Remembering Queena

Author, educator, and advocate of proactive parenting, Dr. Queena Lee-Chua leaves a legacy of research-based guidance through her books. I first knew her simply as a parent during my Xavier School era; she would often drop by the library because her son Scott was a voracious reader. Even then, she already had a knack for understanding people and community.

As the years went on, she would send me current research on literacy, especially on math, technology, and reading, as well as updates on her latest books with Anvil Publishing. One of them, “Growing Up Wired: Raising Pinoy Kids in the Digital Age”, became a nonfiction favorite and a trusted reference for my talks and library projects. Published in 2013, it challenges popular beliefs and conventional wisdom on technology use, grounding its insights in research, case studies, and sound pedagogy. Interestingly, the book opens with a prayer by Fr. Alberto Ampil, SJ, a gentle reminder that discernment, intention, and critical thinking are essential in navigating the digital world.

Seasons came and went, and I gradually lost track of her more recent work, though Scott’s occasional updates on Facebook helped me keep connected from afar. Still, it was a sad day when he posted about his mother’s passing.

Thank you, Queena. Today, I read your book.