Experiencing Magic: Findings

Findings
The Magic of the Characters (and Their Stories)
Filipino children love these characters and their stories because they are magical. They are magical because they are
1) mirrors that hold up children’s reflections of themselves, and
2) are windows to places and things that children have, until then, only imagined in their games and dreams.
Reflections of Themselves

Children love these twenty five characters because they are magical. They are magical because like a hall of mirrors, they hold up children’s reflections of themselves. Children are enchanted to meet in the pages of a storybook people who are like them in many ways, even if unlike them in some (Darigan, et. al., 2002; Huck, et. al., 2001; Lynch-Brown and Tomlinson, 2005; Norton, 1987). In reading, as in life, people want to find meaning. This is especially true among the young (Bettelheim, 1976). Children can hardly relate to anything or anyone that they can not understand (Ocampo, 1997). So reading should be able to connect children with themselves, especially in terms of their own situation (Paratore, 2002).

• Child and Childlike Characters
Child readers identify with storybook characters that satisfy their needs (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Hunt, 1994; Lesnik-Oberstein, 1994). As human beings, they have the same needs as adults (Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Maslow (1943) enumerates these as physiological, safety, social, esteem, aesthetic, and self-transcendence needs (in Norton, 1987). Piaget (1962) and Vgotsky (1998) add another, the children’s need for play. It is such needs that are satisfied by the 25 best-loved characters. These needs are met in relation to the developmental stages the children are in – cognitively (Piaget, 1983) psychosocially (Erikson, 1959), and morally (Kohlberg, 1958). At each age, children seek and find some meaning congruent with how their minds and understanding have already developed (Bettelheim, 1976). Children do not think and comprehend in the way that adults do (Villanueva, 2007).

Among the twenty five characters, ten are children, like the readers who love them. These are Chenelyn, Juan, Pilo, Filemon, Raquel, Rosamistica, Og, Carancal, Teo, and Ang Tatlong Haragan. Like Chenelyn, children can do different tasks but can get tired doing them and when they do, they need to rest; and like her, they too need to be appreciated and cared for (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Juan and Pilo, children like to play; and like the two, they need to know the limits of their playfulness (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Lurie, 2003; Marcus, 1997; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Filemon children need to nourish their body and mind – and enjoy eating appetizing food, pretending, and acting; and like him, they will do what they can, even make a sacrifice, in order to get what they want, because like him they need to achieve and be recognized (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Raquel, children are full of imagination, and hope – especially in the midst of life’s challenges and difficult times; and like her, they are vulnerable but brave (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Gatmaitan, 2007; Lurie, 2003; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Rosamistica, children need the safety and security of a family and a home; and like her, they need to love and be loved (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Carancal, children have the power to triumph over life’s challenges; and like him, they need to feel worthy, to be competent and successful despite their physical limitations (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Evasco, 2005; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Rosamistica and Carancal, children are small but capable of doing big things for other people; and like them, they give a heroic image to childhood (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Evasco, 2005; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Og, children make believe that they have special powers and can do what they want; and like him, they need to be accepted and belong, not laughed at and made fun of (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Lurie, 2003; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Teo, children know that young as they are, they have duties and roles to perform so that there will be order and harmony around them; like him, they have a need to be good or right not only to please others and gain their approval, but also to relate well with them (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Lurie, 2003; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Ang Tatlong Haragan, children need to understand what the boundaries of behavior are - what is unacceptable and punishable, and what is not; and like them, they need to be clearly told and shown what is right and wrong so they will act or reform accordingly (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Lurie, 2003; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991).

Indeed, children identify with these characters because in their own ways, they satisfy certain needs for them - and so are interesting and valuable to them (Darigan, et. al., 2002; Huck, et. al., 2001; Lynch-Brown and Tomlinson, 2005; Norton, 1987). Though children do have differences rooted in their individual and social contexts (Lesnik-Oberstein, 1994), they have the same basic needs as young human beings, and these are reflected in and by their favorite storybook characters who are children like them: the need for physical well being; the need to love and be loved; the need to belong; the need to achieve competence; the need for approval and recognition; the need to know; the need for beauty, order, and harmony; the need for safety and security; and the need for play. (Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). It is these same needs that are met in and by the other characters.

Aside from these ten child characters, three others are also characterized as children, though non-human: Onyok, Tiktaktok at Pikpakbum, and Butsiki. In addition, six characters are relatively “childlike” opposite the antagonists: juvenile Pilandok, small and slow Pagong, little Duwende, tiny Langgam, short Pandakotyong, and youthful Mariang Alimango. Children identify with those they perceive to be similar to themselves in some way (Lesnik-Oberstein, 1994), Like Onyok, children have family and friends to help them know what they are and what they can do, and to make them feel a sense of contribution, value, and acceptance; and like him, they need to have self-esteem and self-respect (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Lurie, 2003; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Tiktaktok at Pikpakbum, children differ from and fight with their siblings, but care for each other nonetheless; and like the two, they need the security and harmony of loving and being loved for what they are and despite themselves (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Lurie, 2003; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Butsiki, children need others to join the causes they take up so they can achieve the good that they set out to do; and like her, they need to be believed and trusted as capable of doing what is right even when it is unpopular (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Pilandok, children enjoy pranks, jokes, and tricks, especially when they are made on adults or “big people” who mistreat others (Lurie, 2003); like Pagong, children delight in seeing a “better and bigger” other get a comeuppance, especially through the wit or cunning of an erstwhile victim (Lurie, 2003); like Duwende, children are amused at giving a “misbehaving adult” his just punishment (Lurie, 2003); and like the three, they need to feel secure in the belief that the “bad” eventually get what they deserve (Bettelheim, 1976; Lurie, 2003). Like Langgam, children feel safe having a roof over their heads and food on their tables; and like him, they need to have a home to shelter them from life’s storms and resources to see them through (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Pandakotyong, children are proud of what they can do and will even take up challenges to show it; and like him, they need to prove themselves and get recognition for it (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Mariang Alimango, children can quietly suffer hardship and later get rewarded for it; and like her, they need to believe that their suffering will end and they will be happy in the end (Bettelheim, 1976; Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Similar to their kinship with the ten human child characters, children identify with these nine child non-human characters because they are somehow similar to them not only in their needs but also in their interests, quirks, and wishes (Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Lurie, 2003; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). It is the same needs that are met in and by the remaining characters.

These characters -- Kas, Ampalaya, Matsing, Tipaklong, Peles, Ibong Adarna, Lola, Emang Engkantada, and Mariang Sinukuan -- which are seemingly non-childlike on the surface actually hold similarities with the child readers who love them. Like Kas and Ampalaya children can act aggressively and selfishly and when this happens, they should face the consequences of such actions; and like the two, they need to act in accordance to social expectations if they want peace and harmony around them (Bettelheim, 1976; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Lurie, 2003; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Matsing, children can be shortsighted and self-centered; and like him, they need to learn foresight and fairness (Bettelheim, 1976; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Lurie, 2003; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Tipaklong, children enjoy music and movement, fun and games; and like him, they need to know that at the end of the day, they have to prepare for tomorrow nonetheless (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Lurie, 2003; Gatmaitan, 2007; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Peles, children get tired of monotony, try something new, and want to get immediate satisfaction from it; and like him, they need to develop patience and perseverance in their pursuit of gratification (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Lurie, 2003; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Ibong Adarna, children are colorful and musical, and can enchant with such qualities; and like it, children need others as an audience to demonstrate the beauty and power of their abilities (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Lurie, 2003; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Lola, children are strong and enduring; and like her, they need an opportunity to show their concern for those around them (Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Evasco, 2005; Gatmaitan, 2007; Lurie, 2003; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Emang Engkantada, children have a wellspring of fairness and compassion; and like her, they need beauty and order around them (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Lurie, 2003; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991). Like Mariang Sinukuan, children ask why things are the way they are; and like her, they need peace and harmony to reign (Canon, 2006; Diaz De Rivera, 1997; Lurie, 2003; Sutherland and Arbuthnot, 1991).

Indeed, these twenty five characters because they are magical because they hold up children’s reflections of themselves (Darigan, et. al., 2002; Huck, et. al., 2001; Lynch-Brown and Tomlinson, 2005; Norton, 1987).

The Impact of Blogs In The LIS Profession : An Essay Writing Contest

This is a reminder for all readers of this blog that the deadline for the essay writinng contest  on the impact of blogs in the LIS profession is on April 25, 2009.

Click the links for details and guidelines of the contest.

