Moymoy Lulumboy: Ang Batang Aswang – My Book Launch Experience

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?

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

Mr. Jomike Tejido and me

Mr Segundo Matias Jr and me