Emma On Display

ST PAULS SM Megamall Branch

ST PAULS SM City North Edsa 

Credit to ST PAULS Online 

Emma Banner Display on Website 

Emma featured in Recommended Books 

Featured in ST PAULS Publishing's Halo Magazine for Children 

Author Visit

Last September 30, 2014 my family and I paid a visit to St Pauls Makati office compound and warehouse to pick up our ordered copies of Emma Kali-kaliwete! Emma Uutal-Utal! and sell it to friends. It is my hope that the book will not only empower children who stutter and are left handed to be the best versions of themselves but also other bullied children in school or within their family circles.  

Emma and other titles on display at ST PAULS Superstore Makati 

Author strikes a simple pose 

Author with her mother 

Emma Kali-Kaliwete! Emma U-utal-utal! Radio Promo Tour, Endorsement and Press Release

With Pamilya Mo Pamilya Ko hosts and Radio Veritas Reporters Ruel Garcia and Marian Navales-Pulgo 

Thanks so much for the support! 

View from the Mezzanine area of Radio Veritas Studio 

Live On Air Interview ongoing 

With Ms. Dang Candame (in red) Program in charge for Morning Shows Radio Veritas 846 

Program Hosts Ayie Villanueva and Lawrence Lagdameo
Kwento ni Kuya Law at Ate Ayie a program for OFW's
Radio Veritas Asia 

Author with her beautiful mother 

Endorsement from The Bully Project 

Short Press Release featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer 

For all these wonderful blessings, thank You Lord Jesus Christ and Mama Mary! ❤

AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM! 

Spotlight On: SI DINA DALDAL AT SI MIKMIK TAHIMIK

Press release as seen on the Philippine Daily Inquirer 

With endorsement from the ATA Martial Arts Studio 

Front Cover
Image courtesy of ST PAULS Philippines

Press Proof Photos Courtesy of Jefferson Quintero former Copy Editor of ST PAULS Publishing 

"Higit sa lahat, ipinaaalala ng kwentong ito ang kahalagahan ng mga tunay na katangian na dapat taglay ng bawat batang Pilipino!"

Miss Cherrie Lapar-Ragunton, MP, RPm 
Counseling Psychologist
INTERSPECT TRAINING SERVICES 

"Itong libro ay magandang aral para sa mga kabataan na mamulat na minsan kailangan gawin ang tama at huwag matakot sa kahihinatnan sa paggawa ng tama."

Mr. John Paul Ampongan

Program Director

Ampongan Taekwondo Academy 

ATA MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO

"Ang kwentong "Si Dina Daldal at Si Mikmik Tahimik" ay isang mahusay na gabay sa mga bata na gawin ang tama. Ipinamalas ng magkaibigang bida sa istoryang kapupulutan ng aral at katapangan na gawin kung ano ang tama kahit hindi ito poular sa karamihan. Iminumungkahi kong palaganapin natin ang mga mahuhusay na aral sa buhay sa pamamagitan ng pagbahagi ng mga kwentong tulad nito. Mabuhay ang batang Pilipino!"

Kesz Valdez
Founder
CHAMPIONING COMMUNITY FOR CHILDREN
2012 International Children's Peace Prize Awardee (First Filipino)
The Hague, Netherlands 

Watch the Official Book Trailer 

Click here for photos taken at the book launching and signing event

https://www.facebook.com/pg/meanneauthorspeaker/photos/?tab=album&album_id=503613046651780

YOU ARE WONDERFULLY MADE BY GOD

FILM REVIEW: BORN TO BE A WONDER

on: March 13, 2018

CTTO: Wonder Official Poster

by Meanne M. Mijares

CAST

Jacob Tremblay as Auggie; Julia Roberts as Isabel; Owen Wilson as Nate; Izabela Vidovic as Via; Mandy Patinkin as Mr. Tushman; Noah Jupe as Jack Will; Bryce Gheisar as Julian; Daveed Diggs as Mr. Browne

