Colleagues, we are excited to announce the our newest episode (season 4) of the CPDWL Podcast Project where we feature library and information professionals who support and participate in professional development work.

Our guest host for this episode is Dr. Reysa Alenzuela, Head Librarian at Oriental Institute of the Academy of Sciences. This episode’s guests are Elvira Lapuz, University Librarian, The University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), and Joseph Yap, Doctoral student at Eotvos Lorand University. 

See here for the podcast episode.

Transcript in Filipino and Translations into English by Dr. Reysa Alenzuela:

Reysa: Magandang araw sa lahat nang nakikinig at magandang araw Ray, Joseph and Ms. Elvie. Ako po si Reysa Alenzuela ang co-host ni Ray sa episode na ito. Ikinagagalak ko pong makasama dito kayo sa  IFLA CPDWL Podcast Project. CPDWL stands for Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning.  Sa programang ito, nakikipagtalakayan po kami sa mga propesyonal na librarians at sa lahat nang kabahagi ng  mga institutuion ng kaalaman at impormasyon  na sumusuporta at nakikilahok sa gawaing pagpapaunlad ng propesyon. Ang mga panauhin natin ngayon ay sina Joseph Yap at Elvira Lapuz, mga kilalang librarians sa Pilpinas at even ibang bansa din. So, magandang araw Joseph and Ms. Elvie. Pwede bang kayo na mag introduce sa sarili ninyo.

Reysa: Good day to all who are listening and good day Ray, Joseph and Ms. Elvie. I’m Reysa Alenzuela, Ray’s co-host in this episode. I am delighted to be here with you on the IFLA CPDWL Podcast Project. CPDWL stands for Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning. In this program, we discuss with professional librarians and all those involved in knowledge and information institutions that support and participate in professional development work. Our guests today are Joseph Yap and Elvira Lapuz, well-known librarians in the Philippines and even in other countries. So, good day Joseph and Ms. Elvie. Can you please introduce yourselves?

Elvira: Sige. Magandang araw po sa lahat. Ako po si Elvira Lapuz, ang kasalukuyang University Librarian ng University of the Philippines- Diliman. Nagkaroon din po ako ng pagkakataong magturo sa School of Library and Informations Studies, nahinto lamang ngayon dahil medyo maraming trabaho. May mga ilang pagkakataon na rin po na na-involve ako sa mga proyekto ng IFLA at patuloy na tumutulong at volunteer nang IFLA. Actually, ako po ngayon ay bahagi o miyembro ng IFLA Regional Development Office, member para sa Asia and Oceania.

Elvira: Ok. Good day everyone. I am Elvira Lapuz, the current University Librarian of the University of the Philippines- Diliman. I also had the opportunity to teach at the School of Library and Informations Studies, but I temporarily stopped at present due to overwhelming  workload. There have been several times that I have been involved in IFLA projects and continue to help and volunteer at IFLA. Actually, I am now part or member of the IFLA Regional Development Office, member for Asia and Oceania.

Joseph: Ako naman si Joseph Yap. Kasalukuyang kumukuha ng doctoral studies sa Budapest sa Hungary. Ang eskwelahan ko ay Eotvos Lorand University, nasa ikalawang taon na ako ng aking pag-aaral at ang paksa ko… mahirap syang Tagalugin pero susubukan ko… tungkol sya sa pakikipag ugnayang sibiko or civic engagement. (Hindi ako sigurado kong yun ang tamang translation sa Tagalog o sa Filipino.) nang mga librarian tungkol sa usapin ng mga impormasyong hindi mapagkakatiwalaan sa social media. Nagtuturo rin ako sa kasalukuyan part time lamang sa dalawang LIS schools sa Pilipinas at dahil kailangan pa rin nating suportahan ang sarili ako ay part time student ano library assistant sa Central European University sa Hungary.

Joseph: I am Joseph Yap. Currently taking doctoral studies in Budapest in Hungary. My school is Eotvos Lorand University, I’m in the second year of my studies and my subject… it’s difficult to translate but I’ll try… it’s about “civic engagement… (I’m not sure that’s the correct translation in Tagalog or Filipino.) [of] librarians about the issue of unreliable information on social media.” I also currently teach only part time in two LIS schools in the Philippines and because I still need to support myself I am a part time student  library assistant at the Central European University in Hungary.

Reysa: Wow ang dami niyong experience at iba iba.  If we try to notice, talagang kino-combine natin yang sa field natin as librarian tapos a nagtuturo sa LIS at  nagre research. mapunta na ako sa first question ko dito: kung ilalarawan ninyo ang inyong sarili gamit lamang ang isang kataga, ano kaya ito? Joseph wanted to start…?

Reysa: Wow, you have a lot of experience and are so diverse. If we try to notice, we often find a convergence of roles within our field, encompassing librarianship, teaching LIS, and conducting research. Now, moving on to my first question: if you had to describe yourself with a single word, what would it be? Joseph would you like to begin…

Joseph: Simulan  ko. Marami sigurong pwedeng ilarawan pero dahil isang salita lang sabihin ko na lang na sa dami ng napagdaanan ko,  ako ay matatag. Kailangan bang ipaliwanag?

Joseph: Let me start. There’s probably a lot to describe, but since I only have one word, I’ll just say that with all the things I’ve been through, I’m strong. Do I need to explain?

Reysa: Sige, paliwanag mo kung bakit matatag.

Reysa: Yes, explain why “strong”.

Joseph: Matatag dahil sa hindi naman po ako ganun kadami ang karanasan pero dun sa mga karanasan na yon natutunan  ko na maging flexible at maging (ano ba tagalog ng flexible maging ) flexible sa mga bagay bagay na kaya ko rin maki makibagay o makisalamuha at kailangan kong i build establish yung sarili ko na kung may mahihirap or challenges man na dumating kailangan kong gampanan yung mga bagay bagay kasi ah ay yun ang kinakailangan para ako ay mapunta o ma achieve yung mga dapat kong gawin. (Ang hirap ng purong Tagalog).

Joseph: I am strong.  I don’t have that much experience, but from those experiences, I learned to be flexible and to be (what is the Tagalog word for flexible to be) flexible in areas that I can also adapt or engage in and I have to build and establish myself that if there are difficulties or challenges that come my way, I have to perform the things because that is what is required for me to reach or achieve what I should do. (It is difficult to explain in pure Tagalog).

Reysa: Totoo yan. Sige, bago ako mag-comment, bigay ko muna kay Miss Elvie yung word niya at explanation.

Reysa: That’s true. Alright, before I give my comment, I’ll give first to Miss Elvie for her one-word description of herself and her explanation.

