Ang Ibong Adarna: The E-Book on a Mythical, Operatic-like Singing Bird

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Ibong Adarna (large Print Edition): Corrido at Buhay na Pinagdaanan nang tatlong Principeng Magcacapatid na Anac nang Haring Fernando at nang Reina Valeriana sa Cahariang Berbania by Anonymous

ADDITIONAL NOTES ON THIS POSTING

This was written originally for my Goodreads.com account, which I posted here, too, for those who may be  curious about Philippine literature in Tagalog. Actually, the book’s a textbok, i.e, we used it in elementary school to gain ideas by reading it together and about what makes old Philippine literature tick; expect my review to be slanting toward being more positive than usual. I personally like this book as it reminds me of a funny movie by Dolphy, a Philippine ‘legendary’ comic and great actor who’s still very much around as of this writing. And after doing proofreading works with this book on Project Gutenberg, I realized there IS more to be appreciated about the book,  including its wonderful lines of lyrical poetry that I seldom get to hear nowadays.  Of course, you have to be able to speak and understand Tagalog to appreciate this book, and that’s a different endeavor altogether. Get hold of the book even on its e-book version and start reading and giving feedback about it to others. It’s really high time to get into serious reading these days when a lot of bad things are happening in our midst, of which we generally don’t have control.

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
You can actually download a copy of this book from Project Gutenberg. Here’s the link if you’d like to start reading the book online: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16157/161…

The title translates to: The Adarna Bird: Songs and the Entangled Lives of the Three Princes and Sons of King Fernando and Queen Valeriana in the Kingdom of Berbania

I got to read this book while doing volunteer proofreading works for Project Gutenberg’s Distributed Proofreaders (PGDP). Written in lyrical poetical metered tradition, it easily reads like a very florid, ancient text of a manuscript that contains formulaic passages denoting magic, charms, and of old kingdoms that we see in movies and in our dreams. Its authorship is primarily unknown, as with the case with old stories that have been passed through many generations. It can be a difficult read, even, because of its use of old Tagalog words that are usually not much in use these days. But it can be very helpful to prop up one’s Tagalog vocabulary.

Those who have seen the movie made in the 70s by the great comedian Dolphy, which included his side-kicks (but who are esteemed comedian-artists in their own right) Panchito and Babalu as well as the sexy star Rosanna Ortiz from the Philippines would be surprised that the movie veered away from the storyline of the book. This e-book is all about morals, primarily about giving respect to one’s parents even in their old age when they’re sick and out of their wits, of the value of good friendships especially during bad times, of having sustained courage as one goes to life’s challenges, of being loyal to one’s life purpose amidst all imaginable hardships, among other themes. It can very well be a good tome for a children’s book to be done in several volumes, if only drawings and other pictures have been included in many of its pages.

Ironically, I’m sharing my thoughts on this Tagalog e-book in English,as I have a feeling that only those who read primarily in English and who understand Tagalog will read this book. Plus, I have a feeling that those who will read this are those who are required to read the text as part of their curriculum in school, as well as those interested in Philippine literature and culture. Unless I get some feedback from this posting from readers who read primarily in Tagalog, then I will continue believing that Tagalog e-books, like this one, will be just be awaiting for at least 50 more years of time for more and wider readership to set in place, to take hold. It takes a lot for a culture of reading to take place, considering the presence of all kinds of distractions (internet, TV, movies, music, dance, food, shopping, etc). But I’m delighted that books like this one has been made available again, and easily accessible to all interested, curious readers out there.

View all my reviews.

Related articles

• Project Gutenberg (PG) http://gutenberg.org (asokadisurf.wordpress.com)
• Gutenberg eReader Brings the Entire eBook Library to Google Android Users (prweb.com)

Why Is an HP Call Center Agent Not Allowed to Speak Tagalog? (What kind of customer service is this?)

Last night, I happened to be watching TV, and heard in the background the remarks being made by a friend who was talking with someone on the phone. The person on the other line happened to remark in the affirmative that “he’s from the Philippines” and my friend casually pointed out what his experience with previous call center agents that “they’re not allowed to speak in Tagalog” even if the customer (who in the case of my friend) happens to speak Tagalog [wanna learn the language? click here]. My friend whom I’ve known back in the Philippines wanted to seek help on certain problems he’s been encountering with his recently brought HP Laptop.

I could not help but say: “That’s stupid!” I’ve heard this thing happened before, and I’m posting this blog just to express my disgust over this practice. Yet I’m curious why exactly? I should have asked my friend to ask the agent the reason behind the policy (are they actually “agents” or “customer service people”? Please advise me as well on this, for those who happened to be working with call center companies anywhere logged on reading this; thanks!!!). [Or is it because these agents performance are being in measured by their abilities to speak in English?]

Going back to my friend, I remember he was made to wait for the next 15 minutes or so, as I realized I was almost done with my TV watching of the program of David Letterman. And I still could not fathom why these agents are not allowed to speak Tagalog when they happen to be talking with Tagalog speaking agents. I have heard, though from my friend, while waiting for him get connected to the right fellow in another office of HP located in different country. He was soon talking with a fellow whom he asked if he’s from India or the Philippines.

Now, why is it better to allow those who do this work to speak in the language that both parties can use more appropriately to tackle, and clarify problems? It’s as basic as “losing something in the translation,” period. I don’t want to believe that those who make this kind of decision in HP or some other call center companies as bigoted enough to just consider sticking it out to speak in English all the time. They must have figured out that talking in one same language would be effective for their business. Of course, I’ve known that there are service centers that deliver their services in other languages other than English. But still, it’s more effective when you connect with people when there’s an understanding at least on the emotional level, which is best done when parties are using the same language.

But yet, who is actually fooling who from this kind of experience? From my experience, I would usually know if I’m talking to someone from the Philippines, or at least someone staying there. I would usually know if I’m talking from someone in India, or perhaps some similar places. It’s best to be talking in a language that has more appropriate expressive words just to better define what is exactly being talked about, or discussed between people who don’t actually see each other. Something is actually lost in transit, so to say. And it’s maddening to hear that the agent on the other line is gagged from talking in a language that would make the sharing of support more free flowing, fluid, and more natural. Come on, people know this right away when they know they speak a common language. It’s not because of failure to appreciate that language, as a communication tool, works better when commonly understood and spoken by both parties. Still, it’s not actually what I suspect to be a scheme to just keep a certain language more prominent in business usage than other languages these days. There could be something more behind this standing policy on using English even if both parties can speak in more comfortably in another language, or if the situation appropriately calls for it.

And actually, it’s also good to know that call center workers, i.e. those who talk to customers, are able to speak other languages. It’s always frustrating to know that one is just limited to one language, which goes against the very nature of how things are taking place in changes the world over.

Just a rant, this time! Whew!

Ako’y Sayo at Ika’y Akin (Acoustic cover) – Iaxe [literally: "I'm Yours Alone, and You are Mine Alone"]

It’s in Tagalog, as everyone from the Philippines knows something about the song. It’s a particularly melodious tone, played acoustic style, with lyrics that describe one’s raw affectionate emotions for someone …for 2 nights in a row, I tried to get to listen to it on YouTube. I remembered the song, after reading a friend’s profile. Something was wrong with YouTube last night, but tonight, I got to listen to it, finally, gratefully.

Tears were soon flowing down my eyes. I could just cry, as memories unfolded in my mind, and I freely went along with my emotions showing. I remember my partner who’s in the Philippines. I just feel so lonely, just so lonely, now that it’s in the low 40s here in NYC; it’s just getting colder. I know this is gonna be over soon. I know I’ll be better sometime. Thank God!