Adrian Panadero, Alcala Prize Winner 2019

This year’s Alcala Prize winner, Adrian Panadero, graciously agreed for an interview. It was a pleasure to have met him last week at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. He was awarded a medal and cash prize while his mother beams with pride in the audience.

Read on and know more about his works, style and approach in illustrating for books for kids.

1. How did you approach illustrating A Delicate Strength?

This is interesting because when I was illustrating A Delicate Strength, there was a question that loomed at the back of my head. Should I stay true to Mrs. Dans’ realist style or should I make it more fantastical or whimsical? In the end, I brought my approach back to the story’s title. I wanted my illustrations to have a very graceful, delicate, and whimsical quality, yet still look grounded in realism. It’s a big theme throughout the story - finding beauty and strength in delicate, sometimes mundane objects - so I really wanted it to show in the illustrations. 

Also, I was a fan of Mrs. Dans’ work. Many people say that my illustrations can be very mabusisi or detailed. That’s also something that I wanted to show, so I added the callados Mrs. Dans is famous for. Actually, a part of why I chose to enter this year was that I just really wanted to illustrate callados. Hehe. 

2. What is your advice to kids who are thinking of pursuing a career in the arts?

I’d like to tell them to not be afraid of making mistakes and letting their minds and hands wander. Nobody starts out perfect. Don’t be discouraged when you end up making something you’re not proud of. Be excited about it! Because that’s when self-improvement and discovery comes. I feel like with social media, it’s very easy to compare your work with others. However, you’re the only one who can do you, so focus on your craft and enjoy creating. 

Panadero at the National Children’s Book Day awarding ceremonies in CCP last July 16, 2019.

3. What are your top 5 children’s books and why?

1. Alamat ng Ampalaya - This was my first vivid memory of a Filipino children’s book, so this book occupies a special place in my heart. To be honest, I didn’t have a lot of Filipino children’s books growing up - many of the books on my list, I discovered while lingering in bookstores. However, for this book, I remember being so fascinated with the Ampalaya wearing the colourful costume it made by stealing from the other vegetables. 
2. Isang Harding Papel - I love how this book tells the story of Martial Law in a very personal, intimate, and even heart-wrenching way. The storytelling device of the paper flowers was so beautiful.
3. And Ambisyosong Istetoskop - I love how the story of Jose Rizal is told endearingly through this book. I also love how the book ends, with the stethoscope being proud that it’s displayed in a museum honouring its owner. 
4. What Kids Should Know About Filipino Food - As a kid, I was into encyclopedic books which would share facts on different topics accompanied with varied illustrations. This book reminds me of an encyclopedia, only that it focuses on food, is more engaging, and with adorable and vivid illustrations. 
5. Alice in Wonderland - Pop-up Book by Robert Sabuda - I am into paper engineering, so I just have to mention this book. It’s a retelling of the fairy tale brought to life by amazing pop-ups by master paper engineer Robert Sabuda. I find myself being speechless whenever I get to open this book. 

4. Apart from finishing the illustrations for A Delicate Strength, what other art projects are you busy with and would need support and promotion?

I have 1 book out entitled Intramuros: The Walled City, a cut and build book which readers can take apart to build a paper model of Intramuros. I’m currently working on the follow-up to this book, so hopefully we get to release it next year. 

Other than that, I am a graphic designer by profession. I work at a branding studio called And  A Half. We work on different brands ranging from restaurants to real estate, skin clinics to schools. We’re looking into working on higher impact projects for audiences that need it most, so if anyone knows of a cause which thinks would need help design wise, they can send us a message at collaborate@and-a-half.ph :)

PPT: Reading is...

Interview: A Database of Philippine Children’s Literature (1 of 2)

I received a request from a student for an interview on children’s literature in the country and the need for a database that content creators, teachers, librarians and parents can use. Ms. Bella Abuel is an AB Arts Management student at the De La Salle College of St. Benilde. Here is part one.

1. Why are you in this field? What led you to work with children’s picture books/children’s illustration?

As a school librarian, it is part of my job to know the history, trends and developments in children’s literature.

2. What is your experience working in this field?

As a school librarian, I am at the distribution, promotion, documentation and communication of children’s books and literature for children. I work with kids and teens, helping them in research, delivering readers advisory and reading guidance, assisting teachers in their use of varied learning materials for learners.

