Ricky Lee launches 2 new books ‘Pinilakang Tabing’ and ‘Agaw-Tingin’ at MIBF 2025

Ricky Lee released two new books at the Manila International Book Festival! 

Lee officially launched “Pinilakang Tabing” and “Agaw-Tingin” on Friday with a special program hosted by Jackie Lou Blanco and Phi Palmos.

“Pinilakang Tabing” is a novel with characters who are involved and affected by movies, whereas “Agaw-Tingin” is Lee’s collection of non-fiction works from 1976 to 2009 with the theme of “inagaw na tingin.”

The event featured special readings of the two books featuring some of today’s top artists, namely Michael V., Kyline Alcantara, Luis Alandy,  Dulce, Arman Ferrer, Chai Fonacier, Agot Isidro, Jolina Magdangal, Judy Ann Santos, Meryll Soriano, and Jericho Rosales. 

Following the launch, Lee held a book signing. 

GMA News Online was able to interview the National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, who said, “Nakakataba ng puso ‘yung suporta ng mga tao, lalo na ‘yung mga katrabaho ko sa industriya.” 

Lee chose the artists as he felt that their skills would bring the stories to life. With Michael V., for example, he was given a piece to bring four characters to life, which Lee felt was something only the Kapuso Comedy Genius could do. 

Photo: Nika Roque/GMA Integrated News

According to Lee, the creative process for “Pinilakang Tabing” only took him six months. 

“Actually, mabilis ‘yun eh. Usually, it takes me a year. Kaya lang, dun siya sa mga taong mga buhay nila’y naapektuhan ng pelikula mula nung 1970s hanggang 2016, so mundo siya na pamilyar na pamilyar sa ‘kin. Kilalang kilala ko ‘yung mga tao dun eh,” he said. 

“Mahirap man siya, nagawa kong mas madali sa mabilisang panahon kasi mundo ko ‘yung pelikula eh." 

Meanwhile, he shared that “Agaw-Tingin” is composed of his articles from the Martial Law days up until 2009. 

Lee hopes that the new books would encourage more Filipinos to read. 

“Sana ugaliin natin ang magbasa. Kasi lalo na sa panahon ngayon ng social media at iba’t ibang platforms, ang dami-daming paraan ng panonood, minsan nakakalimutan natin ang pagbabasa,” Lee said. “Mahalaga ang pagbabasa, iba ang ginagawa ng pagbabasa sa panonood." 

“Kaya patuloy akong nagsusulat, tuwing may book fair, pumupunta talaga ‘ko kasi rare ocassion ‘yung napapalibutan ka ng taong mahilig magbasa. So manood tayo ng pelikula, pero magbasa din tayo nang magbasa. Mahalagang gawain ‘yun.”

Ricky Lee is the writer of the films “Cain at Abel,” and “Himala,” the screenwriter of MMFF 2024 Best Picture "Green Bones" with Anj Atienza, as well as the author of the books “Para Kay B,” “Kulang na Silya at Iba Pang Kwentong Buhay,” the scriptwriting manual “Trip to Quiapo,” and many more.

—CDC, GMA Integrated News