PRECIOUS PAGES CORPORATION’S GRAND FANS’ DAY: A LOOK INSIDE THE HEART OF A COMPANY AND ITS ROMANTIC-TO-THE-MAX FANBASE

 

VIEW FROM THE ENTRANCE

I went to SM North Edsa last May 17 to do some window-shopping.  I parked my car on the fifth floor of the Main building and was on my way to Book Sale when I heard all this loud, wild screaming .  When I say loud, I mean LOUD!  Loud enough for the screams to be heard from the fourth floor.  I was curious as to what was going on, so I went to the source of all the screaming.  It turns out the screaming was coming from the third floor.  Hundreds of fans --- most of them female --- had come to celebrate this event called the Grand Fans’ Day, which was organized in their honor by the local publishing house, Precious Pages Corporation.

A number of SM’s security guards milled around to make the area was a safe place for the fans to enjoy their special day.  When I arrived, the fans were cheering for some of their peers, who were trying to out-act and out-emote each other, quoting lines from books made by their favorite romance authors.  I couldn’t help but laugh, yell and clap along with the fans, who really seemed to be having so much fun.  Their enthusiasm and enjoyment were really infectious, and I observed that even the people who were just passing by couldn’t help but also smile at what was going on.

I think the winner(s) of that game were given Precious Pages gift certificates.  I also saw raffle prizes being given out, while the fans enjoyed the snacks Precious Pages handed out. 

There were a number of audio-visual presentations during the program, which included a presentation/contest called “Who’s the Biggest PHR Fan?”  Wow.  I’ve always known that Pinoys were romantics at heart, but I didn’t know just how romantic they  were.  Turns out there are actually Pinoys out there who collect Precious Pages' romance books.  And when I say collect, I mean, COLLECT by the hundreds and thousands!  

FANS IN "BEST ACTRESS" MODE AS THEY "ACT OUT" QUOTABLE QUOTES FROM POPULAR PRECIOUS HEARTS ROMANCES

If I’m not mistaken, this lady who won the “Biggest PHR Fan” contest was this lady who had more than a thousand Precious Hearts romances in her collection.  Wow.  That’s a lot of money to be spent on romance!  I think she was gifted by an I-Pad2 by the company president, Segundo Matias, Jr. 

There were people who volunteered to display their musical talent during the event, such as the Eugenio Lopez, Sr. Foundation Rondalla (I hope I got the group’s name right), and two ladies/fans (one sang while one played the guitar).  These numbers were given a polite, grateful reception by the fans … but if you want to know what the word “WILD” means, you should have seen the fans’ reaction when this video flashed on screen.  It was a teaser of sorts to announce this line of fragrances (called Stallion), which I understand is based on the names of popular Precious Pages characters/heroines.  The screams were definitely louder this time, and you should have seen how these fans scrambled for a vial sample of these fragrances.  You’d think they were scrambling for gold!  I was almost afraid a stampede would occur, the fans were that enthusiastic.  

THE EUGENIO LOPEZ, SR. FOUNDATION RONDALLA

YES, PRECIOUS HEARTS FANS CAN SING, TOO!

But if you really want to know what “WILD!” sounds and looks like, then you should have seen what happened when a number of the Precious Hearts romance writers came onstage.  The fans were screaming so loudly for their favorite authors, you’d think they were screaming for artistas!  I didn’t know these writers were so popular.

The Precious Hearts romance writers that I saw was a bunch of very young women (probably in their twenties to thirties), who all looked very average, except that the people screamed upon seeing them.  If the fans took the time to see them, it was obvious these writers took their time to look their best for their fans.  They were well-dressed, well-mannered, somewhat overwhelmed but very, very delighted at the show of support for their work.

When it was time for the “Meet and Greet,” you’d swear it was Election Day all over again, given the number of people that scrambled in line so they could meet their favorite authors and have their books autographed by them (come to think of it, there was no line, just a sea of people!).  Meanwhile, the other younger/less senior writers milled around and chatted with the other fans, signed the books the fans had brought and had their pictures taken with them.  

ONE OF PRECIOUS PAGES CORPORATION'S NEWEST ROMANCE AUTHORS

 

THE LAST DAY OF FILING INCOME TAX RETURNS?  NO.  ELECTION DAY?  NO.  FANS LINING UP TO MEET THEIR FAVORITE PRECIOUS HEARTS ROMANCES AUTHORS?  YES!

I also noticed that their host, a young, attractive, charming guy was also receiving his fair share of attention.  He apparently had a fan base of his own, given the way the people reacted to him --- asking for his Facebook account details so they could connect to his network, asking for his autograph, having their pictures taken with him, kissing him … well, if he’s not an artista, I won’t be surprised if he becomes one pretty soon, given the way the people responded to him!  

