The Internet can be a source of the most random things. Some are pure trash, some are gems, and then there are some things that really get your mind going.
Today, Fri, Jun 17, we came across a photo posted via the Facebook page of the Pictoric media group.
The photo showed a spread from one of the books featured in the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy last Apr.
For some reason, the photo found itself shared on our feed courtesy of several fun friends.
The photo had no caption but the spread from the book showed several caricatures of people who were perceived to be dictators.
We easily spotted the image of former President Ferdinand Marcos.
At this point, our minds had been blown twice.
First — we could not believe that a book for kids would discuss dictators…and yet here it was!
Second — The Philippines is represented in the said book, which is not exactly a good thing.
So, anyway, we found out that the book is published by Media Vaca, a company based in Valencia, Spain.
Así es la dictadura (This is the Dictatorship) is part of Media Vaca’s Libros para Mañana (Books for Tomorrow) series.
Written by Equipo Plantel and illustrated by Mikel Casal, it won the Bologna Ragazzi Award in the non-fiction category at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, which, we just found out, is considered the “Oscars of children’s books.”
Now, can someone please translate this to Filipino and distribute it to those who still think Marcos’ martial law years were the Golden Age of the Philippines?
