Caris Avendaño Cruz's Blog, page 3

Announcing my second book, “The Boy, The Mountain, and the Serpent Who Ate the Moon”

I joyfully announce my second book, The Boy, The Mountain, and the Serpent Who Ate The Moon. This middle-grade spirited-away fantasy celebrates the unwavering Filipino faith, our humorous superstitions, terrifying lore, and a look into our natural calamities. Set in the fictional town of Santo Cristo, meet a community whose hearts are forged by hope and fear—haunted by a nightmarish mountain that loom above them—and a boy about to brave the cursed night.

If you have found Marikit and the Ocean of Stars imaginatively vibrant and sparkling, this time, you must cover your eyes. There is no color here, only dread. And I must tell you, I do not relish telling stories that harrow up the heart—it pains me to do so—but there’s a shining blessing to it. Here in the dark, we pick up the things that truly shine. Those tiny glimmers that illuminate our spirits and whispers to our ears, “Go on. Hope is not lost.” The night is when we realize we carry a sun in our hearts. Ferocious and unstoppable. Our souls become radiant where there is courage and hope, and I hope the young readers glean those lessons.

I wrote this story in 2021, in the middle of the pandemic. Please do not worry, this is not a COVID-19 story. The inspiration for this was mostly from the monsters my editor, Trisha de Guzman, and I talked about when we had that first phone call. A sequel for Marikit was uncertain, but I wanted to write more of our myths, more of our Engkantos. And so, I pulled some of our favorite lore and jammed them into a large mason jar of joy and defeat, of spine-tingling silence, of more uncertainties.

Grief was a prominent emotion here, because in 2021, many of us were mourning. Many of us lost someone. Many of us cried in sorrow yet unable to change our circumstances. We couldn’t even get out of our house to comfort our loved ones suffering. All we could do was move forward, in that long, seemingly hopeless tunnel.

All of us endured a lot.

The characters in The Boy, The Mountain, and the Serpent Who Ate The Moon also endured a lot. Here, we meet Bayani, our headstrong boy standing tall for his age, yet carried the responsibility of looking after his younger sister Isay—a similarly strong-willed, selfish girl—and Aaron, who was the least courageous of them all. Together, they wander into a place past familiar, left with nothing but the candles in their hands, and the choice to break the curse without falling into the Night.

This is the book of my sorrow, and the book of my hope. I pray that when you read it, you not only acknowledge the many layers of darkness that surround us, but also the little shining light you bear in your heart. And that light can make a difference. Please hold it out, bravely, boldly, for the world to see, and may it remind others to keep shining, too.

The Boy, the Mountain, and the Serpent Who Ate the Moon will be out on July 1, 2025.

Magliwanag ka.

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It’s the font that counts

There was an email that took my breath away this week. Emails, as you know, could breath-takers, heart-stoppers, life squeezers, the nice kinds and the worse kinds. I know everyone of us must have had an email we’ve been waiting for for centuries and writhed in pain upon receiving a rejection. But this one, I’d like to say, was a Very Nice email.

Tremendously, gloriously nice.

It was the comp for the cover art of my next book dropping next year. A book that had so many words for its title, I need to wrap it all up in a nice box and tie it in a ribbon before I send it your way. I am very proud of this book, and the lovely little world that thrived in it. And I hope that by the time we’re ready to shout it on the rooftops, you’re still here, drinking tea and eating cake, close enough to hear all about it.

We have another Filipino illustrator on board, so you might guess how I made that extra squeal when I saw the art. And oh boy, I have only been squealing. I have this tiny secret kept in my gallery like a small dream coming to life, and each time I’d look at it I’m reminded of the personal journey (and growth) that got this book to where it is. My editor kindly sent me two samples: one with a fun, funky font for that modern appeal; and one with a classic, whimsical font to give that timeless charm, perfect for the kids (and kids at heart) who had never outgrown their love for folklore. I loved fonts. I’m only a casual designer, but fonts make a difference on a design. Just take a look at these two studies from Marikit and the Ocean of Stars.

