KUTING Induction of New Members

Don't we all look solemn in the photo?

I had the honor of inducting seven KUTINGs last Saturday, January 31, 2015 at the residence of the organization's current President, Dang Bagas. I have had the pleasure of "mentoring" them by conducting a talk and workshop on Young Adult Literature and Reading Choices of Teens last November 2013. In 2014, I was one of the four readers in the workshop.

I couldn't help but recall my own journey in the probationary membership process. How I wanted to write! A lot of things have happened to me since my membership in KUTING began in 2004. All I can say is this, that I have found true friends, writing companions and champions of Philippine Children's Literature in just a decade.

Cheers to children's books! To writing! To coffee and to more meaningful years of advocating Philippine Children's Literature!

Filipino Friday 2014 #2: Have You Ever Wanted to Write a Book?

Catching up on some blog posts. I'm beginning with Filipino Friday #2 that was scheduled last October 24, 2014.

• As a reader, have you ever thought about writing a book? What kind of books/stories do you want to write? Or are you now a published author, and what compelled you to go fulfil this dream? How was your journey from reader to writer? How did you go about getting your book out there?

My desire to write my own books began in high school. I read S.E. Hinton and Judy Blume and dreamed of putting into words my own stories, getting published and seeing my name after the "by" line. It didn't happen until 2011 when a book I co-authored with Dianne de Las Casas was published, Tales of the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories, by ABC CLIO in the US. It is not a novel for young adult, but a collection of folk tales. The proposal for the book project came in 2009 after my traumatic experience with Ondoy The book and my experience of writing this along side Dianne de Las Casas is a given grace. I am forever grateful.

By 2013 and 2014, I have published two illustrated storybooks under Lampara Books: Tale of Two Dreams with Bernadette Solina Wolf, My Daddy, My One and Only with Jomike Tejido and Dear Nanay with Liza Flores. Last September, Lampara Books launched my first series for early readers, Start Right Reading Series, Kindergarten Level. Again, I collaborated with Bernadette Wolf on the illustrations and design of the series.

My journey from reader to writer is a long one. I think the journey will never end. Readers will forever read. Writers will always write. The reading and writing connection continues. I have to thank my friends in KUTING (Kwentista ng mga Tsikiting) for accompanying me in the journey.  Other than my writer friends, I remember with fondness the critiquing sessions I spent with the LitCritters, a group of working writers led by Dean Francis Alfar. Writing may be an isolated act, but it should be a social and cultural endeavor as well.

I suppose it is the same with reading. When we talk about the books we read, we develop a deeper understanding of the reading experience.

KUTING Kwentuhan: On Reading Choices of Kids and Teens

Blog Tour: Guardians of Tradition

In case you missed it, there's a blog tour on this fantastic non-fiction book written by a friend of mine, Mae Astrid Tobias. Her book, Guardians of Tradition: Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan, is being reviewed and featured in these blogs:

KUTING-mate Agay on Agay is a Girl

Mina V. Esguerra on Publishing in Pajamas

Sol on The Belle of A Boulevard

Monique on Marginalia

In case you've not purchased a copy yet for your library, head on to the Adarna House website for orders!

The KUTING Lecture Series: Writing and Illustrating Picture Books

MIBF Moments

The excitement and energy of the recently Manila International Book Fair is ebbing away. I am left with good memories and some regrets.

I regret not having enough time to visit booths and greet writers who launched their books that Saturday at the MIBF. I regret not taking enough pictures. I regret not being able to buy books! I missed the ReaderCon announcement of book finalists in this year's Readers Choice Awards!

But.

I am still basking in the wonderful moments spent with friends in the industry. Best of all, the hubby was with me the whole day at the book fair. That's a first, I tell you!

Sharing a few pictures --

L-R Ed Maranan, Luchie Maranan, myself, Luis Gatmaitan, Eugene Evasco, Heidi Abad, Rose Torres Yu, Becky Bravo and Jun Matias of Lampara House

Look who's at the Lampara Writing Workshop!

Started my presentation with a storytelling of Joseph's Overcoat using Albergus table napkins.

Signed for Luis "Tito Dok" Gatmaitan.

Did some book signing too after the workshop.

Thanks to Lampara House, my publisher, for organizing the panel-workshop on writing stories for children. The event was attended by published writers, teachers and librarians, students and readers from all walks of life. It was an honor to be with the company of academicians and Palanca winners: Eugene Evasco, Rose Torres-Yu and Heidi Abad. The presence of friends from KUTING made the even a celebration of books, reading and children's literature.

