Blog Tour: Guardians of Tradition

Guardians of Tradition: The Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (2012)

By Mae Astrid Tobias

Illustrations by Rommel E. Joson

Photos by Renato S. Rastrollo / National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)

Book Links:
Goodreads
Adarna Order Form

Excerpts:

I.                What is the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan? (p. 4)

Filipinos are very artistic people. All over the county, you find people who love to sing, dance, paint, write, play musical instruments, and create the most beautiful things the way their forebears have taught them. There are also special people who spend their entire lives making sure that these traditional arts are not forgotten.

The Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan was created in 1992 through Republic Act No. 7355 in order to let the whole Philippines know about these people and their art. (p. 4)

•    Uwang Ahadas, Maestro of Yakan Music (pp. 16-17)

Uwang Ahadas always wears a pair of dark glasses. He lost his eyesight when he was only five. But he does not let his disability keep him from becoming a master of Yakan music.

Together with his siblings, he learned to play different instruments like the gabbang and the agung. The instrument called the kwintangan kayu is supposed to be played by women only, but Ahadas broke this tradition and learned how to play this.

Ahadas wants children to learn to play instruments while they are young because their hands and wrists are still flexible. He teaches them by showing them his techniques.

Even when working in the fields, the Yakans play their musical instruments. One of these instruments is the gabbang. Small children play it to shoo away animals from planted crops. It looks like a xylophone, but it is made of five bamboo slats.

Another instrument is the kwintangan kayu which is made of five wooden logs hung horizontally under a tree near a ricefield. It is played to make the rice plants grow faster.

Suggested activity:

Blind people have keener senses of touch, sound, taste, and scent. Try to find out how it feels to be blind by getting a handkerchief and covering your eyes. Notice the sounds, smells, textures, and taste of the things around you.
    
About the Book:

Who are the indigenous and folk artists of the Philippines? Guardians of Tradition is full of facts about 11 of Philippine master weavers, folk musicians, performing artists, mat weavers and metal smiths whose talents and skills have earned them the title Manlilikhang Bayan. Designed to help children recognize native Filipino ingenuity and creativity, the book includes fun activities to promote appreciation for culture and arts. Guardians of Tradition has a fun and colorful design that appeals to young readers.

For the duration of the Guardians of Tradition Blog Tour, Guardians of Tradition is available at discounted prize at the Adarna showroom in Scout Torillo corner Scout Fernandez Streets, Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City 1103 Philippines(Trunkline: (632) 352-6765, Fax: (632) 352-6765 local 125, Email Address: adarnahouse@adarna.com.ph)

For international readers and Filipinos abroad, an ebook version is coming soon.To order paperback copies online, visit http://adarna.com.ph/authors/mae-astrid-tobias.html

Author Bio:

MAE ASTRID TOBIAS (1979-2009) was a Palanca-award winning author of children's books. In addition to Guardians of Tradition, her books include Blue Bananas (Crucible), BayongngKuting (Lampara Books), My Forest Friends (Haribon), Bakawan (Adarna Books) and two books retelling the Ifugao traditional chant, hudhud. These are Halikpon: A Retelling of an Ancient Ifugao Chant and Pumbakhayon: An Origin Myth of the IfugaoHudhud. Both are finalists for children’s literature and best design in the 2006 National Book Awards of the Manila Critics Circle.

She also spent several years in the field of children’s television. She served as the Manila Bureau Manager of Kabataan News Network, a project of UNICEF and Probe Media Foundation that trains young people nationwide how to produce their own broadcast quality documentaries. She also also wrote episodes for children shows like Sirit!, and ABS-CBN and Eskuwelang Bayan, as well as worked for Philippine Junior Inquirer and Shell Foundation. She was a member of KuwentistangmgaTsikiting  (KUTING), an organization of Filipino writers for children.

Illustrator Bio:

ROMMEL JOSON is a painter and an illustrator. He graduated magna cum laude and College Valedictorian from the University of Philippines College of Fine Arts. He was also a Merit Scholar and a recipient of the Dean's Awards for Visual Awards from the Ateneo de Manila University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. He worked in the advertising industry for several years before devoting his time fully to painting and illustration. He has received awards and citations for painting, illustration, comics, and design from various organizations such as the Philippine Board of Books for Young People (Honorable Mention), the Shell National Art Competition (3rd Place Oil/Acrylic Category), the Neil Gaiman/Fully Booked Graphic Fiction Competition (3rd Place in the Graphic Fiction category), the Adobo Design Awards (Silver) and the Philippine Araw Awards (Silver in Art Direction) and the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence Competition (Semifinalist in Oil). He is currently an active member of AngIlustradorngKabataan (Ang INK).

Photographer Bio:

RENATO S. RASTROLLO, is a photographer, graphic artist, book and exhibit designer. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Advertising from the Philippine Women’s University. With over 25 years of experience in the field of documentary photography, his works have appeared in national and international publications. Presently, he is a culture and arts officer  at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. 

Giveaway:
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Rafflecopter Link –
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Prizes –
One $25 Amazon Gift Card + signed copy of Guardians of Tradition from Adarna + 1 CD of National Living Treasure Bayan Sumaon Sulaiman from NCCA 3 $10 Amazon Gift Card + signed copy of Guardians of Tradition from Adarna + 1 CD of National Living Treasure Bayan Sumaon Sulaiman from NCCA6 signed copies of Guardians of Tradition from Adarna + 6 CDs of National Living Treasure Bayan Sumaon Sulaiman from NCCA

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!

Blog Tour: Guardians of Tradition

A few weeks back, I said yes to a blog tour that will feature the book, Guardians of Tradition: The Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan by Mae Astrid Tobias. Published by Adarna House, this non-fiction book is illustrated by Rommel Joson with beautiful photographs by Renato S. Rastrollo.

 The blog tour started yesterday, 13 October 2013 and you can read the reviews and excerpts from these blogs:

Dia Pelaez

Tina Matanguihan

Freine

Chris Mariano

Xi Zuq

Josephine Litonjua

I'm excited to read the reviews of the book bloggers who joined in the blog tour.

With Mae Astrid Tobias, ca 2005

 As for me, participating in the blog tour is my simple way of celebrating Mae Astrid Tobias' achievements as a writer and dreamer. A long time ago, in my past life as a grade school librarian, I invited Astrid for a talk on campus writing, journalism and on her writing life to grade school students of Xavier School San Juan. How she emphasized the importance of research when doing a writing project! I even wrote an article about her author visit in the school's website. Read the article in this link.

My excerpt and book give-away info is scheduled on 19 October, 2013. 

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!

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.

Mae Astrid Tobias (1979-2009)

The Philippine Children's Literature industry mourns the passing of one of its promising and prolific young writers. Mae Astrid Tobias succumbed to Lupus Sunday morning, 23 August 2009.

Her remains lie in state at the Paket Santiago Memorial Homes in San Roque, Marikina City. KUTING, the premiere organization of children's writers in the Philippines, will be in charge of the necrological services tonight. There will be a mass at 7 PM after which, the program remembering Ms. Tobias' life and works will commence. She was KUTING's President from 2004-2006.

Ms. Tobias' published works include the Palanca winning story, Bayong ng Kuting (A Basket of Kittens), Haribon's environmental stories for children and National Commission for Culture and the Arts' Hudhud Epic for children. Her latest book published by Adarna House, Bakawan (Mangrove) was launched last 21 July during the celebration of National Children's Book Day. Astrid, as her family and friends call her, left many unfinished book projects for Museo Pambata and Vibal Foundation.

She will be laid to rest on Wednesday, 26 August 2009. Prayers requested.