Gcina Mhlope -Becker: South African Storyteller In Manila

From my inbox today --

You or your teachers may be interested in attending any of the following sessions with visiting South African storyteller, writer, stage actress, motivational speaker Gcina Mhlope -Becker whose folktale books have been adopted in South African schools:

Tuesday, 7 July, 2- 4 pm, CCP Silid Pambansang Alagad ng Sining (Forum with her on Child Education and Storytelling. I am moderating the forum)

Wednesday, 8 July, 10 am (invitational performance)

Thursday, 9 July , 10 am *

Friday, July 10, 3 pm*

Friday, 10 July, 8 pm (invitational gala)

Saturday, 11 July, 8 to 11:30, Museo Pambata, Storytelling Workshop*

Note: the asterisked events have an admission fee of Php 300

As a result of the A(H1N1) assault

Xavier School has released PR on the cancelation of classes from June 25 to July 5. Beginning this Friday, June 26, selected courses and subjects for intermediate grades and secondary levels can be accessed online. Using technology, a student can follow the required course outline through independent studying. Teacher made online lesson will be available and parents of younger students must assist their children in weaving their way in the web.

This was how Singapore and Hong Kong schools survived during the SARS season. I'm not happy about a Xaverian positive with the virus, but it sure is an exciting possibility for my son to learn via technology.

Here's hoping for better days to come.

"Tulaan Sa Tren" Poetry Writing Contest (Poetry Reading Inside The Train)

The National Book Development Board (NBDB), Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), and Vibal Foundation are giving aspiring poets a chance to have their poems posted in LRT trains as part of the Tulaan sa Tren readership promotion campaign.

Rules and guidelines:
1) The contest is open from 22 June 2009 until 22 July 2009 to all Filipino citizens of all ages.

2) The NBDB will accept original, unpublished poems with the theme Journeys/Paglalakba y. Entries may be in English, Filipino, or any of the regional languages (with English or Tagalog translation if written in a regional language) and should be up to 200 words long. Only one (1) poem per author will be accepted.

3) The Board of Judges will select three (3) winners each for the English and Filipino categories. For each category, the Grand Prize winner will receive P5,000.00, second prize winner will receive P3,000.00, and third prize winner will receive P2,000.00. Winning entries will be posted in LRT trains alongside the works of established Filipino poets and will be published in a compilation of Tulaan sa Tren 2 poems. The NBDB shall share copyright with the authors for their winning poems for purposes of broadcast and/or publication in the NBDB’s readership campaigns.

4) Entries must be submitted along with the Official Entry Form. The author’s name and address must only appear in the Official Entry Form and must not appear on the entry. Entries may be e-mailed to tulaansatren@ nbdb.gov. ph or sent postmarked no later than July 22, 2009 to:

Office of the Executive Director
National Book Development Board
2/F NPO Bldg.
EDSA cor. NIA Northside Road
Diliman, Quezon City

5) The winners will be contacted by the NBDB prior to the launch of Tulaan sa Tren 2 and will be awarded during the project launch tentatively set in August.

Entry forms may be downloaded on the NBDB website (www.nbdb.gov. ph)

Time Traveling Librarian

It was early this year when I chanced upon Audrey Niffeneger's book, The Time Traveler's Wife, at Fullybooked. I included it in my mental list of "to read" for this year. Due to some budgetary constraints, I still have not acquired a copy.

I'm inclined to read the book because of it's theme and story line. It's a mixed genre of romance and science fiction, so it would make for an interesting read. What's more, the lead character, Henry DeTamble is a librarian.

I'm bent to get a copy. Even a second hand copy. After reading the Sookie Stackhouse series, I deserve a serious romance novel. Niffeneger's book was adapted into a movie, besides. Eric Bana plays Henry (yum!) and his leading lady, Rachel Adams portrays his wife Claire. Here's the trailer.

Evelyn Nabus, Filpino Librarian

This is Ms. Evelyn Nabus, Filipina and licensed librarian.

She is currently the librarian of Marikina City's Ka-Angkan Family History Center. The center is a genealogy library where one's family roots and routes can be traced. Ms. Nabus manages non-projected media formats that carry valuable primary reosurces of one's lineage. Before her assignment in Ka-Angkan, Evelyn was a college librarian at the Pamantasan ng Marikina. She also has an extensive experience in developing and implementing programs for the Marikina Public Library.

