Book Review: Doll Eyes

Because today is the Feast of the Black Nazarene, January 9.

Doll Eyes (Santos & Mallari, CANVAS) is a story about two street children whose lives briefly intersect with the grace of the Black Nazarene. It captures how faith, hope, and courage can emerge even in the most frightening circumstances. The story honors the mysticism of the Black Nazarene as epiphany, a moment of being seen, held, and protected, inviting young readers to recognize grace not as something distant or grand, but as something that arrives exactly when it is needed.

Doll Eyes shines a light on the quiet ways faith can move and redeem.

In 2014, Doll Eyes was awarded the National Children’s Book Award by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People and the National Book Development Board.

On this day, being the Feast of the Black Nazarene, and Epiphany, may our inner light lead us in discovering ways to be of service to others and to the community.

https://www.canvas.ph/catalog/doll-eyes

World Read Aloud Day 2013: Doll Eyes & Ay Naku!

Two book talks for today's World Read Aloud Day 2013 celebration: Doll Eyes by Eline Santos and Ay Naku by Reni Roxas. Doll Eyes is illustrated by Joy Mallari, while Ay Naku is illustrated by Serge Bumatay III.

Bibliographic info:

Santos, Eline. Doll Eyes. Quezon City: CANVAS. 2010

Roxas, Reni. Ay Naku! Makati: Tahanan Books for Young Readers. 2010.

Doll Eyes Book Launch & Art Exhibit

I got another invite to a book launch cum art exhibit from CANVAS' Gigo Alampay. I'm not sure if I can make it though. Maybe I'll drop by and touch base with some friends in the industry. The event is tinged with KUTING (Kwentista ng mga Tsikiting) connections!

KUTING's Eline Santos did a great job at writing the story which won the 10th Romeo Forbes Story Writing for Children contest. Joy Mallari, the artist of Doll Eyes, on the one hand is Alice Mallari's aunt. Alice is another KUTING (my batchmate in the organization ca. 2004)who has several Palancas to her name. Augie Rivera did the translations in Filipino. Yes, he is yet another KUTING and one of its past presidents, besides. Oh, I hope I can go!

Below is the e-vite and an excerpt from the book. Ganda!

You are cordially invited to an exhibition of the first set of artworks that Joy Mallari has painstakingly rendered for “Doll Eyes,” the latest winner of CANVAS’ flagship Romeo Forbes Children’s Story Writing Competition. An original story written by Eline Santos and inspired by a Joy Mallari painting, “Doll Eyes” will be CANVAS’ 10th children’s book when it is launched simultaneously with the exhibition of Joy’s final set of paintings in early June 2010.

The exhibit opens with cocktails at 6pm on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at the ArtistSpace of the Ayala Museum, and runs until March 9, 2010.

Proceeds from the sale of the artworks and books will be used to support CANVAS initiatives to promote broader awareness, appreciation for and access to Philippine art, culture and environment.

For more information, please email info@canvas.ph or visit www.canvas.ph.

She kept scanning the crowd. If she had one virtue, it was patience.
Manang Bolabola had the patience of a hunter...

There.

The doll maker sensed the little girl. Alone. A street urchin.
One of seven kids. Blood ties broken.
Hurting, hurting, hurting...

Manang Bolabola licked her lips.
Yes. This one was ripe for the picking.

With a wave of her hand, she beckoned the little girl to come over.
Obediently, the child approached.

"What is it, lola?"

The doll maker smiled toothlessly, whispered in the girl's ear, and
drew back the curtains covering the shop's entrance.

The girl stepped inside.

--Excerpt from "Doll Eyes" by Eline Santos; with artworks by Joy Mallari