Giant Paperclip Scultptures by National Artist Arturo Luz

Here are some shots taken around the Ayala Museum. Aren't these amazing? It would be so cool if I had a giant sculpture of a yellow paperclip with bright purple spots. I will send Mr. Luz a copy of my book. I hope he likes it! We both like paperclips so there must be some connection here!

Here's a picture to show you just how big they are! I hope I get to see the giant paperclip sculpture in Norway one day...

Book Launch at Powerbooks Live! in Greenbelt

It's official! The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots was officially launched today at Powerbooks Live! in Greenbelt 4 together with other Adarna House titles.

There was a storytelling session of course (complete with a great paperclip costume!) and book signing (how cool to be in between Ompong Remigio, author of Papel de Liha and Augie Rivera, author of Alamat ng Ampalaya; both are best-selling Adarna books!).

THANK YOU to Mama, Alec, Tita Vicky, Yelley and Paulo (great photo of us!), Karina, Vanette and Rics, J-An, and Cris for dropping by and buying a book!

The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots is available in Powerbooks, National Bookstore, Books for Less and Fully Booked branches around the country for only P65.

The Yellow Paperclip Goes to Xavier School

Thanks to Teacher Raquel, the Yellow Paperclip went to Xavier School for a storytelling session. Armed with pillows and all comfy in their pajamas, third graders listened to The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots and responded well to Teacher Raquel's questions.

Teacher Raquel: Where do you think the paperclip came from?
Third grade kids: The paperclip factory! From outer space! A toolbox! In my mom's stuff! In the trash can! Church! My desk! From the airport!

Teacher Raquel: If you had a paperclip, what would you do with it?
Third grade kids: I'll put it in my book. I'll keep it in my secret files! I'll bury it in the sand in Boracay. I'll give it to the Lost and Found. I'll put it in the bank. I'll put it in my sock drawer. I'll give it to God!

When Raquel introduced me, the kids turned around, wide-eyed and smiling. It felt so surreal. The best part was when we gave out paperclips at the end. You'd think these kids have never seen a paperclip before. "Me! Me! I want a paperclip!" They said excitedly in their high-pitched third grade voices, eager to get a paperclip or two.

I'm Seeing Purple Spots

An email from our Director for Corporate Marketing in Pittsburgh:

I hope you don't mind... I've passed the book around to a couple of people in the marketing department. I loved it and they did, too. I can't wait to take it home to my husband tonight. It's so touching. You are a great writer. I think you should put writing another book on your wish list... maybe even before getting a gift wrapping room.

Thank you so much for sharing... of course, that's what the book is all about. My mother says I have a book or two in me. I should get on with it!

Warmest regards,
Nancy

A Family Affair

Thanks, Gab, for sharing my story with your family and friends. Here's a photo of me and the Narciso family at the Manila International Book Fair.

I was touched to get this SMS message from one of Gab's aunts: I am truly impressed with the yellow paperclip story. Simple, well-written and creative! I enjoy reading it, I've read it twice in fact and it's our bedtime-story read. Tell your friend it does deserve to be PBBY Grand Prize! Thanks for sharing it with us. WOW! Thank you so much, Gab!

Green and Red... in time for Christmas?!

I saw a bright green one under the car next to me in the carpark. I saw a bright red one stuck in a crack along the sidewalk. (Yes, the same one as the other day!)

There are Christmas lights in Eastwood. There are pre-Christmas sales at the mall and announcements for pre-Christmas bazaars. I've received Christmas card catalogs in the mail. September is the unofficial start of the Christmas season here in the Philippines. How crazy. Where did the entire year go?!

The Yellow Paperclip Goes to Roxas Boulevard

The 26th Manila International Book Fair
August 31 to September 4, 2005 (Thursday to Sunday)
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the World Trade Center, Roxas Boulevard




Highlights from the Book Fair: Alitaptap Storyteller Jay was great. It was fun to see lots of smiles from many kids. First time to sign books. Thank you to all those who dropped by: my folks, Alec, Lola Ludy, Tita Tonet, Camille, Syd, Carlo, Anna and Becca, Gab, Pau, Mig, Raquel, and Orange.

Bright Red yet Stuck in the Same Place

I've seen the same bright red paperclip stuck in a crack along the sidewalk for the last couple of days. It has been stuck for more than four days. No adventures for this paperclip. It has nowhere to go. It must look up at the world and wonder, There's got to be more than this?

If I pick it up and bring it places, what adventure can I start?

If I go places, what adventures can I start for myself? I shouldn't allow myself to get stuck. Life is Elsewhere, I've always said to myself in college. Where is Elsewhere and what adventures await me there?