See you at next year's Manila International Book Fair!

Tips on Celebrating the 30th NCBD

Are you preparing your book list for your reading child this NCBD? Have you prepared a book fair and storytelling session in your school and library? If yes, you're well on your way to celebrating the 30th NCBD. But here are more activities you can do to celebrate the event:

a. Get posters of the 30th NCBD from the PBBY Secretariat and distribute them to friends, schools, barangay hall and day care centers.

b. Visit the PBBY website and check the list of published Salanga-Alcala books. How many do you have in your collection?

c. If you are an inspiring writer for children and young adult,  join a writing group like KUTING.

d. If you're an art enthusiast, visit the Ang INK exhibit, Curious Buffet, in Cubao.

e. If you are a chidlren's lit advocate, teacher or librarian, attend the CLAPI seminar.

f. Invite the winners of this year's Salanga and Alacala in your school, library and classroom.

g. Watch out for this year's new books for children and young adults. I will post the list/PPT. in the blog. I hear there are good and interesting titles! Get a copy. Buy from the bookstore or the publisher.

h. For librarians: set up a book display in the library on Rizal and Bonifacio. Rizal because NCBD commemorates the publication of The Monkey and the Turtle in Trubner's Oriental Record in London. Bonifacio because it is his 150th birth year/anniversary.

i. For academic and research librarians: Promote and publicize theses and studies on Philippine Children's Literature. Make the abstracts available to the public.

j. Watch Sandosenang Sapatos in CCP.

More activities to post in the next few day!

Celebrate NCBD: Join KUTING

Official Press Release: 2013 Salanga Prize Winners

Here's an update and official press release from PBBY on the 2013 Salanga Prize

 

Teacher Wins 2013 PBBY-Salanga Prize

            The Philippine Board on Books for Young People declared Michael Jude C. Tumamac as the Grand Prize winner of the 2013 PBBY-Salanga Prize. Tumamac’s winning story, “Ngumiti si Andoy,” is a story inspired by the life of  Andres Bonifacio. Michael is a teacher and a proud member of Kuwentista ng mga Tskiting (KUTING) and Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA).

Honorable mention  went to  Mark Anthony Angeles for his story, “Si Andoy, Batang Tondo,” and April Jade Biglaen for her story, “Ang Supremo at ang Kuweba.

Tumamac shall receive Twenty-Five Thousand Pesos and a medal. Prizes will be awarded during the celebration of National Children’s Book Day in July 2013. 

For inquiries about the contest, contact the PBBY Secretariat at telephone number 352-6765 loc. 203 or e-mail pbby@adarna.com.ph.

The 1st Mae Astrid Tobias Writing Workshop

KUTING (Kwnetista ng mga Tsikiting) has been very busy the past weeks mentoring young children to become good writers. Here's the good news from fellow KUTING, Ime Morales.

The family of the late children's book writer Mae Astrid Tobias, in cooperation with KUTING, sponsored the 1st Mae Astrid Tobias Writing Workshop for Children. Chosen students from the UP Integrated School participated and were mentored by KUTING members Augie Rivera, MJ Tumamac, Joem Antonio, Sierra Mae Paraan, Liwliwa Malabed, Dang Bagas, Ime Morales, and Kuting president Lalaine Aquino. Astrid was a former president of KUTING and a graduate of UPIS.

Select photos from the workshop --

Filipino Children’s Book Writer Lives beyond Her Demise

Last 2009, children’s book writer Mae Astrid Tobias succumbed to lupus just months after celebrating her 30th birthday. Her early death came as a shock to her family and friends, but her well-lived life, however brief, became a source of inspiration.

In her writing career, Astrid has written television scripts, feature articles, and children’s books acclaimed by the Palanca Awards for Literature and the National Book Award. An active member and past president of KUTING (Kuwentista ng mga Tsikiting), the premier organization of Filipino writers for children, Astrid spearheaded several projects enriching the local literary scene.

Today, her family continues her legacy by sponsoring the 1st Mae Astrid Tobias Writing Workshop for Children, a three-day seminar mentoring ten young fellows from the UP Integrated School, or UPIS, of which Astrid is an alumnus. With the help of KUTING members, also seasoned writers, students are given the basics of writing for children, as well as individual, constant consultations with their mentors.

At the end of the seminar, students are expected to submit their polished short stories or poems, which will be submitted to Astrid’s family, who reserves the right to publish their works.

With the workshop, Astrid’s passionate advocacy for children’s literature lives on, carried on by the country’s future breed of writers.

