For the month of April, we are excited to feature Jon Carlos Rodriguez, Associate Director of Content for SLAM Philippines, and the author of The ABC’s of Pinoy Basketball. Co-written with Ceej Tantengco-Malolos and illustrated by Melvin John Rodas, this children’s book highlights Filipino culture through the lens of basketball. In this interview, Jon Carlos shares his journey into children’s literature and discusses how the book aims to inspire young readers to embrace their heritage and the values of the game. Don’t miss his insights on the power of storytelling in shaping cultural identity.
Inside The ABC’s of Pinoy Basketball with
Co-Author Jon Carlos Rodriguez
Photo Credits: Tristan Tamayo
Could you tell me a bit about your background and how you became interested in writing?
As an introvert, I turned to writing to express my thoughts. It became my outlet in translating feelings to words. What started as writing random musings on the back of my high school notebook, I took interest in reading and writing poetry.
Having no formal education on writing, I enrolled myself in writing workshops before pursuing a professional career in publishing. My first job as an editorial assistant for a magazine gave a chance to hone my skills and study the different styles of writing. This led to a career in online journalism, working as a desk editor and news writer for ABS-CBN News Online.
When I wasn’t writing news for my day job, I was writing about basketball. Having been a fan of the game since I was a kid (way before I started writing), basketball has always been a constant in my life. I can remember milestones and eras in my life based on which team won the NBA championship at that time. When I discovered a path to writing about basketball through BuhayBasket then later through SLAM Philippines, it felt like a full-circle moment for me, having been able to merge two things that define me. Writing and basketball are not just things I am passionate about.
What was your main goal in writing The ABC’s of Pinoy Basketball?
I am a dad to a five-year-old daughter. Since she was born, it has been the bedtime routine of my wife Sai and me to read her a book. One night, I was reading an alphabet book to her and instead of reading the actual words in the book, I began teaching her the ABCs of basketball. This sparked an idea of creating a children’s book for Filipino children written by Pinoy basketball fans. The hope was that this book would teach the next generation of children about the rich culture of Pinoy hoops and inspire them to push the Pinoy basketball story forward.
Why did you choose to write about basketball instead of any other Filipino sports?
Despite being a nation of not-very-tall people, the Philippines’ love of the game is unmatched. It is unique, special, and has its own characteristics that are just unlike anywhere in the world. Filipinos’ love for basketball speaks of our aspirations as a people, our hopefulness, our resiliency to succeed despite the odds. Also, I don’t think I’m equipped to write about the ABCs of Pinoy Sipa.
What role do you think sports plays in communicating cultural heritage?
Sports says a lot about cultural heritage in that it is able to tell stories from different perspectives. In basketball, not one player, not one game is the game. There are many different layers that unfold in sports – not just in the games, but more so in the people who participate in them and the heritage that shaped them.
In your view, what is the value of books like The ABC’s of Pinoy Basketball that educate children about Filipino culture?
In The ABCs of Pinoy Basketball, we wanted to introduce the Filipino culture to the next generation of children through the lens of basketball, but also, we wanted them to experience and discover the culture by themselves in the hopes of being inspired by the stories of the game the same way it inspired me and my co-creators Ceej Tantengco-Malolos and Melvin Rodas. Hopefully, books like The ABCs of Pinoy Basketball are entertaining and informative enough that it’ll serve as the gateway for children to be more curious about our culture and be champions of our culture.
The ABC’s of Pinoy Basketball is a part of the Pamana Library collection; what message do you hope that visitors to Pamana take away from your book?
The message is that Filipino talent – whether through basketball itself or through creativity and storytelling – is world-class. Filipino culture and heritage is not just about being resilient and about overcoming adversities, it is about being able to communicate to the world that the Filipino talent is great if given a chance to shine.
What advice would you give to other authors looking to write books that communicate their own cultural heritage?
My advice to other Filipino authors is to find that POV that’s special and unique to them, and tell their story through that lens. There are many different ways to tell the Filipino story, but what can make it stand out is through authenticity.
Do you find it challenging to write books that command kids’ attention in a world where attention spans are getting shorter?
What I’ve discovered throughout the process of publishing a children’s book is that as long as there are publishers like Kado that are investing on books; there are brands like TITAN that support book launches; there are creators like us who are driven to tell stories via print; and there are parents who are mindful, deliberate, and progressive about how their kids consume content, books will always have a special place in the world (digital or otherwise).
What do you hope readers, especially young Filipino children, will take away from your book?
I hope they’re able to appreciate how basketball isn’t just a game – it’s a space where young boys and young girls can learn values and be inspired to be better people, whether it’s through playing the game, watching the game, or reading/telling stories about the game.
Can you share a memorable moment or challenge you encountered while writing The ABC’s of Pinoy Basketball?
I’ll always remember how easy it was for Ceej and I to write this book and how everything came naturally to us, knowing that the words will be read by children and the impact it will have (hopefully) in their formative years.
How do you approach making Filipino culture relatable and fun for young readers?
The art of Melvin Rodas was a key piece in breathing life and bringing color to The ABCs of Pinoy Basketball. He was able to translate in a relatable and fun way exactly how Ceej and I envisioned it. He brought our words to life.
Who are your biggest influences or inspirations when it comes to writing children’s books?
My co-writer, Ceej, was a big influence in writing the book. Coming off her Fantastic Filipinas children’s book series and her experience working in and around sports, I knew that she was the right person to collaborate with on a project like this.
How do you envision the future of Filipino children’s literature?
To quote the last page of The ABCs of Pinoy Basketball:
Zoom zoom! We’re heading towards the future. The story of Pinoy basketball (and Filipino children’s literature) isn’t over. The future of basketball is in YOU.
Jon Carlos Rodriguez is the Associate Director of Content for SLAM Philippines. He started his professional career in writing as a feature writer before transitioning to a role as online news writer for ABS-CBN News. He took on the role of social media head for ABS-CBN Sports and Editor-in-Chief of UAAP Magazine before the network’s shutdown. He also worked as a contributing writer across various platforms, including print and TV. His first foray into children’s literature is through the ‘The ABCs of Pinoy Basketball’ , co-written with Ceej Tantengco-Malolos and illustrated by Melvin John Rodas.
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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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.
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