Si Kalipay: Ug Ang Kinagamyang Tiktik by Christina Newhard
Wonderfully told by Christina, poetically translated by Jona, and beautifully illustrated by Happy Garaje, Kalipay takes another look at the Tiktik (Cebuano), Manananggal (Tagalog), or ancient Philippine spirit that can disconnect with its lower body, fly around, and has a long tongue.
The Tiktik, and even its Tagalog equivalent the Mananaggal, is typically portrayed in a dark way: a creature with fierce teeth that flies around with its bloody exposed torso, searching for pregnant women or other unlucky victims in the middle of the night.
Abandoning the usual narrative of a scary creature associated with the likes of vampires and all others that stalk at night, the Tiktik in this story (named Gamay or small in Cebuano) is a friendly little companion for Kalipay, a little girl just trying to get through her school days without being bullied.
Highly recommended for everyone, especially for those with roots in Cebuano-speaking areas of the Philippines. There is a simple Cebuano-English glossary, as well as English text that sits alongside the Cebuano story, allowing readers to go back and forth between the languages to learn more words.
After the story is a small activity discussion you can have with your children, “pag-umangkids” (nieces and nephess), or with a friend.
*Special thanks to my friend Princess who got me this book a few years ago. I finally got to read it.
MORE BOOKS I’VE READ
- A Lolong Time Ago: A Prehistory of the Philippines
- Tikim by Doreen Fernandez
- Sangkap by Food Writers Association of the Philippines
- Taste of Control by R. Alexander D. Orquiza
- People in Panic by Marguerite Alcazaren de Leon
- Pigafetta’s Philippine Picnic by Felice Prudente Sta. Maria
- Every Sunday (Tuwing Linggo). A story on learning sign language
- Why do Filipinos have flat nose? By Ofelia Concepcion
SPECIAL THANKS TO MY SPONSOR… MY PATRONS
Thanks to the few Patrons who support me, I can use the funds to my buy books like these. Learn more about how you can support me and my art here: patreon.com/filipeanut.