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Si Iska at Ang Nawawalang Kampana
Nang sumapit ang ikalabing-anim na kaarawan ni Iska, maraming nagbago. Umuwi ang kaniyang lola, mommy, at mga tiyahin na tila tumanda nang ilang dekada. Bigla ring naglaho ang kampana ng Antipolo. Sa isang iglap, hindi na matiyak ni Iska ang totoo sa hindi. Nalugmok pa siya nang iwan ng boyfriend niyang si Joshua.
Kasama ang mga kaibigang sina Kenneth, Jane, at ang munting nuno na si Kiko, haharap si Iska sa matinding pagsubok at makakakilala ng iba’t ibang nilalang. Kailangan niyang iligtas ang pamilya niya . . . at ang mundong akala niya’y kilala niya.
Kasama ang mga kaibigang sina Kenneth, Jane, at ang munting nuno na si Kiko, haharap si Iska sa matinding pagsubok at makakakilala ng iba’t ibang nilalang. Kailangan niyang iligtas ang pamilya niya . . . at ang mundong akala niya’y kilala niya.
- GenresFantasy
202 pages, Paperback
Published October 25, 2025
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January 17, 2026
‘Si Iska at ang Nawawalang Kampana’ by Kim Derla is the first of a planned young adult trilogy about Francesca Dipasupil, a teenager living her normal life in Antipolo until she discovers her magical ancestry. Kim Derla is known for her constant National Book Store Best Sellers poetry and essay collections Pagsibol, Paglayag, Paghilom, among others. Iska is her debut fantasy book, which also served as her thesis for a Master's degree in Malikhaing Pagsulat in UP Diliman.
Plot Summary
To give an overview of the plot: Iska follows a standard “all-the-stories-were-true” framework we’ve seen in Percy Jackson, Janus Silang and other middle-grade adventure novels. In the book, Iska starts getting hints of her magical-ness through dreams and weird moments such as a nuno appearing in her bedroom and a random old woman warning her about her upcoming birthday. The plot then gets triggered when the antagonists steal and hide the Antipolo Church bell which, in the story, serves as the world’s protection to prevent the Bakunawa from eating the last remaining moon and casting the world into an eternal darkness. We are told that the bell got stolen because its supposed protectors, Iska’s family… got busy cooking and preparing for her 16th birthday party.
Iska’s family then goes home after an encounter with these “dark forces” but with all of them extremely aged up to the point of being close to death, prompting them to reveal Iska’s true ancestry and instructing her to go to the magic world of Hiraya to accomplish the mission of retrieving the magic bell before the Bakunawa arrives in five days during an eclipse. She then trains with the nuno Kiko, a half-god Kenneth and her real world best friend Jane, who turns out to be magical also, to learn her powers and go on the quest.
Within those five days, Iska, Kiko, and Kenneth they face a series of creatures in Antipolo guarding the hidden church bell. The bakunawa arrives in the climax but the bell suddenly wouldn’t suffice to banish it so Iska had to use her newly-discovered powers to seemingly kill it. She gets hurt in the process, causing her to lose consciousness. She talks to her godly parent Bathala for the first time in her dream before she wakes up. The book teases the next installation of the series by revealing that the Bakunawa is merely the first of the dangers from the dark world Huklob and that others of Iska's kind exist elsewhere.
Review Proper
What becomes apparent in the start of the novel is that the book is meant to appeal with Filipino Gen Z readers. The overall language used by the narrator feels very contemporary, with the usage of terms such as “relapse” with their online context. Some mythological creatures are also interpreted in modern, unique ways that may spark interest in Tagalog mythology. The general vibe can be compared with fantasy TV series “Wansapanataym” and “Hiraya Manawari”, giving a nostalgic feel for older readers (unfortunately already including me).
It is worth mentioning that despite getting published under the Anvil Teens imprint, the narration, moral values, humor, and overall logic makes the book feel more geared towards middle grade readers aged 8-12. So note that my issues with the book might come with my own age and expectations.
My personal gripe with the narration style of the book is not necessarily because it feels immature for teens, but because the voice of the 3rd-person narrator sounds so similar with Iska’s own voice and even the side character Kiko to the point where they all blend together. It's a wonder why the author chose a 3rd-person POV instead of fully telling the book from Iska’s perspective. The narrating voice also has a tendency of telling things that it should’ve let the audience realize for themselves. For example, the character Kenneth is repeatedly described to be hot-headed and grumpy to the point where it becomes too distracting. This is even before we get to see Kenneth actually act like what he's described like.
A lot of readers have already pointed out the lack of pages (this has 201) to flesh out the worldbuilding, which is a heavy duty of a first book in a fantasy series. The book assumes that the reader is already familiar with ancient Tagalog mythology, which is fair given that most myth-inspired stories in the country are inspired by it. However, the series has its own system that needed to be explained thoroughly. There are so many unclear portions of the plot where I thought an additional hundred pages or so wouldn’t have hurt. There should be a right balance of what to reveal about the world in the first book that would leave the reader excited for more but at the same time suffice for a self-contained story such as this one.
For example, I was waiting for the implication of the existence of gods to the religion of the people, especially that the power of the god Bathala manifests through a bell used by a Catholic Church. Is Bathala the supreme creator of this world? How does the gods and deities mentioned play a role in the world? Is the conversion from paganism to the more monotheistic religion a reason for the dwindling connection between the gods and humans?
The magic world of Hiraya is barely explored. I thought it’d be essential to know at least its structure. Who rules and manages Hiraya? What are the preparations they have done to counter the looming threat of the dark world Huklob?
Most of the action-adventure felt very lousy and convenient. Iska, who as we know does not engage in sports or physical activity of any kind beforehand, trains for five days to prepare for her mission. Said training included running laps around a jogging oval. She gets a necklace that gives her what she needs in the moment (super-speed) beyond her established powers and abilities (poison-identifying, fire-making, bow and arrow skills, and enhanced physical strength).
In fairness, I liked the twists the author made to the adversaries tikbalang (sphynx-like riddle giver) and bungisngis (tito-type joker) to contemporize them but at the same time thought the sigbin, syokoy, and bakunawa felt unimaginative in comparison. The antagonists were shown to have the power of casting an ageing spell to Iska's family but its horror was not revisited afterwards. Why wasn't Iska scared of being turned into an old person herself?
The side character Kiko does not justify his own existence. A self-declared sidekick must offer essential physical, emotional, or informative help to the heroine but Kiko wasn't able to. The info-dumping role is given to other characters, Kiko didn’t show any physical or magical prowess integral to the plot -- often becoming a liability himself, and his encouraging, comedic, and sarcastic “side comments” were repetitive with the narrator and Iska. As to Iska, I would like to see where her character arc goes beyond the “believe in yourself more” and “be brave” route. Her break-up given focus on the early chapters did not play a part on her quest at all, aside from making her feel down sometimes.
The most puzzling thing for me is in the ending, where after the final battle Iska loses consciousness and her heartbeat for three days. No one from her family and friends get a sign that her subconscious is still working but still await for her awakening. It was illogical to me for anyone to treat a person without a heartbeat for three days as if they were only sleeping! Jesus Christ parallel?
Overall, I think the book should have gone through some rounds of checking or beta-reading before publication to fix the logic and consistency of the plot and narration. I still would like to see where the series goes and I would love it if the sequels makes the world-building and characters more thought-out. We need more of our own mythology-inspired fantasy adventures and 'Iska' has the potential to attract a lot of younger readers, which we really need today.
Copy of the book provided by Anvil Publishing for free through The Filipino Shelf.
Plot Summary
To give an overview of the plot: Iska follows a standard “all-the-stories-were-true” framework we’ve seen in Percy Jackson, Janus Silang and other middle-grade adventure novels. In the book, Iska starts getting hints of her magical-ness through dreams and weird moments such as a nuno appearing in her bedroom and a random old woman warning her about her upcoming birthday. The plot then gets triggered when the antagonists steal and hide the Antipolo Church bell which, in the story, serves as the world’s protection to prevent the Bakunawa from eating the last remaining moon and casting the world into an eternal darkness. We are told that the bell got stolen because its supposed protectors, Iska’s family… got busy cooking and preparing for her 16th birthday party.
