Isang Panayam kay Edgar Calabia Samar, ang awtor ng "Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon"

1. Ano ang naging inspirasyon mo sa pagsusulat ng Janus Silang series?

Matagal ko nang gustong makapagsulat ng nobela na tingin ko’y babasahin at magugustuhan ng mga kaibigan ko sa San Pablo, lalo pa iyong mga hindi naman talaga mahilig sa pagbabasa. Bukod dito, lagi kong naaalala na ipinagtutulakan ako noon ni Sir Rene Villanueva, lalo pa nang maging magkaklase kami sa PhD hanggang bago siya mamatay, na magsulat nga raw ako ng YA novel dahil hindi ito gaanong napagtutuunan ng pansin sa atin, lalo pa sa Filipino. Produkto ang Janus Sílang Series ng ganoong motibasyon. Masyadong pa-literary ang mga una kong akda, mapatula o nobela man. Ngayon, gusto kong maunawaan kahit ng isang karaniwang teenager. Kapag binasa niya ang nobela ko sa halip na mag-DOTA sa loob ng kung ilang oras, alam kong hindi nasayang ang panahon ko sa pagsusulat nito. Pagkatapos niyang magbasa at habang hinihintay ang Book 2, puwede na ulit siyang mag-DOTA muna.

2. Gaano kahalaga sa tingin mo na matutunan ng mga Pilipino ang tungkol sa ating mga sariling alamat at "folklore" gaya nitong Tiyanak ng Tabon?

May dahilan kung bakit may mga kuwentong hindi tayo iniiwan kahit akala nati’y nakalimutan na natin. Isang paraan ng pagpapaliwanag ang mga alamat sa ubod ng ating pagkatao, sa kung ano iyong nasa sentro’t nagpapabilis ng tibok ng ating puso dahil sa matinding tákot o pananabik. Para sa akin, ang pagbabalik ko sa mga tauhan ng ating mga alamat ay pagkilala na bukál sila ng pagpapakahulugan, at kung ehersisyo ng pagiging tao ang pagbibigay-kahulugan, ibig sabihi’y tinuturuan akong magpakatao ng mga halimaw na ito. 

3. Ano pa ang maasahan ng mga mambabasa sa susunod na parte ng Janus Silang series?

Asahan ninyong lalawak pa ang mundo ni Janus. Hangga’t maaari, ayokong magbigay ng spoiler lalo pa sa mga hindi pa nababasa ang Book 1, pero tinitiyak kong kung nagulat kayo sa mga nangyari lalo pa sa dulo nitong unang libro, lalong kapana-panabik ang mga susunod. Natapos ko na ang first draft ng Book 2 noong isang buwan. Ang tentatibong pamagat nito’y Si Janus Sílang at ang Digmaang Manananggal–Mambabarang. Akala mo’y alam mo na ang totoong hinaharap ni Janus pagkatapos ng Book 1, pero matutuklasan mong hindi pa pala. Maraming-marami ka pang kailangang malaman. Abangan at subaybayan sana ninyo ang serye!

SI JANUS SILANG AT ANG TIYANAK NG TÁBON

Kuwento ni Edgar Calabia Samar

Inilimbag ng Adarna House, Inc. (2014)

Tungkol sa Aklat/Blurb

Sa tournament ng TALA Online sa bayan ng Balanga, namatay ang lahat ng manlalaro maliban kay Janus. Sunod-sunod pa ang naging kaso ng pagkamatay ng mga kabataan sa computer shops sai ba’t ibang panig ng bansa. Kinontak si Janus ng nagpakilalang Joey, isa rin umano sa mga nakaligtas sa paglalaro ng TALA na gaya niya. Hindi inasahan ni Janus ang mga matutuklasan niya mula rito na mag-uugnay sa kanya sa misteryo ng kinahuhumalingan niyang RPG—at sa alamat ng Tiyanak mula sa Tábon!

