Lessons on history, kindness, and confidence
Every year, we celebrate Women’s Month in March. During that time, we often hear and read about stories of exemplary women—stories of those who have achieved success in their fields and those who have faced challenges but still managed to rise above them.
But beyond the triumphs and accomplishments, Women’s Month is also a reminder of how far there is to go for women. There are still many whose stories are unheard, many of whom are in the shadows, waiting to be seen and understood.
It’s perhaps fitting that this year’s Women’s Month saw the launch of a children’s book called “Ghost and Found,” which tells the story of a young girl with a disability who’s about to learn important lessons on courage and confidence—that is, with the help of a few very familiar ghosts along the way.
Why a young girl with a disability
The main character of “Ghost and Found” is Bianca Santos, a young student with a hearing disability who is both happy to stay in the shadows and wary of expressing herself.
And for the author, Amara Raphael—the pen name of 15-year-old Rafaela Robles—the choice to make her main character female is a deliberate one. “I chose my main character to be female because, as a girl myself, I can relate to and also understand my character more,” Rafaela explains.
As for the hearing disability, it is a nod to Rafaela’s family heritage. Her grandfather, Dr. Jose Abaño Jr., is the founder of Manila Hearing Aid, a pioneer in hearing care in the Philippines.
“I wanted to honor his legacy by writing a book that highlighted the disability of the people he has helped,” Rafaela explains.
Her mother, Dr. Liza Abaño Robles, who is continuing the family legacy, has expressed great pride that her daughter chose to portray the main character with a hearing disability. For the doctor, her daughter’s choice is a reflection of “how the value of helping children with special needs subtly emerged as she grew up exposed to the nature” of their family’s work.
A nod to Philippine history
In the book, Bianca heads to a museum for a field trip, where she ends up falling asleep and encountering certain heroes from Philippine history. With their help, as well as that of a loyal dog, she must find a way out of the museum. These prominent Filipinos from history are none other than the Philippine national hero himself, Dr. Jose Rizal, the great artist behind the Spoliarium, Juan Luna, and the “Mother of the Philippine Revolution,” Melchora Aquino.
A lover of history, Rafaela wanted to make a point with the setting as well as the side characters of her book.
“I wanted to highlight how Philippine history is just as interesting and important as those from other countries,” she emphasizes. “That’s why I decided to feature a few prominent Filipino historical figures in my book.”
What Rafaela wants children like her to learn
One by one, each of the historical figures present in the book teaches Bianca the value of confidence and bravery. “You think you do not matter,” Melchora Aquino, for example, tells Bianca at one point in the story. “But even a small act can wake up a nation.”
Rafaela establishes themes of confidence and bravery throughout her book, and here lies the main lesson she wants fellow children, especially those with disabilities, to learn.
“Like kids who are born deaf or with a hearing disability, the main character of my book, Bianca, couldn’t change the fact that she had a hearing impairment,” she explains. “I hope that kids like her and other kids as well who read my book will learn that—while there are circumstances you cannot change—you can still try to be confident and brave.”
“Ghost and Found” is also a reminder for children, regardless of age, gender, or circumstance, that they, too, can be heard and seen if they have the courage to step out of the shadows and let themselves be heard.
What the adults can learn from this children’s book
It’s not just the children who have much to learn from the book. Adults can pick up a thing or two as well. For parents, in particular, “Ghost and Found” is a lesson on the importance of supporting children.
“When I started working as an audiologist, I focused on children, and one of the factors that helps children with special needs to go beyond their physical limitations is the encouragement coming from parents,” Dr. Robles shares.
This is something that rings true with all children, and Dr. Robles emphasizes that parents and adults, in general, are key factors to their success. “Teach them to go beyond their limits. Encourage them to explore until they find the interests that will lead them to their passion,” says Dr. Robles. “Passion is the driving force that moves children toward their goal and pushes them to go back up when things are down.”
For Rafaela, her book is a simple reminder from a child to the adults to be kind.
“I hope adults can learn to empathize and be kind to those who may be different from them,” she says. “People, especially kids, with disabilities struggle every day because the world does not always suit them, so being able to make their life a little easier by being patient with them or showing small acts of kindness can make a huge difference.”
One hundred percent of the proceeds from “Ghost and Found” will benefit Museo Pambata. The book will be available this month in leading bookstores, Museo Pambata, and Manila Hearing Aid clinics for P500.