The official cover stars a classic serif:

But the other option sent to me, which I also leaned toward, had this fun, girly font that reminds me of the Cheri typeface:

I don’t know how the fantastic team from FSG BFYR had deliberated this, but I’m sure they took everything to consideration when choosing the final cover. The second cover made me joyful, the font was just so fun and unique! And while I know that this charming typeface will definitely lure readers who are all about Magical Girls, I also know that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. To some, it may look childish, too girly, too cutesy. Going with the classic serif gave Marikit a more timeless look, a nice contrast to the youthful and whimsical illustration done by the talented Alexis Young.

It will take a while before we see Book 2’s cover in its full colored glory, but I could tell you now that it’s got all the wonderful details of our wild, wandering cast. The manuscript is currently in copyedits, but I’m so excited to share with you some bits and pieces as we move forward with the prod.

Please stay tuned for more updates here on my blog (you can also reach me via @carisavencruz at most social media platforms). If you haven’t subscribed here, please do! The door is open, there are seats all around, we have plenty to share—I have snuggly cat pictures, if you’d like them, too.

That time when Marikit and the Ocean of Stars was longlisted for a book award. Or two.

In Marikit is a warning that says, “Promises we break will break us.” I must have been broken too many times, for I have broken a promise I’ve made earlier this year: that I will be more visible here (no thanks to the latest acquisition of Twitter, a.k.a. our favorite hang out). I had so many things to tell you! Too many things to blog about! But every now and then, I’d wonder if they’d seem too boring, for they were truly nothing but breaths and daydreams and daily little miracles coming from this small, sweaty corner of the world.

But I am here, and I am back, and I have stories to tell. I am rarely on social media now, only coming back to Twitter only to repost what matters as of the moment: end the genocide, free Palestine. This has been going on for more than 200 days. Almost a year. And while it is amazing to see efforts are made to stop it (including the brave in-campus protests done in universities all over the world), the ones with higher worldly powers aren’t doing anything to change the fate of the Palestinians trapped in their very own land.

There are many ways to help them. One, support Care for Gaza, which offers on-the-ground efforts to provide supplies for the Palestinians in need. There’s a man-made famine out there, and the Palestinians had been forced to live through winter and now summer in tents. This fundraising community makes sure that food, hygiene products, and other essentials reach the Palestinians in the quickest way possible. Two, buy e-Sims! This initiative aims to provide Palestinians internet connection and consequently, convey their current status across the world. Three, make wise purchasing decisions. And four, when you can, amplify the Palestinian voices on social media.

We can only do so little, but the least we can do is to stand in favor of humanity, justice, and equality.

I am proud to tell you that Marikit and the Ocean of Stars is longlisted for International School of Beijing’s Panda Book Award, with one of my beloved Filipino authors also on the YA roster, Mae Coyiuto’s Chloe and the Kaishao Boys.

To see the full list of Panda Shortlists 2024-2025, go here.

I am also delighted to say that Marikit and the Ocean of Stars is among the nominees of Hawai’i’s Nēnē Award! To belong to this list of marvelous, breathtaking books is already an honor!

My biggest thanks to everyone who picked up Marikit and the Ocean of Stars and considered my little magical book for these awards. What joy it is, as a writer, and as a tiny drop in the book community, to be seen like this!

Maraming, maraming salamat po.

C

Here’s an attempt to start the year right

If you are reading this blog, then you have stumbled over my colorful, scrapbook-y website transferred over to a new host! This fresh redesign features my very own illustrations, like the one above, and a big help from Canva, which has been an essential tool for my personal and business use. I hope you like my “disruptive” aesthetic—it’s practically how my brain goes!

Moving forward, my old emails have been disconnected. There are still many ways to reach out to me, though! This website has a Contact page and you can make use of the built-in form to send me messages. You can also connect with me through social media; I am on Twitter, Threads, Instagram, and Facebook (TikTok, too, but I hardly go there). Last but not the least, if you need an email, and I will be very much delighted to receive a non-spam message, you can email me at cariswrites@gmail.com.

