Listening to the Hum of the Universe

This October, as we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Month, I shared our story, A Tale of Two Dreams (Lampara, 2013) at my workshop with the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation earlier today. 

It’s about a Mangyan child who dreams of a land he can farm and call home, while his friend dreams of seeing other lands far away. My friend Bernadette Solina Wolf—who illustrated the book—told me during our process of creation: “The Mangyan’s attachment to the land is not ownership. It is who they are.”

Having lived among the Mangyan, she understands the wisdom of our Indigenous people — a wisdom that preceded the knowledge of empire. But conquest came, and when colonial powers divided the land, they broke something deeper than borders: memory, and the knowing that we belong to the earth and are shaped by it. Being colonized meant that belonging turned into ownership, and kinship into control. Yet, the earth has a way of calling us back. 

That call resounds in Frankfurt, through the presence of our artists and storytellers: Rosie Sula, chanting with the Madrigal Singers, Renato Evangelista, carrying the ambahan of the Hanunuo Mangyan — slow, reflective, respectful; Darwin Absari, whose verse bridges Lumad, Moro, and Filipino worlds; and Kidlat Tahimik, our joyful indio-genius, whose films and creations remind the world that imagination thrives even in the power of empire. To reduce this to a mere trade fair is to silence the truth that every chant, every poem, every film born of our soil is already an act of freedom. 

Others call their presence at the Buchmesse as complicity, but it can also be a form of returning. Back to a place called home, before empire drew its lines and built hierarchies. Back to belonging, before ownership replaced kinship. Back to listening to the hum of the universe so we can sing our songs again.

#PHGOH #frankfurtbuchmesse2025 #indigenouspeoplesmonth

Writing, Roots, and Resilience: The Story Behind Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories

I am the featured author of the Pamana Children's Library in Chicago, Illinois!

“For the month of March, we are also honored to feature Zarah Gagatiga, the author of Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories, now available in the Pamana Children’s Library. In her heartfelt article, “Writing, Roots, and Resilience”, Zarah reflects on the personal journey that led to the creation of this treasured collection of Filipino folk tales. She shares how this project, born from a deep connection to heritage, became a source of strength and healing during a time of personal challenges. Zarah also pays tribute to her late collaborator, Dianne de Las Casas, whose dream of preserving Filipino stories lives on through their joint work. Join us in celebrating the enduring power of storytelling and its ability to foster resilience, connection, and remembrance.”

Because it's National Women's Month, here is an excerpt where I fondly remember my co-author, Dianne delas Casas and Bernie Solina-Wolf.

Dianne has since passed on in 2018, and the artist who created the book’s cover, Bernadette Solina-Wolf, has also crossed this realm unto the next. In my imagination, they are together, creating stories and beautiful art in a place where everything is at peace. Their stories live on here on Earth, and while I miss them so much, our friendship continues through the book we lovingly collaborated on. 

Full article -> https://tinyurl.com/mse8vnac

They even included a plug and a promo of our forthcoming book, Filipino Folk Tales for Children: Stories of Wisdom and Wonder (Tuttle Publishing). Thank you, Pamana Children’s Library!

Read about Pamana Children’s Library story and our mission by visiting our page on the Rizal Center website: https://rizalcenter.org/programs/pamana-childrens-library/

Teacher Training in Mindoro: Bernadette Solina-Wolf, Teacher Trainer

1. What are your top 3 most memorable experience of the DepEd Mindoro Or. Teacher Training? 

For me, there were so many highlights in the workshop which made me realize the importance of book illustrators/writers to interact with teachers especially those in the provinces. 

 My most memorable was listening to the Hanunuo dialect in the tandem storytelling session of Zarah and Teacher Nesla.  It was both fun and moving because all the participants of the workshop got so engrossed in the storytelling and when the Mangyan teacher got so self-conscious after doing so well in her version of storytelling, all the teacher/participants would encourage her to go on by singing the Hanunuo lullaby in chorus.  It was all so spontaneous and uplifting to experience.

Another most memorable experience was meeting Teacher Annie Lee who teaches Mangyan children in the hinterlands of a place called Labo and took time to study the Buhid-Bangon dialects and write stories (with Filipino text) for both Mangyans and Tagalogs.  I do hope her stories get published!

