Illustrator of the Month: Ghie Cabalar (2 of 2)

Here is part 2 of the interview with Ghie Cabalar, librarian and illustrator of When A Book Talks (Lampara House, 2019).

4. What was your approach in illustrating When A Book Talks?

Upon receiving the manuscript of When A book talks, I felt the overwhelming happiness. I'm a fan of Ms. Gagatiga's works, so it was a dream come true to collaborate with her.  I read and reread the story. I analyzed the characters involved. It was fun exploring the book because the topic is very close to my heart. I conceptualized for the character design. It's a poem, so I have to interpret the lines. I underlined words that will highlight the things or emotions that the character wants to convey. As an avid reader, I assessed my process of reading and recalled my favorite books. This approach helped me reflect my memories as a reader and include them to create the perspective of the book, which is the main character.  I drew and colored them traditionally. I experienced having self-doubts because it was my first book. However, I challenged myself to conquer them. I experimented on using different art mediums and approach them in various art styles. I do these until I came up with something that I am happy and proud of.

5. Your 5 Favorite Books for Kids
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Geronimo Stilton series by Elisabetta Dami
Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling
A Series of unfortunate events by Lemony Snicket
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan

6. Your Advice for Young Artists

Art is self-discovery. It is a journey and a reflection of one's soul.  So, I want to encourage young artists to start exploring. Let go of your inhibitions and start creating. Enjoy your art process. Create happy little accidents according to Bob Ross. 

Continue to strive hard and practice a lot. Be a lifelong learner. Collaborate with different people. Expand your inspirations and influence. Ask questions. Read quality books. Avoid plagiarism. Give proper credits. It's good to take inspiration from other people's work but improve your work by injecting your creativity and identity. Someday you'll find your artistic voice, the things that make 
your artwork unique and personal.

Illustrator of the Month: Ghie Cabalar (1 of 2)

When A Book Talks, my seventh children's book with Lampara Books was launched last Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at the National Library of the Philippines. The illustrations were rendered by Ghie Cabalar. Read up on her interview below. 

1. Who is Ghie Cabalar?

My name is Ghie. I am a licensed librarian and a graduate of Bachelor in Library and Information Science at Polytechnic University of the Philippines. I had units for my Master's degree in UP.  Two years after, I decided to go back to my passion since I was a kid. From then on, I took my second degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Painting at the University of the Philippines, which I haven't finished yet. For my hobbies other than drawing and painting, I read a lot of books, articles, and epubs. I often listen to podcasts and audiobooks especially while traveling.  Human behavior, psychoanalysis, metaphysics, arts, cats, fiction books, constellations are the things that fascinate me. I'm currently a freelance artist so I work from home and sometimes work on field painting mural works on walls.

2. Which came first, librarianship or art and illustrating?

Art came first.  I started enjoying doodling on papers even before I start learning how to write. My interest and skills in art flourished during elementary and High school since I became our school representative for editorial cartooning and on-the-spot poster making competitions. These opportunities eventually led me to become our batch's Artist of the Year and PGMA awardee for Culture and Arts during our HS graduation. Librarianship came in college. But my love for literature and libraries were already established since I first learn how to read. Books captivate my interest since I received my first fiction book. I fell in love with books because of the texture of the paper, the alluring smell of the book: old and new and especially, the different kinds of emotions and incredible experience it brings.

3. How does being a librarian inform your art and vice versa?
Librarianship taught me the skills in finding the right and credible resources. My skills in knowledge acquisition helped me during my transition from being a professional librarian to becoming a fulltime artist. I considered myself a lifelong learner. Thus, I read and browsed a lot of art-related materials. I also do some research on art inspiration,  tutorials, principles, and theories. My purpose is to grow and expand my artistic vocabulary and knowledge. Knowing how copyright works and being aware of issues on plagiarism are essential parts of being a librarian and artist too. Hence, it is my practice to always see to it to give proper credit to the right people. I also help my fellow artists and art enthusiasts by providing reference sources that are available on the web. I even encourage them to visit their local libraries if they want to further study their materials. Librarianship also molds me into becoming a responsible art producer.

Part 2 of her interview will be posted within the week. 

Leader School Librarian: Hanna Chaterina George

I first met Hanna Chaterina George in 2013, during the annual conference of the International Association of School Librarians (IASL) in Bali, Indonesia. Already, she has shown remarkable organizational skills and charm. These, I believe, are essential qualities of a leader. Last April, we met in the annual conference of the Philippine Association of School Librarians (PASLI) and the regional school librarians workshop by the IASL in Manila.

Hanna, as I call her, strikes me as someone who continues to learn. Another trait that makes a leader, a leader. When I flew in to Jakarta for the seminar that she helped organize with a cadre of young Indonesian school librarians as volunteers, I was further more impressed at her unending energy and zeal. She is indeed, one of the many leaders in school librarianship in the Southeast Asian region.

The blog is featuring her as the Leader School Librarian of the month. I hope that this write up inspires school librarians to grow and develop in their chosen field. 

1. Who is Hanna Chaterina George? 

I am a professional school librarian with both undergraduate and master degrees in Library and Information Science. I have been working as a school librarian for 20 years before I became a full time library consultant, especially school library trainer.

Hanna Chaterina George (red dress) is one of the prime mover of APISI, the school librarians organization in Indonesia

2. As a librarian leader in Indonesia, what potentials are present that contribute to school library development?

One potential is how the school's stakeholders, especially the school principal's paradigm on role of the school librarian has gradually changed. It gives lot of opportunities for school libraries to grow and be in line in the schools' learning and teaching process. 

Secondly,  government regulation for school librarian position has materialized and this sharpens our profession as it has been recently issued. It is called, the Cultural and Education Ministerial  Regulation No 6 Year 2019 about School Organisation Guide and Unit Work Procedures that put school librarian in the same group with teacher in  Functional Position Group. Hopefully  this become a positive trigger to support the profession better in the future.

3. What advise can you give a young school librarian starting out in the profession?

School librarianship is a dynamic and growing profession that give you lots of opportunities to work creatively to play its roles in education. You will find that become one, whether you realize it or not, your life become fulfill both in professional and personal, as what you are :"a whole package of a lifelong learner person". 

So, know exactly who you are, what you do and what you want to do as a lifelong learner in education. Expand your network, never stop to inquire anything that interest you, always find something new from your learn experience. You will find that learning can be joyful and enrich your soul and life at the same time.

Thank you very much, Hanna! Wishing you all the best in your chosen mission!

Philippine Children's Literature: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow!

A School Library Organization Grows in Indonesia (2 of 2)

Here is part 2 of the interview of Hanna Chaterina George, founder of APISI.

4. What are APISI’s success stories? Name 3 successful activities or programs

APISI's successful stories are firstly, when our Short Courses students become the trainers of the program. Their school became the winner at school library competitions and they admitted that the achievements were as when they learn from APISI.

Secondly, APISI also participate in international events such as IASL Conferences, Regional Workshops and also trainer at Kazakshtan' school librarians workshop. 

Thirdly, APISI managed its first  big events called Scholar Life that stands for School Library ans Literacy Festival by involving members to be part of the committee. It was decided that we will have it as our regular event.

5. Where is APISI headed to now?

Currently APISI heads to be a stronger association recognised in national, regional and international level in spreading its spirit and to make impact in making school librarianship grows.

We are planning to create standards of competencies for school information professionals and school library standards.

A School Library Organization Grows in Indonesia! (1 of 2)

My weekend stay in Jakarta at the beginning of this month for the seminar on school library services was generously and warmly sponsored by APISI, the school librarian organization of Indonesia. Their concerns are similar to ours and the work they do for the improvement of school librarianship in Indonesia is an experience I can relate to especially now that I am an officer of the Philippine Association of School Librarians. In this blog interview, Hanna Chaterina George, founder of APISI shares with us their exciting journey towards empowerment and professional growth.

1. How old is APISI and how did it begin?

APISI is 13 years old. It begun in 2005, when some of school librarians around British School where I worked  in Tangerang came together to share knowledge and experiences. We invited some experts to deliver their materials about school librarianship with us. About 30 (or more) school librarians shared and discussed  and we decided to meet up again by deciding where we're going to meet and the time.