The things that I want to do this 2024

And this, by the way, is just another writer’s fever dream.

I do not always set goals for myself, given my, uh, extreme lack of focus, quick and ephemeral bursts of passions, and lots of lazying around—all of which are not good cookie points for a human being. But I do have things coming up in the pipeline; ones I’ve already started and aiming to finish, ones that I have carried with me and still beat the same dream. If there are any wins, even tiny ones, it’s the creation of this blog, and me coming back here with the fullest (foolish) force, so I can ramble longer and create a space on the web myself, should you, my dear gentlefolk, decide to see me.

Q1: Finish this middle grade draft that I had been working on since August and get it to the powers that be. I’m excited about this! This is special to me, as all book children are special to their creators, but I’m afraid to bungle this one and shift the focus from what’s important to what’s sensational. I know, important things are scary things. That’s why they throb on our palms and feel hot whenever we touch them. Q1: Perfect (!!!) my last revision for Book 2, the book that I prayed so hard last year to be picked for my sophomore release. I think, after a month’s rest, that I had straightened up my thoughts and finally pointed out the weak spots to myself, so I will be ready to take it on once my editor throws it back to me for that final touch-up.Q2 onward: Revise an old YA Contemporary novel which was my first, first love. Oooh, I’d love to tell you about this. Maybe when I’m halfway through the revision. You see, this story comes with two leads that I used to love with all my heart. And I have rewritten this story many dozens of time and somehow, despite it having everything that I love, it still doesn’t click. I realized this: the two leads weren’t meant to be in the same story. So, here I am, attempting to separate my two favorite children and put them in worlds of their own so they could shine their best, and not steal each other’s spotlights. Also, did I mention it’s contemporary, a.k.a. my original weakness? Let’s see how this goes. Also, please don’t tell Melanie about this. I don’t want her to cringe.Rebuild my newsletter! Marikit Mail had its run, but I don’t think I was able to maximize my communications with you, being the scatterbrain that I am. I am certain to blog a lot this year, but for newsletters, I want to reveal secret chapters for you alone. maybe I can make that happen once I have a solid footing with Book 2. I think it’s a great way to tell you about the secret projects I’ll be working on, so I’m crossing all of my fingers I make it happen!

(If it’s not very obvious, these are very small goals, but I always aim for the bare minimum rather than make a long-list of wants, because at the end of the year, I do want to see these things completed. How about you? What are the things that you want to do this year?)

Last but not the least: freedom for the oppressed. Justice for the martyrs. Hayaang mamasada ng malaya ang masang tsuper. This year, we are wide awake and aware that only we can look after each other. Be kind. Be generous. Be forgiving.

In my head, the world takes a turn for the worse each year, but it is my hope that you, that radiant light, that breath of life, make it a bit more beautiful for those around you. x

The Year That Was 2023

Finally, I get to do this. My own version of Wrapped, minus the ugly 90s PowerPoint graphics. Just photos of my reality, my what-has-beens so I can freely clear up the slate and welcome my what-will-bes.

I will be one of those people who’d say that 2023 has been kind to me. Merciful, even. I think a part of it was me finding my way back to a consistent devotion schedule which I lost years past. I missed this, just an end-of-the-day moment with my journal and The Book in hand, recollecting moments and counting blessings. Somehow, no matter what has happened through the day, acceptance had been easier. We could still say, God is good.

(Funny that as of writing this, that moment I opened my journal, this appeared. To be consistent. That’s what I tried to be this year: to be the one and the same as a person and on social media, to keep my routines, to follow up on good choices.)

On Life

Life was funny this year. One thing I learned to love: heading out to the palengke with mama, and our Sunday commutes to the church. Jeepneys always brim with stories. Another thing I loved: drives with papa. There was a moment, while we drove on my favorite road surrounded with rice fields on both sides, and I told him my worries, and he said, the most certain tone, “May imposible ba sa Diyos?” (Is there anything impossible with God?) Whenever I feel fretful and sad, I still think about this, and courage breaks through, the way the afternoon sun lit the sky on that day.

