Etong, the Kalagan Storyteller, an illustrated book project of Cor Jesu College, Inc. and is funded by the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), was among the 59 books launched during the 2nd Mindanao Book Festival last June 13, 2022, held at St. Alphonsus Theological and Mission Institute (SATMI), Bajada, Davao City.
authors/writers from Mindanao.
Etong, the Kalagan Storyteller, which is part of the project about the history of the Kalagans in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, was written by Dr. Randy A. Tudy and Dr. Ida G. Tudy, with Crisalyn Casing as the Illustrator and Loreto Cabanda as the Kalagan Interpreter. The book is written in three languages- Kalagan, Cebuano, and English.
In his reviews of children’s books, Bro. Karl Gaspar wrote: “Etong’s illustrations are in much brighter hues appearing very much like children’s crayon drawings.”
The Book Festival, sponsored by SATMI, MindaNews, and Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, showcased the books authored by Mindanaoans, which included award-winning books, such as the Handumanan (Remembrance): Digging for Indigenous Wellspring by Karl Gaspar, Spaces by Maria Frencie Carreon, and Dako nga Yahong sang Batchoy by Jennie Arado of Koronadal City and illustrator Rayah Dizon-Maniago. Handuman and Spaces won the Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards while Dako nga Yahong sang Barchoy won the 2018 South Cotabato Children’s Story Writing Contest.
Bro. Karl Gaspar is an alumnus of the High School Department of Cor Jesu College. Another CJC alumnus who participated in the launching was former Presidential Adviser for Peace Process, Secretary Jesus Dureza, the author of “Walked with the Presidents”.
Panlungsod’s Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Culture and the Arts
and former Secretary Jesus Dureza.
The book was also launched at the Municipality of Hagonoy, Davao del Sur during the Convocation and Flag Raising Ceremony last June 20, 2022, held at the entrance of the new Municipal Hall. Mayor Franco M. Calida personally led the distribution of the books to the selected beneficiaries- the Kalagan children.
The event was attended by Dr. Anna Liza C. Cerbo, Research and Publication Office Director of Cor Jesu College, Bae Elen San Juan Villegas, the Municipal Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (MIPMR), Matikareng Marcelino Martinez, the Municipal Chieftain, Pastor George Martinez, and the government workers of national agencies and LGU Hagonoy.
