A book is like a garden carried in the pocket. — Chinese Proverb
Books are a uniquely portable magic. — Stephen King
Books are still being launched, read and celebrated in the Philippines. De La Salle University professor and former Cory era Presidential Management Staff chief Dr. Elfren S. Cruz e-mailed me that the 31st annual National Book Awards was recently held by the National Book Development Board and the Manila Critics Circle at the Old Senate Session Hall in the newly inaugurated National Museum.
Last Nov. 19, three unique events in Makati City celebrated three books — the launching of Summit Media’s Ninoy, Cory and Noynoy children’s book by writer Yvette Fernandez and artist Abi Goy at Ayala Museum, the lecture and National Book Store signing event of Dr. Martin Jacques’ global bestseller When China Rules the World at Hotel Intercon, and the launch of the coffeetable book Galleon de Manila by Senator Edgardo Angara and the late Sonia P. Ner at Manila Peninsula Hotel.
In the early evening of Nov. 19, Summit Media’s Dream Big Books launched its third children’s book, Ninoy, Cory and Noynoy. It tells the stories of three persons who have changed modern Philippine history — the journalist who became town mayor, provincial governor, senator, dissident and martyr Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr.; the quiet housewife who became oppositionist and first woman president, Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco Aquino; their only son President Noynoy C. Aquino III who continues their vision.
At the launch attended by presidential sisters Ballsy Aquino-Cruz and Viel Aquino-Dee with their sons, Elizabeth Yu-Gokongwei with children Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng and Lance Y. Gokongwei, National Book Store/Powerbooks founder Socorro C. Ramos and her family, Lisa revealed in her speech that she, her elder sister Robina Gokongwei-Pe and their mom Elizabeth had secretly gone to the February 1986 Edsa uprising without the knowledge of their dad John Gokongwei, Jr.
Lisa said that without telling their father, her mom Elizabeth brought eldest sister Robina and her with their bodyguards to go to EDSA at the height of the military-backed Edsa uprising. That event eventually toppled the Marcos government.
The boss of Summit Media also recounted that three years ago when former President Cory C. Aquino died, she and husband Berck Cheng lined up with the crowds at the Manila Cathedral to pay their respects.
Representing the Aquino family, Ballsy Aquino-Cruz in her speech thanked Summit Media for the excellent children’s book about their parents and their brother. She said she first saw the beautiful children’s book Big John on “rags-to-riches” billionaire John Gokongwei, Jr. during his birthday celebration.
Ballsy added: “I’m so proud that my son Jonty works for Lisa.” She also thanked Lisa and her family for going to EDSA in 1986 and for their going to their mother’s wake.
Jonty Aquino Cruz is deputy managing editor of Esquire Philippines magazine, which has Erwin Romulo as editor in chief and Luis Katigbak as associate editor. Their interesting and must-read 172-page November issue has Andi Eigenmann on the cover. Also featured are fiction works by literary writers Jose “Butch” Y. Dalisay, Jr., Charlson Ong, Angelo R. Lacuesta, Dean Francis Alfar, Lav Diaz, Gabriela Lee, Anna Cassandra Melendez, Baryon Tensor Posadas, Charlene Sawit, Cyan Abad-Jugo, Doreen Jose, Ian Rosales Casocot, Mia Gonzalez, Miro Capili, Oliver X.A. Reyes, Philbert Dy, R. Zamora Linmark and Yvette Tan.
Ninoy, Cory and Noynoy is written by Town & Country Philippines magazine editor in chief Yvette Fernandez with help from Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Pinky Aquino-Abellada and President Noynoy Aquino’s officials. The book was illustrated by the talented Abi Goy of Studio Dialogo, Inc.
A portion of the book’s sales proceeds will be donated to Aklat, Gabay, Aruga Tungo sa Pag-Angat at Pag-Asa (AGAPP), an NGO that promotes early childhood care and literacy development among the poor. AGAPP is led by presidential sister Pinky Aquino-Abellada, architect Gerry Esquivel, educator Feny de los Angeles-Bautista, businessman Eddie Galvez and former top investment banker Gel Caguioa.
The next children’s book of Summit Media’s Dream Big Books will be the life of the late incorruptible Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo. It will be narrated by his youngest daughter Jillian.
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Bestselling British author sent Filipina yaya to college
After an intimate lunch of Nobel Peace Prize winner Lord Thimble with five journalists on Nov. 16 at Café 1771 in Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippine STAR editor in chief Ana Marie Pamintuan told me I had an exclusive interview with British author, Cambridge University economics graduate, London School of Economics visiting fellow Dr. Martin Jacques, who authored the global bestselling book When China Rules The World: The End of the Western World and the Birth of a New Global Order.
On Nov. 19 from 1 to 5 p.m., Dr. Martin Jacques gave a riveting lecture at the ballroom of Hotel Intercontinental, with welcome remarks and an enthusiastic endorsement of Jacques’ book by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, and opening remarks by Atty. Jose Bayani “JB” Baylon of Pilipinas 2020.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, the STAR and National Book Store were lecture sponsors. Invited reactors were Emmy Award-winning journalist Chito Santa Romana, and UP Prof. Dr. Clarita Carlos.
Dr. Martin Jacques’ lecture essentially covered the broad historical sweep from ancient times when China has always been the world’s biggest economy, its 200 years of decline and victimization by colonial powers, and its breathtaking resurgence now.
Jacques analyzed that like his own country Britain before, the US is irreversibly in decline as a superpower but “it is still in denial.” He said the US needs to adjust to a new world order with a resurgent China as “an equal and no longer a subordinate.”
The British author said the Philippines should “positively engage and benefit from the rise of China… don’t let disagreements on some rocky islets derail and poison your bilateral relations. Look at the bigger picture, think strategically.”
On the Spratleys, Dr. Jacques said he is “agnostic about which countries are correct on your sovereignty claims.” However, he urges Philippine government leaders “to de-escalate the territorial dispute with China but without abandoning your claims,” to explore “joint development” and to follow the example of Malaysia which has Spratley isles disputes with China but enjoying “good diplomatic and economic relations.”
Unknown to most people, Dr. Martin Jacques’ late wife Hari told their Filipina yaya or nanny that “this would be her last job as a nanny” because they would send her to school. When Jacques’ wife died young and their only son Ravi was only 16 months old, Jacques told their Filipina yaya Cristina Pilien that he would fulfill his wife’s promise.
Jacques persuaded Cristina to take a course, then she did her A-level equivalent and eventually went to the university. Cristina now works full-time as a nursery school teacher in England, and still lives in the Jacques home. Dr. Jacques said: “In one way or another, I have a strong connection to the Philippines. Cristina helped raise my only child Ravi very well.”
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