Author of children’s book on Martial Law says ‘realistic’ stories empower kids  

By default, many parents want to shelter their children from the harsh realities of life. But a Filipino writer wants to give kids a taste of life's harsh truths his children's books. The latest under his name is "Isang Harding Papel," a story of a little girl who was separated from her mother, a political detainee during the Martial Law era. 

 

TV writer and children's book author Augie Rivera wrote "Isang Harding Papel"'s story in 2000 as a sequel to his "Batang Historyador" series. But he thought of another story and pursued it instead. His original idea was then shelved until recently, when he noticed online that revisionists have begun spreading their version of the Martial Law years. 

 

"Ang dami-daming revionist takes ngayon sa social media. I think ito ang tamang panahon para makatulong... para maging springboard for discussion ng parents," Rivera told GMA News Online in an interview. 

 

The story is loosely based on the account of his wife's cousin, whose mother was a political detainee during that era. He also got ideas from his own experiences as a kid growing up during the Batas Militar days. 

 

Illustrated by Rommel Joson, Isang Harding Papel is the second of the three books about Martial Law ang People Power Revolution produced by the EDSA People Power Commission (EPPC) in partnership with Adarna House Publishing. The first book was entitled "EDSA," a counting book written by Russell Molina.  

 

Rivera also said that the objective of his stories is to make it easier for parents to discuss difficult to explain parts of Philippine history to their children. 

 

Empowering children 

 

Aside from the Martial Law, Rivera has also written stories about cancer, different kinds of abuses, and incest with younger audiences in mind. For him, there is no such thing as taboo topics for children. Hence, he encourages parents to give their children books that show even the less bright parts of life. 

 

"Kung ipo-protect mo sila at nagkataon nalagay sila sa ganyang sitwasyon at hindi nila alam kung paano i-handle, lalo silang maaabuso," he explained. 

 

Rivera said that the children should know what's a "bad touch" and when to say no. 

 

"You empower the kid when you expose them sa iba't-ibang kuwento, hindi lang sa fairytales. Itong mga realities na ito, sooner or later naman, makukuha rin nila. So, might as well equip them," the children's writer said. 

 

Despite the "harsh" realities of some of his stories, Rivera still ended most of them in a hopeful—"not necessarily happy"—note. — VC, GMA News