Who would
have thought that a book launch would be a note worthy experience? When I signed-up to attend for this event,
all I was thinking was the nature of the book.
It has a catchy title and I was interested to know what the book is all
about.
Come the
date, I was at the venue area and like any blogger, started taking pictures of the
book displayed. Initially, I planned to
open my copy at home but opportunity knocked and I have to open it right there
and then. I mean the author, Mr. Segundo
Matias Jr., was seated a row behind me and some people were already asking for
his autograph, plus the book artist Mr. Jomike Tejido was literally seated
behind me so why won’t I do the same right?
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| Ms Gay Castro and Mr Toots Tolentino |
Once the
program started, hosted by Ms. Gay Castro and publicist Mr. Toots Tolentino, we
were initially treated to a video presentation as to what Lampara Books is all
about, the publishing house responsible to the printing of Moymoy Lulumboy: Ang Batang Aswang.
About
Lampara Books:
“NURTURING the mind
while still young. Child development and values formation made enjoyable and
interesting to kids with coloring, reading, drawing, writing, reasoning,
storytelling and craft activities”.
Lampara-Easy to Learn Books—fully illustrated
children’s story and work-activity books with an array of enjoyable learning
exercises.
EASY TO LEARN BOOKS came into being in 1997
when co-publishers Segundo “Jun” Matias, Jr. and Richard Reynante, who founded
Precious Pages Corporation (PPC), decided to diversify from publishing popular
literature (Tagalog romance pocketbooks).
Having established PPC in 1992 and after
gaining success in the publication of romance pocketbooks in the next five
years, Jun and Richard naturally looked into another area of the print
media—that is, children’s books. Richard used to headwrite several children’s
shows for ABS-CBN Channel 2.
The first book, Connect
the Dots and Color, was submitted for evaluation by a walk-in artist, one of
the few who heeded Jun’s call for the need for concepts for activity books that
catered to preschool children.
The favorable response
to the book in terms of sales and feedback prompted Jun and Richard to further
explore the field, doing researches and making studies that would make feasible
the total commitment to publishing children’s books. This was at the time when
local publishing firms were publishing children’s books on a limited basis;
most children’s books were being imported by local distributors and outlets—naturally,
these books catered only to the needs of the elite.
Inspired to contribute
what they can to the industry, Jun and Richard set up, within PPC, a core
editorial staff to man the growing production of its book imprint Easy to Learn
Books. Once this was solidified, Lampara Publishing House, Inc. (LPHI) was
founded, becoming the sister company of PPC.
Under LPHI, the book
imprint Lampara Books was established, aimed to bring not only to children but
also to parents, teachers and caregivers stories from the current harvest of
children’s literature in the country. Stories by award winning writers—written
in two languages, Filipino and English, to reach a greater number of readers
here in the Philippines and in other parts of the world—illustrated in full
colors, have been featured in the book imprint.
In 2000, Jun and Richard
attended the Singapore International Book Festival, the first of a series of
international book festivals and fairs they started attending annually. Ensuing
trips to such festivals/fairs to the US; Frankfurt, Germany; Tokyo, Japan;
Taipeh, Taiwan; and Bologna, Italy helped galvanize the company’s commitment to
publishing children’s books.
The eventual
participation of Lampara Books and Easy to Learn Books in these foreign book
festivals paved the way for the acquisition of rights by foreign book
distributors to a number of titles published by the company. Wins Holland, a
book manufacturer-distributor in Belgium, acquired the rights to the titles of
a number of Easy to Learn books that were translated into Dutch and Portuguese
for the European and Brazilian markets. Likewise, the rights to a number of
titles from the Lampara Books imprint were acquired by a Singaporean book
distributor and translated into Mandarin, Tamil, Malay and Bahasa Indonesia for
the Southeast Asian market.
