Allied Works

Fiction for children, Poetry for Children, Translation, Editing, Criticism

Jose Monfred C. Sy

Jose Monfred C. Sy is an assistant professor at the Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature, University of the Philippines Diliman. He is also currently a doctoral student at the Department of Comparative Literature, the University of Hong Kong. He is the author of the children’s books Lola Buena’s Garden of Miracles (Chikiting Books, 2019), Si Laleng at ang Lakbay-paaralan (Adarna House, 2020), Ang Sirenang Takot Malunod (Chikiting Books, 2021), Kakatok-katok sa Bahay ni Benok (CANVAS, 2021), Mga Tagapagtanggol ng Lupang Ninuno (Adarna House, 2024), Gusto Ko ng Sigbin! (Brille Petit, 2025), and Ang Natatanging Ngaratngat: Ang Buhay ni Leonardo Co, Siyentista ng Bayan (UP College of Science, 2026). With Sophia Flor Perez, he translated Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White as Ang Sapot ni Charlotte (Southern Voices Printing Press, 2023). His works have received honors from the Romeo Forbes Story Writing Competition, the National Children’s Book Awards, and The Severino Reyes Medal.

His research on children’s literature appears in Plants in Children’s and Young Adult Literature (Routledge, 2022), Martial Law @50 (IBON Foundation, 2022), Bata, Hiwaga, Bansa (University of the Philippines Press, 2023), Indigenous Media and Popular Culture in the Philippines (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024), and Children’s Literature in Place (Routledge, 2024). He is also a co-editor of the books Suring Supling (Sentro ng Wikang Filipino, 2022), Mula Palengke Patungong Paaralan (IBON Foundation, 2024), Reimagining Development in Southeast Asia (Springer, 2025), and Decolonizing Comparative Literature (Springer, 2025). He is a member of the Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND), Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines, and Network for Philippine Studies in Hong Kong (NePS-HK).

Awards

• The Severino Reyes Medal 2025, International Board on Books for Young People-Philippines (IBBY-PH): Special Citation for Mga Tagapagtanggol ng Lupang Ninuno
• Gawad PSLLF sa Saliksik para sa Natatanging Tesis 2023, Pambansang Samahan sa Linggwistika at Literaturang Filipino, Ink.: “Mga Mapa-kuwento ng Bakwit School: Kapookan ng Paglalakbay, Pag-aaral at Pakikibaka ng Kabataang Lumad para sa Yutang Kabilin,” winner
• Gawad SWF sa Pinakamahusay na Saliksik sa Daluyan Journal 2023, Sentro ng Wikang Filipino: “Hulagway ng Yutang Kabilin sa mga Mapa mula sa Lumad Bakwit Iskul: Isang Panimulang Pag-aaral,” winner
• 7th National Children’s Book Award, The Philippine Board on Books for Young People and the National Book Development Board: Kakatok-Katok sa Bahay ni Benok (CANVAS, 2021)
• 29th Romeo Forbes Story Writing Competition, CANVAS – Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development: Kakatok-Katok sa Bahay ni Benok, winner

Fellowships

• Fellow, 63rd UP National Writers Workshop, Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing (2024)
• Panelist, Palihang Rene O. Villanueva (2023-2025)

Literary Works

• Ang Natatanging Ngaratngat: Ang Buhay ni Leonardo Co, Siyentista ng Bayan (The Unique Rafflesia: The Life of Leonardo Co, Scientist of the People), children’s picturebook, Quezon City: UP Diliman College of Science, 2026
• Gusto Ko ng Sigbin (I Want a Sigbin), children’s picturebook, Quezon City: Brilliant Creations Publishing, Inc., 2025
• Mga Tagapagtanggol ng Lupang Ninuno (Defenders of the Ancestral Land), children’s picturebook, Quezon City: Adarna House, 2024
• “Nang Tumawag si Nanay,” poem, Locked Down, Lit Up: An Anthology of Creative Work in a Time of Quarantine, edited by Jose V. Ogatis-I, Chadwick Co Sy Su, and Dahcelle Nicole G. Parrocha. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 2024
• “Dahil Gusto Kong Pumasok” (“Because I want to Go to School”), poem for children, Pamimintana sa Pag-asa: Mga Tula at Guhit ng Guro para sa Batang Filipino, edited by Eugene Y. Evasco and John Ronnel G. Popa. Quezon City: UP Sentro ng Wikang Filipino, 2024
• Kakatok-katok sa Bahay ni Benok (Knocking on Benok’s House), children’s picturebook, Quezon City: CANVAS – Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development, 2021
• “Ang Huling Araw ni Selya,” (“Selya’s Last Day”), poem, Points of Contact, edited by Sheila Ann Abbara, Richard Calayeg Cornelio, and John Kenneth Zapata. Quezon City: Philippine Collegian. 2021
• “Ang Paglilitis sa Bundok Arayat” (“The Trial at Mt. Arayat.”), short story for children, Alaala ng mga Pakpak: Antolohiya ng mga Panitikang-Bayan para sa mga Bata, edited by Eugene Y. Evasco and Mariel Balacuit. Manila: Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, 2021
• “Be Like Air,” poem, to let the light in: an anthology of life and death, edited and published by the Sing Lit Station and Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network, 2021
• Ang Sirenang Takot Malunod (The Mermaid Who’s Afraid to Drown), children’s picturebook, Quezon City: Vibal, Inc., 2021
• “Pagpapakilala” (“Introductions”), poem, Pagtugon: Ang Universidad at ang Pagamutan ng Bayan, Para sa Bayan, edited by Joey A. Tabula, Alvin B. Caballes and Noel P. Pingoy. Manila: University of the Philippines Manila, 2020
• Si Laleng at ang Lakbay-paaralan (Laleng and the Travelling School), children’s picturebook, Quezon City: Adarna House, Inc., 2020
• Lola Buena’s Garden of Miracles (Ang Mahiwagang Hardin ni Lola Buena), children’s picturebook, Quezon City: Vibal, Inc., 2019

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