Dumaguete City has a considerable tradition of writing for children. Perhaps the oldest story for children from these parts is “Catalina of Dumaguete,” written by the folklorist John Maurice Miller, which is based on the local fable, and which he included in his compendium Philippine Folklore Stories, published in 1904.

Many of its resident writers, including National Artist for Literature Edith Lopez Tiempo, have written stories for children, and a considerable number have won the Palanca for either the short story or poetry for children, among them: Leoncio Deriada [third prize for “The Vacant Lot” in 1989; and first prize for “The Man Who Hated Birds” in 1993], Alfred A. Yuson [second prize for “The Boy Who Ate the Stars” in 1990], Jaime An Lim [third prize for “Yasmin” in 1990; second prize for “The Boy and the Tree of Time” in 1993; and second prize for “The Small Bright Things” in 2016], Lakambini A. Sitoy [first prize for “Pure Magic” in 1996; third prize for “The Night Monkeys” in 2000; and first prize for “The Elusive Banana Dog” in 2007], Ian Rosales Casocot [third prize for “The Last Days of Magic” in 2007; and second prize for “Bisaya for All That We Gugma” in 2023], Francis C. Macansantos [second prize for “Mr. Bully and Other Poems for Children” in 2013], and Keisiah Dawn Tiaoson [third prize for “Tugma ng Buhay Kong Payak” in 2023].

Casocot has also won the Grand Prize of the PBBY-Salanga Award for his children’s book Rosario and the Stories in 2006 [still unpublished], had his children’s story “The Different Rabbit” included in Ladlad 3 in 2007, and finally published his first children’s book, The Great Little Warrior, with illustrations by Hersley-Ven Casero in 2022. Sitoy’s Palanca-winning story, meanwhile, lends its title to the anthology The Night Monkeys: More Palanca Prize Winners for Children, published in 2008 by Tahanan Books.

Over the years, the local independent publisher Dum.Alt.Press has helped facilitate the publication of several children’s books by Silliman University students, including Pepe’s Incredible Jumping Teeth by Michael Aaron Gomez, Carla and Her New Gift by Jamila Caroline Mirande, Aura: The Moon Jelly by Ysai Guazon, Paula and the Primary Colors by Patricia Solidarios, Ted’s Birthday Surprise by Gem Ladera, Finn & Lexi by Michelle Carroll, Sam & Charlie’s Valentine Contest by Jhudiel Brigid Plando, The Money Plant by Cahlia Faye Enero, and the anthologies Stories & Secrets (2017) and Big Dreams (2019).

In 2019, the Illuminates of the Spectra or iSpec, the LGBTQ+ group at Silliman, facilitated the publication of three children’s books for its Reading Rainbow program—including Sami Has a Secret by Renz Torres, with illustrations by Monique Cabanog; Libulan and the Three Little Stars by Lendz Barinque, with illustrations by Alex Villarino; and My Kuya, My Pride, and Joy by Ysai Guazon, with illustrations by Jhara Lae Amistoso.

Other local writers who have published children’s books include KM Levis’ The Dragon and the Lizard (2011), which is about a humble farmer who saves a kingdom from a fierce dragon by using his wit; Elizabeth Susan Vista-Suarez’s Julia and the Music of Light (2018), about a music prodigy who learns to accept her musical destiny; and Claire Delfin’s Mayumo: Escape from the Golden Kingdom (2022), about an enchanting escape to a world of history and magic. Of late, we have Kimberly Gari-Salvarita’s The Journey to the Orient’s Pearl (2024), which also serves as a coloring book depicting Philippine wildlife, and illustrated by the author’s young daughter Anais Vera Salvarita.

Then there is the singular honor of a Dumagueteño being the subject of a children’s book—the much-lauded marine biologist Dr. Hilconida P. Calumpong, whose story is told in Gardener of the Sea, written by Didith Rodrigo with illustrations by Corrine Golez, and published by Bookmark in 2017.

