Tahanan Books: Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang and Bugtong, Bugtong

I started reading books at age 7. I remember I started with Sweet Valley Kids to High even University then I shifted to R.L. Stine's Fear Street then on with adult novels like Judith McNaught, Danielle Steele, John Grisham... I was really not exposed to kids books or Filipino books other than the ones provided in school.

With my kids, I want to start them young. I've bought tons of books but Y only looks at the photos then wala na. I still buy them books and read to them kahit ayaw nila, hoping that one day she'll pick one book and read. It's one way to broaden one's vocabulary and also use one's imagination. Diba?

So when I was invited to the launch of Tahanan Book Launch of Lola Basyang and Bugtong, Bugtong, I really made time to go! Who doesn't know Lola Basyang? Or doesn't know what a bugtong is?

Well, for those who don't have any idea. Let me introduce you to these books! And these are classics!

Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang (Volume 2), penned by Severino Reyes (1861-1942), author of the timeless "Tales of Lola Basyang" loved by generations of readers. Luring us back to a magical land inhabited by the likes of clever maidens, tianaks, and thirsty dragons, this fresh new anthology of twelve tales boasts such classics as "Plawtin ni Periking" ("Periking's Flute") and "Ang Prinsesang Naging Pulubi" ("The Priness Who Became a Beggar"). Each story is illustrated in soft, dramatic tones by dwarf-winning illustrator Felix Mago Miguel. Co-editors Christine S. Bellen and Rebecca T. Añonuevo modernized portions of the author's original text to better suit the sensibilities of today's readers.

Bugtong, Bugtong (Volume 2) is a charming collection of 57 riddles in Filipino. All eyes are on Oskar, a dog that roams his master's house and the fields beyond, playfully encountering adventures and objects presented in the form of a riddle. Creator Daniel Palma Tayona's rich and warm palette floods the book with happy sunshine. The book is an endearing salute to the late great children's book author Rene O. Villanueva, who wrote and collected the original Bugtong, Bugtong edition (Tahanan Books, 1998). Follow Oskar's canine capers as he unlocks the secrets of the Filipino language. Let the guesswork begin! (Includes answers in English)

I like small events. They are intimate and you get to chat. We met the author and editor of the books! It's not everyday that you get to meet and chat with the author and editor of books such as these. At kahit mahiyain ako and since everyone is having their books signed, I had mine signed too for Y and R!

Volumes 2 of Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang and Bugtong, Bugtong are available at all National Bookstore, Powerbooks, and Fully Booked branches. 

You can find them too and their other titles at www.tahananbooks.com

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