Whew! Patience Please.

This blog is four years old this month.

If you're reading this entry via Multiply, I suggest you click the link above and see for yourself the nifty layout I got from Blogger Styles courtesy of Falconhive. It is so me - coffee, pen and open diary/journal. Take note of the paper clip on the right frame. My journals have them too. I think I'm going to stick with this layout for a while. And yes, it's a three-columned layout! Ah, the fulfillment of my blogging dreams!

But, I'm still working my way through the new features of Blogger and Feedburner. So many things have happened in a year's time that I'm catching up with the wave of Web 2.0. I still have so many links to put back, though I know for one, I have the essentials. The whole process demands so much of my time and patience. I'm reading through a lot of instructions online too. So, really, blogging is a highly cognitive and metacognitive activity.

Now, if you're a tech savvy person and a frequent reader of this blog, kindly help me out because I could not get rid of the word "undefined" under the title of my posts. It's in red colors and bold font. Geeesh. I'm trying to figure it out in the html code, but I can't seem to find it. I'm putting it in the parking lot for the meantime. There is still tomorrow to go back at the clutter.

As for now, I'm loving the changes in the blog. I hope you do too. Leave a comment and tell me what you think.

Online Resources for Holy Week & for Ordinary Weeks

It's Palm Sunday today. For Catholics, this ushers in the Holy Week meant for reflection, silence and reconnection with God and one's self. Though Lent began last February 24 on Ash Wednesday, this coming week is its zenith as Catholics and Christians world wide move on to prayer.

As long as one finds a quiet place, one can find God in prayer and reflection. And He is online too.

The Philippine Jesuits has a running Online Retreat. Dubbed as The Silences of Lent, one can attend the retreat via the Internet. It has a priming activity to prepare retreatants to the Tridium of this coming week. It is on it's second year and the first one was quite successful with so many retreatants posting their prayers and reflections in the forum. I was one of them. I even wrote about it in my personal blog last year. I'm not telling you to take my word for it, but it worked for me so I will do the same this year inspite of the annual Holy Week recollection that my husband and I will attend on April 9.

I'm not expecting to grow a pair of wings nor expect a halo on my head to appear. I've too many sins. Attending several recollections and retreats is merely not enough to absolve a sinner like myself. Besides, conversion is a long process. God works in wondrous ways and He has been patient with me. So who knows, I might receive a grace that I do not pray for.

I also look forward to the Online Visitia Iglesia. I hope the Jesuits do another round again because, if not this Holy Week, the churches are very good spots for the pilgrims to visit in the future.

Apart from these links for this Holy Week, Sacred Space offers online prayer guides and reflections even on ordinary days and weeks. Didache is also a good source for daily prayer. Bo Sanchez, lay preacher and inspirational speaker who is almost always in blue jeans, has a blog where his writings based on the scriptures are found.

There really is no escaping God's love and presence. His invitation is open and free for all. It is only a matter of choice to take and receive it. Have a restful Holy Week -- this means, no blogging from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday. At least, for me.

Tinker. Tinker. Boooom!!!

Gosh.

I'm working on a three-column layout for this blog and lost some important links in the process. I only managed to return the essential links for the time being. Please bear with me for a few days. Hopefully I can put back old relevant links.

Sigh.

Experiencing Magic: Introduction & Research Question-Methodology

Introduction

The 25 Best-Loved Children’s Book Characters
During the celebration of National Children’s Book Day (NCBD) on July 21, 2008 in the
Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY), after surveying hundreds of public school children all over the country (with the significant help of Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation), unveiled the 25 Best-Loved Children’s Book Characters Exhibit by Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang InK). NCBD is celebrated every third Tuesday of July in commemoration of a little known fact: the publication of Jose Rizal’s retelling and illustration of “The Monkey and the Turtle” in Trubner’s Oriental Record in 1889. The PBBY is an organization committed to the development of children’s literature in the Philippines. It is composed of permanent and institutional members (The National Library, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and Museo Pambata) and individual members representing educators, researchers, librarians, book reviewers, writers, illustrators, storytellers, publishers, book sellers, media practitioners, and reading advocates. Ang InK is an association of artists committed not only to the creation and promotion of illustrations for children but also the professionalization and development thereof. Sa Aklat Sisikat (SAS) is a non-profit organization that promotes the love and habit of reading among Filipino children.

The subjects of this popular life-size rubber sculpture exhibit and the books they come from are the following:
1. Chenelyn (“Chenelyn! Chenelyn!” written by Rhandee Garlitos, illustrated by Liza Flores, and published by Adarna)
2. Pilo (“Si Pilong Patago-tago” written by Kristine Canon, illustrated by Leo Alvarado, and published by Adarna)
3. Filemon (“Filemon Mamon” written by Christine Bellen, illustrated by Jason Moss, and published by Adarna)
4. Juan (“Juan Tamad” retold by Rene Villanueva, illustrated by Jo Ann Bereber, and published by Lampara)
5. Raquel (“Ang Pambihirang Buhok ni Raquel” written by Luis Gatmaitan, illustrated by Beth Parrocha-Doctolero, and published by Adarna)
6. Pilandok (“Pilandok” series of folktales retold by Rene Villanueva, illustrated by Kora Albano, and published by Adarna)
7. Pagong at Matsing (“Si Pagong at si Matsing” retold by Danilo Consumido, illustrated by Hubert Fucio, and published by Adarna)
8. Peles (“Ang Kamatis ni Peles” written by Alberta Angeles, illustrated by Renato Gamos, and published by Adarna)
9. Langgam at Tipaklong (“Si Langgam at si Tipaklong” retold by Alberta Angeles, illustrated by Renato Gamos, and published by Adarna)
10. Onyok (“Ang Mahiyaing Manok” written by Rebecca Anonuevo, illustrated by Ruben de Jesus, and published by Adarna)
11. Rosamistica (“Rosamistica” retold by Christine Bellen, illustrated by Liza Flores, and published by Anvil)
12. Kas (“Ang Barumbadong Bus” written by Rene Villanueva, illustrated by Jo Ann Bereber, and published by Adarna)
13. Emang Engkantada at ang Tatlong Haragan (“Si Emang Engkantada at ang Tatlong Haragan” written by Rene Villanueva, illustrated by Alfonso Onate and Wilfredo Pollarco, and published by Adarna)
14. Pandakotyong (“Si Pandakotyong” retold by Christine Bellen, illustrated by Albert Gamos, and published by Anvil),
15. Mariang Alimango (“Si Mariang Alimango” retold by Tomas Lacson, illustrated by Onie Millare, and published by Adarna)
16. Ampalaya (“Alamat ng Ampalaya” written by Augie Rivera, illustrated by Kora Albano, and published by Adarna)
17. Mariang Sinukuan (“Ang Hukuman ni Sinukuan” retold by Rene Villanueva, illustrated by Mitzi Villavecer, and published by Adarna)
18. Og (“Og Uhog” written by Christine Bellen, illustrated by Jason Moss, and published by Lampara)
19. Lola (“Ang Pambihirang Buhok ni Lola” written by Rene Villanueva, illustrated by Ibarra Crisostomo, and published by Adarna)
20. Tiktaktok at Pikpakbum (“Tiktaktok at Pikpakbum” written by Rene Villanueva, illustrated by Renato Gamos, and published by Adarna)
21. Ibong Adarna (“Ibong Adarna” retold by Roberto Alonzo, Jordan Santos, and published by Adarna)
22. Carancal (“Carancal” series of folktales retold by Rene Villanueva, illustrated by Kora Albano, and published by Lampara)
23. Butsiki (“Ang Unang Baboy sa Langit” written by Rene Villanueva, illustrated by Ibarra Crisostomo, and published by Cacho)
24. Duwende (“Ang Parusa ng Duwende” retold by Christine Bellen, illustrated by Elbert Or, and published by Anvil)
25. Teo (“Oh, Mateo” series written by Grace Chong, illustrated by Beth Parrocha-Doctolero, and published by OMF-Hiyas).

Research Question and Methodology

In view of the aforementioned, this paper focuses on this question: Why do Filipino children love these characters? To answer the question, this paper makes a content analysis of the stories using a psycho-educational framework.

Book Launch Earth Tales: Three Ecofables For Children

March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD). In some countries like China, Russia and Kazahkstan, IWD is an official holiday. Tradition has it that mothers, grandmothers, wives, sisters, daughters, female friends and colleagues would get flowers and small gifts of appreciation from the men in their lives. In different parts of the world, IWD is celebrated to honor the contributions of women in the family and in society at large.