DIRECTOR  Stephen Chbosky

DISTRIBUTOR  Lionsgate Films

RATING: PG

GENRE

Comedy/Drama

Based on the novel written by R.J. Palacios

THE STORY

Have you ever worn a space helmet? I think space helmets are cool and awesome! In the film, Wonder, August Pullman, loves wearing his space helmet. Not only does it help Auggie imagines to be an astronaut—which any 11-year-old who loves science, video games and Star Wars will tell you is splendid —but it also totally covers his face like a mask. It makes him invincible. Strong like a warrior. And on a day like this one, that’s a particularly remarkable thing, too. Auggie’s mom calls him a “You are a wonder.” And he may in fact be one, clinically, though: It has taken 27 different surgeries just to help him function like any other kid his age. But Auggie would prefer it if he could simply be labeled as … average. Auggie was born with a congenital disorder that caused severe facial deformity (among other health problems). So when he walks into a room, well, normal is not the first thing that comes to mind as people tend to see from the outside. He wants to be like the rest of the guys to be accepted and acknowledged by his peers. But his sister Via tells him, “you cannot be ordinary when you were born to stand out.”

Auggie has learned to cope with that unfortunate, sideshow-like public existence. And he’s lived a fairly average life with his parents, Isabel and Nate, and older sister, Via. Until now, though, he’s been homeschooled by his mom. Isabel believes that it’s time for him to try out public school and 5th grade.

Auggie has already toured the campus a few days back. Mr. Tushman, the school principal, made arrangements for other kids to show him around the area to give him a feel for the place. The kids were nice about it. But Auggie could tell that, Julian, saw him as a total freak. Julian is one of those kids who will smile and be nice in front of adults, but privately do hurtful things to anybody he doesn’t care for. A potential bully, that is.

He doesn’t care for Auggie, at all. Space helmets are cool. And as Auggie walks with his family toward the Beecher Preparatory School’s front courtyard, he wishes he could keep it on all day long. Or maybe just keep walking with the people who truly matter to him. But he can’t. It’s time to stop and remove his helmet, walk into the campus on his own and let the staring and bashing begin. It’s already time for Auggie to see what “normal” really looks like, after all.

PLUS FACTORS

Mr. Tushman and another teacher named Mr. Browne both try to make school a safe and happy place for Auggie, one where he can have a absorbed learning experience. Both of them come to Auggie’s rescue when needed. Mr. Browne repeatedly asks kids to think about their choices, namely who they want to be and become. “Your deeds are your monuments,” he tells a class of kids.

He also encouraged them to “choose to be kind.” And though those encouragements toward kindness and astute choices don’t always seem to sit well with the student body, I get to see some kids begin to mature and responsible for their actions in positive ways as the film progresses. They begin to take notice of others’ behavior, and one by one they cross over the self-imposed boundary line between Auggie and themselves. As they do so, true friendships begin to blossom.

The film shows us how kindness can move the world. I was able to relate very well with Auggie as he struggles to find real friends, not particularly on Facebook. I have my own share of people who I thought were my friends but they turned out to be otherwise. I am glad that somehow, I have found people I now spend my time with and accepts me for who I really am.

The film also takes the time to focus on Auggie’s adjusting world from a selection of standpoints, including that of Auggie’s only sister Via; his new friend, Jack; and Via’s estranged best friend, Miranda. Eventually,  the film shows that a determined, loving family cannot only pull together and see its way through challenging times, it can also have a bright, positive impact on people outside the immediate family. The Pullmans encourage one another, express their love for each other and verbalize the pride they feel for each family member’s accomplishments. After gaining friends and acceptance, Auggie declares that many of the friends, family and teachers who enclose and supporting him also deserve credit—something we can so easily forget to give in our everyday lives.

What I also love most about the film is the line that Auggie said, “Everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their life.” An affirmation that encourages us to work and strive hard with no need on stepping on other people’s back or toes. Impossible? Not!

