OMFLit imprint Hiyas Books organized a run of dates for an Iloilo meet-and-greet tour with Palanca award-winning author, “Tito Dok” Luis Gatmaitan, M.D. from August 27-30, 2019.
Dr. Gatmaitan visited Central Philippine University (August 27), GOLD Study Center (August 28), Precious Gems Christian Academy (August 29), and Baptist Center Christian School (August 30) where he held further signing sessions. Simultaneously, various storytelling sessions and book fairs took place in each school.
Lynnie Leal Sharpe shared the unveiling of Hiyas’ new book, Tuli O Di-Tuli, authored by the Palanca-winner and illustrated by Manix Abrera, with an official launch on September 13, 10AM at the OMF Lit booth at Aisle I at the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF).
Bringing micro-medicine to macro-level stories
Fondly called “Tito Dok,” Dr. Gatmaitan said that creating medical stories for children is a challenging, yet, rewarding experience. “Basically, kids are inquisitive – they want to know what happens inside the human body, including the mystery of diseases,” he said.
“Simplifying a scientific concept needs to be broken down or dissected to perfect words, so kids will be able to digest the story,” Dr. Gatmaitan continued. “You have to make use of examples like the environment and analogies on how to explain these concepts,” he added.
Speaking with Vos+Creo, Dr. Gatmaitan shared that bringing medical components such as germs or microbes to stories can help children imagine and wonder what’s happening to their bodies. “Children are concrete, critical thinkers. They have with them what I call an age-old-wisdom,” he said. “These stories are laid out through their everyday experience and analogy of the environment.”
What’s more, Dr. Gatmaitan shared that children are often scared of going to the doctor! He hoped that his stories will enlighten children not to be afraid of doctors, but to see them as friends.
The Doctor-Author
To be a doctor or an author? “Why not marry both?” That’s what Dr. Gatmaitan said in a recent book tour at Central Philippine University.
Dr. Gatmaitan has authored more than 50 books for children, delving on topics such as diseases, disability, and children’s rights in his stories. His award-winning titles include the famous “Mga Kuwento ni Tito Dok” and “Sandosenang Sapatos” which was listed in the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) catalog and has been translated to three languages: Indonesian, Thai, and Danish.
His other notable works are Ang Ambisyosong Istetoskop; Si Duglit, Ang Dugong Makulit; May Mga Lihim Kami ni Ingkong; Lagot! Baka May Lepto sa Baha!; and, Signal Number 3 among many others.
Tuli O Di-Tuli
Author: Dr. Luis Gatmaitan
Illustrated by: Manix Abrera
Nakapagpapatangkad nga ba ang pagpapatuli?
Magiging mutain nga ba ang magiging anak na lalaki ng isang tatay na di nagpatuli?
Bakit ba talaga kailangang magpatuli?
Ilan lang ito sa mga tanong na naglalaro sa isip ng magkabarkadang Richard at Edward. Sumapit na sila sa edad ng puberty at nalalapit na ang panahon ng kanilang pagpapatuli.
Handa na kaya sila?
Tuklasin sa kuwentong ito ang lahat ng bagay na gusto ninyong malaman tungkol sa pagpapatuli.
Tuli o Di-Tuli follows the story of two pubescent boys as they go through the process of circumcision. It also tackles common misconceptions about circumcision, as well as reasons why Filipino boys normally go through with it.
There will be another interview article about Tito Dok on glorymoralidad.com soon!
