In the Philippines, Lola Basyang is already a metaphor for storytelling. Popularized by Severino Reyes in the 50's as a syndicated radio program and a series of story books that carry a variety of stories from local tales and borrowed lore, it lives on in modern retellings and TV shows.

The Quezon City Public Library (QCPL) joins in the bandwagon as it pushes the campaign for library use through storytelling via the help of its senior citizens. Coordinating with the Federation of Senior Citizen Association of the Philippines QC chapter, QCPL, will be running storytelling sessions by resident lolos and lolas (grandparents) in all its branches.

On November 20, 2009, I will be joining them, sixty volunteers all for a whole day workshop on the art and therapeutic claims of storytelling. I've trained children, college students, parents, teachers and librarians on storytelling but facilitating a workshop for senior citizens as storytellers is a first.

I will definitely post a follow up entry!

Most of the library science books I used back in college were written by librarians. These were textbooks I read and worked on from one LIS subject to the next. It makes sense, isn't it? Librarians write about the subject they specialize on or the courses they teach in the academe.

Just recently, I chanced upon a book written by a librarian. Lilian Liberty Elenzano-Ventura authored the book, Mga Filipinong Siyentipiko at Imbentor (Filipino Scientists and Inventors) a directory of Filipino scientist and inventors.

I remember Ms. Ventura from the Information Literacy (IL) project that Dir. Lou David spearheaded way back in 2004. She was then, a school librarian in the Quezon City public school system. If my memory serves me right, Ms. Ventura was one of the participants in the IL project that ran modules for its implementation in the school and its library. At that time, she has shown great promise in leading the project to reality.

I sometimes wonder what has happened to her and how she has been. Her stories about the programs she conduct in the school library piqued my interest since such activities were unheard of in the public school library system at that time. The library promotions and library periods could only have happened because, as the librarian, Ms. Ventura knows her library science and possesses the leadership qualities necessary to the do the job.

Laura Gallego-Garcia’s The Legend of the Wandering King was standing among the book trucks of newly processed books in the technical room of the library when it called for me, asking to be read. I did not heed the call until two weeks later when it was officially out for circulation.

The book blew me away. I felt the need to share it with the grade seven Reading teachers in school who perennially search for interesting titles of books. They were drawn to the book too that they included it in the list of book reports for grade seven. It turns out that the students and their parents enjoyed the book as well.

This is one of the perks of the job – to discover wonderful reads, share them with others and in the process, experience the delight and enjoyment that the printed word can offer.

What worked
The romance. Yes, I'm a romantic fool. But I'm not talking of the love story between Walid, the lead character, and Zahra, the Bedouin. The journey towards redemption; the search for life's meaning; the quest for one's dreams and its fulfillment; and the fairy tale ending -- everybody lives happily ever after -- all these appealed to me immensely.

The writing. Gallego-Garcia's language must have been brilliantly beautiful in Spanish that it is equally flavorful in English.

The setting, historical background and local flavor.The exotic land of Arabia in pre-Muslim epoch derives great curiosity. This is the stuff I devour -- the past and how it could never be brought back except in stories.

The characters. Prince Walid is a darling. But as always, the underdog has my vote. The carpet weaver is my hero. Besides, he was a very intelligent librarian and archivist. He's a poet too and successfully trumped down the prince's talents three times.

What did not work
The old man in the red turban. Then again, it's forgivable since the novel is a story of enchantment. Good thing that Gallego-Garcia made Walid suffer. The djinn was credible enough.

I'm squeezing this in between break as I am still in Santiago, Isabela at the Grade School unit of the University of La Sallete. It's the second day of accreditation and in ten minuutes, we will begin our wrap-up reporting. These news are too important to miss because it shows how things are coming along in Philippine Children's Literature.

Firts in the list --

FOReverRENEver
On its 18th year, Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang I.N.K.) presents its annual exhibit for 2009, entitled “ForeveRENEver,” a tribute to the late children’s writer Rene O. Villanueva, whose literature has showcased I.N.K. illustrators’ works for several decades now.

Ang I.N.K. pays tribute to one of the most celebrated figures in the landscape of Filipino children’s books with a showcase of more than 30 works that bring to life Rene’s never-been-illustrated literature!

Join Ang I.N.K. in honoring the memory of Rene O. Villanueva, and in ensuring that his legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of future generations of Filipino readers.

It's a personal invite I got from Ang INK's Joel Chua. I hope I can make it on November 19, 2009 being the current president of PBBY.

Next in the list --

KUTING & Crucible Gallery's Launch of Growing Up With Philippine Art

And then, this big news for Cacho Publishing and Filipina writer Candy Quimpo-Gourlay --

Former Philippine Daily Inquirer journalist Candy Quimpo Gourlay this week sold her novel TALL STORY to David Fickling Books (DFB), joining a prestigious list that includes John Boyne (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas) and Philip Pullman (The Golden Compass). DFB praises the book as an outstanding and highly original novel.

Candy, who lives in London, however reserved Philippine publication rights for publisher Ramon Sunico in the Philippines. Sunico is the manager of Cacho Publishing House, which has pioneered in bringing teen fiction to the Philippine publishing scene.

Philippine Children's Litertaure is busy and buzzing!

The week began with back to back storytelling gigs. I'm on the road now to Santiago, Isabela (North of Luzon) for PAASCU accreditation in La Salette College's Grade School Department.

Will resume regular postings of scheduled entries, storytelling adventures and two book reviews as soon as possible. And I hope the resumption of posting means tonight.

Lara Saguisag poet, children's book writer and of course, Filipina, is featured in Rutgers University's website. Hers is a story of dreams fulfilled.

Lara is the author of There's a Dewende in My Brother's Soup(Lampara Books), a book about a girl coping with the pressures of having an autistic sibling. Her book of poetry, Children of Two Seasons (Anvil Publishing) is a well received collection of poetry for kids by critics here and abroad.

She is currently working on several book projects. We hope to read more of her poetry and books for children.

This video will definitely strengthen Noynoy Aquino's presidential bid.



“HINDI KA NAG IISA”
Composed by: Ogie Alcasid
Sung by: Regine Velasquez

Sasamahan ka namin
Kahit paligid ay madilim
Iilawan ang daan tungo sa magandang kinabukasan.
Ika’y mamuno,kami ay susunod
pagkakaisa’y ating itaguyod
ang Pilipinas ay naghihintay
handa kaming kumilos,handang umalalay.

Hindi ka nag-iisa
sa paggising ng bayan
kami ay kasama,hindi ka mag-iisa.
Isasapuso ang dangal ng ating bayan
Sa tulong at biyaya ng maykapal

Magkakapit bisig,tayo…
ituloy natin laban ni Ninoy at Cory,
Nang bawa’t mamamayan
pagmamahal natin sa bayan
‘wag na nating itago, ‘di tayo susuko

Hindi ka nag-iisa
Sa paggising ng bayan
kami ay kasama,hindi ka mag-iisa
isasa puso ang dangal ng ating bayan

Sa tulong at biyaya ng maykapal
Magkakapit bisig,tayo…
Sama-sama bawat Filipino
Mula noon,ngayon at kailan pa man
hindi ka nag iisa……