Here is an update of the book blog tour of Wing of the Locust (Jacob, Scholastic 2020). The book bloggers and vloggers are giving it a thumbs up so if you are interested to get a copy, head on Enoy Ferriols' Dear Books to place an order. Have a look and listen to what Filipino readers and bloggers are saying about this masterpiece!
Yna the Mood Reader's - YouTube Channel - Unboxing and Book Talk for Wing of the Locust
Award winning author and indie publisher, Xi Zuq posted his review on IG.
1. Why vlogging?
I
was inspired by celebrity Youtube content creators like Toni Gonzaga and Bianca
Gonzales who film such motivational vlogs or videos. It’s funny how this
pandemic made me decide to set up my own YouTube channel when in fact, I’m not
a fan of it until quarantine happened.
And just to share, I chose LIS (Library and Information Science) Campaign as my pilot content so I can finally turn my MLIS (masters) thesis into a reality! This milestone is a blessing to me as I now found my comfortable platform to freely express myself and introduce BLIS Program and Profession!
2. What are your gains and losses in vlogging?
I consider myself a “Wallflower”
Librarian who would rarely attend
librarians’ conventions and any professional gatherings, and who would usually
distance herself from the crowd and actively avoid being in the limelight. In
vlogging, I believe, I’m slowly losing that anxiety, or I must say, “finally
got rid of it” and now, surprisingly, I gained my confidence in getting along
with fellow library professionals. Aside from being grateful for the new faces
I have met, I am also thankful for those new learned perspectives in
librarianship from each episode’s guest.
3. So far, how has vlogging led you to an insight or a
discovery of the profession?
Well, who could have thought that a librarian can also become a Vlogger?
In my 24 uploads, I have proven that
Librarians speak and act from the heart. Without
the presence of Librarian and BLIS (Bachelor of Library and Information Science) Student guests, every content would have not
been such an inspiring story, a story not only about Library Science journey,
but indeed unique life stories. This vlogging advocacy has also lead me to a
discovery of the profession in a way that becoming a Librarian is “ A Blessing
in Disguise”, “A Gift”, “For All”, “An Advocacy”, “A Redemption”, and “A Bread
and Butter”.
Since this question falls #4, I have 4 tips to share for others
(librarians or not, BLIS students or not) who want to begin vlogging.
Our Book Blog Tour for Wing of the Locust is on-going. Book bloggers are warming up to the book. The past week, our bloggers' socmed sites have been active about it! These are the initial responses they have on Joel Donato Ching Jacob's masterpiece.
Gerald the Bookworm book talks about Wing of the Locust and looks forward to finishing up the novel by the end of the year. Below is an IG post of Yna the Moodreader on IG.
Like Xi Zuq, I am currently reading the book and so far, it has been an interesting journey with Tuan who is continuously finding his place in the community. Set against the backdrop of pre-colonial Philippines, this gives color and texture to Tuan's discovery of the self and the world around him.
I will be posting full reviews and recommended activities in the coming weeks for Donato's engaging novel. It has a place in the classroom and in libraries for virtual book discussions. Exciting!
Learn From Home is a program of YGoal. The aim of the program is to support parents, guardians, and those who take on a “parental” role on how learning can be facilitated efficiently at home especially in the modification of the delivery of education in this time of unprecedented change.
Our guest for this episode is Ms. Rhodora Espiritu Valdez. She is a professional licensed librarian, working mom and solo parent to Luigi. Luigi is 10 years old and he has autism. In this interview, Mommy Dang shares with us her parenting adventures in the time of the pandemic. How did Mommy Dang manage the many responsibilities on her plate? How is she teaching Luigi at home? What discoveries has she made about herself in the process?
Let’s listen to Mommy Dang!
That was an insightful and inspiring interview with many takeaways.
It is important to acknowledge the feelings and emotions of our children.
Validating and affirming accomplishments big and small builds the confidence of the child.
A recognition of the child’s love language can lead to trust.
Our trust for each other will always keep the lines of communication open.
Remember to COACH
Commitment - stay committed to the role and responsibility of being a parent
Open Mindedness - bear in mind that we can learn from our children too and that the possibilities of learning together is endless
Always be there - presence matters a lot. This can be shown through guidance and mentoring
Care and support your children in their chosen endeavors
Have a lot of patience!
And now we end this season of Learn from Home. We hope to see you in the Parents’ Hour on December 19, 2020!