 

THE HOST, WHO CAPTURED THE FANS' HEARTS THAT DAY --- WHAT A NICE GUY!

It was at this point that I went on my way to do what I had planned on doing.  Well, guess what?  I made my way to the parking lot and passed the same area an hour or two later and the lines had actually grown LONGER!  (I wonder what time they finished).

I was really impressed by Precious Pages’ grand gesture of love to its fans.  You don’t see many companies doing that, thanking their readers for their support.  I also noticed the show of unity among its employees.  Each one of them wore a black Precious Pages Corporation shirt;  even its president, who was so low-key and unassuming, you wouldn’t think he was the president until he was called to the stage.  You don’t get to see many presidents like that!  And he and the employees all looked like they thoroughly enjoyed seeing the happiness on their readers’ faces. How cool is that?

Perhaps, the company could consider having more than one designated area for the Meet and Greet the next time it holds such an event, so the fans won’t be converging in one tiny area (and looking like a bunch of voters in a tiny precinct at the peak hour of elections).  I think it was great that the other writers milled around and chatted with their fans.  Maybe the senior writers could also do that for their fans.  And if the company wants to give out samples of their products, maybe they can do that as the fans enter the venue, right before the program starts.  That way, there wouldn’t be a near-stampede, and everyone would focus more on the program. 

While I’ll never totally understand why people would go gaga at the sight of fragrance samples, or scream at writers as if they were celebrities, I know passion and enthusiasm when I see it.  And passion and enthusiasm were in abundance that day, in each of those fans, in those writers, and the people of Precious Pages Corporation. 

Just like love and romance, the books Precious Pages Corporation is known for, that event brought a smile to my face and made me laugh, and I know many passersby had the same experience.  All in all, the Precious Pages’ Grand Fans’ Day was an afternoon of fun, of romance, and gratitude.  Now if only every day were just like that …

ANGEL BAUTISTA’S “MINE TO KEEP”: EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND SHOT AT LOVE … EVEN BITCHES

RATING GUIDE:

 

5 – A keeper!   

4 – Very good

3 –  Passable

2 –  I’d rather read a telephone book

1 – An absolute bomb.  Read at your own risk!

Precious Pages romance novelist Angel Bautista comes up with another story of “love and second chances” with her book, “Mine To Keep”. 

“Mine To Keep” is the story of Mischa, who’s actually a friend of Erin, the heroine in Bautista’s other novel, “Once A Princess”.  In her introduction, Bautista talks about Mischa not being her typical heroine.  I’d dare say that Mischa isn’t anyone’s typical heroine.  Honestly, Mischa is the kind of girl you’d like to hate, not just on paper, but also in real life.  She’s beautiful on the outside, but her selfish, scheming, manipulative ways drive her to do something totally despicable.  She cooks up a scheme to convince her unrequited love, the gorgeous-IT-boy-with-the-conscience-and-the-heart-of-gold, Keith, that he got her pregnant, so they can get married.  Diabolical!

At first, I wanted to rip this book to shreds or have my dog pee on it out of sheer disgust.  Thankfully, though, Angel Bautista manages to come up with a reasonable explanation to explain Mischa’s behavior.  She also manages to change Mischa and give her a heart as well as a conscience, that I actually found myself rooting for her (just a little!) to have a happy ending.  Only with the help of Angel Bautista’s talent at crafting flawed but sympathetic characters did I find myself wanting Mischa and Keith to get back together.  In real life, had Keith left Mischa, I probably would have said, “Buti nga sa ‘yo, impaktita!”

Just like her other book, “Once A Princess,” “Mine To Keep” is a deep, well-thought-out-and-crafted book that will make you think about your own lost love(s), and broaden your views about love. 

What is love, anyway?  And when is love LOVE?  Is it still love, even if hurts?  Those were just some questions that I asked myself after reading this book.  I’m pretty sure this book will also leave you with some thoughts to ponder, as well.

RATING:  5

TAGALOG TRANSLATION OF L.J. SMITH’S THE AWAKENING (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES 1): GOOD TRANSLATION, BAD BOOK

RATING GUIDE:

 

5 – A keeper!   

4 – Very good

3 –  Passable

2 –  I’d rather read a telephone book

1 – An absolute bomb.  Read at your own risk!

L.J. Smith’s The Awakening is the first installment in her book series called The Vampire Diaries.  Although her book series originally came out in the early 1990’s, it has remained highly popular through the years and has even been the take-off point for the supernatural teen drama series starring Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder. 