I was once president of a writing group for kids. I am a published children’s book author so I have worked with various illustrators and publishers. As past PBBY president and now, board member, I have been involved in projects that fill gaps in children’s literature in the country. These roles enable me to work with key people and groups of professionals in the children’s book industry in the country.

As an academic researcher, I have written articles, papers and research on children’s literature,  its distribution, study, critique and teaching.

3. Why do you think children’s picture books are important? (or developments for children’s literature?)  Do you think children’s picture books can help with children’s cognitive skills, emotional literacy, etc.?

Please visit this link to read essays  of writers, illustrators, teachers and librarians, literacy advocates of picture books:  https://picturebookmonth.com/

4. Do you know anything about the history of children’s picture books in the Philippines?

Good references on the history of PH Kids Lit are, Bumasa at Lumaya: A Spurce Book of PH Kids Lit Vols. 1 and 2, published by Anvil Publishing. And, the new CCP Encyclopedia has a good chapter on PH Kids Lit written by Mailin Paterno and Neni Sta. Romana Cruz. Virgilio Almario also written a critique of PH Kids Lit trends and production in 2009, published by Anvil.

Go find these books as the history and documentation of PH Kids Lit have been written already and continuously being updated.

5. Are you aware of any physical or online database related to children’s picture books/children literature?

There used to be the International Children’s Literature Database, but it has ceased. 

The Philippines needs a database on Children’s Literature and the reasons for it are plenty. Many will benefit from it, not just the content creators.

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Children's Book Summit: Prospects and Directions in Philippine Children's Literature (3 of 4)

Children's Book Summit: Prospects and Directions in Philippine Children's Literature (2 of 4)

Ang Top Ten Bonggang Ganap sa PH Kids Lit (2009 to present)

Prospects and Directions in Philippine Children’s Literature

Zarah C. Gagatiga, Teacher Librarian and Board Member PBBY

Children’s Book Summit 2019

To dream and to remember

So while we are here this afternoon, prospecting for mineral deposits in the Children’s Book industry, mapping places where potential customers or clients are still yet to be found, looking at possible investments where we can grow not just our products, but to develop platforms where the talents and skills of people are enhanced and strengthened too, it is good to keep in mind the purpose of creating, developing and distributing books for children.

Children’s literature is a genre by its audience, and its categories read very much like the categories of adult literature (Paterno, 2018) except for the picture book and the young adult (YA) novel. This is what makes it unique and special. National hero Jose Rizal wrote and translated folk stories for the purpose of sharing them to his nieces and nephews. These stories were his gifts to the young people in his family. First, he made the journals by hand. Then he wrote on them the stories, perhaps The Monkey and the Turtle, The Ugly Duckling and William Tell. These journals, that became books, were wrapped and sent to the Philippines from Europe. I can only imagine the reaction of Rizal’s nephews and nieces upon receipt of the packages. If I were to put myself in their place, I definitely will feel valued and loved.

What can we glean from this story? Rizal the writer wrote for himself. Rizal the writer intended to leave a legacy. Rizal hoped that with stories and books as gifts, young people will continue the act of creation. By coding, writing and illustrating, since Rizal drew as well, the stories have found a place where it can be kept for remembrance and for continuity. From this experience of Rizal, we can also see the process of creating a book and its distribution in its simplest form. I believe that this model and the principles behind it remain the same centuries later. However, what changes the game for content creators, distributors and consumers of books, information and literature are the advancements in technology. We create the technology and in turn, it shapes our thinking and changes our ways of knowing ourselves and the world. Information and communications technology has greatly opened up windows of opportunities for the avid reader, creators and distributors of children’s books.

Long ago, a book, once published will have shelf space in a bookstore or in a library. Today, that book has an electronic counterpart. There is a YouTube channel or a social media account by the author or the publisher where he or she could post additional content in another media format.   Young readers and their parents are exposed to a variety of learning materials. The different agencies where they can access them by mobile technology are a plenty. Accessibility to books, information and literature is made easier with the internet. Teaching and learning new literacy skills, as well as life skills, is needed more than ever. However, there are places where technological infrastructure is otherwise dependable. Besides, there are stories from the provinces and in the regions that we need to hear and know more about when we speak and discuss book development and literature for children. It is inevitable to reflect, take stock, make calculated risks, set priorities, examine criteria or the measurement of quality of our children’s books and challenge traditional publishing models and practices.