As officer of the Public Librarians Association of the Philippines, Ms.Nabus worked with other public librarians in organizing seminars and workshops for their professional growth. Likewise, she is an ex-officio of the PNU Library and Information Science Alumni Association.

NCBD @ Marikina

Last July 11, the PBBY officers and board members met at the Kapitan Cafe, Kapitan Moy building in Marikina City to finalize plans for the 26th National Children's Book Day. This is the first time that PBBY will have the celebration of NCBD (National Children's Book Day) outside Manila. Only three venues were used in the past -- CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines), TNL (The National Library) and Museo Pambata. This year's theme focus on leadership and readership thus, the NCBD poster boasts of this slogan - Readers Make Good Leaders!

Marikina has taken a great interest on literacy promotion. The whole month of July promises to be a fun-filled month of reading, writing and interactive activities for children and literacy advocates. There is more to Marikina than just shoes, really. In fact, I was there twice last week to visit a librarian friend who is working in the city's Ka-Angkan History Foundation. If you want your genealogy traced, pay the center a visit and you might just discover your roots leading you to a popular celebrity or historical figure in the past.

Going back to NCBD matters, the Salanga and Alcala Prizes will be awarded during the opening ceremonies on July 21, 2009 at the Marikina Convention Center. Here's a photo of the winning Alcala by Ferdinand Guevara. His interpretation of Garlitos' wining Salanga, Ang Higante Sa Aming Bahay was done in 3D art.

A Book. The Kiss. And some skin

Last Wednesday, I came home and found a package with my name on it. There was no return address so I was nervous and excited at the same time. I was transformed to Tatiana Del Torro upon opening the manila envelope. It's not everyday that I get a free book, you see. I could only think of the Filipino Librarian as the sender. Like a true librarian, he sure knows what book I will enjoy reading. To every reader is a book!

In The Stacks is an anthology of short stories about libraries and librarians. Edited by Michael Cart, it boasts of nineteen short stories by this century's premiere writers of fiction (so it says in the blurb). I will hold judgment as to how these writers perceive books, reading, libraries and librarians until the last story. I'm already on the third story in the collection and so far, it's been a satisfying read. Le Guin's The Phoenix left me puzzled. Yet, I am in awe of her discourse and her perspective to human nature's complexity. Calvino's A General In The Library is a timely read as I've been blogging about TGBB 2009.

Yes, yes! I will write a review. This is too good to pass.

So the same goes with the monumental "kissing" scene of Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. Well, at least, for me it is. I am a solid Ron-Hermione fan and I'm thrilled with the news. I hope it beats the Harry-Cho kissing scene from Order of the Phoenix!

Add the movie trailer of New Moon on the pile and my routine induced world shook a bit. Taylor Lautner showed some skin. Woof! Woof! Go Jacob!

WEB TECHNOLOGIES

Training for Development of Library and Teaching Resources

Philippine eLibrary Partners:
1. Commission on Higher Education
2. Department of Agriculture
3. Department of Science and Technology
4. The National Library
5. University of the Philippines

Target Audience:
1. Librarians and other Information Professionals/Specialists
2. Faculty members of colleges and universities

Objectives:
At the end of the Training, participants are expected to:
1. Know the information products and services of Philippine eLibrary
2. Create a library/teaching site integrating various web resources
3. Gain familiarity with web technologies and web resources

Pre-Requisite for Participants
Participants must be computer literate

Methodology
1. Lectures
2. Hands-on training

Duration
3 Days


Tentative Schedules and Venues:
June 17 – 19, 2009
Baguio City

June 24-26, 2009
Naga City Library, Naga City

July 15-17, 2009
Venue: Cagayan de Oro City

July 29 – 31, 2009
Cebu City

Registration Fee: P 5,000 per participant. For registration or details, contact:
Ms. Melody Madrid 02 5281972 or Ms Tina Diaz 02 5253196