Perhaps one of the darkest—literally—times of 2023 was that month-long rain that caused heavy flooding in our area. My brother, who worked in another city, would have to wade through the flooded streets at night just get back home. I’d take it lucky if a tricycle would kindly drive through the waters, like a boat, and bring him here. I’d leave out a towel and soap by the gate at night so my brother could wash off the dirt before he entered the house. When the storms were too harsh, he was allowed to take the leave, and water managed to break into the house—and parts of our ceiling. This was how home was for two weeks, and God just held everything together.

During this time, our parents, too, were stuck in their pastoral house at the church. For a good week or two, they lost electricity—their place was closer to the sea, and was a catch basin for all the flood coming down the higher regions. We were worried for them, but papa, who’s a senior, would wade through the flood to get to his car, parked at someone else’s garage, and charge his phone. He’d also get food for mama. The church looked after them (and I am forever with gratitude).

And then, the rain stopped. Finally, they could go home.

I’d think the worst days were over, but it had just started. We then recognized papa’s limp. Not the kind that could be resolved with topical pain killers. The kind that made it hard for him to even just sit down, or rise up from bed. I wondered if it was caused by the flood. If he had a wound, or if he stumbled somewhere while he was wading through the waters. We had to see a doctor. And then, another doctor.

I was with him each time he had an appointment. I just had to make sure I was there. Papa, being the dad, the pillar of the family, didn’t really like being assisted. He used to not be. He used to be the strong one in this family. So me holding the umbrella for him, waiting on him as he walked slowly, carefully toward the clinic, probably felt painful to him, too. But I think it was that beautiful, gracious heart of his that slowly accepted this new reality: things are not going to be how it was before.

The doctor suggested he get therapy. We finally had a consultation schedule and on the first day, Dr. Mattias removed the water from his joints, which easily made everything better! It was ostheo-arthritis, and papa had to learn how to make parts of his body strong so he could withstand the degenerative effects of this disease. By September, he started his therapy. And like the joyful person that he was, I’d always hear his laughter filling the room as he made conversations with his therapist. And his laugh always made us smile.

Papa finished his therapy. Sometimes, I’d still see him wiggle and struggle out of the car, but he’s alright. He could walk better. He’s keeping up with his morning exercises and watches his food. We celebrate every wins, every breath. Hangga’t meron. Hangga’t kaya. Hangga’t pwede.

Oh, I kept talking about papa, right? Well, mama had gotten into a few hobbies this year: watching K-dramas (she loved Attorney Woo Young Woo!), mixing oils, and buying scarves for everyone. Our bonding dates are usually Tuesdays, or Wednesdays, when we had to ask Mang Tato (a dear tricycle driver) to take us to the market early in the morning. Mama had made new friends: a pork stall owner where a hospitable, senior-aged lady chops meat with her big knife. And a chicken stall where a group of ladies preside (this was where she’d get her chicken neck, her staples for her milky sopas, her arroz caldo, potentially for pancit, too). I’ve also met the lady (she’s a girl’s girl) whom she buy fruits from.

Some new habits: a newfound love for Lola Nena’s (papa thinks their glorified donuts tasted like the old bicho-buchi), taking care of plants (I used to have mint and rosemary, but the only ones that survived are my ever-green dills and a lean variety of oregano. One day, I’ll have an herb garden and my house will smell so, so good), taking that long walk to the grocery (it’s a kilometer and a half, but not really a problem if I head out early in the morning), sending snail mails, and taking photos of interesting things inside the jeepney. For research purposes.

On being an Author (which still sounds unbelievable to me)

I had so many opportunities to meet readers this year. Earlier, Books of Wonder invited me on a panel with an entire gang of magical, shimmering, legendary writers. BoW requested for signed bookplates and gave me the option: them sending theirs to me, or if I had a bunch, I’d send them signed ones. It was funny because I was signing mine in the middle of the busy foodcourt so I could send it through the courier within the mall that day, because I was worried mine wouldn’t get to BoW in time.

