Pinoy Children's Books I Won't Miss Reading to a Filipino Child

Carla Pacis, writer friend from the industry, sent an email requesting for my top five Pinoy children's books. Here's my list --

1. Ang Alamat ng Ampalaya by Augie Rivera - My all time favorite. This is the book I wish I had written. It is solid in plot and characterization. It speaks of justice and fairness. It does not moralize on the lesson of consequence. Kora Dandan Albano illustrated the book and her playful addition of the little red chili in every page adds "flavor" to the story. It becomes a character too, who, along with teh reader witnesses the unraveling of Ampalaya. Fantastic!

2. 'Sandosenang Sapatos by Dr. Luis Gatmaitan - Gatmaitan's best work, I believe. I like Gatmaitan's use of dreams (dream, rather) in the story. Unlike many a Pinoy children's story, the dream sequence in Sandosenang Sapatos amplified the mystery of love connecting the lead character, a handicapped girl, to her deceased father. Instead of using dreams as an instant solution to problems or an immediate response to change of bad attitude to good, Gatmaitan played on the magical element found in dreams as a way of channeling the metaphysical to the real and the palpable. Now that's putting back a sense of wonder in Pinoy Children's Literature! Beth Parocha-Doctolero illustrated the story.

3. Chenelyn! Chenelyn! by Rhandee Garlitos - Garlitos wrote this story the night before the Salanga deadline. Culling out his mother's experiences as a laundry woman and domestic helper, Garlitos crafted a poignant story that reflects the way we treat and relate to our humble house helpers.

4. Bruhaha! Bruhihi! by Ompong Remigio - Remigio's technique on onomatopeia and play of words is amazing! The story is short and easy to read; directly focusing on the relationship of the young girl and the old lady, one would understand the stereotypes and belief system that robs us of compassion for others.

5. Pop Up Dinosaur by Jomike Tejido - Tejido merged paper art and creative non-fiction. The result is brilliant! This book probably led to his development of Foldabots. The child needs to play and Tejido brought that to book making art.

Looking at my short list, I could not help but marvel at the genius of our Pinoy writers and illustrators. Mabuhay ang Filipinong manunulat at illustrador pambata!

Sulataktakan Quotable Quotes

I promised to post about the recently concluded Sulataktakan: Conversations on Children's Literature forum of the PBBY at the MIBF 2011. Suffice it to say that the panelists, Maillin Paterno Locsin, Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, Rusell Molina, Jomike Tejido and Beth Parrocha Doctolero, were all fantastic that day. They were candid and smart; brutally honest but modest; witty and entertaining at the same time.

They shared their writing styles and thoughts about winning awards. It was Rusell Molina who said the most outrageous quote(see below).

Here are more quotable quotes from the forum:

"Kung sasali ka sa mga contest, siguraduhin mong may self-worth ka." (Your self-worth must be intact if you want to join writing contests.)
- Beth Parrocha Doctolero

"Push your ideas!"
- Rusell Molina

"Experiment."
- Jomike Tejido

"Stories are everywhere."
- Mailin Paterno Locsin

"Exercise your writing muscles."
- Dr. Luis Gatmaitan

The questions asked of the panelists escapes me now since their answers were all in big ideas I need to cut in pieces. Perhaps when the transcriber has finished with the work, then PBBY can share what fully transpired in the forum. Having said this, I end with an insight I gained from the forum. Writing is not an easy task. It takes a lot of thinking; a lot of time; a lot of love. If writing is a passion, pursue it then. Life may just give you what you deserve.

Mabuhay ang Panitikang Pambata!