It was October 1, 2005 and we agreed to gather again in Feb 2006 in Raffles International School. We had the same event and again decide to meet up again in August 26, 2006 and that is when APISI founded.

2. What are the purpose and goals of APISI?

The purpose of APISI is to showcase the existence of school information professional through the process of continuous self-professional development to create  more passionate school librarianship in Indonesia. 

The goal of APISI is to support the development of school information professionals in Indonesia and to accommodate  knowledge and experiences interaction to stimulate studies in school librarian development.

3. What challenges has APISI encountered that tested its mettle? You may expound on how you overcame the challenges.

Major challenges faced by APISI are funding and human resources as we are independent and non profit organisation. There was immobility between 2009 and 2013 as we were asked by Government to help them establish their library worker association. Some of our committee members then became its runner including myself. At that time, I propose to take responsibility helping National Library and Ministry of Education in coordinating IASL Conference as Indonesia appointed to be the host in 2013. In 2014,  I was encouraged to re-start APISI to live again. Then we registered APISI to have its legal acknowledgement and we are back in business.

We used our own pocket to run APISI and supported with Boediardjo Foundation by letting us have its 'Rumah Ndekem', to be our office. Rumah Ndekem is an ethnical house with window-glassed paintings with a story with wayang characters.

In  2015 we got our proposal approved by IFLA BSLA to run a workshop to build our organisation stronger. Followed with an offer to be partner of Indonesia's central bank - Bank  Indonesia (BI) to implement their CSR programs in making a reading corners for school libraries in Jakarta and its nearby areas.

We opened for recruitment and started to hire some staff in APISI office.

Part 2 will follow within the week, so stay posted!

Library PR and Communication: Welcoming a New Teacher or Staff

How do you welcome a new teacher or staff in the library? Most often, the Human Resource Office introduces him or her to the community through a formal memo or letter. At faculty meetings and assemblies he or she is introduced as well. The school library, being a department that supports all aspect of academic and student life can initiate means to reach out and communicate to new faculty and staff.

I would do this by writing them a letter sent through email. This is good public relations and communications practice. Partly, this communication to new faculty and staff is a way to advocate the library's role in the school community. The new employees are also informed of the services and programs that they can avail of, as well as the staff and personnel they can collaborate with.

Here is a draft of the letter I often use to welcome new employees.

Dear _____, 

I hope you are doing well and have taken strides in getting to know the BA community. We, at the BA Library, formally welcome you as a valued member.  

The BA Library is one of the departments in school that supports your program and department. A budget for information and instructional resources is provided for your department under _________. This means, you can recommend and request for sources, references and other information materials that can enrich, enhance and improve your programs. We are also open to receive information materials from your department that will help our students in __________.  

Feel free to see us anytime or access the library catalog to check the titles of books and resources. 

Attached in the email is a list of online subscriptions and links to the BA Library portal and web OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) and the BA Library personnel's profile. We highly encourage you to make use of the resources of the BA Library since these went through a process of review, evaluation and selection. 

Thank you very much and we hope to see you soon in the BA Library!

           Ms. Zarah G

As a school librarian do you welcome and recognize the new employees in your school? What creative ways do you employ to make new employees feel they are part of the community? Feel fee to share! 

A Source Within A Source (2 of 2)

Here is my answer to my student’s query on citations and the bibliographic data of the document he downloaded from our subscription database.

See the screenshot of the 1st page of the academic article. In the magnified circle is the Publisher. In the green circle is the Name or Title of the Journal, volume, issue number and year of publication. In the purple oblong is the author. The arrow points to the title of the article. 

Basic bibliographic entry or format will look like this: author; title; journal; volume and issue number; publisher; and year of publication. That is the standard format for any bibliography or citation. If you are following a specific citation format, you abide by its rules and guidelines. Therefore, slight changes can happen. 

Remember to use a period to separate each item in the bibliographic entry.

The Ask-Your-Teacher Librarian Service is alive and well in the Beacon Academy. The student who is asking for help is preparing his paper for the Extended Essay requirement. Of late, seniors would see me for research consultations despite the scheduled consultation done and over with. In past years, when I was the Extended Essay Coordinator, I was rarely sought out for research consultations.

That is something to think about.