The Awakening is told primarily from the point of view of Elena, the campus beauty, whose only problems initially appear to be fending off the attention of all her male admirers and defending her status as the “it” girl from her once-friend-now-frenemy Caroline.  But soon, she faces the biggest problem EVER.  Stefan, the new boy in school with the drop-dead dark, gorgeous looks, appears to be immune to her feminine charms.  It’s the first time she’s been rejected by any man … GASP!  What must she do to reverse that situation?

Elena decides she wants Stefan, so she cooks up a scheme to have him.  She enlists the help of her minions, er, friends, which includes her best friend, Matt, the financially-strapped jock with the heart of gold, to get Stefan to notice her.  Incidentally, Matt is also one of the many, many boys Elena has dumped, even though Elena considers him her first love.

To her horror, Elena’s schemes don’t appear to work on Stefan.  But when strange events begin placing Elena’s life in danger, Stefan shows up to save her.  To her relief, Elena eventually realizes that Stefan actually has the hots for her, too.  He has only been reigning in his feelings for her, because of his angst-ridden past.  However, the happiness is short-lived, for Elena soon finds herself in a dangerous love triangle with Stefan and his evil brother, Damon … who, as it turns out, are both vampires.

Considering the decade in which it was written and published, it is actually surprising (and scary) that the book appears like it was written this decade, instead of the 1990’s.  The girls on campus are so accustomed to the Mean Girl/Queen Bee culture that they could be characters in a (bad) TV reality show about bitchy women.  The book also touches upon the worldlier, darker issues of teen sex and (attempted) date rape.  This book is definitely nothing like the sweet, innocent teen romances of old, like the Sweet Dreams romances of the 1980’s.

If you’re looking for a book that could positively influence the younger reader, then this book might not be it.  With the exception of Matt, the teenagers in this installment are either dimwitted, horny or shallow.  Elena, the main character in the story, is supposedly so beautiful she’s admired by all women and desired by all men; but her narcissism, shallowness and selfishness just make her so difficult to like.  The way she treats the people around her, even her friends, is just so despicable that you end up not caring about her supposedly angst-ridden past (she lost both of her parents at an early age).  What’s worse is her take on love.  She takes one look at Stefan and BAM, she’s in love!  That’s not love, girl, that’s lust!

But if you’re looking for a book with yummy-looking, gorgeous men, then this book might be the one for you.  Stefan has the dark, brooding looks, the designer duds, the fancy car and the angst-ridden background, all the requisites for a fantasy hottie.  His brother Damon might be evil as hell, but based on Smith’s description, is equally gorgeous to make you want him sink his fangs into your neck.  Meanwhile, Matt might not have the money to afford the designer clothes and fancy car, but hey, he’s a jock with a heart of gold.   

Compared to Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, The Vampire Diaries appears to be less meandering and innocent.  It’s fast-paced, darker, worldlier.  This probably explains why it has survived the nineties and made it to the present time.  The world inhabited by the characters in The Vampire Diaries is something today’s youth are more used to.  It’s a world that isn’t as safe as it used to be, inhabited by people who are more of a threat or a disappointment than a source of safety and security.

If you’re looking for a literary masterpiece, then this might not be the one for you.  The material is sadly lacking in substance, the characters appear to be shallow and one-dimensional and there’s hardly anyone in this book to latch on to emotionally.  Even the best of translator Vanessa’s translation skills couldn’t save this book from being a huge literary disappointment for me.  In fact, I was so annoyed by this book that I wished I had a stake to put right through the author’s heart!  It was torture to read this book.

But since I am the eternal optimist, I’m willing to give the next installments a try.  Hopefully, Elena would be less irritating and more sympathetic by then, and I would understand the reason behind the vampire brothers’ feud.  I’d like to think that there’s probably a good reason why this book series has survived the test of time.  I’m curious to find out what that reason is.

RATING:  1 ½

THE FILIPINO TRANSLATION OF SUZANNE COLLINS’ “THE HUNGER GAMES”: MORE, MORE, MORE!

I have just finished reading the Filipino Translation of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games. If I were to describe it in one word, it would be this:  WOW. 

I’m not exactly what you would call a literary expert when it comes to reading/writing in Filipino, but I really loved the Filipino translation of The Hunger Games.  I didn’t care whether it was material I wasn’t used to reading.  I didn’t care that I had to look up some words in the dictionary (like the word “lambak,” which I probably haven’t encountered in ages). 

I have to commend Precious Pages Corporation for coming up with a very good translation of one of my favorite books this year.  I can only imagine how difficult it was for the translator, Janis delos Reyes, to translate such material.  Yet, she managed to come up with a translation that is not only a fairly accurate translation of the material, but also a translation that captures the writing “voice” of Suzanne Collins. 