Iska’s family then goes home after an encounter with these “dark forces” but with all of them extremely aged up to the point of being close to death, prompting them to reveal Iska’s true ancestry and instructing her to go to the magic world of Hiraya to accomplish the mission of retrieving the magic bell before the Bakunawa arrives in five days during an eclipse. She then trains with the nuno Kiko, a half-god Kenneth and her real world best friend Jane, who turns out to be magical also, to learn her powers and go on the quest.
Within those five days, Iska, Kiko, and Kenneth they face a series of creatures in Antipolo guarding the hidden church bell. The bakunawa arrives in the climax but the bell suddenly wouldn’t suffice to banish it so Iska had to use her newly-discovered powers to seemingly kill it. She gets hurt in the process, causing her to lose consciousness. She talks to her godly parent Bathala for the first time in her dream before she wakes up. The book teases the next installation of the series by revealing that the Bakunawa is merely the first of the dangers from the dark world Huklob and that others of Iska's kind exist elsewhere.
Review Proper
What becomes apparent in the start of the novel is that the book is meant to appeal with Filipino Gen Z readers. The overall language used by the narrator feels very contemporary, with the usage of terms such as “relapse” with their online context. Some mythological creatures are also interpreted in modern, unique ways that may spark interest in Tagalog mythology. The general vibe can be compared with fantasy TV series “Wansapanataym” and “Hiraya Manawari”, giving a nostalgic feel for older readers (unfortunately already including me).
It is worth mentioning that despite getting published under the Anvil Teens imprint, the narration, moral values, humor, and overall logic makes the book feel more geared towards middle grade readers aged 8-12. So note that my issues with the book might come with my own age and expectations.
My personal gripe with the narration style of the book is not necessarily because it feels immature for teens, but because the voice of the 3rd-person narrator sounds so similar with Iska’s own voice and even the side character Kiko to the point where they all blend together. It's a wonder why the author chose a 3rd-person POV instead of fully telling the book from Iska’s perspective. The narrating voice also has a tendency of telling things that it should’ve let the audience realize for themselves. For example, the character Kenneth is repeatedly described to be hot-headed and grumpy to the point where it becomes too distracting. This is even before we get to see Kenneth actually act like what he's described like.
A lot of readers have already pointed out the lack of pages (this has 201) to flesh out the worldbuilding, which is a heavy duty of a first book in a fantasy series. The book assumes that the reader is already familiar with ancient Tagalog mythology, which is fair given that most myth-inspired stories in the country are inspired by it. However, the series has its own system that needed to be explained thoroughly. There are so many unclear portions of the plot where I thought an additional hundred pages or so wouldn’t have hurt. There should be a right balance of what to reveal about the world in the first book that would leave the reader excited for more but at the same time suffice for a self-contained story such as this one.
For example, I was waiting for the implication of the existence of gods to the religion of the people, especially that the power of the god Bathala manifests through a bell used by a Catholic Church. Is Bathala the supreme creator of this world? How does the gods and deities mentioned play a role in the world? Is the conversion from paganism to the more monotheistic religion a reason for the dwindling connection between the gods and humans?
The magic world of Hiraya is barely explored. I thought it’d be essential to know at least its structure. Who rules and manages Hiraya? What are the preparations they have done to counter the looming threat of the dark world Huklob?
Most of the action-adventure felt very lousy and convenient. Iska, who as we know does not engage in sports or physical activity of any kind beforehand, trains for five days to prepare for her mission. Said training included running laps around a jogging oval. She gets a necklace that gives her what she needs in the moment (super-speed) beyond her established powers and abilities (poison-identifying, fire-making, bow and arrow skills, and enhanced physical strength).
In fairness, I liked the twists the author made to the adversaries tikbalang (sphynx-like riddle giver) and bungisngis (tito-type joker) to contemporize them but at the same time thought the sigbin, syokoy, and bakunawa felt unimaginative in comparison. The antagonists were shown to have the power of casting an ageing spell to Iska's family but its horror was not revisited afterwards. Why wasn't Iska scared of being turned into an old person herself?
The side character Kiko does not justify his own existence. A self-declared sidekick must offer essential physical, emotional, or informative help to the heroine but Kiko wasn't able to. The info-dumping role is given to other characters, Kiko didn’t show any physical or magical prowess integral to the plot -- often becoming a liability himself, and his encouraging, comedic, and sarcastic “side comments” were repetitive with the narrator and Iska. As to Iska, I would like to see where her character arc goes beyond the “believe in yourself more” and “be brave” route. Her break-up given focus on the early chapters did not play a part on her quest at all, aside from making her feel down sometimes.
The most puzzling thing for me is in the ending, where after the final battle Iska loses consciousness and her heartbeat for three days. No one from her family and friends get a sign that her subconscious is still working but still await for her awakening. It was illogical to me for anyone to treat a person without a heartbeat for three days as if they were only sleeping! Jesus Christ parallel?
Overall, I think the book should have gone through some rounds of checking or beta-reading before publication to fix the logic and consistency of the plot and narration. I still would like to see where the series goes and I would love it if the sequels makes the world-building and characters more thought-out. We need more of our own mythology-inspired fantasy adventures and 'Iska' has the potential to attract a lot of younger readers, which we really need today.
Copy of the book provided by Anvil Publishing for free through The Filipino Shelf.
January 19, 2026
Actual rating: 3.75 stars
𝘚𝘪 𝘐𝘴𝘬𝘢 𝘢𝘵 𝘈𝘯𝘨 𝘕𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘒𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘢 is a YA novel, though in tone it leans closer to middle grade—something that actually makes it very accessible and easy to enjoy. 🙂↕️ The story follows Iska, a young girl navigating family changes and first heartbreak, who becomes entangled in the mystery behind the missing bell of Antipolo. With its mix of coming-of-age themes, local folklore, and light fantasy, the book is quick to pull you in and even quicker to finish. ✨️
The story's greatest strength for me lies in its pacing. The plot moves briskly, keeping things engaging and making it a very smooth, enjoyable read. The incorporation of Filipino mythology and local elements adds a lot of charm, grounding the adventure in a distinctly Filipino setting that will feel familiar and exciting at the same time.
Some readers may find themselves wishing for a bit more depth in the characters, particularly the supporting cast. While they play their roles well in moving the story forward, there's clear potential for even richer backstories and development. Iska herself is relatable and emotionally open—at times very “marupok”—which fits her age and circumstances, though a bit more visible growth could have made her journey even more impactful.
Similarly, while the fast pacing works in the book's favor, there are moments where slowing down just a little could have allowed the lore, family history, and world-building to shine more. The ideas are all there, and with a bit more room to breathe, they could have added even more depth to an already engaging story.
Overall, 𝘚𝘪 𝘐𝘴𝘬𝘢 𝘢𝘵 𝘈𝘯𝘨 𝘕𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘒𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘢 is a warm, approachable, and culturally rooted read with a lot of heart. It's an enjoyable adventure that I would happily recommend—especially to younger readers or anyone looking for a quick, local fantasy with emotional beats and a strong sense of place. ☺️
Again, thank you so much to @wandersofkim, @anvilpublishing, and @thefilipinoshelf for including me in this tour. 💛
𝘚𝘪 𝘐𝘴𝘬𝘢 𝘢𝘵 𝘈𝘯𝘨 𝘕𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘒𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘢 is a YA novel, though in tone it leans closer to middle grade—something that actually makes it very accessible and easy to enjoy. 🙂↕️ The story follows Iska, a young girl navigating family changes and first heartbreak, who becomes entangled in the mystery behind the missing bell of Antipolo. With its mix of coming-of-age themes, local folklore, and light fantasy, the book is quick to pull you in and even quicker to finish. ✨️
The story's greatest strength for me lies in its pacing. The plot moves briskly, keeping things engaging and making it a very smooth, enjoyable read. The incorporation of Filipino mythology and local elements adds a lot of charm, grounding the adventure in a distinctly Filipino setting that will feel familiar and exciting at the same time.