Library Creatives Workshop 2019: Creativity, Innovation, Reading and Bibliotherapy

My friend Erick Ramos has been working so hard on social media, promoting my workshop. To ease him up a bit, I sent him this description of the workshop.

For Friday, July 19, we will have a discussion on CREATIVITY and what informs INNOVATION. A workshop on tapping into one’s creative self will follow. There will be sharing of best practices on library innovations and presentation of models and samples. 

We will then move into understanding what Reading is and why it is akin to THINKING; how cognition and emotion factor in reading; and using this understanding in designing library readers services and programs for kids, teens and grown ups. 

And yes, we will have a bibliography session for librarians! 

I am excited to see you all!

Children's Book Summit: Prospects and Directions in Philippine Children's Literature (1 of 4)

Ang Top Ten Bonggang Ganap sa PH Kids Lit (2009 to present)

Prospects and Directions in Philippine Children’s Literature

Zarah C. Gagatiga, Teacher Librarian and Board Member PBBY

Children’s Book Summit 2019

Anong Ganap? Ang Bonnga!

For my talk this afternoon, I listed down ten bonggang ganap in Philippine children’s literature from 2009 to present. By children’s literature I included distribution of children’s books, readership and documentation in my presentation. I used the slang words Bongga and Ganap because I like using them. Bongga came about in the late 70s and the early 80s which means fancy, stylish, outlandish (in a good way) and extravagant. Ganap on the other hand is a recent invention coming around in 2017 pertaining to a happening, an occurrence that is truly eventful or a role and a performance of great relevance. There have been movements and developments in Philippine Children’s Literature in the past decade that are indeed relevant and fanciful, in a good way.

I based my selection of these top ten amazing, notable and worthy of reckoning events and developments in Philippine Children’s Literature from 2009 to present on my participation in projects organized by the PBBY with its partners; my professional practice as librarian; and by reading research and news, articles and essays on the state and status of children’s literature in the country. It is my hope that from this list, I could discuss implications, present facts, share inspiring stories and identify prospects and directions of the book industry, especially, children’s books.

Back in July 2016, I attended a summer workshop on Book History. It was organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) in partnership with the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP).  It was facilitated by Ramon Sunico, teacher, poet and wide eyed wanderer. The participants of the workshop were mainly content creators, book distributors and book lovers. Mr. Sunico set the tone of the workshop by laying down the very reason why we create books. We make them because we want to dream and we want to remember.

Freedom is Access to Information

The Freedom of Information Project Management Office (FOI PMO) conducted the first training and workshop session on the use of the Freedom of Information web portal. The workshop was attended by librarians from different sectors of private and public institutions and agencies. The FOI PMO organized the workshop in coordination with the Philippine Librarians Association Inc. thus, the big four library associations were present during the workshop last July 9, 2019 at the University of Santo Tomas (UST).

The Freedom of Information (FOI) web portal is now up and running. This means, every Filipino citizen who has an access to the internet can request for government publications, public documents and information for free. Requests can be done manually and electronically. There is a List of Exceptions to what can be requested and accessed and protocols for the requisition are in place.

Here is the URL - www.foi.gov.ph

There are pages and links to explore and read. Begin by setting up an account. A government ID is required when signing up. Go to the RESOURCES page of the FOI Program and scan the list of free downloads that discuss basic and general information about the FOI Executive Order and the FOI Program. Choose and read the FOI Briefer before making any request for documents. 

Because I was a participant in the workshop I am now an FOI Ambassador. I created an account already and my first stop was to download the briefer which I find useful for my learning community. 

PASLI Represents school librarians in the FOI Workshop for Librarians 

The 2019 Children’s Book Summit Program

Library as Culture: A genuine love for books and reading

There are wonderful conversations about books that has been going on in my social media neighborhood, especially in Facebook. One on-going conversation is happening over at a "secret" online book club whose members are mostly Titas of Manila who love to read. A friend invited me to join and, as I am always in search for good books, nice people and bookish events, I gave in. 

