Lee ventures into children’s lit with ‘Kung Alam N’yo Lang’

Five years after publishing his previous book, award-win­ning screenwriter and author Ricky Lee recently released his newest, Kung Alam N’yo Lang: Mga Kuwentong Pambata Para sa mga Hindi na Bata (If You Only Knew: Children’s Stories for Adults), a collec­tion of four stories told from the point of view of four children.

The 250-page book, which targets both children and adults, tackles topics as diverse as the search for God (“Ang Nawawalang Diyos”), a kid who sees letters come to life in his room (“Ang Sayaw ng mga Letra”), bullying in a town that has forgotten a dark secret from its past (“Si Inggo at ang Santo Ku­watro”), and the concept of death (“Nang Mapagod si Kamatayan”).

The collection also features illustrations by artists Kenikenken (Ken Bautista), Diigii Daguna, Jether Amar and Ivan Reverente.

Lee, who grew up reading comics, said children may read his new book in or­der to prepare them for the real world. Although Kung Alam N’yo Lang is consid­ered a children’s book, it also appeals to adults who have forgotten how it is to be young. It is published by the Philippine Writers Studio Foundation Inc.

Lee has written more than 160 scripts for Filipino films since 1973. Many of these have won awards here and abroad. Among them are Himala, Karnal, Moral, Brutal, Salome and other films di­rected by acclaimed Filipino filmmakers, including the late National Artists for Film Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal. His script for Salome has been translated into English and published by the University of Wisconsin for its film studies.

As author, Lee has writ­ten Trip to Quiapo, a script­writing manual; Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon, a collection of short stories; Pitik-Bulag sa Buwan ng Pebrero, a playbook; the novels Para Kay B (O Kung Paano Dinevas­tate ng Pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa Atin) and Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata; and screenplay books Brutal/Salome, Moral, Bukas May Pangarap and Jose Rizal.

Kung Alam N’yo Lang is available at a discounted price of P250 until December 31. It will be available in bookstores starting next year.

For orders and inquiries, contact the Writers Studio at 0956-1321248 (Globe) or 0932-9047852 (Sun), send an e-mail to writers.studio12@gmail.com, or visit www.facebook.com/kungalamnyolang.