Elvira: Medyo malapit dun sa binabanggit ni Joseph na matatag. Ito naman ang pwede kong describe ang sarili ko ngayon. Ewan ko kung ano nga siya in Filipino pero resilient. Masasabi ko na lalo na nitong mga nagdaang ilang taon na tayo ay nasa pandemya, napatunayan ko na resilient ako sa maraming bagay. Maaari kong banggitin o maaari kong i-describe ang sarili ko bilang resilient ako. Ang pinakamalapit daw na translation nito sa Filipino, masyadong literal – “nababanat o madaling mabanat”. Ibig sabihin, sumasabay ka sa kung ano yung hugis, galaw, yung kasalukuyan, yung kinalalagyan. Yun kasi yung isang bagay na napatunayan ko nga during this pandemic.Napakaraming pagkakataon na masusukat talaga yung iyong katatagan, yung iyong pagiging flexible, sabi nga ni Joseph. At saka  yung paano mong iaangat yung mga bagay na ginagawa mo sa kung ano yung sitwasyon na kinalalagyan mo. Napakahirap nung nitong magdaang tatlong taon sa atin, hindi ba dahil sa pandemya? Pero napagtagumpayan, napagdaanan ng hindi masyadong nahihirapan. May mga challenging or may mga talagang susubukin yung kakayaan mo. Ngunit yun nga, napagdaanan yun, nalampasan. I believe yun yung isang, yung pagiging resilient talaga. Paano mong magagawang malampasan yung napakahirap na sitwasyon na yun. Kagaya nga yung mga pagdaanan natin.

Elvira: This is pretty close to what Joseph is talking about. This is how I can describe myself now. I don’t know what is the most appropriate translation in Filipino but my description is “resilient.” I can say that especially in the past few years that we have been in a pandemic, I have proven that I am resilient in many things. I can mention or I can describe myself as being resilient. It is said that the closest translation in Filipino is, literally – “stretchable or easy to stretch”. That means, you go along with what is the shape, movement, the present situation. That’s one thing I’ve proven during this pandemic. There are so many instances that really measure your stability, your flexibility, as Joseph said. And how do you connect the things you do to the situation you are in. The last three years have been very difficult for us, isn’t it because of the pandemic? But it was defeated, it was passed without much difficulty. Some are challenging and some will really test your ability. But that’s it, we overcome, and we passed. I believe that is the one, being really resilient. How can you overcome that very difficult situation? Just like what we have been through.

Reysa: Tama. Ang lalim nang mga description nyo.. Matatag, resilient. But those are essentially yung talagang kailangan natin. I’ll go to my next question. Kasi naiintriga din ako, ano kaya hugot ninyo? Bakit yun yung mga words na yun? But well actually, partly you have mentioned and you described why you use those words. So ano kaya nag-udyok sa inyo na maging isang librarian? And paano kayo nagsimula?

Reysa: Right. Those are well-thought/ deep descriptions.. Strong, resilient. But those are essentially what we really need. I’ll go to my next question because I’m also intrigued, where you are coming from? Why those words? But, well, actually, somehow you have mentioned and you described why you use those words. So, what motivated you to become a librarian? And how did you start?

Elvira: Sige. Ito kasi yung ano, ito yung kariniwang tanong, lalo na kung seasoned librarian ka na. Paano ka nag-umpisa? Paano napunta ka sa Library Information Science? For me, ano yun, mga impluwensiya. Mga tao, sitwasyon, mga pangyayari. Nung una akong pumasok ng UP, baka hindi kayo maniwala, ang kursong kinukuha ko ay Theater Arts. Oh. Ang layo, diba? I’m taking up Theater Arts. Kasabay ko si Monique Wilson of the Miss Saigon play. Siya yung understudy ni  Lea Salonga at that time,. Tapos, nagtatrabaho din ako bilang student assistant sa UP College of Law Library. And alam nyo ba kung sino ang aking mga bosses that time? Wala nang iba kundi si,  ang yumaong si Atty. Antonio M. Santos. at si Atty. Vyva Aguirre. O sino naman ang hindi, diba? At talagang gugustuhin na makatongtong kahit dun sa ilang hakbang lang na dinaanan nila or na naabot nila. So, I should say sila yung mga impluwensiya. So, yun. And secondly, it’s economics. Ano ba yung, nung mga panahon na yun, ano ba yung sa tingin ko ay kurso na pagkatapos kong mag-aral, eh siguradong may trabaho ako. Praktikal lang na pagtingin sa mga bagay-bagay, diba? So, sabi ko, oo nga, parang maraming kumukuha ng, maraming teachers na hihirapan maghanap ng trabaho pero hindi ng mga librarians. Ang mga librarians, lalo na nung mga panahon na yun na nag-umpisa ako, napakadali. So, yun, parang mula sa third floor ng Gonzales Hall, bumaba lang ako sa reference, sa ground floor. Yun na yun. The rest is history, sabi nga.

Elvira: Alright. This is what it is, this is a common question, especially if you are a seasoned librarian. How did you start? How did you get into Library and Information Science? For me, it was those influences? People, situations, events. When I first entered UP, you might not believe it, the course I was taking was Theater Arts. So unrelated, right? I’m taking up Theater Arts. Together with Monique Wilson of the Miss Saigon play. He was Lea Salonga’s understudy at that time. Then, I also work as a student assistant at the UP College of Law Library. And do you know who my bosses were at that time? None other than the late Atty. Antonio M. Santos. and Atty. Vyva Aguirre. Or who wouldn’t [be influenced], right? And I really want to be able to reach even just a few steps that they have gone through or that they have reached. So, I should say they are the influences. So, that’s it. And secondly, it’s economics. What was that… in those days, what did I think was the course where after I finished school, I’m sure I had a job. Just a practical way of looking at things, right? So, I said, yes, it seems like many are hiring, many teachers will struggle to find work but not librarians. The librarianship, especially in those days when I started, was very easy (to get into the job]. So, just like that, from the third floor of Gonzales Hall, I just went down to the reference, to the ground floor. That’s it. The rest is history, as they say.

Reysa: Ganda…. Joseph, gaya ng nakararami kapag tinatanong bakit ka naging librarian?

Reysa: Nice…. Joseph, as most people ask, why did you become a librarian?

Joseph: Hindi ko rin unang kurso yung Library and Information Science. Ang una kong kinuha ay Business Administration. Pero hindi pa ako sa UP nun, eh. Galing ako ng PLM. Tapos, sa kagustuhan ng nanay ko na mag-UP ako, subukan kong mag-UP. So, pumunta ko ng UP at nag-apply. At ang mga available na kurso nun ay Filipino, History, Library and Information Science. So, ano kaya yung pwede kong kunin? At wala naman marami sa mga panahon, kahit siguro hanggang ngayon, kapag tinatanong mo, ah, may kurso palang Library and Information Science. So, dahil kailangan magsulat sa papel, so sinulat ko Library and Information Science. Walang kaalam-alam kung ano ang kursong yun. Kapag nung tinatanong sa interview,  panel interview, bakit ka nandito, bakit gusto mo mag-LIS? Sinusubukan kong i-connect yung Business Administration tsaka Library and Information Science. At yung, nung pag tumingin-tingin lang ako, at ang pinakamalapit ay Management of Libraries. So, siguro pwede na, kaya tama naman yun, no? In-organize, minamanage ang libraries. At hindi ko alam kung tama o mali ang sagot ko, basta nga alam ko, nakapasok ako sa UPSLIS. Tapos, yun, ngayon, librarian na ako.