I also had a chance to talk with the beautiful people at The Filipina Authors Book Club! I was only a stranger, but that moment felt so special when Filipinos from across the world told me how beautiful Marikit was, and in many times with their own color and interpretation, which gave me so much joy. (Thank you so much for having me, Vanessa, and I felt everyone’s embrace as I sat in my corner, trying to hold my tears back).

2023 was my first school visit! Sometime in May, International School Manila invited me to speak at their Book Week and it was so, so fun! Thank you, Miss Remoroza, for hosting us. By June, Young Star Philippines‘ new EIC Andrea Panaligan invited me and fellow author Mae Coyiuto for an author-on-author digital interview for the newspaper’s 37th Anniversary on July. Which was rad!

I also got to meet a young Fil-Am writer this year! Annika comes home from New Jersey to visit her family here. We met up at Fully Booked and literally just chatted while we walked around the floor. I know she was fired up when she got back home; she had done live poetry shows, made short story submissions, and is currently writing a new middle grade novel that brims with so much Filipino heart!

It was on August, the Philippines’ Buwan ng Wika, when Marikit and the Ocean of Stars was elected as the Book of the Month by the the Bisaya-centric bookish community Book Chickas PH, and the southern Luzon-set Talk Bookish to Me PH. One of my favorite parts is when our first emotionally stirring interview with BCPH could not be recovered, so we had to do the talk all over again! I loved it! Fritz, Richard, and Em were just amazing people and to be in that space listening to them was such a fun moment for me. Also, they made me cry. And to wrap it all off, both BCPH and TBTMPH had a Facebook live collab and invited me to talk about Marikit. I finally got to meet Emmanuel, whom I consider as TBTMPh’s spokesperson, and they were a delight to be with!

(I am sorry to disappoint you, readers who believed I was the OG Manghahabi! My lola was. She’s probably sewing a lot of things in heaven. Can’t wait to see her again.)

This year is also my first taste at the Manila International Book Fair, and I get to be in a panel with my favorite, most admired people: Gail D. Villanueva, Mae Coyiuto, and the New York Times Bestselling Author Thea Guanzon. I also got to meet Kate Heceta (now Mrs. Arellano), the amazing Benjamin Orion. and Shealea! My family went there with me, for support (just in case nobody comes to my during book signing), but there was Emmanuel and the Talk Bookish PH family, Keith for Book Chickas PH, and more amazing book readers and reviewers, including Diane, who left me what could be my favorite bookmark.

Just as when the year was about to end, and I thought I had rolled my last roll, the amazing writer, editor, and artist KB sent feelers for a writer’s conference and asked me if I could spare time for them. Of course, I would! I’m all about kids and it wouldn’t really matter if we met on a sidewalk and tell stories there. Funnily, the event KB was talking about was the first-ever Young Writers Conference by the Book Writers’ Club, a beautiful launch festival by Miss Rhoda Osalvo, whom I had the privilege to correspond with. I finally met Catherine Dellosa and had my copy of Of Myths and Men signed! She was so wonderful, she gave me this one-and-only Marikit book keychain as a gift.

(Readers, I sobbed. I really did.)

On Writing

I owe you this: an update about my writing. Not that my writing was spectacular in anyway. I am just like every other dreamer, trying to grasp at clouds. We’re all paving paths for ourselves. Anyway! Writing!

I wrote a lot this year. Forgive me for missing out on my newsletters; I had truly neglected them (as well as updating my very own website). Most of my writing was spent on repairing the novels I wanted to send out; trying to make them make sense to me. One is about a girl and a library for monsters. The second is a world of darkness and light; pretty cliche, until we get to the very Filipino parts. I loved both of them, I always code my heroes as Filipinos, no matter how imaginative or diverse the world is. But the second one was special to me. The second one was the story that I wrote during dark, dark days, when things were supposed to get better, and it didn’t. I always go back to Christina Soontornvat’s A Wish in the Dark as a comp, and I hope I did this one justice.

