Mother's Day 2026

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Celebrate Books and Reading at the Philippine Book Festival 2024!

Dear Nanay in the Reading Association of the Philippines Journal

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IPR and Copyright Violation Alert on Dear Nanay

 This is disturbing.

My essay on the backstory of our book, Dear Nanay was used as the "story" analyzed by the author/group of students (I presume?).

How difficult is it to check us out online? Responsible use of information and media includes asking permission and communicating with authors and content creators of sources and text materials. My illustrator Liza Flores and publisher Lampara House / Segundo Matias have socmed accounts. Not only did the author of the PPT misuse information, he/she relayed the wrong information.

Group 2 Dear Nanay by Zarah Gagatiga.pptx from HannahHerreria

Dear Nanay: How It Came To Be

An article about my creative process in writing Dear Nanay (Gagatiga and Flores, Lampara House, 2013). This article will appear in MirrorsWindowsDoors this month since the website features the Philippines, Philippine diaspora and the Overseas Filipino Worker in Philippine Children's Literature.

Dear Nanay: How It Came To Be

By Zarah C. Gagatiga, on her experience, reflections and creative process writing an OFW story for children.

I was born in Manila in 1974. Two years after the declaration of Martial Law. I grew up an only child until I was twelve years old. Our household was small but my aunts and uncles on both sides of the family lived next door so cousins flitted in and out of the family compound. Nanay* Leony, my maternal grandmother, ran a sari-sari* store that sold everything from safety pins to San Miguel Pale Pilsen. There were also Tagalog comics for rent. I read them after school as part of my recreatory reading list. We had a garden abloom with flowers all year round because Nanay Leony knew what to plant during the dry and the rainy seasons. Her vegetable garden produced root crops, tubers, herbs and spices, and greens that often ended up in a dish on our dinner table. Trees grew in the backyard: coconut, mango, banana, palm, santol,* tamarind, camias* star apple, atis,* to mention a few. 

Everyone knew everybody in the neighbourhood. I played with my cousins and the neighbourhood kids. I walked with them to school. We heard mass on Sundays. On lazy summer days, my cousins and I would take naps in the afternoon. We would wake up to late noon snacks of ginataan,* turon,*porridge, kamote* fries or biko* , especially cooked by our favourite aunts. There were stories and songs to share until it was time to watch Voltes V and Mazinger Z. We were heartbroken when these TV shows were cancelled. We were too young to understand what it meant.

When the rains came, we bathed. When big storms brought in the flood, we waited until the water receded. The nearby creek would swell and this gave us a  reason to launch our homemade paper boats. Water leaked in easily in the paper boats, so we would either swim or catch fish next. We got lucky on some days to bring home Gourami and tilapia. No one dared bring home tadpoles since none of us wished to bear the brunt of our grandmother's wrath. Fishes were alright. Frogs, not so.

I could say I had a happy childhood. My world was safe and secure from the violence and horrors of Martial Law. My parents and the adults in my family tried their best to keep life simple yet abundant with laughter, songs, stories and playtime. They surrounded us with the basics, enough space to move about and the freedom to express oneself, though, controlled at times. But unexpected events in life, big or small, can throw anyone off balance.

Liza Flores' study for Dear Nanay

The Philippine economy collapsed at the onset of the 80s and this prompted my grandfather to work in Saudi Arabia after an early retirement from the Philippine Navy. A year after, my father, who was at the time an esteemed public school teacher, followed suit. My grandfather and my father became Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW).

I wasn't spared from the effects and repercussions of Martial Law at all. At nine years old, I accepted my mother's explanation of the situation. Papa will bring home dollars. Savings for a better future. Never mind the long years apart. Sacrifice today for a better tomorrow. Nanay Leony who was pragmatic and practical, a survivor of World War II, took it all in her stride. But I got a sense of their longing and loneliness. There were nights when my mother cried herself to sleep and Nanay Leony kept singing sad Bicolano songs. It was a confusing time. The Sanrio toys, dolls and cool gadgets from Saudi Arabia did little to justify the empty chairs at the dinner table, especially on birthdays and during Christmas. After two years working abroad, my father decided to go come back home for good. This filled me with joy, but it took me a while to reconnect with my father.

It is this experience of growing up with an OFW parent that is the backdrop of Dear Nanay (Lampara House, 2013). But it was my trip to Singapore in 2002 that was the lynchpin for the poem that became a narrative in verse and eventually, a picture book for children.

My attendance at the 2nd Storytelling Congress in Singapore that year allowed me to meet and interact with Filipinos working away from home and their families. There were professionals working in the IT industry and the Library and Information Science sector. I met teachers and professors, domestic helpers and labourers. I was even mistaken for a household help by the immigration staff when my host from the National Book Development Board of Singapore bade me a tearful farewell at the airport. The immigration staff asked if she was my boss and I, her domestic helper. I said no, she is my friend. The immigration staff gave me a warm knowing smile. I told her the truth, of course, but I knew she had a different context to my answer.