 

Munting Akltang Barangay: Basic Library System & Maintenance Training

A Source Within A Source (1 of 2)

I received these queries  from one of our seniors during research season.

How do I cite my research documents ? ( see the example of the document below) Do i base it off the websites I got it off? Are these documents categorized as scholarly projects in the citation machine? 

I will post my reply in a few days. 

With Readers and RAPers (1 of 2)

At the tail end of October, I found myself in Iloilo once more. The last time I was there was in August for an accreditation visit under the auspices of PAASCU (Philippine Association of Accrediting Schools Colleges and Universities). Being back in Iloilo the second time this year made me see where its charm lies: good food and a love for learning.

No wonder that the Reading Association of the Philippines once again conducted and ran the annual Demofest there. Around 200 teachers from the region and beyond registered in the Demofest. The venue was at Ateneo de Iloilo Sta.Maria Catholic School, a Chinese Jesuit school in Mandurriao Iloilo. Memories of my years in Xavier School came flooding back.

Since it was a brief stay, I only get to stroll in the surrounding areas. Just across Ateneo de Iloilo is the Atria Mall where local food and restaurants catering to the locals and visitors abound. Tatoy's, of course, and Biscocho House are within the commercial complex. Nearby is an old oven, a monument for Donato Militante Pison, Iloilo’s local hero who innovated and revolutionized the sugar industry. A few meters away is a strip of commercial establishments of hotels, insurance companies and, learning centers on math, reading and writing. 

This is only one town in Iloilo. The locals are proud of their beaches and places to eat with friends and family. Alongside this penchant for food, friendship and family bonding is the value and investment they put in education. During my plenary session, participants displayed a quiet engagement. At lunch, I had a book signing and demo lesson plan presentation. 

Iloilo, I shall return! 

Game Changers in Philippine Librarianship

It is in October when the Rizal Library conducts its international conference. I have participated in this academic and scholarly endeavor countless times and I have always felt welcomed by the library community there. Each visit, be it for work, professional or personal matter, feels like a day of hanging out with my favorite cousin. On its 8th International Conference, I was there once again as a social guest by John Hickok of the American Library Association. He attended the conference as a paper presenter.

His paper was about Filipino Librarian Game Changers and I was one of the featured personalities in his paper. I still have to read his paper but in an email, he told me that my blog and the writing I do inspires and motivates librarians. How and why, I really have no idea. Maybe this is what I need to do next. As far as my blogging is concerned, I mean. 

I have been blogging since 2005. The blog is turning 15 years old in April 2020. So, yeah. It is about time to seriously do some analytical and metrics. We will see.

Apart from myself, Mr. Hickok featured Dr. Vernon Totanes and Mr. Troy “Kapitan Basa” Lacsamana in his paper presentation. We had our picture taken at the colorful and very literary staircase of the Rizal Library.

Thank you John, and here’s hoping we will see each other again soon!

Make Use of the Library’s Online Public Access Catalog

Teachers and students would often depend on the services librarians and library staff provide. However, it is also important that they learn independent searching and locating skills. Only when researchers are stumped and at a dead end can librarians be asked for help. Then again, we also initiate. 

Here are some important reasons why we encourage students to use the library OPAC.

1. Using the OPAC is an application of research skills namely, identifying needed information- in this case, the author’s name; determining and choosing needed information - title of the book written by the author; locating information within a source - the call number of the book as shown in the OPAC; and locating and accessing the book on the shell using the call number. These skills come into play when students are also using Google and other online databases. 

2. Using the OPAC is an experience of understanding technology particularly metadata. We learn by doing.

3. Exposure to the data and information an OPAC provides is exposure to bibliographic instruction.

4. All universities have an OPAC. So, this exercise of using it prepares them for academic work in college. 

So, there. The school library OPAC is both a learning tool and a learning environment. Librarians create this tool and this environment. We are very much a part of the teaching and learning process.

Redefining Literacy PPT: Literacy Engagement in the School Library

Halloween Greetings

I am in Iloilo and my staff sends me this!

