Pinoy artist teams up with US writer for children's book on overcoming bullying

Published May 25, 2013 1:20pm

A San Francisco-based Filipino artist has teamed up with an author in the United States in producing a children's book on how to overcome bullying.

Filipino visual artist Marconi Calindas collaborated with beginning writer Adam Cafege on the children's book "Of Petals and Hope: Sonny Sunflower Triumphs Over Bullying." In a statement, Calindas said the story "takes place in a land not far away where common colorful flowers live, and, unlike other flowers, Sonny is yellow and bright, while the rest of the flowers are multicolored and also beautiful."

"Sonny Sunflower is being bullied for being a different kind of flower. Then he meets his best friends and together they all struggle to survive the atrocities of bullying," the statement continued.

Calindas contributed to the book's visuals by rendering illustrations through watercolor and pen-and-ink media.

The artist, who is also a GMA News Online contributor, identifies himself as a lesbian, gay, bisexusal, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) causes and paints pieces that promote "kindness, equality, and peace."

He has been promoting LGBTI causes in the US through his art. In 2012, he painted for the cover and inside pages of the book "Rainbow Bridges: A Community Guide to Rebuilding the Lives of LGBTI Refugees and Asylees."

“I am very excited to share this wonderful book not only to the kids but also to the adults,” Calindas said in the statement, adding the the issue of bullying is one that "must transcend all ages,” noting that he was also bullied when he was young.

“I know that this story is everybody’s story. We all had some shares of being victims of bullying in our lifetime. Unfortunately, to some even as they’ve grown much older, they still suffer from bullying," he added.

According to Cafege, he and Calindas wanted to tell the story to show children and older people that "it is okay to be different" and "to remember you always have friends and family to support and love you for who you are."

“Of Petals and Hope” is now available on Amazon, and the e-book version is available at www.sonnysunflower.com.

The children's book will also make its debut during the 2013 National Queer Arts Festival at the SoMARTS Gallery in San Francisco on June 1. A book launch in July is also set in Maui, Hawaii, where the book's publisher is located. - Gian C. Geronimo, VVP, GMA News

Tags: marconicalindas, unitedstates