Book launch: Silim, Prinsesa ng Dilim

Ibang-iba si Silim, diwa ng dilim,
pati ang baro't sayang napakaitim.
Siya lamang ang kimi at tahimik
kasama ang libro, kuwago, at kuliglig.

May tanong siyang kinikimkim:
"Bakit kaya ayaw nila sa akin?"

On July 16, 2021, the Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (CANVAS) launched the book “Silim, Prinsesa ng Dilim” written by Mark Joseph Bacho and illustrated by Luis Lorenzana.

A winner of the Romeo Forbes Children’s Story Writing Competition, this mythological tale touches on contemporary issues of diversity, tolerance, and finding beauty and pride in one’s identity. It tells the story of Silim, who bears the gift of darkness among fellow spirits who all bring light.

The book was launched at UP Vargas Museum, where CANVAS presented three main exhibitions that featured collections developed for publications under two of CANVAS’ literacy programs, the One Million Books for One Million Filipino Children Campaign and the Romeo Forbes Children’s Story Writing Competition.

The exhibit, titled “Tumba-tumba: Stories and Spaces,” is the third time for CANVAS to turn the Vargas Museum into a children's museum in order to give visitors a glimpse of its vision for what a children's museum ought to be: visually engaging, memorable, and fearlessly interactive.

A non-profit that works with the creative community to promote literacy and explore national identity, CANVAS publishes its award-winning children's stories and donates their books to benefit children in public schools and poor communities throughout the Philippines. Its “One Million Books for One Million Filipino Children Campaign” promotes independent reading and creative thinking in Filipino children, while also exposing them to the best of contemporary Filipino art and literature.

“Silim, Prinsesa ng Dilim” is now available via lookingforjuan.com where every purchase is matched with book donations to two children in support of CANVAS' 1 Million Books for 1 Million Filipino Children Campaign.