Discover pocket tales of Filipino romance in latest anthology series Sari-Sari Stories

  

Bookshelf PH launches the first Sari-Sari Stories collection, the Romance Edition at SM Aura Book Nook on August 14, 2024 at 4PM.

 

“Pabili po isang maikling kwento. ‘Yung tingi lang po.”

The quintessential sari-sari store is an embedded Filipino culture you can’t miss. Every barangay surely has this neighborhood fixture where a variety of goods are sold. Beyond being a go-to store where we buy chichiryas, instant coffees, and last-minute ingredients, the sari-sari store serves as an invisible string that ties communities together. It is where community stories, often chismis, are shared.

Paying homage to such a heartwarming culture, publishing house Bookshelf PH launches the first edition of its ongoing anthology called “Sari-Sari Stories: Romance Edition”. Just like the sari-sari store carries a variety of items, the books in the Sari-Sari Stories series will present various themes in each edition–from romance and family to other Filipino-centered stories and culture. For this Romance Edition, we present a diverse selection of love stories, each one a reflection of the different facets of Filipino romance.

From chance encounters and deceitful hearts to enduring love against all odds, the anthology promises something for everyone. Readers will find themselves immersed in narratives that range from sweet and tender to passionate and intense, each one leaving a lasting impression.

“We Filipinos love the feeling of kilig,” Monette Quiogue, Managing Partner of Bookshelf PH says. “Romance is a genre we naturally gravitate to, and there is no shortage of love letters and stories written by aspiring Filipino authors. Sari-Sari Stories: Romance Edition proves how each of us has a story to tell and that love can be found in the most mundane or even unexpected moments.”

A collection of four stories, the anthology showcases diverse voices and unique perspectives on various themes. Like colorful snacks and drinks from a sari-sari store, you’re in for an unexpected treat to satisfy your kilig cravings.

“Love is a universal experience and the diversity of these stories is what makes this collection rich,” Michelle Dulinayan, Managing Editor says. “We have stories about Filipino LGBTs, stories that romanticize modern haranas, and stories of love and dreams amidst ruins and heartbreaks.“

Bookshelf PH invites everyone to join in celebrating this literary milestone. The book launch featuring the four Filipino authors and the faces behind publishing the anthology is on August 14, 2024 at the SM Aura Book Nook.

Join the Sari-Sari Romance and feel kilig to the books by downloading the SM Online App then visiting this link to register: https://bit.ly/SSSRomance-Launch. The anthology is now available for purchase, print and ebook at Bookshelf PH’s website.

Let’s take a trip to the sari-sari store, and together, discover heartwarming tales and treats for our romantic souls.

About Bookshelf PH

Bookshelf PH is an online marketplace, publisher, and printer that is dedicated to promoting and printing books in non-fiction and fiction written by Filipino authors and producing local literature. Through workshops, publishing services, and community engagement, Bookshelf PH aims to make the journey of self-publishing accessible and enjoyable for all aspiring authors.

 

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

Country’s top emergency response agencies hold summit to take public safety to next level

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and its Emergency 911 National Office, together with their partners in emergency response, will discuss the future of the country’s public safety capabilities at a National Summit on Emergency at the EDSA Shangri-La Manila on August 14.

The DILG Secretary, the DOT secretary, the Chief PNP, the telcos, cloud service providers, the Red Cross and the provider of next generation advanced 911 services will be the key parties in this Summit that aims to revolutionize our emergency response system and put it at par with world 911 standards.

As the Philippines and its neighbors face 21st century challenges of climate change-worsened calamities, deadly viruses and daily threats to peace and order, the need for faster, smarter and more accurate emergency response is a must.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) through Secretary Benjamin Abalos and its National E911 Office led by Executive Director Francis are meeting the challenge head-on with a National Summit on Emergency Response on August 14 at the EDSA Shangri-La Plaza Manila.

Among the key issues to be tackled at the Summit is the need for the country to revitalize its emergency response system, which is at the core of providing public safety to citizens, Executive Director Fajardo said.

“We are in an age where problems and risks have become more complex and we have to respond faster, smarter and more efficiently. We need to move with the times, recognize the role played by gadgets and modern communication platforms and invest in modern tools and services that weren’t there before. Now and in the future, our goal is to serve our communities and look out for the safety of citizens so we need new solutions to be responsive and relevant,” Fajardo added.