Tungkol sa Manunulat

Si Edgar Calabia Samar ay ipinanganak sa Lungsod San Pablo at nakapagsulat na ng dalawang nobela, ang Walong Diwata ng Pagkahulog (2009) at Sa Kasunod ng 909 (2012). Itong Janus Sílang series ang una niyang kathang YA. Nagtuturo siya ngayon ng Panitikan at Malikhaing Pagsulat sa Ateneo de Manila University. Mahigit sampung taon na ang nakararaan nang una siyang makakilala ng isang Púsong.

Bookstore Tour Dates

 May 10 - National Book Store SM North

 May 17 - National Book Store Glorietta 5

*Maaaring i-like sa FB ang Janus Sílang Series sa http://www.facebook.com/JanusSilang. Maaari ring i-follow si Edgar Calabia Samar sa @ecsamar sa Twitter. Bisitahin ang edgarsamar.com para sa iba pang akda ni Samar.

Jenna Black- RESISTANCE - Review

 

RESISTANCE

Jenna Black

Resistance is the second installment in acclaimed author Jenna Black’s YA SF romance series.

Nate Hayes is a Replica.

The real Nate was viciously murdered, but thanks to Paxco’s groundbreaking human replication technology, a duplicate was created that holds all of the personality and the memories of the original. Or...almost all. Nate’s backup didn't extend to the days preceding his murder, leaving him searching for answers about who would kill him, and why. Now, after weeks spent attempting to solve his own murder with the help of his best friend and betrothed, Nadia Lake, Nate has found the answers he was seeking...and he doesn’t like what he’s discovered.

The original Nate was killed because he knew a secret that could change everything. Thanks to Nadia’s quick thinking, the two of them hold the cards now—or think they do.

Unfortunately, neither of them fully understands just how deep the conspiracy runs.

***

The second installment to the REPLICA series by Jenna Black (which was one of the best things I've read last year), RESISTANCE is the story of how the new Nate Hayes and her best friend, Nadia, try to form their own resistance against the chairman (aka Nate's Dad) and the government of New York in this Dystopian Suspense novel.

Black is a master at storytelling. She knows how to create her own world and make the reader believe that it exists. What I really like about this installment in the series is the fact that Nadia is stronger--she didn't let the transgressions and challenges of the past maim her and ruin her belief that she can fight for her rights--and so does Nate. I also like Daniel--like, a lot, for Nadia because he's AWESOME. 

And then there's Kurt, Nate's old time love. His story is one worth telling because even though it's dark, it makes you understand the resistance even more. It makes you understand what they're fighting for. It was one of the best parts of the book, in my opinion.

And of course, there's that BIG REVEAL about who Thea really is. It's creepy but otherwise, very smart of the author to come up with. As the second installment of the series, this builds up the emotion and excitement for the next one, and has the right amount of mystery and answers that makes it all the more perfect.

Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon: Book Review + GIVEAWAY!

SI JANUS SILANG AT ANG TIYANAK NG TÁBON

Kuwento ni Edgar Calabia Samar

Inilimbag ng Adarna House, Inc. (2014)

Tungkol sa Aklat/Blurb

Sa tournament ng TALA Online sa bayan ng Balanga, namatay ang lahat ng manlalaro maliban kay Janus. Sunod-sunod pa ang naging kaso ng pagkamatay ng mga kabataan sa computer shops sai ba’t ibang panig ng bansa. Kinontak si Janus ng nagpakilalang Joey, isa rin umano sa mga nakaligtas sa paglalaro ng TALA na gaya niya. Hindi inasahan ni Janus ang mga matutuklasan niya mula rito na mag-uugnay sa kanya sa misteryo ng kinahuhumalingan niyang RPG—at sa alamat ng Tiyanak mula sa Tábon!

 Mayroon ring book tour na gaganapin sa:
May 10 - National Book Store SM North at May 17 - National Book Store Glorietta 5

***

  Ang "Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon" ay isang makabagong nobela na tumatalakay sa isang napahalagang parte ng mga alamat ng mga Pilipino: Ang Tiyanak. Ngunit hindi lamang ito tungkol roon sapagkat kasama rin sa istorya ang tungkol sa paglalaro ng computer games, pag-aaral at pakikitungo sa pamilya.

