5 Filipino Children’s Book Classics

(Part 2 of 16 BOOKS I’LL FORCE* MY KID TO READ)

The following are well-loved books. As a teacher, these would be among few selected books I’ll build a curriculum around. As a mother, I will read them over and over to my little girl.

SI INGGOLOK AT ANG PLANETA PAKASKAS

Story by Lem Garcellano and Rene Villanueva

Illustration by Bernard Bunag and Jojo Topacio

Published by Cacho Publishing House, Inc.

One of Aklat Batibot series, Si Inggolok at ang Planeta Pakaskas could be your child’s first sci-fi story. And it’s really timely, with climate change at our doorstep. Lem Garcellano and Rene Villanueva are masters of storytelling and they are two big minds behind the children’s show Batibot. Lem Garcellano produced other equally wonderful shows for kids (check out Eskuwela ng Bayan, PetKo, Sirit) and wrote children’s books Klekluk and Si Puyinggot at si Puyonggit. What I love about his books is the play of words. I know the story behind Inggolok (Inggo, look!) and Pakaskas (that yummy Mindoro delicacy). And he is so good at world building, worlds you can imagine existing. He also strikes anytime, anywhere (he can write at the noisy mall foodcourt, while doing the laundry or taking care of his grandkids). Rene Villanueva is a playwright who wrote over 60 books. He is best known for his Carancal series. I’ll tell you more about him in my next blog post.

BRU-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA... BRU-HI-HI-HI-HI-HI...

Story by Ma. Corazon Remigio

Illustration by Roland Mechael Ilagan

Published by Adarna House

The title seems lots of fun and yes, this book is packed with laughter. But it also deals with many issues: growing old, discrimination, superstitious beliefs gone haywire. I love the mystery, the build up and the twist at the end. The illustrations are realistic and are very Filipino. Every scene depicted in the book invokes a range of emotions from the reader.

PAPEL DE LIHA

Story by Ompong Remigio

Illustration by Beth Parrocha-Doctolero

Published by Adarna House

The story is simple yet powerful. It is beautifully rendered by one of my favourite Filipino children’s book illustrator. Even before I became a mother, this book appealed to me.  More than just a tribute to moms, it is also a book for daughters and sons. The story is musical, like Nanay’s lullaby. Once you read it, you’ll remember how your mother cared for you. And if you’re a parent, realize that you have the same boundless love for your child. Some say the story confines women’s role to housework but the whole narrative is from a child’s point of view. If you look through the character’s eyes you’ll see what she sees and feel what she feels—hands that are gentle, hands of her mother who loves her.

SUNDALONG PATPAT

Story by Virgilio Almario

Illustration by Ferdinand Doctolero

Published by Adarna House

Sundalong Patpat will always have a special place in my heart. I remember when I first started collecting children’s books, this particular title put a spell on me. I love reading it over and over again. And no wonder, the author, Virgilio Almario is a poet and a National Artist for Literature.  His works have been known to be mind-blowing, heart-racing and revolutionary. The art works by Ferdinand Doctolero are full of movement. Every page is distinctive and throbbing with adventure.

SI CHING NA TAKOT SA DILIM

Story by Aleli Dew Batnag

Illustration by Paul Eric Roca

Published by Adarna House

This books deals, not just with fear of the dark but with the wonders of the night. It personally appealed to me because I am a creature of the stars. The magnificence of the night sky is something I always want to share and this book does it for me. I like the use of colors and thick wavy lines in the illustrations. The dark is not depicted as solid black but a myriad of cool (blues, violets, greens) colors.

16 BOOKS I’LL FORCE* MY KID TO READ

(Part 1 of 3-parts series in celebration of World Book Day)

This is not a book review. This is just me, a children’s book fanatic raving about my favorite books. Most of these I loved even before my first book came out.

If someone asked me then for 3 most admired names in children’s literature, my answer would have been Augie Rivera, Becky Bravo and Russell Molina.  And faced with the same question now, my answer is still the same.  Why? It’s because of these three books:

MAGNIFICENT BENITO AND HIS TWO FRONT TEETH

Story by Augie Rivera and Mike Rivera

Illustration by Jason Moss

Published by Adarna House

Yes, Augie Rivera is known for his other stories— the classic Alamat ng Ampalaya, the controversial Mantsa and his most recent Ang Bata sa Basket. But this title will always be my favorite: MAGNIFICENT BENITO AND HIS TWO FRONT TEETH. He wrote this with Mike, his partner. I wish they will write a sequel. This book is hilarious! Really, I always crack up whenever I read it. And Jason Moss’ illustrations! They go so well with the humor and wit of the story. I liked Benito, the main character so much I named one of my cats after him (I even staged a puppet play of the story in my creative writing class and in Conspiracy bar for a KUTING event! And made fan art haha). Some people find the book a bit dark for young minds but I think it’s fantastic. It’s reminiscent of Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake’s books.

