-every-details-regarding-home-for-christmas-season-2-is-illustrated-below/

Holiday Movies That Made Us - https://flixable.com/title/the-holiday-movies-that-made-us/

Book Reviews: Books For Hope and Healing 2020

As we ease our way out of a tough and troubled 2020, here are books I have read that speaks of hope and healing. 

Sinta radiates warmth that brings back memories of childhood afternoons spent playing with cousins and friends in the neighborhood. Sinta, the child, is curious, observant and introspective. Having parents who listen and are open enough to talk through her fears and anxieties, she is able to conquer them and understand herself with confidence. Ana Digi’s first novel for children is a comfortable and reassuring read in this time of challenges and difficulties.

On a personal note, I thank the book creators for tackling issues that have relevance and meaning to readers young and old that will outlive this pandemic.

Minh Le’s rendition of the Green Lantern: Legacy (DC, 2020) is an ode to a beloved grandmother, a collective symbol of a community’s past and future as well as an homage to his own. This graphic novel recognizes innovation, creativity and the danger of having ambition with no integrity. It believes in the capability of young people who, despite their need for guidance and mentoring, are active participants in shaping the world to be a much better place. Andie Tong’s illustrations and color palette are captivating!

Worth having on the school library’s digital or physical shelf.

In Pagkatapos ng Unos (PBBY,2020) Monzon creates a splendid visual narrative of hope and perseverance that readers of all ages can relate to. The wordless book shows tragedy and disaster but every page is a work of art and of the heart. A reminder that well made and beautiful things in times of chaos and confusion can still be found.

Don't miss out on this wordless wonder of a story!

Book Blog Tour: Wing of the Locust Week 2

Here is an update of the book blog tour of Wing of the Locust (Jacob, Scholastic 2020). The book bloggers and vloggers are giving it a thumbs up so if you are interested to get a copy, head on Enoy Ferriols' Dear Books to place an order. Have a look and listen to what Filipino readers and bloggers are saying about this masterpiece!

Yna the Mood Reader's - YouTube Channel - Unboxing and Book Talk for Wing of the Locust

 

 Blog post by Bookbed - Book Review of Wing of the Locust and a bookstagram post on IG

Tingnan ang post na ito sa Instagram

Isang post na ibinahagi ni ☁️ Bookbed (@bookbed)

Award winning author and indie publisher, Xi Zuq posted his review on IG.

Tingnan ang post na ito sa Instagram

Isang post na ibinahagi ni Xi Zuq (@xizuq)

3 x 3 Christmas Movies Review: YA Christmas Romance on Netflix

Our family would usually watch the Metro Manila Film Festival at Christmas time. But with the pandemic, we are sticking on what we have as our source of entertainment this season spending less due to the challenges of the times. Other than the Kdramas we watch on streaming channels, we watch out for movies and mini-series on Netflix.

There are two young adult books that have been converted into a film version on Netflix that have caught our attention namely, Let it Snow (Dylan Clark productions, 2019) and Dash & Lily (21 Laps Entertainment, 2020). Here is my 3x3 review of these YA Christmas Romcom.

Let it Snow (Dylan Clark productions, 2019)

Young people traverse the cold and wintry landscapes of their personal lives at Christmas time. The external setting complements the internal turmoil and battles that eight young adults experience going through transitions and breakthroughs of growing up. The lone adult character in the movie portrayed by Joan Cusack as the mysterious Tin Foil Lady is the voice of reason and hope for both the characters in the movie as well as the viewers.

Dash & Lily (21 Laps Entertainment, 2020)

What a cast! Austin Abrams and Midori Francis breathes life to the opposites attract trope with a comfortable feel and this pairing is even made more exciting and interesting by the presence of peers and family that surrounds them. They play a game of dares around Manhattan and its neighboring boroughs showcasing their complicated and conflicting personalities and also, making New York a complex character on its own.

Our ratings:

Let it Snow (Dylan Clark productions, 2019) - 3/5 stars

Dash & Lily (21 Laps Entertainment, 2020) - 4/5 stars

Photo Sources:

https://tvline.com/2020/11/15/dash-lily-recap-season-1-episode-8-finale-ending-explained/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_It_Snow_(2019_film)

Filipino Librarian of the Month: Jessica Castro-Cristobal

Our featured Filipino Librarian this month is vlogger Jessica Castro-Cristobal. In this interview, Jessica shares with us her vlogging journey as well as tips for those who wish to start vlogging. 

1. Why vlogging?

I was inspired by celebrity Youtube content creators like Toni Gonzaga and Bianca Gonzales who film such motivational vlogs or videos. It’s funny how this pandemic made me decide to set up my own YouTube channel when in fact, I’m not a fan of it until quarantine happened.