Candy has blogged about her after thoughts on the panel we had. We were tasked to discuss the Teaching of Social Justice. As authors, we preferred to talk about how we Navigate Social Justice in Children's Books.
Visit Candy's blog, and read up on the way she distilled her ideas about social justice, young readers and the author's life. The blog post includes links to our panel and the Manila International Book Fair YouTube channel.
As for me, I don't think social justice per se can be taught, but empathy and compassion can be nurtured and nourished. We can build the ethos among children. When a person recognizes another person's pain, as well as joy, it is easier to understand the other's emotions. An awareness of the emotions is the beginning of critical thinking. That is a good time for a teachable moment. Parents, teachers, school librarians, counselors and working adults who are caring and looking after children need to be perceptive of these teachable moments regardless of the given curriculum, subject matter, expected norms or social behavior. The ability to see another person as as an equal begins with kindness. This, I think is the seed bed for justice to grow.
And because we are ever curious, we felt it is but proper to continue the conversations. So last night (Manila Time), Candy I went live on Instagram to talk about the picture book scene in the Philippines, the issues we Filipino children's authors grapple with that find its way in our fiction.
Candy tweets below:
Filipino author & librarian Zarah Gagatiga clues me in on some truly brave and visionary #picturebooks in the Philippines that reflect the tough realities of child readers while offering hope and possibility
— Candy Gourlay (@candygourlay) December 7, 2020
Our IG Live Chat👉https://t.co/JfJJIEQXnC @SCBWI_BI pic.twitter.com/3sXEYoRezc
Tale of the Nine Tailed
1. All those little things done with great love can encompass the entire universe.
The day before Yeon and Ji Ah battle the Imoogi, they spent a day together eating ice cream and sharing a kiss, playing at the arcade, watching the day turn into night until the city lights shine and sparkle like the stars. They were running against time knowing the possible ending would mean death for either of them. Though, Yeon is more calculating and clever as he could see from miles away. A skill and power of a benevolent mountain spirit.
I am fascinated by this. How simple yet it means everything!
How the ordinary and the small things, those little acts of love that seem mundane can actually measure up to grand gestures! Time spent with a spouse, a partner, a lover or a friend and basking in his/her presence in the most simple of ways can mean the entire humanity and the universe put together. Go hug the person or the pet you love as often as you can! Tell them you love them. Go the extra mile for them. Listen and just be there. And forgive. Forgive. Forgive. Forgive.
Life is too short, too precious to be angry and indifferent.
2. Why we need to let go, especially of our attachments and the people we hold dear.
In episode 1, Yeon and Sunhoo met at the park as another kid was chasing after a balloon. Yeon, being a mountain spirit wielded the wind to bring back the balloon which Sunhoo witnessed. He then asked Yeon if he was an alien. It is here where Yeon first speak of these lines, "I'm saying that life is short so try your best in life...but know when to let go when something's too unbearable."
Wow. That packs a punch.
Relating this to the drama after seeing the entire season unfold and take a bow last Friday, I could not help but think if Yeon is saying this to comfort Sunho. Could it be that having seen too many human years pass him by, he too feels the pain of mortal men and women who get attached to their dreams and ambitions, to position and social class or status and even to the people they love that it destroyed them completely. It must have exhausted him to witness such internal and personal destruction that could only lead to the imbalance of society and the universe at large. Or is he, at this point in episode 1, thinking about the things and attachments that have burdened him for hundreds of years? For how long has he contemplated on the desires of his own heart?
With a finale that seemed to have rushed on a schedule, my questions were not answered. But, this I know, that letting go of things when it has become unbearable can be liberating. But I have to add, that discerning when to let go is the beginning of this freedom.
3. Life and death all but flow in one sweep of justice.
Now, we go to Rang.
Many could not understand Yeon's happy ending and, to this day, a few remain broken hearted at Rang's sacrifice. First of all, Yeon's choice to save Ji Ah is to save the world too. The Imoogi is so evil, he corrupted A Eum to go after Yeon to become the mountain spirit. For the second time around, Yeon is bent to correct this by saving Ji Ah and the world from evil. But Rang, being abandoned by his mother, has yet to grow up and understand what tough love means. It took him a while.
Sadly, the choices he made along the way immersed him further down to evil. Remember, Rang took the side of the Imoogi's cohorts to bring him back to life and deprive Yeon of his happily ever after. What Rang did not see at the time, is the pestilence and malice the Imoogi brings along in its wake. So, we had an amazing run in episodes 11-12 making Yeon the ultimate hero and Rang, the anti-hero we are all rooting for to change for the better. And with this, our own hopes for his redemption and happily ever after.