Isang madilim na mundo ang pinasok ng awtor sa kwentong ito. Madilim, ngunit napakaganda. Ang paglalarawan sa mga karakter ay mahusay kaya't madali mo silang ma-iimagine, pati na rin ang mga tagpo sa kwento. Aaminin ko, natakot ako lalo sa ibang pangyayari sa kwentong ito sapagkat ako'y nakatira sa isa sa mga lugar na binaggit sa kwento kaya't talagang naisip ko na "paano kaya kung mangyari ito?". Napakagaling din ng nagawang pagsasama ng mga bagay na nangyari talaga sa realidad at mga bagay na nangyari talaga sa kwento. Para sakin, magaling ang awtor sapagka't nakuha niya ang aking atensyon at natakot ako sa librong ito. 

Napapanahon rin ang mga ginamit na salita at talagang makaka-relate ang mga kabataan pati na rin ang mga bata sa puso. Nakakatuwa rin na mayroong libro na nagnananis mabalik ang atensyon at "curiosity" ng mga kabataan ukol sa mga alamat ng ating bansa. Oo nga't makabagong mundo na ito, ngunit mabuti pa rin na magbalik tanaw sa nakaraan at pag-aralan ang mga bagay na maaaring mas humubog sa iyo bilang isang Pilipino. Sana nga ay may English Translation rin ang libro upang maintindihan rin ng mga nasa ibang bansa, pero siguro, darating rin yun sa takdang panahon.

Madaming tanong na naglaro sa isip ko matapos basahin ang librong ito, kaya't lalo akong na-eexcite para sa mga susunod na installment pa ng librong ito.  Sa 60 libro na nabasa ko ngayong mga nakaraang buwan, masasabi kong isa ang "Janus Silang at Tiyanak ng Tabon" sa pinakamaganda at talagang inuulit ulit kong basahin. 

***

Tungkol sa Manunulat

Si Edgar Calabia Samar ay ipinanganak sa Lungsod San Pablo at nakapagsulat na ng dalawang nobela, ang Walong Diwata ng Pagkahulog (2009) at Sa Kasunod ng 909 (2012). Itong Janus Sílang series ang una niyang kathang YA. Nagtuturo siya ngayon ng Panitikan at Malikhaing Pagsulat sa Ateneo de Manila University. Mahigit sampung taon na ang nakararaan nang una siyang makakilala ng isang Púsong.

*Maaaring i-like sa FB ang Janus Sílang Series sa http://www.facebook.com/JanusSilang. Maaari ring i-follow si Edgar Calabia Samar sa @ecsamar sa Twitter. Bisitahin ang edgarsamar.com para sa iba pang akda ni Samar.

***

SUMALI AT MANALO!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post: "Mga Tiyanak Kahit sa Aking mga Tula" ni Edgar Calabia Samar

May Tiyanak Kahit sa Aking mga Tula

Ni Edgar Calabia Samar

Bago pa man ako nagsulat ng mga nobela, mas nauna akong nalubog sa pagsusulat ng tula. Sa mga tula ko unang pinag-isipan ang mga nilalang ng dilim sa ating mga kuwentong-bayan, tulad ng tiyanak. Noong 2004, nagtamo ng grand prize sa Palanca ang aking koleksiyon ng tulang “Tayong Lumalakad Nang Matulin.” Binubuo ito ng sampung tula na isa-isang pinagmumunian ang saysay ng mga larawang ito ng ating pinakamatitinding tákot at pagnanasa. Ikasiyam na tula sa koleksiyon ang Katiyakan ng Tiyanak:

Napakalungkot ng katiyakang ito. At narito na noon pa man ang ubod ng pagtingin ko sa tiyanak bilang munti man ay may nakapanliliit namang kapangyarihan. Pagkatapos ko ngang bunuin ang aking tesis sa MA noong 2004 na pinagmulan ng koleksiyong kinabibilangan ng tulang ito, napunta ang interes ko sa nobela. Halos maubos ang oras at lakas ko sa pagsusulat ng nobela. Isa sa mga pangunahing dahilan ko noon ay para makapaglaro sa himig. Kung bakit hirap na hirap akong maging hindi seryoso kapag tula ang sinusulat.