This was the year I waited for the next step. For my possible Book 2. I had a lot of unfinished manuscripts that I started on 2022, but it made sense to me to focus on just two and send it to Trisha. Melanie, as always, had only been supportive. We sent both manuscripts but quietly, I was crossing all of my fingers and wishing, “Let it be the 2nd story. The next story of my heart.”

By the third quarter of the year, Trisha had her answer.

We have a Book 2. And I am most honored to bring it to you.

What’s in it for me on 2024?

I will be writing. A lot. I’ll be taking on new clients, and I’ll finish a good draft of this new book project I am excited to send out to my editor. I hope my publisher still wants me, even though I am just an average writer with less pulls. Please don’t let me go on TikTok. I am happy to be a hermit.

I will be reviving my newsletter. Or, better yet, more updates on this blog! You see, I used to blog every day, back when I was an unpublished youngling who just wanted to express her feelings into the Internet void. Now that my website has a new look, you can expect me to keep hanging out here, writing and posting about things that are important to me. They’re mostly ordinary things.

If you have gotten this far, I just want to tell you that somewhere across the world, people like us are suffering beyond anything imaginable. While we carry new hopes and dreams into 2024, may we also offer our strength and voice to those in need: to the people of Sudan, of Congo, of the beautiful Palestine.

We all deserve to dream and hope and live and be free.

This post is dedicated to Louie, Alembong, Butlig, Uno, Batik, Mochi, Puso, Luna, Peechit, Tiger, Juno, Mr. Fox, Putot, Bulag, Ladybug, and Oranje.

That time when Talk Bookish To Me PH gave me an award

I am 100% sure that I do not deserve any of these awards, but I am also 100% sure that Talk Bookish To Me (TBTM PH) is one of the kindest bookish communities out there (and may or may have not been Na-engkanto by yours truly. Have I mentioned I am secretly a tikbalang? No? Good. Because it’s not true. Hold off those stakes).

All my love to the people behind Talk Bookish To Me, their beautiful, growing community, and the many books they’ll support and amplify in the many years to come. Yes, years. I can only imagine the joys of them coming together and celebrating books in the most joyous, most Filipino way. And just like this year, it’s going to be grand.

Maraming salamat po sa inyo!

That time when I was invited to be on a panel at MIBF 2023

The Manila International Book Fair 2023 / Caris Report

First time mo (ko)? Yes.

Grateful to have shared the stage with three beautiful and brilliant Filipina authors: the Gail D. Villanueva, the Mae Coyiuto, and the NYT Bestselling Author Thea Guanzon.

This unforgettable panel was made possible by Honey de Peralta, who represents Penguin Random House SEA. The talk was hosted by none other than the amazing Kate Heceta-Arellano.

I got to meet Shealea, Ben (!!!), the warmest hugs from the amazing gang of Talk Bookish to Me Ph, the beautiful Keith of Book Chickas Ph, Books and Then Some‘s Dianne, and the lovely face behind Poa Books! Salamat po sa pagpunta niyo!

That Time Where I Chatted With The Filipina Authors Book Club

One thing that I love about being an author is the opportunity to connect to reading communities here and abroad. I’m not the most outgoing person, frankly, and I’d still cringe at myself. But whenever called upon to meet new faces to talk about my book and my culture, I don’t think I’d ever have the heart to turn away.

Last May, Filipina Authors Book Club chose Marikit and the Ocean of Stars as their Book of the Month and invited me to join their digital discussion over Zoom. I was ecstatic! A book club, about Filipina authors, celebrating our books? Yes, please! I was to answer some of their burning questions about Marikit, and just the same, I was burning to meet them and explain how Marikit came to be to them.

