Five years ago, Mark Anthony Renales’ dream of becoming a high school science teacher was out of reach. His family’s financial condition was the primary hindrance to achieving this dream. Fortunately, he was awarded by Sambat Trust as one of its scholars when he was in Grade 6, and until now he is enjoying the benefits the trust endowed him.

Mark Anthony was recently awarded a full tuition scholarship and 50% discount on miscellaneous fees by the First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities (FAITH). He is admitted in a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, major in Science. Sambat Trust is subsidizing for the remaining fees and providing his schooling needs, such as uniforms and school supplies. He got the scholarship by finishing FAITH’s entrance examination with high ratings.

When asked if he has hesitations to attend FAITH, Mark said that going to FAITH would assure him of quality education and a bright future. Indeed, FAITH’s facilities alone are very commendable besides the quality instruction it gives the students. It allows their students, for instance, to use their computer laboratory for school work, such as  research on the Internet, creating and even printing documents.

FAITH is also one of the leading and generous schools in the province of Batangas. Last year, it partnered with Sambat Trust in training public school teachers in utilizing computers in teaching and administrative tasks. FAITH is also known to cater to a lot of deserving scholars in the province and was in fact awarded by the Department of Education in Tanauan City for this work. Together with FAITH, Sambat Trust was also recognized by DepEd for their efforts in helping Tanauan residents.

Another scholar, Jenica D. Unico, is already studying in FAITH with a bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Scholar Jonna J. Pecho, on the other hand, has also qualified for a scholarship in FAITH but she decided to take tertiary education in another good school, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in the nearby town of Santo Tomas.

For now, Mark only has to worry about the last set of examinations he is taking in senior high school, as well as his investigatory project on carabao extract and eggshells as fertilizers. His graduation is set on March 18, 2013.

“Because of these blessings,” Mark says, “I am motivated to do my best in everything I do and to grab every opportunity that comes.”

A book showcasing Philippine folktales was released recently by Scholastic Inc. Entitled “Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories”, the book is authored by Sambat Trust’s very own library consultant Zarah Gagatiga and New Orleans-based writer Dianne de las Casas. Zarah is an experienced librarian, teacher-trainer, writer, blogger, storyteller and reading clinician, and currently the head of the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY). Dianne, on the other hand, is an award-winning author and storyteller and founder of the Picture Book Month, an international literacy advocacy.

Zarah and Dianne gladly answered some of our questions about their book.

What is the story of the conception of creating a book of Philippine folktales?

Zarah : It was my co-author's idea. Dianne had been dreaming of collecting folk stories from the Philippines for over a decade. In 2009, a week after Ondoy, she sent me an email asking if I'd be willing to partner with her on a book project. I said yes, of course. October 2009, we drafted a proposal. She sent it to ABC-CLIO and by the month's end, Barbara Ittner, the editor gave it the green light.

Dianne : I am Fil-Am and very proud of my heritage. I see my Filipina mom every week (when I am not traveling) and the Filipino culture has always been an important part of my life. Many years ago, I conceived the title "Tales of the 7,000 Isles." I wrote it in my journal and saved the idea. Then one day, Barbara Ittner, an acquisitions editor for Libraries Unlimited (my publisher for my professional development books), asked me to do a volume of Filipino Folktales for their World Folklore series. At the time, I was busy working on other book projects so I thanked her and said I would consider it. Zarah and I had been friends for many years and I really respected her work as a librarian, a writer, and a storyteller. I knew this book needed a native Filipino author so I asked Zarah to co-author with me. When I told Barbara and submitted my book proposal, she was so happy. I am very proud of how the book turned out. It is a celebration of the Filipino culture and Pinoy way of life.

What can we expect from “Tales from the 7,000 Isles”?

Zarah : Apart from stories, we thought of putting in Filipino games, crafts and food in the collection. So, in “Tales from the 7,000 Isles”, there are three chapters dedicated for these items. Initially we wanted line drawings in the book, but photos would give more color to the book's design and packaging. The inclusion of several spreads for photos was part of the proposal. Dianne and I decided to take pictures, to document the process of collecting and writing the stories. Along the way, we met Yumi Pitargue whose hobby is photography. How we met is another story. She took fantastic photos of our trip to Sagada in May 2010.  Yumi and I had a walking tour of Manila, Intramuros, Fort Santiago, China Town, Ongpin in October 2010 for more photo selections. She also has a portfolio where we chose pictures for specific stories.

Bernadette Solina-Wolf's jeepney art work was chosen as book cover.

