Launched during the 35th Manila International Book Fair recently by Lampara Publishing House Inc., “Moymoy Lulumboy” has the potential to be a popular series with the possibility of crossing over to film and on stage as proven by the Far Eastern University Theater Guild whose short performance of the story’s prologue had guests clamoring for more.
Moymoy is from the world of the enchanted or Gabun but circumstances force the tibaro Montar to leave him as an infant in the care of a human named Tracy, who works as a bookstore staffer in a Makati mall. Montar says that the future of Gabun rests in the safety of the child and that he will be back to retrieve him when the time is right.
There will understandably be comparisons with a certain boy wizard from the West and Matias Jr. recognizes this. He says that it is one of his biggest obstacles when he was writing the story—which was how to make it not similar to any preexisting text.
It’s difficult he admits but any such similarities end there as Moymoy has much to learn about his past and future while embracing his role in Gabun, a once-peaceful place that has been cursed by the gods due to the actions of one greedy tibaro.
Illustrating the book is Jomike Tejido, an architect who finished his studies at University of Santo Tomas and who has done work as both writer and artist in almost 70 children’s books, including “Tagu-Taguan” (Best Reads 2010); “Pundido” (Golden Book 2002)l “Ma-Me-Mi-Mumu!”; “Foldabots Toy Books”; and the “Jepoy Dyip” series.
Tejido is also a painter; his paintings on banig have been exhibited in solo shows in Manila and in group shows in Tokyo, Paris and US. Through his works, he aims to showcase the richness of Filipino culture. His banig paintings were featured in the Lampara book, “Mabuting Pilipino,” written by singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon.
Tejido said Matias gave him a free hand in drawing the characters. He proceeded to provide them a more contemporary look.
“I combined the designs of flowers and insects in making the armors and clothing of the tibaro because I wanted to give them a different look from what we are already used to,” Tejido said. “I want to be able to give today’s young readers—having been exposed to the designs seen in foreign videogames and comics—something they can relate to.”
Matias, also known by his persona “Kuya Jun,” was once a screen writer for films and television before he entered the world of children’s literature. He has written screenplays for Viva Films, Seiko Films, and Regal Films, as well as teleplays for various TV shows, including “Lino Brocka Presents.”
He has published over 1,500 books for children and young adults including the following series titles: “Makabagong Alamat,” “Mga Kuwentong Nanay” and “Mga Kuwentong Dapat Mong Malaman.”
His “Alamat ng Duhat” won first prize at the 2011 Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature.
In 2012, his “Ang Papag ni Tatang” merited an honorable mention citation from the PBBY-Salanga Prize. His other awards include receiving a first honorable mention citation for the teleplay, “Loida: Taxi Driver” during the 1991 Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards.
“Moymoy Lulumboy: Ang Batang Aswang” is available at all leading bookstores nationwide.
E-mail the author at dextermatilla@gmail.com; follow @dxmatilla on Twitter; visit www.thedxmatillashow. blogspot.com.