The wonderful Vanessa Dayberry hosted our Zoom session and welcomed me in the warmest way Filipinos would. And people, I kid you not when I say that Filipinos treat each other like family. I might have been a tad bit nervous as I sat behind my laptop early Sunday morning (hah, timezone differences!) But the moment I met everyone, my heart was at home. I just truly wished that I was able to tell them all the words I wished to convey. It was such a lovely moment to be able to meet and chat with Filipinas and emerging authors as well! Really, if I could save all their messages and comments, I would.

Maraming salamat, Filipina Authors Book Club, for giving a space for me and my little Marikit.

Follow Filipina Authors Book Club  on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

My Splendid (and Very Digital) Sit-Down Session with the Filipina Authors Book Club

One thing that I love about being an author is the opportunity to connect to reading communities here and abroad. I’m not the most outgoing person, frankly, and I’d still cringe at myself. But whenever called upon to meet new faces to talk about my book and my culture, I don’t think I’d ever have […]

That Time When I Made My First School Visit (At ISM, No Less!)

If there was a moment where I wished I had a camera (without capturing the faces of the precious kids around me—we have to protect them, after all), it was this: my first actual appearance as an author at the International School Manila. Stepping onto that stage was like a full-on celebrity moment (without being an actual celebrity, he he) with the lights and the stage beautifully set up with my face flashing on the screen.

There were things I weren’t really proud of, such as my choice of clothes, but everything is overshadowed by the joy of meeting a hundred and more kids gathered inside the auditorium, all of them smiling, lights hitting their faces, looking intently at me.

Janice graciously set up the stage in full Oprah style. Two plush purple seats in the middle, a small table, and my book front and center. An optional podium should I decide to speak more formally. Caleb—if I remember his name right—handed out the clicker and reminded me to point toward the audio booth. He also got my slides playing on the large, overhead. Thank goodness for Canva.

I came in, in my peach blouse and already-crumpled trousers, and took everything in. The seats were still empty, but in a few while, the kids will arrive. I wondered how many of them would come. It didn’t matter if there were twenty or a hundred. We were going to have a grand time.

This is really happening, I said to myself many, many times.

Months ago, I thought it would never.

I was ecstatic when Ms. Janice Remoroza, ES Teacher Librarian for International School Manila, reached out to me in December last year. ISM had a Book Week scheduled in January and she wanted me to drop by and tell the kids all about Marikit and the Ocean of Stars. There it was, my first author appearance! But other than coming in as an author, I was more excited to meet the kids.

Everyone at home knows I’m all about kids. Having been involved in the children’s ministry since I was thirteen, I think I’m still a kid myself; a goofy eight-year-old trapped in a thirty-ish’s body. Kids are beautiful. Their energy, contagious. One could only admire their irrepressible joy, inimitable wonder, a knack for mischief, and pure, untainted courage. Poor adults; some of us lost that magic. That’s why I’d like to keep that part in me. Maybe I’ve held on to my childhood—an introvertish, imaginative kind—too much and for too long.

Janice and I had many email exchanges after that, all of them hopeful that things work out. Unfortunately, it didn’t. Due to the lack of Marikit books in the local bookstores—not enough to supply the school’s needs—we had to move the event to another date. I thought it was a kind way to say, “Not this time, girl.”

I thought that was it.

And then, come April, Janice came back to me with the news. National Bookstore is able to supply copies of Marikit. They didn’t pick another author. We can move forward with the event!

It was Janice who I first met as I arrived at ISM’s Fine Arts Hall. She carried her tray of things—I immediately knew it was her because there were three covered Marikit books in her tray, an iPad, and a bunch of Sharpies for signing. “Caris?” she first asked. I nodded anxiously.

Janice led me to the auditorium, which sort of shocked me. I think, in my quiet amazement, there was a moment when she just nodded and said, “I know.” Having taught kids in corridors or side of the streets (or an abandoned home in Northville 9), this was an upgrade! I knew it was embarrassing, but I had to take pictures.

