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Filipino ReaderCon 2013 Gathers Filipino Readers for a Day of Book Talks and Discussions

Lifestyle & Places December 21, 2013

Filipino ReaderCon 2013 Gathers Filipino Readers for a Day of Book Talks and Discussions

 

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When in Manila, there is an ongoing debate as to whether there still is a big number of readers in the Philippines or if everyone has left their books to gather dust in their shelves in exchange for ‘faster’ forms entertainment like TV or movies.

On the 7th of December 2013, the country’s premier reader’s convention (simply known as ReaderCon) showed us that there still is a group of readers out there. The number may be small, but the passion in each one more than makes up for that. For the 3rd time around, Filipino ReaderCon successfully gathered hundreds of these book lovers at the Rizal Library of Ateneo de Manila University for a day of book appreciation/discussion and interesting talks on the matter of readership and books, in general.

Many distinguished writers like Eros Atalia, Eliza Victoria, Kate Evangelista, Bebang Siy, Carljoe Javier, and many more participated in several talks that tackled different matters on reading, namely Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Popular, Kids and Their Stories, The Digital Filipino Reader, What Booksellers Know, and Authors as Readers.

 

Filipino ReaderCon 2013

Authors and publishers speak up on matters of readership.

There were also several book discussions in this year’s Filipino ReaderCon, like Neil Gaiman’s Seasons of Mist, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Edgar Samar’s Walong Diwatang Pagkahulog, and Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game. A lot of books and book-related goodies were also up for sale at the various booths.

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There weren’t just prose and poetry, comic books were also up for sale.

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A storytelling session for the young ReaderCon participants

 

Participants write their favorite author, novel, genre, etc.

Participants write their favorite author, novel, genre, etc.

 

ReaderCon raffles away books to lucky participants

Filipino ReaderCon raffles away books to lucky participants

 

Over 300 participants were delighted to be treated with snacks and dinner.

Over 250 participants were delighted to be treated with snacks and dinner.

Filipino ReaderCon 2013’s Choice Awardees:

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  • Best Children’s Picture Book for 2013: Mga Saranggola sa Tag-Ulan by Eugene Evasco and Bernadette Solina-Wolf
  • Best Chick Literature for 2013: That Kind of Guy by Mina V. Esguerra
  • Best Novel in English for 2013: Woman in a Frame by Raissa Rivera Falgui
  • Best Novel in Filipino: Territorio delos Hombres Batch 6: Marcial Hortega by Vanessa
  • Best Comic Strip/Graphic Novel: Trese 5: Midnight Tribunal by Budjette Tan and KaJo Baldisimo
  • Best Short Story Anthology: Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (Volume 2) by Severino O. Reyes, et. al
  • Best Essay Anthology: Subversive Lives: A Family Memoir of the Marcos Years by Susan F. Quimpo & Nathan Gilbert Quimpo
  • Best Poetry Collection: Lita: Poems on Women by the Cavite Young Writers Association
My haul from the Filipino ReaderCon 2013

My haul from the Filipino ReaderCon 2013

Massive credits go to the organizers of Filipino ReaderCon 2013 for a fun-filled and informative day at the Rizal Library. For those who missed this year’s event, there’s always next year. Until then, let us all read books and promote readership When in Manila. See you next year!

 

 

Filipino ReaderCon 2013

 

Blog: https://filipinoreadercon.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FilReaderCon

 

 

Filipino ReaderCon 2013 Gathers Filipino Readers for a Day of Book Talks and Discussions

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About The Author

Raffy Villa

Once upon a time, there was a geek named Raffy who refused to see the warm sunlight of day and instead chose to stay indoors with his best friends the PS3, the Internet, and the myriad of novels in his bookshelf. Then, one fateful day, everything changed when he graduated from high school and was forced to go to school himself as opposed to just riding a school bus. That's when he met the city and fell in love with her. He was overwhelmed by the vastness of what his mom used to call the "outside" and vowed from then on to expose himself more to the world and catch up on what he's missed locked up inside the small box he called his room. When In Manila is where he posts his observations and insights of the city he sees and feels. Raffy is a lover of steampunk,, video games, Judy Garland, French New Wave films, and also writes fiction himself. Check out his blog: theloneponderer.wordpress.com and be sure to follow him on Twitter to add to his self-esteem (he eats self-esteem for breakfast) https://twitter.com/radicalraffy