RAP Demofest Lesson Plan PPT: Scavengers and Pathfinders

RAP DemoFest PPT: Power of Two

Pathfinder: Media and Information Literacy and Teacher and School Librarian Collaboration

IFLA Trend Report
https://trends.ifla.org/files/trends/assets/documents/ifla_trend_report_2018.pdf  

SHEG Evaluating Information Online
https://stacks.stanford.edu/file/druid:fv751yt5934/SHEG%20Evaluating%20Information%20Online.pdf

Webinar on Fake News by the ALA
http://www.ala.org/tools/programming/post-truth-fake-news-and-new-era-information-literacy

PDFs

What can collaboration with a Teacher Librarian look like? Infographic
Surrey Chapter of the BCTLA - British Columbia Teacher Librarians Association
https://bctladotca.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/teacher-librarian-infographic-final.pdf

Books

Langhorne, Mary Jo; Denise Rehmke and Iowa City Community School District. Developing 21st Century Literacies. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc. 2011.

Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning. Chicago: American Library Association (ALA), 1998

Academic Journal Articles

Merga, Margaret Kristin. Collaborating With Teacher Librarians to Support Adolescents’ Literacy and Literature Learning. ournal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy. Vol 63, Issue 1 Pages 65-72. August 2019


Web Articles
Feral, Larry. Edweek Blog. Response to ’Just as School Libraries Have Changed, So Have School Librarians' August 11, 2019 7:47 PM http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/classroom_qa_with_larry_ferlazzo/2019/08/response_just_as_school_libraries_have_changed_so_have_school_librarians.html

The Sad Little Fact: An Open Letter to Penguin Random House Canada

This is my request to Penguin Random House Canada. Please make the ebook version of The Sad Little Fact, available to customers in the Philippines. I am a Filipino teacher librarian and I teach information literacy. I am also a trainer, facilitator and resource speaker for teachers and librarians. This book is one of my recommended reads for teachers and school librarians. With this book and the use of the appropriate teaching methods we can battle fake news and misinformation with information literacy skills instruction for K-12 learners.

Specifically, I am going to use this book as my springboard for my plenary session at the Reading Association of the Philippines National Demofest on October 29, 2019 where more than 200 teachers will convene to converse and discuss issues on multiple literacy skills instruction. I am going to read it aloud using Kindle or iBook. But there are restrictions in access. Our opportunity to engage in Jonah Winter’s story as one community is lost.

Of course I can use a different book. Of course I can download the YouTube videos of the book being read aloud. But I don’t want to do that.

I want to own the book.
I want to share the book.
I want to read the book aloud.
I am a reader.
This is my choice.
My choice is to read the book, The Sad Little Fact by Jonah Winter.

Please, Penguin Random House Canada, help me help others love books and reading. Help me help others teach Information Literacy. Please make the ebook available to customers in the Philippines.

Zarah Gagatiga
Teacher Librarian, Filipino

#PenguinRandomHouseCanada #TheSadLittleFact #JonahWinter

This is Me, ZarahG

Because of three things: the Room to Read Writing Workshop; Joann Nicolas Na's session on the Writer's World View during the workshop; and eating flowers at Bohol Bee Farm.

Zarah is a teacher librarian, an award winning author, blogger and storyteller. She handles press releases and communications protocol for the Philippine Association of School Librarians and currently represents the library sector in the Philippine Board on Books for Young People. 

Zarah believes in three things: the power of love; the value of family and friendship; and, with the use of appropriate methods, that books and reading can change lives. Visit her blog at http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com.

Si Zarah ay isang gurong librarian, premyadong manunulat, blogger at kuwntista. Siya ang PRO ng Philippine Association of School Librraians (PASLI) at kumakatawan sa sector ng mg librarian ng Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY). Si Zarah ay naniniwala sa kapangyarihan ng pag-ibig; sa kahalagahan ng pamilya at pagkakaibigan; at, gamit ang tamang pamamaraan ng pagtuturo, ang aklat at pagbabasa ay may kakayahang gawing pambihira ang isang buhay.

CLAPI Seminar: Children's Literature Today

Pathfinder: Halloween

The BA LIBRARY

Reference and Readers Services

Pathfinder: Halloween

This Pathfinder is prepared for Ms. Roxas’ CRE class specifically targeting a text with a 900-1200 Lexile readability level. Ms. Roxas requested for sources on Halloween, the religious rituals of its pagan origins and how modern practices has turned this “holy day” into a commercial endeavor. 

