The Philippine Daily Inquirer conducted an Inquirer Read-Along last 8 February 2012 for 150 Grade 1 to 3 students of Ernesting Gonzales Central School in Sto. Tomas, Pangasinan, one of the worst-hit towns during the October 2009 typhoon Peping.
Bakawan (Mangroves)was one of the books used to teach children about the importance of taking care of the environment. Bakawan was written by Cathy Untalan, Reena Rae Sarmiento and Mae Astrid Tobias, and illustrated by Van Zeus Allen Bascon. The story was narrated to the young audience by Alitaptap Storytellers Rich Rodriguez and Jedidia Cajepe.
Other books read during the Inquirer Read-Along to promote environmental awareness were Ang Pambihirang Buhok ni Lola (Grandma’s Extraordinary Hair), written by Rene Villanueva and illustrated by Ibarra Crisostomo, and Si Emang Enkantada at ang Tatlong Haragan (Emang the Enchantress and the Three Rascals), also written by Villanueva.
Source: “Pangasinan kids learn to prepare for disasters” by Marla Viray, PDI, 4 March 2012
Gino’s in trouble. Mrs. Manalo asked the class to show her their favorite fruit or vegetable. Gino already drew his favorite - bananas but everyone is using all the yellow crayons. All the crayons left are black, brown, and blue. Blue bananas? Who has ever seen a blue banana?
***
A chance encounter with Filipino painter Mauro Malang Santos gives a little boy a chance to explore his own creativity and discover the boundless ways of expression through art.
The Crucible Gallery publishes Blue Bananas, a story by Mae Astrid Tobias with illustrations by Leo Agtuca.
Blue Bananas is one of several children’s books published by the Crucible Gallery and the Crucible Workshop to encourage children about art, and to inform them about the work of Filipino visual artist, Malang.
For more information:
4/F Building A
SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
Philippines
charrie14@yahoo.com
inasamoyo@yahoo.com
+632.635.6061
Last 2009, children’s book writer Mae Astrid Tobias succumbed to lupus just months after celebrating her 30th birthday. Her early death came as a shock to her family and friends, but her well-lived life, however brief, became a source of inspiration.
In her writing career, Astrid has written television scripts, feature articles, and children’s books acclaimed by the Palanca Awards for Literature and the National Book Award. An active member and past president of KUTING (Kuwentista ng mga Tsikiting), the premier organization of Filipino writers for children, Astrid spearheaded several projects enriching the local literary scene.
Today, her family continues her legacy by sponsoring the 1st Mae Astrid Tobias Writing Workshop for Children, a three-day seminar mentoring ten young fellows from the UP Integrated School, or UPIS, of which Astrid is an alumnus. With the help of KUTING members, also seasoned writers, students are given the basics of writing for children, as well as individual, constant consultations with their mentors.
At the end of the seminar, students are expected to submit their polished short stories or poems, which will be submitted to Astrid’s family, who reserves the right to publish their works.
With the workshop, Astrid’s passionate advocacy for children’s literature lives on, carried on by the country’s future breed of writers.