In the home front, in
their bid to make children’s books more accessible for the local market,
Lampara Books-Easy to Learn Books also started the importation of children’s
books as well as the acquisition of rights to books from other countries for
distribution. In 2003, the company began acquiring the rights to conceptualize,
write, produce and distribute books on popular characters, including Dora the
Explorer, Blue’s Clues, Winnie the Pooh, Barney, Disney Princess, Barbie,
Marvel Superheroes, The Lion King and Toy Story.
With more than 10 years
in the business, Lampara Publishing House, Inc. is slowly but surely forging
its way into the global market. Proof of this is the birth, in 2005, of Easy to
Learn Sydney—ETL Sydney—a business branch of the company in Australia, the
first in a planned establishment of business branches of the company in
strategic locations.
Today, what used to be a
mere “children’s department” at the PPC office has become a full-fledged
publishing company of not only children’s books but children’s learning aids
and paraphernalia as well. The company’s editorial unit, through its core
staff, now manages a stable of freelance contributors from the academe—child
psychologists, preschool teachers, experienced child caregivers, MassCom
students and graduates as well as professional and beginning writers.
LPHI is a member of
Books Exporter of the Philippines, Book Development Association of the
Philippines, Inc., National Book Development Board, & The Manila
International Book Fair.
MISSION AND VISION
To manufacture and
provide the basic tools and materials, both interactive and activity-based,
needed in the introduction of early academic learning to children.
-Press Release file provided by Mr. Toots Tolentino
Back to the book launch.
What makes this event different
from other book launches is the fact of as to how the book was introduced to
the people. Instead of simply talking
about the book, Lampara along with PETA, has tapped a school-based
performing group (FEU Theater Guild)
to help present the book in a new manner.
The launch was both a visual and
an auditory treat!
Dialogues used were actual lines
from the first chapter of the book, movements were applied to give added
dimension to what is being said and the music created gave it depth. The accompanying video, like the piped edging
of a cake, was simply an added treat to the whole presentation. It was eerie and fascinating!
I love the shirts used by the
performers! The print design was the
actual illustration used in the book to describe the people of Gabun. How I
envy them for having a one of a kind shirt!
After the presentation was a
short interview portion with the author and the illustrator of the book. Questions about the book were thrown in by
the invited people from the media, press and bloggers alike. After which, a line was formed for the actual
book signing and picture taking.
My thoughts about the book:
Written in Filipino, the book is
actually good for young adults and book lovers alike. I have finished reading the book and would say that it is a light
reading material for those of my age.
Though there were some hanging questions about some scenes and
characters, the story was neatly wrapped making it cohesive and the lessons
written within is clearly stated.
As mentioned during the launch,
there are indeed some hanging questions left and it may lead to new books tying
everything up; something to look forward to in the years and months to come.
What made this book good were the
properly placed illustrations and the visual design given to all the characters
of the book. It is so child friendly and
unbounded by time! As mentioned by the illustrator, Jomike Tejido, he based the
design on some RPG games and his imagination – making it at par to the taste of
the youth of today.
Another thing worth mentioning
about this book were the lessons that the author wishes to impart to his
readers and target market. The book is
not simply about heroism but also the importance of family; the love and value
of being part of a family; the pain of losing one and most of all the importance
of acceptance.
For me, this is one book worth
giving to a kid, a family member, a love one or even to oneself.
It is good as a birthday gift, a
Christmas gift or simply a Thank You
gift to a friend. Go and get a copy
now! It is already made available in
your local bookstore (here in the Philippines that is). Get a copy and know that you are not only
spreading good lessons to live on but also you are supporting the local
industry (publishers, writers and illustrators).
Enjoy reading!
Photos:
(All photos used for this article was personally taken by me during the book launch)
The book signing:
The performance of FEU Theater Guild
My signed book and photos with the author and the illustrator
Photos:
(All photos used for this article was personally taken by me during the book launch)
The book signing:
The performance of FEU Theater Guild
My signed book and photos with the author and the illustrator
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| Mr. Jomike Tejido and me |
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| Mr Segundo Matias Jr and me |
