November is for books

It all started in 1934, when Governor General Frank Murphy issued Proclamation 696, designating June 18 to 24 of every year as National Book Week. Murphy said that “the arousing of a national interest in the reading of good books is a patriotic duty and privilege.” Murphy chose June because “the time designated includes the birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal, one of the foremost men of letters of this country.”

In 1936 President Manuel L. Quezon issued Proclamation 109, moving National Book Week to November 24 to 30. Quezon echoed Murphy, saying that “it is desirable that the task of arousing a wider spread interest in the reading of good books be recognized as a highly patriotic duty as well as a privilege.” Quezon added that “the reading of good books on the printed page is one of the most effective methods of bringing enlightenment within the reach of the largest possible number of people, and of promoting the cause of popular culture with its tremendous social benefits.”

In 1999 President Joseph Estrada issued Proclamation 120, declaring the whole month of June as Philippine Book Development Month. Estrada preferred Murphy to Quezon.

In 2007 President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Proclamation 1436, “re-setting the celebration of the Philippine Book Development Month from June to November of every year starting 2008.” Arroyo cited Quezon’s proclamation as one of the reasons for moving the month.

Late last year, Representatives Jorge B. Banal Jr. and Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas filed House Bill 3877, “An Act Declaring Every 27th Day of November as Araw ng Pagbasa, a Regular Working Holiday.”

This year, the Commission on Higher Education issued a Memorandum and the Department of Education issued an Advisory, enjoining schools to participate in the 15th Philippine Book Development Month, spearheaded by the National Book Development Board (NBDB).

There are many activities scheduled for this month.

For example, on Nov. 14, the Book Talk Society of the Philippines will hold the 2nd National Seminar-Workshop on “Developing a Culture of Book Talk: Awareness, Consciousness, and Involvement” at the National Library.

On Nov. 16-18, the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts National Committee on Library and Information Services (NCCA-NCLIS) will hold a national conference on “Aklatan para sa Kaunlaran (Libraries for Progress)” at Hotel Elizabeth in Baguio City.

Since I am now with the NBDB, allow me to mention the activities that we are sponsoring this month, with the theme “The Great Philippine Book Café.”

On Nov. 12, NBDB and the Manila Critics Circle will announce the winners of the National Book Awards. The awarding ceremonies will be held at the National Museum.

On Nov. 16-18, NBDB will hold the “2nd Manila International Festival” at the Ayala Museum. Scheduled to speak are numerous authors, literary agents, and publishers.

Here are some of the sessions in the festival: Writing from the Margins; In Search of the Great Philippine Novel; From Pen to Print - And Everything In Between; World Book Market vs. World Readership; From Pen to Print: What an Editor Does; Talk to the Litcritters; The Philippine Writing and Publishing Landscape; When Literature Offends; The Stranger Experience; Writing the Woman Reader; Of Power and Emotions: Writing for Young Adults; Crime, Horror, and Suspense; Writing the Memoir; Philippine Children’s Literature for the World; Of Folklores, Myths and Legends; Writing the Real; How to be a Bestseller; The Many Forms of the Novel; Mentoring the Writer; Writing in the Regional Language; Writing about War and Conflict; From Print to Silver Screen; The Many Poetic Forms; So You Got Yourself Published, Now What?; How to Get the Young to Read; Beyond the Page; Fiction Writing: The Basics; Non-Fiction Writing: The Basics; What’s So Funny?

On Nov. 24, NBDB and Central Books will sponsor a “Workshop on How To Write A Book” at the Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati. The workshop starts at 5 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. The workshop is only for those who have never published a book. There is no entrance fee.

On Nov. 24-25, NBDB will hold the “2nd Philippine Digital Publishing Conference” at the Bahay ng Alumni in the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

On Nov. 24-26, NBDB will sponsor the “Libros Festival” at the Filipinas Heritage Library, featuring not just books, but also arts and performances.

There are three ways to celebrate books this month. One is to attend some of the activities scheduled by various organizations and agencies. Another is to buy or borrow two or three books and read them. The third is to write a book.

If you think writing a book is hard, look up “nanowrimo” on the Web. It’s National Novel Writing Month all over the world this month. Thousands of people started writing a novel last Nov. 1. Most of them will finish their novels by the end of this month. Many will even submit their novels to publishers. At least one has been an enormous success: Criselda Yabes’s novel “Below the Crying Mountain,” which she wrote during one of the previous National Novel Writing Months, was longlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize last year.

Read a book this month, and continue reading a book every month from now on. You owe it to yourself.