Some readers may find themselves wishing for a bit more depth in the characters, particularly the supporting cast. While they play their roles well in moving the story forward, there's clear potential for even richer backstories and development. Iska herself is relatable and emotionally open—at times very “marupok”—which fits her age and circumstances, though a bit more visible growth could have made her journey even more impactful.
Similarly, while the fast pacing works in the book's favor, there are moments where slowing down just a little could have allowed the lore, family history, and world-building to shine more. The ideas are all there, and with a bit more room to breathe, they could have added even more depth to an already engaging story.
Overall, 𝘚𝘪 𝘐𝘴𝘬𝘢 𝘢𝘵 𝘈𝘯𝘨 𝘕𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘒𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘢 is a warm, approachable, and culturally rooted read with a lot of heart. It's an enjoyable adventure that I would happily recommend—especially to younger readers or anyone looking for a quick, local fantasy with emotional beats and a strong sense of place. ☺️
Again, thank you so much to @wandersofkim, @anvilpublishing, and @thefilipinoshelf for including me in this tour. 💛
January 17, 2026
⭐⭐⭐
May vibes ng Percy Jackson but that's fine. Medyo nakukulangan lang ako sa bandang gitna. Scenes and all. Pero ang rikit ng ending. Really satisfying and promising.
May vibes ng Percy Jackson but that's fine. Medyo nakukulangan lang ako sa bandang gitna. Scenes and all. Pero ang rikit ng ending. Really satisfying and promising.
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January 4, 2026Modernong tinig ng epiko sa kamalayan ng mambabasang Pilipino ang inihahain ni Kim Derla sa nobelang pangkabataang Si Iska at ang Nawawalang Kampana. Matutunghayan dito ang mga karakter mula sa ating mga epiko, alamat, at mito, tulad ni Bathala, ng nuno, ng mga sigbin, bungisngis, tikbakang, siyokoy, hukluban, at bakunawa. Kung paanong nilagyan ni Derla ng modernong tinig ang mga karakter, tulad ng sidekick na nuno ni Iska na si Kiko na akala mo eh Gen Z kung magsalita, binigyan niya rin ng modernong mukha ang ilang mga karakter, katulad na lang ng paggamit ng vape ng tikbalang (babaeng tikbalang) imbes na tabako. Sa madaling salita, inilapat ni Derla sa kasalukuyan ang panulat upang maging kawili-wili sa mambabasang kabataan ang kaniyang nobela.
Antipolo ang nagsilbing lunan ng kabuoan ng nobela. Bilang taga-Antipolo, may pamilyaridad na agad ako sa mga lugar at mga bagay na narito---ang Katedral, ang kampana, ang tipulo, ang mga balete, ang Hinulugang Taktak, ang daloy ng trapiko, ang suman, at iba pang magpapaalala na ito nga ang Antipolo. Dito magsisimula ang pakikipagsapalaran ni Franceska "Iska" Dipasupil, tipikal na high school girl---umiibig at nasasaktan---ngunit may mas mabigat na tungkulin pa palang naghihintay pagsapit ng kaniyang ikalabing-anim na kaarawan, lampas sa kaniyang suliraning pampuso. Kailangan niyang labanan ang dilim upang panatilihin ang liwanag.
Malaking kalakasan ng nobela na babae naman ang ginawang bida ni Derla, sa panitikan na maging ang mga bidang karakter ay puno ng kalalakihan. Tinuruan ng manunulat na lumaban si Iska sa mga hamon, mula sa pagiging mahina at patagong binu-bully ng kaniyang mga kamag-aral, o pinagti-trip-an lang ng lalaking iniibig. Kaibig-ibig din ang iba pang mga karakter, tulad ng sidekick nuno niyang si Kiko na nakadagdag ng katatawanan sa nobela, sa panahong seryoso ang kanilang kinahaharap na laban. Malaking bagay rin na hindi lang iisang lugar sa Antipolo ang ginamit ni Derla; minaksima niya ang mga narito sa abot ng kaniyang makakaya. Pinunan niya ng hiwaga ang mga lugar na halos araw-araw iniiralan ng mamamayan ng Antipolo.
Mabilis lang basahin ang nobela. Dahil para ito sa mga kabataan, fast-paced ang kuwento at manipis lang ang aklat; mayroon lang itong 201 pahina. Nakadagdag din ng ganda ang mga ilustrasyong nakapaloob sa aklat, bagay na nakaeengganyo rin sa mga kabataan upang buklatin ito at basahin, idagdag pa ang libreng photocard. Mairerekomenda sa mga kabataang mambabasa na mahihilig sa pantasya.
Binasa ko ang poetics ni Kim Derla na nasa Ang Kampana sa Pagkatha: Paglilinang ng Karunungang-Bayan sa Panitikang Pangkabataan. Likhaan: The Journal of Contemporary Philippine Literature, Vol. 16, No. 3. 2024, at masasabi ko na malaking pagtawid ang ginawa niya---mula sa pagiging Wattpad writer hanggang sa pagsusulat ng Si Iska at ang Nawawalang Kampana. Para sa akin ay napagtagumpayan niya ito dahil nakuha ng Iska ang mga katangiang ipinaliwanag ni Derla sa kaniyang poetika, marahil ay nalagpasan pa nga niya. Mula sa pagiging pinal na kahingian sa kursong MA Malikhaing Pagsulat, may naghihintay pang mas malaking pakikipagsapalaran si Iska. Hindi pa tapos ang kuwento, at isa ako sa maghihintay na masundan ito.
Antipolo ang nagsilbing lunan ng kabuoan ng nobela. Bilang taga-Antipolo, may pamilyaridad na agad ako sa mga lugar at mga bagay na narito---ang Katedral, ang kampana, ang tipulo, ang mga balete, ang Hinulugang Taktak, ang daloy ng trapiko, ang suman, at iba pang magpapaalala na ito nga ang Antipolo. Dito magsisimula ang pakikipagsapalaran ni Franceska "Iska" Dipasupil, tipikal na high school girl---umiibig at nasasaktan---ngunit may mas mabigat na tungkulin pa palang naghihintay pagsapit ng kaniyang ikalabing-anim na kaarawan, lampas sa kaniyang suliraning pampuso. Kailangan niyang labanan ang dilim upang panatilihin ang liwanag.
Malaking kalakasan ng nobela na babae naman ang ginawang bida ni Derla, sa panitikan na maging ang mga bidang karakter ay puno ng kalalakihan. Tinuruan ng manunulat na lumaban si Iska sa mga hamon, mula sa pagiging mahina at patagong binu-bully ng kaniyang mga kamag-aral, o pinagti-trip-an lang ng lalaking iniibig. Kaibig-ibig din ang iba pang mga karakter, tulad ng sidekick nuno niyang si Kiko na nakadagdag ng katatawanan sa nobela, sa panahong seryoso ang kanilang kinahaharap na laban. Malaking bagay rin na hindi lang iisang lugar sa Antipolo ang ginamit ni Derla; minaksima niya ang mga narito sa abot ng kaniyang makakaya. Pinunan niya ng hiwaga ang mga lugar na halos araw-araw iniiralan ng mamamayan ng Antipolo.
Mabilis lang basahin ang nobela. Dahil para ito sa mga kabataan, fast-paced ang kuwento at manipis lang ang aklat; mayroon lang itong 201 pahina. Nakadagdag din ng ganda ang mga ilustrasyong nakapaloob sa aklat, bagay na nakaeengganyo rin sa mga kabataan upang buklatin ito at basahin, idagdag pa ang libreng photocard. Mairerekomenda sa mga kabataang mambabasa na mahihilig sa pantasya.