Rang's only redemption is death. His sacrifice was appraised worthy by the Judge of the Afterlife in exchange for Yeon's thus, the elder gumiho brother got his happy ending. Finally, Rang has learned how to love other than himself. This makes life meaningful and, according to the Fates of Korean myth and folklore, such a life is worth letting go of.
I don't think I will begin watching a new Kdrama (one that has been released this year) in the next few days until January 2021. TOTNT resonated with me on many levels. Some scenes, events and characters brought me delight as well as sorrow. For all its inventiveness, TOTNT affirms a personal belief I discovered during my wandering years. The people who brings me great joy are also the sources of my deepest pain.
This makes life worth living.
Rating: 4/5 One of the best of 2020
We have reached the end of the series. What a journey!
Our love and gratitude goes out to the actors and the production team for weaving a life affirming story, yes, even in Rang's death (more on this later) that is filled with folkloric and mythical elements of Korea. Tale of the Nine Tailed (TOTNT) stayed true to the classic story of old. The innovation and inventiveness in storytelling made the themes of love and family appear new and fresh but it reminded us of the lasting truths and values of our collective humanity in a highly, modern and apathetic world.
Just when I thought TOTNT has given me a kiss that is one for the books, episode 13 has that unforgettable intimate scene with Yeon and Ji Ah fulfilling their dreams and desires. I had to tell myself that LDW and JBA are constructing the reality of lovers racing against time. But Wookie's jugular was a distraction, honestly. Needless to say, it was tastefully made. Slow clap!
While there are parts I felt were rushed, like the remaining 40 minutes of episode 16 and that part where Yeon met Ji Ah's parents, the pacing and presentation of the visual narratives in mis-en-scene are indeed beautiful to behold.
I have the same praise for the writing, though I felt the struggle of telling a story filled with plot twists after plot twists had its toll in the finale. They could have worked an additional 30 minutes more to the finale because, the lacunas were plentiful. I just hope there will be a Director's Cut now that Rang's untold stories are out there.
Of LDW's Kdramas, this is the one drama that I can personally relate to especially in its depiction of love and family relationships. I shipped the LDW and JBA pairing right away and fell in love with them all through out the season. I find their pairing mature, sincere and honest. Yeon is a mountain spirit who has amassed a fortune but with Ji Ah, he enjoys the simple things. He wants to be human, to grow old with Ji Ah and to see the light fade from their years together. This increases Yeon's romantic appeal and otherworldly charm. It did not help knowing that foxes are monogamous. I am hooked.
Then, there is Rang played by Kim Bum. As Yeon's little brother, he brings the sizzle to the entire drama. At the beginning he is the villain but towards the middle, he was able to resolve his issues however, there are just actions he committed in the past that cannot be easily forgiven. He is the wedge to the Yeon and Ji Ah pairing. How Kim Bum portrays this role so well!
And now I go to my overall insights and reflections of TOTNT. This is the first Kdrama I wrote recaps and reviews about so the specifics can be read through the following links:
Episodes 1 -2 - The LDW and Jo Bo Ah ship has sailed!
Episodes 3-6 - The strong folkloric elements are smoothly integrated in the drama.
Episodes 7-10 - That kiss in the rain... It is a masterpiece!
Episode 11 - 12 - Lee Yeon's is the best brother but he is not the perfect boyfriend to bring home and meet the parents. And that is perfectly alright.
Episode 13 - 14 - The one where we are proven that LDW is still leading man material and JBA is not an overrated actress.
Just three things namely 1) All those little things done with great love encompass the entire universe; 2) Why we need to let go, especially of our attachments and people we hold dear; 3) Life and death all but flow in one sweep of justice.
Staying true to our objectives, we will continue to look at important factors that can help families, especially parents adapt and transition into the new normal. Today, we are fortunate to have Mrs. Sheila Borlagdan Uy tell us the process she and her husband went through to cope, survive and thrive as a family in the time of the pandemic.
We recognize that every family is unique. But, our common humanity is a place where we can draw ideas and inspiration from. So, let us listen to Mommy Shine’s story.