Key words: Halloween, Druids, Celtics, folklore, rituals, beliefs, Samhain, All Saints Day 

BA Library Resources: 

For a background information, definition and explanation of Halloween, Druids, Celtics, folklore, rituals, beliefs, Samhain, All Saints Day 

World Book Online (WBO) - www.worldbookonline.com

Username: ####

Password: ***

Articles in WBO are lexiled

Explora in EBSCO - http://search.ebscohost.com

Username: ####

Password: ***

Selected articles in Explora are lexiled

The Day: News to Open Minds

http://theday.co.uk

Username: ####

Password: ***

BA  Library OPAC - http://beaconacademylib.com/webopac/webopac.asp

 

Online Sources

Jack Santino: Halloween, Folklore, and Death Festivals

https://www.theofantastique.com/2007/10/25/jack-santino-halloween-folklore-and-death-festivals/

Estimated Lexile – 1010L – 1200L

An interview with Jack Santino explaining the pagan origin of Halloween and how the rituals merged and permeated into modern day practice of the “holy day”.

Five myths about Halloween

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-halloween/2014/10/24/b9b60800-5939-11e4-8264-deed989ae9a2_story.html

Estimated Lexile – 1010L – 1200L

A news article by Jack Santino, he continues to debunk modern myths and beliefs about Halloween. He brings back readers to examine the roots of this famous holiday.

Teacher Resources on Halloween – included in the list of activities is the NatGeo video on the origin of Halloween 

https://www.teachervision.com/history-halloween-videos-activities

Scholar Life - APISI International Seminar 2019: Redefining Literacy: A Transformation Into Literate Society

The Children’s Book Writer and His/Her World View Part 2

One of the many amazing things I experienced during the Room to Read Writing Workshop in Bohol was to be mentored by peers and friends in the book industry. I was part of Lampara House’s pool of writers and we have a team of editors to walk us through the entire process of creating a story for children but writers and friends from the other publishing houses became mentors too.

Ergoe Tinio of Adarna House was my seat mate. I discussed with her my character study and she was generous in her advise on how I can make my character stand out. Award winning author, Genaro Gojo Cruz gave suggestions on how I can reconcile the plot of the story to my character’s choices and decisions. Palanca Hall of Famer Dr. Luis Gatmaitan is the best venting buddy. Writing two stories in five days can be tiring and frustrating, I tell you. And then, there is Teacher Tin Canon who took time to listen to my story dilemma. When I presented my draft to the big group, I received validations and affirmations. More possibilities to improve the story. More insights to digest so I can continue to grow as a writer.

In the middle of this exercise, I realized how varied and beautifully diverse the many world views I encountered. At the end of the day, I was able to chart a course for my second manuscript.

I also observed how my writer friends' world views are reflected in their stories.

Luis, being a physician, has a series of books on heath and hygiene. Every year, Hiyas/OMF Lit publishes a book for kids that discuss a health issue through the Tito Dok Series authored by him. He has a number of books that breaks the myths and folkloric beliefs on medicine, health and wellness. The newest is Tuli o Di Tuli, a middle grade book on circumcision. Ang Pambihirang Buhok ni Raquel (Adarna House) is a favorite read aloud piece as it depicts the strength of a child battling with cancer. Then, there is 'Sandosenang Sapatos (Adarna House) that tells the story of a child with no feet who badly wanted to wear ballet shoes and dance.

Teacher Tin, on the one hand is an advocate of peace education and inclusive instruction in the classroom. Her Salanga winning story, Bakit Matagal ang Sundo Ko is an empowering depiction of the child waiting to be fetched in school. Her child characters, Pitong and Karlo, in the books Pitong Patagotago and Sampung Magkakaibigan posses special learning needs.

Genaro's empathy and advocacy to empower the poor and the underprivileged seeps into his stories for children. Ang Dyip ni Mang Tomas, Ang Bahay na May Gulong and recently, an alphabet book for kids that show images and symbols of the lower-middle class family living in the city.

This would make for an interesting study. Besides the milieu, the author's world view affects his approach and treatment of storytelling.

