TWO BOOKS FROM THE PAST

RECOLLECTIONS OF A VOYAGE TO THE PHILIPPINES. DE MAN, J. TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH BY E AQUILAR CRUZ. NATIONAL HISTORICAL INSTITUTE, 1997. PHILIPPINES. INCLUDES ILLUSTRATIONS.

JOURNEY TO MAJAYJAY. DELA GIRONIERE, PAUL P. TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH BY E AQUILAR CRUZ. NATIONAL HISTORICAL INSTITUTE, 2ND PRINTING 1994. PHILIPPINES. INCLUDES ILLUSTRATIONSBoth are travel accounts of non-Spanish foreigners who stayed in the country during the last century of Spanish Colonial rule.

Originally published in French the books gives us a view of Philippine colonial life before the Americans came. Republished by the National Historical Institute the book was a steal for P75.00 each. Later, I was informed by a friend and officemate that nobody bought these books because they were boring. What a shame!

Both books were translated by Ambassador EA Cruz.

I must admitt that my favourite, among the two, is Dela Gironiere's book, "JOURNEY TO MAJAYJAY". In it he recounts his travel from during Christmas from his farm to the town of Majayjay. Monsieur Dela Gironiere's journey came to fruitation due to his desire to see Laguna, visit friends, and to avoid expected Christmas practices in his farm. Dela Gironiere and his companion took the less travelled routes, paths usually taken by the bandits. On the road the Frenchman and his indio has an interesting talk that may shed some light in the social dynamics of Spanish Colonial society.

De Man's journey on the other hand is like looking into a backpacker's log. I think in Europe at the time it was practice, probably for rich families, to send their sons abroad to experience life. Thus De Mans journey wis full anecdotes of different parties and outings he went to. Not boring but not as touching as Dela Gironiere's book, at least for me.

These books are an interesting addition to anyone who reads and collects Filipiniana. Both provides us a look into our colonial past and gives us a glimpse, especially Dela Gironiere's Majayjay, of how the Filipinos lived during the Spanish time.

To boldly go where no man has gone before

The World of Star Trek: The Show the Network could not kill. Gerrold, David. Ballantine Books. Copright 1973. New York. Includes pictures and a complete episode guide.
I came across this book while I was browsing the used-book sections in the supermarket. There were a few Star Trek Books, even a compilation of short stories based on the Star Trek animation series, scattered about. Personally, I am not really a fan of stories based on television series or movies. I prefer to watch Star Wars than to read it as a novel. Nothing against the form I just do not like it. There are exceptions, however, this was not one them. Gerrold's book was an account of the Star Trek phenomenon, a historical narrative. A nice revealing tale.

The phenomenon of Star Trek from the eyes of David Gerrold. But who is David Gerrold?

In 1967, David Gerrold wrote and was able to sell a original story and script for the Star Trek that became the episode titled, "The Trouble with Tribles". During that same year, the story was nominated for the International Hugo Award best dramatic presentation on science fiction. It came in second in the balloting. The Tribles episode was his first professional sale. Gerrold continued to work with Star Trek, he re-wrote some of the episodes and wrote another orginal story that became the episode entitled "The Cloud Minders".

Gerrold's book is quite thorough. He writes in detail and with care the story of series through its cast, crew, and fans. The narration is interesting because it is peppered with anecdotes and direct-quote recollections of all the major personalities in Star Trek, cast and production crew. And of course there are the stories of the Trekkies. Clearly being a writer and part-time story/script doctor for the series has its advantages. And in this I think Mr Gerrold excels. He provides the reader a look behind the creative process of the series: How did Gene Rodenberry described his series? What rules did the writers follow when writing an episode? Why were there no seatbelts in the Enterprise? What were the future projects or plans of Rodenberry, which included another Science Fiction series with some named Dylan Hunt.

Mr Gerrold's analysis of the series is enlightening or at least interesting, especially if you do not agree with him. He lists down the reason why the series did not live up to its potential? Why was it cancelled? How to improve on Star Trek?

Although the book is old - it was published a few years after the series was cancelled, and again republished just before the showing Star Trek the movie - it still for the fan or someone who enjoyed the old series. The book is also of value for aspiring writers or storytellers because among other things the author discusses extensively the mental cooking process involved in crafting a science fiction series.

Favourite Books

Books that I have read more than once. Writings that I have been going back to. Printed material I cannot do without. Books I will probably never lend to anyone.

1. Animal Farm by George Orwell
   
2. The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
3. A Question of Heroes by Nick Joaquin
4. The Bible by different Prophets and Apostles.
5. Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
6. Farmer Giles of Ham by JRR Tolkien
7. Edgar Allan Poe's short stories
8. GK Chesterton's Father Brown Mysteries
9. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories
10. The OED Oxford English Dictionary and other dictionaries of interest
    
11. Aquarium Atlases
    
12. Cookbooks
    
13. Dune and God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert
14. The Godfather by Mario Puzo
15. Shogun by James Clavell
16. Fairy Tale Books
17. Books by Theodore Geisel
18. The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis
19. The SpaceTrilogy - Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra and That Hideous Strength - by CS Lewis
    
20. The Killing Joke by Allan Moore
    
21. The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce
    
22. The Art of War by Sun Tzu
    
23. Lessons from History by Will and Ariel Durant
    
24. Bloom County by Berkely Breathed
    
25. All my Filipiniana books and other print materials