While this book isn’t exactly light reading fare (at least, for me) --- it IS a challenging book to read --- I loved the way it was translated.  This translation only confirms what I have always believed in my heart, that there’s magic in the written Filipino word. 

The translated prose of Suzanne Collins has a very beautiful, lyrical quality to it.  It’s exactly what I expected, given the excellent quality of the original material. And just like what I experienced when I read the Filipino translation of Twilight, the story became more visually alive and real to me when I read it in Filipino.

Have a Tagalog or Tagalog-English dictionary by your side, if you’re intimidated by heavy Filipino words.  But don’t be afraid to read this book.  And by all means, read more books in Filipino!  I definitely can’t wait to read more books in Filipino.

RATING:  5 

TO TRANSLATE OR NOT TO TRANSLATE ...

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock these past few weeks, you might have heard the splash a Filipino publishing house made when the media finally heard about one of its latest products, the Filipino translation of Stephenie Meyers’ Twilight.  I actually talked about this in one of my earlier blogs (http://thefilipinareader.blogspot.com/2012/07/twilight-filipinotagalog-version.html).

The newly-controversial Filipino publishing house, Precious Pages Corporation, has been in the business for many years now.  I’m pretty sure you’ve seen the company’s books at least once.  The books are these thin, pocketbook romances with the lovebirds logo on the cover.  They’re so popular that I even know of one woman who buys a bunch of these books and rents them out to the women in her neighborhood using the friendly sari-sari store as her “outlet”.  And if you’ve ever found yourself watching ABS-CBN just before the news, you might have come across Precious Hearts Romances, which is essentially a Precious Pages bestseller in telenovela form.

Well, Precious Pages Corporation has decided to tap into a new readers’ market by introducing translated versions of commercial bestsellers, such as Twilight.  Based on interviews with its founder, Segundo Matias, Jr., the company’s intention in having translated books such as these in the market is so Filipino readers will have a chance to enjoy reading global bestsellers in their native tongue.

The reaction to this untested, bold move has been mixed, so far.  There are those who oppose having such books in the market and say there’s no need for these since Filipinos understand English, anyway.  On the other hand, there are those who appreciate the introduction of translated products because it allows Filipino readers access to more reading material in their native language.  Then, there are those who quickly judge the move as baduy and jologs.

Ashamed as I am to admit it, I am a Filipina and yet I haven’t really read many books in Filipino.  It’s not that I think that Filipino books are less inferior or baduy.  It’s just that I have yet to come across a Filipino book I can fall in love with.  I read classics like Florante At Laura and parts of Ibong Mandaragit in high school … honestly, I don’t remember anything about these books.  I know there are literary classics in Filipino out there, like Dekada ’70 … but I’m still quite intimidated by the prospect of reading such a book. 

This is just my opinion, but I don’t think it’s a bad idea to have translations of bestsellers in the market.  At the very least, it will reach the Filipino readers who are more comfortable in Filipino than English.  It will encourage Filipino readers to read in their native language, and hopefully, it will also encourage Filipinos to get back into reading.  Of course, it would be much better if publishers such as Precious Pages Corporation would also consider producing more books (not just romances) in Filipino, or consider translating books by Filipino authors into English for the foreign market.  What could be better than having a global literary sensation who’s Pinoy or Pinay?

But for now, I’m going to read more books in Filipino. 

If there’s one thing that reading a Filipino translation like Twilight has made me realize, it’s that I need to read more books in Filipino, whether they’re translations of global bestsellers, or books (I don’t care whether they’re written in English or Filipino) that have been written by Filipinos.  Start with the less intimidating ones, like romances or translations of bestsellers, and move on to the heavier stuff.  Given the times I grew up in, I must admit that I’m more used to writing and thinking in English.  Yet, as foreign as my exposure has been, my Pinoy roots are still there.  Hidden, silent and dormant, perhaps, but still there, and still Pinoy na Pinoy.  When I first read the Filipino translation of Twilight, I found myself appreciating the story more, even though I’m more used to reading English books.  To use a popular term, iba ang kurot sa puso kapag Pinoy.  Why, just listen to an OPM song, or listen to a Bible passage in Filipino.  There’s magic in the Filipino word that only the Pinoy or Pinay heart knows.

Your title What do you think of books that are translated into Filipino?

Fantastic! I can't wait to read them! Who needs translations? I already know how to read, write and speak in English. Why can't we translate our Filipino books into English instead? It's a great idea, but don't just translate the commercial ones.