Ino the Invincible at the Manila International Book Fair 2018

I hope to see you at the launching of Ino the Invincible (Gagatiga and Rañola, Lampara 2018) at the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF)! The schedule for book signing will be announced soon. 

Ino the Invincible is a story of friendship and what we Filipinos are so crazy for, basketball! There is no brawl in the story, only sportsmanship. Kindness and decency too. Three things in short supply these days. So, if you believe in these values and in building lasting friendships through sports get a copy at the MIBF and read the book aloud to a child or to a class.

Do support our Filipino book industry, especially our local publishers of children's books, as there are many titles out this MIBF season. 

Here's a throwback post on Ino the Invincible including a back story. See you at the MIBF!

Update on Book Project: Ino the Invincible

When I was still a librarian in Xavier School, I was inspired to write about boys and basketball. There was a group of grade 7 boys who were always in the library, hanging out, reading and borrowing the newest titles that the Grade School Learning Resource Center offered. They were a smart and frisky bunch. As their grade level librarian, I get invited to their games, activities and programs. These boys inspired me to write a short story about friendship, sportsmanship and growing up.

Here is the book cover of Ino the Invincible

Lampara House is once again publishing this story, Ino the Invincible. This is a book project in collaboration with visual artist, Jonathan Ranola. While making the studies of the book's illustrations, Jonathan told me he has a cousin who went to Xavier School who happened to be a former student. Small world!

Boys and Basketball

Ino the Invincible is for my boy, Nico, Xaverian and now an ISKO, and for the GS batch of 2003 who were so open to learning new things! The book is also my homage to Inigo of Loyola. We hope to have this book launched in September of this year in time for the Manila International Book Fair.

What is your description of the perfect student? Is it someone like Ino?

A New Book Project for 2017: Of Boys and Basketball

Early this month, I did an inventory of writing projects that I need to finish this first quarter of the year. I am excited for all of them as I am working with wonderful illustrators. One of them is Mr. Jonathan Ranola.

He sent me one of his studies for our story about boys and basketball.

I will be posting updates of my book project in the blog which will include snippets of our collaborative work.