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Harry Potter, the boy who will live forever


It’s been a little more than a decade since J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series started to make waves in our local pop culture. Although much has changed and the series is now as mainstream as literature and cinema can possibly get, it did not escape the particular antagonism and prejudice that made it land on top of the American Library Association’s Most Frequently Challenged Books of the Decade (2000-2009) list. In the years that I’ve been involved with Hogwarts Philippines (Pinoy Harry Potter), a local community of Potter enthusiasts, I’ve heard many stories of school libraries banning the books, of kids who had to sneak around to read just as Harry had to hide to read his schoolbooks while he was at the Dursleys, of parents who almost had heart attacks whenever they would hear “Harry Potter," and of religious leaders who were suspicious of anything that involved magic and “the occult."

Members of Hogwarts Philippines at the Premiere of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2." Photo by Allan Ortega
Despite some measure of acceptance that came when Hollywood came knock-knock-knockin’ on Hogwarts’ door, it can still be difficult to justify the fandom to people who just refuse to open their minds to it. But those who have embraced Harry Potter know well the kind of impact that his magic has had on the lives of many. The Reading Revolution Imelda Caravaca Ferrer, the principal of a public elementary school in Makati City, is a witness to perhaps the biggest positive impact that Harry Potter has had on Filipino children: it ignited in them a real love of reading. “My students borrowed my books," she recalls. “I had one student, in particular…Even when he was in college already and had moved to Zamboanga, I lent him the last book by sending it via courier!" Potter also encouraged readers to delve deeper into Rowling’s literary and historical sources, and to explore other books. “Why do you think children's books and young adult books are the biggest categories in the publishing industry now?" says Betty Bagshot, a fan who asked to be identified by a pseudonym because of her ties to the industry.
Frances Sangil dressed in a Severus Snape-inspired costume, with other members of Hogwarts Philippines. Photo by Allan Ortega
This reading phenomenon is true for both children and adults alike. “Harry Potter is also the first children's book that crossed over to the adult market; people of all ages read it," she said. For parents, Potter has been boon or bane—sometimes both—but Carlo Francisco, who joined Hogwarts Philippines with his son CJ, believes that “Harry Potter teaches [kids] important values in life, such as friendship, bravery, and loyalty. I [also] encouraged him to read the books and watch the movies to develop his imagination and creativity." Carlo also approved of CJ joining the fan community because he hoped it will “develop his social skills by interacting with various types of people, both younger and older than him." Forging magical connections The need for social interaction, and the extent to which fans have taken it, surprised many that have never seen a children’s book become an impetus for extensive debates among classmates, for families and friends organizing Potter parties, for massive library campaigns, or the birth of active fan communities. “Prior to Potter, I never felt any need to seek out people outside of my usual circles," Danielle Lingat confesses. “It wasn't enough that I had friends who read the books; I had to find people who loved it with as much fervor as I did." It is a testament to Rowling’s masterful crafting of a fully-realized world and a multi-layered story that readers are able to take and extend a significant part of their reading experience off the pages of the books and share it with others.
Imelda Ferrer dressed in a Dolores Umbridge-inspired costume. Photo by Allan Ortega
Anne Frances Sangil, a professor at De La Salle University in Manila who offers a Literature elective on J.K. Rowling, thinks the author “would be proud to know that her books are instrumental for millions of people to be connected. We carry the spirit of Harry in our lives." Quoth the Raven(claw), Pottermore! The end of the film series came with the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 on July 14th. But while it marks the end of a significant period in cinema, it is far from being the end of Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling recently unveiled her latest project, Pottermore, a multimedia website dedicated to the books, which the author says will give fans a chance to experience the world of Harry in new and exciting ways. For those with Galleons and Knuts to spare, a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in the United States is a magical way to immerse one’s self in the movies. Leavesden Studios in London, where most of the movies were filmed, will also be turned into a large museum that will feature Harry Potter props and sets, and will be open to the public come 2012. And Harry Potter: The Exhibition is still touring the globe. Rowling has also said that with the last film out of the way, she will focus on her next writing project. Whether it’s related to Potter or not, fans are eagerly awaiting what the enigmatic author will conjure next. “I want to read more Rowling," Frances says. “Not necessarily Potter, but something that I can hold in my hands and read." The Boy Who Will Live Forever More than all of these and a handful of Horcruxes, though, it will be the fans and their dedication to the series that will ensure Harry Potter’s immortality. “I will still hold book talks in my school, hold HP trivia contests, HP movie screenings, talk shows, and lend my books to a new generation of readers," Imelda promises. Betty says she will continue to “read and read and read the books!" Frances declares that there is no moving on from the series that has become her life. “I read it. I teach it. I share it. I celebrate it constantly and unceasingly. I will never hide the books and say ‘It's over’ or ‘move on.’ There is no end to the sense of wonder and discovery. I have found friends [through Harry Potter] that I will treasure for life. The last page has been turned, the last frame has been shown onscreen, but the friendships, the adventures with fellow witches and wizards... they will go on." And this is why the magic of Harry Potter will endure. Always. - YA, GMA News
Tags: harrypotter
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