Kuwentong Bangtan: NFT and Jack in the Box (1 of 2)

A conversation on digital access, Jhope's new album and NFTs.

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This one is from my Facebook Page. Putting it here in the blog for emphasis and archiving. I lifted some comments that are helpful to track and to take note of. These comments are from two friends, namely Jamie Bautista and Fr. Earl Valdez.

I had this interesting conversation about NFT and blockchain technology with a friend at work. My friend has ventured into NFT created art work and she's pretty happy at the process. So I told her about Jhope of BTS' new album that will be accessible via Weverse (shop and album). I wondered if this is already the NFT-ization of BHE and HYBE artists' content and productions.

What followed was an exchange of questions and answers that helped me understand blockchains and NFT from her end as a content creator. I am still wrapping my head around this digital process of creating and consuming content especially from musicians and artists I am a fan of. As a consumer, I need to understand where I am putting my money on. As a fan, I wonder how this will affect my enjoyment and engagement of the art and the music I love. As teacher librarian, I am intrigued at the implications of blockchains and NFT on intellectual property, the changing value of information and the behavior of consumers towards content and knowledge creation.

Hybe is poised to go full swing on NFTs. With the volatility of NFTs and the ever changing landscape of technology, there is more to come indeed! But is it the best? We'll see.

National Children's Book Day is Children's Day

A friend from work, Mayen Lopez sent me a photo of a newspaper clipping from the Inquirer circa 2006. It is an article written by Neni Sta. Romana Cruz on the 2006 National Children's Book Day (NCBD). 

The article narrates the program of the NCBD that year as spearheded by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY). As far back as I can remember, children are always given the time to shine during NCBD. Back then, we had children perform songs, dances and storytelling presenttaions or excerpts from school musicals. Mayen's daughter, Amy Nayve beloned to a group of grade school students from St, Scholastica's College who perfomed an excerpt of the musical May Alaga Akong Puno at the NCBD that year. 

At the time, I was the librarian in Xavier School and nurturing a writing career with the help of friends and fellows in KUTING. Who would have thought that years later, Mayen and I would cross paths in the Beacon Academy without the knowledge of being at one place in one event years ago? The discovery of the article clipping is proof. This is history and it is not chismis. What a pleasant surprise!

Now here's the more amazing news. Amy Nayve is now all grown up and is a professional artist and paper engineer. I interviewed her in the blog. Read about her paper craft and paper engineering projects in School Librarian In Action.

Over the years, the PBBY has pursued the cause for literacy, development of children's books and the right of each and every child to read and have access to books and reading materials. One program to make this a reality is the Kids' Choice Award. Children read books that were published in a period of two years and they pick the best among the rest. 

This year, the PBBY in partenrship with the National Book Development Board (NBDB) will be awarding the Kids Choice Award and the National Children's Book Award on National Children's Book Day, Tuesday, July 19, 2022. 

I am excited to be this year's emcee and witness to the awarding of winners!

Dr. Strange and the Marvelous Michelle Yeoh (2 of 2)

Awesome sauce by James Jean

The very idea of a multiverse is fascinating. Imagine that versions of yourself are scattered out there in different universes living another reality that is different from yours yet somehow, a thread binds you with your many selves. It makes me think that life can be forever. I have been toying with that idea of immortality. Strangely enough, I feel comforted by just thinking about it.

This is how the Daniels presented Evelyn's experience of the multiverse in Everything Everywhere All At Once (EEAO). They have kept this canon, I think, if I go as far back into the many uses of the multiverse in comic books, literature, TV series and movies. 

If Dr. Strange and Scarlet Witch sought to fight evil and reconcile or defeat their own demons in the multiverse, Evelyn's journey into and out of the multiverse was one of acceptance and redemption. What makes her journey illumiating is the use of intertextuality as storytelling. The Daniels borrowed scences, clips, ideas and concepts from many revered works of cinema, layered these into a narrative that perfectly depicts the many facets and possibilities of life and death in the multiverse as seen in Evelyn's story.

Michelle Yeoh delivers a powerful performance. She is very consistent at essaying the premise of the many realities but one common thread across the multiverses. Her interactions with her father, daughter and husband in whatever universe is delivered with nuanced acting there really is no need for long dialogues. At one point in the movie where Evelyn cast a look of longing at Waymond, I wanted to shout, "Oh, Evelyn! I know. I do know!" 

The irreverence in many scenes is funny, sensitive and profound. How can rocks think and reflect on the big ideas of the cosmos and yet, reach out so intimately to each other in its quiet way if being?  Suddenly, I remembered Min Yoongi, every ARMYs' dear SUGA, who once said he wishes to be a rock in his next life. Now that makes sense!

