PH Consul General to Hong Kong Reads for Overseas Filipino Children in Book Launch of Filipino-Chinese Illustrated Books

Left photo: Philippine Consul General to Hong Kong Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan delivers her opening remarks and warmly welcomes the attendees and Room to Read representatives. Right photo: Vice Consul Allan G. Revote hosts the book launching of the Philippine Consulate in partnership with Room to Read. (Hong Kong PCG photos)

HONG KONG 27 May 2024 – To cap off the month-long Philippine National Literature Month celebration for 2024, the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong and Sentro Rizal Hong Kong, in partnership with “Room to Read,” hosted a Children’s Book Launching and Reading Activity last 28 April 2024 at the Consulate’s premises. The 12 books featured at the launch, published and printed by “Room to Read,” are a collection of bilingual books in Chinese and mother-tongue languages for children from the Philippines, India, and Pakistan, now living in Hong Kong. Eight of the 12 books were printed in a Chinese-Filipino language format. All of which were beautifully illustrated in a colorful manner and featured a story that would resonate with the lives of migrant children in Hong Kong. 

Philippine Consul General to Hong Kong Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan made her opening remarks highlighting the National Literature Month’s theme, entitled “Literature and Peace.” She congratulated “Room to Read” on their bilingual book project, and expressed pleasure on how “each story is a bearer of peace and encourages both young readers and their parents to reflect positively on their situation and experiences.” Ms. Bonnie Wong, “Room to Read’s” Development Manager in Hong Kong, explained how their organization seeks to transform the lives of millions of children by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. She emphasized how “world change starts with educated children”. 

Vice Consul Allan G. Revote, Head of the Consulate’s Cultural Section, presented all 12 books and provided a brief description of each title. This was followed by a ceremonial turnover of the bilingual book collection from “Room to Read”, by Ms. Wong, to the Consulate, through Consul General Aguilar-Usudan. The book collection consists of:

1. Many Mothers in Hong Kong (Maraming Nanay sa Hong Kong), written by Corazon Amaya-Cañete and illustrated by EorG, is about the sights in Hong Kong through the eyes of a young boy. 
2. The Game of Rona and Powa (Ang Laro ni Rona at Powa), written by Becky Gerodias and illustrated by Joanne Wong, teaches about the value of sharing toys with friends.
3. Can Maya Do It? (Kaya ba ni Maya?), written by Eny Bawse and illustrated by Maia Hermosa, teaches about the value of everyone, no matter how small or insignificant they may feel.
4. Sam’s Sad City (Ang Malungkot na Lungsod ni Sam), written by Christine S. Bellen-Ang and illustrated by Rain Haze, is about a girl who finds joy and beauty in a small town in Hong Kong, despite being away from friends and family, through the art of drawing.
5. Dancing Chopsticks (Ang Sumasayaw na Chopsticks), written by Mary Ann Ordinario and illustrated by Ivan Reverente, teaches about the value of perseverance.
6. Kokak, written by Malio Malibiran-Salumbides and illustrated by Dione Kong, is about overcoming fears and worries of being in a new environment and even finding a pleasant surprise in the midst of it all.
7. Colors of Hong Kong (Ang mga Kulay ng Hong Kong), written by May Lee and illustrated by Libby Lam, teaches about appreciating and embracing new experiences and adventures even when you are far away from home.
8. Tin-Tin’s Surprise Birthday Party (Sorpresang Bertdey ni Tin-Tin), written by Rhandee Garlitos and illustrated by Marcus Nada, is about a girl who is celebrating her birthday for the first time in Hong Kong and is amazed by the surprise birthday celebration prepared by family friends.

Other books written in Hindi-Chinese and Urdu-Chinese are Beyond the Clouds, Quest for Bindi, Emil’s Treasure Box, and Wait, Don Don.

Ms. Corazon Amaya-Cañete, OFW in Hong Kong, GMA correspondent and the author of the book “Many Mothers of Hong Kong,” one of the books in the bilingual book collection, gave a message recounting the process on how she developed her story. Her inspiration for the book came from her personal experience on a day out in Hong Kong with her son, and how he observed the many “mothers” in Hong Kong in the form of Foreign Domestic Workers acting as child carers for the city’s children.

The Overseas Filipino Children present during the book reading listened eagerly as the Consul General read “Many Mothers of Hong Kong” to them in Filipino, with the help of Ms. Amaya-Cañete’s son, Mr. Gabriel Cañete, who read in Cantonese. Consul General Aguilar-Usudan also read “Colors of Hong Kong,” with the help of the book’s illustrator, Ms. Libby Lam, who read in Cantonese. With smiles on their faces, the children left the event with a complete set of “Room to Read’s” bilingual book collection. END

Ms. Corazon Amaya-Cañete explains the inspiration behind the children’s book that she authored. (Hong Kong PCG photo)

From left to right: Ms. Bonnie Wong, Development Manager of Room to Read, shares the goals and programs offered by Room to Read. Vice Consul Revote reads the titles and synopses of the 8 stories included in the Filipino-Cantonese book set. (Hong Kong PCG photo)

Consul General Aguilar-Usudan receives the set of Filipino-Cantonese book collection from Ms. Wong. (Hong Kong PCG photo)

Consul General Aguilar-Usudan reads “Colors of Hong Kong” in Filipino while Ms. Libby Lam translates in Cantonese. (Hong Kong PCG photo)

Consul General Aguilar-Usudan as she reads “Maraming Nanay sa Hong Kong” to the children and Mr. Gabriel Cañete, son of Ms. Amaya-Cañete, translates in Cantonese. (Hong Kong PCG photo)

Consul General Aguilar-Usudan and Cultural Officer Chariza Mae F. Paras distribute the eight (8) Filipino-Cantonese books to the children. (Hong Kong PCG photo)

From left to right: Group photo with Ms. Corazon Amaya-Cañete, Mr. Gabriel Cañete, Consul General Germinia Aguilar-Usudan, Ms. Bonnie Wong, and Ms. Libby Lam, with the participating kids at the Sentro Rizal. (Hong Kong PCG photo)