Delight and nostalgia await readers, young and old, in this landmark collection of Filipino rhymes and verses for the very young. Rene O. Villanueva’s handpicked selections, Sergio Bumatay III’s stunning artwork, and Angela Narciso Torres’s vibrant English translation recapture and create anew a bygone world. Over 25 years in the making and spanning 88 entries, this wondrous treasure trove is sure to be cherished by the entire family.

Trim size: 10.25 x 8.5 inches
No. of pages: 176 pp plus cover
Year Published: 2023
ISBN: 978-621-422-048-9

At the hour of bedtime, nothing enchants a child like the joy of a well-loved folk song. Now, parents can collect three more folk songs sure to enthrall new generations of music lovers. Carefully curated by musicology expert Dr. Felicidad A. Prudente, each book features regional customs and traditions that showcase the diversity of our Philippine islands. Playful, humorous, at times wistful, these evocatively rendered musical landscapes offer young and old a fresh portal into the ear and soul of Filipino life.

Size: 8 x 10 in
Year Published: 2022

“Pok Pok Alimpako” is a game song in which children stack their fists, building an imaginary staircase to the moon and stars. Taking inspiration from the delicately intricate okir motifs in Maranao traditional art, Liza Flores used paper cutouts to weave a whimsical journey.

Give the Gift of Song!

At the hour of bedtime, nothing enchants a child like the joy of a well-loved folk song. Now, parents can collect all six folk songs sure to enthrall new generations of music lovers. Carefully curated by musicology expert Dr. Felicidad A. Prudente, each book features regional customs and traditions that showcase the diversity of our Philippine islands. Playful, humorous, at times wistful, these evocatively rendered musical landscapes offer young and old a fresh portal into the ear and soul of Filipino life.

Size: 8 x 10 in
ISBN: 978-621-422-037-3
Year Published: 2022

“Lubi-Lubi” is a song also called “An Mga Bulan” (The Months). For a song that celebrates the pleasures of eating native food year round, Mark & Jo of Happy Garaje depicts the various ways we enjoy coconuts through the changing seasons in the island of Leyte.

Give the Gift of Song!

At the hour of bedtime, nothing enchants a child like the joy of a well-loved folk song. Now, parents can collect all six folk songs sure to enthrall new generations of music lovers. Carefully curated by musicology expert Dr. Felicidad A. Prudente, each book features regional customs and traditions that showcase the diversity of our Philippine islands. Playful, humorous, at times wistful, these evocatively rendered musical landscapes offer young and old a fresh portal into the ear and soul of Filipino life.

Size: 8 x 10 in
ISBN: 978-621-422-039-7
Year Published: 2022

“Pong Pong Guinatbong” is a game song created for the amusement of babies. With lyrics that speak of the joy in cooking and eating the Ilokano pinakbet, Danielle illustrates the scrumptious flavors one can savor from the traditional earthen kitchen.

Give the Gift of Song!

At the hour of bedtime, nothing enchants a child like the joy of a well-loved folk song. Now, parents can collect all six folk songs sure to enthrall new generations of music lovers. Carefully curated by musicology expert Dr. Felicidad A. Prudente, each book features regional customs and traditions that showcase the diversity of our Philippine islands. Playful, humorous, at times wistful, these evocatively rendered musical landscapes offer young and old a fresh portal into the ear and soul of Filipino life.

Size: 8 x 10 in
ISBN: 978-621-422-026-7
Year Published: 2022

Illustrated by Harry Monzon

How hard is it to catch a river crab? Harry Monzon interprets the well-loved children’s song, “Pakitong-kitong” as a journey on a fishing boat navigating through the river while trying to catch the little creatures living in the lush mangrove forests of Cebu.

Illustrated by Hermes Alegre

If you loved Hermes Alegre’s art in BAHAY KUBO (1993), you’ll love his mother and child paintings against vivid countryside backdrops in his new picture book, PAGTULOG NA, NENE (2017).

“Pagtulog na, Nene” is a gentle lullaby from the Hiligaynon-speaking people of Panay Island in western Visayas, Philippines. The name “Nene” is a term of endearment for a female child or a young woman in the Visayas, and even in Luzon. Today, the song is frequently rendered in arranged choral style because of its sweet melody and flowing rhythm. It is possible that there are other versions of this lullaby, since folk songs are an oral tradition. They are shaped and reshaped over time by the people that sing them.

Illustrated by Fran Alvarez

The drawings of Fran Alvarez evoke the joy of finding harmony in the counting song, “Kaisa-isa Niyan.” Sang in the Maguindanaon language, it teaches children simple rhythms that can be played on the kulintang ensemble.

Illustrated by Kora Dandan Albano (Ed-Eddoy, Ifugao), Harry Monzon (Pakitong-Kitong, Cebuano), Fran Avarez (Kaisa-isa Niyan, Maguindanao)

At the hour of bedtime, nothing enchants parents and children like the joy of a well-loved folk song. Over a quarter-decade since publishing Bahay Kubo to wide acclaim, Tahanan Books unveils three folk songs sure to enthrall new generations of Filipino families. Carefully selected by musicology expert Dr. Felicidad A. Prudente, each song features regional customs and traditions that showcase the diversity of our islands.

Playful, humorous, at times wistful, these melodies hark back to a time when life was as simple as counting rusty coins, clanging a gong, and catching crabs for dinner. Evocatively illustrated by Kora Dandan Albano, Harry Monzon, and Fran Alvarez, these rich musical landscapes offer young and old a fresh portal into the ear and soul of Philippine culture.

Illustrated by Kora Dandan Albano

Sang in the language of Kiangan Tuwali, “Ed-Eddoy” is a tribute to the blessings of abundance showered on the Ifugao people. Kora Dandan Albano illustrates in careful detail the rich traditions of living in the rice terraces.