(DLA Las Piñas GS LRC) August Author of the Month - F. Sionil José

This month's featured is not your typical children's author. In fact, he is more known for his work in more serious kind of literature and therefore, in somewhat colder topics -- a style he had to change up a bit to be able to produce several children's stories.

F. Sionil José or Francisco Sionil José in full (born December 3, 1924) is one of the most widely-read Filipino writers in the English language. He has received numerous awards for his works. His novels and short stories depict the social underpinnings of class struggles and colonialism in Filipino society. His works have been translated into 22 languages including Korean, Indonesian, Russian, Latvian, Ukrainian and Dutch.

José was born in Rosales, Pangasinan (the setting of many of his stories). He spent his childhood in Barrio Cabugawan where he first began to write. One of the greatest influences to José was his industrious mother who went out of her way to get him the books he loved to read while making sure her family did not go hungry despite poverty and landlessness.

He started writing in grade school at the same time he started reading. In the fifth grade, one of José’s teachers opened the school library to her students which is how José managed to read the novels of José Rizal, Willa Cather’s My Antonia, Faulkner and Steinbeck. Reading about Basilio and Crispin in Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere made the young José cry since injustice was not an alien thing to him.

José attended the University of Santo Tomas after World War II but dropped out and plunged into writing and journalism in Manila.

The Molave and the Orchid and Other Children's Stories features four stories crafted by the country's foremost novelist is available for library use only at the Grade School Learning Resource Center in Divine Light Academy Las Piñas. If you have any questions, you can always ask the librarians or staff members available. :)

(DLA Las Piñas GS LRC) August Book of the Month - 100 Questions Filipino Kids Ask

Why doesn't Muning, your cat, like taking a bath?

Why does your crush have dimples?

Why do we sweat when we play with our friends?

You wouldn't be a Filipino if you have gone on years without having heard the famous "Bakit?" that Neneng B would always throw at not only Boy Pick-Up, but to anyone who tells her something.

This, coupled with children's natural curiosity about the world (remember little Alice, that "curious child" whose inquisitive streak led her down a rabbit-hole, and all the way to Wonderland?) must have been one of the factors that had fuelled the people behind the book, 100 Questions Filipino Kids Ask.

It has long been proven anyway by studies and science alike that kids are usually more curious than their older counterparts because they don't really know anything at first, as opposed to adults, who have already spent several years learning and mastering several things, settling it into a fixed pattern.

So here's a book filled to the brim with gazillions of questions that boggle eager Filipino children, compiled from a survey of over four hundred kids. There's fun, facts, trivias, and hands-on activities that are sure to satisfy young Filipino minds and those who have always stayed children at heart! Come check out the book at the Grade School Learning Resource Center at Divine Light Academy Las Piñas.

Problems? Just approach any of the available librarians or staff members around! :)

(DLA Las Piñas HS LRC) August Author of the Month - Samantha Sotto

A self-proclaimed rabid Doctor Who fan (constantly rearranging furniture on the TARDIS while traveling through time as a faithful companion with the tenth doctor) and professional daydreamer (in an alternate universe, she is apparently Oprah’s best friend and Ellen’s favorite Friday night poker buddy), Samantha Sotto was first a full-time mom before she became an internationally-published author.

Her debut novel, titled Before Ever After, has recently been released by Random House, making Samantha the first Filipina to be represented by the famous publishing company. The book was inspired by her experiences living, studying and traveling through Europe when she moved to the Netherlands as a teenager.

Before Ever After follows the story of Shelley, a young widow who receives a visit from a young man named Paolo. Paolo is Shelly’s age, only he says he is her deceased husband’s grandson. However, what’s even more bizarre is Paolo’s claim that Shelly’s husband Max is alive. As she and Paolo track Max down, she recounts the way they met--through a tour of Europe several years before--and begins to piece together the story of who Max really is (or was).

Samantha's writing style is fluid and engaging, and her novel is made all the more interesting by the fact that she starts it where you'd expect most stories to end, then proceeds to peel away the layers of her characters' lives, drawing her readers deeper and deeper into the story. She credits her brother for getting her on the path to writing and the fact that her son goes to school at Ateneo, a long way from their home in Parañaque.

For more information about Samantha and Before Ever After, check out her official website here. A huge thanks also goes out to FemaleNetwork.com who has published an article on her, where we have gotten some information from. Before Ever After is available at the High School LRC of Divine Light Academy Las Piñas. Please don't hesitate to approach any of the librarians or staff members when you have any questions.

(DLA Las Piñas HS LRC) August Book of the Month - ABNKKBSNPLAko?!

Since today marks the first day of the annual Buwan ng Wika, we are featuring Filipino authors and books the entire month!

ABNKKBSNPLAko?! is a 2001 novel by author Bob Ong. The book is his first and has become his most popular work. The title is meant to be read phonetically as "Aba, nakakabasa na pala ako?!", which can be roughly translated as "Wow, I can read now?!" The novel details what are supposedly childhood memories of the author, from his earliest days as a student until his first few years at work.

Journey with the book's narrator as he reminisces in great detail back to when Nutri Bun prevailed in elementary schools. It's an inexpensive and exciting fieldtrip to the past as the naive and candid anecdotes tickle your heart. After all, the popularity of ABNKKBSNPLAko?! in particular is attributed to an element of nostalgia. Gullible, innocent, and definitely naughty children that we all once were, everyone will at least be able to relate to a experience or two for sure.

The sentimental way the struggles were put into words makes one realize the fragile unfolding of life's irony and the success of Bob Ong's book among Filipinos can easily be attributed to its conversational tone which uses humor to point out various absurdities inherent to Filipino culture.

Feeling blue? Read a random page for a quick pick-me-up! Feeling bored? Busy yourself with reading this and you'll find that time has flied without you even noticing it! The book is also proof that our countrymen have not lost all hope in Filipino literature, instead it's just getting a revamp with a more modern writing style. Check out ABNKKBSNPLAko?! to renew your love in Filipiniana materials!

ABNKKBSNPLAko?! is available at the High School Library in Divine Light Academy Las Piñas. If you're having a hard time looking for it or if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask any of the librarians or staff members present.