Binasa ko ang poetics ni Kim Derla na nasa Ang Kampana sa Pagkatha: Paglilinang ng Karunungang-Bayan sa Panitikang Pangkabataan. Likhaan: The Journal of Contemporary Philippine Literature, Vol. 16, No. 3. 2024, at masasabi ko na malaking pagtawid ang ginawa niya---mula sa pagiging Wattpad writer hanggang sa pagsusulat ng Si Iska at ang Nawawalang Kampana. Para sa akin ay napagtagumpayan niya ito dahil nakuha ng Iska ang mga katangiang ipinaliwanag ni Derla sa kaniyang poetika, marahil ay nalagpasan pa nga niya. Mula sa pagiging pinal na kahingian sa kursong MA Malikhaing Pagsulat, may naghihintay pang mas malaking pakikipagsapalaran si Iska. Hindi pa tapos ang kuwento, at isa ako sa maghihintay na masundan ito.
March 24, 2026
actual rating: 3.5 ⭐️
nag-enjoy ako actually pero it’s not really something i will remember in the long run siguro na detailed. nag-enjoy ako lalo na doon sa adventure nila tapos na-encounter nila yung mga pangkaraniwan na mae-encounter sa isang folklore stories. then, some people might find the writing cringe or not well, pero for me, mas nagbigay karakter yung pagka-cringe. sobrang nafeel ko na 15-16 years old sila HAHAHAHAH CANON EVENT GANON. KASI BE CRINGE TALAGA SIYA LIKE VERY CONYO RIN TAPOS ANG DAMING MOMENTS NA “what in the wattpad world?” HAHAHAHAH maraming space for improvement para mas maging immersive kahit binabasa lang. not bad!!
kudos din pala sa may akda. grabe, major in english tapos nag mamasteral sa creative writing!! TAPOS TAGALOG YUNG PAGKAKASULAT 🫡
nag-enjoy ako actually pero it’s not really something i will remember in the long run siguro na detailed. nag-enjoy ako lalo na doon sa adventure nila tapos na-encounter nila yung mga pangkaraniwan na mae-encounter sa isang folklore stories. then, some people might find the writing cringe or not well, pero for me, mas nagbigay karakter yung pagka-cringe. sobrang nafeel ko na 15-16 years old sila HAHAHAHAH CANON EVENT GANON. KASI BE CRINGE TALAGA SIYA LIKE VERY CONYO RIN TAPOS ANG DAMING MOMENTS NA “what in the wattpad world?” HAHAHAHAH maraming space for improvement para mas maging immersive kahit binabasa lang. not bad!!
kudos din pala sa may akda. grabe, major in english tapos nag mamasteral sa creative writing!! TAPOS TAGALOG YUNG PAGKAKASULAT 🫡
December 30, 2025
As someone who lives in Antipolo, this book feels like home. With this in mind, I wanted to pay homage to my hometown by showcasing its beauty through a creative trailer for the book.
One of the things I appreciated most about Si Iska at ang Nawawalang Kampana is its setting. The story takes place in Antipolo, my hometown, and reading it felt familiar. The locations are portrayed in a way that I feel that I am home, which makes the setting one of the book’s strongest points. It truly captures my attention, and I truly love the idea of the place that is mentioned in the book that I’ve been to.
Another highlight of this book is the showcase of Philippine mythologies and creatures. For me, stories like this are very essential, especially in a genre that often leans heavily on Western influences.
The book centers on our local fantasy, and I appreciate how it brings Filipino folklore into the spotlight, which I think is so important for us to continuously cultivate and pass on to our next generations that wants to know more about it.
For me, the writing and the style, as well as the character movements and actions, can be associated to middle-grade audience. It reads like an accessible entry point for young readers—or even new readers—who want to explore fantasy. The book serves its purpose well as an introduction to the genre.
I must admit that there are some scenes in this book that I find challenging to grasp. I feel like the pacing of the story feels quite rushed. While the narrative seems to follow a journey-driven structure similar to well-known middle-grade fantasies, many events unfold too quickly, giving little room for moments to breathe or fully settle. I really want to have scenes which I think are essential for the character’s growth, as well as to the development of the story, since she’s on a quest to save the world, which I find a big responsibility to do.
On the other hand, the writing style stands out for its use of Taglish. It feels unique to me, making me hear the author’s voice and identity come through her work. For me, this is when the sense of craftsmanship can be visible through writing and how the language is used, making it evident that this is a story only the author could tell.
Overall, Si Iska at ang Nawawalang Kampana is a good read, particularly for a middle-grade audience and for those looking to begin their journey into exploring our country’s mythologies, myths, and folklore.
Rating: 3.5 stars
One of the things I appreciated most about Si Iska at ang Nawawalang Kampana is its setting. The story takes place in Antipolo, my hometown, and reading it felt familiar. The locations are portrayed in a way that I feel that I am home, which makes the setting one of the book’s strongest points. It truly captures my attention, and I truly love the idea of the place that is mentioned in the book that I’ve been to.
Another highlight of this book is the showcase of Philippine mythologies and creatures. For me, stories like this are very essential, especially in a genre that often leans heavily on Western influences.
The book centers on our local fantasy, and I appreciate how it brings Filipino folklore into the spotlight, which I think is so important for us to continuously cultivate and pass on to our next generations that wants to know more about it.
For me, the writing and the style, as well as the character movements and actions, can be associated to middle-grade audience. It reads like an accessible entry point for young readers—or even new readers—who want to explore fantasy. The book serves its purpose well as an introduction to the genre.
I must admit that there are some scenes in this book that I find challenging to grasp. I feel like the pacing of the story feels quite rushed. While the narrative seems to follow a journey-driven structure similar to well-known middle-grade fantasies, many events unfold too quickly, giving little room for moments to breathe or fully settle. I really want to have scenes which I think are essential for the character’s growth, as well as to the development of the story, since she’s on a quest to save the world, which I find a big responsibility to do.
On the other hand, the writing style stands out for its use of Taglish. It feels unique to me, making me hear the author’s voice and identity come through her work. For me, this is when the sense of craftsmanship can be visible through writing and how the language is used, making it evident that this is a story only the author could tell.
Overall, Si Iska at ang Nawawalang Kampana is a good read, particularly for a middle-grade audience and for those looking to begin their journey into exploring our country’s mythologies, myths, and folklore.
Rating: 3.5 stars
June 2, 2026
"Ang liwanag ng buwan, bagama't hindi kasinliwanag ng sa araw ay nagbibigay liwanag sa oras ng kadiliman, sa oras na lumubog na ang araw."
(p. 162)
Una sa lahat, natutuwa ako na mas tampok ang mitolohiyang Pilipino sa ating panitikan. Noong bata pa ako, mahilig akong magbasa ng mga series tulad ng Percy Jackson, pero palagi kong hinahanap ang sarili kong kultura sa mga librong hango sa mitolohiya. Kaya naman, masaya ako na nagsisimula na tayong magkaroon ng representasyon sa ganitong uri ng panitikan.
Nagustuhan ko ang modernong interpretasyon ng ilang nilalang mula sa mitolohiyang Pilipino, tulad ng babaeng tikbalang na nagvavape at ang nunong tila Gen Z magsalita. Marami ring linyang nakakatawa, kaya mas naengganyo akong magbasa.
”Si Iska naman, pagbabasa lang ang hilig, at tulog noong namigay si Lord ng sigla sa buhay. Gising lang siya noong nagpaulan ng overthinking.” (p. 22)
Habang binabasa ko ang Si Iska, may bago rin akong natutunan tungkol sa mga nilalang na ito, kaya inaasahan kong magsilbing introduksyon ang nobelang ito sa ating lokal na mitolohiya, lalo na sa mga batang mambabasa.
Nagustuhan ko rin ang tapang at tiyaga ng ating bida na si Iska. Kahit natatakot siya at kinukwestyon niya pa minsan ang sarili niyang kakayahan, hindi siya sumusuko.
"Natatakot siya pero hindi siya nagpapadaig. Napapaatras siya minsan pero nagpapatuloy pa rin." (p. 151)
Nakakatuwa ring basahin kung paano siya nagkaroon ng kumpiyansa sa sarili niya at kung paano niya ginamit ang kanyang mga kakayahan para tulungan ang iba.