Nasa Estados Unidos ako at tinatapos ang unang borador ng ikalawa kong nobela noong 2010 nang maisipan kong muling tumula. Naghahanda rin ako noon ng papel para sa isang panayam tungkol sa ugnayan ng nobela at tula. Nasiyahan ako sa kinalabasan, na-miss ko rin pala ang bisa ng mga linya. Nasiyahan din ako sa mismong pagtatangka kong tingnan ang kakatwa sa mga nilalang na tulad ng tiyanak. Na komiko ang mismong takot natin sa kaniya, kahit pa hindi binabawasan noon ang ligalig na dala ng presensiya nila. Narito ang tulang nasulat ko’t pinamagatang Tagpo:

Tulad sa tula, buong buhay ko halos pasan ang larawan ng tiyanak sa aking isip, mula sa aking pagtula hanggang sa mga nobela. Ginamit ko siya sa simula ng una kong nobela, ang Walong Diwata ng Pagkahulog (Anvil Publishing, 2006). Subalit ngayon, sa paglalathala ng kauna-unahan kong YA novel, ang Si Janus Sílang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon, sinubok kong lumampas lang sa pagharap sa tiyanak. Tinangka kong unawain ang pinagmulan niya, at humubog ng isang buong mito na umiikot sa dilim ng kaniyang yungib na pinagmulan. Magustuhan sana ninyo ang nobela, at abangan ang susunod pang pakikipagsapalaran ni Janus laban sa mga nilalang ng dilim!

***

Halina't sumama sa mall tour ng "Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon" na gaganapin sa:

 May 10 - National Book Store SM North

 May 17 - National Book Store Glorietta 5

***

SI JANUS SILANG AT ANG TIYANAK NG TÁBON

Kuwento ni Edgar Calabia Samar

Inilimbag ng Adarna House, Inc. (2014)

Tungkol sa Aklat/Blurb

Sa tournament ng TALA Online sa bayan ng Balanga, namatay ang lahat ng manlalaro maliban kay Janus. Sunod-sunod pa ang naging kaso ng pagkamatay ng mga kabataan sa computer shops sai ba’t ibang panig ng bansa. Kinontak si Janus ng nagpakilalang Joey, isa rin umano sa mga nakaligtas sa paglalaro ng TALA na gaya niya. Hindi inasahan ni Janus ang mga matutuklasan niya mula rito na mag-uugnay sa kanya sa misteryo ng kinahuhumalingan niyang RPG—at sa alamat ng Tiyanak mula sa Tábon!

Tungkol sa Manunulat

Si Edgar Calabia Samar ay ipinanganak sa Lungsod San Pablo at nakapagsulat na ng dalawang nobela, ang Walong Diwata ng Pagkahulog (2009) at Sa Kasunod ng 909 (2012). Itong Janus Sílang series ang una niyang kathang YA. Nagtuturo siya ngayon ng Panitikan at Malikhaing Pagsulat sa Ateneo de Manila University. Mahigit sampung taon na ang nakararaan nang una siyang makakilala ng isang Púsong.

*Maaaring i-like sa FB ang Janus Sílang Series sa http://www.facebook.com/JanusSilang. Maaari ring i-follow si Edgar Calabia Samar sa @ecsamar sa Twitter. Bisitahin ang edgarsamar.com para sa iba pang akda ni Samar.

What Makes a Mom? (Guest Post by Don't Forget The Soap author Marie Claire Lim Moore)

What Makes a Mom?

When I first heard this question I immediately thought about a poem my mother regularly references:

Love will die if held too tightly.
Love will fly if held too lightly.
Lightly, tightly, how do I know
Whether I’m holding, or letting love go?

