Title: Vicki Belo: Ang Batang Nagpalaganap ng Ganda (The Girl who Spread Beauty)
Writer: Eugene Y. Evasco
Illustrator: Jonathan G. Rañola
Publisher: LG&M Corporation
Place of Publication: Quezon City, Philippines
Date of Publication: 2013
No. of Pages: 28
Recommended for ages: 4-8 years old
Type: Biography
Sub-type: Biography
Remarks: This is the story of Dr. Vicki Belo, a successful and reknowned cosmetic surgeon in our
country. The book narrated to us how she was a shy girl who worked hard and persevered to get to
where she is now. Her story, like most biographies, give inspiration to people. I never imagined Vicki Belo as a shy girl and her biography gives us an opportunity to her beyond what we know her for-a cosmetic surgeon of the celebrities. Years ago, , I was not really fond of the topic of cosmetic surgeries because I believe people are beautiful and we should be happy with what God has given us. But then I realized I cannot really own other people's decisions because they are choosing that for a reason I am not aware of. If these surgeries would make them feel better about themselves, then I'm okay with it.
Title: I Am Malala: The girl who stood up for education and was shot by the Taliban
Writer: Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb
Publisher: Little, Brown, & Company
Place of Publication: New York, USA
Date of Publication: 2013
No. of Pages: 327
Recommended for ages: 11 years old and above
Type: Biography
Sub-type: Autobiography
Remarks: Malala Yousafzai is an activist fighting for female education. She was born in Pakistan and she is
the youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize. She was shot by the Taliban who banned girls from going to
school back then, because she actively advocates for it. Her story is truly an inspirational one. She proved
that one's age can never be a barrier for us to fight for what we believe in. I idolize her for being
courageous and for giving insipiration to women and girls all over the world.
Title: A Different Kind of Policeman
Writer: Emma R. Tan
Illustrator: Robert A. Alejandro
Publisher: The Bookmark, Inc.
Place of Publication:Makati City, Philippines
Date of Publication: 2007
No. of Pages: 16
Recommended for ages: 4-8 years old
Type: Biography
Sub-type: Biography
Remarks: This is the story of Kiran Bedi, a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Government Service in 1994.
She was born in Punjab, India and when she got older, she became a policewoman who changed the system in a political prison. I really loved her story because first, her achievements, strength, and courage is very inspiring. Second, she changed the system of a political prison into one that treated the prisoners as humans. I believe that this is very relevant in our time today. Personally, I don't approve of cruel punishment because I prefer restorative justice. We tend to forget that sometimes, there are individuals who commit crimes because of deeper reasons that root in the system,and much more important than the fact that they are prisoners is the reason of how they became one.
Title: He's Dating the Transgender
Writer: Art Sta. Ana with Trixie Maristela
Publisher: Anvil Publishing, Inc.
Place of Publication: Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Date of Publication: 2015
No. of Pages: 112
Recommended for ages: 10 years old and above
Type: Biography
Sub-type: Memoir
Remarks: The "He" in the title the book is Art, and the "Transgender" is Trixie. This book shows their love
story, the problems they've encountered, and how they rose above each of them. Their story is a must
read as it teaches you about a lot of things and make you feel the "kilig" in their relationship. This book
reminds us that love knows no gender and it's something that must be celebrated and not frowned upon. While it saddens me that there are still people unaccepting of individuals with genders different from Male and Female, what makes me happy is the fact that slowly, the society is becoming more accepting of them and many people are coming out and expressing themselves in ways they really want to.