"Pakiramdam ni Iska, habang lumilipad kasama si Sinag at Kiko, hindi na siya ang weird na bata noon. Na may kakayahan din siyang tumulong." (p. 99)
"Pero kahit hindi pa niya alam noon, darating ang sandaling mapipilitan siyang lumabas mula sa anino, at hanapin ang sarili niyang liwanag." (p. 44)
Maganda rin na ginamit ang mga karanasan ng mga nilalang (tulad ng pagkawala ng tahanan ng tikbalang) para pagtuunan ang mga isyung panlipunan, tulad ng urbanisasyon at polusyon sa kalikasan.
Gayunpaman, hindi ko nagustuhan ang kabuuang pagkasulat ng nobela. Dahil mabilis ang pagkakasunod-sunod ng mga pangyayari, hindi nabigyan ng sapat na pansin ang banghay at ang mga tauhan. Sa tingin ko, masyadong madali ang mga pagsubok sa gitna at ang pakikipaglaban ni Iska sa Bakunawa sa dulo, kaya hindi ko naramdaman ang satispaksyon sa pagtatapos ng nobela. Halimbawa, noong kukunin na sana ni Iska ang kampana, isang sigbin lang ang nakabantay, at mabilis pa itong patayin. Kung ang kampana ang tanging makakatalo sa Bakunawa, hindi ba dapat mas marami ang nagproprotekta nito? At bakit iniwan lang ng ibang mga taga-Hiraya si Iska na para bang siya lang ang namomroblema sa pagbabalik ng Bakunawa? Kahit lahat dapat ay naaapektuhan, tila walang nagbago sa mundo nila.
Pati ang pagsasanay ni Iska, natapos niya rin sa loob ng iilang araw at halos walang kinalaman ang mga ginawa niya sa mga kakayahan na kailangan niya para sa misyon. Pagkatapos umakyat ng puno, biglang naging eksperto na rin si Iska sa paggamit ng pana. Nakakainip din basahin ang pagsasanay dahil masyadong simple yung mga pinagawa sa kanya at parang pinaghandaan niya lang ang isang marathon imbes na isang misyon galing kay Bathala.
Dahil dito, kulang din ang worldbuilding at tila walang nagbago noong nalaman ni Iska ang katotohanan ng mundong ikinagagalaw niya. Noong nalaman ni Iska na anak siya ni Bathala, mabilis niya itong tinanggap na para bang tuloy pa rin ang kanyang pangkaraniwang pamumuhay. Halos wala rin siyang reaksyon nung natuklasan niya na tagapangalaga ng Hiraya ang kaibigan niyang si Jane.
Marami ring detalye na hindi tinalakay nang malalim sa mga naunang kabanata pero biglang naging convenient para kay Iska sa oras ng pakikipaglaban. Halimbawa, nagsilbing deus ex machina yung kuwintas na galing kay Bathala noong kailangan ni Iska ng tulong para talunin ang Bakunawa. At kung kaya naman ng kuwintas na kalabanin ang mga nilalang, bakit pa nagsanay si Iska? Dahil dito, nawala tuloy ang tensiyon sa kuwento at hindi na rin ako nag-aalala para sa mga tauhan.
Bukod dito, saglit lang din nagpakita ang mga nilalang tulad ng sigbin, siyokoy, tikbalang, at bungisngis, kaya mababaw lang din ang kanilang papel sa kuwento. Pati nga yung mga kakampi ni Iska--tulad ng nunong si Kiko--ay walang naiambag sa kanyang misyon kundi magpabigat at magkomento sa mga desisyon ni Iska. Sinabi rin ni Iska sa dulo na tila magkalapit din sila ni Kenneth pagkatapos ng lahat ng pinagdaanan nila, pero konti lang ang naging interaksyon nilang dalawa sa buong nobela. Halos wala ring lalim o kawili-wiling katangian ang karakter ni Iska. Kahit meron siyang insecurities sa simula, mabilis niya lang ito nasolusyunan at hindi pinagnilayan nang mabuti ang tunay na sanhi ng kanyang pagdududa sa sarili. Wala rin itong epekto sa kanyang misyon, at kinaya niya pa ring sundin ang lahat ng mga hakbang nang walang komplikasyon.
Panghuli, nacornihan din ako sa pananalita ng mga tauhan at sa kabuuang mensahe ng kuwento. Alam kong ginawang mala-Gen Z ang pananalita ng mga tauhan para mas makarelate ang mga batang mambabasa, pero bilang Gen Z, masasabi ko na hindi rin ito tumpak sa tunay na pananalita ng kabataan ngayon. Naumay din ako sa dialogue ni Kiko noong paulit-ulit niyang ginagamit ang salitang "bestie." Hindi rin consistent ang pananalita ng mga tauhan dahil yung iba (tulad ni Kenneth) ay pormal pa rin magsalita.
Kaugnay naman ng mensahe, parang masyadong simple ang aral na "kailangan mo lang maniwala sa sarili mo at magpursigi sa kabila ng mga pagsubok." Sa palagay ko, kulang pa ito sa nuance at minsan lumalapit din ito sa ideolohiya ng toxic positivity. Halimbawa, noong pagod na si Iska pagkatapos tumakbo sa marathon, napilitan pa rin siyang tumuloy kahit na malapit na siyang mahimatay.
Sa madaling sabi, medyo nadisappoint ako sa nobelang 'to kasi kulang pa siya sa worldbuilding at sa pagbubuo ng mga tauhan. Ngunit kahit nadisappoint ako, umaasa pa rin ako na gumanda pa ang pagkasulat ng mga susunod na libro sa series na 'to at mas dumami pa lalo ang representasyon ng mitolohiyang Pilipino sa ating panitikan.
Una sa lahat, natutuwa ako na mas tampok ang mitolohiyang Pilipino sa ating panitikan. Noong bata pa ako, mahilig akong magbasa ng mga series tulad ng Percy Jackson, pero palagi kong hinahanap ang sarili kong kultura sa mga librong hango sa mitolohiya. Kaya naman, masaya ako na nagsisimula na tayong magkaroon ng representasyon sa ganitong uri ng panitikan.
Nagustuhan ko ang modernong interpretasyon ng ilang nilalang mula sa mitolohiyang Pilipino, tulad ng babaeng tikbalang na nagvavape at ang nunong tila Gen Z magsalita. Marami ring linyang nakakatawa, kaya mas naengganyo akong magbasa.
”Si Iska naman, pagbabasa lang ang hilig, at tulog noong namigay si Lord ng sigla sa buhay. Gising lang siya noong nagpaulan ng overthinking.” (p. 22)
Habang binabasa ko ang Si Iska, may bago rin akong natutunan tungkol sa mga nilalang na ito, kaya inaasahan kong magsilbing introduksyon ang nobelang ito sa ating lokal na mitolohiya, lalo na sa mga batang mambabasa.
Nagustuhan ko rin ang tapang at tiyaga ng ating bida na si Iska. Kahit natatakot siya at kinukwestyon niya pa minsan ang sarili niyang kakayahan, hindi siya sumusuko.
"Natatakot siya pero hindi siya nagpapadaig. Napapaatras siya minsan pero nagpapatuloy pa rin." (p. 151)
Nakakatuwa ring basahin kung paano siya nagkaroon ng kumpiyansa sa sarili niya at kung paano niya ginamit ang kanyang mga kakayahan para tulungan ang iba.
"Pakiramdam ni Iska, habang lumilipad kasama si Sinag at Kiko, hindi na siya ang weird na bata noon. Na may kakayahan din siyang tumulong." (p. 99)
"Pero kahit hindi pa niya alam noon, darating ang sandaling mapipilitan siyang lumabas mula sa anino, at hanapin ang sarili niyang liwanag." (p. 44)
Maganda rin na ginamit ang mga karanasan ng mga nilalang (tulad ng pagkawala ng tahanan ng tikbalang) para pagtuunan ang mga isyung panlipunan, tulad ng urbanisasyon at polusyon sa kalikasan.
