News & Events
CONTEST RULES
SULAT MINDANAO Contest Rules
• The competition is open to all Filipino citizens or to citizens residing or has resided in Mindanao except individuals involved in judging the entries as well as the immediate employees of ABC Educational Development Center Children’s Books.
• The theme of the short story should focus on the culture of Mindanao.
• Only unpublished work is eligible for this competition and entrants must submit a waiver with each entry certifying that their entry is their own, original unpublished work. A statement from the author should include the following: Name, address, contact number, email and the waiver or statement of originality of the work. The waiver will also include a clear statement that ABC Educational Development Center Children’s Books shall be exempt from any liability arising from the infringement of copyright in case of publication.
• There are 2 modes of sending your entry for the contest: A) email B. mail or courier
• Winners will be eligible for a cash prize, trophies, certificate and publication.
• The prizes for all categories are as follows: First prize: 10,000, publication, trophy Second prize: 5,000, publication and certificate Third prize: 3,000, certificate
• The story can be written in English or Filipino. • Drawings, photos, or any other graphics are not allowed.
• Only one entry is accepted per person.
• The contest will be stories for children ages 4-8 years old:
• The minimum required length of the story is 700-800 words.
• Upon submission of story, attach a scanned valid government identification card.
• Send your story to abcedcchildrensbooks@gmail.com
• Mention the following information below your story: a. Full name b. Address and contact number c. Company/School name d. Email address
• With your work, attach the ENTRY FORM.
• The story should be the original, unpublished contribution of the person who is participating in the competition. Any story that is fully or partially copied from any other source will not be accepted. Each entry will be subjected to a complete plagiarism check.
• Type your story using Microsoft Word, and use Times New Roman or Arial 12 point regular font. Double-spaced. The title of the story must appear in the first page of each entry.
• Stories will be judged on the basis of content, language and style of writing.
• One entry per author.
• In submitting an entry, the contestant accepts the rules and regulations of the contest.
• Judges’ decision will be final.
• All winning stories may be published elsewhere by ABC Educational Development Center Children’s Books. The prize money awarded to the contestant for the work shall constitute full payment on the foregoing rights assigned to the publisher to publish in all forms of the winning work and shall be in lieu of any royalties/compensation to the contestant.
• Winning entries shall become the property of ABC Educational Development Center Children’s Books.
• For more information, contact Lanie Rose Simbajon at telephone number 09670046328 or email us at abcedcchildrensbooks@gmail.com
Download the application form. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1trFhitJiQT4DfBHS4uyg2SNhVQjox6W0/view?usp=sharing
The Secretary of the Department of Education
Leonor Magtolis Briones
We started and ended with a big bang!
The Secretary of the Department of Education Leonor Magtolis Briones visited our booth. She openly appreciated our books and teasingly spoke to me in Cebuano. ❤❤️😊
Thank you Neni Sta Romana Cruz and Director Gerry Tizon of the National Book and Development Board.
Dahil nasa larangan ako ng edukasyon, ang saya- saya! Nakausap ko ang aming Bossing! 🎉🎉👏
Thank you God for all the blessings. I am more than grateful for all the graces.🙏🙏🙏
Blessed that our booth and books were chosen.
VIDEO INTERVIEW
by ANC , CNN and Reuters News
The country’s biggest book event is back for its 2017 edition happening on September 13 - 17, 2017 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.
Now on its 38th year, the MIBF continues to be the country’s biggest and longest-running book fair. It showcases the largest and most varied collection of literature for leisure and academic reading. Everything you need from fiction bestsellers, to textbooks, to graphic novels, and even educational materials are all under one roof. Moreover, the MIBF is also the go-to venue for this year’s most awaited book launches and signings, dialogues with readers, contests, and other literary events.
- http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/273464/manila-intl-book-fair-bigger-ever/amp/
ABC MIBF HIGHLIGHTS
BOOK REVIEW
Bookbed reviews ‘Malong: The Magic Cloth’ by Mary Ann Ordinario-Floresta
BY KB MENIADO
It’s a great time for book lovers and readers alike today: more diverse books are being released, and they’re more accessible and affordable now more than ever. There are stories in different languages and of distinct cultures, and if one tries hard enough, they’ll find one that’s exactly about them.
