"Si Celestino Cabal. Kabebertdey niya lang. Mayroon siyang nakuhang regalo na ngayo'y unti-unti niyang binubuksan. Sabi nga ng mga matatanda, huli man daw at magaling, naihahabol din. Kaya 'wag kang mag-alala, tatanda ka rin."
RUSSELL MOLINA is a Filipino children’s book author and graphic novelist.
Reflecting current Filipino realities and mirroring the local milieu and culture, his stories embrace a wide range of themes: From difficult issues like discrimination and apathy to real-life experiences like sibling rivalry and the reinvention of the family structure. With books like “Madyik Silya ni Titoy” (Titoy’s Magical Chair) and “Sampu Pataas, Sampu Pababa” (Ten Up, Ten Down), Molina has inspired children to conquer physical disabilities with a dose of creativity and imagination.
For his stories, he has won in numerous awards shows, including the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, The PBBY Salanga Writer’s Prize, The PBBY Alcala Illustrator’s Prize, the National Children’s Book Awards and the National Book Awards.
In 2022, he was awarded the lifetime achievement award, UMPIL’s Gawad Alagad ni Balagtas, in recognition of his contribution to children’s literature.
Hindi nagbago yung pananabik ko sa librong ito. Kung gaano kabilis ko natapos ang una ay sya ding kapareha ng pangalawang limbag nito. Nasasabik na akong mabasa ang ikatlong kabanata! May bitin factor lagi. Hindi na ako makapaghintay sa mga susunod na mangyayari sa kay Mang Tino at sa mga karakter ng komiks na ito.
The story continues after Mang Tino saves his wife after nearly being run over by a truck. During this incident, an unimaginable thing happened and he was able to stop the truck with his new found super powers.
The origin of why a senior citizen had developed superpowers on his 66th birthday would still be a question that we would be looking forward to be answered in the future.