Joseph: Library and Information Science is not my first course either. The first one I took was Business Administration. But I’m not in UP yet, eh. I am from PLM. Then, as my mother wanted me to go to UP, I tried to do UP. So, I went to UP and applied. And the available courses are Filipino, History, Library and Information Science. So, what should I take? And there weren’t many at the time, at least until now, when you ask, ah, there is a Library and Information Science course. So, because I had to write on paper, I wrote Library and Information Science. No idea what that course is. When asked in the interview, panel interview, why are you here, why do you want to do LIS? I am trying to connect Business Administration with Library and Information Science. And that, when I just looked around, and the closest concept is the Management of Libraries. So, maybe it’s possible, so that’s right, right? Libraries are organized and managed. And I don’t know if my answer is right or wrong, as long as I know, I got into UPSLIS. Then, that’s it; now, I’m a librarian.

Reysa: Yes, tama. Dun sa bahagi na hindi nyo first choice ang librarianship, pareho din sa akin. Ano lang, sabi ko gusto ko lang kumuha pa na isang course. Nabobore ako sa field ko. So, kaya sabi ko, dagdag nga ako, gusto ko naman mag-research. And the same thing din, sabi nung isang teacher ko, sabi niya, ay, madaming vacancy sa librarianship. So, try mo. So, ginawa ko naman. Yun nga sinasabi ko parati, yung career ko, hindi ko pinili talaga. Pero yung career ko yata yung pumili sa akin. But in the long run, look at what both of you are right now, di ba? I mean, ang dami niyong kontribusyon, ang dami niyong  mga nagagawa sa Pilipinas. At alam ko, madaming hangang-hanga sa inyo. Isa na ako doon. And I’m really honored also to work with you in some aspects. So, at tignan na naman natin sa side na yung field natin, is hindi lang siya nalilimit sa Pilipinas. Ngayon, parang kami ni Joseph, nagtrabaho din sa labas ng bansa. And yun nga, I mean, we like being here outside the country. Pero in that case, parang wherever we are in our field, dahil nandun na tayo sa information age, we adapt to the globalized environment and that’s our main thrust. Access to information or universal access to information. Punta na ako sa susunod kong tanong. So sa inyong opinion, ano ang ibig sabihin para sa inyo ng global librarianship? At nagbago ba itong pananaw ninyo sa paglipas ng panahon? 

Reysa: Yes, that’s right. As for the part that librarianship is not your first choice, it’s the same [story]  for me. I said [to myself] I just want to take one more course. I am bored with my [other] field [of study]. So, that’s how I decided I wanted another course/ major and since I love to do research. And the same thing, one of my teachers advised that there are many vacancies in librarianship. So, I tried it. And, I did. As I always say, I didn’t really choose my career [as a librarian] in the beginning. I think it was my career that chose me. But in the long run, look at what both of you are right now, right? I mean, you have a lot of contributions, a lot of things that you have done in the Philippines. And I know, you are looked up to by our colleagues and I am one of them. And I’m really honored to work with you in some aspects. So, let’s look again at the side of our field,  which is not limited to the Philippines. Today, it seems like Joseph and I, have likewise worked outside the country. And that’s it, I mean, we like being here outside the country. But in that case, it seems that wherever we are in our field, as we’re in the information age, we adapt to the globalized environment and that’s our main thrust – Access to information or universal access to information… I’m going to my next question. So, in your opinion, what does global librarianship mean to you? And has your perspective changed over time?

Elvira: Para sa akin, global librarianship mas para ito sa atin na mga information professionals. Tingnan lang natin sa, huwag mo nang lumayo, within the region, like say ASEAN. Dito lang sa atin, mahalaga yung magkaroon ng ugnayan or connection, engagement. Ang mga information professionals kasama ng mga librarians, archivists, dahil kung tutuusin pare-pareho tayo ng mga concerns, pare-pareho tayo in a way, konektado yung ating ginagawa. Siguro dahil na rin meron tayong commonalities, global and yet, maraming mga pagkakataon na pare-pareho tayo ng kailangan pag-isipan, ng kailangan pagtunan ng pansin, ng kailangan gawa ng desisyon.So, importante na nagkakaroon tayo ng pagkakaintindihan, kaya nandyan yung mga organisasyon kagaya ng CONSAL, kagaya ng SEAPAVA. At lahat yun, maswerte tayo kasi nagkaroon tayo ng involvement doon sa mga yun. Nagkaroon din tayo ng pagkakataon na makilala, makatrabaho sa ilang proyekto. Yung mga librarians galing sa iba’t ibang bansa, dito pa lang sa region na to. Kung lalayo naman tayo, na talagang sasabihin natin global, nandyan dyan ng IFLA. Maswerte rin tayong tatlo na nagkaroon tayo ng pagkakataon na maging bahagi ng mga proyekto. Pwede natin sabihin o i-claim na volunteers tayo ng IFLA in a way. So, that for me is what being a… what global librarianship is. Having that connection, having that opportunity to solve yung mga specific concerns in the field na meron tayo dahil come to think of it, pare-pareho na yan eh. Siguro naman ngayon pag sinabi natin information professional, ang reason for being natin is to fight misinformation, disinformation, how do we deal with fake news, di ba? So pare-pareho yan.  Kung concern yan sa Pilipinas, malamang concern din yan kahit sa inyo sa Europe, sa US. So for me, that’s global librarianship. And I want to make a claim na bahagi tayo ng yan at nagagawa natin yan. Ako kahit nandito sa Pilipinas at kayo na nandyan sa Europa ngayon. At si Ray na nasa Amerika.

Elvira: For me, global librarianship is more for our group – the information professionals. Let’s just look at (without going too far)  within the region, like say ASEAN. Even here in our region, it is important to have a relationship or connection –  engagement. The information professionals together  – the librarians, archivists, we have the same concerns, we are the same line of work, what we do is connected. Maybe because we also have commonalities, global and yet, there are many times when we have the same things to discuss, to address, to make decisions. So, it is important that we have an understanding. There are organizations like CONSAL, like SEAPAVA and all that. We are lucky because we had involvement in those [local and regional organizations]. We also had the opportunity to meet, to work on some projects [together]. The librarians from different countries are still here in this region. If we go further, which if  really look at the global context, IFLA is there. The three of us are also fortunate that we had the opportunity to be part of the projects. We can say or claim that we are IFLA volunteers in a way. So, for me, this is what being a… what global librarianship is. Having that connection, having that opportunity to solve the specific concerns in the field that we have because come to think of it, that’s the same thing. Maybe now when we say information professional, our reason for being is to fight misinformation, disinformation, how do we deal with fake news, right? So that’s the same. If that is a concern in the Philippines, it is probably also a concern even for you in Europe, in the US. So for me, that’s global librarianship. And I want to make a claim that we are part of that and we can work together. Even though I am here in the Philippines and you are in Europe right now. And Rey who is in America.