In the Philippines, the Center for Arts New Ventures And Sustainable Development (CANVAS) partnered with the Ten Outstanding Women of the Nation for Service (TOWNS) Foundation to drum up this special day for women through the launching of a children’s book of ecofables. As the term implies, the fables carry themes on ecology, nature and care for the environment.

Realizing The Vision

Since its initial foray in the children’s book industry four years ago, CANVAS has remained true to its vision and mission of providing avenues for the Filipino artist to grow and develop. It continues to put together an assembly of luminaries in the literati and in the visual arts arena for a worthy cause. This time around, its beneficiary is the TOWNS Foundation who, for the last 30 years, has recognized achievements and accomplishments of Filipino women in various fields of discipline.

That is why, last Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 3:00 pm, TOWNS awardees were present at 1/of Gallery in Serendra, Taguig City for the launching of the book Earth Tales: Three Ecofables for Children. To name a few, publisher Karina Bolasco, educator Dina Ocampo, geologist Alyssa Peleo-Alampay, and Filipino-Chinese advocate Teresita Ang See attended the event. More than a fund raising activity, the afternoon was an amalgamation of literary, performing and visual arts gems for the young and the young at heart.

While the gallery had the paintings of the book’s illustrators for interested clients and the culturati, Hazelle Preclaro-Ontengco, Executive Director of Wordlab School Manila, provided storytelling sessions to the kids who came. The competent teacher that she is, she was well prepared with props, visual aids and, a song and dance ensemble. TOWNS President, Atty. Lorna Kapunan came fashionably late but redeemed herself by sharing words of wisdom to the older set of audience. She harped on the importance of reading books. She added that the learning experiences of childhood are carried on until adulthood. Gigo Alampay, CANVAS head honcho, thanked everyone who came and supported the collaborative project with TOWNS Foundation.

Wonder Women

Published by UST Press, the book Earth Tales: Three Ecofables for Children, gathers two fables from traditional folk literature and one original fable by Canadian scientist Paul Leet Aird. All three stories speak of the relevance in keeping nature’s gifts and treasures in a balance. Told simply and succinctly, all three fables are timeless. It appeals to readers of all ages. But what make the book extra special are the illustrations done by three fantastic Filipino women artists that the country has today.

Plet Bolipata, Liza Flores and Ivee Olivares-Mellor lent their artistic interpretations to the ecofables. The result was a visual delight that extended the narrative flow of the stories into powerful and lasting images.

The first fable, The Hummingbird, traces its origins from a Japanese folklore. It tells of the thumb-size bird’s effort to douse a forest fire using its small beak by fetching water from the river. All the animals fled for their lives save for the tiny hummingbird that did what it can to put out a raging fire destroying their home. Bolipata’s collage and digital art magnified the heroics of the little one. The last illustration for the story unfolds with a woman, the storyteller, whose yellow kimono contains the whole story of the little bird in silk tapestry. For Bolipata, the journey into illustrating the ecofable had been most challenging since her paintings were stand alone pieces and do not follow the structure of a story grammar. But she succeeded because her vivid colors and inventive style are a wonder to the eyes.

Flores, on the other hand, is a seasoned illustrator for children and former Ang Illustrador Ng Kabataan (INK) president. She found the whole project a liberating experience. Working on the illustrations of The Star Thrower did not confine her to any agenda except her own. As it often happens to author-illustrator collaborations in children’s book production, the author has his or her own viewpoints and messages to put across. In such a partnership, the illustrator is a conduit to communicate whatever purpose the story has.

For this endeavor, it allowed her the artistic freedom to visually interpret the story. Her star thrower, a little girl in red summer dress seem to dance by the sea shore as she throws each starfish back to the sea. The peaceful blue of sky and sea agreed with the quiet and neutral creamy yellow of the sand. The whole effect is sentimental but pleasantly playful. It evokes joyful memories of trips to the beach with family and friends many summers ago.

The last fable, The King and the Forest, an original by Aird was illustrated by the UK based Mellor. Her circles gave characterization to the south wind that frightened the King to his downfall. By using spheres and elliptical shapes, she has shown the relationship of the elements of air, land and water with humanity. Aird invites us to examine our fears as we relate to the living and breathing creatures around us while Mellor presents patterns of life cycles in her bright and intense colors of red, yellow, orange, blue, green and purple.

This book of ecofables is labeled for children to read and enjoy. Above all else, it attempts to reach out and make art accessible to young people. CANVAS has been successful so far. Here’s looking forward to its next literary and visual feast for the young reader and their reading guardians.

Around The World In 100 Bookshelves

I got this pleasant news from Corrine Robson of Paper Tigers --

I wanted to pass on a new intitiative we have on our blog - Around the World in 100 Bookshelves. We are trying to get photos of 100 children's bookshelves and would love to see some from the Philippines and surrounding countries! We have some from India, the USA and Canada so far.

All submitted photos will be entered into a draw to win a book. 1st draw is May 1st. More info in the Paper Tigers website

So for starters, here is a photo of a bookshelf from The Pasig City Library and Discovery Centrum.



The photo was taken from the Reference Section of the library. It's the reading Pinnochio that caught my eye. I think I'll be posting more bookshelf pictures in the future since one's reading habits are known by the books that he or she reads. What's in your bookshelf?

Storytelling In The Classroom--A Storytelling Seminar And Workshop

Storytelling In The Classroom--A Storytelling Seminar And Workshop By Zarah Gagatiga, will be held on April 13, 2009 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Powerbooks, Trinoma Mall, Quezon City.

Learn the art of storytelling as master storyteller Zarah Gagatiga shares tips and techniques on how to deliver stories that kids will surely enjoy!

All PowerCard and PowerCard Plus holders are invited! Just purchase any ten (10) titles from the "Ang Mga Kuwento Ni Lola Basyang" series on the day of the event and present your receipt and PowerCard or PowerCard Plus I.D. at the registration booth for free entrance.

Zarah Gagatiga is a teacher, storyteller, writer, reading and literacy advocate, and the school librarian of Xavier School, San Juan. She is a member of Kuwentista Ng Mga Tsikiting (KUTING) and the former Vice-President of the Alitaptap Storytellers.

For inquiries, call Anvil Publishing's Marketing Department at (632)7471622.

Experiencing Magic

Prof. Portia Padilla of the UP Diliman, REGALE, sent me a paper on PBBY's 25 Best Loved Children's Book Characters. In the next few days, I will be posting her paper in parts. After which, as a colleague in the industry, I will give my response.

EXPERIENCING MAGIC:
A Psycho-educational Look at the Best-Loved Filipino Children’s Book Characters


Abstract

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY), after surveying hundreds of public school children all over the country (with the significant help of Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation), came up with a list of 25 Best-Loved Children’s Book Characters. In view of the aforementioned, this paper focuses on the question: Why do Filipino children love these characters? To answer this question, this paper makes a content analysis of the stories using a psycho-educational framework. Findings show that Filipino children love these characters and their stories because they are magical. They are magical because they are 1) mirrors that hold up children’s reflections of themselves, and 2) are windows to places and things that children have, until then, only imagined in their games and dreams. As reflections of themselves, children identify with the characters because a) these somehow satisfy their needs; b) their stories are told in the children’s language; and c) they show the Filipino personality and character. As windows to other places and things, these characters and their stories provide their child readers different experiences of enchantment. These fantastic elements are present in the stories be they a) traditional tale, b) modern fantasy, or c) contemporary realistic fiction. This paper closes with the recommendation to have both children and adults read the stories – at home and in school – for the magic of the best-loved characters to live on.

Let The Wild Rumpus Start!

Maurice Sendak's controversial book from the 60's-70's, Where The Wild Things Are, has been adapted into a movie. From the trailer, Max does not seem to be naughty or impish at all. He looks morose.

Also, there's a scene in the trailer where Max saw a couple kissing. If this implies the reason for Max's escape to where the wild things are, then the movie has taken a great liberty to change some aspect of the story. If Inkheart was Disneyfied, I wonder what gets lost in the translation of this beloved children's book into the big screen.

It sure is worth a watch.

High Five for iBlog5

It's the fifth year and, in Randy Jackson fashion, the iBlog5 is dope! It's slated on May 9, 2009 at the UP Malcolm Hall. The program and list of speakers can be read in this site.

I will be somewhere down south during that time so I will miss it again this year. But I'm giving two thumbs up for Juned Sunido who has consistently appeared in this annual blogging event.

