Maningning Miclat Book Of Poetry Winners Out Now

An anthology of Filipino poetry by 10 grand winners of the biennial Gawad Maningning Miclat from 2003 to 2021 titled "Ningning at Liwanag" is now available in the market. 

Published by MMAFI and Erehwon Artworld Corporation, the hardbound, full-color book with Maningning Miclat’s painting as cover and 10 photographs by poet and writer Mario I. Miclat to mark the 10 poetry collections, received a Publication Grant for 2023 from the National Book Development Board (NBDB). Book and cover design is by veteran artist and poet Fidel Rillo.

The 10 collections are by Joselito D. Delos Reyes (Ang Lungsod Namin at Iba Pang mga Tula, 2003), Joseph de Luna Saguid (Pagsilip sa Bunganga ng Araw, 2005), T. Delos Reyes (Bilang Babae, 2007), Kristian Sendon Cordero (Labí, 2009), Enrique S. Villasis (Agua, 2011), Phillip Yerro Kimpo (Hanggitna, 2013), Reparado Galos III (Mga Pagtitig Mula sa Dalampasigan, 2015), Kid Orit (Para Kay P, 2017), Ralph Fonte (Mga Alimbukay ng Agwat, 2019), and Genesis Historillo (Ang Hugis ng Pandemya, 2021).

'SONG OF NEGROS' Book Now Out

The newly re-opened Ayala Museum hosted its first event  on April 24,  2022 with the well-attended launch  of the book SONG OF NEGROS: MYTHS AND CULTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES.  The book contains fifteen beautifully illustrated myths, legends, and folktales from the island of Negros and explains the significance of these tales to the culture of the provinces in particular, and of the Philippines in general.  

Ms. Narz Lim introduced the main speaker, Dr Rene Samaniego.  “Mythology”, said Dr Samaniego, “is a projection of our unconscious, representing the totality of the human experience.  Depicted in myths are our life events:  our birth, death, illness, loss, and everything else that happens in between.” 

Dr. Samaniego is an eminent psychiatrist and psychotherapist who practices at Makati Medical Center and teaches at the Ateneo School of Medicine.

Dr. Victoria Hoffarth, the book’s author, adds, “The fantastical tales of our culture’s mythology can shape our world in ways that we don’t even realise.”  

In the book, she embarks on a journey to seek such tales from Negros, explaining the symbolic values as well as the underpinnings of these fifteen stories, given the collectivistic culture of the country.

Through these well-written accounts, Dr. Hoffarth shows how myths are intimately related to history and religion—from Christianity to Islam, from ancient Greece to Hollywood, from pre-Enlightenment Spain to modern, secular Europe.  

Book-A-Barber With SIF!

Like many men all over the world, we usually forget to do our grooming habits due to many factors like schedule, availability, and the hassle. Which leads to unkempt hair, wild beard growth etc. But since we already have the internet of services like Grab, FoodPanda  and many more. Why not have barber services available on our phones?

This is what Luggin Digital Ventures Inc. (LDVI), a mobile app development company had in mind and considered consumer convenience with the launch of the app called SIF. It is the country's first grooming on-demand and pampering app.  

Yes, you heard that right, you can now just open your phone, book certain services ranging from haircut, shaving, hair color and many more. Use is also really simple with just simply booking the service, enter their location and wait for SIF to deliver the salon to them anytime between 5:00am to 12:00 midnight. 

Segundo Matias Jr.'s Mga Batang Poz Tell The Stories Of The Millenial PLHIV

With the rising cases of HIV-AIDS in the country, the need for information about the disease is a need for all as many are still stuck with misinformation, and disgust with the people who are afflicted by this condition. We must first know, that it is a death sentence for them, given that there are treatments and lifetsyle adjustments that can be made that actually makes their live more normal.

Recently, Segundo Matais Jr., author of the book series Moymoy Lulumboy, launched his newest young adult book "Mga Batang Poz" published by Lampara Punlishing House. The book talks about the lives of young people living with HIV and the stories that each have that uncovers the journey and how they are all connected.

Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book" to Touch New Generation‏

Disney’s “The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli, a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan, who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by panther-turned-stern mentor Bagheera, and the free-spirited bear Baloo. Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa, a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie, who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire.

Based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories, “The Jungle Book” is inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, with an approach all its own. “We embrace the mythic qualities of Kipling in the more intense tonal aspects of the film,” says director Jon Favreau,“but we left room for what we remember from the ’67 film, and sought to maintain those charming Disneyesque aspects.”

“Kipling’s stories follow Joseph Campbell’s ‘hero with a thousand faces’ view of mythic storytelling,” adds Favreau. “You have the rise of the hero—a young boy coming of age in the jungle in this environment with all of these archetypal characters. As a filmmaker I find this as very fertile soil.”

Kipling’s stories have been adapted several times in the 12 decades that followed their publication. Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ animated movie, “The Jungle Book,” was overhauled when Walt Disney felt that early drafts, which retained the darker tone of Kipling’s stories, were too serious. Released on Oct. 18, 1967, a year after Disney’s death, the film became a beloved classic. With iconic songs like Terry Gilkyson’s “The Bare Necessities” and the Sherman Brothers’ “I Wanna Be Like You,” the film’s soundtrack still inspires instantaneous humming and toe-tapping today. Disney’s “The Jungle Book” was released theatrically two more times, as well as in-home video, DVD and Blu-ray releases, earning fans across generations and rooting Mowgli and his animal friends and foes in hearts around the world.

