Carla M. Pacis is an author and professor at De La Salle University-Manila where she teaches art, literature, and creative writing. She also earned awards from PBBY-Salanga Writer’s Prize (1998) and Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Award (1995.)

The five stories were written for the WWF-Philippines’ Coral Triangle Project which aimed to make children aware of the beauty of their surroundings and its fragility and to make adults in the area responsive to the preservation of their environment especially those living in the areas within the WWF-Philippines project.

The Jin and the Turtle illustrated by Jeanne P. Tan is about the sad plight of the sea turtles of the Sulu Sea and the effort to save them. While the Dragon Boat illustrated by Edrick Raymond T. Daniel tells about the boat making skills of the Tausugs and the virtue of patience.

Mapun illustrated by Jose T. Gamboa and Herbert Miguel I. Consunji tells about the declining sea resources in the Sulu Sea area and the preservation of sea turtles which in some instances were credited with saving lives of some fishermen. Grandmother’s Gift illustrated by Seth Clarece T. Estacio tells about the hard life of families in the area and their mat-making industry. It tells, too, of grandmother’s sacrifice to part with her treasured mat for the education of her granddaughter.

Manta Ray Journey illustrated by Lloyd F. Niguidula is a folktale on how the Badjao tribe came to live in the different islands of the Sulu Sea. It is also about depleting marine resources, giant manta rays, and how the Badjaos as boat people, live.

The publisher and the WWF-Philippines have joined to produce these books to contribute to the dearth of reading materials which focus on environmental preservation as well as show the culture of the Sulu Sea area. By reading these books or acquiring them for others to read, it is hoped that we will all spread the message to preserve our environment and encourage children to read more books.

The original illustrations were exhibited and were up for sale during the launch. The author and artists also took the time to sign some books.

The book launch showed that books are another way for children to learn more about their environment and through the five stories from A Sea of Stories: Tales from Sulu parents can educate their children on how to be good stewards of the environment.

For more information contact Bookmark at telephone nos. 8958061-65, fax: 8970824, email: bookmark@globelines.com.ph or visit the website www.bookmarkthefilipinobookstore.com