Bookish Scriber

  National Book Week 2024: A Wrap-Up The 90th National Book Week celebration was a resounding success, thanks to the active participation of our students and faculty/staff, the unwavering support of the administration, and the dedicated efforts of the Library Famiread.   The program began with the much-anticipated launch of Library Digest, our very first library newsletter. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Sir Porferio Bangcaya, the campus administrator, alongside Janine Cleo Hilario, our Designated Librarian. Following this, the Librew Corner officially opened, offering free coffee, biscuits, and pandesal to everyone—a cozy treat that was greatly appreciated.   Simultaneously, the Book Hunting activity kicked off with instructions and guidelines shared with eager participants. A total of 17 books were hidden across various campus buildings, with the exciting rule that those who found the books could keep them.   The Pelibkula activity at the AVR...

 My Third PLAI Congress Life is a continuous learning process, and as librarians, we must be at the forefront of acquiring new knowledge and embracing the latest trends and innovations. One of the best ways to achieve this is by attending seminars. It's a privilege that librarians have an annual Congress where we can gain insights from timely and relevant research to improve our library services. In 2024, the PLAI Congress was held in Davao City. When I first heard about the venue, I felt excited since it would be my first time visiting a city in Mindanao. Thanks to the generous support of my UA TLMC administration, I was able to attend with all my expenses covered by the school. Arrival in Davao Our flight was scheduled for November 18. As expected, the airport became a mini-reunion venue with lots of cheerful greetings of "hi" and "hello" exchanged with friends and colleagues from different libraries across Western Visayas. Of course, no reunion is complete wi...

  Mula sa Bukid Hanggang sa Tagumpay                   Malamig ang hangin. Presko. Alam mo na walang halong polusyon ang kanyang bawat paghugot ng hininga. Payapa. Malayo sa magulo at maingay na lungsod. Tahimik. Wala kang ibang na maririnig maliban sa pagaspas ng dahon ng mga puno at lagaslas ng tubig galing sa sapa sa hindi kalayuan. Para bang ang mundo dito ay humihinga ng dahan-dahan, may tamang galak at katahimikan. Habang naka-upo at naka-tanaw sa labas ay hindi niya mapigilang makaramdam ng galak. Pakiramdam niya ay nakapaswerte niyang tao dahil sa lugar na iyon siya nakatira.                   “Kuya Mark, sasamahan ko pa po ba kayo roon?” lumingon siya sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Si, Pom. Ang kanyang kasama sa bukid. Hindi naman iyon bukid na literal pero iyon na ang nakasanayan nilang itawag sa lupaing naman...

  Ang Malungkot na Bahay                Isang araw, habang naglalakad papunta sa kabilang bayan para magtinda ng kanilang mga inaning gulay na talong at kalabasa ay biglang inabutan ng malakas na ulan ang mag-inang sina Aling Susan at ang labindalawang taong gulang na anak nitong si Romano. Tulak ang kanilang kariton ay dali-dali silang naghanap ng masisilungan. Nakalimutan ni Aling Susan na may bagyo palang paparating dahil naging abala na sila sa paghahakot ng kanilang mga paninda. Sila na lang ang magkasama sa buhay dahil wala na ang asawa nitong si Victor. Kailangan na kasi nilang makaabot ngayong araw sa palengke dahil kinabukasan ay araw ng lingo at sigurado maaga palang ay marami nang mamimili.   Kaya kahit hindi nila kabisado ang daan sa bundok ay doon na sila dumaan para makarating kaagad sila sa palengke.               Gamit ang karton bilang pantakip sa ulo ay ...

My First Speaking Engagement at West Visayas State University-Lambunao Campus I’ve always considered myself more of a writer than a speaker. My comfort zone is in front of a computer screen, typing away my thoughts and stories, rather than standing before a crowd. But when my friend Ma'am Reyie, a fellow Librarian at West Visayas State University-Lambunao Campus (WVSU-Lambunao), reached out to invite me to speak at their convocation program for National Reading Month and National Book Week, I found myself facing a difficult decision. At first, I hesitated. Public speaking was never my thing, and I had serious stage fright. The idea of standing in front of an audience and sharing my journey as a writer felt daunting. But I couldn’t say no to a friend, especially one who had faith in me, and I realized this could be a perfect opportunity to face my fears head-on. Plus, what better way to share my passion for writing than by speaking about it in front of aspiring students? So, I said ...