Introducing Moymoy Lulumboy: Ang Batang Aswang

During Neil Gaiman's last visit in the Philippines, he encourages Filipinos to create their own stories. He is familiar with our folklore and he saw the potential. There are lots of stories submitted for contest but only few are selected to be published in a compilation. But there is no fantasy story that has become a book series.

From Lampara Publishing House, brings you to the world of Moymoy Lulumboy: Ang Batang Aswang by Segundo "Jun" Matias, Jr. Its specific audience are the young adults but after seeing the presentation, it follows certain interest in the role-playing and modern setting like the Harry Potter series.

Author Segundo Matias, Jr.(Left) and Illustrator Jomike Tejudo(Right)

It's written in Tagalog so it can reach the masses. Lampara Books are known for it's story telling but it is the first time I encounter their original work in a soft bound edition. Just like their story-telling, it is also educational and it is written in wholesome manner so children can understand it.

Book Launch

Besides that it teaches Philippine mythology and folklore, it can teach the readers about pre-colonial words that are no longer familiar with the masses. We are quite gotten use to Taglish(Hybrid Tagalog-English) that we forget our ethnic roots.

Book signing

Moymoy is a son of an Apo(the goddess Liliw)and a tibaro(Ronado, a mythic warrior creature) and was raised like any human child until his strange powers surfaced when stressed. Little did he know that his birth right holds a key to an ancient secret.

The author and illustrator with the FEU theater guild who presented an impressive visual backgrounder/presentation 

According to Kuya Jun(as he is addressed in story telling sessions), it is the first time he wrote a fantasy genre. He based his knowledge of the folklore from the stories of his hometown of Lubao, Pampanga and from other region with a blend of his own creation of mythology based on foreign influence.

Jomike Tejido is responsible for the illustrations of the book. His approach in the characters are of Asian ethnicity and you you can identify that the characters look Filipino. Besides that it is educational, it also has lessons for the readers to draw insights like any of Lampara Books published. 

Launched last September 18 during the Manila International Book Fair at Meeting Room 5 of SMX Convention Center; it is now available at Precious Pages Book Store and other leading book stores. Catch the presentation of Moymoy Lulumboy at the Manila International Book Fair this Sunday September 21 at SMX Convention Center.

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