As I read it

By Sheila Mariano

A Filipino publisher based in Australia recently sent me a bunch of interesting books to review. One of the books that I particularly enjoyed reading, because of the humour, was Learning and Speaking Filipino by Renato Perdon.

According to the author, it was dedicated “To the Filipino expatriates around the world and their families and foreign friends who wish to learn and speak the Filipino language”.

I was also drawn to another book in the collection titled As I See It, Filipinos and Philippines by Pura Santillan-Castrence. The book was published as a tribute to Dr Castrence for her 100th birthday in March 2005. Born in 24 March 1905, she died at the age of 101 in January 2007.

The writer was an experienced journalist, university professor, an essayist, a columnist, a critic, Barbour Scholar, and above all, she was a mother of four girls and two boys – who are all successful in their chosen fields.

“It’s a compilation of her articles which were all published in a Filipino community newspaper, distributed Australia-wide, between 1999-2005,” says Mr Perdon.

I was only planning to flip through some pages in the book, but for some reason found myself reading the entire book. This was the very first black and white book (I’m partial to glossy entertainment magazines) that I finished reading from cover to cover. God knows when I last got interested in any historical book, which is what I believe this is.

Nanay Pura had seen it all, from Spanish, American to Japanese colonization. From Quezon, Roxas, Macapagal, Marcos, Aquino, Ramos, Estrada to the Arroyo administration. This is history lesson 101 for me.

But the most interesting article in her book; which inspired me to go back to reading books and challenge her, is Filipinos’ reading habits written in September 2002.

I felt that her observations were uncanny and spot on. She said that “Filipinos are not readers, ... they are not what may be called ‘book people’”. She added that “the Filipinos have always been copy-cats, but they have not copied the American habit of reading. “Filipinos have imitated American songs, short stories, dances – indeed many American ways of doing things”.

According to her, “The Filipino masses cannot help being non-readers. Even the most literate of them, however, are more involved in themselves and in their family than in reading.

“Students, office workers and others alike would rather watch the TV, listen to the radio, use the computer or the Internet, or read light magazines, comics, cartoons, and horoscopes.” (Not to mention showbiz magazines).

I admire and highly regard those who are well read and can write, speak and express themselves flawlessly. People like Oprah, Sarah-Kate Lynch, Sharon Cuneta, Kris Aquino, my award winning journalist friend who I met overseas, my husband – my walking and handy dictionary, newspaper and horoscope reader all in one.

Since I read Dr Pura’s book, I’ve gone on to read several books from the local library and dare I say, I am getting addicted to reading. I’m always seeking the best titles the library has to offer and worry there might not be enough books for me to read – what a worrier. I decided to enrol my son in the Summer Reading Programme - cost free - to introduce him to the joy of books.

He received a gift from the librarian every time he checked-in (four sessions in all) and a Price Pack on completing the programme at a well attended graduation ceremony at Te Atatu Peninsula Community Centre (see photo above).

I salute New Zealand for inculcating the reading habit in our children and for providing state-of-the-art facilities in the libraries. They have books there for everyone. Audio books are getting popular too.

I saw one teenage guy lying face down in the middle of the long padded coach in the reading area, I think he was sleeping, but nobody minded. You may even come without jandals on (although I haven’t seen anyone do so) as they have a very laid back atmosphere. I also find the librarians are quite friendly and extremely helpful.

Membership to the library is free. Those living in Auckland, thanks to the Super City, can now borrow and return books from and to the 55 different library locations.

You can save time browsing by finding a book of your choice directly from their website and it can be reserved for you. They can email reminders of due dates and there’s a link to renew your books online from the comfort of your home.

Happy reading!