Liza Flores' narrative layering included Nanay's job not mentioned in the original poem.

In the airplane, the economy class was filled with Filipino men and women all noisy and eager to get home. They all carried bags and boxes of pasalubongs*. Many spoke in Tagalog but there were a few chattering in Bisaya and Ilocano. While many of the passengers slept and some quietly talked to each other, I wrote a poem in my notebook about a child missing her OFW mother. A week in Singapore had made me homesick. I missed my husband and two kids terribly and wished they could have joined me on the trip. It was that moment I recalled my own childhood growing up during the last stretch of the Martial Law years. I remembered my father and grandfather, my mother and Nanay Leony and what they had all sacrificed. I was in awe of the courage of the Filipino overseas worker, but saddened by the reality that one of the many reasons why they leave home is  due to the economic and cultural problems caused by twenty years of dictatorship.

Dear Nanay is illustrated by the amazing Liza Flores. Using paper cutouts as her medium, she added visual layers to the story by depicting spreads that show gaps and distance, longing and loneliness, through empty rooms, calendars and time pieces. I did not reveal nor mention Nanay's profession in the narrative verse, but I particularly liked Liza's take on her as a chef. Not all OFWs are domestic helpers. Nonetheless, our book shows the reality children face in light of a parent leaving home to work abroad.

One of my favorite illustrations in the book.

I still grapple with the question of what is more important for a parent to do: to provide for his or her children’s needs by working abroad or to stay with the family and endure the economic and political hardships, as well as the social injustices of living in a developing country like the Philippines. I console myself with the thought that, despite this reality, there are still opportunities for Filipino writers and illustrators to tell stories and that there are people in the Philippine book industry brave enough to create and publish stories for children depicting the plight of the Overseas Filipino Worker.

Glossary
atis - sweet sop, custard apple 
biko - rice cake 
camias - tree cucumber
ginataan - food cooked with coconut milk, like porridge or sweetened stew of tropical fruits, sticky rice and gluten
kamote - sweet potato
nanay - mother
pasalubong - homecoming treat
santol - wild mangosteen
sari-sari store - convenience store
turon - banana fritter

International Women's Day 2017

To every woman out there who plays the role of mother and sister in families, friendships and communities, I salute you!

Dear Nanay is a poem in verse about a girl who misses her mother who is an Overseas Filipino Worker in Singapore.

Big Sister is a story of all sisters, big and small, who annoy us but love us just the same.

My Books in the 2016 IASL Tokyo Conference

Pilar Francisco, Filipino Librarian

For a good and valid reason, I skipped the 2016 International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) Tokyo Conference this year. Despite its tempting venue, I couldn't be there in this time of my life. Thanks to friends who posted on Facebook. I was able to relive the experience of the fun and the academic excitement of attending the IASL Conference through their postings of photos and videos.

I also have Veronica Silagpo and Pilar Francisco to thank for.

Pilar, a librarian friend I met at the 2013 IASL Conference in Bali asked if she can get copies of my books for donation to the Books for Children campaign of IASL. Books gathered from this campaign will be forwarded to the winning applicant of the Books for Children Award. Veronica is a librarian friend from the International School Manila who attended the conference there. So, when Pilar sent me the PM of her need, I requested Veron to deliver my books.

Veron and Pilar met at the conference and they took photos.

Books for Children

What a joy to see my books, Dear Nanay and Big Sister, spread out on the display table. Double the joy! My books will reach children from another country. My books are written in English, but there is a Filipino translation for all. I am hoping a Filipino child, or a Filipino parent gets to read it too.

Apart from these good news, Katy Massingil Manck is the new IASL President! Congratulations, dear friend! I also sent Katy a copy of Big Sister and My Daddy, My One and Only through the kindness of Veron.

The next IASL Conference is going to be in Long Beach, California. You know what that means. It's time to write. It's time to save up!

Veron and Katy at the IASL Conference in Tokyo

Backstories of Dear Nanay and My Daddy! My One and Only!

Because it is Mother's Day, and Father's Day is next month, I am sharing this short interview of Iyra Buenrostro, from two years ago, about my writing life. Though brief, you'll get a glimpse of where I get inspiration in writing stories.

Ano po yung inspiration ninyo for writing your books?  (What is your inspiration for writing your books?)

My inspiration to write is my family, primarily, my kids. My Daddy! My One and Only! is the story of my son and husband. 

