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Friday, April 02, 2004
First ever book by child writers launched
By Kathy Villalon Cinco
"Voices of little children delight a lonely heart. A broken soul rests in youthful enchantment." -- From "All In 42 Hours, A Children's Literary Folio"
"THE world becomes beautiful with people who catch the soul of its surroundings, that is why we have poets and writers. Writers are extraordinary beings -- all the more if they are nine to 13 years old."
So said Hazel Villa, a journalist and mentor, during the launching of the book "All in 42 Hours" at the Sped Quadrangle Wednesday. She and another adviser, Sofia Villanueva, facilitated what is considered as the first ever book written by children in the history of the Department of Education (DepEd).
Forty-two is the total number of hours that our young writers spent in learning and enjoying the basic skills of writing creatively. From June to September, they rediscovered the importance of using the senses when writing about ordinary and fantastic things and found it comforting that improbable wishes and outrageous dreams are perfectly acceptable in creative writing. "Why should I argue on how a child looks at the world? For children, a blue sky can be green. Or the root of a tree can be violet. That's how we maintain our innocence," Villa said.
Inspiration
Dr. Mina Celia L. Angostura, chief of the DepEd Elementary Education Division, was the keynote speaker.
She related that when she was young, her teacher, Ms Chloe would not believe that the poems she wrote were hers so she was given a grade of F. The experience was not a happy one for the young Mina.
However, she soon realized that if her teacher couldn't believe that she wrote those poems, then she must be a good writer. She gained confidence from that thought.
Years later, Ms. Chloe died and Mina, who has become a children's book writer, attended the funeral.
"I listened to many people share stories about Ms. Chloe. I can't share anything because I got an F. Later, her husband went to the podium and recited a poem. I was stunned because it was my poem! He was holding a book compilation of all my poems," Angostura related.
"These were my wife's favorite poems and she reads them every night," the husband said.
The writers
The 33 writers whose works are featured in "All in 42 Hours" are: Karly Animas, Sarah Jo Animas, Mary Ann Rose Asis, Mellie Grace Belicena, Ivory June Cadete, Isabela Francesca Corgos, Alyanna Cortum, Lyzandra Cortum, Ann Rency custodio, Joseph Mark delos Reyes, Virginia Theresa Facto, Kariz Erina Fresnido; Karina Iris Gadong, Katrina Isabel Gadong, Ryan Vincent Pio Hiballes, Raiza Hisancha, Sheila Jane Jerez, Mary Grace Antonette Llenos, Francelle Rocofuerto, Maria Patricia Santias, Krishelle Sarrosa, Resette Thea Sarrosa, Pauline Venus Saul; Marie Eugenie Senupe, Marian Rosary Grace Solidum, Caesar Alfonso Sta. Mara, Jobi Subosa, Raissa Tamayo, Anzell James Gregory Tendencia, Jessa Aiza Tulio, Nikki Aimee Bernadette Villa, Froilene Villanueva and Ena Dominique Villarete.
John Michael P. Avelino did the photography and Anzell James Gregory A. Tendencia made the cover design.
The book contains poems, articles, drawings, photographs and the bio-data of the writers.
(April 1, 2004 issue)
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