My third most memorable is not to a specific person but that of the teachers as a whole---their open-ness to learn Zarah Gagatiga's storytelling techniques, Alice Panares' creative writing exercises and even understand the technicalities of illustration was really what any facilitator would wish for!

2. What are your non-negotiables when illustrating a picture book or children’s story book?

I was thinking hard on this.  A non-negotiable thing happens when everything has been agreed upon from the very start---the compensation, the manuscript and upon approval of the studies or what we call comprehensives--the final art.  It is not that as an illustrator, you'd want to have your way and period. It is just in my view, to allow the creative process to flow unhindered after all is discussed. Any change of storyline should be from the very start. When the final art is presented, that's it. Final.It has been studied through. Non-negotiable. Or else, it becomes more expensive.

3. Why nut art or bao art? How did it came to be? 

 NutArt or the my artworks in the bao was an idea presented by my husband Michael.  He said that the coconut shell is really under-estimated.  All the Filipinos can think of it as uling/charcoal.  Of course, souvenir shops do have items out of coconut shells but to use it as a canvas has been overlooked.  Michael thought of the porcelain plates in Europe where exquisite artworks are painted on them.  So why not have a Filipino version of those porcelain plates? He also developed a particular stand for the bao so the whole thing is really hand-made/home-made in every sense.  And then he said it should be named NutArt short for (coco)NutArt. So German. So no-nonsense.  

4. How to buy your books and acquire your bao art?

The STARS Kindergarten books can be availed or ordered in any Precious Pages Bookstores. Other books can be had online via my other publishers LG&M/Vibal and Bookmark Inc.

I have also a blogspot of the Nutart where you can see samples of what I have had produced so far. http://nutart.blogspot.com. 

I actually do them on commissions so email me at : mbw.vph@gmail.com

November In Review: Art, Books and Music (2 of 3)

November was also my author and literary month.

Picture Book Month 2017

I carried on with Picture Book Month through the help of Heidi Hafner, web designer, and the founders of Picture Book Month (PBM) Katie Davis, Marcie Colleen, Wendy Martin, Elizabeth Dulemba and Joyce Wan. PBM had an impressive list of Champions this year. Each essay carries weight as to the importance of Picture books, however, here are links to my favorite posts.

Letters From the Founders - a loving and fitting tribute to Dianne de Las Casas who left us so suddenly in August 21, 2017. John Couret, Eliana de Las Casas gave endearing essays about Dianne and how her love and passion for picture books made them embrace life more freely and joyfully.

Edna Cabcabin-Moran is a surprising discovery for me. While this year's list of PBM Champions' essays oozed with diversity and messages of empathy and inclusion, to me, it was Ms. Cabcabin-Moran's voice that amplified these themes.

Greg Pizzoli's essay is a wonderful read as he stumbled into the industry with a burst of imagination and creativity. In the end, his purpose to create picture books is simply to recognise and mirror emotions that make us all humans.

Arthur Levine talked about the technicalities of producing picture books. Of course. Coming from a publisher's point of view, Mr. Levine emphasised the relevance of picture books as making meaning and that the reader has the power to make it so.

Peter McCleery discovered picture books through Mo Willems and this led him to the library where he learned of the magic weavers in the industry. There was no turning back for Mr. McCleery. How many of us, authors and creatives, fell in love with picture books through authors who showed us how? I definitely know this experience as I had been touched by fairy godparents of the industry that I wanted to make one, and two and many more?!

Eric Ode gave importance to picture books and the adults who make them for children to grow up as keepers of this tradition.

Elizabeth O. Dulemba drummed up the many literacies that picture books develop in a learning child.

If you haven't been there, visit the Picture Book Month website now. And if you're feeling bleak these days, the essays of the Champions will restore you and your faith in humanity.

Bulilit Books at the Rizal Library International Conference

In case you missed it, I presented our paper in the 7th Rizal Library International Conference about the book history of the Bulillit Books of the 70s and the revised editions which we called PROJECT LEARN. Here are the links from last month's posts.

