Chi Alparaz writes: I read your article ?Oh the Joys of Summer? (April 14, 2008) and I cannot agree more. Children need play in order to construct their own views of the world. I think parents should support their learning through play. This is the most important part of being a child. Thank you for writing that article. Parents need to be reminded!

You are welcome, Chi. Just as adults need a break, so do our kids. Imaginative play is often just as vital as study.

Bahay Tsinoy

Von Totanes writes: I read your column on Bahay Tsinoy (Jan, 19, 2009). You may want to forward this link to founder Teresita Ang-See: http://filipinolibrarian.blogspot.com/2007/07/first-books-printed-in-philippines.html. The evidence that only two books?not one, not three?were printed in 1593 is very strong.

Ang See?s reply: Von?s points are well taken and I have encountered them before. I accept Von?s arguments as valid, but I cannot also say categorically that there are only those two books. According to the foreword of the ?Shih Lu, Zhen Jiao Bian Zeng? (Apologia), it could be the first book printed here. But I doubt it because the book was an elaborate treatise on what true religion is.

The Chinese philosopher was arguing fiercely with the Dominicans about questions of philosophy. That the Dominicans won the argument is given because it became a book, right? The friars who wrote back to Spain said they translated into Chinese the catechisms and religious tracts in order to convert the Chinese. They were not as interested in Christianizing the Chinese here as in using them as stepping stones towards evangelizing a million ?barbarian souls? in Cathay. Shouldn?t the ?Doctrina Christiana? have been published ahead of the ?Shih Lu?? It is easier to translate the ?Doctrina? than it is to record and put into a book the debate on true religion...

We cannot also conclude that the ?Doctrina Christiana en Lengua China? (the earlier version) doesn?t exist just because the original book can?t be found anymore. Remember the Boxer Codex? If it were not brought to London and if Boxer didn?t buy it and later donated it, would we have known that the book existed?

So I?d like to just let it be [three books]. Let?s just be aware that the Chinese played a role in the easier and faster spread of Christianity because of the art of printing, which they brought to the Philippines.

Good books

Misha Pallorina writes: I am with the marketing department at OMF Literature. Thank you for reviewing one of our books, ?Jesus on Parenting? (April 6, 2009). I would love to send you some new books for your consideration as well. Just let me know where I can send them.

This column focuses foremost on education issues, but because of reader demand, I do review books on parenting, especially if they discuss learning as well. I cannot promise reviews of all (or even most) books sent my way, but, yes, I would appreciate copies of pertinent manuals, guidebooks, inspirational stories. You can send them to me c/o Ateneo de Manila University, Mathematics Department, Loyola Heights, Quezon City.
Speaking of good books, here is one to brighten our day.

?Mom?s a Stewardess?

Angelica B. Viloria writes: I will appreciate any help you can give in spreading word among your readers. May you continue to help students and parents discover God?s plan for them.

In 1996, Viloria left the corporate world to maintain online blogs and write articles on stewardship. At Christ the King Parish in Greenmeadows, Viloria and her fellow parishioners share their time and talent through scholarships, feeding programs, medical assistance, care of the elderly, livelihood projects, and so on.

In her book ?Mom?s a Stewardess (Or Why There?s No Vacation from Your Vocation),? published by Claretian Publications, Viloria uses everyday experiences?cooking, eating chocolate, cuddling with Pooh, changing diapers, traveling?to reflect on how God affects our world, and why we need to take care of one another.

I found one story particularly moving. When Viloria?s daughter Ali had Kawasaki disease, the family surrendered everything to God, though they did all they could, strengthening their faith in Him and in one another in the process.

Fr. Daniel J. Mahan, executive director of the Marian College Center for Catholic Stewardship in Indianapolis, United States, says, ?Viloria has creatively integrated the theology and spirituality of stewardship into her experiences as wife and mother. Her stories illustrate beautifully the vision behind the stewardship movement, and show in a personal, simple manner how ordinary people can follow a path of holiness. Her heartwarming reflections show the practical ways we can live in a manner that pleases God and brings us the peace that this world cannot bring. Her work is a real gift to the Church.?

And I dare say?to parents, teachers, students, too! To get a copy, visit www.momsastewardess.com or contact Claretian Publications at 9213984.

Eye-opener

Renato Caluag directs us to ?Chicken a la Carte,? a short film written and directed by Ferdinand Dimadura. According to the film, 25,000 people die of hunger every day, and we often forget the all-too-stark effects on the poor, especially those who live on the refuse and waste of others.

In 2006, at the 56th Berlin International Film Festival, more than 3,500 filmmakers from around the world competed. The theme was ?Food, Taste, and Hunger.? ?Chicken a la Carte? was judged the Most Popular Short Film. Catch it at www.cultureunplugged.com/play/1081/Chicken-a-la-Carte.

E-mail the author at blessbook@yahoo.com.