Joseph: Tama po Ma’am Elvie. So,yung global librarianship kahit nasa lokal ka, kahit saan ka actually kung paano mo i-define yung pagiging lokal o global. Pero dahil global, ito yung pagsubok na alamin o malaman kung ano yung nangyayari sa ibang lugar o bahagi ng mundo. Hindi siya nananatili na ang ginagawa mo sa isang lugar, yung konteksto na yun, ay gusto mo rin malaman kung ano kaya yung practices sa ibang lugar, ano kaya yung standards na meron sila, paano kaya nila siniserbisyohan ang kanilang mga kliyente o patron. Gayon din, nasusukat din niya  yung global librarianship,[kung] paano ba yung kultura doon at paano nila ina-apply yun sa sarili nilang bansa? At kaya ba yun i-adapt sa sariling konteksto [lokal]? Kasi hindi naman lahat na ginagawa na. Halimbawa, kung gusto natin malaman yung pagseserbisyo ba sa mga Intsik ay kapareho kapag nagsisilbi  sa mga Pilipino, yung mga ginagawa ba na magagandang practices, halimbawa sa Finland o sa Amerika, kaya ba yun i-adapt sa Pilipinas? So yung global librarianship ay pagtingin kung ano yung magaganda na pwede nilang gawin at hindi rin magaganda, at lahat ba yun, pwede ba siya mangyari sa konteksto mo sa lokal. Yung global librarianship ay yung pakipag-ugnayan, (tama po yun?), sa iba’t-ibang librarians sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng mundo para alam din natin kung tama rin yun; pareho ba tayo ng suliranin o problema na kinakaharap? Paano kaya natin yun masosolve first locally and then globally para lahat tayo interconnected or konektado? 

Joseph: That’s right Ma’am Elvie. So,  global librarianship even if you are local, no matter where you are, actually it is how do you define being local or global. But because it’s global, this is the challenge  to find out what’s happening in another place or other parts of the world. It is not limited to what you do in one place; this is the context where you also want to be aware of  what are the practices  in other places, what standards they have, how they serve their clients or patrons. Likewise, global librarianship is also exemplified by exploring how is the culture there [in other countries] and how do they apply that   [librarinaship practices]to themselves? And can that [practice] be adapted to one’s own context? Because not everyone does. For example, if we want to know if the delivery of service for Chinese [clienteles] is the same when we serve Filipinos; are the good practices that are done, for example in Finland or America, can that be adapted to the Philippines? So, global librarianship is looking at what is good that they can do and what is not good, and whether is that all, can it be applied in your local context. Global librarianship is the connection among  librarians in different parts of the world [as a form of engagement] where  we also look into [explore] if we have the same problem or problems faced? How can we solve those [issues] first locally and then globally as we are all interconnected or connected?

Reysa: Tama talaga. Few terms I was just picking up are yung connectivity, yung connection, engagement, pakipag-ugnayan. Which for me [we associate them with IFLA activities], in my experience, this is I think my second time in IFLA. Yung first ko, actually kasama ko si Miss Elvie sa Wroclaw. So yun nga, that’s a perfect environment where we can engage with each other. Ang tanong ko lang is paano kayo unang nakasali or na-involve sa IFLA? 

Reysa: That’s so true. Few terms I was just picking up are connectivity, connection, engagement, interaction. Which for me [we associate them with IFLA activities],, in my experience, this is [what I see] as I think this my second time in IFLA. On my first, I was actually with Miss Elvie in Wroclaw. IFLA a perfect environment where we can engage with each other. My question is how did you first join or get involved in IFLA?

Joseph: Simula nung ako yung estudyante pa lamang, paksa naman natin na pag-aaralan natin yung IFLA. So lagi akong excited na makarating o maka-join sa mga IFLA activities. At ngayon pa lang akong taon, unang-una akong makakarating, hopefully matuloy na siya, na makasama sa Rotterdam. Pero may mga IFLA activities naman na dahil webinar o dahil dulot ng pandemic, ay naimbitahan ako na makapagsalita o makapagbahagi ng mga knowledge sharing activities ng IFLA. So naimbitahan ako na magsalita tungkol sa misinformation, disinformation, fake news ng CPDWL din actually. So that’s the story ng IFLA-CPDWL. Tapos sinubukan ko rin na maging bahagi ng CPDWL sa eleksyon noong 2021 pero hindi ako umabot. So okay lang yun, ibig sabihin marami pang pagkakataon na pwede pa rin akong magsilbi sa IFLA. Marami rin naman tayong ibang ginagawa. So I think yun pa lang yung naging contribution ko sa IFLA. But kahit hindi naman tayo talaga direct na bahagi ng IFLA, tayo ay tumitingin sa lahat ng mga ginagawa ng IFLA dahil nagiging reference natin siya sa lahat ng ating ginagawa. 

Joseph: Since I was a student, IFLA has been our topic of study. So I’m always excited to reach or join IFLA activities. And it’s only this year, it will be my first time to go [to IFLA Congress], hopefully I’ll be able to go, to be in Rotterdam. However, there are IFLA activities that because of webinars or because of the pandemic, I have been invited to speak or do some knowledge sharing activities with IFLA. I was invited to speak about misinformation, disinformation, fake news of CPDWL also actually. So that’s my story of IFLA-CPDWL. Then I also tried to be part of CPDWL in the 2021 election but I didn’t make it. That’s okay, there are many more opportunities that I can still serve at IFLA. We also do a lot of other things. I think that was the only contribution I made to IFLA [for now]. But even though I am not really a direct part of IFLA, I look at all the activities of IFLA because it becomes our reference in everything we do.

Elvira: Sa akin naman, napakahaba na ng nilakbay ko kasama ang IFLA. Nagumpisa yan noong 2004. Yan ang pinakaunang naaalala ko na nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon through a grant na unang maka-attend ng isang IFLA Congress sa Buenos Aires, sa Argentina. Nasundan pa yun ng isang grant muli para naman sa information literacy workshop na ginawa naman sa New Zealand, sa Wellington. Through a grant din. So, narinig na ako ng pagkakataon na makapagsulat para sa IFLA noong 2005 kung saan isang artikulo ang natanggap na dapat sana i-present ako doon sa 2005 World Library Information Congress pero dahil napakalayo ng Norway, medyo naging mahirap para sa akin ang makapunta roon. Pero nailathala pa rin yung contribution ko ng papel. Sumunod na doon, naging bahagi ako, naging associate ako ng International Leaders Program ng IFLA. Ito yung second cohorts kung saan kasama ko ang ilang librarians. I think we’re 12? Di ko na maalala kung ilang kami basta iba’t ibang bansa,  galing sa iba’t ibang bansa yung nakasama ko sa programa ngayon. Tatlong taong programa yun ng IFLA kung saan nabuo kami bilang mga cohorts ng IFLA kung saan tutulong kami sa pagbabahagi, sa pagsali sa mga proyekto. Ang isang pinakamalaking tungkulin namin o inaasan sa amin bilang mga associates ng International Leaders Program ay tutulong kami sa pag-promote ng role ng libraries in development at naka-ankla ito sa 17 SDGs, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Ako ay isang advocate ng 17 SDGs. I have the pin. (Suot ko ngayon) Malaking hamon ito bilang isang librarian, bilang isang information professional na ikaw ang magiging boses o ako ang magiging boses ng United Nations. At kailangan madali kong maibabahagi yung kahalagahan ng pag-intindi at how important it is for us to take the 17 SDGs seriously. Dahil ito yung magiging gabay natin at ito yung magiging unang panuntunan kung paano sa susunod na taon ay naririto pa tayo. Sustainability. Hindi lang para sa ngayon kundi sa susunod na generasyon. So yun yung mga naging role namin.