The 7th Rizal Library International Conference
PPT: PROJECT LEARN Revisiting History and Creating New Narratives for Young Filipino Readers
PROJECT LEARN Full Paper

Interview via SKYPE

Calapan Press Conference

The hardworking couple, Michael and Bernadette Wolf, managed to set up a SKYPE video conference with me and the Mindoro Press Corps. I was interviewed about the things I love: books, reading, storytelling and libraries!

In addition, I explained how picture books and children's literature can represent diversity. We need more books and stories with characters from our Indigenous Peoples. Mindoro is home to the Mangyans. This part of the interview raised awareness of its importance among the media people present in the conference.

Bernadette and I were also able to promote our books, The Start Right Reading Series and A Tale of Two Dreams, both are published by Lampara Books. The local DepEd Officials were also present that day and they received this news of our books with great interest.

Joe Leuterio, the leader of the pack, was amazed at how technology can work for us. The SKYPE interview was the first video conferencing the Press Corps had with a guest resource speaker.

STARS in a Teachers' Workshop

As a writer of children's stories, I am always thrilled to know when teachers use my books for classroom teaching and in workshops with peers and colleagues. Teacher Marose Lagunsad sent me these photos late in August showing me how she rallied a group of teachers to read my early reading series, Start Right Reading Series Kindergarten Level, using it as a spring board for Picture Walk.

Picture Walk is a reading comprehension strategy that builds decoding skills, comprehension and literature appreciation among readers. When teachers are engaged in doing an activity that they can use in the classroom, it is likely that they will try it out in their classrooms too. Thank you, Teacher Marose for the support!

One of the books in the series, Zoo Bee Doo, tells the story of a girl who got lost in the zoo.

The Start Right Reading Series Kindergarten Level is a learning package for Kindergarten learners. It has 12 books, a teaching manual and parents' guide for classroom and home school instruction.

The Start Right Reading Series (Gagatiga and Solina-Wolf, Lampara Books 2014) is available at the booth of Lampara Books currently on sale at the 38th Manila International Book Fair, SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

Illustrator of the Month: Bernadette Solina-Wolf (2 of 2)

Bernie and Michael Wolf with pet dog

Here now is part 2 of the interview with Bernadette Solina-Wolf, Most Favorite Illustrator in the Aklat Awards 2016 of Lampara Books and Precious Pages Group of Companies.

What is the book illustration or project you wish you could have done?

I still have a project I am eye-ing to do---a coloring book on Philippine costumes.  

What do you consider your career highlights? Kindly name or identify five accomplishments.

Let's just say these events helped me a lot:

1) I was a founding member of the Ilustrador ng Kabataan which is now on its 25th year! I was invited to give the opening speech the other month (was it?). I had a bit of problem ending my speech. Mahirap datnan ng nostalgia pala! But I was able to thank God!

2) I had 5 years as Visual Arts teacher at the Philippine High School for the Arts in Makiling and bonded with very creative young artists now in top positions in the cultural and advertising fields, here and abroad.

 

The Start Right Reading Series: Kindergarten Level

3) Formed and toured the ANINO ShadowPlay Collective nationwide under the sponsorship of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and because of this, I experienced the rich cultural diversity of our country. Also, noted that Yoyoy Villame's "Magellan" is known nationwide in diverse cultural beats and rhythms. The tour really took a lot out of me (the only provinces we didn't go to were Tawi-tawi and Samar as well as Batanes!) so I just said "that's it...I did my end of the deal" and went back to teaching. The late Don Salubayba with batchmates and other PHSA students continued with it after high school and into college and up until now, the ANINO is still performing and doing international performances in various shadow play festivals!

4) Because of an absence of book projects, my husband and I ventured into creating a small cottage business we named the Nutart. He developed the coconut shells as painting "canvas" and I painted on them, first with sea life (for the nearby resorts) and then onto indigenous peoples when we dared get into Ayala Museum.  Now, on its 10th year, the baos have been invited by the National Historical Commission (NHCP) to make a round of exhibits in their different national shrines (i.e Mabini, Rizal, Malvar and Phil. Museum of National History in Pampanga...)