Gayunpaman, hindi ko nagustuhan ang kabuuang pagkasulat ng nobela. Dahil mabilis ang pagkakasunod-sunod ng mga pangyayari, hindi nabigyan ng sapat na pansin ang banghay at ang mga tauhan. Sa tingin ko, masyadong madali ang mga pagsubok sa gitna at ang pakikipaglaban ni Iska sa Bakunawa sa dulo, kaya hindi ko naramdaman ang satispaksyon sa pagtatapos ng nobela. Halimbawa, noong kukunin na sana ni Iska ang kampana, isang sigbin lang ang nakabantay, at mabilis pa itong patayin. Kung ang kampana ang tanging makakatalo sa Bakunawa, hindi ba dapat mas marami ang nagproprotekta nito? At bakit iniwan lang ng ibang mga taga-Hiraya si Iska na para bang siya lang ang namomroblema sa pagbabalik ng Bakunawa? Kahit lahat dapat ay naaapektuhan, tila walang nagbago sa mundo nila.
Pati ang pagsasanay ni Iska, natapos niya rin sa loob ng iilang araw at halos walang kinalaman ang mga ginawa niya sa mga kakayahan na kailangan niya para sa misyon. Pagkatapos umakyat ng puno, biglang naging eksperto na rin si Iska sa paggamit ng pana. Nakakainip din basahin ang pagsasanay dahil masyadong simple yung mga pinagawa sa kanya at parang pinaghandaan niya lang ang isang marathon imbes na isang misyon galing kay Bathala.
Dahil dito, kulang din ang worldbuilding at tila walang nagbago noong nalaman ni Iska ang katotohanan ng mundong ikinagagalaw niya. Noong nalaman ni Iska na anak siya ni Bathala, mabilis niya itong tinanggap na para bang tuloy pa rin ang kanyang pangkaraniwang pamumuhay. Halos wala rin siyang reaksyon nung natuklasan niya na tagapangalaga ng Hiraya ang kaibigan niyang si Jane.
Marami ring detalye na hindi tinalakay nang malalim sa mga naunang kabanata pero biglang naging convenient para kay Iska sa oras ng pakikipaglaban. Halimbawa, nagsilbing deus ex machina yung kuwintas na galing kay Bathala noong kailangan ni Iska ng tulong para talunin ang Bakunawa. At kung kaya naman ng kuwintas na kalabanin ang mga nilalang, bakit pa nagsanay si Iska? Dahil dito, nawala tuloy ang tensiyon sa kuwento at hindi na rin ako nag-aalala para sa mga tauhan.
Bukod dito, saglit lang din nagpakita ang mga nilalang tulad ng sigbin, siyokoy, tikbalang, at bungisngis, kaya mababaw lang din ang kanilang papel sa kuwento. Pati nga yung mga kakampi ni Iska--tulad ng nunong si Kiko--ay walang naiambag sa kanyang misyon kundi magpabigat at magkomento sa mga desisyon ni Iska. Sinabi rin ni Iska sa dulo na tila magkalapit din sila ni Kenneth pagkatapos ng lahat ng pinagdaanan nila, pero konti lang ang naging interaksyon nilang dalawa sa buong nobela. Halos wala ring lalim o kawili-wiling katangian ang karakter ni Iska. Kahit meron siyang insecurities sa simula, mabilis niya lang ito nasolusyunan at hindi pinagnilayan nang mabuti ang tunay na sanhi ng kanyang pagdududa sa sarili. Wala rin itong epekto sa kanyang misyon, at kinaya niya pa ring sundin ang lahat ng mga hakbang nang walang komplikasyon.
Panghuli, nacornihan din ako sa pananalita ng mga tauhan at sa kabuuang mensahe ng kuwento. Alam kong ginawang mala-Gen Z ang pananalita ng mga tauhan para mas makarelate ang mga batang mambabasa, pero bilang Gen Z, masasabi ko na hindi rin ito tumpak sa tunay na pananalita ng kabataan ngayon. Naumay din ako sa dialogue ni Kiko noong paulit-ulit niyang ginagamit ang salitang "bestie." Hindi rin consistent ang pananalita ng mga tauhan dahil yung iba (tulad ni Kenneth) ay pormal pa rin magsalita.
Kaugnay naman ng mensahe, parang masyadong simple ang aral na "kailangan mo lang maniwala sa sarili mo at magpursigi sa kabila ng mga pagsubok." Sa palagay ko, kulang pa ito sa nuance at minsan lumalapit din ito sa ideolohiya ng toxic positivity. Halimbawa, noong pagod na si Iska pagkatapos tumakbo sa marathon, napilitan pa rin siyang tumuloy kahit na malapit na siyang mahimatay.
Sa madaling sabi, medyo nadisappoint ako sa nobelang 'to kasi kulang pa siya sa worldbuilding at sa pagbubuo ng mga tauhan. Ngunit kahit nadisappoint ako, umaasa pa rin ako na gumanda pa ang pagkasulat ng mga susunod na libro sa series na 'to at mas dumami pa lalo ang representasyon ng mitolohiyang Pilipino sa ating panitikan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
January 21, 2026Posted this for my tour stop for Si Iska at ang Nawawalang Kampana by author Kim Derla🥰 The tour is a collaboration by The Filipino Shelf and Anvil Publishin.
Oh, what a refreshing experience to dive back into a middle-grade novel! I’m always on the lookout for stories I can share with my 12-year-old son, and this one is added to my list.
On her 16th birthday, Iska’s world is turned upside down. She woke up to life-changing revelations and a high-stakes mission. And she has to navigate a supernatural world she never knew existed. How do you cope when the people you’ve always depended on are the ones who suddenly need saving?
I was immediately drawn in by that eye-catching purple cover and the promise of an adventure inspired by Philippine mythology.
Below are my top reasons why middle-graders might enjoy this one!
Fantasy in a Modern Setting
Up until a few years ago, my family had an annual tradition of visiting Antipolo Church every May or June. Reading this felt like getting reacquainted with a place that holds a special spot in my upbringing!
I loved how the story weaves in plenty of references to the city's roots and traditions, but keeps a relatable, modern vibe.
Rich Philippine Mythology
The book is a good introduction to the distinct and diverse creatures of our own myths, the legends that kids today may not have heard of. They serve as both educational and entertaining backdrops to Iska’s journey. The overall vibe is cinematic and it is easy to imagine the scenes playing out like a movie.
The Quest and Characters
Iska’s journey begins with a "Percy Jackson-esque" vibe. She finds her tribe and embarks on physical training. Then it progresses into a very Filipino turn of events.
The story is fast-paced and Iska faced formidable opponents. The side characters provide comic relief, and hints of youthful kilig and tension.
Lessons and Values
I love that the themes are age-appropriate and relevant: environmental stewardship, finding inner strength and courage and the true meaning of fellowship and family.
I especially loved the book's emphasis on having a strong sense of purpose.
Iska is Just Getting Started
Because the action is so non-stop, I found myself wishing for a bit more "breathing room" and deeper world-building between chapters. I liked the ending and pleased with the assurance that Iska is just getting started! I’ll be on the lookout to the answers to my questions in the future books. And I can’t wait to see these side characters play bigger roles and to explore more of the worlds we only got a peek of in this first volume.
Magbasa sa sariling wika 🇵🇭
Written in Filipino, this is a good introduction to fantasy for young readers. I recommend that we all read more books in our local languages, and starting them young is one way to keep our language and culture alive.
Oh, what a refreshing experience to dive back into a middle-grade novel! I’m always on the lookout for stories I can share with my 12-year-old son, and this one is added to my list.
On her 16th birthday, Iska’s world is turned upside down. She woke up to life-changing revelations and a high-stakes mission. And she has to navigate a supernatural world she never knew existed. How do you cope when the people you’ve always depended on are the ones who suddenly need saving?
I was immediately drawn in by that eye-catching purple cover and the promise of an adventure inspired by Philippine mythology.
