Images courtesy of Aklat Mirasol Publishing House
Conflict and unfamiliar culture often come to mind to a lot of people when they think of the people of Mindanao. In a similar way, the indigenous peoples of the Philippines are often subjects of curiosity for many for their unfamiliar ways to most people.
A group of women publishers, however, have banded together to break these stereotypes and paint a picture of Mindanao and the indigenous peoples of the Philippines that aims to describe them beyond curiosity and novelty through a series of books that put the spotlight on their way of life and culture.
Aklat Mirasol Publishing House is among the publishers featured at the returning Manila International Book Fair held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City from September 15 to 18.
Named after a flower that strikingly resembles the sun and is said to look its way often, Aklat Mirasol is envisioned to be a women’s publishing house dedicated to creating books for Filipino children and young adults.
“This was named Aklat Mirasol in recognition of the vision of a world where children and youth are steeped into reading despite the proliferation of online games. Like the sunflower, its face is always towards the light, towards children and the youth who reads and who thinks critically,” said its founders.
Focus on children of Mindanao, indigenous people
Currently there are three books published by the independent company founded on April 8 this year.
Growing up in Mindoro, Rowena Festin would see how the Mangyans were seen as “uncultured” and “uncivilized.” When she came of age and found herself gifted with words, Festin conscientiously wrote on the indigenous peoples of her birthplace.
“I remember my Mangyan encounters when I was in high school, every Christmas when we were part of the feeding programs for the Mangyan in our school. That was the first time that I had a close encounter with Mangyan children,” the Palanca awardee recalled.
“Ako si Dumay Gawid, Hanunuo Mangyan” introduces the Hanunuo Mangyan’s indigenous culture through their clothing, weaving, and embroidered designs on their weavings and baskets.
Illustrated by Ma. Victoria Esquillo and written for pre-school and school-age children aged 2 to 7, the book also tells about Mangyan’s writing system, the surat-Mangyan.
Seasoned journalist and editor Carla Mortel Baricaua wrote “Narinig Mo Na Ba Ang Agong” to enlighten her readers about the struggles and plight of the indigenous community.
The story first appeared as part of the workbook “Ang Agong: Halina’t Magsaya, Matuto at Maglaro,” a collaborative project between TFPCDI at Association for the Rights of Children in Southeast Asia (ARCSEA). The workbook was translated into Manobo and Cebuano and was distributed to daycare centers in Arakan Valley, North Cotabato in 2007.
“Narinig Mo Na Ba Ang Agong?” tells the story of three Manobo children and their experience reclaiming their ancestral lands from a foreign enterprise. It is illustrated by Ginella Solis.
“As a children’s book, I hope it reaches more readers and opens the door for more readers to find out more about the lives, struggles, and culture of our indigenous communities,” Baricaua shared.
Human rights advocate and NGO worker Pia Perez wrote about the life of Fr. Fausto Tentorio or more popularly known as Fr. Pops to Cotabato locals in “Nasa Arakan ang Puso.”
Written for kids aged 7 to 12, with illustrations by Bayani Olaguer, it tells the story of the Italian missionary’s love for the Lumads and the indigenous community.
“Nasa Arakan ang Puso” is Perez’s first children’s book. Apart from publishing children’s books, Perez is also the founder of ARCSEA.
The three books represent the first two categories of books published by Aklat Mirasol.
The Mga Kwentong Pambata Tungkol sa Mindanaw series is all about the history and situation of the people in Mindanao. The children characters in this series describe their experiences in connection to their being Filipinos in Mindanao and their ancestral land. The series Nais Kong Magpakilala sa Iyo, meanwhile, aims to introduce to the young readers the different Philippine ethnic groups, and the culture and way of life of the Filipinos.
The section for Mga Akdang Pangkabataan leans toward contributing young adult books that tell about the experiences of young adults as active members of society. This section publishes books that will help the youth understand, accept and respect people, disregarding their looks and beliefs. A title under this category is set to be released in 2023.
“Through the Mirasol books, I wish that the children will fully understand that though people are different from each other, there is no such thing as uncivilized or uncultured people. Each ethnic group has its own district culture and experiences that must be respected,” said Festin said.
The books come in physical form and can be availed by contacting Aklat Mirasol on its official Facebook account. These will soon be available via Shopee.