For the month of March, we are also honored to feature Zarah Gagatiga, the author of Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories, now available in the Pamana Library. In her heartfelt article, Writing, Roots, and Resilience, Zarah reflects on the personal journey that led to the creation of this treasured collection of Filipino folk tales. She shares how this project, born from a deep connection to heritage, became a source of strength and healing during a time of personal challenges. Zarah also pays tribute to her late collaborator, Dianne de Las Casas, whose dream of preserving Filipino stories lives on through their joint work. Join us in celebrating the enduring power of storytelling and its ability to foster resilience, connection, and remembrance.
Writing, Roots, and Resilience: The Story Behind Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories
by Zarah Gagatiga
My first book published in the U.S., Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories (Bloomsbury), brings nostalgia and a deep sense of fulfillment. It was a project close to my heart, made even more special by the opportunity to work with my dear friend, Dianne de Las Casas. Dianne, a Filipino American storyteller and writer, always dreamed of creating a collection of Filipino folktales—a way to tether herself to her heritage. She often told me that this book was a decade in the making, and when the chance came for us to collaborate, it felt like a dream come true.
For Dianne, this book was a connection to her roots. For me, it became a gateway to growth and healing. At the time we worked on this project, I was facing personal challenges—my family and I were displaced by Typhoon Ondoy (2009), and I was struggling with unstable work. Without a full-time job, I relied on project-based opportunities, uncertain of what lay ahead. But through this book, through the research and storytelling, I found stability in the one thing that never failed me—stories.
Working with Dianne reminded me of the power of creation, of how we can make something out of nothing—or at least, out of what seems like nothing. We wove together the stories of our childhood, the tales passed down by our ancestors, and the wisdom of Filipino communities we encountered in our travels. Through this process, I found hope and courage to move forward, to embrace what life offered despite uncertainty.
Dianne has since passed on in 2018, and the artist who created the book’s cover, Bernadette Solina-Wolf, has also crossed this realm unto the next. In my imagination, they are together, creating stories and beautiful art in a place where everything is at peace. Their stories live on here on Earth, and while I miss them so much, our friendship continues through the book we lovingly collaborated on.
And you, dear reader, you make the stories we retold and created come alive. Such is the magic of books—they connect us across time, across worlds, and keep the heartbeats of those we love alive in every page we turn.
Zarah C. Gagatiga is a teacher-librarian at The Beacon Academy, storyteller, literacy coach, and award-winning author from the Philippines. She co-authored Tales From the 7,000 Isles (Bloomsbury), which won the 2015 Storytelling Resource Award, and authored the picture books Big Sister and The Day Max Flew Away, both recognized in prestigious national awards. She serves as a board member of the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) and is the PRO of the Philippine Association of School Librarians (PASLI). Named the 2023 Outstanding School Librarian by the City of Biñan, Zarah has also received accolades from PAASCU and PASLI for her contributions to children’s literature and community service.
Ms. Zarah also has a brand-new book out: Filipino Folktales for Children: Stories of Wisdom and Wonder in Tagalog and English! With stunning illustrations by Kora Dandan Albano, this bilingual collection is a wonderful way to introduce Filipino culture to young readers. The book even includes free online audio recordings for an immersive storytelling experience. Be sure to check it out and pre-order your copy today: Pre-order here.
Read about Pamana Children’s Library story and our mission by visiting our page on the Rizal Center website: https://rizalcenter.org/programs/pamana-childrens-library/.
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We’re now on Instagram! Follow us at @pamanalibrary_chicago for updates on our collection, events, and activities as we celebrate Filipino culture and heritage. Join us in a nurturing love for Filipino literature and exploring the beautiful stories that connect us all!
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At Pamana, we believe in the transformative power of storytelling and the joy of books to connect generations and celebrate cultural identity. Our mission is to inspire young minds by sharing the rich traditions, values, and stories of the Philippines, fostering a sense of community. Since our opening in December 2023, our dedicated volunteers have engaged Filipino families in the greater Chicago area through enriching story times and cultural events.
To sustain these vital programs, we kindly ask for your support through one-time or monthly donations. Your contributions directly benefit the children and families we serve.
As the program of the Rizal Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your donations may be tax-deductible.
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