She's quoted it to me when describing how she and my father approached parenting. They were always ones to err on the side of "strict" but they were conscious about not being too controlling. At times it could be like walking a tightrope, she would say.  

Being a mother now I must agree. What makes a Mom is a delicate balance of so many roles. Teacher, nurturer, friend, disciplinarian, advocate. She creates an environment that is positive, motivational and communicative. From her, you learn confidence, balance and gratitude. 

Thank you!

Rafflecopter Code – a Rafflecopter giveaway

***

ABOUT THE BOOK

Don’t Forget the Soap is a collection of anecdotes: stories from the tight-knit Filipino community in Vancouver mix with memories of her move to New York, experiences at Yale and travels as a young executive. Underlying this narrative is the story of a global citizen who does not want to forget the fundamental values that come along with the “immigrant experience” as she and her husband raise their children in the increasingly glitzy expat bubble of Singapore. Her parents continue to remain a big influence in her life and her mother’s reminders a grounding force. 

Share this inspiring book with the awesome women in your life!

GET IT ONLINE!

Amazon: bit.ly/dontforgetthesoap 

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-forget-the-soap-marie-claire-lim-moore/1117019518?ean=9780989853415

Also available in MPH and Kinokuniya in Singapore (SGD 18.60), and Fully Booked in the Philippines (P650).

***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marie Claire Lim Moore is a Filipina-Canadian-American working mother and author of Don't Forget the Soap. After spending the early part of her childhood in Vancouver, Claire moved to New York City and attended the United Nations International School. She went on to study at Yale, climb the corporate ladder at Citi and travel around the world. She met her husband, Alex, while working in Sao Paulo, Brazil and they married in Manila, Philippines shortly before moving to Singapore. Now Mom to Carlos and Isabel, Claire also manages the Global Client business for Citi in Asia. She enjoys juggling career and family and likes to throw in community and politics for fun by campaigning for US political candidates, fundraising for organizations that advance the role of women in business and promoting foreign direct investment in the Philippines. She is also a guest contributor at Sassy Mama Singapore. 

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MarieClaireLM

Kimberly Pauley -- ASK ME- Review

 

Title: Ask Me

Author: Kimberly Pauley

Publisher: Soho Teen

Date of Publication: April 8, 2014

 

Ask Aria Morse anything, and she must answer with the truth. Yet she rarely understands the cryptic words she‘s compelled to utter. Blessed—or cursed—with the power of an Oracle who cannot decipher her own predictions, she does her best to avoid anyone and everyone.

 

But Aria can no longer hide when Jade, one of the few girls at school who ever showed her any kindness, disappears. Any time Aria overhears a question about Jade, she inadvertently reveals something new, a clue or hint as to why Jade vanished. But like stray pieces from different puzzles, her words never present a clear picture.

 

Then there’s Alex, damaged and dangerous, but the first person other than Jade to stand up for her. And Will, who offers a bond that seems impossible for a girl who’s always been alone. Both were involved with Jade. Aria may be the only one who can find out what happened, but the closer she gets to solving the crime, the more she becomes a target. Not everyone wants the truth to come out.

 

So...What have I been up to?

I feel like I haven't been updating much because of how crazy life has been and I dunno, I've been feeling out of it, too. Was quite busy with work--freelance jobs aren't for lazy people, contrary to popular belief so yeah that's pretty much taken over my life. BUT I've also read 52 over 100 books this year (at least according to Goodreads so yay for that!)

Two of the last things I read are The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (which I bought at the local bookstore for way below its original price), and which isn't my usual kind of read but which really touched me. It's always good for me to read dark and crazy and beautiful stories such as this.

And then there's Sophie Jordan's "Uninvited". A story about a teenage girl who's way out of place in the world because she has the so-called Kill Gene aka the gene that makes her want to hurt and kill people. It's another one of those Dystopian reads, but I think it was pretty good because of the characterization. Strong characters make stories way better than they are--plus, it's good to read a different kind of Dystopian story so I really enjoyed this one.

