Reading Advocacy for School Librarians

My last session for Scholastic Philippines' school librarians training on reading advocacy ended today with thirty participants from private schools in Bulacan, Batangas and the greater Metro Manila area. They shared books they've read; worked in groups to identify existing activities and strategies leading to literacy and reading advocacy; and listened to my input on school library standards and the changing roles of school librarians. One jarring reality -- standards are worlds apart between schools who have and schools who have a few.

Over all, it was a good workshop. I was flattered to know that most participants were former attendees of previous workshops I conducted. Thus, there were familiar faces and good friends from the field present at the workshop. Consultants form Scholastic Philippines told me how, some of them were eager and excited to attend my workshop once again. I guess I have a few good fans out there.

I wish to thank Roselle Masirag and her team of consultants in Scholastic Philippines for making the training a success, indeed. I hope to hear feedback, news that is good and otherwise, and any suggestion from them. I wish them good luck in all their work and reading advocacy.

Ans super thanks for the books! I'm reading Rachel Ward's Numbers at the moment. It's pretty good.

The 1st Filipino ReaderCon: Filipino Readers Make it Social

Filipino Friday: On to ReaderCon!

September 9 - What do you hope will happen in the Filipino ReaderCon? What are you expecting from the event?

First of all, as reader, literacy advocate and President of the Philippine Board on Books for Young People, I wish the organizers of the Filipino ReaderCon a successful convention. As a reader I am happy to find readers who, like me, are still in love with the written word. As literacy advocate and PBBY President, I hope that the efforts and ideals of the organizers won't go to waste; that this ReaderCon won't turn into a one hit wonder. In my years in the industry and in the advocacy of literacy, I have seen many literacy campaigns and initiatives fizzle out. Some crashed and burned and a few died a natural death.

I have great expectations on the ReaderCon but not on the event itself. I would like to see the aftermath. I expect to see greater influence of readers affecting and effecting others who need conversion. If not this, then greater effort on the readers part to turn their love, their passion, into a mission. Celebrating reading is wonderful. Making a non-reader read or providing reading materials to those in need of it the most is another. But yes. The advocacy begins with a recognition that reading must be highlighted and celebrated among those who've discovered it's magic and power so that they could, hopefully, share this discovery to others.

May the ReaderCon be an event that would narrow the great divide between those who have books and those who have no books at all. May it be a celebration of reading, not so much as a privilege but as a right for all. May it continue to have sponsors who, acting collectively with the organizers of the ReaderCon, set up another convention next year for readers of all ages.

Bumasa at lumaya!

Books Are Phenomenal

Last night, I was a guest resource person in Teacher Portia's class. The class, composed of twenty, more or less, graduate students studying Children's Literature are on the topic of book and literature evaluation. Much talked about were the award giving bodies locally and abroad. Together with Totet de Jesus (illustrator), Dr. Luis Gatmaitan (writer) and Michelle Agas (storyteller) we shared our ideas, insights and experiences in evaluating children's and young adult literature and books for them.

The indefatigable Totet de Jesus showed off his dummies and sketches, book samples and illustrator's portfolio. As always, it enthralled the listening audience. Luis shared the cross-overs that his works have covered so far. Meaning, from books, his stories has been translated into movies, plays and translated into Japanese and Thai. Duglit, Ang Dugong Makulit is now a Department of Health and DepEd material for health and hygiene lessons. Sandosenang Sapatos, his Palanca winning story, has been a staged in Valenzuela City for a play intended for families and children. The same storybook was translated into Thai and distributed in Singapore.

Since three of us from PBBY were present, talks of the NCBA, Salanga and Alcala Prizes were a plenty. Their questions focused on criteria for judging and basis for selecting and evaluating winners of such awards.

Of course, the Palanca Awards was just around the corner. There were suggestions from the class to come up with a set criteria for the Palancas similar to what the Newberry has done. First of, the Newberry is an award given by the American Library Association. In the spirit of transparency and equal access to information, librarians will and should make information public and accessible. Such is not the case for the literati who treats the judging of a manuscript as a work of art. Art is subjective. It's boundaries and limitations vary from one expert to another.

Before the night closed, Michelle Agas regalled everyone with her winning rendition of The Lazy Bug by Lina Diaz de Rivera. I hope that this happens again as I enjoy talking about literature for children and young adult to kindred spirits. My parting shot for the night, libraries are part of the book phenomenon among its writer, illustrator, publisher and reader. A librarian's role as a reading promoter must evolved into a reading advocacy, offering to readers a diverse and balanced book selection.

Happy International Literacy Day!

International Literacy Day

Sulataktakan: Conversations on Children’s Literature

Dear Librarian Reply: The Pilar Perez Medallion

Alai Agadulin, Junior Writer/Researcher of Adarna House, Inc., replied to me and Darell Marco on his query about the Pilar Perez Medallion Award --

Good day, Mr. Marco!

The Pilar Perez Medallion for Young Adult Literature was created with the collaboration of the following: The Filipinas Heritage Library (FHL), Powerbooks, Adarna House, Inc., Candy Magazine, and National Book Store (NBS). The goal of the organizers was to launch a YA literature contest to boost the industry of the YA literature.

The same organizers stood as the judges of the contest which was launched in 2001 and re-launched in 2002. However, the criteria for judging were not made known to the public.

In 2001, the organizers decided to name three (3) winners of the 2001 Pilar Perez Medallion for Young Adult Literature to jump-start the industry. These are:

v Jacobo’s Ghost by Annette Flores Garcia
v Mga Ako by Amalia Salamat
v ‘Sup by Maria L.M. Fres-Felix

On the other hand, in 2002, only one was chosen the best among the other entries. It was:
v Anina ng mga Alon by Eugene Evasco

All these books were published by Adarna House, Inc. and the Filipinas Heritage Library.

The YA literature contest was halted after its two-year stint because the organizers, publishers, and distributors had a hard time selling the published novellas despite the efforts to boost the YA literature.

May this information suffice to the needs of your research about the Pilar Perez Award.

Maraming salamat po!

Thank you to Adarna House for lending answers to Darell's questions. I have another question though. Will the Pilar Perez Medallion see the glory of resurection?

Filipino Librarian: Salvacion Dimzon

Salvacion "Salve" Dimzon, school librarian from Taguig, agreed to this interview for the blog. She has been very active in advocating library use and services through their organization, APSA-TAPAT (ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATORS OF TAGUIG CITY AND PATEROS). Good work and good luck to Salve on the work they do in their side of the metro!

a. When and where did you graduate LIS?

May 4, 2011- Post Baccalaureate Degree in Library and Information Science (PBLIS) at Polytechnic University of the Philippines- Open University, Anonas St., Sta. Mesa, Manila.

December 14, 2011 – Master in Library and Information Science (MLIS) with a concentration in an Academic Library at Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Graduate School, M. H. del Pilar, Sta. Mesa, Manila

b. Why did you take up LIS?

Since my college years as a working student for four (4) assigned in different libraries in an academic institution (University of Negros Occidental Recoletos Library now Fray Luis de Deleon Library) aspire me to study and love this career. Also when my employer, Sto. Niño Catholic School hired me in 1996 as a school librarian, I have no choice but to really enroll in the field. Thanks to PUP-OU, I am given an opportunity to took up the librarian’s board exam after completing my PBLIS with them. Further, Mrs. Arabella M. Ananoria, Directress of UNO-R Libraries, one of my great mentors who really influenced my love for library works. That’s why despite that I am lone librarian here in the school of around 1200 preschoolers, grade-schoolers and high schools, the fire within me to serve them as efficiently as I could continue to flourish every day of my life.

c. What is your current LIS job?