 

The rest of the cast is fantastic too. Jamie Lee Curtis. Ke Huy Quan. Stephanie Hsu and James Hong are all excellent in conveying the complexity of the multiverse. In the end, amidst the struggles in one's personal life and the goal of saving the entire universe, whoever we are and whatever we do one constant thing remains according to Waymond, Evelyn's husband. 

Be kind - which is not an easy thing to do but it is an essential component of human evolution. And for this, EEAO is a gem. It is a movie I didn't think I needed.

DSMM - 4/5 stars

EEAO - 5/5 stars

Dr. Strange and the Marvelous Michelle Yeoh (1 of 2)

So I have seen two movies that made use of the multiverse as a key element in the narrative, Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Sam Raimi, 2022) and Everything Everywhere All At Once (Daniels, 2022). I enjoyed watching both movies and, like Yet to Come and Run BTS, each serve a purpose and intent of its own.

The allure of DSMM rests on the storyline of its lead character, Dr. Strange who, like any of the Marvel heroes after the rapture, is adjusting and easing into a "new" life. In this universe (the one we know), Dr. Strange is the hero who fought Thanos along side the Avengers. He is still haunted by his failed relationship with Christine and dreams about a battle in a different realm.

When America Chavez jumped into his universe, with a space octopus running after her, Dr. Strange deep dived into the struggle with himself. In the multiverse, he met a few versions of himself who have all succumbed to the darker side of sorcery and magic. The Dr. Strange of universe 616 is the best hero of his many versions not because he refused to use the linits of magic and dabble in the darkness of sorcery but because he used them to defeat the lesser good. 

And this is what I love about Marvel movies. It is unafraid to delve into the gray areas of life and galaxies big and small. It push its heroes to the ground making them dirty and pitiful. In the end, these imperfect heroes are all the more lovable, if not, easier to forgive. They are heroes who get to keep their humanity.

Even Scarlet Witch was for me, a character I empathize with. Grief is something we live with. Vizion's wise words still echo in this movie. Grief is love persevering, he said to Wanda in WandaVision. In DSMM, Wanda hangs on to the last palpable proof of her attachment with Vizion. 

It drove her to madness.

 Again, the movie begs its audience to think about desires; how atatchments can destroy the psyche; and that discernment is difficult because it requires indifference to what matters to us the most. When Dr. Strange told Christine, "I love you in all the multiverses" then went off to save an entire reality, it validates his mastery of light and the dark arts, also the knowledge of his own fallabilities.  

Source of image: https://pin.it/156j6Ps

Spotify Hit List: PRIDE Hits

 I stand by you, my lovelies! I stand by you!

Paulinian EDGE Finally Friday: Kuwentuhan Series with Zarah Gagatiga

Once more, I had the honor and pleasure to be one with Paulinian EDGE "barkada" on their Finally Friday show. We had a good discussion on storytelling and the writing process. I enjoyed talking about my books of course, and giving tips to aspiring writers.

Below is the recorded video of the show. 

You can also click the link to watch the video on Facebook.

Paulinian EDGE: Usapang Kuwentista

 Buhay Kuwentista ang pipiliin sa araw-araw! Maraming salamat, Paulinian EDGE!

Kuwentong Bangtan: Streammer Ahjumma

 

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Writing Life Roundup for June 2022

 And it's June.

What do you know. Half the year is over and soon, it will be the "Ber" months. I am on break from school, which means work is at a pause (yes, my day job) and usually, it is in the summer where I can write more, engage in my advocacies and get back to hobbies that are therapeutic like pottery, collage making and crafts like paper art and cloth art.

All things considered, I am concentraiting on a writing project I signed up for an international publisher. I will be sharing bits and pieces of this project with you, dear readers. For now, here is a list of some good things "yet to come".

1. My Daddy, My One Only, Dear Nanay and Big Sister are in the public libraries of Canada. Super thank you to Mommy Dinah Acedillo-Clemente for sharing a video of Yanyan reading aloud Big Sister. Her video gave me the push to continue on with the R&D of the my new book project. 

2. The STARS Series finally had its verdict from the Department of Education review and evaluation system. It looks like we will need a 180 degree rebranding of the series.

3. A textbook publisher is asking permission for the reprinting of My Daddy, My One and Only. 😁 I already gave them my go signal.

4. I am excited on the release of an anthology where I have a contribution of "letters". Last I heard, it will be launched in the summer. This summer. Damdum-dadum!

5. I accepted an invitation to judge a writing contest on Children's Story Writing. I get to read what young writers are writing about these days. I may be the judge for this competition but I learn from the stories or entries I read as well. 