The 2nd National Conference On Children's Literature

The Pilandokan (National Research Society for Children’s Literature) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts will be sponsoring the Second National Conference on Children’s Literature with the theme “Panitikang Pambata sa Edukasyon” (Children’s Literature in Education) on July 16-17, 2009 at the Claro M. Recto Hall, Faculty Center, UP Diliman. The national conference will feature paper presentations and workshops by both established and young literary scholars, creative writers, artists, and children’s right advocates. Topics include Filipino concept of child and childhood, state of Philippine children’s literature, national identity, book piracy, children in television, children’s media, children and the social problems, literacy program for the urban poor children and the deaf, and the formation of Filipino childhood identity. Keynote speech will be delivered by renowned literary critic and Pilandokan Founding President Dr. Rosario Torres-Yu. For inquiries about the conference fees, contact Dr. Eugene Y. Evasco and/or Prof. Will P. Ortiz (pagongatmatsing@yahoo.com). You may also contact Prof. Jayson Petras (0922-8889662) or Ms. Pauline Hernando (0906-5839390).

Aklatan ni Mika

Sometime in 2006, I had a telephone conversation with Lizanne Alcazaren who runs Aklatan ni Mika, a children's library in a halfway house for children with cancer. The halfway house is a shelter for children who go through chemotherapy and counseling sessions. At that time, I was still the President of KUTING. Lizanne and I were brainstorming on literacy activities for the children to do while undergoing treatment.

Dreams are easy to conceive, of course. Weaving them to reality is another matter entirely. For some reason, plans did not push through but Lizanne continued collaborating with Teacher Isa Bautista-Saplala of Miriam College. It is a small world. Teacher Isa is my kumare and former co-teacher in Xavier School.

Last month, Teacher Isa brought me to Akltan ni Mika for a storytelling workshop with the children they take care of. We did listening, speaking, reading and writing activities with the kids. They were very eager and perceptive. Teacher Isa's students from Miriam College lent a hand and joined in the fun. For nearly five years now, Lizanne and Teacher Isa struggle to keep the library and its literacy programs alive. I admire their tenacity and dedication. And so far, they and the children have been blessed. Donations and volunteers pour in especially at times when they are needed the most.

TGBB 2009: News From The Grapevine

From a reliable source --

...the "suspension" is temporary. The duties/taxes are not rescinded, removed or lifted.

The battle is not yet over.

Lifting Book Duties

In a previous post about the The Great Book Blockade of 2009, I mentioned the silence that pervaded Filipino librarians on this side of the issue. While it is good to note that Filipino blograrians were up in arms to blog about TGBB 2009 in their individual capacity, there was no collective voice from professional associations or teachers of LIS to rally or petition the lifting of book duties. Unless, of course, I have not been looking at the right places. I can be wrong.

iRead2 put a fullstop on my musings through this post --

Now even if the duties were scrapped the common man would not be able still to get or even buy a book. There is still a need to develop other avenues by which everyone can avail of the book and one of this is develop our public library system. Promote and develop them.

Not everyone can afford to buy a book. Not everyone has a credit line to buy a book. This is where or this where a library, public or otherwise can fill the gap.

I'd like to think that most Filipino librarians are battling their own professional issues and problems that to make a noise on the TGBB is just too much to do for now. I would like to think that somewhere out there, Filipino Librarians are quietly transforming their libraries into places where the public can freely access information from printed and online media.

Breaking the Blockade

PGMA did one right decision today --

"Taxes on book imports lifted"
By Paolo Romero Updated May 25, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo ordered yesterday the
Department of Finance to scrap the taxes imposed on imported books and
reading material.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the directive was prompted by a
torrent of criticism on the move of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), which
is under the supervision of the finance department, to impose the
duties.

“President Arroyo ordered the immediate lifting of the customs duty on
book importation,” Remonde said in a text message to The STAR.

“The President wants books to be within reach of the common man. She
believes reading as an important value for intellectual formation,
which is the foundation of a healthy public opinion necessary for a
vibrant democracy,” he said.

More on the news at Philstar.com

Live Blogging: Reading, Writing and Storytelling

Mommy Chit and Mommy Rose listen attentively to May Tobias-Papa as she opines on reading vs. use of computers. We're now talking about he importance of read alouds at home. It's inevitable to talk about writing and not mention the important topic on reading. To write, one must read.

