PBBY’S WORDLESS BOOK DEBUT “PAGKATAPOS NG UNOS”: A VISUAL JOURNEY OF LOSS AND RECOVERY

 Philippines, September 11, 2020 — Painted in shades of storm and sunset, Harry Monzon’s first wordless picture book, Pagkatapos ng Unos, is a story of hope and resilience. It is also a powerful reminder of the vital need to replenish our dying planet.

The pictures tell a simple story. After a typhoon strikes his city, a man abandons his home and loads his meager possessions into a small boat. He navigates perilous floodwaters and—while rescuing a dog from the flood—loses everything except for a little plant. Traveling through the dark night, they reach a quiet place where their new life can take root. 

In these uncertain times, where natural disasters can rob anyone of their place in this world, a book like this can plant a seed of hope. It also opens up meaningful discussions about the environment and what is essential for a sustainable life. 

A wordless picture book can offer children greater freedom to use their imagination and build their own meaning into the story. 

Monzon’s storyboard was awarded the very first PBBY Wordless Book Prize in 2018 on the 35th National Children’s Book Day. This contest was established by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) to encourage the development of this genre in the Philippine children’s book industry. 

Pagkatapos ng Unos is made in the Philippines and published by The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY). The PBBY is a non-stock, nonprofit organization committed to the promotion not only of literacy, but also of the love for books among the Filipino youth through contests and workshops. Each year, the PBBY sponsors the PBBY-Salanga Prize for children’s writing and the PBBY-Alcala Prize for children’s book illustration. These contests have led to the publication of many memorable Filipino children’s books. 

Printed on Fedrigoni Special Paper, the book may be purchased online in paperback format for the retail price of P150 on adarna.com.ph, pumplepie.com, and tahananbooks.ph. 

About:

Harry Monzon is an illustrator and graphic designer. He studied literature from the University of Sto. Tomas. Harry is a proud member of Ang llustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK). He offers this book to his father (1954–2019). He is the 2018 PBBY awardee for this wordless book.