AFCC 2024: Spotlight on the Philippines – Celebrating the Rich Tapestry of Filipino Children's Literature
By: Abigael Joice Francisco, Mheryll Giffen Alforte & Miguel Anton Flores
Published June 4, 2024 5:00 PM
In the landscape of children’s literature, where every page holds a new adventure and every story sparks curiosity, the Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) 2024 stood as a tower of inspiration and innovation. As the curtains rose on the AFCC 2024, hosted at the prestigious National Library of Singapore, anticipation mounted for an enchanting journey into the world of storytelling. A vibrant event dedicated to the celebration and promotion of children’s literature, now in its 15th edition, brought together writers, illustrators, publishers, educators, and literary enthusiasts from around the world, all united by a shared passion for enriching the lives of young readers.
This year’s AFCC carried the theme of “Curiosity,” inviting attendees to embark on a quest to unlock the boundless wonders of imagination. Curiosity, the insatiable thirst for knowledge and discovery, serves as the guiding light illuminating the paths of young readers as they explore the realms of literature.
At the heart of AFCC 2024 was the Philippines, shining brightly as the Country of Focus. The Philippine delegation, with some of the nation’s best Children’s and Young Adult book authors, illustrators, and publishers, flew to Singapore under the wing of the National Book Development Board (NBDB). Bringing its rich heritage, vibrant culture, and diverse literary traditions, the Philippines took center stage offering a treasure trove of stories waiting to be discovered. From folk tales steeped in myth and legend to contemporary narratives reflecting the complexities of modern life, Filipino children’s literature captivates hearts and minds with its depth and diversity
Against this backdrop, AFCC 2024 set forth its themes and objectives, weaving together a tapestry of ideas and insights to enrich the landscape of children’s content. Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions, the conference ignited creativity and sparked curiosity by celebrating the power of imagination and fostering a culture of creativity, inspiring writers, illustrators, and storytellers to push the boundaries of storytelling and craft narratives that resonate with the young readers. It also promoted diversity, empowered educators, and connected communities by championing children’s literature ensuring that every child finds themselves reflected in the pages of a book. Through building bridges across borders and fostering collaboration among industry stakeholders, they created a vibrant ecosystem where creators, publishers, educators, and readers could come together to share ideas, create partnerships, and shape the future of children’s content.
Fortunately, The Inteligente Publishing, Inc. (TIPI) was part of the Philippine delegation at the AFCC 2024. Equipped with nearly a decade of experience in textbook publishing and some new ideas to innovate supplementary educational materials for young Filipinos, TIPI brought valuable insight and fresh eyes to the international stage for the first time. Represented by Trixia Vail Dalumpines, Miguel Anton Flores, Mheryll Giffen Alforte, and Abigael Joice Francisco, TIPI showcased its ‘Theractivity™’ books at the AFCC exhibit along with many other beautiful Filipino-authored and Filipino-illustrated children’s books. On the last day of the festival, TIPI together with Evangeline Alvarez-Encabo, a professional lecturer at De La Salle University Manila and a textbook instructional product designer and editor, shared through an informative panel discussion, their experiences and recommendations with regards to textbook publishing in the Philippines.
Curiosity takes on many forms, it is the first instinct that manifests in children at a very young age– and this year’s AFCC emphasized the importance of nurturing this childlike and innate wonder. The event was the pinnacle of exceptional and untold stories throughout the Philippines; it guided attendees, children and adults alike, into the transformative power of storytelling and literary worlds. These stories crossed borders, unveiling to the global audience children’s literature that are interwoven in the colorful tapestry of the rich and diverse heritage of Filipino culture.
Aside from exploring creative narratives, AFCC 2024 also allowed writers, illustrators, and industry stakeholders to intervene and create multicultural dialogues that addressed the current trends and issues in the market of children’s content. Children’s stories should be told for more reasons than one. Not only for entertainment but also as a valuable medium for learning. The future looks bright for Filipino publishing and storytelling, and it will continue to flourish as long as every Filipino child has access to basic education and literacy, two of the most essential factors that ignite the growth of children’s publishing.