Below are my top reasons why middle-graders might enjoy this one!
Fantasy in a Modern Setting
Up until a few years ago, my family had an annual tradition of visiting Antipolo Church every May or June. Reading this felt like getting reacquainted with a place that holds a special spot in my upbringing!
I loved how the story weaves in plenty of references to the city's roots and traditions, but keeps a relatable, modern vibe.
Rich Philippine Mythology
The book is a good introduction to the distinct and diverse creatures of our own myths, the legends that kids today may not have heard of. They serve as both educational and entertaining backdrops to Iska’s journey. The overall vibe is cinematic and it is easy to imagine the scenes playing out like a movie.
The Quest and Characters
Iska’s journey begins with a "Percy Jackson-esque" vibe. She finds her tribe and embarks on physical training. Then it progresses into a very Filipino turn of events.
The story is fast-paced and Iska faced formidable opponents. The side characters provide comic relief, and hints of youthful kilig and tension.
Lessons and Values
I love that the themes are age-appropriate and relevant: environmental stewardship, finding inner strength and courage and the true meaning of fellowship and family.
I especially loved the book's emphasis on having a strong sense of purpose.
Iska is Just Getting Started
Because the action is so non-stop, I found myself wishing for a bit more "breathing room" and deeper world-building between chapters. I liked the ending and pleased with the assurance that Iska is just getting started! I’ll be on the lookout to the answers to my questions in the future books. And I can’t wait to see these side characters play bigger roles and to explore more of the worlds we only got a peek of in this first volume.
Magbasa sa sariling wika 🇵🇭
Written in Filipino, this is a good introduction to fantasy for young readers. I recommend that we all read more books in our local languages, and starting them young is one way to keep our language and culture alive.
January 29, 2026
Si Iska at ang Nawawalang Kampana — ⭐⭐½
The overall message and the ending were actually really great, and I found them meaningful and satisfying. I also liked how Iska wants to be the voice of the weak and stand up not just for herself but for others as well. It was inspiring to see her desire to encourage people to be brave near the end. It was very interesting and left me curious because of the ending. I also appreciated how short the book was, making it a quick and easy read at just over 200 pages.
That said, the execution didn’t fully work for me. I found myself cringing at times because of the use of words like “bestie,” “bes,” and other English terms in the dialogue, which took me out of the story. The writing style is very modern and casual, especially when you read about Iska’s thoughts and her interactions with her friends. It also felt very fast-paced, and I wished it had been longer so the world and details could have been explored more but I feel like we'll definitely get more from the next books to come. I hoped the story would focus more on friendship, particularly Iska and Kenneth’s relationship. I kinda wanted it to be clearly written as a purely genuine friendship, with no romantic undertones yet >< This might just be a case of the book not being age-appropriate for me, as it does seem more targeted toward younger readers.
Still, I think it’s a good book for middle grade to young adult readers interested in fantasy and mythology, as it introduces Filipino myths, supernatural creatures, the beauty of Antipolo, and even touches on how caring for the environment can affect our lives. Moreover, I can see how other readers, especially younger ones, might really enjoy it. It personally didn’t work for me, but I’m still looking forward to knowing Iska and the world in the upcoming books since this is just the first book of the series!
The overall message and the ending were actually really great, and I found them meaningful and satisfying. I also liked how Iska wants to be the voice of the weak and stand up not just for herself but for others as well. It was inspiring to see her desire to encourage people to be brave near the end. It was very interesting and left me curious because of the ending. I also appreciated how short the book was, making it a quick and easy read at just over 200 pages.
That said, the execution didn’t fully work for me. I found myself cringing at times because of the use of words like “bestie,” “bes,” and other English terms in the dialogue, which took me out of the story. The writing style is very modern and casual, especially when you read about Iska’s thoughts and her interactions with her friends. It also felt very fast-paced, and I wished it had been longer so the world and details could have been explored more but I feel like we'll definitely get more from the next books to come. I hoped the story would focus more on friendship, particularly Iska and Kenneth’s relationship. I kinda wanted it to be clearly written as a purely genuine friendship, with no romantic undertones yet >< This might just be a case of the book not being age-appropriate for me, as it does seem more targeted toward younger readers.
Still, I think it’s a good book for middle grade to young adult readers interested in fantasy and mythology, as it introduces Filipino myths, supernatural creatures, the beauty of Antipolo, and even touches on how caring for the environment can affect our lives. Moreover, I can see how other readers, especially younger ones, might really enjoy it. It personally didn’t work for me, but I’m still looking forward to knowing Iska and the world in the upcoming books since this is just the first book of the series!
October 22, 2026
sa mga nakabasa nito, ilang beses niyong tinawanan ang lover girl era ni iska? itaas ang kamay! 🙋🏻♀️
pero jokes aside, na-enjoy ko ang kuwento, lalo na as a person na ‘di very knowledgeable about ph folklore (OOPS ✋🏼 wag niyo ‘ko i-bash!! nahihirapan na nga ako mag-type ng caption na ‘to in tagalog)
si iska at ang nawawalang kampana by kim derla explores the themes of family love and the sacrifices that comes with it. sa paglalakbay niya para mahanap ang kampana ng antipolo, lahat ng pagsubok na hinarap niya ay nakatulong sa kaniyang self-discovery. ikaw ba namang kaka-16th birthday mo tapos biglang ililigtas mo ang pamilya mo kasi anak ka ni bathala?! 😩😩 parang kung ano yang si iska, kinukuhanan ko ng lakas ng loob ang bic— 💪🏼💪🏼 CHAROT!
sometimes, i have this thing wherein i resent being an ate so much because i feel the weight of everyone else’s expectations. ‘tas nabasa ko ang kuwento ni iska at yung pressure sa kaniya, i felt seen kahit bunso siya. grabe lang ang timing nito kasi iska somehow helped me rediscover parts of myself as she discovered hers.
overall, it was quite an easy and interesting read. there were parts wherein i cringed for iska, but when i brought it up in the book club yap, apparently isa ako sa minority na ‘di yun naranasan HAHAHA i laughed with iska, nahirapan din ako para sa kaniya, and i cheered for her, like how everyone else who love iska did. pakiramdam ko tuloy isa ako sa mga ate ni iska, ‘di lang ako tumanda kasama nila kasi andito pa naman yung kampana 👀🔔
pero jokes aside, na-enjoy ko ang kuwento, lalo na as a person na ‘di very knowledgeable about ph folklore (OOPS ✋🏼 wag niyo ‘ko i-bash!! nahihirapan na nga ako mag-type ng caption na ‘to in tagalog)
si iska at ang nawawalang kampana by kim derla explores the themes of family love and the sacrifices that comes with it. sa paglalakbay niya para mahanap ang kampana ng antipolo, lahat ng pagsubok na hinarap niya ay nakatulong sa kaniyang self-discovery. ikaw ba namang kaka-16th birthday mo tapos biglang ililigtas mo ang pamilya mo kasi anak ka ni bathala?! 😩😩 parang kung ano yang si iska, kinukuhanan ko ng lakas ng loob ang bic— 💪🏼💪🏼 CHAROT!
sometimes, i have this thing wherein i resent being an ate so much because i feel the weight of everyone else’s expectations. ‘tas nabasa ko ang kuwento ni iska at yung pressure sa kaniya, i felt seen kahit bunso siya. grabe lang ang timing nito kasi iska somehow helped me rediscover parts of myself as she discovered hers.
overall, it was quite an easy and interesting read. there were parts wherein i cringed for iska, but when i brought it up in the book club yap, apparently isa ako sa minority na ‘di yun naranasan HAHAHA i laughed with iska, nahirapan din ako para sa kaniya, and i cheered for her, like how everyone else who love iska did. pakiramdam ko tuloy isa ako sa mga ate ni iska, ‘di lang ako tumanda kasama nila kasi andito pa naman yung kampana 👀🔔
April 15, 2026
he story follows Iska, a young woman destined to search for the missing kampana of Antipolo, an artifact that could save the world from Bakunawa and other mythological creatures threatening to take over.