It's summer time and the blogging is easy!

Storytelling Fiesta @ Prof. Igor Cabbab's Class

Something fantastic erupted in the UP School of Library and Information Studies yesterday. Stories bloomed and imagination blossomed in Professor Igor Cabbab's LIS 114 class! The photos bespeak a million superlatives!

Just a suggestion, maybe the class can tell stories to a public library where kids can be present to complete the whole experience. In the future, perhaps? I'm also looking forward to meeting and seeing a librarian or LIS student join the PBBY Salaysayan.

Any takers?

LOVErary

Rumor is a viscous monster.

I'm getting jokes (some are meant for good, clean fun while others are plain malicious) on reasons for my going on leave for a year. Apparently, the dirty ones are rumor-spawned. The witty and well meant jests spring from very sincere and genuine people. Nasty or not, it's best to respond with a sense of humor to the sense of rumor circulating around.

Here's an example --

Colleague: So you're going on leave.

Me: Yes (smile).

Colleague: What will you do?

Me: Study. Take care of my family. Help my parents. There are lots to do!

Colleague: Bah! Marami kang pera (You have a lot of money to spare)!

Me: I will be a pauper for a year, believe me.

Colleague: I'm sure there'll be offers (winks twice).

Me: Yeah, may offer na nga for me to break into showbiz, e (I'm getting offers to break into showbiz)! Telenovela. And it has a working title already.

Colleague: Really?

Me: Yup. Lambingan sa Library (Romance In The Library)!

Those who heard our banter knew exactly what the joke was all about. Poor colleague. He was left clueless amidst the laughter.

Deadline for Writing Contest

This is to inform all interested readers of this blog that the deadline for the essay writing contest is extended until April 25, 2009. There are entries already and so far, they're all well written. I'm looking forward for more essays to read. The top five will be posted in this blog in May 2009.

Read the posts now! Happy writing! I will be waiting for entries!

Erratum: Getting The Numbers Right

This is to make the correction official. From Walt Crawford himself --

I actually started studying liblogs in 2005 (and before then, but not systematically). I think the number's a little misleading: Of the 607 blogs studied, only 104 started in 2007 and 144 in 2006. More (160) started in 2005, and another 199 started 2004 or earlier.

Any deductions? Go share and comment!

Write An Essay & Get A Gift Check Contest

I want to know what you think of blogs, blogging librarians and their impact to the Library and Information Science (LIS) profession.

For the details and context of the contest, read the post about the LIBSpeak 2009 highlights. Blogs of the "featured" blograrians can be checked using the link.

Blog It! The Impact of the Blogging Phenomenon to the Field of Library & Information Science

The title of this essay has three important key words namely: impact, blogging, and library and information science (LIS). In librarian lingo, blogging is not a new word. Blogs and blogging has been around since 2000 so if you miss this “phenomenal” word, you must have been living under a rock. As for LIS, you have to be a worm not to know what it is all about. Put them all together in one nifty title and a host of images, contexts and meaning arise. Among these key words, it is the word impact that has caught my attention.

I suppose it is the same key word that organizers of the UP FLIPP seminar thought about in awhile otherwise they could have concocted another title.

What is the impact of blogging to LIS? Believe me, I have pondered on this for weeks. It seems that, blogging has something philosophical and profound that it affect librarians and the profession at large. Or perhaps, there is a scarcity of literature, scholarly or not, on the effects of blogging to LIS be it in an online environment or a printed format that we, in the LIS field must talk about and conduct discussions on. If this is the case, then blogging has indeed become a serious topic for LIS practitioners and students alike.

Growing Organisms

Walter Crawford has recently published a book, Liblog Landscapes. Between 2007-2008, 600+ liblogs has mushroomed in the WWW. Crawford has been studying blogs by librarians and about libraries since 2006. Judit Bar-Ilan of Isarel conducted a content analysis of library and librarian blogs from 2003 to 2005. There had been a 15-20 percent increase in the two-year period of the study. Several websites like the International Association of School Libraries Online contain a directory of blogs by school librarians and libraries. The list grows longer every year that it is already categorized by themes and topics.

Liblogs are multiplying in the speed of bytes and broadband, indeed! But we go back to the same question. What force attracts LIS professionals from blogging?

One important role of LIS professionals is to extend public awareness and appreciation of information availability (Bar-Ilan, 2005). There are many ways to actualize this role. Library newsletter and bulletin boards are examples. With the advent of blogging technology, blogs are becoming ideal tools. Aside from this, blogs are avenues where librarians can promote and market the library’s collection, services and programs. Online directories and book reviews can be published. Announcement of library activities and calendar of events can be disseminated via blogs. Even job vacancies and applicant requirements are uploaded in blogs! The campaign for library awareness and its importance can be expressed through blogs.

The advocacy of uplifting the image of a pro-active LIS professional is another reason for blogging. More so, scholarly papers, essays, networking and linkages, collaborative projects by librarians with in and with others are contents of many liblogs. These online readings help a lot in the professional growth of librarians.

Such things are possible through blogs and blogging. Just like libraries, it is a free enterprise. For as long as you have the time, the technology, the skills to thrive in an online environment, and something relevant to communicate with an audience, blogging can be a worthwhile and liberating experience. So no wonder blogs, like libraries are growing organisms!

Blog It!

Let us now go over these blogs by librarians and libraries to further understand its impact to the discipline. Allow me to begin with our very own, homegrown blogs.

1. School Librarian In Action
2. Filipino Librarian
3. Arnold Digital
4. Baratillo@Cubao
5. Mindanao Librarian
6. PLAI-STRLC
7. PLAI NCR
8. Weekly Job Notices

Let’s look at the following blogs of librarians in other parts of the world .

1. The Shifted Librarian
2. Peter Scott’s Library Blog
3. Deep Thinking
4. The Rambling Librarian
5. Knowbodies
6. Library Grits
7. Library Profession
8. Judging the Books

With the continuous growth and development of IT, libraries and librarians can do a lot more with blogs. I would not be surprised if blogging becomes a requirement in library school. The challenge now for us in the LIS field is two fold. One would be the creative way in which we can increase blog readership. And two, the internal motivation librarians must possess to continue blogging about the profession and LIS related issues.

Famous Librarians In History

I'm doing a bit of research on librarians and the history of libraries. Here's one article that amused me. A long time ago, when degrees on LIS (Library and Information Science) were still unheard of, the typical librarian may be a philosopher, mathematician, scientist, poet, writer, lover, future FBI agent, pope and communist. Librarian's come in different shades, shapes and sizes! So where did the "lady in a bun" stereotype came from?

Throughout history, many people who later became well known in other capacities served as librarians. In 1979, the journal Library News reprinted this section of The Book of Lists. Unfortunately, all the "famous people" listed are men. A comparable list for women would balance this view. (One example would be the recently deceased novelist, essayist, and poet Audre Lourde. Readers are encouraged to send other suggestions.) However, even with this gender bias, the following list does show the variety of people who have chosen to work in the field. More information about these "famous librarians" will be posted soon!

Gottfried Von Leibniz (1646-1716) was a German philosopher, mathematician, and intellectual giant of his time. Liebniz was appointed librarian at Hanover in 1676 and at Wolfenbuttel in 1691.

David Hume (1711-1776), he British philosopher, economist, and hisorian, served as librarian from 1752-57 at the Library of the Faculty of the Advocates at Edinburgh, where he wrote his History of England.

Casanova (1725-1798) was not only a great lover. At the climax (!) of his career in 1785, the famous womanizer began 13 years as librarian for the Count von Waldstein in the chateau of Dux in Bohemia.

Swedish author August Strindberg (1849-1912) was made assistant librarian at the Royal Library in Stockholm in 1874.

Pope Pius XI (1857-1939) was a librarian before he became Pope. He served 19 years as a member of the College of Doctors of the Ambrosian Library in Milan, and then became chief librarian. In 1911 he was asked to reorganize and update the Vatican Library and four years laer became prefect of the Vatican Library. From 1922 until his death in 1939, the former librarian served as pople.

Sam Walter Foss (1858-1911), poet, author and columnist for the Christian Science Monitor, became librarian of the Somerville, MA public library in 1898.

Archibald MacLeish (b. 1892) had a varied professional life. He was a playwright, poet, lawyer, assistant secretary of state, winner of three Pulizer prizes, and a founder of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). MacLeish was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as librarian of Congress in 1939 for five years.

