This water filter is just awesome

"The Drinkable Book is a life saving tool that filters water and teaches 

proper sanitation & hygiene to those in the developing world."

"Each book is printed in two languages on technologically advanced

filter paper, capable of killing deadly waterborne diseases. And each page 

is coated with silver nanoparticles, whose ions actively kill diseases 

like cholera, typhoid and E. coli."

"Once water is passed through the filter, bacteria count is reduced

by over 99.99%, making the filtered water comparable to tap water

in the United States of America."

"The paper costs only pennies to produce, making it by far the

cheapest option on the market. Each filter is capable of giving

someone up to 30 days worth of clean water. And each book is 

capable of providing someone with clean water for up to 4 years."

source

Why I still prefer Physical Books over E-Books

Don't get me wrong. There are lots of benefits with E-books given the fact that I also own copies of short stories and training manuals in digital format. E-books are useful if you keep a long-lasting digital archive in your local drive or cloud storage. You can easily send a copy across the globe sans the delivery cost, and you can store copies of hundreds of books in one gadget to make your travel at ease. With E-books you don't kill trees, and publishing one do not need a tedious process like the traditional books, and so on and so forth.

But the beauty of owning a traditional library or archive has no equivalent in terms of cost and simplicity:

→ You can still feel the distinct texture of the paper if you love identifying your book with its texture.

→ You don't have to worry about your book falling hard on the floor. For Kindle/iPad/Galaxy tab, it's a different story.

→ Buying a new book is cheaper than buying a new tablet or E-reader as a replacement if they got damaged by rain or water. A new book is usually more cheaper than a waterproof casing, or a waterproof tablet.

→ You don't need to spend additional energy (battery, plug outlet) to read a traditional book. If there is no electricity (and you're out of battery), just light a candle and it's still okay.

→ You don't have to spend $28.99 just to smell the paper.

Patron Saint of Readers

St George and the Dragon 

Mural by Peter Paul Rubens (c. 1605-1607)

The day passed in a breeze with common regularity last Wednesday. Only this morning I've found out that UNESCO's International Day of the Book last 23rd of April for a long and existing tradition in book reading and sharing coincides with the English Feast of St George set by the Council of Oxford in 1222.

From James Brinsford's article on the founding of World Book Night: "We are not the only ones that celebrate this day as George is also the patron saint of Catalonia in Spain. As part of their day, the men of Barcelona will give the women roses, whilst they are given a book in return."

It's not far to imagine that by looking at the art above (that mirrors Archangel Michael's victory over the Devil himself) the mythology of St George's slaying of the dragon also symbolize every reader's victory over ignorance, lies, and disinformation.

Earth Walker

The World is a book and those who do not travel 

read only one page. 

St Augustine of Hippo

image source

You Are What You Read

"I’m not afraid of death, but I resent it. I think it’s unfair and irritating. Every time I see something beautiful, I not only want to return to it, but it makes me want to see other beautiful things. I know I’m not going to get to all the places I want to go. I’m not going to read all the books I want to read. I'm  not going to revisit certain paintings as many times as I would like. There’s a limit."

Viggo Mortensen


story
img

A subtle tweet message by Yoko Ono

Do It Anyway

I've been reading a news article about a certain theory on Mother Teresa's seemingly "irrational" glorification of suffering when I chanced to read a counter argument from a believer---sharing a commandment by Dr Kent Keith. Mother Teresa put a shortened version of this Paradoxical Commandments up on the wall of her children's home in Calcutta before receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and her beatification in 2003.

Find Yourself

Art © David Palumbo

Every reader finds himself. The writer's work is merely a kind of optical instrument that makes it possible for the reader to discern what, without this book, he would perhaps never have seen in himself.

Marcel Proust

The Man Also Said

Life is like riding a bicycle. 

To keep your balance, you must keep moving.

Albert Einstein

the advocate said

"No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance."

Confucius

image source

Filipino Friday 5: Celebrating the Best

In honor of the first Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards, let’s talk about our favorites for this year. What are your favorite books in 2012 so far? Have you read any awesome Filipino books in the year? If yes, make sure to include them in your list!