Dear Nanay is a personal story of mine. My father worked abroad in the early 80s. Nangulila ako sa tatay ng dalawang taon. Nung 2002, na-inspire ako magsulat ng tula tungkol sa isang anak na namimiss ang nanay nya na Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). Naisulat ko ang kwento pauwi from Singapore. Galing akong congress noon on storytelling. Ang daming OFW na Pinay sa plane puro pasalubong ang dala!

Do you have a specific advocacy as regards Philippine children's literature? 

Produce quality books; fair royalties and professional fees to writers. Mas malaki palagi sa publisher ang share.

Dear Nanay is illustrated by Liza Flowers. My Daddy! My One and Only! is illustrated by Jomike Tejido. Both books are published by Lampara Books.

The 36th MIBF Moments and Highlights

Photo with Luis Gatmaitan MD has become an MIBF tradition.

We came. We bought books. We had fun!

That is what book fairs are all about. There were good discounts on books in the Anvil and National Bookstore booths. For my library purchases, I had 20% off from Adarna House and Anvil Publishing. Even my books at the Lampara House booth were at a discounted price. Apart from this, the MIBF was a time to touch base with friends in the industry.

Augie Rivera's Alamat ng Ampalaya turns 20 this year and its bitter taste is as strong as ever. He also has a Martial Law story book, Isang Harding Papel, sold during the fair. Your library must definitely acquire it! Mailin Paterno and Ompong Remigio are both back from a long hiatus. Paterno's Mang Andoy's Signs is creating quite a stir from writer friends, earning good reviews from peers and friends in Philippine Children's Literature. Remigio's Bruhaha-Bruhihi is still a best seller after all these years. Meeting her in person was for me, a moment indeed! She was bold and large! As bold and as large as the stories she has written. I have told Bruhaha-Bruhihi many times in read aloud sessions and storytelling time and once, I put up a shadow puppet play of the book to preschoolers. Her stories are a lot of fun!

Bagay na bagay itong planner na ito sa akin!

I also managed to snag Tahanan's Chorva Planner. Rhandee Garlitos' finger prints are all over! These are perfect Christmas give-aways to friends and colleagues at work. How could you go wrong with your plans for the week with the opening Araw-arawin ang Ariba!? And you end your week with this: Rarampa na lola moh! Gay lingo may be an invention to hide meaning at the same time, assert gay pride, but its witty and humorous play on language makes it accessible to everyone.

My books, excluding the 12 stories in the STARS Kinder package

My comic book and graphic novel purchases included Russel Molina's and Ian Sta. Maria's Sixty Six and Piko, an anthology by enthusiastic and prolific comic book creators in the country today headed by Manix Abrera. Sixty Six is amazing! When is part two coming out?! Speaking of sequels, I am excited to read the next adventures of Momoy Lulumboy and Janus Silang. Soon. Very soon!

Lastly, I had my moment as an author in the MIBF when two of our books, My Daddy! My One and Only (Jomike Tejido, illustrator) and Dear Nanay (Liza Flores, illustrator) were sold out! The sales team of Lampara had to collect copies from nearby branches of Precious Pages Bookstore outside SMX to replenish. On Saturday, I was signing for Tale of Two Dreams (Bernadette Solina Wolf, illustrator) and Big Sister, our new book with Ruben "Totet" De Jesus as illustrator. It was a great experience collaborating with these talented artists of Ang INK!

This inspires me to write! More!

Taking Stock: My Published Books for Chidren and the Young at Heart

My Daddy My One and Only from Zarah Gagatiga

Filipino Readers' Choice Award 2015

Two weeks ago, The Filipino Readers' Choice Awards (FRCA) was launched online. Lifting this paragraph from the official website, it explains what the FRCA is all about:

The Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards returns for its third year, engaging the Filipino reading public in honoring their favorite Philippine-published titles. An initiative of the Filipino Book Bloggers Group, the Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards debuted at the 2nd Filipino Reader Conference in 2012, and was established to develop awareness and appreciation of Philippine literature, recognize the reader’s role in creating the meaning and experience of a literary work, and give the readers a voice in the Philippine book industry.

In past blog posts about the FRCA, I encouraged librarians to take part in this online reading campaign by looking at the list of books that readers nominate in the awards; check their collection if they have the titles posted online; consider acquiring the titles; and reading the ones they find interesting.

This year, I am most keen at inviting librarian friends to vote for my book, Dear Nanay (Lampara Books, 2014), if they have read it and liked it. This is a first for me and yes, I will not deny it, I am thrilled to the bone for the book to be nominated in the Children's Picture Book category.  So, if you haven't read Dear Nanay yet, I hope you can get a copy. Read it and if you like it, go to this FRCA Voting page.

Thank you in advance!

My three books will all be available in the Manila International Book Fair 2015 at the Lampara Books' Booth

 

Blog Contest: Mother's Day Special

It's Mother's Day on May 10!