Live Blogging: KUTING @ 1026 DZAR Sonshine Radio

May Tobias-Papa, writer and illustrator of Araw Sa Palengke is listening to a recorded audio of her story. There's a question and answer portion going on right now with a child caller. She just won a special prize! Ang saya!

We're now being introduced by Ate Hannah, the host of the show BATANG MAY K. Quickly she moved to interview May on her story.

CPE Hulabaloo

The updated CPE (Continuing Professional Education) Program for librarians was discussed and presented by Madame Susima Gonzales last May 11, 2009 at the PASLI (Philippine Association of Librarians Inc.) National Seminar in Teachers' Camp, Baguio City.

It caused quite a stir.

For one, the participants were a mix of teacher-librarians, librarians with license and those without. Two, there were a good number of school librarians present at the seminar who were newly graduates while a big chunk of the crowd belong to the senior category. Their reactions were a cacophony of questions, comments and reclaims.

I am sure that PASLI's intentions to have Madame Gonzales present the updated CPE were well meant. But no one could have prepared the listeners from the shock of hearing this news. The CPE program contains very high standards of competence, which, to me, is necessary for any licensed professional. There are so many issues and problems facing the Filipino school librarian today that to be burdened with 60 CPE units to complete in three years time is simply a needle on the camel's back.

The PLAI and the BFL (Board For Librarians), along with the associations of Filipino Librarians in the country MUST do a lot of "change-crisis management" in the way new paradigms are being presented to members of the profession to fully understand and appreciate the updated CPE.

I will post some suggestions in the near future on ways to ease up the tension caused by the new CPE Program. For now, I need to go to a radio station in Ortigas for a live interview. I will be live blogging the segment, so keep posted!

Timeline of the GBB09

Manuel L. Quezon III has a nifty timeline of the Great Book Blockade of 2009 (GBB09). That's where I learned that RockEd will be giving away free books on May 24, 2009. So, if you're somewhere near Roxas Boulevard on the given date, go and rally for books, reading and literacy.



It is also interesting to note that R. Hemley has written about the strength of Pinoy bloggers on bringing up this issue to the public. MLQ III has the links too. Now I wonder if PLAI, or any of the many Filipino Librarian's association in the country has a "say" on the GBB09.

Shhh. Silence please. You're in the library.

Updated Librarian's CPE

ARTICLE III

CRITERIA FOR ACCREDITATION OF PROVIDERS, PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES, OR SOURCES; EQUIVALENT CREDIT UNITS; CREDIT REQUIREMENTS; EXEMPTIONS AND OTHER MATTERS

Section 13. CRITERIA FOR ACCREDITATION – In order to merit accreditation, the following criteria shall be complied with :
A. For CPE Provider :
1. must be a duly registered organization, firm, institution or agency, or a professional of good standing and has never been convicted of a crime;
2. shall have an established mechanism for measuring the quality of the program being offered or administered;
3. must have adequate, modern, and updated instructional materials to carry out the CPE programs and activities;
4. shall have a pool of regular instructors, lecturers, trainors, and resource speakers with good moral character and technical competence and must be holders of current/valid professional registrations and licenses, if they are professionals regulated by the Commission.
B. For CPE programs, activities or sources :
1. The scope shall be beyond the basic preparation for admission to the practice of the profession. The contents shall be relevant/related, but not limited, to the practice of librarianship.
2. The programs, activities or sources shall enhance the competence of the registered and licensed librarian by upgrading and updating knowledge and skills for the practice of librarianship as brought about by modernization as well as scientific and technical advancements in the profession.