Let’s say you’re from Mindanao, and you’ve been looking for reading materials that hit close to home. A quick search online will lead to multiple publishers, both mainstream and indie, providing titles that speak of home. To name a few, there’s Sari-Sari Storybooks, Swito Digital Storytelling Philippines, Cotabato Literary Journal. Isn’t that amazing?
That’s also how I felt when I saw the ABC Educational Development Center booth at the 38th Manila International Book Fair. Children’s books that talk about how it is to grow up and live in Mindanao, experiencing traditions that are both familiar and not common in other places in the Philippines—they exist and deserve YOUR attention!
A little boy narrates his exceptional true-to-life experience about the Malong, the famous traditional cloth worn by numerous tribes in the Southern Philippines.
He believes that the Malong is a mysterious cloth because their family cannot live without it.
The cloth with magical powers can turn into a hammock, a mosquito net, a blanket, a sack for rice, an emergency bag in times of war, a dressing room, life rafts when swimming, a prayer mat and a lot more!
WHAT I LIKED
The malong is a staple for those who hail from and live in Mindanao (I have one in my closet right now), and the book wonderfully depicts this—from birth to death.
The verses, although not following the traditional rhyme, flow smoothly. Kids will find it easy to understand what’s going on, and there are aspects in life presented that they (and even adults) are sure to learn from, such as in housekeeping, customs, agriculture, farming, religion and even war.
What makes this extra special is the art. Created by Pepot Atienza, the pages are alive because of the colorful, intricately designed clay work. This is the first time I’ve seen this done on any book so carve me impressed! Perfect accompanying art for an equally vivid story.
HOWEVER
Translation to other Philippine languages would have made this book more awesome, plus a glossary of terms, perhaps?
tl;dr
A well-rounded diverse book for both kids and adults, Malong: The Magic Cloth by Mary Ann Ordinario-Floresta will wrap any reader in enchantment. One of my favorite reads this year.
During the distribution of books, most of the children requested for the book, "My Muslim Friend." 😢 It was very moving.
July 5, 2017. Guest author for Author Talk and Storytelling Session. A National Children's Book Day Celebration. A project of Tagungguan: Cotabato Province Writer's Association, Aklat Alamid, SOX Reading Advocate and University of Southern Mindanao.
12 'Esensiyal' na Librong Pambata
Writer for children M.J. Cagumbay Tumamac, who also uses the byline Xi Zuq, lists down 12 essential books for children that are linguistically diverse––recognizing major contributions in the field from outside Metro Manila.
ANG PUMILI NG labindalawang ‘esensiyal’ na mga akdang pambata mula 2006 hanggang sa kasalukuyan ang marahil isa sa mga pinakamahirap na kinailangan kong gawin bilang mambabasa at tagasubaybay ng mga librong pambata sa bansa. Unang-una, patuloy na dumarami ang bilang ng mga librong pambata na inilalabas at marami na rin ang mga manunulat, ilustrador, at tagapaglimbag na sumusubok at nagpapakadalubhasa sa paglikha para sa mga bata. Ang kahirapang ito, sa tingin ko, ay isang mabuting senyales para sa pagyabong ng panitikang pambata sa bansa, bagaman hindi maikakailang marami pa ring puwang upang mapaunlad pa ito.
Sa tingin ko rin, isang mahalagang pangyayari sa kasaysayan ng produksiyon ng mga aklat pambata sa bansa ay ang pagpapatupad ng programang Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE)––saanman dapat ilagay ang gitling o kung lalagyan ba dapat. InIaatas ng programang ito na gamitin ang ina/unang wika ng mga mag-aaral mula Kinder hanggang ika-3 Baitang bilang kanilang wika ng pagkatuto sa paaralan. Isang mabuting bunga nito ang pagkakaroon ng pangangailangan na lumikha ng mga aklat pambata at iba pang babasahin sa iba’t ibang wika ng bansa––bagaman iilang wika pa lamang ang talagang tinututukan sa ngayon. Dahil din sa pangangailangang ito, binabalikan at napapahalagahan na ang mga dati nang nailimbag na mga aklat pambata sa labas ng Kamaynilaan.
