Poetry: What are sunshines if there are no sunsets

 

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Poetry: Hallowed Heart

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Book Review: The Midnight Library

 

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Bangtan Apperciation Post: JK, the Golden Maknae

At natapat pa sa araw ng Pasko ang appreciation post para kay JK. Golden Maknae talaga.

Si JK ang itinadhana. He is the one. Siya ang pinili ng uniberso para magwish ang marami na maging tagapagalaga niya at, in return, siya naman ang magaalaga. Everyone is either protective or endeared by him, from Mr. Son to Taehyung. How can a such a man-child exist in this lifetime?

And so, JK thank you for embodying agility, flexibility and growth in the midst of change. Hindi ko keri ang mga extreme and daring activities mo, pero gets ko ang message. In my own little way, I will face the coming changes in my life with openness and a little bit more courage. Sometime, somewhere, safety protocols permitting, I might get a tattoo. Something I have always wanted to do. I know, this is something TOBBIES, will not frown upon.

Borahae!

Bangtan Appreciation Post: V and My Inner Child

 

An appreciation post for V

Thank you Taehyung for inviting me to reconnect with my inner child at midlife. It has been an experience of healing. Not entirely pleasant but one where I am able to discover grace. Thank you for your stark honesty, authenticity and the generosity for sharing your beautiful mind. You can be savage when called for and even that is something I appreciate about you!

PS - Sana matapos mo na ang mixtape na yan, V. More love to you and Yeontan!

Borahae

Bangtan Appreciation Post: Park Jimin

Oh my. Jimin. Where to begin?

To me, you are a creature of enchantment. Magical like a unicorn with a mane of sparkling rainbows. Astonishingly androgynous. Oozing with masculine grace.

Your duality is perplexing. Innocent and playful at one point. Sensual and searing at most. It can be strange and yet, awesomely beautiful. Sadly, not everyone is ready for this. But I am and so are millions of ARMYs.

Thank you for challenging me to look beyond the periphery. Thank you for expanding my world view on art in its varied forms, colors, movements, shapes, symbols and languages. I appreciate everything you are and all that you do!

Borahae!

Bangtan Appreciation Post: JHope at Christmas

Kung may ultimate bias may all time bias wrecker. And for me it’s Hobi.

When Hobi dances, he does it with with passion and purpose. Yes, swak ang SMART sa tag line (someone in the advertising department must be ARMY to get this right). He dances with joyful generosity and I can feel it when he moves - from the tip of his hair to the end of his toes. Kita ang kaluluwa! I don’t know how he does it. It can be a natural talent. Something he is born with which was honed and polished over the years.

When Hobi performs, the love is evident. A love he shows and shares with all six members of Bangtan. A love for his family. His rendition of Mama was a touching tribute to his mom, of course. An accessible narrative which many can relate with especially mothers.

So, Hobi. This Christmas, I thank you for always giving your best. You continue to persevere. You are constantly learning.

It is the season of hope. Your stage name is an appropriate reminder that HOPE is something we should always give ourselves not just on Christmas, but all year through and in every waking moment.

Borahae, Jung Hoseok!

 

Kuwentong Bangtan: Min Yoongi and Our ARMY Life. So far.

On the last day of work, I had the chance to visit the campus after nearly two years of work from home arrangement. Naglambing si daughter.

ARMY Daughter: Mama, please don’t forget my book list.

Checking her PM that has the book list, I was impressed.

Me: You make Namjoon proud!

ARMY Daughter: It’s actually Yoongi. Siya kaya ang nagpabalik ng loob ko sa libro.

Me: Yoongi made you read again. Is that why he’s your ultimate bias?

ARMY Daughter: No, he’s my wrecker of all time. Alam mo yun… kase, Yoongi is like the missing piece in a puzzle. The things he say on interviews, parang yun ang period. A punctuation. A closure. He isn’t perfect, just like any human being. But he is frank, firm and —

Me: Dependable. Stable.

ARMY Daughter: Yes! After his battles with depression, di ba? Pwede pala ma-achieve ang balance or the sense of it. At least.

I didn’t see Yoongi in this light until this conversation I had with my daughter. Ah, the stuff I learn from her and BTS. And because it’s Christmas in four days, I just want to throw my gratitude to Min Yoongi to the universe. Thank you, Min Yoongi, for being an inspiration to my daughter. She is going through her own personal struggles of being and well-being. Your life story, so far, is a reminder of hope, grit, and to go after what is worth fighting for.

Borahae!  

Bangtan Appreciation Post: Kim Seokjin

Hindi ako Jin stan pero, na-inspire ako ni Jin today. Awake ang una kong narinig na BTS song sa isip ko ngayong umaga. So, here is a Kim Seokjin appreciation post.