The Children’s Book Writer and His/Her World View

Of the four publishers who had an input session during the Room to Read Writing Workshop in Bohol last week, it was Joann Nicolas Na’s session on world views that made a lasting impression. She is the editor of OMF Lit/Hiyas. In her talk, which was like a brief writer’s recollection, she asked participants what we believe in. In a previous post, a wrote them down.

I reiterate them here.

There are three things I believe in. 

I believe in love. I believe in family. I believe, that with the use of appropriate teaching methods, reading and literacy can change lives.

These beliefs all funnel in my stories and the books I have published, so far. Almost all of the six books I have written and collaborated with amazing Filipino artists were all based from real life characters. Many of them are stories of loved ones and family members.

The Day Max Flew Away is the story of my family. Much of what the father told the main character in the story is basically what I often hear my husband tell my kids. In My Daddy! My One and Only!, I celebrate the bond between father and son. Big Sister, is my story. I became one when I was twelve years old. My father is a retired public school teacher but he worked abroad back in the 80s. This became my context for Dear Nanay Needless to say, the experiences a writer go through and the beliefs he or she values are reflected in his/her works.

This prompts me to review and examine the works of my contemporaries. In the coming days and weeks, I will be posting in the blog selected works of writer friends in the industry and their body of works. This is not an academic study of children’s literature but, who knows. Maybe after posting my featured articles on Filipino Children’s Book writers and their world views, I may continue this as a formal study of writing and Philippine Children’s Literature.

Visit the blog and find out the writers, or illustrators, I will be featuring in my quest to understand the writer and his or her world view.

2020 Call for Entries : the PBBY Chapter Book Prize

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) is now accepting entries for the 2020 PBBY-Salanga Chapter Book Prize. The winner shall be given a cash prize of P25,000.00, a gold medal, and an opportunity to be published. Prizes will be awarded in an appropriate ceremony to be held during the celebration of National Children’s Book Day on July 21, 2020.

DEADLINE: Entries must be received by the PBBY Secretariat and time-stamped no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 8, 2019.

The contest rules are as follows:

1. Open to all Filipino citizens, as well as non-Filipino residents with dual citizenship, except those who are related to any PBBY member up to the third degree of consanguinity. For foreigners, they must have spent at least six months (can be accumulated) in the Philippines for the past six (6) years.

2. Stories should be intended for children aged 8–12, with not less than 15,000 words and not more than 30,000 words.

3. Entries may be in English or Filipino.

4. Plot may be anything that relates to a Filipino child’s experience.

5. Entries must be in hard copy, 1.5 space, Times New Roman 12 with 1-inch margins on short bond paper. 

6. On a separate sheet, contestant must identify the target grade level, number of words, and the synopsis of the story.  Contestant may also include suggestions to teachers for enrichment activities.

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

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

11. All entries must be received by the PBBY Secretariat no later than 5:00 p.m., November 8, 2019.

12. Winners will be announced no later than November 29, 2019. Non-winning entries will be disposed of by the PBBY Secretariat.

Grand prize and honorable mention winners shall be subject to a bidding process to be facilitated by PBBY, to determine which publisher/s will publish their winning stories.

The winning story will be the basis for the 2020 PBBY-Alcala Prize.

For more details, interested parties may contact the Philippine Board on Books for Young People, at (02) 8352 6765 local 203 or email pbby@adarna.com.ph.

Kuwentong Musmos: Palihan para sa Pagsusulat ng Kuwentong Pambata

How many times have you gotten drunk so bad that a hangover is inevitable the morning after? A few times back in college? Recently? Just because.

Well, a hangover is never a good thing, except for events worth getting drunk in. The hangover lasts for days and it is a good feeling you wish to bottle and preserve. So you keep it in a flask. You take it with you wherever you go. For days when you need some sunshine and happy thoughts, you uncork the bottle and take little sips of the memory. Invigorating! 

The Kuwentong Musmos Writing Workshop for Beginning Readers I attended last week in Bohol is just like that, an experience that left me with a pleasant hangover. Who wouldn’t be if you are among your people, talking, listening, creating stories not just for Filipino children but for the children of the world. Organized by Room to Read (RTR) and Adarna House, the workshop was a Voltes Five moment!

