Word irregularities pointed out in controversial VP Sara book

Front page of the self-authored book of Vice President Sara Duterte.

MANILA, Philippines — Is it ‘Banahaw’ or ‘Anahaw’? Is it ‘bagbag’ or ‘bagabag’?

An expert questioned the word irregularities in the controversial book of Vice President Sara Duterte worth P10 million, emphasizing that it creates confusion among children.

In the book about friendship titled “Isang Kaibigan” (A Friend), there is a line: “Sa lilim ng luntiang mga dahon ng Banahaw, nakatago ang isang hiwaga: si Kwago, ang marangyang ibon na may-ari ng isang pugad ng nakapatong sa sanga ng puno ng manga (Under the green leaves of Banahaw hides an owl: Kwago, the great bird that lives on a nest placed on the branch of a mango tree.).”

READ: No ‘friend’: Hontiveros query on OVP book irks VP Duterte

Antonio Contreras, a forest expert, sounded alarm on the use of “lilim ng dahon ng Banahaw.”

“Malabo ‘yong pagkakalagay doon kasi sa “lilim ng dahon ng Banahaw” so people will construe it as that Banahaw is a tree (The insertion of “under the tree of Banahaw” is vague so people will construe it as that Banahaw is a tree.),” Contreras said in an interview with INQUIRER.net on Saturday.

READ: VP Sara Duterte: Stay tuned for my next book about a friend’s betrayal

“If it is referring to the foliage of the tree then Banahaw is not a tree but if it is referring to the canopy of a mountain, of a forest, then perhaps Banahaw could be a correct term,” he added.

“So the mere fact that we are confused now which one is which, it is kind of worrisome kasi ang libro ay para sa mga bata (because the book is for the kids),” he said.

Is Banahaw a tree?

Contreras said that the supporters of Duterte justified their claim that Banahaw is a tree using a research publication of foresters from the Southern Luzon State University as their basis.

The publication mentioned a tree named Banahaw Igem (scientific name: Dacrycarpus cumingii) in which Contreras stated that “Igem” is a common name and is endemic in the Philippines and other countries like Indonesia and Malaysia.

Contreras, who obtained undergraduate and master’s degrees in forestry, said that there is a tree called Igem in which its leaves “are kind of narrow, it grows in higher elevations.”

“Ang ginawa naman kasi ng mga scientists sa Southern Luzon State University, they put Banahaw Igem because they want to use that Banahaw as a descriptor of a tree that grows in Banahaw (What the scientists of Southern Luzon State University, they put Banahaw Igem because they want to use that Banahaw as a descriptor of a tree that grows in Banahaw.),” he said.

“’Yon ’yong pinapangatawanan nila (That’s what they justify) that Banahaw is a tree, when in fact the name of the tree is Igem. It was just given the name Banahaw Igem to distinguish it from other trees.”

He cited an example of “longganisa” where it has different variations such as Vigan longganisa and Lucban longganisa because of their origin.

“It’s accurate to say that igem is the tree but to say that Banahaw is the tree is wrong… Pinagpilitan nila na (They insist that) Banahaw is a tree when in fact, it’s not. It’s a mountain. It’s a place,” he added.

There’s more

Contreras also pointed out the use of word “bagbag” in the line in the book: “Sa kanyang pag-iisa, nabagbag ang kanyang damdamin sa kanyang sinapit (In his solitude, he was wrecked by what he had gone through.).”

He said that the word has a deep meaning, symbolizing “totally wrecked” that is applicable in the situation of the owl in the story.

“May word naman talaga na bagbag kaya lang, usually what we use sa pag-refer sa damdamin ay “nakakabagabag na damdamin”. Malalim ang kahulugan ng bagbag ‘pag ginamit sa emotions (There is a word bagbag, but, usually what we use in referring to emotions is “an unsettling feeling”. The meaning of bagbag is deep if used in emotions.),” he said.

Is it wrong to use the word? The professor said that it’s not, but it’s a matter of using the term where the children can relate to.

“Although pwedeng sabihin na mas appropriate gamitin ‘yong bagbag kasi grabe ’yong feeling or emotional distress nung kwago pero pwede mong sabihin ’yong malapit na word na bagabag because bagabag is balisa, nalungkot, nadistress (Although we can say that it is more appropriate to use bagbag because of the state of emotional distress of the owl, we can use the nearest term “bagabag” because it means unsettling, sadness, distress.),” he noted.

“So mas dapat gamitin yung word na bagabag kasi ito yung pwedeng mas maka-relate ang mga bata kasi ayun din ’yung naririnig nila sa mga adults (So “bagabag” should be used because it is the one children can relate to because it is also what they hear from adults.),” he added.

Just a typo?

While Contreras raised the possibility that the use of words may just be unintentional and just a typo, he stressed that mistakes in books for children should not be even allowed in the first place to avoid confusion.

“Maraming libro ang nakalusot na may mali-maling nakalagay. It’s not just about her books but it’s many books before na na-scandalize dahil sa maling impormasyon. Critical ’yan kasi learning ’yan ng mga bata, formative years ’yan ng mga bata. ’Pag mali ’yung word na ginamit mo o nako-confuse sila, you do not educate, you confuse (There are many books with many errors. It’s not just about her books but it’s many books before that were scandalized because of wrong information. That is critical because it is the learning of the children, it’s their formative years. If you use the wrong word or they become confused, you do not educate, you confuse.),” he said.

He also underscored the importance of using simple words in a children’s book.

“On that level for the children kung ang main objective ay maturuan sila magbasa, alisin ‘yong ingay ng confusion. Make it straight to the point kasi ang objective ay magbasa lang ang bata (On that level for the children, if the main objective is to teach them how to read, remove the noise of confusion. Make it straight to the point because the objective is for them to read.),” he added.

Further, he stressed that the book should have gone through a rigorous editing process given that it was given a P10 million budget.

“With the P10 million budget, being reviewed is mandatory. Copyediting is important, Diyos ko naman, 16 pages na lang ’yung libro. Napakadali i-copyedit (With the P10 million budget, being reviewed is mandatory. Copyediting is important, my God. The book is just 16 pages long. It is so easy to edit.).”

He also said that since the Vice President asked for a hefty amount of budget for the publication of the book, the government is allowed to ask and clarify about it.

“Dahil humingi siya ng pera sa Senado, may karapatan ang Senado na busisiin ito at mag-specify ng recommendations (Because she asked for funds from the Senate, the Senate has the right to inspect it and specify recommendations.),” he said.

In a Senate hearing on Tuesday on the budget deliberations of the Office of the Vice President, Senator Risa Hontiveros noted that P10 million was allocated for the publication of the book and asked what the book is all about.

Duterte did not answer the question, but said that Hontiveros was “politicizing the budget hearing.”