At bilang pakikiisa sa mithiin ng programang ito, naisip kong itanghal ang mga sa tingin kong mahusay at natatanging mga aklat pambata sa iba’t ibang wika at panig ng bansa. Binigyan ng malaking espasyo sa listahang ito, kung gayon, ang mga aklat na mula sa labas ng Kamaynilaan. Ilan sa mga akdang narito ay hindi mabibili sa mga pangunahing tindahan ng mga libro o hindi nakasulat sa mga wikang Ingles at Filipino. (Kaya panahon na siguro para makipagkaibigan sa mga marunong ng mga wikang nabanggit sa ibaba o kaya ay mag-aral ng alinman sa mga ito.) Mayroon namang tatlong isinamang mula sa Kamaynilaan dahil hindi naman maitatangging ang mga ito ang may pinakamalaking produksiyon ng mga aklat pambata.
Ang ABC Educational Development Center sa Kidapawan City, lalawigan ng Cotabato ang maituturing na pinakamatandang palimbagan ng mga aklat pambata sa labas ng Kamaynilaan. Pinapaksa ng mga aklat nito ang mga bagay tungkol sa Mindanao, tulad ng dalawang kilalang akda nito na War Makes Me Sad (2003) at My Muslim Friend (2000). Ngayong taon, isa mga natatangi nilang inilabas ang picture book na Malong: The Magic Cloth, isang kuwentong itinatanghal ang iba’t ibang gamit ng malong sa buhay ng mga taga-Mindanao. Isinulat ito ni Mary Ann Ordinario-Floresta, ang tagapagtatag ng nasabing palimbagan, at mayroong ilustrasyon ni Pepot Atienza. Bukod sa nakaaaliw na paglalahad ng kuwento, mahusay at makulay ang mga likhang luad ni Atienza, kaya hindi nakapagtatakang inilunsad at kinilala ito sa nakaraang Asian Festival of Children’s Content sa Singapore. Malapit nang mabili sa mga pangunahing tindahan ng mga libro ang aklat na ito, ngunit maaari ding bisitahin ang website ng palimbagan.
GRAND PRIZE WINNER
ASIAN FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN'S CONTENT 2016
" Every child deserves to have a book to read...even in the remote areas of Mindanao. Thank you Jesus for the opportunity to give back the blessings. " - Mary Ann
Notre Dame - Siena College of General Santos City - November 26, 2016
The 6th Readercon @ GenSan
When the author puts one word after another and the illustrator picks a beautiful rainbow to bring it to life, then that is really magical. Thank you God we have another book! Available at all National Book Store and Powerbooks branches nationwide. #theworldisfullofmagic
THE 3rd ASEAN LITERARY FESTIVAL, 2016. THE STORY OF NOW. JAKARTA, INDONESIA
Every child deserves to have a book to read...even in the remote areas of Mindanao. Thank you Jesus for the opportunity to
give back the blessings.
Inquirer Read Along session on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013. INQUIRER.net PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Stories about a young girl’s wish for peace, friendship beyond the bounds of religion and love for family were the focus of Saturday morning’s special Inquirer Read-Along session marking Eid’l Fitr.
Read more: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/119675/tales-of-love-friendship-peace-celebrate-eidl-fitr/#ixzz4cscevk8m
Over 60 children, including 20 of the Islamic faith from Pasay and Quezon cities, came to the session, which had for storytellers Binibining Pilipinas-Universe Ariella Arida, Binibining Pilipinas-Supranational Mutya Johanna Datul and Sophia School teachers Salie Villaluz, Marnie Buenaagua and Sundhey Silva.
The Sophia teachers kicked off the session with a reading of “Ang Batang Nangarap ng Kapayapaan,” written by Bimbo Papasin and published by Katha, a story of a young girl who eventually gets her wish—peace for her community in Mindanao.
First-time storyteller Datul next read “The Lantern—A Ramadan Story” by the British Council, a tale about the reunion of an estranged father with his son during Ramadan.
Experienced storyteller Arida followed with “My Muslim Friend” by Mary Ann Ordinario-Floresta, a story of how two girls managed to be the best of friends despite their different cultures and religions.