My current LIS job is a school librarian at the same time a coordinator of Instructional Media Center of Sto. Niño Catholic School, Sampaloc St., Zone 1, Signal Village, Taguig City. I am here for more than 14 years now.


d. Identify the challenges you encountered and how did you overcome them?

There are a lot of challenges I encountered since SNCS employed me. First, the founder of this school, our school director then in 2006 put in my 201 file that I am going to make this library (our school library) THE BEST IN TAGUIG. It is really a big challenge to me. At first, I hesitated to accept the challenge given to me but in the long run I accepted it because it is a great opportunity given to me, that time I was just 22 years and I am very idealistic that I could achieve it if I am going to work hard. Then just last year, our school applied for a FAPE accreditation. When the accreditors interviewed me I impressed them with my professional affiliation, educational attainment and scholastic records. But I failed in the area of my library set-up. It was really an “eye sore” to accreditor. I make a narrative report of that interview and relay it to our admin. I thanked them a lot because just this May 2011 our library had a total renovation. It is not yet fully accomplished but I could say it is almost near for us to reach the vision of our founder. He is not connected here anymore, but I know he is happy knowing that I am still here and doing his projection 14 years ago. Only last Friday that I am done re-shelving and putting guides on my shelves for easy access. I overcome these challenges through the help of my colleagues in librarianship, our administrators, friends and family. Then the importance of attending a seminar-workshop, training, forum, and formal education helped a lot. Also Online Reading and research especially the PAARL Wiki, where the talks and presentations of previous seminar were posted for free for its members.

e. What has been the most satisfying experience of your LIS job so far?
The most satisfying experience of my LIS profession so far was when I am chosen by APSA-TAPAT to become their resource speaker in a TWO DAY ACADEMY WORKSHOP IN LIBRARY SKILLS FOR NON LIBRARIANS last May 27-28, 2011. It is my first time so I seek the help of experts like you to help me outline my presentation also professor Dante O. Perez and Prof. Rosa M. Vallejo. Thanks a lot I made it. It is very tedious, but upon knowing that I impart something to my participants made me more eager to reach out to them through the Facebook account I created. But after the seminar despite of so many messages I posted on our FB account up to this time no one of them contacted me for help (both in the skills I taught them and the Platonixz Libro System of Mr. Romy Sebastian). Maybe they absorbed everything I taught them and they are so busy right now applying what they have learned in that workshop or the other side- they do not do acquire something.

f. Tell us more about APSA-TAPAT - especially future projects.

APSA-TAPAT stands for ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATORS OF TAGUIG CITY AND PATEROS DIVISION. It is composed of 50 – 100 MEMBER SCHOOLS. It is organizing different kinds of seminars to its member schools like SpEd, Librarians seminars just like we did last May 27-28, 2011. It is used as an arm of the division to unite the small and big schools in the area and to help these small schools. They value the importance of benchmarking and in sports it has APSA-TAPAT Athletic Meet. Then presently with the chairmanship of Dr. Helen S. Losbañes, the association acquired the support of Hon. Mayor Laarni Cayetano in supporting the Education sector. In our school we have 135 freshmen TLC (Taguig Learner’s Certificate) Scholars.

Dear Librarian: The Pilar Perez Medallion

Darell Marco, school librarian and blogger, sent me this inquiry -

I'm writing to you with regards to our report in her class. WOuld you know anything about the Pilar Perez Awards? e.g. criteria for judging, who were the judges, what were the "contending" books, why did it die? etc? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Darell is pursuing his MA degree at the UP Diliman and is currently taking up Reading Cognates at the department of Reading Education. His professor, Prof. Portia Padilla, has assigned the Pilar Perez Medallion to Darell. Answers to his questions will be posted next week.

What is an interesting, if not, intriguing about the award was, it that suddenly died out as soon as it began.

Reading Advocacy

I just ended a whole day seminar-workshop on Reading Advocacy Through Effective School Library Services. The event was sponsored by Scholastic Philippines for school librarians who are subscribers to their Assessment in Education Program (AEP). It's a sustained reading inventory cum reading skills development program and librarians are part and parcel of its implementation. There were fourteen participants from school libraries in Manila and Batangas. In the first part of workshop, we looked at the changing roles of school librarians. For this, I turned to the ever reliable IFLA-UNESCO School Library Manifesto, Koechley (1997), Danielson (2007) and Kuhlthau (1997).

IFLA - UNESCO School Library Manifesto Staff The school librarian is the professionally qualified staff member responsible for planning and managing the school library, supported by as adequate staffing as possible, working together with all members of the school community, and liaising with the public library and others. The role of school librarians will vary according to the budget and the curriculum and teaching methodology of the schools, within the national legal and financial framework. Within specific contexts, there are general areas of knowledge that are vital if school librarians are to develop and operate effective school library services: resource, library, and information management and teaching. In an increasingly networked environment, school librarians must be competent in planning and teaching different information-handling skills to both teachers and students. Therefore they must continue their professional training and development Source: http://archive.ifla.org/VII/s11/pubs/manifest.htm

Roles of librarians (Danielson, 2007):
* Create an inviting physical and emotional environment;
* Promote a culture for the quest of knowledge;
* Coordinate with teachers of the school and serve as resource persons;
* Maintain and extend the library's collection;

THE SCHOOL LIBRARIAN'S ROLE IS COMPLEX AND WIDE RANGING - Danielson, 2007

School librarians are (Koechley, 1997):
* Instructional Consultants - collaborators who assist teachers in instructional design
* Life Long Readers - models of the reading culture and acquisition of knowledge
* Information Gatekeepers - managers, creators and communicators of information and technology Kuhlthau identified the roles a librarian play when conducting information literacy sessions and providing readers services.
* Organizer - arranges and manages resources; creates a user-friendly, self-service environment that leads to independent study.
* Lecturer - provides tours and orientation sessions focusing on the location and access of resources.
* Instructor - provides one or a series of cooperatively planned lessons on information sources and references arising from classroom activities tailored to students' needs.
* Tutor - provides one-on-one session with a student or a group of student on specialized information needs.
* Counselor - confers with the students in the provision of cognitive and behavioral support (Reading Guidance / Bibliotherapy / Research Mentor ) focusing on the process and seeing the product as part of the construction of knowledge and positive well-being.

In the afternoon, we discussed reading, technology and reading advocacy activities. There will be another session next week and, learning form today's session, I will sure make some changes since there will be more participants next week. So, if your school subscribes to Scholastic Philippines' AEP, do attend. See you there!

Filipino Friday: Filipiniana

September 2 - Do you read Filipino literature? If yes, what are some books by Filipino authors that you can recommend to fellow readers?

This Friday's meme made me look back at the Filipiniana reviews I have posted in this blog. To answer the questions, I went back to the blog archives and exhumed quite a number of book reviews. I'm a school librarian thus, my orientation leans heavily on Philippine Children's and Young Adult Literature. Some noteworthy links from the recommended reads I made in the PBBY website is also included in the link list.

I hope that, you, the reader, would patiently click the links and see for yourself the wonderful Filipianan materials we have out there for kids and teens. Here goes --

Ang Pambihirang Buhok ni Lola by Rene Villanueva

Elias and His Trees by Augie Rivera

Rosang Taba by Dean Alfar

Bruhaha! Bruhihi! by Ompong Remigio

The Boy Who Touched Heavenby Iris Gem Li

PBBY: Recommended Reads

Back in 2005, I even attempted to create a bibliography of Filipiniana for Children.

