34
oooh
interesting
reads
These recommendations from book
historian and librarian Dr Vernon R Totanes
are sure to add to your knowledge
of the nation
THE PHILIPPINES
FOR BEGINNERS
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i
DR VERNON R TOTANES,
LICENSED LIBRARIAN AND BOOK HISTORIAN, IS THE DIRECTOR
OF THE RIZAL LIBRARY, ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY. HE BLOGS AT
FILIPINOLIBRARIAN.
BLOGSPOT.COM
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Get to know a
national hero
RIZAL WITHOUT
THE OVERCOAT
BY AMBETH R
OCAMPO
Jose Rizal, considered
the national hero of the
Philippines, was more
man than Superman. This
book uses humor and
interesting trivia to (re)
introduce Rizal as a mere
mortal who loved women,
was stingy with money
and liked to eat
tuyo
for
breakfast.
4
Appreciate the
nation’s cuisine
MEMORIES OF
PHILIPPINE
KITCHENS
BY AMY BESA AND
ROMY DOROTAN
Learn how to cook
lumpiang
Shanghai,
adobo
and
kinilaw
and
get better acquainted
with the origins of
Philippine cuisine with
this cookbook by the
duo behind Purple Yam.
It features stunning
photographs, too.
3
Be one with
the locals
PACIFIC RIMS:
BEERMEN BALLIN’
IN FLIP-FLOPS AND
THE PHILIPPINES’
UNLIKELY LOVE
AFFAIRWITH
BASKETBALL
BY RAFE
BARTHOLOMEW
Ever wondered why Filipinos
— most of whom aren’t that
tall — love basketball? Find
the answer in this book, which
the author has described as his
love letter to the Philippines.
1
Learn Tagalog —
the funway
ALAMAT NG
AMPALAYA
BY AUGIE RIVERA
The song “Bahay Kubo”
enumerates the many
vegetables grown in
neighborhood gardens
with one exception —
ampalaya
(bitter gourd).
The omission inspired
this children’s book. The
Tagalog and English texts
are sure to prove useful for
those aiming to study one
or both languages.
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