Here is the question that got me engaged. It is a recurring question in all book clubs I joined in.

What was the first book that ever made an impression on you?

My mother is a librarian. She borrowed books for me in the library where she worked back when I was young. She brought home Dr. Seuss; The Little Red Hen; dinosaur books and non-fiction books; graphic novels and YA. She did this until I was in high school but I knew and felt, I had to buy my own books and build my own library. I went to a small town Catholic school where the library’s stock of books is limited. So I learned to save up for books I want to buy for my own reading. Hello Book Sale! I basked in the freedom of deciding for my own reading pleasure. It was only later in life when I realized how important choice is in learning how to read. 

While I appreciate growing up with books, I give props to my lola who ran a sari-sari store. It was there where I discovered komiks! Aliwan. Funny Komiks. Wakasan. Filipino Komiks. And all the series of Pinoy horror and romance. She rented these komiks out to readers. I read them for free! Somewhere among those komiks, I read Gerry Alanguilan. Yep. Go ahead. You can carbon date me now. 😂

If I got asked this question a few years back, ten or fifteen years ago, I would have given a different answer. But now, I think, it is the people in my family who introduced me to books I am grateful for. That’s how I want to be, moving forward. I will continue bringing books and readers, and readers to books closer to each other. Naks!

Speaking of reading origins, here are links to previous blog posts. 

Reading as a Hobby

My Life as a Reader

With Friends Who Read and Love Books

World Read Aloud Day: Kids and Grown Ups Reading

Filipino Librarians Read

What about you? What was the first book that ever made an impression on you? What is your reading history? 

Biñanense News: Updates on the Biñan Public Library

A couple of years ago, I visited the Biñan Public Library and Museum. Click the link and read up on how it was and what it was back in 2015. Four years after, the library and museum has become an art, culture and tourism center in Laguna as recognized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Kudos to its librarian, Ms. Sheila Gilbuena Legaspi and Sir PJ Borja, Tourism Officer of Biñan for keeping the community involved in its growth and development. This goes to show that the local government unit of Biñan is in full support of the programs and activities of the library and museum.

In my meet up with Ms. Sheila, I learned that they have retained the Rogelio Limcaco museum and the trade and industry exhibit in its halls. As expected, of course. Seminars and workshops are programmed annually. One of the more successful yet is the Thesis Night where in senior high school and college students had the opportunity to consult experts in research writing. 

The Biñan Public Library is affiliated with the National Library of the Philippines. I have a library to visit in the coming days!

The 2019 Children's Book Summit

One on One Reading Aloud and Storytelling Workshop

I had a wonderful time sharing stories and swapping teaching adventures with Yvette Solina Salish at Nook in Molito. Yvette is a teacher in Erbil, Iraq. She teaches Math in Primary Years Program of the International Baccalaureate in the school. Home for vacation, she thought of taking stock on her teaching pedagogy. 

Big thanks to her sister, Bernadettte Solina Wolf who connected us. Our four hour session stretched to six hours. Almost the entire day, really. And thanks to the peeps in Nook as they warmly accommodated us with a whole day pass for our first visit. That’s good customer service!

This is my favorite nook in Nook. If you know me well, you know why. 😉

As this was my first tutorial for a reading aloud and storytelling workshop, I didn’t know how it woluld work. It did end well! 

 Yvette and I will definitely meet again, get in touch online and keep the learning connections active. She found the materials I used as enlightening and the input session valuable addition to her skill set in teaching primary students. She hopes to be more confident in reading aloud and telling stories to her students. In the end our session, I gave her these tips, baon, as I call it to bring with her back to Erbil.

On Messenger she sent me this message afew hours after our session. 

“Thanks too for teaching and inspiring me to read aloud and do storytelling! I’m amazed by how well you do it. I hope I can reach up to your level of ease in the future! I can’t wait to try all of your techniques! Take care and keep in touch! 😊🤗😘”

My reply to her was this:

“Go! You will grow into it. Start by investing on good books for kids. Develop your own selection criteria. Read the books aloud to your family. Plan your pre, during and post reading activities. Practice. Evaluate yourself. Listen to your students too. You will learn from them too!”

I am having a productive summer! 