Make Nanay feel extra special on Mother's Day. Send me a letter via email or PM over on FB, or post a comment on this blog post on how you plan to celebrate Mother's Day with your dear mom. The first five letters recieved, replies or posts made on this blog will get an authographed FREE copy of my book, Dear Nanay.

This contest is open to all. It starts tomorrow, May 5, 2015 at 12MN and ends on May 9, 2015 at 12NN.

Email: zarah.gagatiga@gmail.com

Dear Nanay is illustrated by Liza Flores and is published by Lampara Books.

Book Launching at the 2014 MIBF

Visit the Lampara Books booth on September 20 and 21, 2014. My books will be launched at the 2014 MIBF.

Start Right Reading Series Kindergarten Level: 12 picture books for the Kindergarten reader.
Illustrated by Bernadette Solina Wolf

Only ten books in the photo but, trust me, there are twelve books in the series!

Dear Nanay
Liza Flores' cut outs and paper sculpture art are awesome!

Book Signing & Talks at the MIBF 2014

Last year, around the same month, I posted a photo of Liza Flores' study of our book, Dear Nanay ,

In January 2014, our book was published by Lampara Books. This coming MIBF 2014, I'll be at the Lampara booth to sign copies of Dear Nanay on September 20 and 21. 

I hope to see you there!

I will also conduct a writing workshop for grade school students on September 21, 2014. I will post details before this week ends. Hang on!

Another event that I'm excited to participate in during the MIBF is the Klasrum Adarna Workshop for Book Creators. I will be presenting grants, scholarships and funds that support book projects to Filipino book creators. 

So, see you at the fair!

Pinoy Illustrator Interview: Liza Flores

Liza Flores, illustrator and former President of Ang INK, answers questions about her creative process and the challenge of illustrating Dear Nanay, our book which was published by Lampara Books (2014).

a. What attracted you to use paper when illustrating a book for children?

I have always loved paper! As far as I can remember, whenever I'm at National Bookstore, or any store that has paper, I'd be looking at the store's paper selection (whole sheets, cut sheets, gift wrappers, notebooks), even if I had no real use for it. In a trip to the US, I bought Manila paper, just because their Manila paper had a nice thickness, and was in a nice yellowish-crafty color. 

I think the idea of using paper was planted in my head when I got a set of Japanese bookmarks when I was around 10 years old. 

Then I discovered I was pretty good with scissors. 

b. How different is this medium to, say, water color or digital media as far as rendition is concerned?

When I use paint or colored pencils, I have to have a very clean and detailed drawing of the whole book before I can color. (1) I start by making small thumbnail studies. (2) Then, I draw all the pages again, but this time bigger, a little bigger than the book's size. I use regular bond paper and a pencil when I do this. (3) With A light box, I trace my drawings on to the actual paper board I'll be using. (4) Finally, I color my line drawings.

With paper cutouts, I can jump from rough thumbnail studies straight to cutting. I don't draw on the paper I cut. I just imagine the shapes I need, like a circle for a head of a character, then I cut. Almost any object can be simplified into simple, basic shapes. So I would cut one piece or element at a time, move things around to see what works, and build each character, scene, and page as I go along. Then, I glue the parts when I'm happy with what I have.

c. What was your approach to Dear Nanay? The story is pretty sad, but you made it appear light and cheerful.

I remember Beth Parrocha saying that whenever she got a sad story, the more she wants to make the illustrations happy. That's how I felt after reading the manuscript. 

Also, how the story was written was already easy to understand. So I figured there was room for the illustrations to be less literal. I could illustrate sending a letter via snail mail, or via email, but why not via paper airplanes? 

d. Is being an artist/illustrator your first choice of career? If not, what made you become one? If it is, what keeps you in it?

I couldn't decide what course to take when I was applying for college. I knew I liked art, and maybe something communication-related, but that was it. So I ended up choosing Visual Communication (Fine Arts), not really knowing what I'd be when I graduate. 

It never occurred to me that being an illustrator was a career until I saw INK's exhibit whan I was in college. In fact, it's funny that it never occurred to me that real people made the drawings in my favorite books. And when I saw the illustrations of Robert Alejandro, Mel Silvestre, Joanne de Leon, Beth Parrocha, I thought, hey, I'd like to do that too!

I enjoy the process of making a book. I like imagining the story and making it "real". I learn something new every time: about the materials I use, about what I am capable of, about how to tell a story better. Then, there's the happy bonus of seeing my work printed, and being enjoyed by the one reading it.

Dear Nanay

My new book, Dear Nanay (Lampara Books, 2014) is now available in bookstores

Current Book Project: Dear Nanay

Can you guess the illustrator I am collaborating with on my current book project?