Alamat ng Kawayan

Modernong Alamat

by Segundo D. Matias Jr., Kora Dandan-Albano (Illustrator)

TAGALOG & ENGLISH Children's Stories With Moral Values In the old days in a faraway land, there was a fine blacksmith named Daniel. Daniel made the sturdiest swords of King Abrio and King Almario. But when he discovered where and how the swords were being used, he grew sad and did not hesitate to bury all the swords in the ground. From where the swords were buried, the grass that grew there slowly sprouted taller and taller. Their stems grew stout as well. Find out in this contemporary legend the origin of the bamboo and about the endless quest for peace.

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Segundo Matias Jr. is a recipient of numerous literary award giving bodies, which include three Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, the Philippine’s most prestigious—known as the “Pulitzer Prize” of the Philippines—and longest running awards program. Mr. Matias has also written screenplays for major movie outfits, as well as teleplays for various TV shows before entering the world of children’s literature. He is also a publisher and has published over 1,500 books for children and young adults. He is currently taking Masters in Creative Writing at the University of the Philippines—Diliman.

Reviews

[K.D. Absolutely · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am currently reading several local children's books suitable for live storytelling. This is because our book club here on Goodreads called Pinoy Reads Pinoy Books will hold a storytelling session with less-fortunate children as our audience at The Museo Pambata (Children's Museum) on May 25, 2013. We will also serve the children some food and leave this book, among many other titles, with them. So I need to know which three books are the best ones for storytelling for me to include them in our group's poll.

This book, Alamat ng Kawayan or The Legend of the Bamboo was written by Segundo D. Matias, Jr. who is the owner of Precious Hearts Romance. I met him in 2011 when I took a romance-novel writing workshop that his company sponsored. Aside from that, what attracted me to this book was the free read-along video that can be downloaded from YouTube or Facebook.

Entertaining story?

Yes, but it would be more appealing to boys. The story is about a father and his son and how the son inherits the trade of his father. It is also about one's role in a warfare. In the story the father and the son manufacture swords that two tribes use in killing each other. Since they live on top of a mountain, they are not aware that soldiers are dying because of their swords.

Moral lesson?

Yes, be aware where the goods that you produced are being used. There is no export regulatory commission during that time yet hahaha.

Logic?

For a children's book? Yes. I also liked the derivation of the term "kawayan" that according to Matias came from "Sa kawal yan." Cool.

Illustrations?

Clear, attractive and non pretentious. Very Pinoy.

Very good book for storytelling but I think this would appeal more for boys rather than boys and girls as a group audience.

[Miguel Dy]

How will i read this books?

[Louise Savannah]

I dont know how to read this I cant open it 🙁🙁😕