“The bond between Mowgli and Baloo made a very strong impression on me as a kid,” says Favreau. “It reminded me of my own relationship with my grandfather, who was a big part of my life. I really like that Mowgli is rambunctious, always getting into trouble. He isn’t the standard well-behaved kid, but a bit precocious—a ‘Dennis the Menace’ type. He isn’t intimidated by these big wild animals, in fact, he’s completely at home among them. He’s a tough kid but also very vulnerable emotionally, especially with Baloo.

“There was a fun quality to Disney’s classic animated version of ‘The Jungle Book,’” continues Favreau. “I loved the music and I remember having vivid dreams about the characters. The scenes that made a big visual impression on me—that I am carrying over to this version of film—are images of Mowgli going down the river on the belly of Baloo, the python Kaa with its hypnotic eyes, and the majesty of those elephants marching by.”

The wild adventure swings into Philippine theaters in 3D on April 06, 2016. “The Jungle Book” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Follow the official social media accounts of Disney in the Philippines, namely, (FB) WaltDisneyStudiosPH, (Twitter) @disneystudiosph and (Instagram) @waltdisneystudiosph and use the hashtag #JungleBookPH.

Be Inspired with "THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD" by Adrian Rogers

In this hectic, demanding life, we are all looking for a heart-contentment that fulfills our yearning for love and protection…

For a quiet place to rest. For guidance and comfort and deliverance from fear. The secret lies in the gentle words of Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. . . .”

This beloved psalm’s beautiful lines feed and comfort our souls. But its greatest gift is that it offers what we all need-the secret to satisfaction in this life, and in the one to come-and promises what we can all experience-an intimate relationship with the loving Shepherd who fulfills the very longings of our souls.

“Where are you looking for satisfaction? How will you know when you’ve found it? And when you think you’ve discovered the secret of satisfaction, will it last for eternity?

Feeling Lost? Here's A Book To Find Your Personal Success

From the Best-selling author Robin Chaddock, gives you step-by-step instructions and challenging questions to help you discover your primary passions and greatest strengths with ‘How to Find Your Personal Path to Success’ Keys to Living Out Your Purpose and Passion.

Is there more to life?

Do you sometimes question what you’re doing? Do you wonder why you’re here? Robin Chaddock draws on her extensive experience as a life coach to help you find the answer by providing step–by–step instructions to uncover your primary passions and greatest strengths, and then provides a framework for discovering how to use them to achieve satisfaction and fulfillment.

Each person has a God–created purpose in life-—a “divine assignment” that will fulfill their deepest longings. Once you discover this, you can…

Read and Discover The "Six Attitudes for Winners" by Norman Vincent Peale

Here is a good book to read for the bibliophiles and people who wants to be on the path to success. From the author of the international bestseller “The Power of Positive Thinking” comes a little book that contains more wisdom than you might think.




Norman Vincent Peale provides the secrets of a winning attitude in “Six Attitudes for Winners.” Using the practical help from this little pocket book you can learn how to face fears, confront worries, solve

problems, put excitement into your life, throw away personality crutches, and anticipate the future.




Here’s what people say about “Six Attitudes for Winners”:




“This book is truly packed with so much helpful information. Don’t let the size of the book fool you. Although it is pocket size, it is jampacked with so many lessons for all to lead their life by.” –Monique Nunn

Book about a Fan Girl’s love for her ‘Superman,’ soon to hit the stores

Can a Fan Girl really make her Superman fall in love with her?

This is the question posed by the soon-to-be-released romantic novel Fan Girl Meets Superman, published by Lifebooks (Para sa Hopeless Romantic).

In the novel, this fan girl gets her much-awaited opportunity to get really close with her “Superman.” But, will her love be enough to win the guy’s heart? Will two different worlds meet in the name of love? Is there really a future for this Fan Girl and the male celebrity? Will she be Lois Lane to her Superman?

Fan Girl Meets Superman will be available next month at all your favorite bookstores.

Well Well 2012! Where Have You Been 2013?

For the last post of the year, I want to first send a big THANK YOU for everyone who made my 2012. Yes you, the one who are reading this year-ender post. To all of you who have in one way or another have touched my life.

And I am very happy where I have ended 2012 with a more than I expected and with a lot of wins more than the fails. Going back to school, winning raffles, receiving things from friends and  events. These things affirmed my faith, boosted my morale and even pushed me to be a better person.

I do admit that there are still down times of sadness and sickness, but most of them actually provided an opportunity for recovery. RECOVERY, yes this is the word that I would describe 2012, as 2011 was one hell of a year and almost drove me crazy.

WRITER: Chain Mail (Excerpt)

Here is the except from my novel CHAIN MAIL which I hope will be finished and be published in 2013.

CHAIN MAIL

A curse, a well planned curse. People have been mysteriously dying with no concrete evidence or suspects. All they have are pieces of paper that gives a death sentence to those who did not follow the instructions in the letter. The public is getting scared that they will receive one. It maybe a deadly prank or supernatural letter, two Investigators goes into the truth as they also avoid the touch of death or the feared chain mail.

NOVEMBER 1. ALL SAINTS DAY

GUYS MANUAL: Pogi Points By Stanley Chi

Stanley Chi, the genius behind the bestselling Suplado Tips series (read: over PhP2M worth of books sold in just one year) goes out of his comfort zone to write a “not-so-gentleman’s guide to looking good”, as the cover of his newest book, Pogi Points, announces brazenly.

Chi is out to prove he’s not a one-hit wonder after his first humor book, Suplado Tips, underwent reprinting five times in a year. The follow-up Suplado Tips 2 fared just as well, if not better, establishing Chi’s reputation as a legit writer who can sell books to people who don’t normally love reading.

Pogi Points is a collection of tips on how to get ahead in love through strategic behavior. It teaches the naïve boy how to act around his object of admiration (or obsession, whichever applies).