Twenty Filipino writers from the country's leading publishing houses of children's books banded together. The result was forty manuscripts that tackled themes on identity, gender equality and inclusion written for beginning readers. It was hard work. And it was for a god cause. As  Al Santos of RTR said, "Your stories will be read by a child who has never seen or opened a book before." How can I say no to this project? The little things I do as a librarian, teacher and author suddenly expands. I become a part of something bigger than the round hole I plug my square peg in ( yes, I don’t fit most of the time and it’s a miracle that things work out sometimes).

The inputs made by the four publishing houses during the five day workshop weren’t at all new things for me but what they said amplified, affirmed and validated what I have always believed in. Invest in human capital (Anvil Publishing); Create imperfect characters and let them go through challenges (Adarna House); Take courage, use language responsibly and take risks (Lampara Books); Every writer has a world view that is reflected in his/her works (OMF/Hiyas) So, children’s book writer, what do you believe in? 

I believe in three things.

I believe in love. I believe in family. I believe that, with the use of appropriate methods, reading and literacy can change lives.

There were twenty of us who left Bohol last week. I would like to think that we came out of the experience as good writers and better persons. As of writing, many of us have received call backs from our respective publishers to revise the manuscripts in preparation for the illustrators' workshop in Baguio next week. The Kuwentong Musmos Writing Workshop is in-progress and the learning experience I took away from it, I will keep forever. 

Now, it’s time to share what I gained from the workshop. 

2019 National Book Week and Library & Information Services Month

PASLI Seminar on Research Skills Competencies

The seminar-workshop aims to: 

1) understand the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4th IR) in research; 

2) enhance the competencies of librarians in doing scholarly research that are responsive to the 4th IR library users; 

3) help improve services, resources and demonstrate library impact on student success through evidence based practice and research productivity; 

4) produce research outputs that can be shared in the next DLSP Libraries Research Conference.

Filipino Illustrations in Picture Books

I am sharing this exchange I had with a dear fiend in the book industry on identity and book illustrations. 

Bestie: Question! (This is research for one of my talks.) What makes Filipino illustrations Filipino?

Me: Simple lang yan for me. If the reader feels Filipino when he/she encounters and engages in the book or the art. Let the writer and artist create a book or art Filipino man siya o hindi. If there is a reader who sees himself or herself in the art, in the story and his/her culture and values as a Filipino then, that's it. 

Filipino author ka? Filipino illustrator ka? Sulat ka lang. Gawa ka lang ng art mo. If the book or the art connects to a Filipino reader, identifying values and culture that amplify his or her identity and sense of self as Filipino, then that's a book or an illustration that is Filipino. 

Now there are instances when a reader, not Filipino necessarily, is able to find himself in a book or in the art of the book made by a Filipino. I think it's because art and literature are great equalizers -- As much as death and tragedies do.  

Bestie: Follow up question 😁 Then what would make a foreigner identify illustrations as "Filipino" and enjoy / appreciate the illustrations as foreigners?

What he/ she initially knows about the Philippines and its people. Dianne de Las Casas thought of using the jeepney as cover for our book. Cramped. Overloaded with happy passengers. That's her worldview and perspective. It was Bernadette Solina Wolf's husband, Michael who is German, who made the suggestion to put colorful banderitas in the margin. Fiesta - that's how Michael identify Filipino culture. 

The enjoyment comes in when the reading or the engagement with the book begins. 

Bestie: Is there anything. . . "universal" about our illustrations?

Me: Themes and concepts, yes. But the style of art, I am not so sure. 

Maybe universality would depend on the illustrator's vision and rendition. Take for example Serge Bumatay's illustrations of Tight Times. It feels so, ah, European but, I also feel that I am reading a book made by Filipinos. 

Melag makes use of Baroque. But the use of space, balance and perspective reminds me of what life is like in Tuguegarao, my father's hometown. 

I love pepper Roxas's work in Mang Andoy's signs because it reminds me of two things from my childhood - the golden books series and my growing years in Pateros!

I also think that universality would also mean or connected to, aesthetics, beauty and even, ethics. We appreciate what is beautiful and good and we say, ah, it's art!