And then I’m on my second term na bilang membro ng IFLA Regional Development Office for Asia and Oceania. So bahagi ako, member ako nun. And ishare ko lang isang napaka-memorable na naging bahagi ako ng IFLA is noong 2016 kung saan nag-host ang Pilipinas para sa BSLA workshop or Building Strong Library Associations na ginanap dito sa Manila.So naka-host na ako was in 2016 ako ang presidente ng PLAI noong taon na yun at nagkaroon ng parang pagtitipon or gathering noong mga naging kabahagi ng IFLA para dun nga sa Building Strong Library Associations na initiative ng IFLA. At dito ginawa yun sa Pilipinas. So napakalaking bagay na naimbitahan natin dito kasama ang noon ay Pangulo o Presidente ng IFLA, si Ms. Donna Scheeder na namayapa na at yung dating Secretary General. So yun, sabi ko sa inyo napakahaba na parang talagang I live and breathe IFLA. Talagang napakahaba na naging bahagi ako ng IFLA as an international organization. 

Elvira: On my end, I have had a long  journey with IFLA. It started in 2004. That’s the first time I remember that I was given the opportunity through a grant to attend an IFLA Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I continued with a grant to participate in the information literacy workshop that was done in New Zealand, in Wellington (Also through a grant). Then, I heard about the opportunity to write for IFLA in 2005 where an article was received that I was supposed to present there at the 2005 World Library Information Congress but because Norway is so far away, it was a bit difficult for me to get there. But my contribution was still published. After that, I became a part, I became an associate of IFLA’s International Leaders Program. This is the second cohort where I am with some librarians. I think we’re 12? I can’t remember how many of us there were, I am sure we were from different countries, the people I was with in the program today were from different countries. It’s a three-year program of IFLA where we are formed as cohorts of IFLA where we will help sharing, participating in projects. One of our major tasks or expected of us as associates of the International Leaders Program is to help promote the role of libraries in development and it is anchored in the 17 SDGs, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. I am an advocate of the 17 SDGs. I have the pin. (I’m wearing it now) It’s a big challenge as a librarian, as an information professional that you will be the voice or I will be the voice of the United Nations. And it is necessary for me to share the importance of understanding and how important it is for us to take the 17 SDGs seriously. Because this will be our guide and this will be the first rule of how in the coming years we will be here – sustainability. Not just for this generation but for the next generation. So those were our roles.

And now, I’m on my second term as a member of the IFLA Regional Development Office for Asia and Oceania. So, I’m a part, I’m a member of that [section]. I want to share a very memorable experience –  that I was part of IFLA in 2016 where the Philippines hosted the BSLA workshop or Building Strong Library Associations held here in Manila. So, I already experience hosting in 2016, I was the president of PLAI (Philippine Librarians Association, Inc.)  that year and there was an IFLA gatheirng for Building Strong Library Associations initiative. And it was held in the Philippines. It was a very significant role that we have  invited here  the then President or President of IFLA, Ms. Donna Scheeder (who has already passed away) along with the former Secretary General. So that’s it, I can sya that  for a long tim I really live and breathe IFLA. I have been part of IFLA as an international organization for a really long time.

Reysa:  Nakaka-aliw naman. Ang dami n’yong experience. I know, I’ve seen Joseph, madami siyang involvement sa IFLA din. Isa lang nakikita ko dito kasi yung involvement natin sa IFLA hindi nagtatapos sa Congress o sa programa kung saan tayo nag-evolve. Parang tuloy-tuloy ang commitment na yan kasi yun nga yung mga issue na hinaharap natin. Pero sa inyo, tuloy-tuloy pa rin. We address different areas especially itong sustainability. Talagang hindi siya natatapos and of course those issues on information literacy and other specific topics.

Punta naman ako sa susunod kong question. Because we are doing these things in IFLA dahil sa profession natin at sa passion din natin. Para sa inyo, ano ba pinakakasabik or in general nakaka-excite sa profession natin? Who wants to start? Joseph?

 

Reysa: It is amazing that you have a lot of experience. I know, I’ve seen Joseph – he has a lot of involvement in IFLA as well. I also see one thing here: bour involvement in IFLA, it [our roles]  does not end at the Congress or the program where we involved. That commitment seems to be continuous along with those issues we are facing. For both of you, it has been an ongoing endeavour. We address different areas especially sustainability. It really doesn’t end, and [the smae] of course those issues on information literacy and other specific topics. I’m moving to my next question. As we are doing these things in IFLA because of our profession and our passion, for you, what is the most exciting about our profession? Who wants to start? Joseph?

 

Joseph: Para sa profession, dahil tayo ay nagde-deal sa information, nagbabago-bago yung mga pagtingin o pagkuha natin ng information. So sa akin I think patuloy ko lang na aalamin o patuloy ko lang na kukunin or maging aggressive sa challenges na dulot ng impormasyon. Kung ano man yun, kaya importante na dapat patuloy tayong nag-research tungkol doon. At patuloy din tayong nagtuturo sa mga, hindi lang kapwa librarians kundi sa patrons natin, kung paano nga ba nila harapin yung information araw-araw. So mas doon ako excited kasi nga dahil pabago-bago yung trend na yan ng information, mabuti man o masama ang dulot niya, kailangan natin maintindihan kung para saan ‘yun.

 

Joseph: For the profession, because we deal with information, the way we view or obtain information changes. So for me, I think I will just continue to learn or I will just continue to take or be aggressive in the challenges caused by information. Whatever it is, it is important that we continue to research about it. And we also continue to teach those, not just fellow librarians but our patrons, how to deal with information every day. So I’m more excited because that trend of information is changing, whether it’s good or bad, we need to understand what it is for.

 

Elvira: I agree with Joseph 100%. Basically yun din yung palaging nasa isip ko. Napakaraming oportunidad sa ating profession para meron kang gagawin everyday na bago. Kasi kailangan mong sumabay doon sa nagbabago rin. Hindi lang trends, hindi lang yung mga issues, hindi lang yung mga challenges. Kundi everyday may magdidiskubre ka na mapapaisip ka na masasabi mo na ano kaya pwede kong gawin para doon, ano kaya yung pwede kong bagong alamin.Hindi tayo magkakaroon ng, kung baga, hindi risk sa atin o hindi kailanman natin sasabihin na mabobore ako kasi wala na akong gagawin in this profession. Hindi eh kasi parang araw-araw meron kang madidiskubre na bago o gusto mong mabago. Yun yung pinakamaganda sa profession natin. Hindi mo sasabihin na bukas wala na akong gagawin kasi nakagawa ko na ngayon o natapos ko na kahapon. Kasi bukas pweding iba na naman yung concern. Akala mo na sagot mo na yung tanong kanina pero mamayang hapon iba na naman pala. So, everyday is a day for new challenges or something new to look forward to palagi. Siguro kung sa iba hindi exciting ito, for me parang yun lang masabi mo na may bagong tanong kang sasagutin napakagandang dahilan na yun, (sabi nga nila) para saan ka o para kanino ka bumabangon sa umaga. So yun yun eh. Tayo parang ang ganda sabihin na bumabangon ako sa umaga kasi alam ko may bago na naman akong madidiskubre o may bago na naman akong malalaman. So yun eh dahil nandito tayo sa profession ito.