Books about the Handicapped and Special Children

Subject Index for Filipiniana for Children Annotated Bibliography

Annotated Bibliography: A Work in Progress

Having done this meme, I realized how few my reviews of Filipiniana for Children and Young Adult have been over the six years of blogging. I should do more of this.

KISS Book Review

I have been reading. And I feel I owe readers of the blog some reviews. I am Keeping It Short and Sweet (well, not on all the books I've read). If it isn't sweet at all, I'll try to be as Substantial as possible.

Title: The Cry of the Icemark
Author: Stuart Hill
What it's about: Thirrin Lindensheild, heir to the throne of the Icemark, is set to battle the ruthless general of the Polypontian Empire. She gathers allies, men and monsters, to rally a victory for her people. Alongside Thirrin is Oskan, son of the Whitewitch who wields magic in the battle field and Maggiore Totus who lends logic to decisions in tactics of war.

It's an exciting and engaging read. Hill tends to romanticize war and does not allow the lead protagonist to suffer much. When Thirrin's father King died, she was given everything she needs to win the war against a brutal enemy. It's Cinderella all over again and she gets what she wants. Good thing though that this Cinderella kicks butt!

Title: Beastly
Author: Alex Flinn
A modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast with the lead male protagonist, Kyle Kingsbury narrating. Kyle is a young, rich kid whose absentee father sends him away when he turned beastly and was looked after a blind tutor and housemaid who happens to know more about house cleaning. Linda, the beauty, enters Kyle's life to break the spell freeing him from it.

The strength of the novel lies in the plot. The way events were sequenced make up for poor characterization. Kyle is one dimensional. His transformation from person to beast and back again did little to really change him. He is still a brat who got what he wanted. Linda, though described as smart and sensitive, is pretty boring. It bothers me that Kyle's father neglected his teenage son. Thanks to Will, the blind tutor and Magda, the housemaid for filling the gap left out by Kyle's father.

Title: The Cellist of Sarajevo
Author: Steven Galloway
One day, in May (1992) in Sarajevo,  a bomb fell in the city killing 22 people who were buying bread. A cellist played for those who died as his memorial and eulogy. This is the backdrop that Galloway used to tell the story of four people who struggled to survive during that dark decade known in modern history as the Siege of Sarajevo.

I love the book. It's tempered and written with restraint making it a powerful narrative. Four lives -- a baker, a sniper, a father and the cellist -- intertwine to depict the hard realities of war among civilians who are always the victim. Many books on struggle and conflict romanticize war but in this novel, nothing is romantic about it. Among the four, it is the cellist and the father who touched me on many levels. I fear for my family if war ever happens in this country. I laud the cellist for his courage in turning his art and music into tools of subversion. The human spirit endures in times of war and conflict but the cost is high.

Title: Wolves of Mercy Falls
Author: Maggie Stiefvater

It's Twilight all over again except that, there is no rich vampire clan but werewolves. A pack of them. It's a trilogy that begins with seventeen year old Grace being bitten by a wolf and she, being saved by Sam in his wolf form. More biting and wolf-human-wolf-human transformations occur in the next books.

Shiver and Linger made me give up reading paranormal romance books. The saving grace is Stiefvater's lyrical use of language. But even that won't make me finish Linger or start on Forever.

Title: Odd and the Frost Giants
Author: Neil Gaiman

Odd, small and crippled, saved the day for many Vikings who had to endure a very long winter. Thanks to the help of Loki, Odin and Thor, he defeated the Frost Giants by sheer cunning and a bit of luck.

Classic Gaiman. He pulled out another old folktale, broke it apart and created something new yet, warmly familiar story. Not his best work but it is endearing and sincere at the same time.

Update on My Book Donation Project

At the start of August, I began a campaign for a book donation project. I posted this in Facebook for local donations and registered in JustGiving for friends abroad. So far, I got book donation pledges from Gwenn Galvez of Anvil Publishing and Blooey Singson, book blogger superstar and true blue Potterite.

The books will go to Sambat Trust's current library project, the Pantay Bata Elementary School. I've been helping the UK based charity as library consultant. Though books come from generous donors abroad, the library must be stocked with enough books to meet the 1:10 ratio set by the DepEd School Library guidelines. Visit my JustGiving page and Sambat Trust's blog to see the development of the school library project there.

It's the end of August and I am still keeping it open. There are so many children out there who need books. Pitch in and help a bit! It will go along way!

Illustrator of the Month: Yasmin Doctor

2011 Alcala Prize winner, Yasmin Doctor, graciously agreed to my request for interview. Her clean and colorful illustrations rendered Rizaldy, the 2011 Salanga Prize winning story of Eugene Evasco, a relevant read. Last I heard, Lg & M is serious at publishing the story book in time for December 2011. It would be the final month of the sesquicentennial celebration of Rizal's birth year.

Ms. Doctor's interview below is an interesting tale of a botanist enthusiast turned illsutrator. She reveals her creative process with Rizaldy as well.

Why do you draw?

No matter what I do I always end up drawing or painting. I’ve always wanted to be a botanist, I’m a frustrated forager; still, I end up drawing. It’s funny to be honest, yet it amazes me most of the time that I have this potential to make something using lines and shapes.

When did you discover that you have a talent for illustrating?

It was in college. I’m no fine arts grad, so I didn’t really know where to start back then. It was through my 4th sister who introduced me to Ang-INK (Illustrador ng Kabataan). She showed me the site and asked me whether I’d like to join. I thought, “Why not? Mukhang exciting, miske wala akong masyadong alam sa illustration!” (It looks exciting though I know nothing about illustrating for children.)

Describe your creative process

Several character studies. The faces of Mona, John Paul, and Rizaldy were based from the faces of Mona Lisa, The Pope John Paul, and Rizal (respectively). (I) Devoted a Sunday for research and had an intense walk-a-thon from Quiapo – Binondo – Fort Santiago – Luneta – Lawton and back to Quaipo. Was just walking, looking around for ideas that could help me in making the entry.

What are your dream projects?

To have many art-related projects (hehe). Siguro for now, to have an art project that can fulfill that botanist / forager fantasy of mine.

What are your favorite works by another illustrator?

Marami(Plenty). Cat Painter by Mark Salvatus, yung Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu by Serj Bumatay, Sarimanok vs. Ibong adarna by Jess Abrera, and any book illustrated by Jiri Trnka.

Illustrador Idols?

My idol list gets longer and longer as I grow older, but first on the list is my dad. In general, I like being with productive people. Good vibes!

Sulataktakan: Conversations on Children’s Literature

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) is inviting all writers, illustrators, and children’s book enthusiasts to participate in Sulataktakan: Conversations on Children’s Literature. The forum will focus on what makes an award-winning children’s book, as well as work styles of known children’s book authors and illustrators. The event, which will be on September 17, 2011, Saturday, from 2pm to 4pm, will be held at Meeting Room 3 of the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Guest speakers are children’s book creators Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, Mailin Paterno, Jomike Tejido, Russell Molina, and Beth Parrocha-Doctolero. Tejido and Molina have authored books that won the 1st Philippine National Children’s Book Awards in 2010.

The forum will be followed by a book signing session featuring the authors and illustrators who won the National Children’s Book Awards in 2010.

The participation fee for the forum is Php100. For inquiries, email pbby@adarna.com.ph, or call 352-67-65 loc 120 and look for Lance.

Lara Saguisag: Mga Alaala ni A

Isasara ni Lara Saguisag ang tribute na ito para kay Astrid. Si Lara ay nasa US at nagtatapos ng graduate studies sa panitikang pambata.

Ako din, Bayong ng Kuting.