Section 14. PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES AND SOURCES FOR ACCREDITATION AND EQUIVALENT CREDIT UNITS - Any provider may submit to the BFL CPE Council programs, activities, or sources to be approved and accredited for credit units (CUs). No CPE providers shall be allowed to conduct CPE programs, activities, and sources without prior approval and accreditation from the Council.
As used in these guidelines, the following terms shall mean :
1. Seminars shall refer to the gathering of professionals which shall include, among others, workshops, technical lectures or subject matter meetings, non- degree training courses and scientific meetings.
2. Conventions shall refer to a gathering of professionals which shall include, among others, conferences, symposia, fora, or assemblies for round table discussions.
3. Resource Speaker shall refer to a professional who acts as discussion leader or lecturer in a convention, seminar or any similar gathering.
4. Master’s Degree shall refer to a graduate degree in Library and Information Science, Education or related field from a recognized school, college, or university.
5. Doctoral Degree shall refer to a post-graduate degree in Library and Information Science, Education or related field from a recognized school, college, or university.
6. Self-Directed Learning Package shall refer to learning which uses course manuals or accredited learning modules. Accredited learning modules include self-instructional materials or programs which may be in the form of printed manual, audio and video cassette tapes, films, computer-assisted learning (CAL), study kits, learning aids and modules or the use of the information highway. These should include among others clearly defined objectives, adequate content and an evaluation component for each module.
7. Authorship shall refer to the ownership of intellectual property which includes technical or professional books, instructional materials and the like. Credits earned must be claimed within one (1) year from the date of publication or production.
8. Peer Reviewer shall refer to a professional who acts as an evaluator of a research paper, conference paper or journal article before it is presented or published.
9.. Post-Graduate or In-Service Training shall mean training or specialization at the post-graduate level for a minimum period of one(1) week.
10. CPE Provider shall refer to a natural person or juridical entity which includes, among others, accredited or non-accredited professional organization, firm, partnership, corporation or institution which offers, organizes, or arranges CPE programs, activities or sources for implementation and administration.
11. CPE Programs, Activities, or Sources shall refer to the regime of CPE which enhance the competence of the librarians by upgrading and updating knowledge and skills for the profession as brought about by modernization and scientific and technical advancements in the profession. The scope shall be beyond the basic preparation for admission to the practice of the profession. The content shall be related but not limited to the practice of the profession.

Section 15. CPE CREDIT UNITS
The total CPE credit units (CUs) for registered and licensed librarians with baccalaureate degree shall be sixty (60) credit units for three(3) years. Any excess credit units earned shall not be carried over to the next three-year period except credit units earned for master’s and doctoral degrees or for other special training.

One credit hour of CPE program, activity or source shall be equivalent to one(1) credit unit. CPE credit units shall be granted only to accredited programs and providers. However, programs and activities conducted by providers within the year of accreditation and were not pre-accredited may be given credit upon submission of documents relevant to the programs to the PLAI CPE Council and upon approval of the BFL CPE Council.

Section 16. PROCEDURES FOR ACCREDITATION OF CPE PROVIDERS
The BFL and PLAI CPE Councils shall observe the following procedures for the accreditation of CPE providers :

A. In case of natural persons :
1. Any person seeking to offer an organized or arranged program, activity or source shall accomplish and submit to the PLAI CPE Council an application form.
2. An application shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following information :
a. Full name, address and telephone number/s of the applicant-provider
b. Relevant educational background
c. Profession, principal area of professional work and number of years in the practice of profession
d. PRC License Number and date of expiration
e. Current employment
3. Applicant-provider shall submit a valid NBI clearance.
4. Applicant-provider shall pay an accreditation fee at the PRC.
B. In case of juridical entities :
1. Any agency, organization, institution, association or similar juridical entity seeking to offer an organized program, activity or source shall accomplish and submit to the PLAI CPE Council an application form.
2. An application shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following information and documents :
a. Full name, office address, telephone/fax numbers, and e-mail address
b. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration papers (copy)
c. List of officers, with their PRC License Numbers and expiry date if officer is a member of the regulated profession.
d. Plans for CPE programs or activities for the year applied
e. Proof of past CPE activities or programs conducted/arranged (immediate past year) for applicants renewing accreditation.
3. Applicant-provider shall pay an accreditation fee at the PRC.
C. All applicants shall submit to the PLAI CPE Council the following :
1. Mechanism for measuring the quality of the program, activity, or source being offered.
2. Criteria for selecting and evaluating speakers, resource persons, or lecturers.
D. Issuance by the Council of Certification of Accreditation (CoA) as CPE Provider in the case of natural persons and juridical entities and their programs, activities and sources by the Commission proper. Accreditation shall be for a period of three (3) years, renewable every three (3) years upon the filing of an application and payment of accreditation fee.