 

Elvira: I agree with Joseph 100%. Basically that’s what I always have in my mind. There are so many opportunities in our profession so that you have something new to do everyday. Because you have to keep up with the changes. Not just trends, not just the issues, not just the challenges but everyday you will discover something that will make you think that makes you ask yourself: “What can I do”, how can I learn new things?” We will not have, as it seems, the risk or we will never say that I will be bored because there is nothing that I no longer have things to do in this profession. Every day you discover something new or you want to change. That’s the best thing about our profession. You don’t say that tomorrow I won’t do anything because I did it today or I finished it yesterday. Because tomorrow the concern may be different. You thought you answered the question earlier, but this afternoon you will another one. So, everyday is a day for new challenges or something new to always look forward to. Maybe if it’s not exciting for others, for me I can consider  that even the mere fact that there is a new question to answer, that’s a very good reason, (as they say) what are you [living] for or for whom do you get up in the morning. So that’s it. We think it’s nice to say that I get up in the morning because I know that I will discover something new or that I will know something new. So that’s why we are here in this profession.

 

Reysa: Tama, Miss Elvie. Yun yung reason to wake up in the morning. Always nag-eevolve ang information. Dahil tayo nagtatalakay sa information. Di lang tayo nagtatrabaho dealing with information pero at the same time sabi nga ni Joseph nag-educate din tayo, nag-advocate din tayo. So yung competencies mo hindi nagiging stagnant. That’s what I also see in the field na exciting siya. You have something to solve or something to discover everyday. Well, I know some who are in the profession, sabi nga nila daw underrated yung profession natin. Or minsan nahihiya sila, librarian lang ako. So dahil sa experience ko din, at sa mga naririnig ko sa mga younger na librarian, yun ba yung iba ayaw kumuha ng librarianship dahil dyan sa reason na yan. Ano ang payo ninyo para sa pag-unlad ng propesyon na gusto ninyong ibahagi lalo na sa mga bago at gusto pang sumali sa IFLA? Miss Elvie, you want to start?

 

Reysa: You are right, Miss Elvie, that’s the reason to wake up in the morning. Information is always evolving. Because we are discussing information, we are not only working dealing with information but at the same time as what Joseph said we are also educating, we are also advocating. So your competencies do not become stagnant. That’s what I also see in the field that  is exciting. You have something to solve or something to discover everyday. Well, I know some who are in the profession, they say that our profession is underrated. Or sometimes they are shy saying that “I’m just a librarian”. With my experience, and what I hear from younger librarians, there are thosr who don’t want to take librarianship for  that reason. What professional development advice would you like to share especially with those new to IFLA? Miss Elvie, do you want to start?

 

Elvie: Paano nga ba? Sa akin kasi, parang kung titignan mo parang ang dali, naging madali. Pero sa totoo lang, kailangan mo rin talagang magkaroon ng yung sariling initiative. Wag kang mahihinto kung nagkaroon ka ng parang rejection sa umpisa. Kasi kasama yun eh. Maganda rin na you establish your network. Malaking bagay na sa bawat pagkakataon marami kang makikilala, may bago kang malalaman, grab it. Huwag mong hahayaan na lumampas ang mga pagkakataon na yun. Siguro, isang malaking bagay din kung meron kang goal, kung meron kang iniisip na gusto mong makuha or gusto mong makamit, sabi nga nila, “eye on the goal”,, ano yung target mo? Ano yung gusto mong ma-achieve? Sa akin, simple lang kasi yung naging umpisa na parang okay gusto kong magtrabaho, gusto kong magstay sa UP, gusto ko na magkaroon ng pagkakataon makalabas ng Pilipinas. Bilang isang librarian kung titignan parang paano yun? Ano yung mga pwede kong gawin? So ano, paano? Pwede kang mag-research. Take those opportunities kung magkakaroon ka ng invitations to share kung ano yung mga naging resulta ng researches mo. At ang pinaka-importante, humanap ka ng paraan kung paano kang makakakuha ng suporta. Kasi alam na, lalo na dito sa atin, alam nyo naman na napakahirap, hindi madali para makakuha ng suporta para ikaw makaalis, makasali at magkakaroon ka nang pagkakataon na i-share kung ano man yung mga naging resulta ng researches mo. Dapat marunong ka rin mag-strategize kung paano mo yung makakuha. Ang sinasabi ko rito is, if you need support, look for it. Hindi pwedeng mag-intay ka lang, hindi pwedeng sabi mo, ah naku, I’m sure tutulungan ako ng mga ganito. Hahanapin mo talaga sila. So, yun. Talagang dapat lang may initiative ka at dapat lang you should establish your network. Napakalaking bagay na nun. 

 

Elvie: (How do I say this?) For me, if you look at,  it seems easy, it was easy. But in reality, you also really need to have your own initiative. Don’t stop if you encountered rejections in the beginning because that’s part of it. It’s also good that you establish your network. It’s important that in every chance you get to know more [people in the profession], you get to know something new, grab it. Don’t let those opportunities pass you by. Maybe, it’s also plays an important role  to have a goal, if you have something in mind that you want to get or you want to achieve, as they say, “eye on the goal” –  what is your target? What do you want to achieve? For me, it was simple because the beginning was just simply [a goal that] I want to work, I want to stay in UP, I want to have the opportunity to get out of the Philippines. As a librarian if you look at you might ask yourself : How things are done? What can I do? So what, how? You can do research. Take those opportunities if you have invitations to share the results of your researches. And most importantly, find a way to get support. Because we know, especially here [in the Philippines], it is very difficult, it is not easy to get support so that you can travel, participate and you will have the opportunity to share whatever the results of your researches are. You should also know how to strategize how to get what you want. What I’m saying here is, if you need support, look for it. You can’t just wait, you can’t say, oh my, I’m sure people  will help me. You have to find them. So, that’s it. You must have an initiative and you should establish your network. That itself will suffice [for you to achieve your goal]

 

Reysa: Joseph may dadagdag ka?

 

Reysa: Joseph do you have anything to add?

 

Joseph: Para sa mga bago at medyo naguguluhan pa kung ipagpapatuloy niyo yung profession, una sa lahat, enjoyin mo muna yung ginagawa mo. Dahil bago ka pa lang sa profession, mag-observe ka, obserbahan mo yung mga kaganapan, alamin mo yung mga katrabaho mo, baka hindi mo pa sila kilala. Mag-reach out ka sa mga malalapit na libraries, sumali ka, hindi lang sa IFLA kundi sa PLAI. Sumali ka ng iba’t ibang associations na available sa local or region mo, sa councils mo. Tapos makibahagi ka, importante yun.