Books. Technology. And, Design Thinking!

Since my summer began in early June, I have been to several round table discussions and meet-ups with friends in the education sector and in the book industry. Our topics of conversation range from reading, to books, the creation of information and knowledge, ways to communicate these resources to them and the behavior we apply as we consume them. I discovered and validated three things.

One, technology unceasingly advances in an unbridled manner. Information is continuously exploding. Flooding us in and out of our thinking process. We find ourselves swimming against the current. Well, except for the generation Z, who seem to adapt perfectly well in the ebb and flow of the tides of information. Then again, it seems that they could not go deeper into the heart of the ocean, where more nutritious information and amazing knowledge rest. The digital divide widens between generations, as well as the tech haves and have nots. You have the technology to fish, then you get them. Hook, line and sinker.

Already, there are talks of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. But, there I was talking to publisher friends at how diverse today's readers and users are and this diversity affect the choices of reading materials created and produced. Long ago, their model for book and knowledge distribution follows a linear path. Books go to bookstores, schools and libraries. With the web, wifi and the cloud, everything is out there like an eat-all-you can buffet.

That's number two. Librarians and publishers need to work together to offer reading materials that are programmed to help, assist, aid and inspire readers make informed choices. We also share the same sentiments in the creation and provision of access of books to our readers. A publisher friend is looking at strengthening their research and development unit to channel production and marketing to realistic gains. I am considering demand driven acquisition and one of the concerns I have is whether to subscribe to an ebook lending system. Like my publisher friend, I will turn to research to find answers.

So it never ends - thinking, and finding out solutions to problems. I need to go back and review the Design Thinking principles I learned from my Head of School back in 2014. Because, in Design Thinking, compassion, creativity and critical thinking all come into play when finding out solutions to problems.

Teacher on Center Stage: Arebella Soniega (2 of 2)

Here is part two of Teacher Ara’s interview. She talks about the literacy projects she initiated in DepEd Pangasinan. She also has advise for young and retiring coteachers.

3. What project are you working on right now and how can the teaching community help you?

 

​This school year, I would like to focus on the development of reading programs for early grades and for the intermediate to secondary level. For the K to 3, I have the Project BRIDGE – Beginning Reading Innovation to Bridge the Gaps in Education. In this project, I am looking forward for innovative teachers who can teach beginning reading appropriately and effectively through story reading and aims to have early graders to be readers in their own respective levels (the least). For the intermediate to highschool students (JHS), I am about to launch the Project BEATLES – Books Enhance Ability Towards Language Efficiency and Sustainability. which aims to strengthen the interest of students to read books and other printed materials. Some features of these programs will be the schools’ initiatives in holding book donations, organizing reading circles, conducting quiz bees, read-a-thon and reading camp. 

 

​Another project I am working on this school year is the development of budget of work, lesson exemplars or DLPs in Filipino for all grade levels.

 

4. What advise can you give to a new teacher who has seen the ups and downs of the DepEd system; and a senior teacher about to retire?

 

​I never thought I will become a teacher. I had other dream of becoming someone but not as a teacher but when I started my teaching career, especially in the public school, I can only be the best I can. I had experienced being humiliated when I was a classroom teacher. I was placed in a situation I didn’t expect to happen and I survived it, all by myself. After that incident, I gradually earned the respect of the highest officials in the community and eventually inspired me to work with commitment and dedication. 

 

​For a new teacher, one should not be overwhelmed with the bulk of works ahead. Rather than complaining and criticizing the lapses or gaps in the system, keep improving your craft and do your part as expected from you. Keep working and be competitive for future growth and possible promotion. Live within your means and manage your finances well to free yourself from financial loans. As a teacher in a public school, you should be ready and willing to give your time, effort and even money to meet the demands of your work. Since you have chosen to become a classroom teacher, might as well give yourbest in delivering your major task and do it with a big heart. If you don’t find happiness in teaching, then find a job where youcan be happy. Teaching is not just a job or a duty to perform, it is a vocation which requires dedication and a commitment. It is more of a calling or mission that has to be fulfilled wholeheartedly. Since you opted to be part of the DepEd family, then you should be supportive and ever-willing to implement its programs and projects.