Like any season, summer is so quick to pass. Like everything else in life, we live in the now and celebrate victories big and small!

Pandemic Poetry: Untitled 2

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Kuwentong Bangtan: Proof

The Bangtan Boys were scrappy in their younger years. But they were honest and sincere. So eager to prove their worth they resolved to be together and to have each other’s back. How they were able to turn challenges and personal struggles into their favor is magic only a Bang Sihyuk can muster.

A decade after, they all look so polished and confident.

Proof is a huge flex. ARMYs are right behind them when they say so.

Based on the content drops from Big Hit since last month, Proof is turning out what ARMY daughter and I have been discussing all along. A retrospective album of Bangtan’s wonder years as well as a hopeful glimpse to a future yet to come.

Big Hit is a master marketer. Telling stories; waxing nostalgia; bridging the past to the present; engaging fans of all ages in all platforms it can cover. Military enlistment is the elephant in the room but who is talking? The comeback album drops tomorrow and Bangtan will have a free live performance streamed on YT on June 13.

This is a very spoiled fandom. Who is complaining?

Pandemic Poetry: Untitled

 

The Lighthouse Diary #40: The Brilliance of Youth

With Dr. Reina Reyes at the Beacon Academy

We had our 10th Commencement Exercise last June 9, 2022. It was a hybrid set up, of course. Many of us, faculty and staff were present on-site attending the graduation rites. We were able to achieve this milestone with grit, resilience and teamwork. 

As in previous years, our invited guest speaker perfectly fits Aristea, the graduating batch's profile and characteristic. Aristea had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Reina Reyes. I first listened to her at the Rizal Library Conference in 2018 where she talked about big data. How numbers and symbols tell stories! How I wished I had a teacher like her growing up.

I was fortunate to whisk her away from the crowd right after the ceremonies. How was that even possible, I can no longer remember. But my heart was bursting with joy to have met her the second time around.

Fan girling over Dr. Reina Reyes. She who validated Einstein gave a very simple but deeply sincere commencement speech. It was smart, sweet and definitely not rocket science.

It was all about gratitude. One can always find it if and when the spirit is willing and open to receiving it.

July 19 is National Children's Book Day

When Books Have No Words

 

Pandemic Poetry: Bunga

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A Young Reader Reads Big Sister

 

Can you teach me how to make a book?

 Let's begin June with a question from a young reader, Ryannah. She loves books and from my observations, her taste and reading choices are varied and diverse!

😊 Start with a character. Do you have a character in mind?

Describe your character. What does he/she/it look like? What does your character love and hate? It’s a strong word, but we need to be real sometimes.

😕What is your character’s problem?

How did your character solve the problem? Did he/she/it get help from someone? If yes, how did your character get the help he/she/it needed?

😁Give your character an ending he/she/it deserves.

Lastly, who are you writing this story for? It’s OK to say that you are writing it for yourself. All authors begin that way.

You can draw pictures for your story if you wish. So, write. Right now! 

Read your story to someone who can give you honest feedback. Make it better and write it again so that you can create a book for your story.

That would be another adventure!

Have fun 

CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATION AND TRUTH-TELLING

 From the FB Page of the Philippine Board on Books for Young People

The PBBY, in cooperation with Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK) and the Ateneo Art Gallery, has gathered a panel of award-winning illustrators to talk about the challenges of illustration for children, navigating complex themes, and finding inspiration around them. The event is called CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATION AND TRUTH-TELLING and will be held on June 15 at 4 pm via Zoom. This event is free.

To register, go to bit.ly/ArtSpeak-INKStory

 

The Lighthouse Diary #39: Review and Evaluation

While the Academic Team is wrapping up the remaining tasks and requirements for Academic Year 2021-2022, my staff and I are preparing for summer in-service training, an inventory work that is two years in the making and the design of instructional plans for hybrid learning in AY 2022-23.

I am looking at a full calendar.

Part of the preparation is the review of content and database subscriptions. We are looking at and assessing Odilo School this week; then Odilo Academic next week. Subject teachers are always part of the review process. I often invite the language and literacy skills teacher, the sciences teachers and the art and humanities teachers. They have provided good feedback which help in decision making.

Apart from our review of databases and online digital libraries, the research proposals of students on the Extended Essay and Senior Project are up for assessment this week.

Let me share with you a graphic organizer I presented to one of our students who recieved feedback from teachers who sat in her presentation. The idea map is aimed at providing the student a direction for the inquiry at hand. By mapping the relationship of ideas given the criteria and guidelines of the subject, the student is aided to look at sources of information useful to answer his/her inquiries.