And just to share, I chose LIS (Library and Information Science) Campaign as my pilot content so I can finally turn my MLIS (masters) thesis into a reality! This milestone is a blessing to me as I now found my comfortable platform to freely express myself and introduce BLIS Program and Profession! 

2. What are your gains and losses in vlogging?

I consider myself a “Wallflower” Librarian who would rarely attend librarians’ conventions and any professional gatherings, and who would usually distance herself from the crowd and actively avoid being in the limelight. In vlogging, I believe, I’m slowly losing that anxiety, or I must say, “finally got rid of it” and now, surprisingly, I gained my confidence in getting along with fellow library professionals. Aside from being grateful for the new faces I have met, I am also thankful for those new learned perspectives in librarianship from each episode’s guest.

3. So far, how has vlogging led you to an insight or a discovery of the profession?

Well, who could have thought that a librarian can also become a Vlogger?

In my 24 uploads, I have proven that Librarians speak and act from the heart. Without the presence of Librarian and BLIS (Bachelor of Library and Information Science) Student guests, every content would have not been such an inspiring story, a story not only about Library Science journey, but indeed unique life stories. This vlogging advocacy has also lead me to a discovery of the profession in a way that becoming a Librarian is “ A Blessing in Disguise”, “A Gift”, “For All”, “An Advocacy”, “A Redemption”, and “A Bread and Butter”.

4. Please share with us, some tips for others who want to begin vlogging.

Since this question falls #4, I have 4 tips to share for others (librarians or not, BLIS students or not) who want to begin vlogging.

1. You must be OPEN to show to the public your stories, your real personalities, you, YOURSELF. 

2. You must KNOW your content. Create a content that aims to inspire people, not just to gain more followers, views, likes, or simply a desire to monetize your channel.

3. You must FEEL comfortable. It’s okay to feel ashamed at first, that’s normal. What important is as you go along, you get to easy learn speaking in front of your own camera.

4. You must NOT require yourself to buy hi-tech gadgets or equipment, a smartphone and monopod will actually do, in the beginning. 😊

You can view Jessica's YouTube channel   for news, features and updates about Filipino Librarians in the time of the pandemic. She is also on Instagram as @justjess_1023 and on Facebook as The Vlogging Librarian.

Book Blog Tour: Wing of the Locust Week 1 Roundup

Our Book Blog Tour for Wing of the Locust is on-going. Book bloggers are warming up to the book. The past week, our bloggers' socmed sites have been active about it! These are the initial responses they have on Joel Donato Ching Jacob's masterpiece.

Gerald the Bookworm book talks about Wing of the Locust and looks forward to finishing up the novel by the end of the year. Below is an IG post of Yna the Moodreader on IG.

Tingnan ang post na ito sa Instagram

Isang post na ibinahagi ni 🌟 yna 🌟 (@ynathemoodreader)

Like Xi Zuq, I am currently reading the book and so far, it has been an interesting journey with Tuan who is continuously finding his place in the community. Set against the backdrop of pre-colonial Philippines, this gives color and texture to Tuan's discovery of the self and the world around him.   

I will be posting full reviews and recommended activities in the coming weeks for Donato's engaging novel. It has a place in the classroom and in libraries for virtual book discussions. Exciting! 

Learn from Home Episode 3: Learning From Home with Luigi

 Learn From Home is a program of  YGoal. The aim of the program is to support parents, guardians, and those who take on a “parental” role on how learning can be facilitated efficiently at home especially in the modification of the delivery of education in this time of unprecedented change. 

Our guest for this episode is Ms. Rhodora Espiritu Valdez. She is a professional licensed librarian, working mom and solo parent to Luigi. Luigi is 10 years old and he has autism. In this interview, Mommy Dang shares with us her parenting adventures in the time of the pandemic. How did Mommy Dang manage the many responsibilities on her plate? How is she teaching Luigi at home? What discoveries has she made about herself in the process?

Let’s listen to Mommy Dang!

That was an insightful and inspiring interview with many takeaways.

1. It is important to acknowledge the feelings and emotions of our children.

2. Validating and affirming accomplishments big and small builds the confidence of the child.

3. A recognition of the child’s love language can lead to trust.

4. Our trust for each other will always keep the lines of communication open.

5. Remember to COACH

1. Commitment - stay committed to the role and responsibility of being a parent

2. Open Mindedness - bear in mind that we can learn from our children too and that the possibilities of learning together is endless

3. Always be there - presence matters a lot. This can be shown through guidance and mentoring

4. Care and support  your children in their chosen endeavors

5. Have a lot of patience!

And now we end this season of Learn from Home. We hope to see you in the Parents’ Hour on December 19, 2020!