LitFest turns folk, pop!

Are you a Trese fanatic who just wishes you could run your own Kambal posse someday? Are you one of those who dissected the gender politics in My Husband's Lover after every episode? Or are you someone who's just plain interested in everything iconic in Pinoy pop culture? Then this event is perfect for you.


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[Press Release] Filipino writers will discuss folk and popular literature as shown in komiks, TV, and film as the National Book Development Board (NBDB), Filipinas Heritage Library (FHL), and Ayala Museum hold POPtastik Pinoy! this November.

The event is part of the 4th Philippine International Literary Festival. Titled Text and the City, the LitFest will take place in the major universities in Metro Manila from November 11-14 and culminating at the Ayala Museum on November 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Promotional activities will also be held at the Makati Ayala Malls from November 17 to 24.

The November 15 event is a whole day series of talks which will cover the following topics: “Folklore in Pop Literature (komiks, graphic novels, novels, short stories, and TV);” “Kuwentuhan on Komiks;” and “Writing in Different Genres.” Among the panel discussants and moderators are comic artists Manix Abrera, Noel Pascual, AJ Bernardo, Karen Francisco, and Budjette Tan; novelists Eros Atalia, Luna Sicat Cleto, and Edgar Samar; scriptwriter Suzette Doctolero; fictionists Sarge Lacuesta and Yvette Tan; journalists Ruel de Vera and Kristine Fonacier; and Prof. Patrick Campos.

Celebrated writers Tony Perez and Rolando Tolentino will open the POPtastik Pinoy! program of activities with talks of writing and the city. Korean-American writer Krys Lee will then discuss her short story compilation Drifting House. Lee will be joined by Sarge Lacuesta, Andrea Pasion-Flores, and Kristine Fonacier for a flash fiction writing masterclass, “City Fiction 100,” while other pocket lectures are being held in the Ayala Museum function rooms.

From 5:00 pm, writer and educator Isagani R. Cruz will hold another seminar on “How to write a book” for professional and amateur writers. Garitony Nicolas will also share his experience of publishing his own books with the help of Central Books, the first publisher-on-demand in the Philippines.

The LitFest will stretch to the following week at the Ayala Malls. On November 17, a marathon of GMA films will be held at the New Glorietta Activity Center, along with a mini fair for indie komiks creators and sellers and small or independent publishers. The public can also view GMA 7 telefantasya costumes at Ground Floor Greenbelt 3 from November 18 to 24.

POPtastik Pinoy! is supported by Ayala Malls, GMA Network, Brother Philippines Inc., Intercontinental Hotel, the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), the Korea Copyright Commission (KCC), Fully Booked, and McDonald’s. For inquiries, contact Verne Ahyong at the Ayala Museum at 759-8288 local 46 or ahyong.vy@ayalafoundation.org. To register, call Marj Villaflores at 759-8288 local 25, or email litfest@filipinaslibrary.org.ph.

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The Philippine International Literary Festival is always a great way for us to learn more about our country's literature. What's great about this year's theme is that it approaches literature from a very accessible standpoint. I hope that we can take part in it or, at least, encourage friends and family to give it a try. Hope to see you there!

Filipinas Heritage Library Turns a New Leaf

Let me indulge a little: I attended my first poetry reading on the grounds of the Filipinas Heritage Library's old Nielsen Tower home. That was 13, 14 years ago, and had no idea that the library was still fairly new. The reading began after dinner, later than I had anticipated, but somewhere I found the courage to step to the mic and read about old women falling in love. It was one of those times when I felt 'adult,' staying out late and talking to all these other artists and poets and writers as if I could belong in their company. At around 10, my uncle picked me up and we walked to the old Greenbelt mall where the driver had parked the car. It was a short walk, but that was one of my favorite moments with him. Only upon reminiscing now do I realize just how many details of that night I still remember.

Since then, I've visited Filipinas Heritage Library a few more times. It's a special library dedicated to books and other materials authored by Filipinos or about the Philippines, with a focus on history and culture. For the past 16 years, it was housed at the Nielsen Tower, but just recently until its very recent move to the Ayala Museum.

The new FHL logo looks like an open book. It features the Ayala Museum facade on the left and the Ayala Foundation colors on the right.
I was lucky to be one of the few invited to the FHL re-opening last March 18. There's a new energy in the air. It's more than a physical change. FHL is keeping up with the times and has taken on a digitization project to place history at one's fingertips.

The inclusion of the Filipinas Heritage Library into the museum is a significant step in the right direction. The move not only helps make the museum a center for culture in Makati, but it's also in keeping with FHL's pursuit of scholarship and access. With new programs and efforts in place, it's evident that that FHL is serious about becoming ‘the contemporary space for the contemporary researcher.’

If you’re new to FHL, head to the Ground Floor of the Ayala Museum to secure a library pass. Admission is P50 for students and P100 for professionals, though serious researchers may want to get an annual membership that includes admission to the museum for P1,000. Leave your bags (especially if they’re larger than 10″ x 7″ or if they contain food and drinks) at the entrance. Don’t worry; FHL will provide you a bag for your valuables and other personal materials. A librarian will then accompany you to the 4/F, where a special elevator will take you straight to the library on the 6/F.

The elevator to the new FHL
The re-launch included a tour of the new premises. The library is cozy; the space was said to be converted from an executive office. I counted about 13 workstations for students and researchers. The library is WiFi-ready and tables come with inconspicuous electric sockets to allow laptops and other electronic devices to be plugged in. There's also a conservation lab where they treat damaged materials.

FHL has over 10,000 books on Philippine culture and history
FHL also houses rare books from as early as 1608, maps, microfiches of rare publications (though you can find the rare books collection on the 3/F). A photograph archive can be accessed at http://www.retrato.com.ph. Over 1,000 digitized songs can be heard at http://www.himig.com.ph. FHL also allows researchers access to an online union catalog of Filipiana materials from over 100 library-members nationwide, through http://www.librarylink.org.ph.

The Atiz book scanner, the only one in the country
The digitization of old books is already underway. The new Atiz book scanner is equipped with two DSLR cameras that can scan a page in seconds and produce high-resolution images. The images are then turned into flipbooks through partnership with Trade Channel Philippines. According to the librarians, a 400-page manuscript can be scanned in two hours, excluding editing.

FHL is making it easy and accessible for us to learn more about our history and culture with just a few clicks. But don't take my word for it. Visit the Filipinas Heritage Library soon, and rediscover our nation’s rich heritage through the extensive Filipiniana collection there.

(Thank you very much to FHL for inviting and welcoming us.)

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Filipinas Heritage Library
6/F Ayala Museum, Makati Ave cor Dela Rosa St, Greenbelt Park, Makati City
Hours:
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Tues-Fri)
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Sat)
Tel (632) 757-71117 loc. 36
Fax (632) 757-3588
asklibrarian@filipinaslibrary.org.ph