The environmental message of Salvarita’s children’s book, and the book centering on Dr. Calumpong is a popular theme in local children’s writings—which is understandable, given the island life that is distinct in Dumaguete. Part of that is Ang Kabakhawan Gabantay Sa Atong Banay [The Mangroves Protect Our Homes], a picture book in two languages—English and Binisaya—by the Tanjay writer Eva Rose Washburn-Repollo, whose birthday we celebrate today.

Published in 2019, Repollo’s picture book is dedicated “to all those who care about the environment and the preservation of the oceans for generations to come,” and in it she makes a plea for the preservation of local mangroves in an illustrated poem. We include here the entire translated text in English, although the Bisaya original is so much more powerful. [You can get a copy of the book, with the Bisaya text and its marvelous illustrations by Ionone Bangcas, from Libraria Books over at 58 EJ Blanco Drive.]

Storms that arrive to our oceans
bring strong waves that rush
to the coastlines.
Some coastlines have airports,
some coastlines have ports,
and some coastlines have homes.
Mangrove forests protect people,
fish, and shrimp.
Mangroves grow near the shore. 
There are baby and fully-grown mangroves.
Their roots are strong 
and grow deep under the sand.
And when the storms begin with 
strong winds … the mangroves are ready.
Tall, big waves have been known 
to battle against these mangrove forests.
But wherever there are mangroves,
the fish and the people are safe...
even when storms arrive
to our oceans.

Environmental conservation efforts are important in Repollo’s work, and she wants to raise awareness about the hundreds of hectares of mangroves in her hometown of Tanjay, as well as the Mantalip mangroves in Bindoy, the Bais-Manjuyod mangroves, and the protected reefs and mangroves of Apo Island in Dauin. The genesis of the book began in 1999 when she was part of a team tasked with creating visual learning displays for interactive learning environments at the Marine Lab of the Center for Excellence in Biodiversity at Silliman University. She remembers: “One of our displays, housed in the anthropology museum, explored how people interacted with their fish supplies. While researching for the project, I came across an article that described mangrove roots as ‘fish condos.’ I was fascinated by the idea that fish and shrimp had their own special homes within the mangroves. Our project highlighted the interconnected ecosystems from the mountains to the sea—and the crucial role we, as humans, play in maintaining that balance. As part of the process, I read extensive research conducted by biologists from the Silliman University Marine Lab on the flora and fauna of the Philippines, one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.  I also saw how industries and resorts had their eye on developing these special entry ways of the rivers to the oceans for tourism.”

The story that bubbled in her head began as a short poem, she says, which sat in a drawer for some time. “In 1999, I participated in an international speaking contest, where I spoke about mangroves—how they ‘walk’ to grow in special salinity conditions and how their survival depends on keeping our seas free from pollution,” she says. “Years later, when Typhoon Haiyan struck, mangroves helped protect many small islands in the Visayas. Inspired by this, I decided to have my poem illustrated and published.”

Repollo is a teacher, filmmaker, cultural worker, theatre artist, and writer. She received her BA degree in Speech and Theater Arts from Silliman University, and went on to earn her MA in Literature from the same. Her passion for local culture made her start The Spotted Deer, an arts and language program to benefit the street children of Dumaguete, while also teaching at her alma mater. In 2004, she moved to Hawaii where she earned a doctorate at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She wrote and directed documentaries focused on the values of multicultural selves in a diverse learning environment, including Among Gitukod [We Built It], a documentary on accountability and trust in donating to the Typhoon Haiyan disaster relief efforts. Aside from Ang Kabakhawan Gabantay sa Atong Banay, she has also written another children’s book on Visayan culture, Ang Pasko Sa Balay ni Lola Sepha, a counting book for children who want to learn Binisaya. She is currently an Associate Professor at Chaminade University in the Communications Department, and serves as a Commissioner on the Hawai’i States Foundation on Culture and the Arts. She recently received the Excellence in Education award from the United Filipino Council of Hawaii, in recognition for the many different community groups she volunteers for.