My Five Characteristics of Children's Literature and Young Adult Literature

I was invited by college students from the UP Diliman Institute of Library and Information Science to give a lecture and author talk for a class of National Service Training Program (NSTP) students. I was tasked to provide them with ideas, concepts, and insights into my writing life. The class is assigned to write stories for children as part of their Literacy Training Service (LTS), a program focusing on teaching literacy and numeracy skills to communities.

For this engagement, I structured my talk into three sections: first, exploring what stories are; second, sharing my book Dear Nanay and the story behind its creation; and third, providing input on my personal writing process. During the session, students had the opportunity to ask questions, one of which was about my use of AI in writing. I responded openly, sharing that I do use AI and maintain transparency with my team and publisher. I explained that AI acts as my "thinking buddy," particularly in the pre-writing stage where generating ideas and exploring topics becomes more dynamic with its assistance. However, I emphasized that authorial choice remains central. At the end of the day, I make intentional decisions about what goes into my writing.

Another interesting discussion arose around bias and stereotypes. We acknowledged that biases are inherently present in all of us, making it impossible for stories to be completely bias-free. Instead, I encouraged the students to develop awareness of their own biases as well as those of others. This heightened awareness allows us to manage biases constructively, openly communicate about them, and collaboratively decide on the best approach when creating stories.

Additionally, I emphasized the importance of understanding the distinct characteristics of Children's and Young Adult Literature based on my experience as school librarian and children's book writer. Here they are, as shared during the Zoom call:

1. Children's and YA literature is the literature of hope.
2. Children's and YA literature celebrates our inner child and childhood experiences.
3. Children's and YA literature is the literature of legacy.
4. Creators of Children's and YA literature thoughtfully consider their audience's reading and literacy skills.
5. Children's and YA literature involves adults who care for children and teens, giving them agency and influence in selecting and using stories.

Finally, I shared with the class my new books, which will be showcased and available for purchase at the upcoming Manila International Book Fair in September. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Prof. Dan Dorado for initiating and leading this meaningful class project!

NSTP stands for National Service Training Program.

It's a Philippine civic education and defense preparedness program required for tertiary (college-level) students, established by Republic Act No. 9163 in 2001. The program aims to enhance civic consciousness, defense preparedness, and community service among Filipino youth.

NSTP has three components, from which students must choose one to complete as part of their graduation requirement:

1. Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) – Military training for defense preparedness.
2. Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) – Activities focused on community service and improving the quality of life.
3. Literacy Training Service (LTS) – Programs focused on teaching literacy and numeracy skills to communities.

Most students choose between CWTS and LTS, while ROTC is specifically oriented toward military and defense training.

Start Right Reading Series New Edition 2025: Level 2

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Start Right Reading Series New Edition 2025: Level 1

 

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Kuwentong Bangtan: Climbing Upward and Inward

Once again, Joon went for a climb to the summit of Insubong Peak (인수봉) in Bukhansan National Park, as indicated by the signpost beside him that reads “신선대 정상” (Sinsundae Summit) at 726 meters.

Like Joon, I go out for walking and trekking. Where I live, we are still blessed with spaces for walks and the like. Each step I take is a conversation with the land, each breath a moment with myself. The soil, the ground, the earth holds memory and the vast sky welcomes every version of me — who I was and who I have become.

I have yet a real mountain to climb, but I know what it means to return to a place I have journeyed before. The landscape may look the same, but I am not. Some things remain. Some things change. This is true of the world around us and the world within us. What new perspectives can one take when the view is familiar, but the soul has shifted?

Perhaps the climb is not just upward, but inward, too.

And this is what I truly love about Joon. Why he is my ultimate. Even in pictures, he has the power to bring me to places where I can rediscover and regain a sense of self. A sacred pause into the wilderness. Never without presence.

Truly, we never walk alone.

Bogoshipda

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Kuwentong Bangtan: Mona Lisa as J-hope's Anima

When J-hope dropped the MV of "Mona Lisa,” I made sure to give it several views. To boost ratings, viewership and charting, of course, but also for a full-on view of the choreography. His performances in Brooklyn and Chicago were sensual and seductive the MV would make for another experience of passion and desire. On the surface, it sounds and looks exactly that - Hobi wildin' in Brooklyn and Chi Town. But knowing Hobi’s creative mind from his body of works, I had a feeling there was more underneath.

The allusion to Mona Lisa, a masterpiece by Da Vinci, is a juicy topic of discussion for an ARMY Theorist like me.  And then Jung, my bias, entered the chat. 

Carl Jung talked about the “anima,” the inner feminine side of a man’s mind. He defined the anima as the personification of all feminine psychological tendencies within a man—the archetype of life itself, symbolizing emotion, intuition, receptivity, and the bridge to the unconscious (Jung, 1953; Jung, 1964). She’s deep, emotional, creative—a guide that helps a person become whole (Jung, 1953). The anima often shows up in dreams, art, and imagination, appearing as a mysterious woman who stirs strong feelings (Jung, 1964). If Hobi's Mona Lisa isn’t just about a girl, maybe she’s a symbol of his anima, a reflection of his inner world.

In a previous post, I have likened the Gemini girl and Hobi's blonde beauty in the MV of Sweet Dreams as a metaphor of his anima. More than a significant other, this lady he met in the middle of the road amidst the chaos and whimsy is his muse and emotional anchor. A reflection of his creative power, passion and desires. This narrative continues in Mona Lisa.

Take these lyrics: “I like my girls pretty, so fine / One plus the nine.” One plus nine equals ten—a number often seen as whole or complete. She’s not just any girl. She’s the perfect image. Beautiful like a painting, maybe even too perfect to be real. This sounds like the anima as an ideal, not a person but a symbol of what is good, true and beautiful, also known as Aesthetics.