Lara Saguisag: Mga Alaala ni A

Isasara ni Lara Saguisag ang tribute na ito para kay Astrid. Si Lara ay nasa US at nagtatapos ng graduate studies sa panitikang pambata.

Ako din, Bayong ng Kuting.

Metaphor for Astrid? Hmm. Pwedeng description na lang? I know that we tend to idealize some people as "child-like," as living their life full of wondrous innocence, vigor, imagination, openness, fearlessness. But I saw all of these qualities in Astrid. Di ko sya masyadong nakilala. Ang taray ko kasi, medyo aloof ako sa mga "newbies." Pero Astrid tolerated my katarayan! Kahit na nagsusungit-sungitan ako, Astrid remained friendly and sincerely interested about my life and ideas.

Astrid is (was :-( ) so full of heart. I think she can be easily dismissed as makulit. Pero actually, I envied her for her "kakulitan" -- she was so inquisitive and persistent. Talagang determined sya to live life.

Agay Llanera-Reyes, Dang Bagas at Liwa Malabed: Mga Alaala ni A

Si Agay Llanera-Reyes, Dang Bagas at Liwa Malabed ay mga ka-kaladkarin ni Astrid sa mga lakad, gimik, "adventures", at kung ano-ano pa ay may mga senti at nakakatuwang Astrid moments.

Ang kay Agay --
a. Favorite ko yung essay niya na binasa ko sa eulogy niya. Kasi mailap si astrid pag nagkukuwento tungkol sa karamdaman niya. So through that essay, mas naintindihan ko siya. and to think i only got to read after she passed away. I'll never forget the last phrase "like wings unfurling."

b. Si Astrid ay isang energizer bunny. She just keeps going and going and going. n'ung una, napapagod ako sa boundless energy niya pero later on, natutunan ko na 'tong sakyan, and even be inspired by it.

c.Siguro yung 30th birthday party niya wherein she wore a low- cut red dress. Oh wow! May cleavage pala si Astrid! Con todo make up, strappy red sandals with heels, and kikay bag. She looked radiant that night. And extremely giddy and happy and beautiful.

Ang kay Liwa --
a. Ano ang paborito ninyong kwento ni Astrid? At bakit?

Nagustuhan ko ang Flares and Remissions at Bayong ng Kuting. pinapakita ng dalawang likha ang two sides ni astrid. ang pagiging kitikiti, masayahin at makulay na alam ng lahat. at ang pagiging matapang sa harap ng kanyang karamdaman. pero kahit kailan, di niya ito trinato na balakid. dahil si A ay miss the-glass-is-half-full at palaging positibo.

b. Bigyan mo siya ng metapora bilang manunulat, halimbawa, si astrid ay isang bumubulusok na kometa

Si astrid bilang manunulat ay isang paruparo. parang effortless sa kanya ang lumipad! pero alam ko, pinaghihirapan din niya ang bawat salita. at katulad ng paruparu, ay dumaan muna sa paghuhunos.

d. Ano ang ala-ala ni astrid na habang buhay mong dadalhin?

Naging malapit kami ni astrid noong panahong nangangapa ako at nagsisimula muli. di ko makalimutan na sinalo nya ako at nasa tabi ko siya kahit di namin pinag-uusapan (dahil noong una, ayaw kong pag-usapan). pero noong ready na ako, nagulat ako na maging siya, may pinagdadaanan din. at parang yin yang ang problema namin! Di ko rin makalimutan na nakatagpo ako ng katapat--mas makati pa ang paa ni astrid! kaladkarin naman ako kaya kung saan saan kami nakakarating. huling plano ay dapitan, kasi nasundan na niya sa europa ang trail ni rizal pero di pa niya nakikita ang dapitan. kaya pumunta ako sa dapitan (kakarating ko lang) at kasama ko ang alaala niya.

Ang kay Dang --
A. Ang paborito kong kuwento ni Astrid ay ang Flares and Remissions. Doon ko kasi mas nakilala si Astrid, kung ano ang totoong nasa loob niya, 'yung nararamdaman na hindi niya ipinapakita, 'yung tapang at lakas ng loob sa kabila ng karamdaman niya.

B. Metapora bilang manunulat? Naalala n'yo 'yung commercial ng energizer battery, 'yung rabbit. Sa'kin, 'yun si Astrid. Go ng go ng go ng go.