FISH FOR TWO

Story by Beck Bravo

Illustration by Jason Moss

Published by Lampara Books

Becky Bravo has a way with words. They become magical, powerful when she wields them (you should also read Rooster in the Sun, Just Add Dirt and The Rocking Horse). I can almost smell the bangus, the tilapia, the lapulapu! I can hear the cat’s mewling! I can feel the fish bone in MY throat! That’s why I love love this book. Ok, so I’m a cat-lover but I assure you, even those who do not fancy cats will enjoy this book. Jason Moss’ illustrations for this story is so funny, he remains one of my dream illustrators until now (Hi Jason! :D). I wish I came up with the story. I wish I have the originality of the artist. Yes, it’s a book I wish I wrote and illustrated.

SANDOSENANG KUYA

Story by Russell Molina

Illustration by Hubert Fucio

Published by Adarna House

If I were to describe Russell Molina’s stories, it would be “may kurot sa puso.” He never fails. You will find yourself smiling, surprised, and sniffling. He does it in a few pages. In verses! His works are fun to read aloud, too. Go ahead, grab a copy of one of his books and you’ll know what I mean. He also writes mean graphic novels—Sixty Six and 12:01. Among his children's books, I love  Salamat Po! and Tuwing Sabado. But Sandosenang Kuya will always be my favorite.  It is illustrated wonderfully by Hubert Fucio. I learned from my Educ Reading classes that a story book is a twice-told tale. Hubert did an amazing retelling of the story with his unique technique, lively colors and animated lines. 

(part 2 will be posted soon)

*Jedi mind trick :p

5 THINGS I WISHED SOMEBODY TOLD ME WHEN I WAS PREGNANT

It’s been over a year since i posted here. Motherhood caught up with me and pulled me into a cave. A messy and fantastic cave, that is.

But i want to keep writing. I have all this ideas inside my head. If only they spill on paper on their own.

I’m making time for this post even though I have deadlines and it’s my little girl’s happy happy month (she’s 2 now). Two dear friends just announced that they are expecting and I’m so excited for them!

But i also want to prepare them.

Somewhat.

Because really, nothing will prepare you for what’s to come. So here are some things I wished somebody told me when I was pregnant.

     1.       You need to prepare, financially.

We did. We had money stashed in the bank for my delivery, be it by spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) or C-section package. But it wasn’t enough. I realized now, we should have saved more for complications. My baby had blood infection so we stayed in the hospital for 10 days! The money we thought will cover everything wasn’t nearly enough.

And the vaccines! I never knew immunization is so expensive. Yes, you can go to the health center but some are not available there.

Finally, babies get sick. We found out my baby has a congenital condition and needed to be operated on. The amount needed depleted every resource we had.

     2.       You need to prepare, emotionally.

This is more important than #1. Family and friends can help in # 1 but when it comes to your bag of emotion, sometimes it is just you and it.

One thing I did was to read up on everything pregnancy, everything baby, everything! So I thought I was ready.  But the first time they put my baby in my arms,  the first time i stared into those eyes and tiny feet, the first time she sucked on my breast, the  first time they put a needle on my baby, the first time baby threw up, the first time she had the sniffles, I was lost.  I didn’t know what to do!

The first week was the worst. And the year after she turned 1.  That’s when all the exhaustion crept in. And all the pent up emotions.  It’s like: She’s so beautiful and perfect but I’m tired and so unhappy. Don’t worry, the feeling is normal. And the good news is, it passes.  Just make sure you get your ME time. Treat yourself. And get help around the house. Do the dishes tomorrow!

     3.       Expect nothing and everything on D day.

No delivery is the same.  This is mine (and it was not what I imagined it to be):

I had bloody show when I woke up at 7am. I was admitted 11 am. They gave me meds and oxytoxin to induce labor. In the labor room, I was still able to read and digest what i was reading by 2pm. By 4 pm, pain was unbearable so I consented to painkillers. By 5:30 pm, I was transferred to the delivery room.  I gave birth at 6 pm.

Doc needed to use forceps because baby’s heartbeat was dropping.  They had a lady whose sole task was to push the baby out of my belly. Yes, she literally put both her hands balled up into fists on my stomach and on three, pushed with all her weight. I was so surprised I forgot to count, breath and push!  

All the labor pains, bewilderment and flurry of activity were out of my mind the moment I had my baby in my arms. We were wheeled into the recovery room after unang yakap and all other protocols.  By 9pm, we were still there. Other moms came and went. I knew something was wrong then. My baby’s respiratory rate (RR) was high and one doctor kept coming back to monitor. But when they gave her to me to breastfeed, her RR normalized. Finally, we were transferred to our room. It was almost midnight. Hay salamat.

