Healing, artistically and in many forms,
our inner child always loved stories.
The National Library of the Philippines opens their door for Lampara Books’ “Alalahanin, Alamin, Sari-saring Babasahin” book launch. Highlighting “Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang” book collection as masterfully retold by award-winning writer Dr. Christine S. Bellen-Ang,
Lampara Books celebrate National Heritage Month with series of book collections: Kids Have Rights!, Sari-sari Books, Kaligtasan para sa mga Bata, Decodable Comics for Fluency, and Disaster Ready Kids.
A day full of stories for the children (and the inner child in us)
The event was jam packed with young Filipino illustrators and creators with their stunning modern Filipinianas and Barong attire.
A grazing table full of Filipino kakanin and ulam was presented by Cocktails Manila to cater the event’s guests.
A carefully curated Halo-halo and palamig booth was twinned with a mini cafe that serves matcha and choco drinks. The event truly passed every generation’s vibe check for the book launch.
Held in the prestige venue provided by the National Library of the Philippines, Lampara Books lay their published children’s book with various genres.
Timeless Masterpieces, Reimagined for Today’s Readers
Lampara welcomes the readers with stunning, updated editions of Ibong Adarna and Florante at Laura.
Curated by celebrated scholar and children’s book champion Eugene Y. Evasco, the new Ibong Adarna is an interactive masterpiece. Packed with handy chapter summaries, vocabulary guides, and thought-provoking prompts, it’s the perfect companion for students, teachers, and parents alike.
Plus, it features a striking cover by Arnaldo Mirasol and beautiful interior artwork by Randy Valiente.
Meanwhile, the fresh edition of Florante at Laura masterfully bridges the gap between past and present—modernizing the classic text while keeping its historical soul intact.
Complete with rich annotations, helpful glossaries, and vibrant illustrations by Rowin Agarao, these aren’t just books; they are ultimate learning toolkits for today’s readers.
Mr. Segundo D. Matias Jr., the founder of Lampara Books and Precious Pages Corporation opens the program with the hope to preserve legacy while allowing a new generation of readers to discover beauty, wisdom, and humanity found within Filipino storytelling traditions. Mr. Matias also acknowledges the literacy crisis that is currently affecting the young reader’s wisdom.
nahaharap tayo sa Digmaan sa Karunungan dahil sa hirap na pagbasa”
From the children, for the children
Our world, today more than ever, is changing too fast. And we can’t just leave the creative children behind. Lampara Books resort to child-friendly learning . There are children who find heavy blocks of text a bit intimidating, Lampara’s newest series are designed with a wonderful, child-friendly approach.
Instead of overwhelming them, the stories are served up in bite-sized, “to be continued” (pinuputol at tinutuloy) pieces, so reading never feels like a chore. Every section comes with a gentle summary and a handy vocabulary guide to help them understand the words easily as they go.
It’s a thoughtful way to hold our struggling readers by the hand, building their confidence and making the whole experience feel cozy, safe, and enjoyable.
make everything strategic. understand the problem fully”
Victor Villanueva, the coordinator for Decodable Comics for Fluency (Filipino/English) on holding “Magbasa Tayo!” project that provides structure out of the comic book genre to help children read.
PETA in the house!
In various mediums of storytelling, especially in children’s literature, the stage is always the first place.
A rocking chair plotted on the down-left stage.
A lola with a book enters.
Kiki Baento is Lola Basyang!
The multi-awarded theater actress Kiki Baento graces the stage as Lola Basyang. Joined by Philippine Educational Theater Association(PETA) actors – James Lanante and Ericka Peralejo, the company performed a compelling narration of “Prinsepeng Mahaba ang Ilong” as the prologue for the collection book’s segment.
handa tayong matuto at maglaro.
lahat tayo ay may pusong bata”
It was a gloomy afternoon and PETA took the audience to a time-machine story ride allowing everyone to recall their own Lola Basyang experience.
Memory Box: Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang
Every child is a storyteller. Nurtured, and cared for by our loving Lolas on their traditional rocking chair.
Before AO3, Wattpad, Kdramas, and Netflix, Lola Basyang was there.
Among the highlights of the launch is the newest collection of Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, as masterfully retold by award-winning writer Dr. Christine S. Bellen-Ang, and brought vividly to life by an esteemed roster of Filipino illustrators.
Inspired by the iconic stories of Severino Reyes, the collection reintroduces today’s young readers to narratives that have helmed generations through imagination, morality, wonder, and cultural memory.
Dr. Christine S. Bellen-Ang is a highly celebrated Bicolana writer, scholar, and advocate for children’s literature in the Philippines. She is widely recognized for her immense contributions to reviving, academicizing, and modernizing traditional Filipino storytelling.
These stories have long occupied a cherished place in Filipino childhood”
shares Segundo D. Matias Jr.
For Dr. Christine S. Bellen-Ang, this new collection is deeply personal. She fondly recalls how a three-volume Lola Basyang anthology in their family home became an unexpected bridge for her Chinese grandfather, who actually learned Tagalog just by reading it over and over.
But her professional journey with these tales wasn’t always easy. Her deep connection to the stories essentially began as an academic challenge; her MA thesis focused on the power and aesthetic value of fantasy in Severino Reyes’ work—a topic that faced significant pushback at the time from an academic community that didn’t take children’s literature seriously.
Para sa mga bata, at mga pusong bata
To promote literacy and holistic development, Lampara Books has launched a new educational lineup for Heritage Month, combining storytelling with critical life skills to foster imagination and nation-building.
Featured Book Series:
- Decodable Comics for Fluency (Filipino/English): Coordinated by Victor A. Villanueva, written by Daisy Jane Calado, and illustrated by Rowin Agarao. It uses Systematic Phonics and the Marungko Approach alongside workbook exercises to build foundational reading skills.
- Kids Have Rights!: Written by Michellan Sarile-Alagao and illustrated by Kim Santiago, this series teaches children about their fundamental rights through relatable stories.
- Sari-Sari Books: Written by Genaro R. Gojo Cruz and illustrated by Domz Agsaway, this series celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and self-expression.
- Disaster Ready-Kids: Written by Zarah C. Gagatiga and illustrated by Juno Abreu, introducing practical safety and disaster preparedness.
- Kaligtasan Para sa mga Bata: Written and illustrated by Mark Norman Boquiren, focusing on public safety awareness.
Through these new editions, Lampara Books hopes to preserve their legacy while allowing a new generation of readers to discover the beauty, wisdom, and humanity found within Filipino storytelling traditions.
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