A peek at how the literary community copes with the repercussions of the pandemic

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), in partnership with the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY), celebrates the National Children’s Book Day (NCBD).

In accordance, the NCBD commemorates the date of the publication of National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal’s “The Monkey and the Turtle” in Trubner’s Oriental Record in London, which will be held every third Tuesday of July.

Notwithstanding championing the importance of nurturing our young readers’ curiosity and imagination, CCP and PBBY focus on recognizing the best work of Children’s Book writers, illustrators, and publishers through the awarding of PBBY-Salanga and PBBY-Alcala prizes—this year’s winners of the National Children’s Book Awards will also be named.

The program highlights the launching of the e-book entitled as “Magkaiba? Magkaisa! Magbasa. Ang Danas ng Nagkakaisang Sektor para sa Librong Pambata sa Panahon ng Covid.” Edited by Ani Rosa Almario, the book features nine written works detailing how the community of creators and advocates of Filipino children’s books is coping with the repercussions of the pandemic. The titles and their respective authors are “Kumbaga Sa Lugaw: Kung Bakit ‘Essential’ Ang Aklat-Pambata Sa Panahon ng Pandemya at Bakuna (O Kung Bakit Kailangang Patuloy na Magsulat sa Gitna ng Pandemya)” by Dr. Luis P. Gatmaitan, “Mga Munting Tugon Sa Hamon” by Ruben de Jesus, “Keep Safe and Healthy: The Challenges of Publishing During the Pandemic” by Frances A. Ong, “Alternatibo at Independiyenteng Paglalathala ng mga Akdang Pambata sa Gitna ng Pandemya” by M.J. Cagumbay Tumamac, “Maluwalhating Pagtulay sa Pandemya” by Gerardo V. Cabochan Jr., “Librarians and Libraries: On Shifts and Pivots During the Pandemic Era” by Zarah Gagatiga, “Going the Distance: Learning in the Time of COVID-19” by Twinkle Caro Sicat, “Igniting a Love for Reading in the Time of Pandemic” by Rey Bufi, and “Ang Sentro para sa Batang Filipino sa Panahon ng Krisis” by Beverly Siy.

The team behind the publication are Erika Antuerfia (managing editor), Ronie Chua Padao (layout artist), Geraldin B. Villarin (coordinator), and the CCP Intertextual Division. The cover of the e-book was designed by illustrator Abi Goy.

The keynote for this year’s NCBD was delivered by guest speaker, Joel Donato Ching Jacob, winner of the 2018 Scholastic Asian Book Award (SABA) for his novel “Wing of the Locust,” a young adult fantasy set in precolonial Philippines, published by Scholastic Asia in 2020. During the virtual launch, executives and officials of the CCP, PBBY, and the National Book Development Board (NBDB) also delivered their messages and sentiments.

The program ended with an opening of an art exhibition entitled “Bagong Pahina” curated by the group Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (INK). To see their artworks, visit their website at www.ang-ink.org.

Click here to read the free e-book.