Dear Jin,

Kahit ano pa ang ilagay mo sa buhok mo, ribbons, pig tails, flowers o si RJ at magsasayaw ka dyan to the tune of Super Tuna, World Wide Handsome ka pa rin! Sobrang pinasaya mo kaming mga TOBBIES, Pearl ARMYs all, ngayong taon. #Jinhit ka talaga!

This appreciation post may never reach you, but the universe has a way of letting you know that what you do, makes a lot of difference to the personal and collective lives of people. Yung grade 3 student ko, ibinida nya last week sa akin na alam na niya ang dance steps ng Super Tuna. She has learning challenges, Jin. Through your song, she is able to move and understand the purpose of her arms, hands, fingers and legs. You make my work, a little bit easier and a lot more enjoyable!

Thank you for your humor and sincerity. Be well and stay healthy! Maligayang Pasko!

Tita Z

PS - pagpunta namin ng SK, ipagluto mo kami ng Kimchi Fried Rice, please?

Poetry: Slippers In the Snow

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The Sad Little Fact Jonah Winter and Pete Oswald, Schwartz & Wade, 2019

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Book Review: What is Peace? Wallace Edwards, Scholastic, 2016

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Book Review: The Myths and Legends of the Philippines Retold and illustrated by Alexandra Romualdez Broekman Kado Publishing, 2021

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Book Review: BTS and ARMY Culture

 

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DZRH Health Plus Author and Illustrator Interview: Masaya Ang Maging Ako

Here are the interview questions which I answered for DZRH Health Plus. The teleradio show was last November 7, 2021.

1.   Kayo po ay isang guro-katiwala ng aklatan. You practically live in a world full of books. Ito po ba ang dahilan kung bakit kayo nag-umpisang magsulat ng aklat pambata?

2    Yes. Pero nung teenager ako, gusto ko na maging manunulat. Naisip ko noon na may kuwento rin akong pwedeng ibahagi sa iba. At kung na-touch ako or na-inspire ng mga kuwento na binabasa ko, makapagbibigay din ako ng inspiration sa iba. In books, we establish human connections. This connection can be personal as well as communal.

Ano naman po ang naging inspirasyon niyo sa pagsulat ng kwentong Masaya ang Maging Ako?

Inspirasyon ko ang aking anak na babae 😊 at hango sa danas niya ang kuwento ni Tere.

Nang binasa ko po ang kwento, ang batang si Tere po ay aktibo sa klase, sa extra-curriculars. Pero pinagtatawanan po siya ng ilang kaklase niya. matatawag ba nating siyang isang 'Nerd' at maituturing bang form of bullying yung pinagtatawanan siya?

Yes. Kakaiba kase si Tere. Hindi lang siya nerd, isa siyang “queer” child. Ang mga nerds, queer or LGBTQ+, Indigenous groups, disabled and special needs learners ay madalas biktima ng bullying dahil sila ay kakaiba at naiiba. Hindi ito madaling maunawaan kung hindi bukas ang pananaw or world views. Kailangan natin ng impormasyon at mga kuwento na may empathy para maunawan sila at ang pamilya/komunidad na kanilang ginagalawan. Sa MAMA, sinubok naming ni Jamie Bauza na ipakita ang dalawang pananaw na ito subalit, naka-focus kay Tere.

May iba’t-ibang uri ng bullying. 

1. Physical

2. Verbal

3. Cyber

4. Emotional

5. Prejudicial

6. Sexual

 Ang naranasan ni Tere na bullying ay Verbal, Emotional and Prejudicial bullying.

At katulad po ng nangyari sa kwento, hindi po natinag si Tere at patuloy ng ginawa ang ginagawa niya. Ano po ang maipapayo niyo sa mag batang hindi naman katulad ni Tere na aktibo at matapang pero maaring pinagtatawanan din ng mga kalaro o kaklase?

Para sa mga batang hindi katulad ni Tere, ang unang dapat makausap ay ang mga magulang. Kaya may inner strength si Tere ay dahil sa mahal na mahal siya ng kanyang pamilya kahit ano pa man siya. Ang pagkabibo at aktibo niya ay hindi masama sa tahanan na kanyang kinalakhan. Ang pagiging queer niya ay tolerated sa pamilya na kanyang kinabibilangan. Tere loves herself because, she is raised that way. Mahalaga na patuloy din natuto ang mga magulang sa pagpapalaki ng mga anak.