SPIRITUAL CONTENT

There are scenes in the movie that really hit me close to home. The Pullman family isn’t particularly spiritual, but Isabel does pray aloud, “Dear God, please make them be nice to him,” when dropping Auggie off at school one day. In this scene, I remember from the past how hard I pray to God every day before coming to grade school to overcome bullying and mean classmates with their empty threats and shallow harassments.

In the course of finding her comportments in a new school year, Via meets a “theater geek” named Justin and talks about missing her departed grandmother, who always loved and supported her. “Your grandmother’s still cheering you on,” Justin assures her. I also tear up because I remember my beloved maternal grandmother who always loved me unconditionally, supports and encourages me to be the best version of myself and being a blessing to many.

Our Lord Jesus Christ also lost friends and one of them even betrayed Him. Others fled when He got arrested by the soliders taking Him to Annas, Caiphas and Pilate. One denied Him thrice but He forgave them especially Peter who was really sorry for what he had done. He truly understands what victims of bullying go through because He got bullied and ganged up Himself to save and redeem us from our transgressions. He also called the attention of Saul (now St. Paul) asking him, “Why do you persecute Me?”

SEXUAL CONTENT

Via and Justin eventually kiss, which is just fine. But I hear about someone who got divorced and remarried. Uh-oh…

VIOLENT CONTENT

Auggie has endured many painful surgeries just to enable him to eat, breathe and hear properly. When things get difficult at school, Auggie’s dad makes it clear that Auggie should feel free to push back against anyone who tries to hurt him. When playing dodgeball in gym class, all the boys attack Auggie. “What evil man invented dodgeball?” Auggie questions.

Early on, Jack tells Julian had he looked like Auggie, he’d kill himself—a painful comment that Auggie hears. But later, after realizing how ridiculous his words were, Jack gets angry at Julian’s continued repugnant comments about Auggie’s appearance and blows Julian in the face. Jack and Julian tussle and beat each other until Mr. Browne mediates.

After Auggie and Jack have reconciled with each other, a number of older 7th-grade boys begin ganging up on them. Jack hurdles to Auggie’s defense and gets shoved to the ground, hitting his head on a rock. Auggie is pushed and heaved, too. A group of their schoolmates then leap into the fray to even the odds, with multiple kids wrestling and punching each other.

PROFANE LANGUAGE

A bully abuses the Lord Jesus’ name once. There are also a few expletives of “oh my god” and “shut up.” Someone says something “sucks.” Kids call Auggie “ugly” and “a freak.” These words stab my heart as I painfully recall the harsh words classmates hurled at me from way back. The lesson I learned from “Wonder” is that even if one person is ugly, there is always something beautiful behind that face. If you think they are ugly better think again-maybe YOU are the one with a mean and ugly heart. “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.” Proverbs 11:22 (NIV)

When introducing himself to Auggie, Mr. Tushman smilingly talks of all the ways kids have joked about his name: “Tushy, Butt Man, Butt Face—I’ve heard ’em all.” There was lack of respect.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL CONTENT

Auggie’s parents drink wine. His mom jokingly exclaims, “Let’s get drunk!” to her husband after she accomplishes a tough task. Miranda’s divorced and depressed mother drinks wine, seemingly to numb her pain and disappointment about her life.

MINUS POINTS

The Pullmans tell family stories and joke about someone passing gas. A child urinates outdoors (offscreen). Julian bullies Auggie in a variety of ways, sometimes subtly in public and other times quite hurtfully. He draws distorted, ugly pictures of Auggie, calling him “Darth Hideous.” He even suggests that Auggie should “do everyone a favor and die.” Perhaps not surprisingly, Julian’s parents turn out to be rather impervious people, too.

At first, most of the other kids at school shadow Julian’s mean-spirited lead, isolating Auggie and spreading the nasty rumor that his touch will spread a virus. Again, I remember how one classmate rudely told everyone in our grade school batch that whoever talks to me might stutter too.  Elsewhere, Auggie lets a besieged Jack copy off his test. Via lies about something-just to “belong”. (But later on apologizes.)