5) At present is the STARS project with Zarah Gagatiga. Each set of 12 books (Kindergarten, Grade One and Two) is no joke. Yet, every time I look at the finished artworks I tell myself, Boy, am I really honored!

Illustrator of the Month: Bernadette Solina-Wolf (1 of 2)

The blog's illustrator of the month is Bernadette Solina-Wolf. She was voted as Most Favorite Illustrator in the Aklat Awards 2016 of Lampara Books and Precious Pages Group of Companies.

Bernadette, a dear friend and creative partner, agreed to answers these questions for the blog. This feature is divided in two parts. In this first interview, she shares with us her approach and creative vision in pursuing an art project. In the second interview, we will get to know more of Bernadette's contribution to the development of children's book illustration in the country.

Bernie is humble and a quiet worker. But there is more to her than meets the eye. I am honored to have been afforded this interview.

What is your feeling now, having won an award by readers of Lampara Books?

The first time I read your post about the award, I thought I was reading it wrong! I had to read it again. Haha! I'm not used to such things like awards. But after I told my husband about it, I realized that it's actually so nice to be appreciated! 

 

Bernie's cover art for Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Fol Stories (ABC CLIO, 2011)

 What has been the most challenging work you have finished or worked on?

Whenever I am told that the manuscript has a few words or no words at all, THAT will be challenging! The first challenging children's book I did was Ms Lina Diaz de Rivera's "The Rain is Here" because a) it had one sentence per spread and b) it was about how rain falls on every part of the earth. In the STARs Series I had a lot of studies for "Sparrow Makes A Home" as well as "The Library Cat." The images are usually wonderful when they play in my head but to put it as magically on paper is another thing. 

Do you experience a drought in vision and in creating art? How do you deal?

I don't have any problem with visualizing when I read the manuscript.  I'm usually at awe with how the writer would come up and develop the story in a very efficient yet imaginative way. My problem is usually filtering what would be important and what would just mess up the composition between text and illustration. When I get too confused, I either do some cleaning up of the house or do some mending...anything that would take my mind off the problem.  I also get great solutions while I meditate.

In the bigger world, how do you see your relevance as a visual artist?

This is a very existentialist question. When I see the bigger picture or world, I see my relevance more in terms of "documenting" what comes into my path be it places, animals, people or moments. When I see a little girl trudge to school, I often wonder if she will finish her schooling or not. Then I keep her image in my mind to put her into one story I will illustrate. I observe people (especially, children) and look at their kind sides. I put my core values into the illustrations I do and that is the power I am given when I illustrate stories. 

 

Here are links to previous posts about Bernadette Solina-Wolf.

A Public Library Grows in Mindoro

A Tale of Dreams Studies by Bernadette Solina Wolf

The Monkey and the Tortoise by Bernadette Solina Wolf

 

Teacher Reviews the Start Right Reading Series for Kindergarten Learners

Mary Rose Lagunsad has this to say about the STart Right Reading Series (STARS) Kindergarten Learners (Lampara Books, 2014):

Having bought a copy of the STart Right Reading Series several months after seeing the set on display and meeting its author & illustrator at the Philippine International Literary Festival (August 2015) brought so much joy to me. The long wait was worth it. I started using the series in February of this year with my former Kinder pupils who are now in Grade 1. 

The stories are very simple yet so rich in experiences and situations on which the children could very well relate to. But I had to translate them in Tagalog as I'm handling Public School Kindergarten children. 

Yet, later in the school year, when some pupils have already mastered a few Basic Sight Words, I expounded on how they were used after the pupils recognized them on the pages. They also loved the illustrations and insisted on showing these up close to each one of them as the books were quite small to present in a big class.

The Parent and Teacher Guide which comes with the Learning Package is a very useful reference to help develop, reinforce and enrich their basic skills from fine motor, hand-eye coordination, readiness in counting, writing, reading and language.

A portion for Beginning Reading in Filipino and Basic Sight Words Activities for each story is highly recommended to engage the children more in reading; help them gain mastery of their first language.

Hats off to the author, Zarah Gagatiga and to the illustrator, Bernadette Solina-Wolf.