Ganyan din ang masasabi ko sa mga guro na may mga danas ng bullying sa classroom, online man or face to face. Sa pagplano at pag design ng instruction, maaring ma-break ang prejudice, mabigyang boses ang marginalized students at marepresent ang lahat ng mag-aaral. May ibang workshop para dito.

Isang paraan ang storytelling at developmental bibliotherapy na maaring gamitin sa bata na mahina ang loob or may issues ng self confidence / self worth. May pamamaraan ito at strategy. Magsimula sa pagpili ng kuwentong akma para sa bata. Bumuo ng mga tanong na makapagbibigay ng self confidence ayon sa context ng kuwento. Magpagawa ng mga activities na ma-express ng bata ang kanyang galling, mga iniisip at nararamdaman. Integrate ito sa art, music at iba pa.

Napansin ko po ang paggamit ng ilustrasyon para ikwento ang nangyayari kay Tere. Hindi na kailangan pa ang texto. Puede niyo bang ipaliwanag po ito? Ang inyong kolaborasyon sa ilustrador, si Jamie Bauza.

 Ang mga illustardor tulad ni Jamie Bauza ay may angking galling sa pagkukuwento gamit ang visuals, symbols at colors. May tinatawag kaseng visual narrative at dito pumapasok ang husay ng illustrador. Sadyang limitado ang mga salita na ginamit ko upang makapagbigay or makapaglagay si Jamie ng kanyang naratibong Biswal sa kuwento. Kaya naman, ang MAMA ay kuwento ng aking anak na kinwento ko at kuwento rin ito ni Jamie na gumawa ng illustrations. Sa suporta ng Lampara at Room to Read, ang aming kuwento ay kuwento rin ng babasa nito.

So, babalik tayo sa una kong sinabi na personal ang pagbabasa at maari din itong maging communal.

For Kim Namjoon

This one is for my BTS FB Group as we celebrate Christmas as ARMYs.

During the 2021 Festa, when Bangtan had their annual Corner Store, Namjoon said “I am curious about each fan’s story. How they became ARMY. I’m curious what kind of dreams they have and what they do; where and how they live, all these things. One day, I hope the day would come that we can listen to each one of their stories.” I have never seen an artist or a boyband’s leader think about fans in such a very personal way. Kim Namjoon, BTS leader, is eager to know and to listen to stories of fans.

At that time, I was already impressed of Namjoon. He has a remarkable IQ; a voracious appetite for books; the clumsiness in which he moves about completing daily routines; and namjooning - the quiet and the deliberate carving of personal space and inner peace amidst a chaotic and noisy world. All these qualities I found endearing. But for me to know that he is constantly curios about learning stories of ARMYs elevated my endearment of him to utter respect. In my line of work, stories and storytelling are powerful tools to bridge gaps, create connections and build communities. In some strange way, I felt that we have become allies.

I look at Namjoon now and I marvel at the continued progress he is making for himself, for Bangtan, for music and the arts, and for society in general. He has definitely beefed up in stature and physique. His confidence is out of this world and yet, he was the first to cry at the sound check on Day 1 of the PTD On Stage concert in LA. He cussed, cursed and cried some more on the last day of the concert. But at the end of it all, he stood firm and tall with his brothers. He is namu. He is the leader this generation is aching to have.

And so, as our dear TOB Admins prepare the special items for the RM themed Christmas box for Tita Festa 2021, the lucky winner will definitely be inspired by Namjoon’s tenacity and his strength in vulnerability.

Visit TOB regularly because the full details and mechanics of the giveaway will be dropped at 12MN, and that the duration of the raffle will be from 12MN to 8PM only. We are Titas of BTS. Pearl ARMY. Borahae!

~ Tita Zee 😊

Today is Jin Day!

 

What Makes Kim Seokjin Amazing 

 He does his homework and delivers it exceptionally well. For someone who claimed to having no talent for singing, Jin earned it the hard way. Nor was he a dancer but he worked triple time not just for himself but for the group to achieve efficiency and precision.

 He does not take himself too seriously. We saw it in full display at the PTD concert from day 1 to 4.

 He is an amazing storyteller. Watch Run BTS episode 143.

 He knows how and when to break the ice. In the SBS interview last July 24, 2021, he addressed the interviewer, a senior and experienced anchor man in South Korea as “hyung”.

 He knew what to do with his strengths. They say he was only in BTS for his visuals, so, he claimed it and became our World Wide Handsome.

 He adds an extra dash of charm to World Wide Handsome. He will cook Kimchi Fried rice for Jimmy Fallon when he visits Korea. How to be you, Jimmy Fallon?

 He takes rest seriously which is good for mental health and well-being.

Happy birthday, Jin! Borahae!