The first chapters where Iska was invested in her relationship with Joshua, reminded me of Janus Silang and Mika’s dynamic. And I honestly thought the story would run the same course. But five chapters in, it carved a path of its own.
The revelations about her lineage, the friends she met and helped her along the way, the mythological she came across with, and battled in and out Hiraya, and her journey toward self-discovery, realizing she's capable of more than what she believed, all contributed to the story's appeal. On top of that, the humor that for some reason reminded me of Wansapanatym's weeklong series, that I grew up watching, added a layer of nostalgia, making the overall reading experience entertaining.
Moreover, I find the fast paced storytelling to be one of its strong points (exactly what I prefer in novels). While the world building could have been expansive, it suits the novel's intended audience.
Overall, I think Iska at ang Nawawalang Kampana should be on the radar of those looking to dive into Philippine mythology. I'm excited to see what's in store for Iska outside Hiraya, and her budding relatioship with Kenneth. ❤️
This is also a perfect pick for fans of Percy Jackson & The Olympians series, but with distinct Filipino twists.
The first chapters where Iska was invested in her relationship with Joshua, reminded me of Janus Silang and Mika’s dynamic. And I honestly thought the story would run the same course. But five chapters in, it carved a path of its own.
The revelations about her lineage, the friends she met and helped her along the way, the mythological she came across with, and battled in and out Hiraya, and her journey toward self-discovery, realizing she's capable of more than what she believed, all contributed to the story's appeal. On top of that, the humor that for some reason reminded me of Wansapanatym's weeklong series, that I grew up watching, added a layer of nostalgia, making the overall reading experience entertaining.
Moreover, I find the fast paced storytelling to be one of its strong points (exactly what I prefer in novels). While the world building could have been expansive, it suits the novel's intended audience.
Overall, I think Iska at ang Nawawalang Kampana should be on the radar of those looking to dive into Philippine mythology. I'm excited to see what's in store for Iska outside Hiraya, and her budding relatioship with Kenneth. ❤️
This is also a perfect pick for fans of Percy Jackson & The Olympians series, but with distinct Filipino twists.
January 14, 2026
There are many things I like about the book. The cover is very attractive as well as the graphics inside. I think that enough will make you pick up the book. I like that it speaks to its target audience, the young adults, something they can easily relate and appreciate. For someone who used to live in Rizal area (Region IV) for almost twenty years, the places are all very familiar and close to home. I like the way the author uses it to show its history, the myths and the legends surrounding the church and Antipolo itself.
While reading this, I place myself in the young readers’ shoes, as I think this will be very relatable to them especially the banter of Iska, Kenneth and Kiko. The story is interesting, something to excite them in discovering and learning about such places and the legends surrounding the tikbalang, siyokoy, sigbin at bakunawa as well as the made up word of Hiraya and Hiwaga, even I learn a thing or two.
The characters have their own personalities and quirkiness, though I might be not be able to get into them fully but I’m sure the young readers will love them. There are things I want to know more about the story and have lots of questions running in my mind. Then I stop and remember that this story is not to satisfy me but the young readers’ minds. And they don’t need the complications of the hows and the whys, they just need to see themselves in the story and be immerse into the world of Iska. I really hope this book will start their journey into reading more Philippine literature.
While reading this, I place myself in the young readers’ shoes, as I think this will be very relatable to them especially the banter of Iska, Kenneth and Kiko. The story is interesting, something to excite them in discovering and learning about such places and the legends surrounding the tikbalang, siyokoy, sigbin at bakunawa as well as the made up word of Hiraya and Hiwaga, even I learn a thing or two.
The characters have their own personalities and quirkiness, though I might be not be able to get into them fully but I’m sure the young readers will love them. There are things I want to know more about the story and have lots of questions running in my mind. Then I stop and remember that this story is not to satisfy me but the young readers’ minds. And they don’t need the complications of the hows and the whys, they just need to see themselves in the story and be immerse into the world of Iska. I really hope this book will start their journey into reading more Philippine literature.
January 18, 2026
I still appreciate the book, sa gusto niyang i-achieve. Pero same sa earlier version, sa tingin ko, masyadong fully booked si Iska as a hero of this story. Ako ang napapagod for her, instead na maging masaya ako sa tagumpay niya, awa ang nararamdaman ko. Binugbog niya ang sarili niya ng positivity para lang mapagtagumpayan lahat ng 'yon.
agree ako: hindi biro maging anak ng bathala.
kung mayroon pang susunod na aklat, bukas loob kong babasahin.
agree ako: hindi biro maging anak ng bathala.
kung mayroon pang susunod na aklat, bukas loob kong babasahin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2026
Na-enjoy naman akong basahin to, para akong nanood ng isang episode ng Wansapanataym. Waiting sa book 2, medj may kakulangan ito lalo sa last 3 chapters. Sana mabigyan ng justice sa book 2 kung meron man.
Read
January 9, 2026Review to posted!
August 10, 2026
It's giving Percy Jackson and Janus Silang vibes.
January 16, 2026
Review soon
March 23, 2026
[Final rating: 3/5]
Set in an alternate universe where humans and mythical beings live in harmony within their own domains, Si Iska at Ang Nawawalang Kampana pays homage to our ancient roots by showcasing a coming-of-age tale entwined with Filipino mythology. Folklore passed down orally by grandmothers within households about deities like Bathala and creatures such as tikbalang, sigbin, and siyokoy was carefully woven into this book, giving a comforting sense of nostalgia and a broader appreciation of our rich local culture. Although it was targeted at teen readers, I found myself enjoying it even as an adult, primarily because it captured the burdens of adolescence and the tribulations of a hesitant heroine in such a delightfully entertaining and relatable manner.
While I liked the overall concept of this book, I felt it had issues with pacing, world-building, and character development, which I believe were due to its limited 200-page spread. The introduction to Iska’s lineage was rushed, resulting to a reveal less impactful than it should have been despite being an important turning point. In addition, there were barely any distinctions between Hiwaga, Hiraya, and Huklob, making the story devoid of the depth and realism that would’ve made Iska’s adventure more immersive and convincing. Lastly, given the need to fit everything into its restricted number of pages, the book did not focus on fleshing out its characters, a fact I lamented by the time I finished reading, because I think there’s so much material the author could knit for these characters.
Overlooking its flaws, I still think it is a good introductory piece for readers who want to delve into Philippine fiction. I read somewhere that this is the opener of a planned trilogy, so I’m looking forward to seeing if the succeeding ones will redeem, or even surpass, the first.
Set in an alternate universe where humans and mythical beings live in harmony within their own domains, Si Iska at Ang Nawawalang Kampana pays homage to our ancient roots by showcasing a coming-of-age tale entwined with Filipino mythology. Folklore passed down orally by grandmothers within households about deities like Bathala and creatures such as tikbalang, sigbin, and siyokoy was carefully woven into this book, giving a comforting sense of nostalgia and a broader appreciation of our rich local culture. Although it was targeted at teen readers, I found myself enjoying it even as an adult, primarily because it captured the burdens of adolescence and the tribulations of a hesitant heroine in such a delightfully entertaining and relatable manner.
While I liked the overall concept of this book, I felt it had issues with pacing, world-building, and character development, which I believe were due to its limited 200-page spread. The introduction to Iska’s lineage was rushed, resulting to a reveal less impactful than it should have been despite being an important turning point. In addition, there were barely any distinctions between Hiwaga, Hiraya, and Huklob, making the story devoid of the depth and realism that would’ve made Iska’s adventure more immersive and convincing. Lastly, given the need to fit everything into its restricted number of pages, the book did not focus on fleshing out its characters, a fact I lamented by the time I finished reading, because I think there’s so much material the author could knit for these characters.
Overlooking its flaws, I still think it is a good introductory piece for readers who want to delve into Philippine fiction. I read somewhere that this is the opener of a planned trilogy, so I’m looking forward to seeing if the succeeding ones will redeem, or even surpass, the first.
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