 

​For a senior teacher about to retire, make sure that yousustain that good image you have projected all through the years of your services as a teacher until the last day of your teaching career. If you have been known as a great teacher, keep that image until you retire and you will be remembered that way all throughout your life. If you are known to be on the other side, make some transformations in the remaining years of your teaching career.

5. What are your top 3 recommended books for teachers?

 

​- The Secret Daily Teaching by Rhonda Byrne

​- The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

           - Self-Mastery by Eduardo A. Morato, Jr.

Teacher On Center Stage: Arabella Soniega (1 of 1)

I was in Pangasinan around mid-June to conduct a workshop for DepEd teachers in the K-3 level. I was invited by Teacher Ara Soniega who impressed me as one of the dedicated teachers DepEd has in its teaching force. Let us get to know more about her and the work she does with DepEd Pangasinan.

What is your teacher story, so far?

I have been working in DepEd since I passed the PBET 1986. I am a BSE graduate, major in Social Science and minor in Filipino, however, I spent my first 5 years as elementary classroom teacher in two private schools in NCR – 4 years at Mother Goose Playskool/ Gradeschool in Pasig and 1 year at St. Anthony Learning School in QC – an experience I truly treasured because it has prepared me a better teacher prior to my entry to public school. In 1992, I finally entered public school at Antonio P. Villar National High School, the only high school in a small municipality of Sto. Tomas, Pangasinan,  next to my hometown (Alcala)and handled Social Studies and Filipino. I was promoted to MT 1 in 1990 then shifted to HT 3 in 2005 and became an Education Program Supervisor in 2008.I was designated as OIC in a newly opened high school for almost 3 years, then OIC office of the District Supervisor in 2 different districts.

​

     At present, I am the Education Program Supervisor in-charge of Filipino, MTBMLE, Multigrade Program in Pangasinan Division II.

 

2. What has been the most rewarding experience you have as  a DepEd teacher and professional?

 

​As a classroom teacher, I consider my being a pre-school teacher (at St. Anthony Learning Center, QC) as the most challenging yet rewarding one because I learned how to become a beginning reading teacher which was far from my area of specialization. It was rewarding because at the end of the school year, my pupils became readers.

​ In addition to this,  I was actively involved in the K to 12 Curriculum since it started in 2011 – from the development of materials in MTBMLE to the mass training conducted from Grade 1 to Grade 12 - as a writer (MTBMLE and Grade 4 (Filipino) materials) and as a national trainer during the mass trainings conducted from Grade 1 to grade 6; a regional trainer in Filipino from Grade 7 to Grade 12.

​I also became a certified NEAP Facilitator after going through rigid screening and evaluation and facilitated series of trainings conducted for school administrators and supervisors in Region I.

​Being in DepEd for 27 years and still counting, a lot of opportunities came my way. I was actively involved in the different activities of the Central Office as regard to the programs assigned to me. These activities provided me the opportunity to experience working with different people at different places and more importantly, an opportunity to take part in worthwhile endeavors that benefitted not only the teachers and learners in my own division but nationwide, as well.

Part 2 of the blog feature will discuss the literacy projects Teacher Ara conducts for K-3 learners.

Book Review: Uprooted

Uprooted
Naomi Novik
Del Rey, 2015

A predictable beginning, a roller coaster ride in the middle and an ending that satisfied the romantic me.

The novel has several cliches but Naomi Novik is a fascinating storyteller who centers her characters at the heart of human suffering, desire and joy. Her wizards and witches are all too human, far from the wizened sages and mages of fantasy. They appear to be stereotypes and yet, their personalities, once matched and mixed in relevant events in the novel result in a wonderful, funny, scary and fascinating alchemy that shows the complexities of life.

For example, Ballo’s bookish approach to magic versus Alosha’s detachment to power is a mirror to humanity’s use of resources and technology and the many ways of dispensing them. Focus on the contents of a book and knowledge becomes rigid and stale. Power and ambition, among other things, corrupt so a personal indifference to both can save, not just life but the soul as well. Indeed, the tension of the opposites is a strong issue in the novel which is best depicted in Agnieszka and Sarkan’s relationship. Her magic is intuitive and organic while his is precise and logical. With chants, stories and songs, she wields her power with great effect. Sarkan, on the other hand is concise and practical like math. But together, their workings combined is a force that can shake the earth, make the oceans rise and move the stars from its firmament. Together, they are amazing despite their stark differences.

