I just found out that Guardians of Tradition, the book that I helped design and illustrate, was nominated for this year’s Filipino Reader’s Choice Awards. Online voting is currently open until Sept. 6, 2013.
The book is nominated under the Children’s Picture Book Category along with a lot of other terrific children’s books, a majority of which were made by my friends. What is surprising though is that Guardians of Tradition is the ONLY NON-FICTION children’s book in the category.
I hope Filipino readers out there can find time to check out the book and vote it in the Filipino Reader’s Choice Awards. You can vote HERE.
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Published by Adarna House, Guardians of Tradition was written by the late Mae Astrid Tobias, photographed by Renato S. Rastrollo and illustrated by me. The book features the recipients of The Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan – an award created in 1992 through Republic Art no. 7355 honoring and financially supporting those who have devoted their lives to keeping the practice of traditional Philippine folk arts alive.
Eleven artists who have excelled in weaving, carving, performing arts, literature, textile and pottery have been profiled along with concise descriptions of their chosen art form.
These individuals embody the cultural tradition of the Philippines and sadly, some of them have already passed away.
The book also features little activities for children related to the art form of the profiled artist.
I was glad to work on the project because the book is a great primer for anyone interested in finding out a little bit more about our country’s indigenous art forms. Props to Mae Astrid Tobias for writing this book and a load of thanks to Adarna House (special mention to publisher Ani Almario and artists/designers Eli Camacho and Borg Sinaban) for making the project happen. I hope a lot of kids eventually get to read it.
Guardians of Tradition (The Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan) is available the Adarna House showroom at Scout Torillo corner Scout Fernandez Streets, Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City 1103 Philippines and at all National Bookstore Outlets.