Metaphor for Astrid? Hmm. Pwedeng description na lang? I know that we tend to idealize some people as "child-like," as living their life full of wondrous innocence, vigor, imagination, openness, fearlessness. But I saw all of these qualities in Astrid. Di ko sya masyadong nakilala. Ang taray ko kasi, medyo aloof ako sa mga "newbies." Pero Astrid tolerated my katarayan! Kahit na nagsusungit-sungitan ako, Astrid remained friendly and sincerely interested about my life and ideas.

Astrid is (was :-( ) so full of heart. I think she can be easily dismissed as makulit. Pero actually, I envied her for her "kakulitan" -- she was so inquisitive and persistent. Talagang determined sya to live life.

Agay Llanera-Reyes, Dang Bagas at Liwa Malabed: Mga Alaala ni A

Si Agay Llanera-Reyes, Dang Bagas at Liwa Malabed ay mga ka-kaladkarin ni Astrid sa mga lakad, gimik, "adventures", at kung ano-ano pa ay may mga senti at nakakatuwang Astrid moments.

Ang kay Agay --
a. Favorite ko yung essay niya na binasa ko sa eulogy niya. Kasi mailap si astrid pag nagkukuwento tungkol sa karamdaman niya. So through that essay, mas naintindihan ko siya. and to think i only got to read after she passed away. I'll never forget the last phrase "like wings unfurling."

b. Si Astrid ay isang energizer bunny. She just keeps going and going and going. n'ung una, napapagod ako sa boundless energy niya pero later on, natutunan ko na 'tong sakyan, and even be inspired by it.

c.Siguro yung 30th birthday party niya wherein she wore a low- cut red dress. Oh wow! May cleavage pala si Astrid! Con todo make up, strappy red sandals with heels, and kikay bag. She looked radiant that night. And extremely giddy and happy and beautiful.

Ang kay Liwa --
a. Ano ang paborito ninyong kwento ni Astrid? At bakit?

Nagustuhan ko ang Flares and Remissions at Bayong ng Kuting. pinapakita ng dalawang likha ang two sides ni astrid. ang pagiging kitikiti, masayahin at makulay na alam ng lahat. at ang pagiging matapang sa harap ng kanyang karamdaman. pero kahit kailan, di niya ito trinato na balakid. dahil si A ay miss the-glass-is-half-full at palaging positibo.

b. Bigyan mo siya ng metapora bilang manunulat, halimbawa, si astrid ay isang bumubulusok na kometa

Si astrid bilang manunulat ay isang paruparo. parang effortless sa kanya ang lumipad! pero alam ko, pinaghihirapan din niya ang bawat salita. at katulad ng paruparu, ay dumaan muna sa paghuhunos.

d. Ano ang ala-ala ni astrid na habang buhay mong dadalhin?

Naging malapit kami ni astrid noong panahong nangangapa ako at nagsisimula muli. di ko makalimutan na sinalo nya ako at nasa tabi ko siya kahit di namin pinag-uusapan (dahil noong una, ayaw kong pag-usapan). pero noong ready na ako, nagulat ako na maging siya, may pinagdadaanan din. at parang yin yang ang problema namin! Di ko rin makalimutan na nakatagpo ako ng katapat--mas makati pa ang paa ni astrid! kaladkarin naman ako kaya kung saan saan kami nakakarating. huling plano ay dapitan, kasi nasundan na niya sa europa ang trail ni rizal pero di pa niya nakikita ang dapitan. kaya pumunta ako sa dapitan (kakarating ko lang) at kasama ko ang alaala niya.

Ang kay Dang --
A. Ang paborito kong kuwento ni Astrid ay ang Flares and Remissions. Doon ko kasi mas nakilala si Astrid, kung ano ang totoong nasa loob niya, 'yung nararamdaman na hindi niya ipinapakita, 'yung tapang at lakas ng loob sa kabila ng karamdaman niya.

B. Metapora bilang manunulat? Naalala n'yo 'yung commercial ng energizer battery, 'yung rabbit. Sa'kin, 'yun si Astrid. Go ng go ng go ng go.

C. Ang nakatatak na sa isipan ko na ala-ala ni Astrid ay isang imahe. Doon sa dati kong apartment na naging tambayan niya minsan, may banig kami sa sahig malapit sa pinto. Naaalala ko siyang nakaupo doon, nakatanaw sa labas. Hindi niya napansin na nakatingin ako sa kanya. Pensive siya noon, malalim ang iniisip na hindi ko alam, may bahagyang lungkot sa mukha. 'Yun 'yung isa sa mga sandaling kung puwede ko lang balikan, babalikan ko at tatanungin ko siya, ano ang iniisip mo? Ano ang magagawa ko? Ano ang maitutulong ko? O kahit man lang sana tinabihan ko siya doon ng upo at sabay kaming mag-isip at magmuni-muni kung anuman 'yun.

Haha. Naalala ko lang na 'yung isang housemate ko, ginalaw ang sala namin, pinaikot-ikot ang puwesto ng mga gamit. Binalik ko lahat ulit sa dati dahil sabi ko doon ang puwesto ni Astrid, di puwedeng galawin.

Filipino Friday: The Pinoy Book Reader

August 26 - How hard or easy is it to be a book lover in the Philippines? What are some of your frustrations as a Filipino reader (e.g. availability of books)? What are positive aspects of being a reader based in the Philippines (e.g. book prices are lower here than they are abroad)?

As far as my experience goes, access and availability of books has always been easy for me because I work in a library and I have good connections in the publishing industry. The nature of my work has allowed me easier access to books I want to read in print and online formats.

What I am frustrated about is the divide that exist between those who have access to and those who do not have access to books and reading materials. It seems, in this day and age, despite the advances in technology, reading and materials are available only to those who can afford it. Perhaps, it is time, with the ReaderCon marching around the corner, to consider translating a hobby into an advocacy.

I love books and reading so much that I would like to share this love to others. And this love stretches outside my family home and the reading communities I belong to. By actively participating in projects that foster the love of reading and the establishment of school libraries and literacy centers, my frustration turns to satisfaction. A Pinoy Book Reader can make a bit of a difference.

Heidi Eusebio Abad: Mga Alala ni A

Astrid was a student of Heidi Eusebio Abad at the UP Diliman in both graduate and bachelor courses in writing and literature. Naging miyembro ng KUTING si Astrid at si Heidi. Nagkitang muli ang guro at mag-aaral bilang manunulat ng panitikang pambata.

Narito ang mga alaala ni Heidi kay Astrid --

a. Ang paborito kong kuwento ni Astrid ay ang Bayong ng Kuting dahil nabasa ko siya mula nung first draft (na pina-workshop niya sa KUTING GA sa PediaHouse) hanggang sa lumabas ito bilang maganda at makulay na libro.

b. Si Astrid ay isang meteor shower. Now you see her; now you don't. But when you see her, be ready to be bombarded with a shower of dreams, plans, and adventures. Yun nga lang...(sadly) gone too soon.

c. Hindi ko malilimutan ang life-challenge sa akin ni Astrid...na maka-sakay sa LRT/MRT mula puno't dulo (na kasama siya).

Lalaine Aquino: Mga Alaala ni A

Matipid si Lalaine Aquino sa pagsagot ng tatlong tanong. Pero, swak na swak! Less is more, ika nga.

a. Ano ang paborito ninyong kwento ni Astrid? At bakit?
b. Bigyan mo siya ng metapora bilang manunulat, halimbawa, si astrid ay isang bumubulusok na kometa :-)
d. Ano ang ala-ala ni astrid na habang buhay mong dadalhin?