This is  a very busy year outside the book reading and hunting activities but I'm still lucky to discover Filipino books and some legit pieces of literature. Lourd de Veyra's first novel SUPER PANALO SOUNDS! is hands down my favorite of the year given my preference to the Rock N Roll culture. With the death of my favorite radio station NU 107, reading this novel is a magical and bittersweet piece of nostalgia. Then there's THE MAGIC CIRCLE by Gilda Cordero Fernando. Essentially a children's book, the fantastic short story captures the current longing for nature trekking and getting lost into the world of the supernatural. It was also a recurrent adaption by Dulaang UP since November last year. Amidst the contextual miscues by the author, WHEN THE ELEPHANTS DANCE by Tess Uriza-Holthe is still a worthwhile read. Though it's very late reading Ambeth Ocampo's LOOKING BACK 1, I enjoyed it as my June 12 read this year.

In the world of comics and magazines, the two-volume compilation of SKYWORLD by Mervin Ignacio and Ian Sta Maria is a blast of fresh air even El Komikero Gerry Alanguilan himself was mesmerized. Gerry's multi-awarded ELMER is a late acquisition by the start of the year but still a good read. Pol Medina Jr's latest release PUGAD BABOY 24 is a redeeming publication from his 23rd book last year. We also saw the launching of Kwentillion YA Magazine and it was a good start.

In the digital format, I'm currently reading the PHILIPPINE SPECULATIVE FICTION 7 and I'm enjoying it so far. Mervin Malonzo's carnivorous online comics TABI PO is a great discovery late last year but still retains in my memory whenever I see his other works in ALTERNATIVE ALAMAT edited by Paolo Chikiamco.

These creative works are so cool they made me a very proud Filipino reader this year. Isang malaking pagpupugay para sa mga Pilipino ngayong taon! 

image sources:
http://www.avalon.ph/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=1776
http://www.nationalbookstore.com.ph/the-magic-circle.html
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16035.When_the_Elephants_Dance
http://www.anvilpublishing.com/books.php?cat=072010
http://www.amazon.com/Philippine-Speculative-Fiction-Volume-ebook/dp/B008OIWNO6
http://twicsy.com/i/BCYoQb
http://www.facebook.com/Kwentillion
http://www.tabi-po.com/isyu/mga-laktaw/404
http://www.facebook.com/SkyworldComics
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/2054

Blog with Integrity

By displaying the Blog with Integrity badge or signing the pledge, I assert that the trust of my readers and the blogging community is important to me.

I treat others respectfully, attacking ideas and not people. I also welcome respectful disagreement with my own ideas.

I believe in intellectual property rights, providing links, citing sources, and crediting inspiration where appropriate.

I disclose my material relationships, policies and business practices. My readers will know the difference between editorial, advertorial, and advertising, should I choose to have it. If I do sponsored or paid posts, they are clearly marked.

When collaborating with marketers and PR professionals, I handle myself professionally and abide by basic journalistic standards.

I always present my honest opinions to the best of my ability.

I own my words. Even if I occasionally have to eat them.

Nobody spanked me nor nagged me to do this pledge because first, I spank myself whenever I find myself at fault and second, I believe it's about time to be true to the word of honor both in traditional and digital format.

The Man Said

“Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the Gods.”

Albert Einstein

When words connect, dreams can become real

After updating my database of a fresh batch of acquired books, it's always a habit that I ponder the future scenario of my archive. What will happen to these books if I cannot read them all, or read them to someone from the younger generation? Will I be able to pass on that reading habit? Books live longer than people. What will happen if books continue to multiply as much as the rise in number of children who cannot read and write? Shall I hoard some more and care only about my family and turn my face away from the real, current situation of global illiteracy?

This thought is actually more than just an imagined scene. Especially if you consider the current 793 million illiterate people. New and old books are published in traditional and digital format annually but the current number of people who can't read and write is still huge. There has to be a way to cut their numbers by making our government policymakers and the common people to notice and take action. My solution for this is based on being a reader---we only need to share our love for reading.