C. Ang nakatatak na sa isipan ko na ala-ala ni Astrid ay isang imahe. Doon sa dati kong apartment na naging tambayan niya minsan, may banig kami sa sahig malapit sa pinto. Naaalala ko siyang nakaupo doon, nakatanaw sa labas. Hindi niya napansin na nakatingin ako sa kanya. Pensive siya noon, malalim ang iniisip na hindi ko alam, may bahagyang lungkot sa mukha. 'Yun 'yung isa sa mga sandaling kung puwede ko lang balikan, babalikan ko at tatanungin ko siya, ano ang iniisip mo? Ano ang magagawa ko? Ano ang maitutulong ko? O kahit man lang sana tinabihan ko siya doon ng upo at sabay kaming mag-isip at magmuni-muni kung anuman 'yun.

Haha. Naalala ko lang na 'yung isang housemate ko, ginalaw ang sala namin, pinaikot-ikot ang puwesto ng mga gamit. Binalik ko lahat ulit sa dati dahil sabi ko doon ang puwesto ni Astrid, di puwedeng galawin.

Heidi Eusebio Abad: Mga Alala ni A

Astrid was a student of Heidi Eusebio Abad at the UP Diliman in both graduate and bachelor courses in writing and literature. Naging miyembro ng KUTING si Astrid at si Heidi. Nagkitang muli ang guro at mag-aaral bilang manunulat ng panitikang pambata.

Narito ang mga alaala ni Heidi kay Astrid --

a. Ang paborito kong kuwento ni Astrid ay ang Bayong ng Kuting dahil nabasa ko siya mula nung first draft (na pina-workshop niya sa KUTING GA sa PediaHouse) hanggang sa lumabas ito bilang maganda at makulay na libro.

b. Si Astrid ay isang meteor shower. Now you see her; now you don't. But when you see her, be ready to be bombarded with a shower of dreams, plans, and adventures. Yun nga lang...(sadly) gone too soon.

c. Hindi ko malilimutan ang life-challenge sa akin ni Astrid...na maka-sakay sa LRT/MRT mula puno't dulo (na kasama siya).

Lalaine Aquino: Mga Alaala ni A

Matipid si Lalaine Aquino sa pagsagot ng tatlong tanong. Pero, swak na swak! Less is more, ika nga.

a. Ano ang paborito ninyong kwento ni Astrid? At bakit?
b. Bigyan mo siya ng metapora bilang manunulat, halimbawa, si astrid ay isang bumubulusok na kometa :-)
d. Ano ang ala-ala ni astrid na habang buhay mong dadalhin?

1. Bayong ng kuting--isang simpleng kwento ng pagkalinga sa hayop
2. Si Sstrid ay isang makulay na bulaklak na ang pamumukadkad ay nagsilbing magandang inspirasyon para sa ibang manunulat.
3. Ang walang katulad niyang ngiti at ang "go!go!go!" attitude niya sa buhay.

Kinchay Villafranca: Mga Alaala ni A

Narito naman ang mga kasagutan ni Kinchay Villafranca sa mga tanong na --

a. Ano ang paborito ninyong kwento ni Astrid? At bakit?
b. Bigyan mo siya ng metapora bilang manunulat, halimbawa, si astrid ay isang bumubulusok na kometa :-)
d. Ano ang ala-ala ni astrid na habang buhay mong dadalhin?

a. Bukod sa Bayong ng Kuting, gusto ko rin ang My Forest Friends ni Astrid. Nakita ko kasi kung gaano sya kasipag sa paggawa ng project. Kasa-kasama nya ako noon sa pakikipag-miting sa Haribon at may isang Linggo na ginalugad namin ang Philcoa at Shopping Center para sa maglilinis ng illustrations (pag-alis ng pencil marks sa illustrations). Tapos kina-Lunesan, noong nagkita kami, ibinibida na nya na marunong na raw syang gumamit ng eraser function ng Photoshop. Sya na lang ang naglinis ng illustrations. Ganyan kasi si Astrid, kung di nya alam ang isang bagay, gagawa at gagawa sya ng paraan para malaman at matutunan nya ito.

b. Madalas din naming pagkuwentuhan ni Astrid ang pagme-mentor nya sa mga batang reporters every Saturday. Para syang mother hen sa pag-aalala sa kanila – ok ba mga grades nila at oras ng pag-uwi nila, especially kapag galing sa shoot.

c. Hindi ko makakalimutan noong tumambay kami nila Bong Oris at Astrid sa Petron, dyan sa Katipunan. Yun kasing couple (both students and wearing their school uniform!) sa katabing mesa ay may ginagawa ng milagro. Ayun, lumabas ang pagka-manang ni Astrid (at syempre kami na rin ni Bong).