1. Bayong ng kuting--isang simpleng kwento ng pagkalinga sa hayop
2. Si Sstrid ay isang makulay na bulaklak na ang pamumukadkad ay nagsilbing magandang inspirasyon para sa ibang manunulat.
3. Ang walang katulad niyang ngiti at ang "go!go!go!" attitude niya sa buhay.

Kinchay Villafranca: Mga Alaala ni A

Narito naman ang mga kasagutan ni Kinchay Villafranca sa mga tanong na --

a. Ano ang paborito ninyong kwento ni Astrid? At bakit?
b. Bigyan mo siya ng metapora bilang manunulat, halimbawa, si astrid ay isang bumubulusok na kometa :-)
d. Ano ang ala-ala ni astrid na habang buhay mong dadalhin?

a. Bukod sa Bayong ng Kuting, gusto ko rin ang My Forest Friends ni Astrid. Nakita ko kasi kung gaano sya kasipag sa paggawa ng project. Kasa-kasama nya ako noon sa pakikipag-miting sa Haribon at may isang Linggo na ginalugad namin ang Philcoa at Shopping Center para sa maglilinis ng illustrations (pag-alis ng pencil marks sa illustrations). Tapos kina-Lunesan, noong nagkita kami, ibinibida na nya na marunong na raw syang gumamit ng eraser function ng Photoshop. Sya na lang ang naglinis ng illustrations. Ganyan kasi si Astrid, kung di nya alam ang isang bagay, gagawa at gagawa sya ng paraan para malaman at matutunan nya ito.

b. Madalas din naming pagkuwentuhan ni Astrid ang pagme-mentor nya sa mga batang reporters every Saturday. Para syang mother hen sa pag-aalala sa kanila – ok ba mga grades nila at oras ng pag-uwi nila, especially kapag galing sa shoot.

c. Hindi ko makakalimutan noong tumambay kami nila Bong Oris at Astrid sa Petron, dyan sa Katipunan. Yun kasing couple (both students and wearing their school uniform!) sa katabing mesa ay may ginagawa ng milagro. Ayun, lumabas ang pagka-manang ni Astrid (at syempre kami na rin ni Bong).

Augie Rivera: Mga Alaala ni A

May tatlo akong katanungan para sa mga napili kong guest blogger sa tribute kay Astrid.

a. Ano ang paborito ninyong kwento ni Astrid? At bakit?
b. Bigyan mo siya ng metapora bilang manunulat, halimbawa, si astrid ay isang bumubulusok na kometa :-)
d. Ano ang ala-ala ni astrid na habang buhay mong dadalhin?

Sinagot ito ni Augie Rivera sa pamamagitan ng isang link sa kanyang Multiply site. Narito ang kanyang eulogy para kay Astrid na maituturing na sagot sa mga tanong na nasa taas.

Pero hindi napigilan ni Manong Augie na magbahagi pa ng mas maraming detalye. Heto pa ang kanyang mga alaala ni A.

Gustong-gusto ko rin ang 'Bayong ng Kuting', at yung essay niya na binasa ni Agay Llanera (KUTING) nung eulogy night. Ginamit ko pa nga sa eulogy na sinulat ko sa itaas.

Siguro, si Astrid ay tulad din nung ama sa story, na naglakad-lakad at nagpunta kung saan-saan para ipaampon ang mga kuting. Si Astrid, nag-iwan at nagpaampon din sa mga kaibigan ng kaniyang mabubuting alaala, na tila mumunting kuting ngayon na ating inaalagaan.

Noong July 2009, barely a month bago siya namatay, nakasama namin siya ni Mike sa binyag ni Maia, bunsong anak ni Nono Pardalis (ANINO at KUTING). Pauwi from Calamba, nangungulit siyang kumain kami ng crabs for dinner. Buti na lang pinagbigyan namin siya ni Mike at nagfoodtrip kami sa Dampa sa likod ng Metrowalk. Yun na ang pinakahuli naming pagkikita. Pero lagi kaming magkachika sa Yahoo messenger, at hihiramin pa nga sana niya ang libro kong 'Man on Wire.' Wala akong kamalay-malay na noong linggong yun ay itatakbo na pala siya sa ospital at papanaw makalipas ang ilang araw.

Inaasahan kong magpaparamdam si Astrid, kahit sa panaginip.

Mga Alaala ni A

Agosto ng pumanaw si Astrid.

Ang huli naming pagkikita ay 6 Agosto, 2009. Nasa Vibal Foundation pa ako noon bilang library consultant at siya naman ay nabigyan ng isang proyekto na makapagsulat ng isang aklat pambata. Nagkasalo pa kami ng tanghalian kasama si Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, Rhandee Garlitos at mga taga Vibal Foundation nung araw na iyun. Natatandaan ko na kaunti lang ang kinain ni Astrid. Napansin ko rin ang pamamaga ng mga pisngi ni Astrid pero hindi ko inisip na malubha na siyang may sakit. Hindi kase siya madaingin. Hindi siya maarte. Hindi siya emo. Hindi siya madaling sumuko sa mga pagsubok.

Nung tumawag sa akin si Mona Dy, kaibigan kong matalik at bagong kaibigan pa lang ni Astrid noon, sinabihan niya akong dalawin sa ospital si Astrid. Sabi ko, "Nasa Samar ako at may teacher training, Mona. Pagdating na pagdating ko sa Manila, dadalawin ko si Astrid." Biernes yun. Sabado ng umaga, 23 ng Agosto, nakuha ko na lang ang text ni Mike at Augie Rivera na pumanaw na si Astrid. Nagpa-excuse muna ako sa training ng ilang saglit sapagkat hindi ko mapigilang lumuha. Ang dami kong mga pinalagpas na imbitasyon ni Astrid. Ang dami naming projects na pinag-usapan subalit hindi nasimulan. Ang daming pagkakataon na nakita ako ni Astrid na mahina, subalit naroon siya upang magbigay ng tulong at payo sa akin.

Tatlong taon na siyang lumisan sa mundong ito at palagi ko pa rin siyang iniisip. Pinayuhan ako ng aking mister na ipagdasal at ipaubaya na sa Dios si Astrid. Kung tutuusin nga naman, namamahinga na si Astrid. Hangang sa huling sandali, tinuruan ako ni Astrid. Seize the day! Go! Go! Go!

Astrid, sa mga susunod na araw, kaming mga kaibigan mo sa KUTING ay magbibigay pugay sa iyong naging kontribusyon sa panitikang pambata. Sa aking blog, iisa-isahin namin ang mga masasayang alaalang ibinigay at ibinahagi mo sa amin. May mga piling taga Kuwentista ng mga Tsikiting (KUTING) ang nagbigay ng kanilang maikli, subalit matamis na tribute para sa iyo.

Sana mag-enjoy ka!

Webify Me: The Librarian's Desk

Webify Me is a web collage that shows you web personality. I named this The Librarian's Desk. Here's the link if you want to create your own.

The 39th Annual Children’s Literature Association Conference

This one came in from Lara Saguisag via Facebook --

Call for Papers:
Philippine Children’s Literature

39th Annual Children’s Literature Association Conference
Simmons College, Boston, Massachusetts
June 14-16, 2012

The International Committee of the Children’s Literature Association is planning a special country focus panel on the Philippines, to be presented at the 39th Children’s Literature Association Conference, to be held at Simmons College, Boston, Massachusetts from June 14 to 16, 2012. The committee invites paper proposals that focus on any aspect of Philippine children’s literature. Papers may focus on the origins of and/or developments in Philippine children’s texts; issues of regionalism and nationalism; Philippine folklore as children’s texts; Philippine children’s literature in the diaspora; or the state of children’s literature studies in the Philippines. Preference will be given to proposals with the potential to inspire American and international scholars to develop active interest in Philippine children’s literature and to integrate it into their own research.

