Filipinos should read books written by Filipino authors
it is true that many Filipinos read, but we should be reading more books written by Filipino authors. Many of our authors are world-class, capable of writing quality material in both english and Filipino. some of them are recognized by local and international award-giving bodies and published by both local and international book publishers. so let us not limit our reading fare to books written by foreign authors. support our local publishing industry and our local authors, too. read more books written by Filipino authors in both english and the local languages.
The Book Development Association of the Philippines, an “umbrella organization of individuals and organizations engaged in the book trade,” has been coming up with programs and activities to support publishers and authors. One such project is the Aklatan book fair, which is happening online this year. The all-filipino bookfair runs from June 19 to 21, 2021— that means you can still catch it on its last day today. BDAP organized this year’s Aklatan with Shopee, with 34 publishers participating and offering discounts of as much as 30 percent. Go to Shopee and start buying local books at huge discounts.
The National Book Development Board (NBDB), an agency of the government “responsible for promoting the continuing development of the book-publishing industry in the
The National Book Development Board, an agency of the government “responsible for promoting the continuing development of the book-publishing industry in the country,” has recently come out with The Book Nook project. Located in 52 sites in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the Book Nook is a reading center for families. Kids and kids-at-heart can borrow and read books that are proudly Pinoy, for free.
country,” has recently come out with The Book Nook project. Located in 52 sites in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the Book Nook is a reading center for families. Kids and kids-at-heart can borrow and read books that are proudly Pinoy, for free.
NBDB aims to provide friendly reading spaces in areas where there is limited access to reading materials and the Internet. The Book Nook sites will serve as a resource center for children, parents, and teachers to encourage them to read critically and write their own stories. There will also be storytelling, arts and crafts, reading, and writing workshops, plus book club meetings. Readers are also encouraged to organize their own events. Depending on the pandemic situation in each area, the programs will be done in person or online.
About 65 percent to 70 percent of the books in the Book Nook sites are for kids and teens, with about 30 percent to 35 percent of the titles dedicated to adults. The Book Nooks carry fiction and non-fiction books, and reference books that focus on the following topics: Culture, History, Art, Values, Environment, Health, Science, Work, Identity, Diversity, and Peace. The books are in Filipino, English, and other languages from around the country.
Now that we just celebrated the 160th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, it’s the perfect time to remember what our national hero said about the love of one’s own language. In today’s globalized world, it is more important to nourish and promote one’s own culture to strengthen and represent our national identity within the international community.