Cebuana author launches book for the handicapped

CEBU, Philippines – With an aim to put up a rehabilitation center in Cebu for the handicapped, a Houston-based Cebuana recently launched her book entitled “The origin and semantics of some Cebuano words,” which would help enrich the Cebuano dialect.

The newly released book, written by Liberacion Tecson Paragoso, is a comprehensive guide that will immerse readers into the essence and expressions of the Cebuano dialect.

The book classifies Cebuano words into five categories—combined words, modified words, new words, scrambled words and words with foreign derivatives.

According to the author, most words listed in the book are in their infinitive form and readers will discover the unique usage of Cebuano words, which are not difficult to read and pronounce.

The book also explains why Cebuano words have such unique characters and how they impact the lives of people who utilize them.

Paragoso, a former faculty of the then Cebu Central Colleges now University of Cebu, said that proceeds of her book will be used to put up a rehabilitation center for physically disabled Cebuanos.

She said that her children maybe handicapped, her daughter was diagnosed to have a bone cancer at the age of 10 and her son, who at the age of 24 suffered a brain hemorrhage. Yet being handicapped does not stop her children from being successful in their respective field of endeavor.

Paragosa’s daughter is now the assistant manager of a British Petroleum while his son is now an accountant of an international asset company in the United States.

Lumad sa Dagang Binisaya (LUDABI) president and Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, who was one of the guests during the launching at the Cebu Grand Convention Center, said the book is a laudable undertaking as it would not only help enrich Cebuano dialect but as well as help Cebuanos with physical disabilities.

The book is published by Xlibris and those who want to purchase it may order it at any local bookstore or online at www.xlibris.com, www.bn.com, www.borders.com or www.amazon.com. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/LPM (THE FREEMAN)