CONCLUSION

It’s easy to smack together a sentimental movie. Filmmakers do it all the time— lurching forth a tear and creating something that parents can pull their kids to in hopes that positive messages might take hold.

But it’s an altogether different mission to produce something like “Wonder”.

Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson earnestly pour their hearts out into this moving, realistic story about a young son who is different. It sews together a heartfelt world inhabited with loving parents, admirable teachers, and kids who believably struggle with who they are and what they need.

Director Stephen Chbosky and his talented cast cleared themselves admirably in telling Auggie’s painful-but-inspiring story. Yes, in the real world, someone like this defaced boy might well have suffered much more physical and emotional bullying  than we actually see onscreen. But we nevertheless grasp the point perfectly: It’s hard to be different, to be anything but normal.

Mr. Browne, one of Auggie’s endearing teachers, points out that “when given the choice between being right and being kind, [kids should] choose [to be] kind.” That thoughtful precept applies to how Chbosky has crafted his film as well, and it’s definitely the primary theme running through this wonder-filled narrative.

The result? Wonder does the hard, empathetic, loving work and lets us grow sentimental about it. And that’s a movie-going distinction that parents will truly appreciate.

Overall, I rate this film 5 stars because of its very powerful message: You are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Psalm 139:14 King James Version (KJV) “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

I believe if more people would take the time to see the film, the way they treat other people would change for the better and that is a good start. And one day, you will see, the world will become a wonderful and happy place to live in because of its kind and wonderful people.

http://www.filcatholic.org/film-review-born-to-be-a-wonder/


Here is the film's official trailer

Backstory: First Children's Book Emma Kali-kaliwete! Emma U-utal-utal!

Book Banner courtesy of ST PAULS Philippines Marketing Department 

Front and Back Book Cover 

Bullying in schools and in the workplace is so rampant nowadays. It may have already been existing before but everyone does not talk about it out of fear-fear of being laughed at or mocked or lack of courage to speak up or stand up to it. When I was a child, I have been bullied for my stuttering and being left-handed. My, I have never been so hurt! But by the grace of the God and as I go through life, it is all behind me now. Emma Kali-Kaliwete! Emma U-utal-utal is based on my very own true story while growing up being bullied in school. I wrote this story to empower children who are also left handed and stuttering going through the same situation to rise above their limitations not to mention encouraging them to become better people. 

Front cover

Copyright page and message to readers and family

Readers will find themselves rooting for and relate with Emma who struggles and overcomes bullying in a proactive way. Beautifully illustrated by Jean Carla Molina, it features a heartwarming story that hit the raw nerve of readers.

The new cool is the natural acceptance of everyone's own differences, realizing that there are more important things than outward appearances.

Story proper

The book teaches children to avoid discrimination, do not choose whom to respect, treat people fairly and equally and with sensitivity, develop a sense of humility bearing in mind that we are not at all perfect and have our own faults and differences to deal with as well and openness  towards people of all classes and backgrounds provided they are not negative or bad influences. "Emma Kali-kaliwete! Emma U-utal-utal!" also teaches the value of perseverance to study and work hard in order to have a bright future ahead.

Emma reviews for the spelling contest 

Emma with her family 

Back cover with book blurbs and author profile

All photos are courtesy of St. Pauls Philippines Marketing Department c/o Mr. Saldy Cruz  

Book blurbs in the back cover were contributed by Dra. Carminia Abulencia Sogono, DMD and Mrs. Eva Echin-Turner, CPA Author of the book Career Life Choices

The book earned recognition at the 9th Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards' Youth and Children category in 2015 and is available at all ST PAULS bookstore branches nationwide.

2015 Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards Certificate of Recognition

You may click here if you wish to order online!

https://www.stpauls.ph/products/books/literature-for-children/emma-kali-kaliwete-emma-u-utal-utal/

Watch the Official Book Trailer Here!