How did you collect the stories and select which ones to include in the book?

Dianne: Zarah and I decided to divide the book into different regions of the Philippines as well as different genres of stories. There are trickster tales, pour quoi stories, and even scary stories from all over the Philippines. We then embarked on travels around the Philippines and took lots of pictures. Yumi Pitargue also lent us her photography expertise. Some of the stories were collected orally, others were researched from print versions, and still others were stories we had heard as children. We wanted a mixture of tales that told the story of a country. I think we achieved that goal.

Zarah : I was fortunate to be involved in teacher trainings, storytelling workshops, library accreditations in the provinces where I make a conscious effort to ask for stories about the town, the province and the people. You would be amazed at the plurality of the Philippines. These stories and experiences I wrote down in notebooks. Some travels ended as post in my blog. Many refuse to take accountability as informants for the folk stories so I had to do research, a lot!  Dianne and I also read MANY tales! 3-5 version of one tale, then we wrote our own version. I had to look for the first source of many of the stories. This led me to go to libraries in Baguio, Bicol and the National Library, as well as academic libraries in Manila. My network in the library profession proved useful. Friends from KUTING helped too by reading and rereading the retellings. The annotations and bibliography covers five to ten pages, if I'm not mistaken.

As for selecting stories, Dianne and I decided to choose pour quoi tales, enchantment, humor and horror stories, the basic folk literature subgenres. The stories that Dianne and I heard from our childhood by parents, grandparents and relatives made it to the collection too.

What was the feeling in writing this book? Did you have an unforgettable experience?

Dianne : I am very proud of what we accomplished. Through our book, I think Zarah and I leave a legacy for the children of the Filipino heritage. It is a book that can be used in the classroom. It is a book that every library in the Philippines should own. It is a book that can be passed on from generation to generation.

Traveling the mountains to Sagada, trekking through the rice terraces, going deep caving, and sailing through the islands of Bohol were some of the most unforgettable life experiences I have ever had. I will never look at a bowl of rice the same. In Sagada, I had a bowl of red rice after I had just hiked miles through the rice terraces and swam in the waterfalls with the sweetest Igorot boys. For me, that bowl of rice told a story. It became sacred.

Zarah: It was like finishing a thesis. This book is my first, so, that in itself is unforgettable. However, many people, family, friends and colleagues helped in making the book what it is.

How was working with each other?

Zarah: Working with Dianne was an adventure! She is a phenomenal woman! She was my beacon of light while working on the book project for two years.

Dianne: Zarah was really instrumental in collecting the majority of the tales. The book was definitely a team effort. I could not have done this book alone, and this book would not be "on the shelves" without her. She is the easiest person to work with. We made a good team, emailing, Dropboxing, chatting, and Skyping back and forth as we put the book together. She never minded the editing and revisions. Thank goodness for the Internet! She is such a valued team player, always working to promote the book, even when I can't be there in the Philippines to help. I just adore sweet and smart Zarah!

Where is the book available? How can we purchase it?

Dianne: The book is available through online book retailers. It is also available through Scholastic Book Fairs Philippines. They are our local distributor in the Philippines.

Zarah: “Tales From the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories” is distributed by Scholastic Philippines. You may get in touch with Belle for orders at this contact number: 09175948033.

Thank you,Randy Quiatchon! We received your car donation on 25th January.

Giveacar is a UK-based fundraising organisation that specialises in donating unwanted and scrap cars to charitable causes throughout the world, including Sambat Trust.

They provide a FREE service which is available throughout the UK, and can work with you hand-in-hand in the following ways:

·They can arrange the collection of the vehicle;

·Depending on its age and condition, they can either send it for environmentally safe disposal and recycling at an Authorised Treatment Facility, or to a salvage auction;

This means that a large portion of the proceeds are donated to a nominated charity of the vehicle owner’s choice!

"Giveacar is a brilliant scheme where everybody wins. My sister gave them a call on a Friday to  recycle her very rusty, 20-year-old Skoda. They picked it up the following Wednesday. Done. It didn't cost her a penny and she raised ￡140.00 for Sambat Trust. From a charity's perspective,we love working with Givecar. The staff are very friendly and efficient. Every time a car is donated to Sambat Trust, we receive a letter with a breakdown of the donation and how we can send a thank you letter to our kind donor. Excellent service and support which is free of charge. So to any charity out there,  sign up now because this is an innovative, environmentally friendly and efficient way for you fundraise, and to any generous soul looking to get rid of their old car, please donate it to Sambat Trust- your old banger can still do some good. And remember, it's FREE!"  Anthony Mariano

To arrange collection of a car, visit Giveacar.co.uk , quoting Sambat Trust  as your preferred charity.