The authors of two papers selected for the panel to accompany a presentation by a Philippine Distinguished Scholar (invited by the committee) will be awarded a $500 travel grant each. Up to four other proposals may be selected as well, pending the approval of the additional panel by the conference paper selection committee. The papers must be presented in English and must not exceed the twenty-minute reading time. The committee strongly encourages ChLA members and other scholars with an interest in Philippine children’s literature to submit paper proposals for the session. Send 500-word abstracts accompanied by up to 250-word bios to the International Committee, Children’s Literature Association, P.O. Box 138, Battle Creek, MI 49016-0138, USA; fax +269-965-3568; or electronically to info@childlitassn.org . The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2011.

Filipino Friday: Reading as a Hobby

August 19 - How did you become a reader? What factors influenced you to take up reading as a hobby and why do you enjoy it so much?

I became a reader because my grandmother told me stories. I became a reader because my mother read to me. Books and writing materials were always available at home. We were not rich, but my parents made it sure that I grew up reading. Thanks to the reading genes as well! My parents and teachers didn't have a difficult time teaching me how to read and making me love it.

In my case, when it comes to reading, nature agreed to my parents' desire to nurture a reader for life.

Peers were also a great influence in my reading habits. In grade school, I remember a classmate who was so fond of dinosaurs I showed her the dino books my mom borrowed for me in the library where she worked. By sixth grade, I was using references and non-fiction books for my projects and assignments courtesy of mom's library. It was at that time when I met Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys. To my surprise, a boy in class is a Hardy Boys fan as well! These books were the only books I borrow from our school library. In high school, more reading friends surfaced and we had mini-book talk sessions during recess and lunch. It was such a great joy to have friends whom I could share insights and feelings on books I have read. At that time, there were no blogs so I had to wait for days to connect and communicate with friends who read.

Now, as an adult, I keep in close proximity reader friends and a reading community. I also try my best to pass on to my children this love and culture for reading. I think I am successful with my daughter. My son, who is fourteen is turning out to be a challenge. I will blog on this next time since teenagers these days have different reading styles and varying tastes!

At the start of the year, a dear friend gave me a gift. She gave me a copy of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It's my favorite read so far for 2011.

2012 PBBY Salanga Prize Call for Entries

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) is now accepting entries for the 2012 PBBY-Salanga Prize. The contest is co-sponsored by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and The National Library of the Philippines (NLP). The winner shall receive Twenty-Five Thousand Pesos and a medal. Prizes will be awarded in an appropriate ceremony to be held during the celebration of National Children’s Book Day in July 2012.
CONTEST RULES

The contest is open to all Filipino citizens except those who are related to any PBBY member up to the third degree of consanguinity.

Stories should be intended for children aged 6 to 12 years old. The plot and the sequence must be capable of sustaining an illustrated book of 28 to 32 pages.

Entries may be in Filipino or English.

Entries must be in hard copy, double-spaced, on short bond paper. Maximum length is five (5) pages.

A contestant may send in more than one (1) entry.

Each entry must be signed by a pen name only. Five (5) copies of each entry should be placed in an envelope, on the face of which only the pen name of the contestant should appear.

Together with each entry, contestants must submit a second envelope, on the face of which the pen name shall appear. This must contain the contestant’s full name, address, contact numbers, a short literary background, and a notarized certification from the author, vouching for the originality of the entry and for the freedom of the organizers from any liability arising from the infringement of copyright in case of publication, and affirming that the entry or any variant thereof has (a) never been published nor (b) won any other contest i.e. that it has never won 1st, 2nd, 3rd, honorable mention in any other contest or otherwise been awarded a medal, a citation, or included in a publicized list of meritorious entries to a literary contest.

All entries must be sent through snail mail to the PBBY Secretariat, c/o Adarna House, Inc., Scout Torillo cor. Scout Fernandez Sts., Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City.

All entries must be received by the PBBY Secretariat no later than 5:00 p.m., November 11, 2011.

Winners will be announced no later than December 16, 2011. Non-winning entries will be disposed of by the PBBY Secretariat.

The winning story will be the basis for the 2012 PBBY-Alcala Prize. For more details, interested parties may contact the Philippine Board on Books for Young People, at 3526765 local 203 or email pbby[at]adarna.com.ph.

The Lib Code

The Lib Code [2011] from UP LISSA on Vimeo.

Filipino Friday Meme Topics

So that I will always remember.

The topics are:

August 12 - Introduction. Tell us everything that we need to know about you as a Filipino reader. You can talk about the genres that you read, your favorite authors, your comfort reads and your best books of 2011. You can also include links of where other readers can find you online: blog, Twitter, Goodreads, Shelfari, etc.

August 19 - How did you become a reader? What factors influenced you to take up reading as a hobby and why do you enjoy it so much?

August 26 - How hard or easy is it to be a book lover in the Philippines? What are some of your frustrations as a Filipino reader (e.g. availability of books)? What are positive aspects of being a reader based in the Philippines (e.g. book prices are lower here than they are abroad)?

September 2 - Do you read Filipino literature? If yes, what are some books by Filipino authors that you can recommend to fellow readers?

September 9 - What do you hope will happen in the Filipino ReaderCon? What are you expecting from the event?

Visit the website. Click the link!

The Hunger Games Movie

Filipino Friday

Filipino Book Bloggers unite! See them wield power and influence at the 32nd Manila International Book Fair via the First Filipino Reader Conference. Here are details of the event from the blog -

Filipino Readers Make It Social!
The 1st Filipino Reader Conference
When: September 14, 2011, Wednesday, 1-6 PM (during MIBF)
Where: SMX Mall of Asia, Meeting Room 2

Objectives:
1. to provide support, instruction, and social time for book club members and book bloggers
2. to celebrate readers and reading in the Philippines
3. to promote a closer connection between readers and writers and/or publishers

Carloe Javier is the keynote speaker. Pinoy Book Bloggers (PBB) like Tarie Sabido and Charles Tan, to mention a few, are panelists.

In line with the event, the PBB's are creating noise in the blogosphere by memes, blogs and social media, of course. To start off, there's Filipino Friday where in book bloggers blog about the topic of the week. Officially, Filipino Friday is a weekly meme used by Filipino Book Bloggers to discuss more about book they read, the events and happenings that affect the world of literature. For now, as a part of an upcoming event, we are using this meme to promote the upcoming The Filipino Reader Convention on September 14 and to promote the Filipino Readers.

I'm not sure if I can go to the ReaderCon so I'll simply blog my reading habits and book choices along with the PBBs. Visit the Filipino Friday website for a list of meme topics till 14 September, 2011.

I was six years old when I read my name on the list of accepted applicants of grade one pupils. I knew then that I will be reading for life. It helped that my mother read to me as a child and that she brought home a lot of books for me to read. She did not buy them in bookstores. She borrowed them from the library. At the time, I considered it a privilege -- getting my books from the library. Ang yabang ko!

I was the only girl in class who knew Dr. Seuss and that there existed animals as big as buildings, as wide as mountains and as fierce as a pack of hyenas by the hundreds. I was friends with Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. I idolized Judy Blume and hated myself for not understanding Asimov's sci-fi world. I put down Bradburry in my teens to devour Sweet Valley High and the classic Newberry's. In college, I discovered Filipino writers and children's books by Filipino writers. There were so many things to know; so many things to see; so many things to experience from a book written and made by another human being who is just like me in so many ways.

Now, I know better. Having access to books and libraries is not a privilege but a right.

Now, I know better. Books, reading and libraries are a culture. It is not exclusive to one nation or elite groups of peoples.