Mao Tse-Tung (1893-1976) worked as an assistant to the chief librarian of the University of Peking. Overlooked for advancement, he decided to get ahead in another field and eventually became chairman of the Chinese Communist Party.

FBI Head J. Edgar Hoover (1895-1972) was a Library of Congress messenger and cataloger in his first job.

Author John Braine (b.1922), best known for the novel Room at the Top (1957), worked as a librarian for many years. He was assistant librarian at Bingley Public Library (1940-1951), branch librarian at Northumberland County Library (1954-56), and branch librarian at West Ridings of Yorks County Library (1956).

Source: http://home.earthlink.net/~cyberresearcher/History.htm

Best of SLIA 2006

This collection of posts in this blog from 2006 is long overdue. Finally I found the time to edit and post them up. Better last than never, so they say. On the other hand, I'm glad to discover that I have kept the focus of this blog's topics according to its original direction.

Library Activities
Learning Extended
Opened Doors
Graphic Novels In The School Library

PowerPoints: Literacy Development
Creating Classroom Libraries

Information Literacy (IL)
Updates on Information Literacy
Lesson Plan on IL
IL at the School Level
The Impetus for IL
IL Skills

Book reviews & Philippine Children’s Literature
Evaluating Folk Tales for Children
Eco-Environment Stories
The Librarian From Black Lagoon

Philippine School Libraries & Librarianship
Student Services vs. Academic Program
Perceptions, Philosophy and Paradigms
More on Philosophy & Paradigm
Helping Libraries
Boys In The Library
How Do I Destroy Thee?
My Librarian Heroes

IT Integration
Blogs As Teaching Tools
Full Paper: Blogs As Teaching Tools

Making an Impact Through Blogging

I'm still fresh from the wake of the UP FLIPP event last Monday. There are just somethings you cannot shrug off easily. In fact, my talk moved me to search for more blogs by Filipino Librarians. I found several good ones which I will link and feature in the coming days.

For today, here are two bogs by Pinoy librarians from Region 2- Cagayan Valley, my father's homeland. I still dream to touch base with librarians there.

The St. Paul University Philippines World Bank Knowledge Development Centeris a proactive and dynamic reosurce center committed to creating, sharing and applying knowledge for development.

The PLAI-CavRLC- The Cagayan Valley Region Librarians Council (CaVRLC)is a regional council of the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI) composed of librarians and information professionals in Region II. Membership is open to all licensed/registered librarians from Region 02, which covers the provinces of Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.

I wish these blogs wonderful blogging days! They may get their share of trolls and controversies through blogging, as all bloggers experience, but such challenges strengthen the stamina for blogging. Mabuhay ang Pinoy Blograrians!

The Butterfly Award

Corinne Robson of Paper Tigers sent me a blog award, known as the Butterfly Award. Now here are ten cool blogs by cool bloggers I know.

I used my own personal criteria for choosing them. For the sake of discussion, I based my choices on activity vs. dormancy; content; relevance; impact made in the blogosphere (pretty subjective, yes) and, of course, design and navigation.

Von Totanes of Filipino Librarian
Juned Sunido of Baratillo@Cubao
Arnold Zafra of Arnold Digital
Charles Tan of The Bibliophile Stalker
PLAI-STRLC of PLAI - Southern Tagalog Region Librarians Council
Janette Toral of Jannette Toral.com
Jobette Escobinas of DepEd Teacher
Ian Casocot of The Spy In The Sandwich
Dean Francis Alfar of Notes From The Peanut Gallery
Fr. Johnny Go SJ of Pins of Light

This is a meme award and the rules for passing it on are:

1. Put the logo on your blog .
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Award up to ten other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message for your awardees on their blogs.

Spread some blog love!

MV Doulos: Books On A Ship

The floating bookstore is back!

MV Doulos will be docking at Manila on March 6, 2009. The ship is currently in Bacolod. I have not seen or been to the ship so going there for the first time sounds exciting. The website has a virtual tour and scheduled visits in the Philippines.

Book Talk & Storytelling Session

Reading educator Trixie Madamba leads the discussion on one of the most popular young adult series today. In this shortened version of our Reading Group Program, we look into the first volume, The Maze of Bones, by Rick Riordan.

Friday, February 27, 4PM and Saturday, February 28, 3PM
Children's Section, Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street
Admission is free!

Brought to you by The Center for East Asian Languages

Told with verve and vitality by the lively and animated teachers from the Julia Gabriel Centre for Learning Manila!

Sunday, March 1, at 3PM
Children's Section, Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street

LIS Congress 2009 Program

February 28, 2009 LIS Congress 2009:LIS Horizons: Opportunities and Modern Trends
Venue: College of Education Auditorium
Benitez Hall, UP, QC; 8 am to 5 pm
Sponsor: The UP Library & Information Science Students' Association

PROGRAMME

Registration
Opening Ceremonies
Welcome Remarks..Prof. Vyva Victoria M. Aguirre (Dean, UPSLIS)

Keynote Speaker: Hon. Herbert M Bautista (Vice Mayor, QC)

How to Market Libraries to Children Through Storytelling and Other Activities by Zarah Grace C. Gagatiga (Librarian, Xavier School)

Archives: An Overview by Emma M. Rey (Executive Director, Legislative Library and Archives-House of Representatives)

Blogging in Libraries and Ways to Expand Online Social Networks for Librarians by Juned Sonido (Blogger, Baratillo.net)

LISSAP History and Importance by Prof. Johann Frederick A. Cabbab (Asst. Prof., UPSLIS)

Coping Up with InfoTECH in Public Libraries by Edgardo B. Quiros (Chief, InfoTEC Division-TNL/Faculty, UPSLIS)

Decoding Fairytales:The Untold Story by
Prof. Johann Frederick A. Cabbab (Asst. Prof., UPSLIS)

Licensed or Not Licensed? by Mrs. Elnora Conti (BFL Member)

Highlights from LibSpeak 2009

The day after LibSpeak 2009 bolted me up to reality.

It felt good to be back in UP Diliman after three semesters gone AWOL. Sorry po, tao lang (I am only human). The morning conference went well with such inspiring words from Dir. Sally Arlante and Dean Vyva Cruz. Wala pa ring kupas si Ma'am Arlante. She remains to be sharp, smart and sophisticated even to this day when retirement beckons like an old friend. Professors of the UP SLIS were present as well as librarians from the Main Library. The conference was a UP FLIPP initiative and the school gave its one hundred percent support. No wonder the UP FLIPPers were in smart casual attire. Other participants in the conference were high school students who were participants in the LIS Wizard Contest that afternoon. A contingent from Cebu Normal University was able to make it in time for the lecture of Prof. Von Totanes.

Von Totanes gave a substantial and realistic presentation on the future of LIS (Library and Information Science) graduates and the qualities needed for fresh graduates to succeed in the field. I hope he posts his lecture as it is essential for other readers of his blog to understand movements and changes in the LIS profession.

As for my presentation, I will post the essay in the next couple of days. For now, I would like to hammer on the contest which I launched during my talk to the UP FLIPPers, colleagues in the profession, mentors and students.

Instructions to the contest are as follows:

1. Write an essay, at least five paragraphs long, based on these two questions:
What is the effect of blogging to LIS professionals?
What forces do blogs wield upon libraries, librarians and information professionals?
2. The blogs used as examples in the talk/essay Blog It! The Impact of the Blogging Phenomenon to the Field of Library and Information Science must be read and cited as examples.
3. Send essays to zarah.gagatiga@gmail.com
4. The best essay will be posted in SLIA (School Librarian In Action) and its writer will get a gift check as token.
5. Deadline for the submission of entries is on March 25, 2009.

Here now are the criteria.

1. Content - 40%
2. Organization and Composition - 30%
3. Relevance to the LIS issue in question - 30%

Happy writing and good luck!

LibSpeak '09: Inculcate-Integrate-Innovate

UP FLIPP'sLibSpeak '09 will push through on Monday, February 23, 2009 at the UP Balay Kalinaw. I will be sharing my own personal experiences as a blograrian as well as observations on the impact of it to Library and Information Science.

Admission is free, so show up and don't be shy.

Storytelling 101 for Librarians* @ The LIS Congress 2009

*This is the abstract/description of my presentation for the LIS Congress on February 28, 2009 at the UP Diliman.

Storytelling is a proven technique to motivate children from coming to the library and for them to use its resources. In general, it is an effective marketing tool to promote the library. Through storytelling, the librarian’s role as an active player in literacy development is emphasized.

