34th Manila International Book Fair

The 34th Manila International Book Fair (MIBF 2013) was a 5-day event held from September 11-15, 2013 (for future announcements you may visit their Facebook Page: Manila International Book Fair). Great book discounts are to be found and have a chance to have your books signed by the authors themselves.

Here are the books I bought, everything for P1,332.60 only:

Aside from discounted books and stuff, there are also mascots and anime convention. Just like last Friday where I had a chance to see Doraemon and Nobita.

But for me, the best part of this years MIBF was the launching of Harry Potter's 15th Anniversary Book Cover, of course. The book launch was may possible by Scholastic, National Book Store, and the #1 Harry Potter fans community in the Philippines, the Hogwarts Philippines (Pinoy Harry Potter). The event was filled with exhibits of several editions and versions of Harry Potter Books translated in some Asian and European languages (most books in the exhibit is owned by Blooey Singsong), lots and lots of raffles, several games, and of course, the House Cheering Competition of sorted Hogwarts Philippines members where Slytherin won the cup. And by the way, volunteers and guests shared a big book designed cake where the new cover of the Sorcerer's Stone was printed in an edible paper and was laid on top of the cake (pardon me for not having a photo of this cake).

Because of this event, aside from meeting some of my favorite potterheads, I was able to have a promotional shirt for being an ingress, and a poster and a wand pen for being part of the Slytherin House who won the contest.

And now, I'll be sharing you the winning cheer of the BEST HOUSE EVER as recognized by Scholastic.:P

(in the tune of Bring It On's cheer)

We're rich, we're pure

We only look demure

We're perfect, slick hair

The Gryffs can only stare

We're sly, we're cunning

We're absolutely stunning

You Huffs are not

We know you think we're hot

Ravenclaws... Okay

We'll get you another day

And now, we're done

We don't care if you had fun

We don't cheer, we judge

'cause Slytherins are number one!

Ambeth Ocampo's Rizal Ransomed: The Saga of the Rizal Manuscript

Disclaimer: With respect to Dr. Ocampo, I will not be writing the details of the story but only its outline as well as my experience.

Yesterday, September 9, 2013, I was able to attend Ambeth Ocampo’s Lecture on Rizal Ransomed! The Saga of the Rizal Manuscripts.

The Speaker. “Ambeth R. Ocampo (b. 1961) is a multi-awarded Filipino historian, academic, journalist, and author best known for his writings about Philippines' national hero José Rizal, and for his bi-weekly editorial page column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, "Looking Back." He became the chair of the Philippines' National Historical Institute in 2002 and of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2005.” Source: Goodreads.com

Before the talk. As part of BPI's Anniversary Celebration (ehem, that's where I work), they invited Dr. Ambeth Ocampo to give a lecture series sponsored by BPI Foundation. All Unibankers were invited to join the lecture series. I was fortunate to be able to attend even one of this lecture series since I spent nothing and this same talk Ayala Museum costs an ample amount. And I am such a lucky fellow for there are only few people who attended the event (of course, it is exclusive for BPI employees and not everyone can leave their workstation). Because of that, I had the chance to have my copy of Rizal without the Overcoat signed. And surprisingly, there’s a free merienda after the talk. I so love BPI Foundation.

The Talk. Maybe only few of us knew about the incident that the 3 manuscript of Rizal’s famous works, Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, and Mi Ultimo Adios, were indeed stolen and was held “kidnapped”. He told the story happened before, during and after the incident. Before the whole story was reiterated, he mentioned his experience in British Library, and a book of Rizal which was never published. He even mentioned some hints of how Rizal thinkings which could be noticed on the annotations of the original manuscripts of his works.

The talk could be summarized as “What was the reason why there are works, most especially manuscripts, kept inside National Library’s vault?” Then you’ll realize that these manuscripts are so important historically and for research that people should value it. But how are you supposed to study these works if they are kept inside a vault with stick requirements for you to be able to lay a hand on these items.