Let’s recall the insights and ideas we gathered from or conversation with Mommy Shine. Take note that before COVID-19, she has established routines and procedures at home to support and continue the learning experiences of her children. This arrangement can also be seen as making the home the first learning environment of the children. There exists a home-school connection. Prior to the pandemic, Yumi and Nico are exposed to the learning continuity of home and school and vice-versa.
Specifically, Mommy Shine took effort in creating a space at home for her children to learn and play, while the adults have their own space for work. There is space and time for the family to come together and that is in the dining room during meals. It may look and sound like a perfect scenario but Mommy Shine is quick to add that this new set up poses a lot of changes and challenges. For one, the children miss their friends. Nothing can ever replace the teacher’s physical presence. But in online distance learning, friendship is limited in the four corners of a screen and the teacher’s voice sounded odd. Creativity, being proactive and listening well to children are key characteristics to overcome them. Procedures and protocols are valuable to keep Mommy Shine’s sanity intact, but of equal relevance is time for the self.
Three things to remember:
Listen to your body. Rest is valuing the SELF.
Recognize the need for mental health care. Know that there will always be people who care and who will listen to you as well.
Continue building on hobbies that nourish and enrich your personhood.
With that, we end episode 2 of Learn from Home. Let us not forget that in order to take care of our loved ones, we need to take good care of ourselves. Stay safe everyone!
You can watch the video of the episode by jumping to this link - https://bit.ly/3qgDbJK
Also, there is going to be the LEARN FROM HOME EXCLUSIVE SESSION
December 19, 2020 ll 10:00AM - 11:30AM
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? Parents, guardians, teachers, school administrators, educators, any person who is taking on a parental role in the learn from home set-up
REGISTER HERE (FREE) - https://forms.gle/UeGq3wND52FXb8vw8
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As we continue the success of our #LearnFromHome online program we are announcing YGOAL's #holidaypresent for parents and everyone involved in the learning process of a child or youth through a #learnfromhome set-up. We are opening this space of breath and recognition for all of your good work transitioning into a new mode of education delivery.
Episodes 1 -2 - The LDW and Jo Bo Ah ship has sailed!
Episodes 3-6 - The strong folkloric elements are smoothly integrated in the drama.
Episodes 7-10 - That kiss in the rain... It is a masterpiece!
Episode 11 - 12 - Lee Yeon's is the best brother but he is not the perfect boyfriend to bring home and meet the parents. And that is perfectly alright.
Learn from Home is a program of YGoal. The aim of the program is to support parents, guardians, and those who take on a “parental” role on how learning can be facilitated efficiently at home especially in the modification of the delivery of education in this time of unprecedented change.
In this episode of Learn from Home, we are fortunate to listen to Mommy Alexine, Daddy Nong and their daughter Adriana share their Homeschooling journey. What they thought of as a stroll in the park turned out to be a journey of peaks and valleys. Admittedly they crammed on topics for the delivery of the program for Adriana’s home school learning experiences. But, as Daddy Nong pointed out, the transition to home school learning in this time of the pandemic allowed them to learn again and to learn together as a family. Mommy Alexine is undergoing the biggest adjustment because she runs an online bookstore. We also have to remember that Daddy Nong gave his 100 percent support to homeschooling Adriana, thus, they were able to overcome the bumps and road blocks along the way. It has been fun, as Daddy Nong said. And there is the spark of insight.
So, how can parents and guardians WFH set up an effective learning environment at home?
The decision to homeschool and to conduct home based learning is a commitment that both spouses or partners agreed to do.
Create or carve a physical space for online distance learning or home schooling.
Moderate the use of technology, especially, digital technology.
Manage time. Make it real for your family. Start by looking at what you have in your resources and use it as a point of strength to which you can build on.
Take opportunities to bond together outside the digital space. And this means, respecting the “me” time for every family member.
Capitalize on community networks. Determine groups and organizations, as well as government agencies who can help the family.
You can watch the video of the episode by jumping to this link - https://bit.ly/2JvPYqP
December 19, 2020 ll 10:00AM - 11:30AM
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? Parents, guardians, teachers, school administrators, educators, any person who is taking on a parental role in the learn from home set-up
REGISTER HERE (FREE) - https://forms.gle/UeGq3wND52FXb8vw8
---
As we continue the success of our #LearnFromHome online program we are announcing YGOAL's #holidaypresent for parents and everyone involved in the learning process of a child or youth through a #learnfromhome set-up. We are opening this space of breath and recognition for all of your good work transitioning into a new mode of education delivery.