 

Hindi po pwede na nandoon ka lang sa isang sulok ng library. Ikaw ay nagde-deal ulit sa information at yung information na yun marami ka rin makukuha na information galing sa iba. Hindi naman nagtatapos na ikaw lang ay nagtatrabaho, time in time out. Inalam mo yung pangyayari sa araw-araw. At yung pagiging librarian dapat may awareness sa nangyayari sa lipunan. Hindi pwede na magaling ka lang mag-katalog, hindi pwede na magaling ka lang na reference librarian. Kailangan magaling kang librarian. Alam mo yung nangyayari sa labas at i-apply mo yun sa loob. Halimbawa hindi mo alam na pinapasara na yung ibang libraries. Ikaw bilang bagong librarian, wala ka bang masasabi tungkol dito? Ikaw dapat yung nagtatanggol. At yun dapat nagsisimula pa lang bago ka pag-graduate. So bilang isang bago at hindi pa sigurado kung ikaw ay ipagpapatuloy, baka iba na ang gusto magbenta ka na lang siguro ng insurance. (Hindi, walang masama dun. Kailangan magbenta.Masasabi daw nila. Nagawa yun para pang dagdag. Okay yun.) Pero kung hindi ka sigurado sa iyong panggagawin, I think yun nga maganda siguro na makipagtalakayan ka sa iba at alamin ano ba ang future ng isang librarian. Siguro sana dito sa podcast na ito may makuha kang inspiration. Hindi lamang sa aming tatlo dito, kunti sa iba at iba pang librarians na established na  sa Pilipinas.So yun, enjoy mo muna. Hindi kailangan magmadali. Tapos saka mo malalaman na exciting pala itong field na ginagalawan mo.

 

Joseph: For those who are new and still a little uncertai  whether to  pursue the profession, first of all, enjoy what you’re doing now. Since you are new to the profession, observe –  observe the events, get to know your co-workers, maybe you don’t know them yet. Reach out to the nearest libraries, join, not only IFLA but also PLAI. Join different associations available in your local or regional [groups], in your councils. Then take part, that’s important.

 

You can’t just be there at the corner of the library. You are dealing with information, with that information you can also get a lot of information from others. It doesn’t end with just you working [i.e.] time in/ time out. You ought to know what  is happenning every day. And being a librarian, you must have awareness of what is happening in the society. You can’t just be a good cataloger, you can’t just be a good reference librarian. You must be a good librarian. You know what is happening outside and apply it inside. For example, you don’t even know that the other libraries are being closed. You, as a new librarian, do you have anything to say about this? You should be the one defending [our profession, the libraries]. And that should start right before you graduate. So, as a newbie and not sure if you will continue [in this career], maybe someone else just wants to sell you insurance. (No, there’s nothing wrong with that. It was done for extra money. That’s okay.) But if you’re not sure about what you’re doing, I think it’s good to discuss it with others and find out what the future holds. Maybe here in this podcast you can get some inspiration. Not only from us here, but with other librarians who are already established in the Philippines. So that’s it, enjoy it first. No need to hurry. Then, you will know that this field is exciting.

 

Reysa: Tama yan. Yun nga sabi ni Ms. Elvie, grab the opportunity. At saka yun nga, you need to be intuitive and strategic sa gagawin mo.Yung mga specifics na mga sinasabi ni Joseph, importante yun. Mag-observe ka, be aware. Seems like it’s more of being proactive rather than mag-antay lang. And yun nga, actually ang daming opportunities for those who are yung nakakaalam na. Na notice nila sa IFLA, very inclusive naman. Hindi lang focus sa isang area. So, nakaka-inspire din yan. Balik tayo sa kwento natin in the beginning na yun nga para yung field natin pag na-involve tayo sa IFLA, we get to see yung mga practices at saka even challenges ng ibang bansa. Or even yun nga, paano sila nagpa-practice as librarians. So maganda din yun na opportunity. So kahit hindi man directly maka-involve sa malaking project agad, baby steps lang. Tama. So that’s really important. Maiba ako no dahil sobrang passionate na tayo sa ating profession. Hypothetically kung hindi kayo nagtrabaho sa silid-aklatan ngayon, anong profession maliban sa librarianship ang gusto niyong subukan?

 

Reysa: That’s right. That’s what Ms. Elvie said, grab the opportunity. And besides that point being emphasized- you need to be intuitive and strategic in what you do. The specifics that Joseph says, that’s important. Observe, be aware. Seems like it’s more of being proactive rather than just waiting. And that’s right, there are actually a lot of opportunities for those who know [where to get it] and if we notice in IFLA, it’s very inclusive, they not just focus on one area [everyone is accommodate].

So, that’s also inspiring. Let’s go back to our story in the beginning, that is for our field when we got involved in IFLA, we get to see the practices and even challenges of other countries. Or even that, how do they practice as librarians. So that’s also a good opportunity. So even if you can’t directly get involved in a big project right away, take baby steps. That’s really important.

 

On a different note, as we are alreadyvery passionate about our profession; hypothetically if you did not work in the Library, what profession other than librarianship would you like to try?

 

Elvira: Childhood dream kasi eh. Pero siguro kung nabigyan ng pagkakataon noon, gusto ko sana. I would have taken up law.

 

Elvira: My childhood dream, if I was given an opportunity,. I would have taken up Law.

 

Reysa: Oh! pareho tayo.

 

Reysa: Oh! Same here.

 

Elvira: Kung yung sitwasyon papayagan yun, yun sana. Pero sabi nga na pareho rin naman ang gagawin mo ngayon. Kung abogado may mga ipinaglalaban, malamang ganun din naman bilang isang librarian na hanggang ngayon. Pero naman siyempre ilalaban pa rin natin ano ang tama, ano ang verifiable, ano ang information. So pareho din. I want to think of it that way. Pareho din.

 

Elvira: If the situation would allow it, I would have taken it (Law). But I can say somehow that we do the same thing now. If a lawyer has something to fight for, it’s probably the same as a librarian up until now. We will still fight for what is right, what is verifiable, what is information. Just the same. I want to think of it that way. Same too.

 

Reysa: And if I may add before si Joseph sumagot sa tanong na ito, relevant siya sa law kasi we deal with policies din. Naiinvolve tayo sa mga decision making. At yun nga pag librarian nakakakolaborate ka naman sa lahat ng mga professions. So yun yung maganda. Joseph?

 

Reysa: And if I may add before Joseph answers this question, this (profession) is related to  law as we also deal with policies. We get involved in decision making. And that being a librarian you can collaborate with all professions. So that’s the good thing. Joseph?

 

Joseph: Ako naman kung siguro hindi ko tinapos o natapos yung business at baka naging guro ako. I mean bata pa lang ako, gina-gather ko na yung mga kapitbahay at pinsan namin para magturo-turo ng kung anu-ano eh. So baka yun siguro yung path na nakuha, tinahak ko, ganyan.

 

Joseph: As for me, maybe I didn’t finish the business and I might have become a teacher. Since I was still young, I used to gather our neighbors and cousins to teach them something. So maybe that’s the path that I took, that’s it.

 

Elvira: Napunta ka pa rin naman doon, Sef? Guro ka rin naman, diba? 

 

Elvira: You got there (teaching) anyway, Sef? You are also a teacher, arent you? 

 

Joseph: Guro na siguro yung time na yun baka for elementary or secondary. Pero ngayon guro pa rin naman.

 

Joseph: More of a teacher in elementary or secondary. But, that’s right, I am also a teacher now.

 

Reysa: Tama, diba? Huling tanong ko na ‘to. So, maaari nyo bang ibahagi kung ano yung mga proyekto, initiative, programa na sinasalihan nyo ngayon? Be it face to face or even yung mga upcoming presentations ninyo sa Zoom or whatever?

