The Philippine Online Chronicles

The 13^th Philippine Book Development Month didn't start with a flashy event featuring lots of glitter and glam, but, like a really good book, with a quiet start that would only signify a slow and steady buildup to a wham-bang narrative climax and denoument.

“Galing Pinoy, Basahin!” kicked off on November 7 in Southern Luzon with a visit to local art galleries, native restaurants, and Ugu Bigyan’s pottery shop, which were part of an overnight food and writing tour. A series of “How To Read” lectures followed, with renowned poets, fictionists and essayists imparting their wisdom to readers.

National Book Awards

On October 14, the National Book Development Board held the National Book Awards Awarding Ceremonies at the Ayala Museum in Makati City. Anvil Publishing, Inc. garnered the Publisher of the Year award for having published the “most number of award-winning books this year.” (Complete list of winners at right)

The National Book Awards features a new trophy designed by sculptor Michael Cacnio. He reportedly joins the likes of Eduardo Castrillo, Manuel Baldemor, and National Artist Napoleon Abueva, indeed a rare feat.

For love and country

According to blogger Filipino Librarian, this year's theme prods Filipinos to either “Read Pinoy talent!” or “Read [books] from Pinoys.” This, he said, is because the Tagalog word “galing” can mean two things depending on pronunciation—“from” or “talent.”

True to this theme, other events throughout the month of November aim to promote locally-produced reading material and foster the love of the written word in the hearts of young (and not-so-young) writers and book lovers. One of these is the three-day Davao Academic Publishing Seminar and Writers' night on November 19 to 21, an academic publishing conference for Mindanao-based publishers and universities.

The seminar, which will be held at Ateneo De Davao University, will feature Google’s Erik Hartmann, De La Salle’s Dr. Isagani Cruz, UP Press’s Dr. Luisa Camagay, ADMU Press’s Maricor Baytion and Vibal Foundation's Kristine Mandigma, among others.

The days after the seminar will feature coffee and conversation with “Global Pinoys” such as Man Asian Literary Prize winner and finalists Miguel Syjuco, Jose Dalisay, and Alfred Yuson, and Prize Premio Feronia – Citta di Fiano 2009 recipient Gemino Abad.

A festival celebrating books and art will be held from November 25 to 29 at Greenbelt in Makati City, and an El Filibusterismo performance reading on November 28, at Greenbelt Park.

November 29, aside from being the Books and Art Festival's last day, will also feature the announcement of the winners of the Pinoy Story Writing Contest. Four winners will be awarded P15,000 each and will be considered for possible publication by Anvil, Precious Romance, PSICOM and Summit Books.

(Calendar of events: click here)

Photo: “Fairy Tales” by Margo C, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved. Image remixed.