Short Stories: Si Kaitlin at ang Game Machine

(Kaitlin and the Game Machine)

Story by: Ferdinand Pisigan Jarin

Illustrated by: Manix Abrera

English Translation by: Ina Alleco Silverio

Vibal Group

(4/5 ★★★★☆)

"Laging nakakulong sa kaniyang kuwarto si Kaitlin. Hirap siyang tawagin ng kaniyang mga magulang tuwing kainan. Hindi na rin naeehersisyo nang sapat ang kaniyang katawan. Lahat ng iyan dahil sa pagkababad niya sa paglalaro sa computer o tablet.

Ngunit nagbago ang lahat nang kaniyang nakilala ang isang makinang nakapagsasalita at nagdala sa kaniya sa isang lugar na hindi niya makalilimutan." 

The Good:

The story was a nice reflection of the current manner on how kids act out the word "playing".

There were several nods to famous games such as Temple Run and Flappy Bird.

The illustrations were great, as one could expect from Manix Abrera.

The Bad:

It is sad to learn at the end of the story that the other kids in Kaitlin's neighborhood are also obsessed with playing on the computer and/or tablet. It just made me think of the hard time she will be having in order to convince the other kids in her neighborhood to come out and play.

The Verdict:

Playing games that were famous before the era of smartphones and app based games was a nice lesson told in this story.

It highlights the advantages of playing those street games that some children do not even know the name or how to play it nowadays.

Si Kaitlin at ang Game Machine tells the importance of being well rounded in playing games that does not rely on technology. It shares that these are one of the best ways to make new friends and to bond with each other.

Short Stories: The Magic Circle

Story by: Gilda Cordero Fernando

Illustrated by: Gilbert Daroy

Anvil Publishing

(4/5 ★★★★☆)

"Umaaraw umuulan

kinakasal ang tikbalang"

The Plot:

Jepoy Baybayin, the poorest boy in town, is invited to the wedding of two tikbalangs. Entering the banyan tree, the world of the invisibles was seen as humans, animals, plants and spirits came together for the ceremony. The celebration came to a halt as sad experiences were told by a tall, sullen, damp and bedragged kapre.

The Good:

This is a nice story that surprisingly uses the marriage of tikbalangs in order to paint the scenery of human selfishness.

The illustrations made by Daroy are really great. They complement well with the story written by Fernando.

The Bad:

I guess this book is a bit expensive. It is best to purchase this book during book sales.

The Verdict:

The Magic Circle tells us a story by using the Philippine mythological creatures. It gives a perspective on the human life through the eyes of the invisibles. A dying kapre opens the window for us to look at what we have been doing to our planet. Our home that we live in side by side with the animals, plants and spirits.