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Si Iska at Ang Nawawalang Kampana

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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.

202 pages, Paperback

Published October 25, 2025

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About the author

Kim Derla

5 books59 followers

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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Lenn ♡ | anatomyofabooknerd (IG).
479 reviews44 followers
January 30, 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. 💛
Profile Image for Billy Ibarra.
196 reviews19 followers
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January 4, 2026
Modernong 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.
Profile Image for Emmzxiee.
341 reviews11 followers
January 24, 2026
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
Profile Image for Diane RB (booksandthensome).
226 reviews9 followers
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January 21, 2026
Posted 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.
Profile Image for Joy.
84 reviews1 follower
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!
730 reviews3 followers
January 22, 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.
Profile Image for C.L. Balagoza.
149 reviews19 followers
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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