“Ang mga bagay na hindi alam ng mga bata ay hindi nila mapahahalagahan at ma-iingatan. Tulad ng mga mata na hindi dapat tusukin, at mga kamay na dapat laging hugasan, may mga iba pa tayong bahagi ng katawan na dapat kilalanin at bigyang pansin,” an excerpt on a Facebook post from local publishing house, Lampara Books, to introduce their recently-released children’s book, Ako ay May Titi, written by award-winning author Genaro R. Gojo Cruz, illustrated by Beth Parrocha.

Filipino culture has always been conservative but as time progresses, we continue to adapt new beliefs and practices that challenge our minds to accept changes in our society. For most of our local households, the topic of sex and gender has always been a sensitive undertaking.

Some would rather converse with kids using filtered words to replace or blur out sexual body parts in the context that it’s only for adults to speak of. These words include titi, pekpek, bayag, and pepe just to name a few. Finding words to replace its use or segueing away from its discussion, children’s full understanding of sexual body parts were left hanging at the notion of taboo and therefore creates an unnecessary connotation or at worse, malice, to its very basic context; which is, basically, that it’s just a human body part like the head, arms, or any other parts that can be heard from any children nursery rhymes. 

Through “Ako ay May Titi”, children can openly understand the visceral context of these human body parts and its proper care without a shed of malice. It is written by Cruz, whose notable portfolio includes a 2009 Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature under the category of Short Story for Children; and was illustrated by Beth Parrocha, a founding member of Ilustrador ng Kabataan.

Featuring their creative flair and knowledge on children’s illustration, their book was met with positive reviews especially coming from primary educators with most of their comments acknowledging its boldness and open-mindedness. Following its successful reception, the book has been sold out at its official Shopee page.

Lampara Books is dedicated to nurturing the minds of Filipinos while still young. Through its award-winning library that involves recreational activities such as coloring, reading, drawing, writing, reasoning, storytelling and craft activities, they continue to explore new topics with progressive ideas that revolutionize primary education for kids.