According to urbandictionary.com, my lifesaver when I encounter a new buzzword and I don’t want to appear clueless, the term “book face” is slang for Facebook. It can also be what happens to you when you leave your Facebook account open and someone else posts something naughty to your consternation—you’ve been “book-faced.” It’s also a kind of signature look on your face in your Facebook photos, as in “your book face.”

But none of the above definitions came close to what Connie Mabelo meant when she told her students to show her their book face. “I wanted them to engage with a book in an intimate way,” she explained, “specifically to meld the book with any body part and take a photograph showing the creative connection.”

This was a key push in her book literacy campaign as school principal at the Academy of International Education in Cagayan de Oro City.

Don’t look now, but her students had a field day coming up with their book face, as this exclusive pictorial spread shows. Pity the overwhelmed judges—Charley Tidy, artistic director, Rise Theatre, UK; Mary Rendon, former dance theater teacher, Manchester, UK; and Quesa Gopez, grammar and composition teacher, Alpha Omega Homeschool, Cagayan de Oro.

We asked the student-winners about their book face challenge.

Ena Minuette Tiro, 13, Grade 8

First place

Please tell us about your book choice.

“The Twilight Saga” is a series of vampire-themed romance fantasy novels by Stephenie Meyer. I saw the movie with my mom on Netflix. She has all the “Twilight” books. She’s a fan of Edward Cullen and likes how Edward sparkles each time he gets exposed to the sun in the movie.

Why that book?

I went through all the books we had at home, and then I saw the white flower dripping with blood. I remembered the movie, and I thought how cool the vampires looked. Confession: I am more of a manga (Japanese comics) lover.

How did you decide on your pose?

The concept of holding the flower with my mouth is from a game that I play, “Animal Crossing.” But since it’s a book about vampires, I thought of adding the blood effects from my mouth. It’s supposed to be an “I’m-young-and-I’m-a-vampire-so-be-scared-of-me” kind of pose.

What lessons did you learn from the project?

It takes a bookworm to know a reader. One way or another, I am sure that the students must have read the book or seen the movie adaptation. The activity taught me to comprehend and convey the message of the book.

Alea Jiancca Q. Plaza, 16, Grade 10

Second place

Please tell us about your book choice.

I chose Stephanie Laurens’ “Tangled Reins.” The book is about a romantic adventure between a lady with a bizarre character which led to her decision not to get married, and a dashing debonair who changed everything with a kiss. The title and the captivating cover picture ignited my curiosity to read the book since I am a lover of romance novels.

Why that book?

I am a fanatic of stories of bygone eras and romantic adventure. Maybe this is because I’m in that transition period from being a child to being a teenager. These genres appeal to my intellectual curiosity to learn about life in the past. A connection between childhood fairy tales and teenage romantic sweet nothings.

How did you decide on your pose?

I found the cover picture of the book to fit with my facial contour and personality. It was a symbiotic attraction between me and the book’s cover photo.

What lessons did you learn from the project?

I learned that book covers tell a lot about the book. It represents the story the author wants to convey. Surprisingly, it’s the opposite of the popular quote, if literally understood, which says, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Rafaello Josemaria Golez, 14, Grade 9

Third place

Please tell us about your book choice.

It is a motivational book which my father owns. The message of the book is, you have to have a purpose for everything that you do. I read the first few pages to get some basic knowledge of the book.

Why that book?

I like books which give motivational tips and tricks. I’m trying to be a book lover by reading more books.

How did you decide on your pose?

The pose was my dad’s idea. He just thought it would look nice, and, well, it worked.

What lessons did you learn from the project?

I learned to be more creative, and to think outside the box.

Mikaela Alexis Radaza, 15, Grade 9

Fourth place

Please tell us about your book choice.

This is a book about a series of letters and a key bequeathed in a mother’s will. The daughter has left her job as London’s premier perfumer to restore a villa to its former glory. I came across this book from my cousin who owns it.

Why that book?

This is not really the kind of books I read. Truth to tell, I don’t consider myself a book lover because I prefer to see the film version or to tune in to the audio book.