Now, I know better. Reading is power. And those who can wield that power even has the greater responsibility to share it and empower others!

Till next Filipino Friday.

New Guidelines of the Bureau of Customs

On the importation of books, the Bureau of Customs has issued new guidelines for the duty and free tax importation of books. Here's an introductory paragraph from the website of the National Book Development Board (NBDB) --

The Bureau of Customs recently issued Customs Memorandum Order No. 25-2011 or the Guidelines for the Duty and Tax Free Importation of Books. The said memorandum contains guidelines on the coverage and operational provisions of the duty and tax free importation of books under Section 105 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines for uniformity in the treatment of book importations.

The full article can be read here. Copy of the Customs Memorandum Order No. 25-2011 is downloadable form the NBDB website.

The 32nd Manila International Book fair

The day the book fair comes to town. Website is here.

The 32nd Manila International Book Fair: Words Without Borders

Growing Wings: St. La Salle Preschool Lending Library

Last February, Carla Pacis set up a storytelling workshop for parents of St. La Salle Preschool. Thanks to Chichi Ferrer for allowing Carla and I to meet the parents of the school. Early June of this year, I got an email from Carla bearing good news from Chichi --

Just wanted to let you know that we have set up a lending library in the preschool out of the books that Zarah had donated. We placed a bookcase inside the school, so that the parents can look at the books. We are all excited about this and we are hoping that the parents will use it and read to their children at home. We are hoping to build on this lending library with the donated books from previous years that we don't really use as it is for elementary children. For now, we are starting with a small collection to see the parents' response to it.

Apparently, one of Chichi's former students in De La Salle University-Taft, Anna Bella Yu, got wind of the activity and scheduled a similar workshop for parents of Brgy. Corazon de Jesus, San Juan. Anna Bella is part of a non-government organization whose work involves child care and feeding program in the community. After some email exchanges, Carla and I were ate the barangay hall giving a talk to parents of the community. Anna Bella and her group has donated 300 books for the reading center of the barangay and our presence there that Saturday in July helped parents realize the importance of reading.

Parents shared their dreams and ambitions for their children. They talked about challenges that they face every day. They read the books and gave short, substantial book talks. Typical of every activity in the Philippines, it ended with merienda and "picture-picture".

We definitely look forward to news, good or otherwise, of this barangay's progress in creating a reading center and parents read to their children.

Rizal's Many Loves

Book Donation Project

I have registered in JustGiving for my Books for My Birthday project. Click the badge below to see what JustGiving is all about.



This fundraising is for the school library project of Sambat Trust. The UK based charity's current project is the development of the Pantay Bata Elementary School library. As of writing, the library needs more books! So I'm pitching in a book donation effort.

There are two ways to help. One, you can donate old books and we can meet for pick up. I can also send a drop box address for this purpose. Two, go to my page in JustGiving and donate a few bucks. Your donation will go along way!

Why We Need The (Public) Library

Books for My Birthday

August is my birthday month. I'll be turning 37 on the 15th. To celebrate, I've decided to come up with a book donation project that will benefit Sambat Trust.

Sambat Trust is a charity based in the UK but establishes school libraries in Tanauan, Batangas. It also runs a scholarship program for grade school, high school and college students of the locality. It started in 2007 and so far, it has set up five libraries in the area.

Visit the website of Sambat Trust. I'll be posting procedures on how books can be donated beginning today until the end of the month.

Zoe's Booktalk: I Spy

My ten year old daughter, Zoe, recorded a video of one of her favorite book and talks (and walks) you through it! She did say one time that she wants to be a librarian in the future.



She's an ESL (English as a Second Language) learner. Her errors are music to my ears.

Mercado Rizal

Picture! Picture!

Author of the Month: Eugene Evasco Part 2

Bago pa humaba ang pasasalamat na ito, nais kong ibahagi ang pagkakasulat ng kuwentong "Rizaldy." Hinamon ako noon ng mga kasamang guro na sumulat ng kuwentong naiiba sa hulma ng Kanluran. Tunay, unibersal naman ang pagkabata. Lahat ng lipunan ay may kinikilalang yugto ng pagkabata, ngunit magkakaiba ang kultura't tradisyon upang kilalanin, ipagdiwang, at pausbungin ito. Ang hamon nila: Bakit hindi ako sumulat ng kuwento kaugnay sa pagmamahal sa bansa at pagpapahalaga sa pagka-Pilipino?

Produkto rin ang kuwentong Rizaldy ng halos isanlibong aklat pambata na nabasa ko noong taong 2010 upang muli’t muling makilala ang anyo ng kuwento para sa picture book. Proyekto ko ang pagbabasang ito pagkaraang mapanood ng "Julie & Julia" na may 500 recipe na kailangang matupad sa isang taon sa maliit niyang apartment. Buhat sa paglangoy sa karagatan ng mga aklat, naisip ko, paano maiiba ang isang kuwento na may tatak-Filipino?

Paano ako makatutulong upang maiipakilala ang isang bayani? Halimbawa ay ang kaso ng aking pamangkin. Sa mura niyang gulang, kaybilis niyang makilala ang mga mascot at logo ng fastfood. Mula sa malayo, alam na niyang tukuyin ang pulang higanteng bubuyog, ang tila-masayahing payasong naka-dilaw at pula, at ang batang babaeng naka-pigtail ang pulang buhok. Kung lilikha ako ng eksperimento sa mga bata, at ipapakita’t ipapakilala ang mga larawan ng mascot, bayani ng bansa, at mga popular na tauhan sa panitikan, hindi na ako magugulantang sa magiging resulta.


Ito ang agenda ko sa pagsulat noon pa man—ang ipakilala ang mga bayani ng epiko, mito, alamat, at ngayon: ang pambansang bayani ng bansa.

Likas na sa mga Pilipino ang maglaan ng tatak at kuwento sa pangalan. Tulad ko, ipinangalan sa chess grandmaster na si Eugene Torre. Ilang kakilala kong bata noon, may pangalang John Paul sa pagbisita ng Santo Papa sa bansa noong 1981. Ang mga kaibigan kong guro’t anak ng manunulat ay may malilikhaing pangalan: Haraya, Mithi, Patnubay, Tala, Alon, Laya, Tagumpay, Daniw, Daan, Sanyata, Sining. Ang mga pinsan ko'y nagkaroon ng kakaibang pangalan dahil sa pagsasama ng pangalan ng kanyang magulang.

Ngunit ang pinakainspirasyon sa kuwento ay ang aking kaklase sa kolehiyo na may pangalang Rizaldy. Kakaibang pangalan. Binusisi namin namin ang kasaysayan nito at napag-alamang ipinanganak siya sa Dec. 30, Rizal Day. Sa aking pananaliksik, nalaman kong marami pa siyang kapangala: isang artista (Jose Rizaldy Zshornack), basketball player, manunulat, guro, at ayoko sa sanang banggitin ang kontrobersiyal na gobernador sa Maguindanao. Isang search sa facebook: maraming lilitaw na Rizaldy, mga Pilipinong ikinabit ang pangalan kay Jose Rizal, ang dahilan kung bakit tayo magkakasama ngayong umaga.

Sa pagtatapos, mag-iiwan sana ng isang hamon. Tulad ni Rizaldy, nawa'y ikarangal natin hindi lamang ang pangalan na ibinigay sa atin ng ating mga magulang o ang pangalan na nais nating ipamana sa magiging anak. Higit pa rito, sana'y ikarangal natin ang pagkabayani ni Rizal, ang giting ng ating mga ninuno, ang identidad ng ating bansa, at ang ating lahi bilang Pilipino.

Maraming salamat at maligayang araw ng mga aklat pambata!

