This book teaches the Filipino alphabet using beautiful illustrations of cultural icons

A local publisher has launched an illustrated Filipino-language children’s book that deserves space in any serious bibliophile’s shelf.

PLL Publishing House introduced Alpabeto ng Kulturang Pilipino (Alphabet of Filipino Culture) last week, a book written by University of the Philippines professor Eugene Evasco and illustrated by young artist Aaron Asis.

It takes a leaf out of Letras Y Figuras, a 19th-century style of Filipino painting where objects are shown forming various letters of the local alphabet.

In an email interview with Coconuts Manila, Evasco said he and the publishers wanted to create a children’s book focusing on Filipino language, culture, and traditions. It was the first time he wrote a non-fiction book for children and he described the process as “time-consuming” and “meticulous.”

He wrote in Filipino: “We wanted to showcase the colorful and rich culture and history of our country by focusing on Philippine cultural icons. We also want to introduce to children the modern Filipino alphabet, especially the letters c, v, f, and z which are not really borrowed from foreign languages because they are also used by indigenous languages in the country.”

Evasco and the publishers invited Asis, a member of the group Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Children’s Illustrators), to create the book’s art.

Said Evasco: “Our timing was good because he wasn’t swamped with work. We saw his unique drawing style and we liked it because he gave a modern and contemporary take in the images showcased in the book.”

Evasco described the book’s creation as a “learning process” for everyone involved. “[I] researched extensively for the material. We had to be careful [in creating the book] because we featured several cultural icons and we didn’t want to make mistakes or offend people,” he said.

The book is being sold for PHP390 (US$7.18) through PLL Publishing House and Pumplepie Books.

Evasco said that the feedback has been largely positive, and encourages people to look into other locally published materials as well: “Please support local literature. We need more writers to create more quality books.”