 

Reysa: That’s right. For my last question, can you share the projects, initiatives, programs that you are currently working on?  Be it face to face or even the upcoming presentations you are involved in Zoom [virtually] or whatever?

 

Elvira: Yan yung maganda sa profession natin. Tayo, lalo sa atin, nagkakaroon talaga tayo ng pagkakataon na maimbita para magbahagi kung ano yung patuloy na pinag-aaralan natin o patuloy na sinasaliksik natin. Ako, I’m just looking forward to yung continuing work sa IFLA. Dahil member ako ng RDO-EO. And, hopefully talagang masundan pa yung mga dating ginagawa namin. Yung iba kasi kailangan pang tapusin.Like yung pagpapatuloy para sa Sustainable Development Goals, yung Library Map of the World, kasama na rin yung stories, SDG stories. So, yan, patuloy na gagawin yan. Dito naman sa atin, patuloy pa rin na na-iimbita para sa mag-conduct ng review classes o magbigay ng mga talks about various subjects, various topics. Kung kaya din lang ng oras, sumasagot pa rin tayo dyan. So, marami pa yan. Kaya lang, Zoom, hindi na masyado dahil pwede na tayo mag-face-to-face ngayon. Pero kung may mga Zoom pa din, kung misan mas okay sa akin kasi hindi ko kailang lumabas ng office o yung oras kasi lang talaga. Kung pwede lang, mas mahigit pa tayo sa 24 hours pero pare-pareho lang tayo sa 24 hours. Kaya yun, bibihira pero nagagawa pa rin naman.

 

Elvira: That’s the beauty of our profession. We, especially us, have the opportunity to be invited to share what we are constantly studying or researching. For me, I’m just looking forward to the continuing work at IFLA as a member of RDO-EO. And, hopefully we can continue  or will have a follow up on what we are doing, others need to be completed. Like the continuation for the Sustainable Development Goals, the Library Map of the World, including the stories, SDG stories. I continue to do that. I still get to be invited to conduct review classes or give talks about various subjects, various topics. If time allows, if time permits, I still accept those invitations. Zoom is not so much used [as it was duing the pandemic] because we can now face-to-face. But if there are still Zoom [virtual participation], I prefer it because I never have to leave the office. Time really [is a constraint] if it’s possible to work for more than 24 hours [I will], [but] we all have only 24 hours in a day. That’s the reason [I cannot accommodate] but I still make sure I can do it.

 

Reysa: Yeah, thanks Ms. Elvie. Joseph?

 

Joseph: O kaya talaga lagpas 24 hours kasi habang hapon yan dyan, umaga dito; so part-time muna ako magturo dyan bago ko simulan yung totoong araw ko dito. Napakahaba. Mas focus ako sa pag-aaral ko ngayon sa PhD. Although meron tayong pa konti-konti na kong naimbitahan o kailangan ko mag-submit ng papel para sa aking PhD. Yung katatapos ko lang umatend ng first joint conference ng MLA-SLA saan nag-contribute tayo ng isang papel. Pinag-aaralan ko yung knowledge practices ng mga librarians, specifically nung infodemic, nung panahon ng pandemic.

 

Ngayon din, kasalukuyan, bukod sa pwede natin i-contribute sa IFLA, nasa SLA Asian community din ako, magkakaroon kami ng mga future webinars. At ang theme namin dito ay tungkol pa rin sa mga misinformation at disinformation.

 

Halimbawa, meron bang mga misinformation or disinformation sa field ng agriculture o kaya naman sa field ng science and technology, sa banking and finance? O kaya sa health mismo, medical and health. So ganoon yung focus namin kasi special librarianship siya.So iba’t-ibang special libraries magkocontribute dito, iba’t-ibang bansa sa Asia, kung ano yung naranasan nila at paano, kung ano yung mga tips na meron sila para maiwasan yung mga false information na yun. Marami pang ibang bagay pero ‘yun nga, may kita mo naman siguro kami somewhere, mag-follow mo naman kami sa mga social media accounts namin. (‘Kala mo naman no.) So yan, ganun lang, kat-diverse yung ating ginagawa. Hindi tayo hinahinto sa focus sa gawain natin si Ma’am Elvie, University Librarian. Ang dami-dami niyang ginagawa pero meron pa rin mga ginagawa sa mga scientists, science, administration. Ganun din, hindi tayo hinihinto. Tamang-tama yung word na proactive. Hindi tayo hininto na doon lang tayo nakafocus sa isang gawain. Otherwise, mabu-bore ka lang din talaga.

 

Joseph: Perhaps, we really work more than 24 hours, it would be afternoon there and morning here. I work half time there [in the Philippines] to teach before I start my day here. It’s a very long [day for me]. I am more focused on my PhD studies now. Although I still have a few invitations or I have to submit a paper for my PhD.  I just finished attending the first joint conference of MBLA-SLA where we contributed a paper. I am studying the knowledge practices of librarians, specifically during the infodemic, during the pandemic. Also now, currently, apart from what we can contribute to IFLA, I am also in the SLA- Asia community, we will have future webinars. And our theme here is still about misinformation and disinformation. For example, is there misinformation or disinformation in the field of agriculture or in the field of science and technology, in banking and finance? Or health itself, medical and health. So that’s our focus because it’s special librarianship. Different special libraries will contribute here; different countries in Asia, what they experienced and how; what tips they have to avoid those that’s false information. There are many other things but that’s it, you might see us somewhere, follow us on our social media accounts.  So that’s it, just like that, what we do is diverse. We don’t stop or focus on our work. Ma’am Elvie, is a University Librarian she does a lot but there are still things to do. Same with Ms. Reysa. Likewise, we don’t stop. The word proactive is right. We are not confined focusing on one task. Otherwise, you’ll just get bored.

 

Reysa: So yun na, saya naman. Yun lang yung mga tanong ko. Ikinagagalakko talagang makasama kayo today.I’m really glad and I hope to see you all in Rotterdam in August. Yes, excited lang. Excited din ako. Maraming salamat Miss Elvie and Joseph. And also I’d like to thank Ray for inviting me here to join in this CPDWL podcast project. I think in closing, do you want any other last words to greet our listeners? Meron pa ba? Wala. Okay. This ends our podcast episode for today. Maraming salamat sa inyo. And maraming salamat din sa lahat nang nakinig. In my [regional] language, I think I wanted to say it in closing: madamo salamat sa pagpamati sa amon nga podcast. A pleasant day to everyone.

 

Reysa: That’s it, I really enjoyed this. Those are all my questions. I’m really glad to be with both of you today and I hope to see you in Rotterdam in August. Yes, I’m so excited. Thank you very much Ms Elvie and Joseph. And also I’d like to thank Ray for inviting me here to join in this CPDWL podcast project. I think in closing, do you want any other last words to greet our listeners? Is there anything more? Nothing. Ok. This ends our podcast episode for today. Thank you very much to you (Joseph and Elvira)  And thank you very much to all the listeners. In my [regional] language, I think I wanted to say in closing: thank you very much for listening to our podcast. A pleasant day to everyone.