This is essentially the same sentiment with the global aims of LitWorld:

"On March 7, 2012, LitWorld, a global literacy organization based in New York City, will be celebrating World Read Aloud Day. World Read Aloud Day is about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write belongs to all people. World Read Aloud Day motivates children, teens, and adults worldwide to celebrate the power of words, especially those words that are shared from one person to another, and creates a community of readers advocating for every child’s right to a safe education and access to books and technology. By raising our voices together on this day we show the world’s children that we support their future: that they have the right to read, to write, and to share their words to change the world."

To learn more about LitWorld and to register to participate in World Read Aloud Day, please visit: http://litworld.org/wrad

Logos Hope visits the Philippines

The Ship is here! 

Currently docked in Port of Cebu, the GBS Ship Logos Hope is serving onboard visitors and potential recruits eager to embark on a global cause in bringing knowledge, help, and hope to those who are less fortunate. This ship is more than just a floating book fair. It's also a community.

If you're a resident in Manila and wants to get involved more than just purchase a good quality literature at a fraction of it's retail value, Logos Hope will be visiting Manila at the 16th of February and will be open to visitors the next day, until March 13, 2012. Here's the schedule for the current and the rest of their trip in the Philippines:

AREA                                               Arrival                             Departure
Cebu                                                 January 10th, 2012 February 14th, 2012
Manila                                                 February 16th, 2012         March 14th, 2012
Subic Bay                                            March 15th, 2012 April 8th, 2012
Subic Bay shipyard works project     April 9th, 2012                 June 25th, 2012

Webcam shots as of this writing (1132H GMT +8):

bridge

bookfair port

bookfair starboard

international cafe

all images copied from www.gbaships.org

The Sketching Backpacker

If you've never been to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Macau, Hong Kong, and provincial areas of the Philippines, this is a pretty book worthy as your de facto travel guide. According to the author Robert Alejandro, 90% of the sketches were done on site and the rest were post-processed texts and photograph prints. Inheriting the ownership of Papemelroti from his parents, Robert Alejandro's designs can easily be seen inside a Papemelroti shop from t-shirts to notebooks to calendars and coffee mugs.

I agree with him in saying that traveling is an education which you will never be able to get from school or books. I think traveling is an education of using all your senses, more than just starting from point A and ending to point B. It's about making a plan, meeting people, learning about the world and maybe next time, a chance of breaking and remaking that plan. It's about what you encounter between the point of origin and point of destination and loving that unique experience.

"I am not a tourist. I am a traveler."

Tuktuk - Thailand's version of our very own trike

Lau Prabang French Colonial Architecture

Gao Dai Temple - Vietnam

"bookleg" - paperbacks bootleg in Vietnam

Back Cover

 

Genre: Art Journal, Travelogue
Rating: 4 sketch pads

Catching a Good Fish

Searching the sea of used books and magazines, this May 2011 issue of Rolling Stone Magazine celebrating Bob Dylan's 70th birthday is a recent good catch. It's an insightful issue as we see music and history experts (and even the rock and film icons themselves) sharing their views on Bob Dylan's best 70 songs and what made "Like A Rolling Stone" a timeless freedom-loving anti-bourgeois anthem that became the best rock 'n roll song of all time.

The New York Times' chief pop music critic Jon Pareles describes well the songwriting and the impact in general: "The most powerful mystery of Dylan's songs is the way that, decade after decade, they shift with each new context. Every Dylan listener has had the illuminating, unsettling sensation of hearing a familiar song suddenly wrap itself around a new situation, with a well-known line suddenly revealing a whole new meaning."

How does it feel

To be on your own

With no direction home

Like a complete unknown

Like a rolling stone

What Type of Reader Are You?

"Readers may be divided into four classes:
1. Sponges, who absorb all that they read and return it in nearly the same state, only a little dirtied.
2. Sand-glasses, who retain nothing and are content to get through a book for the sake of getting through the time.
3. Strain-bags, who retain merely the dregs of what they read.
4. Mogul diamonds, equally rare and valuable, who profit by what they read, and enable others to profit by it also."

Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)


image sources:
sponge, sand-glass, strain-bag, diamond

The 3rd San Pablo Comics Festival

For the young at heart who's proud of being Pinoy and loves Comics.

The Advocate Laments

© Zach Belissimo

"So many books, so little time."

Frank Zappa