AND THERE ARE TWO MORE! (which makes my total amount of books read this year to 54! yay!) I finished Tess Gerritsen's "Girl, Missing" (which was quite cray and then okay...what the hell just happened there?" and Edgar Calabia Samar's "Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon" (which I'll talk more about on the 1st of May...also, watch out for my interview with the author here on the 29th! :))

And if you're wondering if it's possible to read that much in just 4 months...The answer is YES, people. I actually know some others who've read more than I have for the same span of time. It's not that I'm not doing anything else with my time, but I really do try to find time to read. And it's basically a part of me already so when I feel like I have nothing to read, I kinda feel stupid and I feel ashamed of myself lol. I usually read late, late at night (because most of the time, that's just the only time when I could) and which really doesn't bother me much because I always find it hard to sleep (and that's why I hate waking up early) so I devote my night-time for reading.

On Writing... Fiction writing has taken a bit of a backseat last year because I basically had no time for it (and I know that's a lame excuse and that's why I'm trying to get back on track again) but I'm happy to say that recently, I finished my contribution for #LunaEast, which is entitled "Something New" and it was really fun to write because of the awesome #TeamBenedicto slash #TeamFish slash #TeamSmile slash #TeamDimaano hahaha. It was my first time writing with a group and it was so much fun because they're all awesome and writing that way gave me the push that I needed. So, yay! I'm planning to write another #LunaEast story soon, and also a new QuiCk fanfic because OTP and yeah why not? I haven't written fanfics in a while and I miss it.

Movies to watch out for: 

So many book to movie adaptations to watch out for! Aside from The Fault in Our Stars, I'm quite excited for If I Stay! The trailer was soooooo good and it's rare for me to feel like crying just for the trailer alone but this one was super heart-wrenching! And then Gone, Girl! OHMYGOD you have to read this book. It's one of those books I'm passionate about because it's soooo good, and really CRAY CRAY CRAY! I just hope the movie will not disappoint.

So there, there. Not talking about anything personal. Why should I, anyway? :))

This Star Won't Go Out -- Book Review

 

This Star Won't Go Out

Esther Earl

A collection of the journals, fiction, letters, and sketches of the late Esther Grace Earl, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 16. Photographs and essays by family and friends will help to tell Esther’s story along with an introduction by award-winning author John Green who dedicated his #1 bestselling novel The Fault in Our Stars to her.

***

I did not think that I was going to like this book as much as I did, but man, after just 11 pages, my throat was already constricted and I already wanted to cry. Esther's story is one of a kind, not only because she got to meet and be friends with John Green and all that stuff, but more because she was a wonderful, quirky kind of person--one you'd definitely want to be friends with.

This Star Won't Go Out is a collection of photos, messages, anecdotes, and words that Esther herself wrote in her journals over the years. It is a great way of showing who she was and what she has done in her brief but meaningful life. It was also a great way of showcasing what her family felt about her, and how she felt about them, as well. The colorful pages of the book and the amazing design also makes you realize how valuable and colorful her life was--and is, as she lives through these pages.

Esther's story is beautiful: she was smart and funny, self-deprecating at times, and very much a dreamer. She loved Harry Potter--she lived and breathed the wizarding world which actually makes this all the more special because I'm a Potterhead myself and it was good reading how one girl loved Harry's world so much, too. She loved books, she loved doodling and drawing and writing whatever she could. In a way, I could relate to her.

"Death is but the next great adventure", Dumbledore says and I believe Esther, wherever she is right now, is living in her own personal heaven--complete with lots of flowers and without any kind of pain. Esther stays alive because of this book and because of the people who loved her--and who continues to love her. You will be touched by her story, and be touched by who she was. It's not difficult to love her, and though she never got to meet her future self, she lived a great life. And that was enough--it was more than enough.

"Do what makes you happy. Or, do what makes you happy with the people who make you happy. Or, do nothing with the people who make you happy." --Esther Earl