“It was a very enjoyable experience. I was a bit nervous at first, but I was energized when I saw how the kids reacted positively to the story. It was a great feeling. I really love interacting with children,” said Datul.
Arida, who has lots of experience reading to kids, said her turn as a reader during Saturday’s session “felt like the first time again. Every experience I have as a storyteller is different,” she added.
Both beauty queens, who are in the thick of preparations for their respective international pageants, took time out from their busy schedules to read to the kids.
Ashra Bayadsid, 11, came to the session with nine other Muslim children from Barangay Culiat in Quezon City. “I enjoyed listening to Ate Ara’s story, ‘My Muslim Friend,’ because it was about friendship,” she said. “I learned that it is important to be friends with others, even if they do not share your religion.”
Rosalie Alih accompanied the kids from Culiat to the session. “We have been celebrating Eid’l Fitr since Thursday,” she said, adding that the festivities usually lasted up to three days. “We started with prayers on Thursday. On Friday, I hosted a party for the kids in the community. We had games, music and dancing.”
Lalang Festival
11/22/2015
Had a wonderful time at the Lalang Philippine International Literary Festival. A snapshot with my good friend Neni Sta Romana Cruz and Okky Madasari the famous Indonesian novelist who was also one of the speakers. She got the book War Makes Me Sad for her daughter!
Forum on Sensitive Topics in Children's Literature
11/18/2015
Speaker in a forum on Sensitive Topics in Children's Literature on November 14, 2015 with the National Book Development Board and the UP College of Education Reading Dept. at the University of the Philippines. With award winning authors Augie Rivera and Russel Molina.
Autographs and Photographs. Such a moving moment to know that these books are appreciated by a lot of people. Did not expect that they considered War Makes Me Sad a piece of work that provides a major contribution to literature. The professors from UP were very nice and welcoming. They showed and brought copies of my books they kept all these years just to have a signature. People were genuinely warm and enthusiastic to have a book. I really admired their simplicity and sincerity. Thank you Frances for taking some photos!
Peace, music flow at Inquirer Read-Along session
09/13/2015
STORYTELLING FOR PEACE Actor Ken Chan reads the story “War Makes Me Sad” to about 100 children who attended the INQUIRER Read-Along session on Saturday at the newspaper’s main office in Makati City. The session was held in time for the observance of Peace Month. Chan, whose latest television drama “Destiny Rose” premieres onMonday, fielded questions to the children and sparked a discussion on the effects of war on children. LEO M. SABANGAN II
Read more: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/206383/peace-music-flow-at-inquirer-read-along-session#ixzz3y3CTH2ns
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KC reads story to ‘children of war’
05/17/2009
KC reads the children’s story ‘War Makes Me Sad’ to children affected by conflict in an evacuation center in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.
MANILA, Philippines – Don’t you just love it when you hear news about KC Concepcion? She is certainly a breath of fresh air amid all the showbiz brouhaha that has apparently become standard headline. But our favorite gal is a class of her own.
KC, the National Ambassador Against Hunger for the UN World Food Programme (WFP), is definitely on her way to becoming a philanthropic role model. And that is not typical of a showbiz heiress. Just recently, she visited underprivileged Mindanaoan children at an evacuation center in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao and brought them WFP food donations. The actress-turned-UN-ambassador brought out her inner JK Rowling as she read the story “War Makes Me Sad” to the war-afflicted children. KC also visited children at the WFP-supported school in Midsayap, North Cotabato.
Read More: http://www.philstar.com/supreme/476770/kc-hungers-more
Early Childhood Care and Education International Rendezvous
08/08/2015
A pose with the speaker Shonisani Agnes Mulovhedzi from South Africa. Watching a case study about STEM with Emeritus Professor Dato' Dr Aminah Ayob from Malaysia.
Life is always full of moments.
06/12/2015
Life is always full of moments. Either joy or misery, success or defeat. There is no person on Earth who has not experience struggle. Even the strongest Kings or Emperors have their own crown of thorns. But every adversity, every moment is a hidden blessing and will always be a test of character. And in the end, we say, Oh, the beautiful side of life is not the big things but the small packages wrapped in love and simplicity.