When he sings, “Art piece to frame, Mona, Mona Lisa, yeah, I need ya,” he’s saying more than “I like how you look.” She’s framed, admired, untouchable—like something inside him that he’s trying to understand or get closer to. Her independence (“got her own check”) and her calm confidence (“don’t need no validation”) hint that she’s more than a crush—she’s a powerful part of him that seeks agency and autonomy in his authorial choices.

One line really stood out to me: “Love the way you take the stress and Louis off of me.” That’s not just someone helping him chill. It’s someone helping him take off the pressure of image and fame. The anima does that, too. She helps a person feel more real, more honest and authentic (Jung, 1953; Jung, 1959).

I can connect this to Hobi’s older tracks like “Arson,” where he faced darker parts of himself. The shadow, as Jung would call it. “Mona Lisa”, despite the undulating choreography and the delicious body rolls, feels quieter, more thoughtful, really. It's like Hobi has moved from fighting with himself to listening. Less of an arsonist, and more of the introspective artist being one with his future self but staying rooted to his origins.

As for the choreography, it adds another layer to this idea. With its sexy and seductive moves, Hobi embodies the sensual and magnetic force of the anima. Jung noted that the anima often first appears in seductive forms (Jung, 1959), drawing the ego inward through fascination and desire., thus, we are all enthralled. The dance, then, becomes more than performance. It’s an expression of the unconscious, a physical ritual of creative integration. Through movement, Hobi channels this inner force, turning the song into a full-bodied experience of artistic assertion and continuous emotional self-discovery.

So maybe “Mona Lisa” isn’t about someone else. Maybe it’s about an inner muse. Someone who is calm, mysterious, and wise. She’s helping him grow, create, and stay grounded. It’s Hobi looking at that quiet smile within, and realizing that beauty, truth, and self-growth are all connected.


References:

Jung, C. G. (1953). Psychological Aspects of the Anima. In Collected Works of C.G. Jung (Vol. 9, Part I). Princeton University Press.
Jung, C. G. (1959). Aion: Researches into the Phenomenology of the Self. In Collected Works of C.G. Jung (Vol. 9, Part II). Princeton University Press.
Jung, C. G. (1964). Man and His Symbols. Dell Publishing.

Philippine Book Festival 2025: A Book Experience Indeed!

Now that the dust has settled over the success of the 2025 Philippine Book Festival (PBF 2025), I look back with much fondness on the experience of my 2-day visit and participation.

On Day 2 of the PBF 2025, I had the pleasure of meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends at the Lampara Booth. I have new books out in the market in September 2025 and the scoping session by the DepEd was an opportune time to talk to teachers and librarian friends about our new titles.

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After lunch, I joined the team of Indie Collab PH for a panel on Inclusion and Inclusive Library Services. There I discovered Lean Borlongan's moving poetry. As to the course of our discussion in the panel, I'm reserving a separate post for that -- so, stay tuned!

Day 3 was our moment -- the Lampara Team who helped me and Juno Abreu work on our new book series, the Disaster Ready Kids, as we took the main stage to share our creative process and back stories. I spent the rest of the day buying select books, visiting booths in the Booktopia, Kids Lit and Aklat Aral realms, as well as the PBBY and IBBY booth that featured award winning books by our writers and illustrators.

The Philippine Book Festival was indeed an experience! However, we need a bigger and roomier venue next year.

My deepest gratitude to the incredible team at Lampara Books and to Jun Matias, whose resilience and dedication made the Disaster Kids Series a reality. Heartfelt thanks as well to the National Book Development Board - Philippines for giving us a space on the Main Stage to launch this important series and share what truly matters to us—why we write, why we love stories the way we do, and the dreams that keep us moving forward.

In times as chaotic and uncertain as these, stories remain our anchor. They connect us, challenge us to think critically, and nurture empathy. More than ever, we need narratives that empower young minds, equip them with knowledge, and remind them of their strength and resilience. This passion fuels us, and we’ll keep going—creating, sharing, and believing in the power of stories to make a difference.

#PhilippineBookFestival2025 #DisasterKidsSeries #LamparaBooks #BatangLampara

#StorytellingMatters #BooksThatEmpower

Rey Bufi salamat!

Book Review: Pasakalye at sa ibang katawan

Natuwa ako nang makilala si Lean Borlongan sa Philippine Book Festival noong kamakalawa. Panelista kami sa isang talakayan tungkol sa pagkakasama-sama (inclusion) na inorganisa ng Indie Collab PH. Naging masaya at makabuluhan ang diskusyon.

Bago magsimula, bumili ako ng dalawa niyang aklat—mga koleksyon ng tula.

Nagustuhan ko ang Pasakalye dahil maayos ang pagkaka-curate ng mga tula. May direksyon; may patutunguhan. Sa kanyang mga tula, dinala ako ni Lean pabalik sa aking pagkabata. Bumalik ang mga alaala ng hinagpis at saya sa aking paglaki at pagkamulat. Nakakaantig.

Isinunod ko ang sa ibang katawan. Sa dedication page pa lang, kinilabutan na ako. Bumilib ako sa intertextuality ng aklat dahil, para sa akin, natumbok nito ang layuning ipakita at ibahagi ang buhay ng makata. Ang husay!

Makapangyarihan ang aklat na ito—kaya nitong buksan ang pusong sarado sa pang-unawa sa iba. Kung hindi man, guguluhin nito ang isip ng status quo. Sumakses ito sa layunin nito. 

5 Bookmarks para sa 2 aklat

Book Review: The Cat Who Saved Books

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