Mary Rose is one of the NCR Coordinators of Pinoy Reading Buddies (PRB). They have upcoming workshops in Palawan, Iloilo, Bukidnon, Cavite, Batangas & Kalookan City. They encourage teachers, schools and communities to be partners in building a nation of engaged Filipino readers. They are also invited to attend these workshops for them to adopt a reading program. PRB friends donors abroad help send boxes of books to these schools.
Mary Rose is the Kindergarten Dept. Chairman of Bitik Elementary School in Valenzuela City South District.

Rainbows and Paper Bags: Take Aways from the Likha-Pambata Workshop 2016

Our tarp at the workshop venue

Three wonderful things happened during the 4th Likha-Pambata Writing and Illustrating Workshop: 1) there were participants who were able to write a story map/outline; 2) there were participants who developed characters by drawing on paper bags; 3) there were participants who were able to do both by using the character from their story outline. Needless to say, the workshop that I ran with Ruben "Totet" de Jesus had been fun and deeply engaging. I felt inspired myself. I now resolve to finish all book projects I have with my publisher.

YAY! (fingers crossed)

How we went about the activities

The workshop program was in two parts. Being the author who facilitated the writing component of the workshop, I had an input session on my writing life, my writing process and where I get stories to write. Afterwards, participants were given story prompts to come up with story maps and outlines. I used the photo of a rainbow to establish context and focused on questions that lead to character development. In fifteen minutes, participants were able to write! This is only a pre-writing exercise but the output for the day is something they can file in a writing portfolio. This way, ideas and story development techniques are documented and can be tracked down.

Raquel V. Endoso's character is a fearful lion.

When Totet took on the second part of the workshop, the participants couldn't help but be amazed at the spot drawing demonstration. Basic shapes, lines and curves, geometric shapes and points can be used to create a character with emotions and personality. His input in our collaborative work was, I think, is the more interesting topic in the workshop.

Indeed, book development and publishing takes time. It is not easy and it can be messy too. But, if the heart is into this kind of creative endeavor, then, being a part of this industry is worth it. The returns are numerous and the gains are satisfying. Though, I can't claim that authors and artists like Totet and myself will be millionaires in the level of JK Rowling.

The Writer and the Illustrator Collaboration

During the Q&A, I was asked who is the illustrator I wish to collaborate with in the future. I wish to work with Robert Magnuson however, he seemed to be very, elusive.

This question made me think of the reasons I keep in choosing artists to work with. Since my stories are very personal, so is my choice for the book's illustrator. I admire the loving ways of Jomike Tejido towards his daughter. Having met his wife in a school visit, I sense this deep bond between them. He was my first choice for My Daddy, My One and Only. Thank God, Jomike said yes to the project considering how busy he was (and is)!

Raquel's fearful lion! Scaredy cat!

Bernadette Solina Wolf was also my first choice for A Tale of Two Dreams since she has a first hand experience of living in Mindoro. Besides, she knows a good number of Mangyans in the island. The Chocolate Kiss is one of my favorite restaurants. The restaurant is a business managed by Liza Flores' family. I have seen and met her sister there and her mother too. How closely knit she seems to be with her sister and mother. My gut feel told me she would do justice to Dear Nanay. When I saw her studies during the production stage of the book, my separation anxiety surfaced. It was exactly the emotion I want to visually appear in the book.

Totet is a friend and an ally in the advocacy for quality books and children's literature in the Philippines. He is funny, reflective, compassionate and responsible. I know he has sisters. For sure, a guy to be sensitive and perceptive, must have grown up among loving and "annoying" sisters. His work in Big Sister is splendid! In my mind, I hope to work further on with Totet in a workshop where participants can truly create books. It is going to be longer for sure, say two to three days? I don't even know if Totet will agree to the idea.

For now, I hope to keep in touch with the participants via social media. There is a writing and illustrating fellowship that is being talked about among the management team of Lampara Books. It would be my pleasure to be a mentor in this fellowship.

Caption this: ___________________________________

 
Thank you very much to Jun Matias of Lampara Books for the patience, his trust and confidence in me to push for the book projects that would matter to children and uplift writers and artists in the industry. All the best to Carlos Manalansan and Aiko Buduan-Salazar! May your hard work pay off a hundred fold. On to the next book project, my dears!