Rizal and the 2011 NCBD

And so the 2011 National Children's Book Day came to pass. Every year, it brings forth new insights and old delights. Listening to Prof. Ambeth R. Ocampo last Tuesday, 19 July 2011 at the UST Museum affirmed what a friend told me so many years ago. This country needs historians who tell stories.

Prof. Ocampo prepared an impressive keynote, a lecture really, on Rizal. Indeed, he has spent a great investment studying about Rizal. His keynote-lecture is the longest in PBBY-NCBD history I have heard yet. Here are some of the insights I gathered from his keynote-lecture --

a. Rizal read and translated stories, folktales really, for his family especially his nephews and nieces. He did not create new stories for them but translated five folktales from the collection of Hans Christian Andersen. I could only remember three of the five titles Prof. Ocampo mentioned: The Little Match Girl; The Fir Tree; and The Ugly Duckling. Rizal also translated William Tell on top of these. It is obvious that his choice of stories reflect the values he wanted his family and country men to know and live out. This prompted me to think about the themes of the stories I choose and tell for my children, friends, family and community members.

b. Rizal was a teacher and he dreamed of setting up a school in Dapitan. He was a hopeful man, keeping in mind his vision despite the imminent possibility of execution.

c. Rizal believed in fraternities and initiations as a test of mental stamina and strength of character. In Dapitan, Rizal conducted classes for youngsters. He would walk a new student through the forest, leave him there and have the older students spook the newbie. The later would run back to safety only to discover a welcome party awaiting him.

There are still five more months to go till December 2011 and the whole nation will culminate Rizal's 150th birth year in a myriad of homages. I have ticked a number of Rizal events in my list. To mention a few, there's the Mercato Rizal of PBBY where everything Rizal related will be sold. This will open mid-August and I will post updates in the blog.

On the same day, Eugene Evasco and Yasmin Doctor were awarded the Salanga and Alacala respectively. Eighty new children's books were presented and launched. The UST was a gracious host and CCP provided good food. Friends from KUTING, Ang INK and Alitaptap came as well as comrades in literacy advocacy. The most surprising for me was to have met a former co-teacher and godmother of my eldest, Becky Santos-Gerodias, now a published author of LG and M Publishing House. Congrats, Teacher Becky!

Indeed it was an NCBD peppered with new insights and flavored with old delights. Until next year! Maligayang Araw ng Panitikang Pambata!

Author of the Month: Eugene Evasco Part 1

Eugene Evasco shares with us his "acceptance" speech for the Salanga Prize awarded to him last 19 July 2010 at the UST Museum during the 28th National Children's Book Day. Written in Filipino, Mr. Evasco emphasizes his motives and agenda in writing for children. This is his second Salanga Prize having won in 1998 for his story, Federico, a story about a boy with Down Syndrome.

Magandang umaga at pagbati sa ating lahat—sa mga ilustrador, tagapaglimbag, kapwa manunulat, guro, tagapagsalaysay.

Lubos akong nagagalak sa pagdiriwang at sa pagkilalang ito sa larangan ng aklat pambata. Nakagagalak dahil karangalan ang makatanggap ng premyo mula sa mga tunay na tagapagtaguyod ng panitikang pambata. Pagkaraan ng 14 na taon, muli na naman akong naparangalan ng Salanga Writer's Prize. Medyo matagal-tagal na paghihintay, pero isang kaiga-igayang paghihintay.

Kung totoong tao si Federico, ang karakter na may Down’s Syndrome sa kauna-unahan kong aklat, siya'y isa nang clerk sa post office, naghahardin, nagpipinta, volunteer sa pangangalaga ng ligaw na pusa't aso, at nagagalak sa pag-aaral ng internet. Sa palagay ko, magiging kaibigan niya si Rizaldy, isang batang nais kilalanin ang katukayong bayani at ang diwa ng pagkabansa.

Ngayong umaga, nais kong pasalamatan ang PBBY, na unang kumilala sa aking panulat. Ang pagkilala na nagsimula pa noong 1996 ang nagsilbing hudyat, pahiwatig, at motibasyon sa kung ano ang aking magiging karera pagkatapos ng kolehiyo. Ngayo'y nagtuturo na ako ng pagsusulat, nakapaglathala na ng mga aklat, kolektor at mag-aaral ng mga aklat pambata sa Pilipinas at ng daigdig.

Maraming salamat sa pagtukoy ng landas na aking tatahakin.

Nais ko ring pasalamatan ang mga tagapaglathala ng mga aklat pambata na bumubuhay sa mga tekstong aagapay sa pag-unlad ng kabataan. Ang pagdami ng mga publisher at ang pagbabagong-bihis ng aklat mula pa noong 1996 ay indikasyon sa makabuluhang pamumuhunan sa kabataan at sa pagbabasa.

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SLIA's Reply on Continuing Professional Education

Before I begin, I would like to thank Ms. Angelic Bautista for asking about activities, seminars and fora on school librarianship. Thanks to Dmarco for enumerating different ways in which school librarians can update their knowledge and upgrade their skills. Let me just add a few insights on this matter.

Dear Angelic -

While strategies towards continuing professional education are a plenty, and opportunities to grow professionally are in place, I deem it important that we practice a degree of reflection before, during and after attending professional growth activities.

We need to know skills and competencies that are strong and weak. It is necessary that we are aware of the learning and responses we have while attending and participating in a workshop, fora or seminar. Lastly, we should identify ways in which the theories learned and relearned from the professional activity could be put in practice. It does not end there. A constant assessment and evaluation of LIS skills and competencies applied to library work is essential. This would further help the librarian in developing and growing in the profession, thus, enriching the practice of LIS as well.

For example, a seminar on Information Literacy may prompt a school librarian to review and revise the existing library skills instruction program. In a given time frame, say one school year, the librarian conducts the review and revision project of the program and evaluates the process as well. Then, the librarian can move on to implementation and yes, evaluate again. The product of the evaluation should be documented and thus, the record and documents can be used for future projects and for posterity.

The long and short of it, continuing professional education is a scholarly endeavor. It is not a mere social gathering where one can meet friends and get information on the surface.

Ms. Zarah

Information Literacy Video

Web 2.0 and Cataloging Basics for Lib Hub Teacher Librarians

Last July 2, I gave a training for teachers and librarians assigned in the Library Hubs of the national capitol region. The training consisted of Web 2.0 technology for school libraries and Cataloging Basics for non-librarians. As expected, the morning began with the usual politics, songs and dances. The pride of Commonwealth Elementary School, grade school children who are members of the dance troupe, were fantastic in their rendition of traditional folk dances. The principal of the school, Dr. Modelo, welcomed the participants of the training session.

Despite the technological problems -- WIFI and Internet connection -- I survived the morning session, giving a lecture the traditional way. We resorted to moving to another venue for better WIFI and Internet connection. Thanks to the school principal for extending himself and making sure that the staff helped in making us all comfortable.

The afternoon session assaulted us with humidity and a down pour. But we were all smiles as we went through the process of basic cataloging. Classification and Cataloging is a two course offering in library school. I had to compress basic theories and procedures for a training session of three hours with workshop. I focused on principles and process of cataloging using the Dewey Decimal System as classification scheme.

The workshop that followed was a no-sweat, no-brainer classification and cataloging session. The participants worked on basic bibliographic entries with subject assignments for each book. Thanks to Adarna House for making this workshop possible! Ms. Genia Santos, Regional Director of Library Hub - NCR, has been very cooperative showing commitment to the goals of the library hub project. Here's hoping that, in the future, more functional library hubs will be set up.

The 28th National Children's Book Day