Section 17. PROCEDURES FOR ACCREDITATION OF A CPE PROGRAM, ACTIVITY, OR SOURCE
1. A CPE provider seeking accreditation of an organized or arranged CPE program, activity or source shall submit said program, activity or source (in triplicate) to the BFL CPE Council, through the PLAI CPE Council, for evaluation and approval. The program, activity, or source shall cover a period not to exceed three (3) years.
2. The application for accreditation of a CPE program, activity, or source shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following information and documents :
a. Title/s of program/s, activity/ies, or source/s
b. Name of CPE provider, address, phone and fax numbers
c. Date and venue of the administration of the program
d. Objectives
e. Targeted audience or participants
f. Contents and number of hours
g. Resource speakers, lecturers, discussion leaders, panelists, reactors, moderators, and facilitators, including their qualifications and current PRC license if they are members of the regulated profession
h. Actual program and schedule
i. Seminar or convention fee to be collected, including estimated budgetary expenditures
j. Evaluation to be used which could either be any of the following modes or systems :
• evaluation of seminar by the participants
• evaluation of participants by CPE provider (i.e. tests)
• other methods of evaluation
2. If the BFL CPE Council finds the CPE program, activity, or source to be relevant to the profession, cost effective to the participants, and in accordance with the guidelines, said Council shall issue a certificate of accreditation within thirty (30) days from receipt of the application.

Section 18. POST-ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS
Upon the completion of an accredited CPE program, activity, or source, the CPE provider shall submit a report to the BFL CPE Council within 15 days from the last day of the offering. The report shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following information :
1. Name of CPE provider
2. Name or description of CPE program, activity, or source
3. Accreditation number and date of issuance of accreditation
4. Certified list of participants indicating names and PRC professional license numbers and date of expiration as well as of resource speakers, lecturers, discussion leaders, panelists, moderators, or facilitators who took part or participated in the CPE program, activity, or source
5. Date and time of start and completion of the holding of the CPE program, activity, or source
6. Venue or location of the holding of the program
7. Summary of evaluation results of participants
8. Name of the CPE Council representative who monitored the CPE program or activity.

Section 19. SANCTIONS
A. Accredited CPE Provider - Accreditation shall be withdrawn from the CPE provider who:
1. is found not complying with the prescribed rules and regulations for
CPE, or
2. has committed substantial deviation from the approved program, or
3. has submitted false reports, or
4. has committed such other acts that the BFL CPE Council finds to be in violation of the interest of the program.
B. Commission Employees
Any employee of the Commission who causes, abets, or helps in the renewal of the ID card / license of a registered professional without complying with CPE requirements shall be considered to have violated office and/or civil service rules and regulations and shall be proceeded against administratively, and, if found guilty, shall be meted out the penalties provided for by the said laws and rules and regulations.

The Great Book Blockade of 2009

The Great Book Blockade of 2009 has made everyone in the book industry busy and noisy. The PBBY is actually coming up with its own stand on the plight of book taxation in the country. Elfren Cruz has written an essay in Business World about this.

Here's an excerpt.

Historically, in every slave-owning society (including the United States) slaves were not allowed to read. There was a period in European civilization when barbarians ruled and books were accessible in a few monasteries. This was aptly called the Dark Ages.

One of the saddest periods in the history of the Catholic church was the period of the Inquisition and the Index of Forbidden Books when again authorities decided what could and could not be read.

Alberto Managuel, in his book A History of Reading, wrote:

"As centuries of dictators have known, an illiterate crowd is easiest to rule; since the craft of reading cannot be untaught once it has been acquired, the second best recourse is to limit its scope. Therefore, like no other human creation, books have been the bane of dictatorships. Absolute power requires that all reading be official reading, instead of whole libraries of opinions, the ruler’s words should suffice."

Throughout history, man’s search to know his world and himself has been through the written word conveyed in books. Perhaps it may be difficult for most politicians to comprehend, but the truth is that words and wisdom, written in books, have the power to change our lives much more than roads, bridges, and ambulances financed by pork barrel funds.

For the full article, read Mr. Cruz here.

Photos from Baguio

My Baguio Blues can be viewed in The Coffee Goddess. I was not really lonely. I went to Tam-Awan Village and the BenCab Museum all by myself.