Here's a picture of a movable book that Big Dipper's paper engineers are developing for the U.P. College of Medicine Class of 1960. It would feature turn-up and lift-up mechanisms inspired by the anatomical movable of Andreas Vesalius' De humani corporis fabrica librorumepitome that was printed in Basel in 1543. The latter book features a movable illustration of the human anatomy, shown in seven superimposed layers.
The first movable books actually predate the printing press. The earliest known examples of these interactive mechanisms are by Ramon Llull (c.1235 to 1315) of Majorca, a Catalán mystic and poet. His works contain revolving discs or volvelles, which he used to illustrate his philosophical search for truth.
U.P.C.M. 1960 is the legendary class of Senator Juan Flavier, one of the three most prominent and influential classes from that school in the 20th century. Another class in this trinity, Class of 1956, undertook one of the three restorations of Botong Francisco's murals in the Philippine General Hospital lobby (the most recent restoration cost P1.73 million): the members engaged our services two years ago for the production of their Golden Jubilee book, featuring pictures of their alma mater by internationally-acclaimed photographer Lester Ledesma, as well as several videos.
I anticipate that one more class from U.P.C.M. will emerge with the drive, ambition, and wealth to commission a book that would match the level of their predecessors' fantasy and control. I already have the design of the third book in this opulent, medical trilogy in my mind.
Expand your understanding of books by attending "Words Without Borders," the 29th Manila International Book Fair in SMX. Thank you to the immortal Florante for the song "Handog" (Offering).
2 comments:
I used to translate "Handog" into "tribute". I think I should start translating some Shak into Tagalog. Methinks I should reread my _Florante at Laura_ (F&L) and _Urbana at Felisa_ (U&F). Funny how U&F wasn't required reading in high school! It should be! That book is the source of the Pinoy belief that the orderliness of one's household reflects one's character hence our OC behaviour at keeping our household tidy before guests arrive! :))
"Handog" has a shade of meaning that partakes of aspects of both an offering and a tribute. Parangal could also mean tribute, but when we say "handog ng Pilipino sa mundo," we refer to a new kind of power we gave to the world. Handog also has a more personal connotation, whereas parangal- like tribute- is more appropriately used for formal occasions. In the context of Florante's song, however, it seems that "tribute" is the better translation, though it doesn't quite capture what's in his heart. English is logical, Filipino is wholistic and intuitive- both are of course beautiful languages.
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