Gen Z author Anj Cayabyab helps keep the children's literary scene in the Philippines alive
Anjanette “Anj” Cayabyab is making contributions to local children's literature at a young age. She wrote her first book, Si Annie, Ang Bayani, for her university’s 2019 Adoption Awareness Month fundraiser when she was just 18. At 24, she fit right in with the country’s prominent creative writers as she made her Philippine Book Festival debut this year with Kukurap-kurap (Flickery Flicker) and We Are Coming Home.
"I wrote my first children’s book thinking it would be a one-time thing," she says of Si Annie, Ang Bayani—an adventurous tale of courage and friendship. But not too long after, she found herself joining a poetry organization, writing poems "just for the fun and the feels." It was where she met a network of poets, novelists, essayists, children’s literature writers, and publishers—most of whom were almost twice her age and male.
After coming across her first book again while cleaning her home years later, she thought of giving children's stories another shot. "Rereading it unlocked a fresh perspective in my mind," she recalls to PhilSTAR L!fe. "It’s true that every reading experience of the same book is unique. And with children’s stories, themes meant for young readers can resonate even more deeply with an experienced adult."
"I submitted my stories to workshops for critique and to competitions for a chance at publication—but I found no luck," says Anj.
After her college graduation, however, a publisher messaged her online, asking her to write a children's book for Christmas. "At the time, I submitted two stories, thinking that if one wasn’t enough, at least they would have another to consider. But, lo and behold, my second and third children’s books were born—five years after the first."
On her Philippine Book Festival debut
Beaming with true-to-life experiences and reflections, Kukurap-kurap and We Are Coming Home landed her a book-signing event at the PBF in March with her publisher, Bookmark: The Filipino Bookstore, as one of its exhibitors. There, she joined hundreds of emerging authors in the Philippine literary scene as well as established writers she looks up to, including Dr. Luis Gatmaitán, May Tobias-Papa, Firefly author Augie Rivera, and National Artists Ricky Lee and Rio Alma, to name a few.
The PBF was more than just a literary milestone for Anj. She likens her brief but meaningful interactions to every fangirl meeting their favorite artists face-to-face—a priceless, over-the-moon moment worth telling your children and grandchildren. "I had a quick chat with Sir Ricky and Dr. Luis, but everything happened so fast. I was honestly so stunned, like a little girl in a playground!"
She also got to reunite with her college constants at the event. "I felt truly blessed to have friends who were there to support me," she adds.
Kukurap-kurap is Anj’s take on accepting and working through differences. It stars multi-colored light bulbs trying to function harmoniously despite their varying builds. Similarly, We Are Coming Home sees three cousins reuniting with their loved ones and practicing resourcefulness first-hand for a classic Christmas celebration. Anj holds her two stories to a worthwhile regard—both faithful to the culture of togetherness among Filipino families and communities.
"I wrote the stories during a stormy week in July during my finals week in my Intersession. It was a bit of a challenge to write in between classes and exam reviews but I was able to deliver. My editors and my friends were a big help in the process of giving birth to these stories," she shares.
On her love for telling children's stories
Anj puts her imagination to work in an artistic outlet like kids’ literature. She sees no shame in exploring children’s stories as a young adult, believing that the evergreen words we seek in the classics we grew up with can rekindle our penchant for human narratives and art.
"I write children’s literature because I enjoy reading it," she muses, noting that it goes beyond nostalgia and an appreciation for vivid illustrations. "I believe children’s literature reminds us of how creative imagination sharpens curiosity and critical thinking. If we learn how to inquire like a child while possessing the capabilities of an adult, we would be limitless not only as individuals but as a nation."
Anj aspires to uplift children’s literature in the country beyond acclaim and recognition. According to a BusinessWorld report, the National Readership Survey showed that only 42% of adults (aged 18 and above) have read non-school books in 2023, while 47% of kids (aged 8-17) did so. "There has been a steady decline in the readership of Filipinos, and we find it very alarming," Kevin Ansel S. Dy of the National Book Development Board says, associating it with "social media, devices, and environment."
"Numbers don’t lie—it’s scary to see how Filipino readership is declining. I hope books become more accessible to everyone and that book fairs are held all over the country," she continues, adding that she's looking to be more active in NBDB's activities to support their advocacy of increasing readership and making books more accessible, especially in the provinces.
"I also hope to create more high-quality materials that meet the needs of learners—for example, stories that not only teach kids how to count, but also how to enjoy counting," she shares.
When she's not writing or thinking about what to write next, Anj is busy with graduate school, which she balances with side quests in climate action, sustainable financing, and even running—an athletic undertaking she picked up last June. This year, she’s set to receive her Master’s Degree in Applied Mathematics with a specialization in Mathematical Finance from Ateneo de Manila University.
"Mathematical Finance, poetry, children’s literature, climate action, running—these fields, no matter how distant they may seem, are tied together by one thing I’m incredibly passionate about: storytelling. That’s what keeps me going in each of these arenas," she tells L!fe. "I want to understand difficult concepts and communicate them in a way that doesn’t oversimplify them but sparks curiosity. I think that’s the purpose of my life."
"While I recognize the 'organic unity' in these fields, I also try to create boundaries to separate them so that when one gets overwhelming or challenging, I don’t collapse. I have other identities to lean on, and I enjoy it like that!" she adds.
What's next for Anj? Besides another degree to her name, she anticipates the release of her own poetry book in the years to come.
For aspiring authors, she has this to say: "Just write. Join writing communities, have a manuscript, and submit it to publishers. Wait. Get published! And repeat! I want to meet more children’s writers my age—hopefully women."
Physical copies of Kukurap-kurap and We Are Coming Home are available via Bookmark Inc. on Shopee.