Note：Giveacar not only collects unwanted cars, but a wide variety of items：televisions, scooters, lawnmowers, tumble dryers, mountain bikes and computers are just a few examples.If the item has auction/scrap value, then you can probably donate it. The easiest way to check if your item qualifies for donation is to call/email Giveacar ：0207 736 4242 / support＠giveacar.co.uk

Award winning author, Mr. Russell Molina was at Trapiche Elementary School for the inauguration and launching of the school library there last August 11, 2012. His talk was well loved by children and adults present during his session. He even met a college buddy, Mr. Gerald Hidalgo of TUPAD, a civic organization supporting Sambat Trust in establishing school libraries in Tanauan, Batangas, Philippines.

Mr. Molina has numerous books published and a slew of awards received but he remains humble and sincere to his audience, the Filipino child. In this interview, Mr. Molina shares his beginnings as a writer of children’s stories and his inspiration for writing Anong Gupit Natin Ngayon? (What hairstyle do you want?), a story about a young boy's wonderment on his father's work as a barber.

1. When did you start writing for children?

I started in 1998 with the story "Ang Lumang Kumot ni Lola."  I wrote it then entered it in the PBBY Salanga Writer's Prize.  Luckily, it was given a special citation that year.  I took that win as a nudge that I should pursue writing for children.  I never stopped writing ever since.

My background is really advertising.  I write copy (text) for numerous print ads and television spots.  So it's also like telling stories in 30 seconds or 15 seconds.  So the shift from writing copy to creating children's stories wasn't a leap.  I actually use what I learn in advertising when I write for kids and vice-versa.  It's a fun process.

2. What was your inspiration in writing Anong Gupit Natin Ngayon?

"Anong Gupit Natin Ngayon?" is a combination of two experiences -- first, as a child growing up and visiting the barbershop with my mom and dad and second, as a father bringing my daughter to her own haircut sessions.

As a child, I remember sitting in the barber chair and devouring pages of Funny Komiks (remember those?) in between snips.  Those times, I think, were my most creative moments.  Just being alone with your thoughts and your comics.  You can let your mind explode with ideas even if you're stuck to a chair.  And I remember imagining different hair styles then.  "What if" moments come to you when you let your mind fly and wander.

As a father, my heart aches every time I think of the time when my little daughter inevitably grows up - old enough not to need her dad to tag along.  She would finally make her own decisions, in hairstyles and in life.  So I guess I wrote this story also for parents.  Moments such as these are fleeting.  Embrace them and hold on tight as long as you can.

3. Among your published stories, which story do you consider as the best?

All my stories are my babies.  I gave birth to them. So it is really hard to choose.

4. Describe the "creative process" you went through when writing Anong Gupit. Did you undergo the same experience writing your other books?

I really do not follow a strict process when it comes to writing.  Writing is like a journey and I seldom take the same route twice.  I allow myself to lose my way sometimes.  But all my stories start with an idea.  I don't think you can ever begin writing a story without an idea.  What is it that you want to say?  Where do you want to take your readers?  And what is it about your story that would make them sit up and listen?  If you can answer these questions THEN you can start the trek.

5. As a writer for children, where do you see yourself ten years from now against the backdrop of Philippine Children's Literature?

I still see myself creating stories that celebrate the Filipino spirit.  Stories open the eyes, minds and hearts of Filipino children.  Books are the best vehicles to encourage kids to get to know themselves better.  And it is important that they read ABOUT themselves in the pages.  There are still a lot of Pinoy stories that are left untold.  I hope to continue championing this cause.

6. Short message please, for teachers, parents and children who read your stories.

To the parents --- the best stories are YOUR stories -- stories about your childhood, about your family, about your community and about your life in general.  These are the best stories because you are part of them.  Pass them on to your kids.  These stories are your legacy.  Also, don't forget to read to your kids.  And don't forget to open a book too.  The culture of reading starts in your own home.

To the teachers -- we need new writers and storytellers and I really believe that you are primed to take on the challenge of creating wonderful stories for kids.  Jump in!  Take the leap!

Thank you for your support and for making my stories come alive with every telling.

To the Filipino child -- open a Filipino children book today and read all about you.  You have always been our inspiration and we hope to return the favor and inspire you back with our stories.