The paper discusses the nature of storytelling, its purpose and appropriate practice in library services for children and young adults. Simple ways to tell a story like reading aloud, oral telling and use of props and puppets will be demonstrated. A storytelling program that identifies the use of age-appropriate books for children is also included.

The Future of Reading 2

The New York Times has a series of articles on reading in the digital age. Its journalists has written about the changing face and phase of reading in a digital environment. These articles could not have arrived at a better time than today.

On it's third run, The New York Times features a school librarian who went the extra mile to help young readers understand their way in the growing thicket of the Internet. Read part 1 and part 2.

The first article on online reading is interesting too. Research tells us that readers use the same comprehension and metacognitive skills involved in reading print resources when reading online materials. Then there's the story of a writer who extended his novel's conceit through video games online on the belief that, readers today do not only depend on print for pleasure, enjoyment and recreation.

Borders and barriers are breaking through our use of technology.

CANVAS Launch Ecofables for Children

CANVAS (www.canvas.ph) proudly invites you to the launch of its latest book: CANVAS Tales - 3 Ecofables for Children, on Sunday, March 8 at 3pm at 1/of Gallery, Shops at Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Metro Manila.

CANVAS Tales is a collection of three timely and timeless environmental stories for children, brought to life by three of the best young Filipina artists around.

*** The Hummingbird (author unknown, art by Plet Bolipata)
*** The King and the Royal Trees (by Paul Aird, art by Ivee Olivares-Mellor)
*** The Star Thrower (author unknown, art by Liza Flores)


CANVAS is a non profit organization dedicated to promoting greater awareness and appreciation for Philippine art, culture and the environment. For more information, please visit www.canvas.ph.

Call for Submission of Manuscripts to the 48th Silliman National Writers Workshop

The Silliman National Writers Workshop is now accepting applications for the 48th National Writers' Workshop to be held May 4-15, 2009 in Dumaguete City.

This Writers Workshop is offering fifteen fellowships to promising young writers who would like a chance to hone their craft and refine their style. Fellows will be provided housing, a modest stipend, and a subsidy to partially defray costs of their transportation.

To be considered, applicants should submit manuscripts in English on or before March 27, 2009 (seven to ten poems; or three to five short stories; or three to five creative non-fiction essays).

Manuscripts should be submitted in hard copy and on CD, preferably in MS Word, together with a resume, a recommendation letter from a literature professor or a writer of national standing, a certification that the works are original, and two 2X2 ID pictures.

Send all applications to Department of English and Literature, attention Prof. A.G. Soluta, Chair, Silliman University, 6200 Dumaguete City.

For information, please email english@su.edu.ph. Or go to the workshop website at www.geocities.com/nwwdumaguete.

A Reading Inventory

Sometime in early 2006, I posted a list of books I have read in 2005 in this blog. I remember making a promise to continue reading for the succeeding years and listing down the books I have read by the end of the year. But, real life has a way of snatching dreams and holding up promises. In short, I did read a lot in the span of three years but failed to take an inventory of the books and writers I've admired and abhorred.

Now here I am, blogging on Valentine's Day to catch up on a lost promise. Perhaps it will hold little interest to some of my readers, nevertheless, I will fulfill it for my own sake. I am a librarian, therefore, I read.

So here are current books I've digested at the start of the year. After the list, are books I remember reading since 2006. Some I reckon with fondness while a few are mentioned for less pleasant reasons.

January Reading List

1. 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan - Scholastic merges the best of several worlds - reading, gaming and the WWW . The publishing company who gave us Harry Potter is experimenting on an integration of mediums and so far, they have been successful. The series will hold an appeal for both readers and gamers but I find the merchandising too aggressive. It is an exciting read but the online games and the free game cards are for me a turn off. It robs me of the magic that the book is supposed to hold. I doubt if I would read beyond the third book since there will be actually ten books in the series. Riordan is a good writer. Korman tries to sustain what he begun, however, the prize and the merchandise keep me from suspending my disbelief.

2. Firebird Rising; An Anthology of Science Fiction and Fantasy edited by Sharyn November - I like reading anthologies because, it's like eating cookies. You pick two or three pieces from the cookie jar and you munch them one by one. So far, I've read five stories from the anthology and three of these delighted me to the bone. Dianne Wynne Jone's I Give You My Word tells of the power of the written and spoken word. The next time you use a dictionary, you better be sure where to use the word and how to wield its potency. In The House of Seven Librarians by Ellen Klages, I met all the librarian stereotypes and I could not help but cringe. It's a good thing Klages now her library science that she narrates the lives of her seven characters with dignity and respect. It's peppered with library humor too so the librarian stereotypes as described in the story can be overlooked. It's fantasy, besides. My kind has come a long way since.

3. The Tales of Beedle The Bard by JK Rowling - Superb craftsmanship and excellent rendering of conceit!

This month until summer, I have several anthologies to keep me sane and intact. I got Dahl's anthology for a very cheap price on sale and a good friend gifted me with Susan Vreeland's Life Studies. And of course, I will not miss Dean Alfar's Philippine Speculative Fiction Vol. 4 to be launched at the end of the month.

I am currently half way through the second book in the 39 Clues series and Gaiman's first Newberry, The Grave Yard Book shall soon be lent to me by a dear friend. Ah, to have friends and books!

Now here's a random list of books I have devoured and digested to make up for the past two or three years of missing a reading inventory.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman; The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JKR; Bagets; An Anthology of Young Adult Fiction edited by Pacis and Evasco; Widdershins by Charles de Lint; I Am Messenger and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak; Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by JKR; Prince Ombra by Roderick Macleish; Rushdie's Haroun and the Sea of Stories; Lowry's Number the Stars; For One More Day by Albom; Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman; InkSpell by Funke; The Bartimeus Trilogy by Stroud; The Iron Man by Ted Hughes; The Legend of the Wandering King by Laura Gallego Garcia; PSF Vol. 3 edited by Dean and Nikki Alfar; Maus by Spiegelman; Coelho's Witch of Portobello; Hemmingway's The Old Man and the Sea; Alcott's Little Women; Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice; Dahl's Switch Bitch; Tolkien's The Hobbit; Children of Two Seasons by Lara Saguisag; Enrique El Negro by Pacis; The Faery Reel: Tales From The Twilight Realm edited by Terri Windling; Firebird: Anthology of Sci-fi and Fantasy edited by Sharyn November; The Night Monkeys; The Runaways; A Mouse Called Wolf; The Shredderman Vol. 3; Deltora Quest...and that's all I can remember for now.

Origami In The Library

The school library is a place that promotes excitement and engagement to activities geared to learning. Film viewings and storytelling sessions at lunch time are staple activities for our grade school students. Exhibits of works of art by students are a an added treat. Displays on glass classes, a collection of coins, Pokemon toys and dolls, souvenirs from trips abroad, pique the interest of the curious. Contests and games challenges the skills of the competitive.

Just yesterday, art and competition meet and match for the GS LRC's Origami Contest. It was a well participated contest with students from grade 2-4 as the main focus of the activity. There were nine contestants who registered and each brought with them their own origami paper. Indeed they came prepared because weeks before, they borrowed origami books for practice. The results were amazing!

Next to dinosaur books, origami books are a favorite of the students. The art of paper folding dates back to ancient China but has been adapted by other cultures. Japan was the most bedazzled by this art of precision, accuracy and neatness that the Japanese has enshrined this art form into the sublime. Along with Ikebana, origami espouses discipline and spiritual aesthetics. But of course, the contest was all for the spirit of fun and art development.

Winners of the contest were given certificates of recognition and a chance for their works to be displayed. A dinosaur, a scaled dragon and a rooster were the objects of the winner's piece. The activity was in coordination between the Art Department of the Grade School and the GS Learning Resource Center. Here we see another role of the school library -- a conduit to the integration of skills and disciplines.

Librarian As Poster Girl

My recent brush with AHON Foundation led me to their blog. And this was what I found!

Dir. Lou David of the Rizal Library poses for AHON's Book Registry project. Filipino librarians continue to break the known stereotype. TV appearances, participations in game shows and feature articles in magazines and newspapers are just some ways where in librarians figure beyond the expected image - geeky, strict, conservative, unexciting.

There's more to a librarian than meets the eye.

Villa in Manila

In memory of Jose Garcia Villa, Poet Laureate and National Artist for Literature.


Manila has recognized and remembered one of its literary sons. This marker was put up in 1999 with the attendance of the PBBY board members.

