This Children's Book Spotlights the Warmth and Food of the Tausug
It's the first children's book all about Tausug culture.
(SPOT.ph) Children’s books are more than just bedtime stories—they're one of the first steps in shaping young minds, nurturing a love for reading, and introducing kids to the world around them. But more than just the text, the stories must also reflect the people of the times. In short, representation is key.
Good news: the first-ever children's book about the cuisine and culture of the Tausug people is now here. Introducing, Si Migoy, Ang Batang Tausug. This vibrantly illustrated book for kids is one of the few that celebrate Mindanaoan heritage. If you're looking for a new gift for the kids in your life, put this at the top of your list. Here's why this children's book is worth checking out.
Also read: 10 Must-Read Books By Filipino Authors
Check out Si Migoy, Ang Batang Tausug:
More than just your typical children's read, Si Migoy, Ang Batang Tausug introduces young readers to the food and traditions of the Tausug people. It follows the everyday adventures of young Migoy as he interacts with the different people in his life while featuring the nuances of Mindanaoan culture.
Si Migoy, Ang Batang Tausug is written by GMA reporter and news anchor Nelson Canlas and Dr. Isabel Cabel Moreno-Go, co-founder of Zamboanga's Hermosa Book Club. To make the story more accessible to young readers, the text is written in Tagalog, English, and Tausug under the guidance of Odette de Guzman for the Tagalog text, Kath Eustaquio-Derla for English, and Melissa Cabel and Marivic Tan Angga Abubakar for the Tausug translations.
Getting to know the real Migoy
If it hasn't been obvious, this book is a family project. The authors are in-laws, and the Cabel-Moreno matriarch is one of the translators. But more importantly, the book's protagonist, Migoy, is inspired by Moreno-Go's brother and Canlas' partner, Chef Miguel Cabel Moreno.
"The book was supposed to be just a gift to me, and [there were] no plans of launching it nationwide," jokes Chef Miguel Cabel Moreno, or Miggy as he is fondly called. Aside from being the real-life Migoy, he is the chef and owner of the Southern Mindanaoan restaurant Palm Grill in Quezon City. Like the rest of his family, Chef Miggy is a proud son of Mindanao and would go to great lengths to promote the area's heritage, specifically its cuisine. Case in point, at his restaurant, Chef Miggy serves the diners of Metro Manila the ZamBaSulTa (Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi) dishes he grew up with. Some of these Mindanaoan specialties include Piyanggang Manok and Tiyula Itum—all of which are featured in Si Migoy, Ang Batang Tausug.
According to Canlas and Moreno-Go, the decision to base the titular character on Chef Miggy was a no-brainer. "For years, my partner, Chef Miggy Cabel Moreno, has been a staunch advocate of Southern Mindanaoan cuisine, Tausug dishes, to be exact. His family has been at the forefront of preserving Tausug culture and heritage for generations," Canlas shares. "I simply dove in, making myself useful wherever I could."
But for Moreno-Go, she wanted a protagonist full of passion and creativity—two characteristics she says are at the core of who her brother is. Reflecting on her childhood memories, Moreno-Go details stories of how, even at a young age, young Miggy already had a strong love for cooking and experimenting in the kitchen. Memories of her brother cooking meals on holidays popped into her head as she was wracking her brains for ideas—and thus, Migoy was born.
"This book is a labor of love."
With family at the center, Canlas best describes Si Migoy, Ang Batang Tausug as a labor of love. But, aside from being the fruit of their love for Mindanaoan culture and heritage, this book also stems from Canlas's love for writing.
"I have nurtured the dream of becoming a writer for decades. But for many years, I put it off," says the showbiz and entertainment reporter. "Now, with retirement just five years away, I’ve been revisiting my dream list. And at the top of that list is becoming a published author."
The launch of Si Migoy, Ang Batang Tausug may have ticked this item off Canlas' list, but the best is yet to come. This March, the book will join other Filipino-authored titles as they represent the Philippines in the Bologna Book Fair—and that's just the tip of the iceberg. According to the team behind the book, they're also looking to be featured in other local book fairs, like the Philippine Book Festival, and on the international scene, perhaps even at the Frankfurt Book Fair.
While not everything is set in stone yet, one thing is certain: this isn't the last we'll see of Migoy. Si Migoy, Ang Batang Tausug is only the start of a four-part series featuring Tausug heritage. And yes, Canlas and Moreno-Go are still on board, and they're both ready to take Migoy (and his readers) on bigger, bolder adventures into Mindanao culture.
Pre-order a copy of Si Migoy, Ang Batang Tausug from FullyBooked for P425.
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