Uprooted isn’t great but it is alluring, charming and made me want to read Novik’s other stand alone novel, Spinning Silver.

Rating: 4 Bookmarks

PBBY in Baguio for the 2019 NCBD

The National Children's Book Day awarding ceremonies will be on July 16, 2019 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. On July 20, 2019, PBBY will be in Baguio for the PBBY-NCBD Workshops. For inquiries, send an email to ncbdph@gmail.com.





Friends in Baguio City, see you soon!

Adventures in PAASCU Accreditation

I was recently invited by Madame Sheila Dayrit, school director of St. Mary's Angels College Valenzuela (SMACV) to a meeting and a round table discussion on school library development. The context being that the school will soon be undergoing its first formal survey by the Philippine Association of Accredited Schools Colleges and Universities (PAASCU). As a candidate school, they are preparing for this accreditation visit with nervous excitement.

Memories of past PAASCU experiences come to mind. When I was a school librarian in Xavier School, I had three PAASCU experiences -- two visits as part of the library staff, and the last as the library coordinator so, that made me a member of the PAASCU Executive Committee.

Accreditation is a lot of work. A two day visit is 4-3 years of preparation. After a PAASCU visit by accreditors, one could only heave a sigh of relief. What makes the experience truly meaningful is the involvement of each member of the community. Personally, I appreciate being a PAASCU accreditor. I have so much to thank for.  Being involved in the process of accreditation is a learning experience. Both parties learn -- the accreditors and the school community being accredited. Even the PAASCU learns along the way. The organization is in constant reflection of its processes, systems and procedures. I have had the pleasure of sitting in several assemblies and round table discussions to revise and improve the self survey instrument for Library and AV/Media centers.

In 2009, PAASCU recognized my volunteer work as one of their accreditors for Library and AV/Media Center by giving me the Fr. James Meany SJ Award. I was no longer in Xavier School then, but the award affirmed my vocational calling and answered a question I have kept in my prayers for so long. 

There are people who see PAASCU accreditation as an exercise of compliance, a dog and pony show, and its result will lead the school to raise its tuition fees. I don't blame them. We all are human beings after all. But the fact that it is founded by a Jesuit priest (some will raise an eyebrow), traces of Ignatian charism permeates its system, process and ethos. It will take a while for the rest to figure this out.

For the meantime, I will speak my truth and I hold it lightly in my hands.

When Friends Recommend Books To Read

Because I was in a reading slump for months now, I posted a request for book recommendations over on Facebook and Twitter. Within minutes, friends sent their replies! Now I have enough titles to consider and acquire until the year ends.

I am sharing the titles I got from book lovers and readers in social media.

1.  Immaculate, Everything, Everything and Little Fires Everywhere
2.  Circe and The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
3.  Verity by Colleen Hoover
4.  Mary Russell Mysteries 
5. Sorcery and Cecilia
6. Stargirl 
7. Love, Stargirl.
8. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
9. Wonder by RJ Palacio
10. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver 
11. Becoming by Michelle Obama.
12. America is Not in the Heart by Elaine Castillo
13. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
14. The Last Unicorn
15. Insurrecto
16. Good Omens
17. American Gods
18. Uprooted by Naomi Novik
19. Spinning Silver
20. The Bear and the Nightingale 

From this list, I picked Uprooted by Naomi Novik. The female lead character narrates the story. It is a  first person point of view that is interesting, strong and convicted. The book was published in 2015 and if not for friends, I would have missed this wonder of a story. I will be posting my review, of course! 

The 2019 National Children's Book Day

The 2019 Alcala Prize Winner

Panadero wins Alcala Prize

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People awards the 2019 PBBY-Alcala Prize to Adrian C. Panadero, a Visual Communication graduate from the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts and a graphic designer and illustrator at And A Half Branding and Graphic Design,  a firm that specializes in creating brand identities.

This year’s PBBY-Alcala Prize called for entries based on the 2019 PBBY-Salanga Prize-winning story, A Delicate Strength: The Story and Art of Araceli Limcaco Dans by Gabriela Lee. A Delicate Strength is a creative nonfiction piece about a young Araceli Dans’ first encounter with art and how it eventually helps her family and country in a time of war.

