Book Launch: Philippine Proverbs by Tahanan Books
I attended the book launch of Tahanan Books’ Philippine Proverbs, a collection of Filipino maxims carefully compiled by Neni Sta. Romana – Cruz and illustrated by Eisen V. Bernardo.
I was really excited to go to this event because one of our goals in our homeschool 2016 – 2017 is to really educate our children on our culture. One of the things that I did not realize when I decided to make English our children’s primary language was the confusion in their identity.
My children are aware they are Filipinos, but I noticed that they do not appreciate our culture very much. At times I sense that they feel displaced when surrounded by Filipino-speaking kids.
(READ: The tricky business of teaching kids Tagalog)
While I think that Filipinos have certain mindsets we need to break, but along with the bad, my children seem to be missing out on the good things about being a Filipino.
“Forgetting one’s mother tongue is as bad as forgetting your own mother” (p82)
I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Philippine Proverbs and discuss it with my children. I know that it can give my kids a glimpse of the heart, wisdom and wit of a Filipino.
Universal principles
As I read the introduction in the book, I came to understand what Ms. Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz, said during the launch that the process of choosing the proverbs for the book was not an easy feat. In fact, the illustrator, Eisen V. Bernardo, said that the book was 5 years in the making.
What the book is a hundred and five traditional proverbs chosen from, in Ms. Cruz’s words, “a treasure trove” of Proverbs compiled by a well-respected Folklorist, Dr. Damiana Eugenio.
Choosing only a 105 would mean that Ms. Cruz had to comply to certain standards set by the publication. According to her, the book had to be edited several times before it was approved.
It also took a lot of revisions before they came up with the perfect way to illustrate the proverbs.
When I first flipped through the book at the event, I saw a couple of sayings that I recognize. I recognized them because they were biblical verses.
For example,
“Nu mapia a ngaran. Am mapipia kan kay nakman” or “A good name is more valuable than gold.”
It confused me at first. It was later on when I read the book at home that I understood what it was all about.
One of the things that Ms. Cruz said in the book was that she discovered that many of our sayings are universal and many of them have international counterparts.
In the book, you ‘ll find that instead of translating those spoken in a non-Tagalog dialects, the publication chose to find their western versions and use them instead.
Mind you, this book didn’t only stick to Tagalog. The author searched for the dialects by which these proverbs were originally spoken.
So that – plus researching for their international counterparts- WOW!
It made me think, too….did our ancestors come up with these sayings themselves by observing human nature or is it because of the foreign ships that came to our shores in our history?
Thank you Tahanan books for a fun afternoon of games and kakanin, and congratulations to Ms. Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz and Eisen V. Bernardo for the release of your wonderful collaboration. I really think that this book will be a great tool for our discussions with the kids. I’m sure we’ll have a lot to talk about. I can’t wait to listen to my kids’ thoughts on it.
Special thanks to Mommy Bloggers Philippines!
16 Comments
Pal Raine
We have the same sentiments, my two tweens have difficulties in affirming their love to their country, as a Filipino. The word, NATIONALISM is not that familiar to them. Maybe because of what they usually see on TV and/or the books they read in the classroom. Or maybe they are very equip with the things like gadgets surrounding them. Still I am trying to help them love being a Filipino!
May De Jesus-Palacpac
Yes, gadgets too! We were just more exposed to the culture when we were younger, I guess, because we’re outside more.
Claire Marie Algarme
This is a good book because it will be able to impart to the new generation of Filipinos the good values that have been embedded before in our society. I hope also that children will learn the traditional Pinoy games. 🙂
May De Jesus-Palacpac
I agree! I’m mustering the courage to put together a Pinoy Games day for homeschoolers.
Suzanne Rudge
What a wonderful book! I can see how it would serve your children well to help them retain some of their Filipino culture. Good call mom!
Fred
I can completely imagine that situation when you say “displaced when with Filipino speaking kids”. I’d also like my kids to speak more Filipino now. I like to find this book myself.
phyliciamarie
This book sounds very labor intensive. I mean, it’s already difficult to find proverbs in tagalog, let alone the ones in dialects! and to share their international counterparts too! Kudos to Ms. Neni for being a champion of our culture.
nicol
this is a great and insightful book that will help filipinos. finding the western variation is a great add on for the book
Franc Ramon
I love to collect similar books when I was a kid. It teaches you universally right values and gives you more wisdom.
Elizabeth O.
I appreciate books like this that helps kids appreciate their country more. Our love for our country is something that our kids should learn, after all one day it will all be left to them. We must make sure that they know their social responsibilities as well as why they need to do them.
Erica
It sounds like a good book to introduce the Filipino culture to children who aren’t too exposed to it yet. It seems like a well thought of book.
Bhushavali
Many a times these proverbs in our languages just cannot be translated to English… Well, it could be, but as a paragraph and not as a similar short & sweet proverb… There are some like these in my language Tamil as well..
Shubhada
Now a days as a parent we have to be really innovative to talk to kids. This book looks great.
Arisa
This books would revolutionize modern day children, wonder if it is available outside of Philippines as well!
Pooja Kawatra
Books are always a great way and my kids love to read, this one seems to be a wonderful one for them.
Tiffany Yong
Reading always help open up one’s mind~ I like reading folklores from different countries too~ These will help kids be more creative…