First, A Poem Must Be Magical
By Jose Garcia Villa

First, a poem must be magical,
Then musical as a seagull.
It must be a brightness moving
And hold secret a bird’s flowering
It must be slender as a bell,
And it must hold fire as well.
It must have the wisdom of bows
And it must kneel like a rose.
It must be able to hear
The luminance of dove and deer.
It must be able to hide
What it seeks, like a bride.
And over all I would like to hover
God, smiling from the poem’s cover.

Source: http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Literature/Poems/Others/First_A_Poem_Must.htm

The Pride of Pasig: The Pasig City Library & Discovery Centrum

I finally had the chance of visiting the Pasig City Library and Discovery Centrum. In previous posts, I have written about the Pasig City's library and its evolution. Click the highlighted words for the photo essay. The link about the city library winning the Most Outstanding City Library of 2008 is likewise highlighted for your reading pleasure.

To share with you the discoveries I made during my visit yesterday, February 9, 2009, scroll down and begin the short tour with me.

At the entrance, I immediately saw a spacious and well lighted reading area. To my left was the multi-media room where a TV is put up for viewing purposes. The multi-media room's seating arrangement was designed like a mini-auditorium. According to the librarian-in-charge, Mrs. Delia Barreno, viewings of films, movies and the like take place on scheduled visits.

I brought my daughter, Zoe, with me that day when I visited the new city library. Taught in school how to behave in the library, she was quiet but very attentive.

Here she stands behind the mock kitchen. There is a play room, a make-believe area for younger children who prefer exploring and manipulating toys and the simulated world of grown ups. Apart from a kitchen, a garage is available for those who would like to tinker with cars and automobiles. At the center of the play area, a circular table with building blocks is open for children's use.

Indeed, the Pasig City Library has come a along way since the time of Madame Pilar Perez. It is very different from the library I used to visit as a grade school student of Pateros Catholic School. That was back in the 80's when silence and soft movements were the observed decorum in libraries. Today, as in most modern libraries, functional noise and interactivity are the accepted trends and norms.

So I was not surprised to see a group of students from the nearby Pasig City Elementary School reading aloud to younger kids. There were two of them holding a big book - Si Kas ang Barumbadong Bus, by Rene Villanueva. I could not help myself but volunteer to tell stories this coming summer.

Ms. Delia was delighted. She told me that the students who volunteered to tell stories were her regular patrons. She had actually set up tasks for them to do. True enough, they kept books in place and arranged the small chairs and tables after the storytelling session. They even helped the library staff in shelving the books used by the younger children.

Quite noticeable were the Pinocchio dolls on the shelves. These reading Pinocchio dolls were donated by the city mayor, Bobby Eusebio and his wife, both architects by profession who had their hands on the plan and the design of the new city library.

Ms. Delia shared with me so many stories of how "their" library grew; her day to day adventures as children's librarian; and the activities they do for the children. But that would be for the next posts. I will reserve the best stories for last, of course.

On our way out, Ms. Delia escorted us to where Zoe left her bag. A pigeon hole for bags of students and children is set outside.

Here you see my daughter, Zoe getting her bag at the end of our visit to the Pasig City Library and Discovery Centrum. She met new friends, Ms. Delia was one of them and a girl named Mailin who is in 5th grade. A library is growing in Pasig City and along with it is the possibility to hope that Pasig City's youth can develop a love for books and reading.

PAASCU Work In Malolos, Bulacan

I was out again for accreditation work at the Holy Spirit Academy of Malolos, Bulacan (HSAM) last February 5-6, 2008. It's my tenth accreditation visit since 2004 so by next year, I'll be joining the PAASCU annual assembly.

Here is a photo of the accrediting team that went to HSAM. L-R - Yours truly; Ms. Analiza Salaya of St. Mary's Academy, Caloocan; Dr. Rosalie Trongco of St. Mary's Academy, Manila; Sis Tessie Babaran, SFIC of St. Joseph's College, Balanga, Bataan; Sis Corazon SSpS of HSAM; Mrs. Emelina Mesa of St. Therese's College; Mrs. Angie Paderanga of Sta. Catalina College, Manila. Standing behind is Alex Gesmundo, the PAASCU representative who gave us all valuable assistance during the two day visit.

PAASCU visits and meetings can be long and tedious. The deliberation would take hours, but with Sis Tessie Babaran, we finished just in time to get back home to Manila before the rush hour. Needless to say, it was a thorough and efficient PAASCU work.

The Google Book Search Agreement*

*For Sarah, who suggested I look up on the agreement because some users in Scribd apparently, are led to a violation of copyright.

More on this matter in the next blogging days. For the meantime, read the links. It's both helpful and relevant for us, readers and users of online resources.

Call For Papers: 2nd National Conference on Children's Literature

Panawagan Para sa mga Papel sa Ikalawang Pambansang Kumperensiya sa Panitikang Pambata

Iniimbitahan ng Pilandokan (National Research Society for Children’s Literature) ang mga mananaliksik, manunulat, mag-aaral, at iskolar na lumahok sa Ikalawang Pambansang Kumperensiya sa Panitikang Pambata na natakdang isagawa sa Hulyo 16-18, 2009.

May temang “Ang Panitikang Pambata sa Edukasyon” ang kumperensiya sa taguyod ng National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Inaanyayahan ang lahat na magpadala ng abstrak ng isinasagawang pananaliksik o pag-aaral kaugnay ng mga sumusunod na paksa:

1. kultura ng pagkabata at kabataang Filipino
2. ang batang Filipino sa panitikan, panitikang pambata, at panitikang likha ng bata
3. ang batang Filipino at ang mga panlipunang usapin
4. ang batang Filipino sa industriya ng kultura
5. ang sitwasyon ng panitikang pambata sa Pilipinas

Tatanggapin ng komite ang naturang abstrak bago o sa ika-6 ng Marso, 2009. Aabisuhan ang mga mapipiling aplikante sa ika-20 ng Marso, 2009.

Nararapat na linawin ng abstrak ang isasagawang proyekto, ang tekstong susuriin, at ang gagamiting framework sa pagsusuri. Pipiliin ang mga abstrak na may bagong kontribusyon sa pag-aaral ng panitikang pambata at kultura ng bata sa Pilipinas.

Mangyaring ilakip ang inyong pangalan, institusyong kinabibilangan, maikling tala sa sarili, email address, at iba pang impormasyon.
Ang mga mapipiling aplikante ay nararapat isumite ang kanilang buong papel sa ika-9 ng Mayo, 2009.

Isumite ang mga abstrak kina Dr. Rosario Torres-Yu (Founding President), Dr.. Eugene Y. Evasco (Conference Director), at Prop. Will P. Ortiz (Conference Co-Director) sa email na ito: pagongatmatsing@yahoo.com

Steph and Stevie

This is juicy. Stephen King blatantly expressed his thoughts on Stephenie Meyer's writing craft. I wonder how the later took it. With a grain of salt, I hope.

Can you argue with Wikipedia?

This post's title is a question that came from an online article about Jessica Alba. For the full story, read this link. Alba apparently defended herself when O'Rielly called her "dumb" for saying that Sweden was a neutral country during World War II. So Wikipedia says, according to Alba, Sweden along with Switzerland did not side with axis nor allied. Thus, the press gave it to Alba for knowing her history.

But the question piqued my interest to dig further into what Wikipedia claims as Sweden's neutrality. In another website, Sweden was indeed neutral only because it did not ally itself directly with Germany.

Sweden was never attacked by Germany. This was probably due to the fact that Germany did not have to. Germany was dependent upon Swedish metal ore from the mines in northern Sweden. Throughout the entire war, the Germans had no trouble in getting this metal ore. Sweden also exported ball bearings to the Germans, vital for their production of tanks and aeroplanes. German troops were transported to Norway and Finland on the Swedish railroad system during the war.

Reading between the lines, Sweden had to take a politically motivated action to save its government and its people from the losses and brutalities of war. There are online articles , however, that question this neutrality of some European countries during that dark age. It is an interesting topic indeed, and one that could prompt students and teachers of world history into further debate.

Going back to Alba and the article, Wikipedia may provide basic information and one that proves to be useful too. A critical reading and evaluation on what lies beneath the information it gives the reader is necessary. This holds true to print resources as well. To comprehend, one has to read the lines, between the lines and beyond it either in print or in online sources.

Wicked Wiki

The rise of Wikis in the early 2000s signaled a poignant change in the way information is created in the web. It promotes collaboration, openness and egalitarianism. Thus, freedom of speech and expression has never been this good. The growth of liberal thinking and scholarly approach to the creation and communication of information online was at a rapid speed. It seems that Wiki, Hawaiian word for fast, is living up to its name.