All my love to Janice and her team for making this event possible, and so, so beautiful. She had everything set up—the showcase, the signing table, and even the questions she made with the kids! Everything looked so amazing that I was so proud when my mom and tito took their places at the back to watch and support me.

It wasn’t just me who was excited about this event. My whole family was. And when I say family, that includes my ever-supporting relatives who saw me turn from a quiet girl scribbling in the corner of her room, to an actual author, still scribbling away in that same corner. Some things shouldn’t change. And their support had always been seen and felt, just like on that day. Tito Boy volunteered to drive me to BGC. Mama came with me, because I’m a baby, because these milestone experiences have to be shared with precious people.

The moment the fourth and fifth graders started trickling in from the entrance to the box, I was up on the stage, smiling at them. Some of them waved their hands—maybe to their friends, maybe to me, but I made sure to respond back. I had only been all smiles. Two girls in front started dancing, and when I mouthed, “Flower?” they just looked at each other with amazement. “She knew?”

Yes, dear, I know.

Do you know what’s more touching? Some of the kids entered the room holding Marikit in their hands. They held it up, waved it at me, letting me know that, “Hey, I bought the book! I’m reading it!” Oh boy. I couldn’t describe the feeling. What an honor to be in this space. What a privilege to meet a reader.

There was no rumbling in my stomach. No anxious throbbing in my heart. I picked up the clicker and the microphone, and by the time I got the go signal, I was ready.

My tito took this from the back of the auditorium, and I snagged it just to show you how cool everything was!And there’s me, in my oversized shirt and crumpled trousers, because what better way to appear before kids than looking like their shabby, messy aunt?

I had so much fun! We breezed through the presentation—a comfortable 15 minutes—I’m not sure if I actually finished earlier than that! I loved the kids’ energy and they responded with such joy. Then, the Q&A! Children have many, many interesting questions. I hope I answered them enough.

If I didn’t, please shoot me a message on Twitter or IG, and I will clear things up for you!

Some of the kids left early due to their classes, but those that remained made a line to my table. I think this must be my favorite part. I hated that kids had to wait in line for their turn, but to actually talk to them, hear their names, some saying they’ve even started reading Marikit? Oh. My heart just grew bigger. I asked some of them if they knew what their names meant, and oooh. Their names are beautiful. I’d try to remember them—Kiran, Saif, Yuki, and so many more, each of them unique. It feels so nice to see kids walk away with a smile on their faces, knowing they are recognized and honored. And do you know what’s lovelier? Some of the kids wanted me to write their siblings’ names on the books, because they’re going to share them.

Oh, Lord. This warms my heart so much.

Janice made things easy for me by letting kids write their names on Post-Its. I kept them, the ones the kids managed to leave, along with the ISM Teddy Bear they gifted me with!

A lot of beautiful, memorable moments happened outside the auditorium. It also happened in ISM’s cafeteria, where Janice generously treated me and my humble crowd to lunch. Even more than that: shared with us her spare cutlery, because ISM’s philosophy is anchored in sustainability. My mother and Tito feasted on pasta. I sat there, only listening to her story.

Other than the ES Librarian, Janice is a wonder woman. A soul with lofty ideals for kids, and she’s working her way to make a difference in their lives, one book at a time. Born in the Philippines and immigrated to the U.S. when she was six, she returned here with hopes to teach. She first wanted to work in a public school, but was discouraged by the system. But here at ISM, she can make a difference. She could lead the hearts of these future professionals to the right path, by offering books that could mirror their lives, break doors to new worlds, or open windows outside their familiar spaces.

She told me that events like these were her ways of supporting local authors. Tanya Guerrero of How to Make Friends With the Sea and Candy Gourlay of Bone Talk once visited here. And now, she gave me this wonderful opportunity, too. I thought that after it didn’t work out in January, it was over.

 But she persisted. She and her team made everything possible. And I am so, so grateful.

I had so much fun, and I hope the kids did, too!  In the future, should we meet again, I would love to hear their stories. And in a way, I pray that Marikit opens doors and windows for them to see the world in a new light. x