Augie Rivera: Mga Alaala ni A

May tatlo akong katanungan para sa mga napili kong guest blogger sa tribute kay Astrid.

a. Ano ang paborito ninyong kwento ni Astrid? At bakit?
b. Bigyan mo siya ng metapora bilang manunulat, halimbawa, si astrid ay isang bumubulusok na kometa :-)
d. Ano ang ala-ala ni astrid na habang buhay mong dadalhin?

Sinagot ito ni Augie Rivera sa pamamagitan ng isang link sa kanyang Multiply site. Narito ang kanyang eulogy para kay Astrid na maituturing na sagot sa mga tanong na nasa taas.

Pero hindi napigilan ni Manong Augie na magbahagi pa ng mas maraming detalye. Heto pa ang kanyang mga alaala ni A.

Gustong-gusto ko rin ang 'Bayong ng Kuting', at yung essay niya na binasa ni Agay Llanera (KUTING) nung eulogy night. Ginamit ko pa nga sa eulogy na sinulat ko sa itaas.

Siguro, si Astrid ay tulad din nung ama sa story, na naglakad-lakad at nagpunta kung saan-saan para ipaampon ang mga kuting. Si Astrid, nag-iwan at nagpaampon din sa mga kaibigan ng kaniyang mabubuting alaala, na tila mumunting kuting ngayon na ating inaalagaan.

Noong July 2009, barely a month bago siya namatay, nakasama namin siya ni Mike sa binyag ni Maia, bunsong anak ni Nono Pardalis (ANINO at KUTING). Pauwi from Calamba, nangungulit siyang kumain kami ng crabs for dinner. Buti na lang pinagbigyan namin siya ni Mike at nagfoodtrip kami sa Dampa sa likod ng Metrowalk. Yun na ang pinakahuli naming pagkikita. Pero lagi kaming magkachika sa Yahoo messenger, at hihiramin pa nga sana niya ang libro kong 'Man on Wire.' Wala akong kamalay-malay na noong linggong yun ay itatakbo na pala siya sa ospital at papanaw makalipas ang ilang araw.

Inaasahan kong magpaparamdam si Astrid, kahit sa panaginip.

Mga Alaala ni A

Agosto ng pumanaw si Astrid.

Ang huli naming pagkikita ay 6 Agosto, 2009. Nasa Vibal Foundation pa ako noon bilang library consultant at siya naman ay nabigyan ng isang proyekto na makapagsulat ng isang aklat pambata. Nagkasalo pa kami ng tanghalian kasama si Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, Rhandee Garlitos at mga taga Vibal Foundation nung araw na iyun. Natatandaan ko na kaunti lang ang kinain ni Astrid. Napansin ko rin ang pamamaga ng mga pisngi ni Astrid pero hindi ko inisip na malubha na siyang may sakit. Hindi kase siya madaingin. Hindi siya maarte. Hindi siya emo. Hindi siya madaling sumuko sa mga pagsubok.

Nung tumawag sa akin si Mona Dy, kaibigan kong matalik at bagong kaibigan pa lang ni Astrid noon, sinabihan niya akong dalawin sa ospital si Astrid. Sabi ko, "Nasa Samar ako at may teacher training, Mona. Pagdating na pagdating ko sa Manila, dadalawin ko si Astrid." Biernes yun. Sabado ng umaga, 23 ng Agosto, nakuha ko na lang ang text ni Mike at Augie Rivera na pumanaw na si Astrid. Nagpa-excuse muna ako sa training ng ilang saglit sapagkat hindi ko mapigilang lumuha. Ang dami kong mga pinalagpas na imbitasyon ni Astrid. Ang dami naming projects na pinag-usapan subalit hindi nasimulan. Ang daming pagkakataon na nakita ako ni Astrid na mahina, subalit naroon siya upang magbigay ng tulong at payo sa akin.

Tatlong taon na siyang lumisan sa mundong ito at palagi ko pa rin siyang iniisip. Pinayuhan ako ng aking mister na ipagdasal at ipaubaya na sa Dios si Astrid. Kung tutuusin nga naman, namamahinga na si Astrid. Hangang sa huling sandali, tinuruan ako ni Astrid. Seize the day! Go! Go! Go!

