Remember the name: Faye Villanueva. This female author and illustrator is taking the comic book world by storm through her Incognito series, Zona Cera, and as illustrator for titles such as Ma-I, Maharlikan Chronicles, and the award-winning game Incognito: Sino si Anino.

Villanueva said she started reading comics at age 10, considering herself more of a visual learner. Later, she would discover the joy of reading. 

“Nagising ako sa katotohanan na maganda pala ang libro. Doon ko na-realize na gusto kong magkwento ng ganitong mga kwento.”

For Villanueva, comic books are effective way of encouraging children to appreciate reading. "This is a ‘gateway drug’ kumbaga para sa mga batang ayaw magbasa. Give them comics, ma-e-engage talaga sila,” she said.

“It’s very effective talaga to communicate—especially stories about our own heritage, culture, and values. We wanted to expose children to their own heritage through comics,” she added.

She said she started writing because she wanted to create her own stories.

“Incognito is a celebration of who I am. Gumawa ako ng something from my own roots, so may celebration ng aking heritage,” she  said.

Villanueva said it is quite rare to find women comic creators in the country, which is why she finds motivation in blazing a path for more female comic artists. 

“Very rare ang women comic creators right now. Gusto kong itaas ang bandera na kahit babae ka, pwede kang gumawa ng mga ‘siga’ na comics. Kaya nating makipagsabayan,” she said.

She encourages young writers who are interested in comics to pursue their dreams despite the challenges. “May stigma kasi na comics is not legitimate literature.” 

But Villanueva chooses to continue cultivating the art form to reach out to the next generation.

“It doesn't matter what people think,” she said. “If it's effective, if it's reaching the next generation, then you're meeting an important need.”
“Don’t be afraid to pursue it. If you remain true to yourself, ma-ce-celebrate ka rin."

Publishers, educators and guests gather at the Philippine Book Festival at the Mega trade hall in Mandaluyong City on March 13, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

A Kalinga girl writes about her culture

A little girl from the remote village of Uma in Lubuagan, Kalinga province saw the need to revive their oral history by compiling and writing their stories in a book for the children of her hometown.  

Living in the mountains, Joan Saga-oc said she saw it as her mission to educate herself and share their heritage for the next generation.

"Struggle namin sa education, because yung village namin ay malayo sa schoo. [Pero] kahit ganito po ang sitwasyon namin nag pursige kami mag aral.”

She recalled a time when the young people in her hometown wanted to learn about their heritage. Her niece went to the community’s storyteller, who was already struggling with dementia and could barely recall their history. 

“Pumunta ang mga pamangkin ko doon sa aming storyteller, pero may dementia na siya — hindi na niya maalala ’yon.”

This made her realize that someone needed to take on the responsibility of documenting their history so future generations could still learn about it.  “Kaya sabi ko. 'Ok this is a cultural responsibility.'”  This incident became her cue, and she took it upon herself to write everything down in books. “Wala pang ibang makakagawa nito, so ako na lang."

She learned the ins and outs of how to self-publish her books, took pictures, and supervised the artwork. After many struggles, she finally succeeded. “Kaya ko pala.”

The next challenge was funding the project. “I don't think na maibebenta ko ito,” she thought.

Writing about her heritage and her hometown was special to her, so the books just kept on coming. “All the stories, pinili ko ’yun sa mga incidents na nangyari sa aking buhay.” 

These, she believes, are also important for the children in her hometown.

The stories she writes, according to Saga-oc, are “memoirs talaga na kailangan makita ng mga younger generations ngayon. These are traditions that we should not forget.” 

To date, Saga-oc has written three books, but she knows she has to do more because of their relevance—referring to traditions that must be preserved and promoted over time.


(Production: Jonathan Cellona, Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News)