Panadero shall receive a cash prize of PHP25, 000, a gold medal, as well as the opportunity to be published. He will be awarded at the 36th National Children’s Book Day celebration on July 16, 2019. The PBBY also recognized three Honorable Mention winners: Frances Alvarez of Cainta, Ivan Bryan Reverente of Quezon City and Arlei Dormiendo of Antipolo City.

The contest is co-sponsored by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

For inquiries about the contest, contact the PBBY Secretariat at telephone number 352-6765 loc. 203 or e-mail pbby@adarna.com.ph.

Accreditation is Building a Learning Community

On Reading Aloud and Storytelling (2/2)

In the event of being with two different groups of people who are interested and eager to learn and relearn skills in storytelling and reading aloud, I consider myself fortunate to learn from them too. 

From the TSP volunteers, I realized how our search for meaning and goodness in this world can be actualized in volunteer work. I look back at the young professionals I met a week ago and I am still touched by their hope and their sincerity to help TSP reach its goal of people empowerment through books and reading. From the DepEd K-3 teachers in Pangasinan, I am reminded once again of the values of grit and patience. The Filipino public school teacher is up against challenges bigger than herself or himself. It will take a lifetime to change the system, but it is enough to be able to inspire and affect one person. 

Feeling young and energized with TSP volunteers!

I see the goodness in Rey Bufi and his wife, Grace, the parents and founder of TSP. I admire the resilience of Teacher Ara for continuing on and doing a thankless job. Organizing people and mobilizing them is not an easy task, but they do it anyway. This is the grace I take away from leaving Biñan once in a while. I meet authentic people who, despite limitations, persevere to make a difference in their communities.

Specifically, I discovered how tenuous our connection is with our folk literature and local knowledge. Pangasinan is showing signs of progress, but my conversations with teachers there reveal gaps in the use of their mother tongue and in telling stories from their culture and history. Exposure to different forms of literature is an area of growth as well. Both groups, TSP volunteers and K-3 teachers were fascinated at the folk tales I used as samplers for storytelling. Comments like “ganun pala yun”, “ay pwede pala” were aplenty. 

DepEd Superintendent Balderas explains that reading is comprehension.

The scarcity of books and resources was a clamor of both groups. I resolve to include one or two activities for materials creation next time I do a workshop. As a librarian, I will echo and share this concern. Hopefully, any of my advocacy group could pick from there and help bridge children to books they so badly need to engage in.

On Reading Aloud and Storytelling (1/2)

I am writing this on may way back to Manila from a successful training workshop on reading aloud and storytelling in Pangasinan. I was invited by the Department of Education of Region 1 through the initaive and effort of  Teacher Arabella Soniega. The training program is designed for K-3 teachers to learn and relearn pedagogy in early literacy education. There were 128 teachers present in the training plus, a dozen school leaders. 

Last week, I was with the The Storytelling Project (TSP) to run the same workshop for their volunteers. Of the 15 volunteers, 2 are teachers and 1 is a librarian. They will soon be implementing TSP’s reading program in a public school in Laguna.

Two workshops. Same topics. Different audiences. Different purpose. Same goals. TSP volunteers need a good skill set in reading aloud because their two-fole roels. One is to support teachers in teaching literacy slills and the other is to provide children with an environment where reading is enjoyed and experienced outside of the classroom. The DepEd recognizes storytelling as an adjunct strategy for reading aloud when learning skills in the four communication arts, namely, listening, speaking, reading and writing. I discuss both in workshops and demonstrate ways of using them.

Reading Aloud from a teaching context, especially in literacy teaching, is a proven technique in teaching comprehension skills. When an adult reads aloud to children, the act of reading and the cognitive processes involved in it are shown, shared and modelled to them in a manner that is enjoyable and non-threatening. In storytelling, the teller does not use a book but a story to take the listener in a journey of adventure, wonder, play and the discovery of insights. Both are multi-sensorial activities that develop many skills including life skills, compassion and empathy.

The 10th Philippine International Literary Festival 2019

TEDx: The Importance of Reading Aloud

PPT: Reading Aloud Workshop

Lithaan's Literacy Interventions