Read a typical research paper or report done by a grade seven student and you'll find Wikipedia in the list of references. How the information in the Wiki was used and if it was critically evaluated before using it on the report is another matter though. The popularization of Wikis, made with all the good intentions, could have draw backs and disadvantages for the young learner. Reading print encyclopedias is one thing and using Wikis is another. Now that's a digression.

The point is, Wikis serve their purpose and for good reasons too. Allow me to name two examples of locally made Wikis that has substantial content and designed well enough for easy navigation.

One is the PAARL Wiki where current and relevant research on librarianship could be found. A good number of professional articles, PowerPoint presentations and studies by scholars of the discipline from abroad are linked there, but a majority of Filipino Librarians' works are featured too. Its list of essays and scholarly papers is comprehensive. It nearly covered everything under Library and Information Science. So who ever said that Filipino librarians are lesser writers should visit the site and reckon on this. What's more, it has a directory of its member institutions, seminars, fora, awardees and news about Philippine librarianship in general. Blogs by librarians, local and international ones, are an added treat. True to its adaptation of the Wiki spirit, its developers and writers are professional and licensed Filipino librarians who are not paid for the articles they write for the Wiki nor for the time they devout in developing it.

Call it an advocacy. Call it a mission. In my book, I call it passion. Passion for the profession and the growth of Philippine librarianship.

And then there's WikiPilipinas by Vibal Publishing House. I only have two words for this wiki -- impressively ambitious. It tries its best to cover as much topics on Filipiniana, Filipinos and the Philippines. Not bad for a start since there is a dearth of printed Filipiniana materials in the market. I'm speaking from the school library context. Perhaps WikiPilipinas could fill this need. Maybe not entirely. It's worth going back to the site to extensively explore its contents.

In the age of bytes and wikis, content is still king.

Scribd

I'm counting the many social networking sites I subscribe to -- Friendster; Hi5; Multiply and of course, Facebook. Apart from these, I'm also in Flicker, Slideshare, You Tube and Photo Bucket. I have more than two email accounts and I keep a slew of mailing lists and e-groups of varying interests. This goes to show that a sliver of my life has been allotted to Internet technology and the many perks it offers.

And it seems that I have not exhausted all it's treasures, and, trash as well.

Just recently, I discovered Scribd when a faculty asked for Hemingway's The Old Man and The Sea. It's a book read in high school so, we could not offer the print version. To go the extra mile, a library staff checked the database of the high school library. I checked Google. Google gave me the e-book version through Scribd.

One needed to sign in for free to view, read, print, upload and download documents. In my initial walk through of the home page, it appears that a wealth of information is right there for the picking. Original works from poems to essays, plays to novels are also available. The website provides a list of topics and subjects linked to documents in pdf. and ppt.

I'm still new to Scribd so there's a lot to explore. Check the link and do your own exploring!

Hermie Salazar, Filipino Librarian

This is my friend Hermie Salazar.

She is currently the University Librarian of the University of North Eastern Philippines. I met her in 2004 and we were together during the IFLA-UNESCO sponsored workshop in Bangkok, Thailand on Information Literacy (IL). At that time, IL was the new buzz word particularly in school librarianship. We presented scholarly papers and country reports together with other librarians of the Southeast Asian region. Needles to say, we had a blast and promised to keep in touch. We did. Over the years, we'd meet and exchange news, going ons in the profession and share a sliver of our personal lives with each other.

Just recently, Hermie whipped up a Storytelling Workshop which I conducted for her learning community in UNEP. The visit was enough for us to finish the whole gig and business of the workshop. Fortunately, a little time was left for some catching up.

I've always wondered why she chose to work in Iriga, of all places, when work for a librarian of her caliber abound in the city. So she claimed that she is out there on a mission. Now that is one thing I've learned from Hermie. Maybe it's about time for me to revise and revisit my views, dreams and purpose on this career. Perhaps, it's about time for me to see beyond the profession.

Advocacy is good. But living out a mission is another.

The Quest

For ordinary folks moving about in the Araneta Center at lunch this afternoon, it seemed like any ordinary Saturday. Without them knowing, three Filipino Librarians met after three years of being drawn asunder. For the untrained and the uninitiated, it would be difficult to see the sparks of light that these Filipino Librarians emit. These three have been blessed by the book spirits to go forth into the world and fulfill a mission. They each carry a talisman to light their way into the dark and bloody world populated by the evils of ignorance and prejudice.

Ok. I'll stop there before you start thinking that I'm going nuts.

Von and Peachy are both in town for the holidays. Peachy will fly back to Australia with her family tomorrow while Von will have an extended stay in Manila to finish his dissertation. Toronto has to wait.

The lunch date was peppered with stories of life overseas, anecdotes of work and the "hazards" of the profession. News in Philippine librarianship was shared a plenty and jokes went around in abundance. We split at 2pm and in between good byes, wishes of good luck for endeavors to continue and pursue were exchanged.

We all have our own quests to finish, thinking about it. As for myself, all I could say is that I am standing at the crossroads at the moment, discerning what to choose.

Quest or quiet?

Salanga Prize Winners 2009

The winners of the 2009 Salanga Prize are the following:

Grand Prize:
Raymund Garlitos (Ang Higante sa Loob ng Aming Bahay)

Honorable Mention:
Perry Mangilaya (Di Ko Man Kamukha sina Inay at Itay)
Victoria Bravo (Lola-Lola)

Congratulations!

Keeping Up With A Blogging Tradition

For the past two years, I have been posting the monthly first posts of the past year at the beginning of the new year. At least, not later than the third week of January. I'll be busy pretty soon in preparation for the New Year, so I'll be doing this blogging tradition earlier than the usual. Here's the list of the first posts in this blog by month.

January: New Year Greetings
So I started my blogging life of 2008 with some New Year's greetings I got from friends and family via SMS. It goes to show how texting has ruled and influenced our lives.

February: PAASCU @ San Felipe Neri Parochial School
My first PAASCU visit for 2008 was at San Felipe Neri Parochial School in Mandaluyong. The school principal, Mr. Henry Davalos, was with me as co-accreditor when we visited Divine Word College Legaspi early this month. Small world.

March: specta-KYu-lar
Kenneth Yu was my first blog post in March. Kenneth Yu is a writer, editor and publisher. He is also a true blue Xavier alum. Patronize your own, so they say.

April: The 4th Philippine Blogging Summit
I missed the event last year. My summer had been very busy indeed!

May: GS LRC Purposing
2008 was a challenging year for me as a library manager and administrator. At the onset of the school year, my mantra has been this, "What could not kill me, will make me strong!"

June: Sa Muling Paglipad Ng ibong Mandaragit
Ang unang post ko gamit ang Inang Wika. Syempre, nakisawsaw ako sa isyu. Blogger, e!

July: Another Launch
Looking back, there were plenty of book launching events and invites in 2008. They say the economy was bad and that it's getting worse. But, it does not stop the nation from reading, writing and publishing.

August: Licensed Librarians in Philippine School Libraries
This is a two-for-one post, actually. I wrote about licensed librarians in public school libraries and the PAASCU Convention I attended in late July. 2008 is my PAASCU year, so it seems.

September: MIBF 2008: Words Without Borders
What an eventful September! I got to meet old friends and made new ones at the Manila International Book Fair this year. September is also Salaysayan month so visit my archives to relive some storytelling memories.

October; 2nd Best Filipino Blog of The Week
What can I say but thanks for those who truly voted for my blog. And this I say with pride -- I did not tweak nor tinker with technology to land 2nd best!

November: National Book Awards 2008 for Children's Story
For Anonymous, who asked who won the NBA of 2008 for Children's Story --

The Boy Who Touched Heaven By Iris Gem Lee; Illustrated by Serge Bumatay III and Published by Adarna House & CANVAS

December: Back To Bicolandia
My back to back trip to Bicol was the highlight of the month. The workshop in UNEP was a successful one. While the PAASCU visit at Divine Word College Legaspi is the most unforgettable yet. Seeing Mt. Mayon in all its glory was the perk.

All in all, this blog only had 85 post for 2008 compared to 113 from 2007. Going over the months is like reviewing how my blogging life, professional life and personal life has been the past year. I go back once more to the first blog post I did in January 2008. I smile to myself because somewhere out there are people whose arms have grown too short to scratch their fleas infested back.