Topics to be tackled at the Summit are the modern perils faced by citizens in the age of AI, data analytics and automation and the importance of emergency management. Concerns about safety and survival in the light of disasters, cyberattacks, terrorism and daily incidents of crime, child abuse, violence against women and their children, accidents, thefts and health emergencies will be discussed.

The Summit will also take a closer look at the International Disaster Response Network and how it can help with safety, security and survival in the New Normal. The roles played by web services such as Amazon and Google in ensuring effective emergency response will be explained, as well as telcos’ duty to provide uninterrupted communication during emergencies will be emphasized.

Executive Director Fajardo has facilitated an arrangement where the Philippine National Police can get a feel of harnessing next generation, advanced 911 for its emergency response operations. It has requested NGA 911, the global innovator of the emergency calling technology and leader in next generation emergency communications worldwide, to allow the PNP to try out its state-of-the-art 911 call handling system that is used in the United States and Europe. It enhances emergency number services by creating a faster, more resilient system that allows digital information like voice, photos, videos and text messages to flow seamlessly from the public through the 911 network and onto first responders. PLDT will ensure that there is an available flow of communication during emergencies.

“By knowing and using the right tools and technologies, local governments can be better prepared and ready to respond to emergencies more efficiently. A fast, accurate and resilient emergency response system will minimize disruptions in citizens’ lives and give Filipinos the peace of mind they deserve. Investing in advanced technologies is a must if we are to improve our emergency preparedness and make our responses faster and more effective,” Fajardo said.

Government officials, representatives from the country’s emergency response agencies and service providers are expected to take part in the Summit.

The local emergency response landscape will be re-imagined with cutting edge technology in place and used on a wide scale at the Summit.

Comprehensive Guide and Capacity Building Program Announced to Combat Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities

  

The Capacity Building Programme for Reducing Recycling-Related Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities (CaRMPAC Project) will be officially launched on 16 August 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. This significant regional initiative is designed to address the pressing issue of marine plastic pollution through targeted capacity building and implementation strategies. In conjunction with the launch, the outcomes of Phase 1 of the project have been published, including the Situation Assessment Reports and Technical Guidelines for six key ASEAN cities, which aimed at preventing plastic and resin pellet leakage from recycling facilities.

The Capacity Building Programme for Reducing Recycling-Related Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities (CaRMPAC Project) will be officially launched on 16 August 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. This significant regional initiative is designed to address the pressing issue of marine plastic pollution through targeted capacity building and implementation strategies. In conjunction with the launch, the outcomes of Phase 1 of the project have been published, including the Situation Assessment Reports and Technical Guidelines for six key ASEAN cities, which aimed at preventing plastic and resin pellet leakage from recycling facilities.

Publication of Situation Assessment and Technical Guidelines

Phase 1 of the CaRMPAC Project focused on a comprehensive situation assessment and the development of technical guidelines, which aimed at preventing plastic and resin pellet leakage from recycling facilities. This phase covered six key ASEAN cities: Pattaya, Nonthaburi, Hanoi, Iloilo, Manila, and Vientiane. The situation assessment revealed critical factors contributing to plastic leakage. That resulted in the creation of technical guidelines and manuals tailored to each city to improve recycling process and practices to prevent plastic leakage across both formal and informal sectors. The outcomes of Phase 1, including the Situation Assessment Reports and Technical Guidelines, have been published and are available for free access here.

Launching Phase 2: Capacity Building Programme

Following the successful completion of Phase 1, Phase 2 of the CaRMPAC Project aims to expand its reach to additional cities and countries, including Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Bandung, Davao City, and others. Over the next 24 months, this phase will address the capacity gaps identified in Phase 1, with a particular focus on informal plastic recyclers and relevant city government regulators. The objective is to promote responsible recycling practices and sustainable plastic management through enhanced training, increased awareness, and improved regulatory support.

The CaRMPAC Project is being implemented by the Asian Institute of Technology’s Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific, with support from the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA and the ASEAN Secretariat.

About RKCMPD

The Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD) was established under the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) in 2019. The Knowledge Centre’s mission is to provide information and support to ASEAN+3 Member States, thereby helping them to improve the circularity of plastic and prevent leakage into marine environments.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES