New Pinoy children's book highlights struggles of Kadamays and eviction-threatened communities

Children's books usually shine a spotlight on light-hearted, comical, and positive stories.

But a newly-launched children's book in the Philippines adopts a more serious tone. It wants to introduce Pinoy kids to the realities faced by communities under threat of eviction.

With its goal of breaking the stigma against the urban poor, "Kapit, Kapit, Bahay, Bahay" is a Filipino book about the Kadamays in Sitio San Roque and their struggle for housing rights.

"Sa mahabang panahon, mayroon talagang stigma sa urban poor. Mga tamad raw sila, kriminal, sanhi ng baha at napakarami pang iba. Pero ang totoo, bahagi ang urban poor sa mga nagpapatakbo ng araw-araw na buhay natin sa siyudad," said Kadamay national chairperson Gloria “Ka Bea” Arellano, in a statement.

The book launch, held on Saturday morning, also featured a storytelling session by spoken word poet Juan Miguel Severo, a banner making workshop with illustrator Gelai Manabat, and a solidarity message from Gabriela Women's party-list Representative Arlene Brosas.

"Kapit, Kapit, Bahay, Bahay" was authored by China De Vera and illustrated by Manabat. It was published by the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY), the largest alliance of urban poor organizations.

Interested readers can order this book from KADAMAY on its Facebook page for P180. — Angelica Y. Yang/MDM, GMA News