     4.       If it hurt to give birth, it hurts afterwards too.

All along, I thought the pain stays in the delivery room. But like a ghost, it chased me around until a couple of months after I started labor. Maybe the reason nobody told me about this is because girls are always shy about the nether parts (or maybe every pain is unique and mine was really nasty). Well, I am shy too. But I am baring my soul so you know what to do.

The tear from giving birth hurt. It hurt a lot I cried buckets whenever I go to the restroom. More tears than when I was giving birth to my baby. More tears than when I first laid eyes on her. More tears than when we were told my baby needs an open heart surgery. More tears than when I saw her all hooked up on these life support contraptions looking like a little spaghetti monster. More tears than when we found out she has thalassemia.

What I realized is I felt helpless when the pain is physical and I think I cried more because that pain is more welcome than the pain from the heart. Because then, I can wallow in it and acknowledge it with tears. But when the pain came from the heart, I will myself not to cry and be brave instead. Being a mom makes you brave because you need to be brave for your little one. I imagine this is just the beginning. This baby will grow up and will make me cry in countless  ways without her meaning to.

     5.       You won’t have time to cook, to wash the dishes, to go to the restroom. You won’t have time. Period.

You are no superhero, you have no superpowers. And if you have no help or yaya at home like us, you’ll soon be frustrated and tired and cranky and tired and ugly and tired.

The best gifts we got on the first weeks were food that came in disposable containers. Because let’s face it, this little one is hogging all the attention and all our energy so we have no time to cook and wash the dishes. She was needy, she was puking milk, she needed to stay upright 30 mins after feeding and she needed to feed every 1-2 hours. So how do you sleep, take a bath, brush your teeth? You don’t.

But it gets better. Still difficult but different difficult. And that first smile, that first laugh, that strong grip on your finger, those alone are enough reward for all those shitty times.

Yes, having a kid is wonderful. And hard, too. Sometimes, you want to go back to being single and carefree. Even just for 10 minutes. Hey, when you are feeling that way, it’s time to go out and be with friends.  You need this! Call up family to help out. They will be glad to do so. I read somewhere that it takes a community to raise a kid. In my heart I think, like all legends and stories, this rings true.

But the amazing thing is, no matter how unprepared you are, even if it’s just you, when you have a baby in your arms you become the most capable person to take care of your baby.

Nanays, please breastfeed your little one

This is my personal appeal. If you could, please do breastfeed your baby.

My little girl is purely breastfed since day 1. Eleven months and counting. And aside from her congenital condition, she had not suffered from sniffles, fever or any sickness yet.

When I found out I was pregnant, I didn't decide outright on exclusive breastfeeding. But somehow, in the back of my mind, I knew that I would. It was a natural choice for me. I guess I never forgot all those formula milk ads with the disclaimer: breastfeeding is still best for babies up to 2 years. I have friends too who breastfeed their babies and I couldn't help but admire them. And aim to do the same.

So on my third trimester, I read up on breastfeeding. I also joined Breastfeeding Pinays on FB. 

In the group, mommies share their breastfeeding journeys and how to address issues like having no milk, breast engorgement, mastitis, biting baby, the stigma of breastfeeding  in public, and even the type of food to eat to help my body produce milk . When my baby came out, I was prepared. Because I knew what to expect, breastfeeding was easier for me than most moms. My little one was able to get the colostrum (first milk from the mother's breast filled with antibodies) and I had more than enough milk on me (I donated my extra milk to two special babies).

Of course it wasn't easy the first months. Direct latch means I don't get to sleep (you know, sleep-sleep. Not the fish sleep i'm now used to). But it was a relief I didn't need to wash and sterilize bottles. Aside from giving your little one the best milk there is, breastfeeding is so convenient.

And the science of it all! 

Did you know that mommies and their babies share an immune system through the enteromammary pathway? Imagine this: you take a deep breath. You come in contact with a foreign invader so your body creates an antibody to fight it.  And you pass this antibody to your baby by breastfeeding. Another scenario is your baby encounters a pathogen while you are out malling. When you feed your baby, her saliva will let your body know that she needs a particular antibody to fight this invader. Your body then forms the necessary antibody and you pass this to your baby through your milk. Yes, you are giving extra protection to your baby by direct feeding. But if you're working and need to use bottles, try to breastfeed at night (here is why) or whenever you're home. 

There are also montgomery glands in a women's areola that secretes natural oils to keep the breast moist and clean. So no need to wipe or wash before baby latches.  Amazing, huh? The geek in me is practically giggling with glee. Haha!

I could go on and on about the benefits of breastfeeding--bonding with your baby, getting back your pre-pregnancy weight, and did I mention the huge savings from NOT buying expensive formula milk, bottles, and sterilizer?

After almost a year of breastfeeding my little girl, I'm proud of this feat and I plan on breastfeeding until she turns 2. I also nag my friends to do the same.

So Nanays, please breastfeed your little one.