Young Pinoy translators in Cambodia produce three bilingual books

A group of Filipino youths in Cambodia worked together to translate three children's stories into the Tagalog language, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

According to a Friday DFA statement, fourteen Pinoy kids - former students of the Sentro Rizal Phnom Penh's Filipino Language Class - translated 3 stories written by book author Jean Alingod-Guittap and illustrator Sophia "Willow" Guittap.

The stories were originally written in English, and they were translated into Tagalog by the Filipinos.

The three bilingual book titles were: "We Are Amazing (Kami ay Magaling)”, “We Are Beautiful (Kami ay Maganda)”, and “We Are Blessed (Kami ay Mapalad).”

According to the DFA, the books have been published and they are ready to be donated to public schools in Cambodia and other Sentro Rizal libraries in the world.

Jean Alingod-Guittap, the author, noted that the young translators first had a difficult time pronouncing and remembering some words- but they did not give up.

"When their families did the translation with them, one word kept coming up as they described the experience: fun. As people, that is what we are known for. Love for reading is another. But the most touching for me is our children’s heart to share and give back," she said, in a statement.

Young translator Thomas Uy was proud of his team's finished work as he handed out copies of the books to his Pinoy friends based in Cambodia.

Meanwhile, ten-year-old Gabriel Perida was seen reading one of the bilingual books to his baby cousin.

Amera Gardose, whose sons Jabez and EJ participated in the translation project, expressed her gratitude to the book author and the DFA.

"For giving our children this wonderful opportunity. Thank you for giving them copies of the book, they are excited to bring it back to the Philippines and give to their cousins”, she said.

The project was funded by the DFA. — Angelica Y. Yang/DVM, GMA News