Astrid, sa mga susunod na araw, kaming mga kaibigan mo sa KUTING ay magbibigay pugay sa iyong naging kontribusyon sa panitikang pambata. Sa aking blog, iisa-isahin namin ang mga masasayang alaalang ibinigay at ibinahagi mo sa amin. May mga piling taga Kuwentista ng mga Tsikiting (KUTING) ang nagbigay ng kanilang maikli, subalit matamis na tribute para sa iyo.

Sana mag-enjoy ka!

Batang Bayani Books Launched @ Museo Pambata

Last May 29, 2010, the Old Manila section of Museo Pambata was full of kids and grown ups who are kids at heart. It was the launching of the Batang Bayani Series, a book project by Museo Pambata and KUTING. The series has four stories: Song of the Ifugao by Agay C. Llanera; Hands that Bridge by Perpi Tiongson; Palette of Dreams by Liwa Malabed; and A Reader's Story by Bong Oris. Photographs were done by Jaime Unson. Carla Pacis and Augie Rivera lent their editing expertise. Daniel Tayona worked on the book design.

In a nutshell, the books tell about children and their heroic image. Despite limitations in resources and opportunities, they rise above these challenges to pursue their dreams and make a difference in the way they know how.


Nina Lim-Yuson, president of Museo Pambata proudly presented the four titles in the series. If not for the generosity of sponsors, the book series would not have seen publication. Nonetheless, Museo Pambata and KUTING are looking forward to the next batch of stories on kids and their heroic deeds.



Perpi Alipon-Tiongson signs as a storyteller from the Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines read excerpts from the books. Seated at the back are (L-R) Maricel Montero, Museo Pambata ED, Liwa Malabed, Bong Oris, Agay Llanera and Jaime Unson.



Percy Gapas of Alitaptap reads from Liwa Malabed's story, Pallete of Dreams where a young lad overcomes poverty to develop his talents in the visual arts. Apart from Percy and two more Alitaptap tellers, Tricia Mae Kitong, the twelve year old Hudhud chanter from Lagawe performed a stanza from the Ifugao epic. Her performance impressed everyone!



The books are a great read! I had tears in my eyes reading all four one after the other. Book reviews to follow!

Author of the Month: Astrid Tobias

On May 9, 2010 a good friend of mine is celebrating her birthday in heaven. Astrid Tobias, writer and life's consummate lover is SLIA's Author of the Month. Liwliwa Malabed, our common friend, shares these wonderful memories of Astrid. She also did this beautiful portrait of her.

Astrid is a Salanga Prize winner and Palanca Awardee. She has left a handful of storybooks, media projects and a host of advocacy in culture and the arts.

Recall the first time you met her.
Yikes. I didn't like Astrid the first time we talked (but I did like her hoodie jacket with ears!) around 9 yrs ago. She asked me a question and I was still answering her first question when she launched in to another question! Then when i tried to answer her second question, she turned to another writer in our office (Agay, I think) and she talked to her instead! Hahaha. Yan, ADHD nga.

How well do you know Astrid as a writer/author? You may discuss her writing style, the creative process she underwent, her craft and choice of themes in writing stories for children.
She can come up with wonderful stories overnight. When I told her that her story (MALANG) was chosen for the Crucible project, she was so surprised because she just wrote it overnight!


What's your favorite Astrid Tobias story? Please explain.
Bayong ng Kuting. Kasi KUTING. Two years ago, Astrid and I were in Pililia, Rizal for a training. We saw three black kittens abandoned by their mother and we decided to take them home. In the process of putting them in the box, Astrid was bitten by one of the kittens. The story Ang Bayong ng Kuting reminds me of THIS story.

What do you think is Astrid's greatest contribution to Philippine Children's Literature? Or what legacy did she leave us - colleagues and friends in the industry?
Astrid was always in a hurry and when she left, we understood why. She made us take a look at our life and go do things we've always wanted. To quote her: Gogogo!

In Children's Literature, aside from KUTING, she also worked for children's media where kids write, produce and direct. She held workshops all over the country, teaching kids how to use the video camera.


How can we, in the industry, keep Astrid's memory alive?
Keep writing, and maybe teach kids what we know. Hold workshops for them.


Any message you wish to say or give her?
Hay. I'm thankful for the last two years I shared closely with her. To my headhunter and go-getter: bitin pa ako (I want more), but I'm happy with all those moments (pig-out moments, massage+obernyt-kina-danggit moments, ukay moments, planning world domination moments). I'm trying to gogogo, instead of tsakana (later on) and next time!

*Art Angel, a TV show for kids, will air Astrid's story Bayong ng Kuting today at 9AM.