11/09/2025
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𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗨𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗦 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱, 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀’ 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗜𝗕𝗙 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱
Prof. Mark Norman S. Boquiren, the UE College of Arts and Sciences-Caloocan graduate who is the Artistic Director of the UE Drama Company (UEDC), recently released a five-title series of children’s books on “Kaligtasan para sa mga Bata” (“Public Safety for Kids”), copies of which are on sale at publisher Lampara Books’ booth at the ongoing Manila International Book Fair 2025.
MIBF 2025, which opened this Wednesday, September 10, and will run up to Sunday, Sept. 14, at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, will find Prof. Boquiren conducting book signings at Lampara’s booth (Booth 442-444, Aisle A, Hall 1) this Friday and Sunday, Sept. 12 and 14, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
His kids’ public safety book titles (and their loose English translations) are:
* ‘Ang Mapa Pauwi’ (‘The Map Home’)
* ‘Kung Paano Pangalagaan ang Pangalan’ (‘How to Care for One’s Name’)
* Magalang na Pagtanggi (‘Respectful Refusal’)
* May Tunay na Mabuti (‘There’s Someone Truly Good’)
* Superpower Para sa Lahat (‘A Superpower for All’)
This ‘Kaligtasan para sa mga Bata’ series fills the need for children’s books that can enlighten all citizens, especially children, on the value of public safety education. While the subject―which covers personal safety, self-awareness, safe spaces and social responsibility―can be complex and complicated, it is nevertheless a vital one to learn more of especially at a young age. As kids become more exposed to possible perils of their surroundings while growing up, so does the need increase for them to be more conscious and able to exercise judgment and precaution for themselves and their fellow youth.
This marks the latest in a long line of creative feats for Prof. Boquiren who, aside from being a prolific children’s book author, is a cultural artist, storyteller, playwright, and, yes, professor.
His children’s book ‘Maria Sibol: Ang Natatanging Batang Diwata’ earned the Best Story Book for 2025 Honor List award of The Severino Reyes Medal, adjudged by the National Library of the Philippines and the International Board on Books for Young People-Philippines, last May 1 at the National Library of the Philippines Auditorium.
His previous children’s book authorship recognitions include being the Grand Prize Winner of the 9th Lampara Books Children’s Story Writing Contest in January 2020 for ‘Maria Sibol…’; the Best Book in the Children’s Category of the 17th Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards on Sept. 15, 2023, for ‘Si Kier at ang Kaniyang Madyik Istiker’; Finalist in the Children’s Book Category at the 15th Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards in 2021, for ‘Palaruang Bahaghari’; Kids’ Choice Awards at the 7th National Children’s Book Awards on July 19, 2022, for ‘Palaruang Bahaghari’ and ‘Supremo Kiddo’; and First Prize for the Maikling Kuwentong Pambata (Children’s Short Story) category of the 2022 Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature for ‘Si VeRaptor1 Laban kay Trolakuz’.
On February 16, 2024, the Caloocan City Government conferred upon Prof. Boquiren the Outstanding Citizen-Special Award in Literature during the Outstanding Citizen Awards Ceremony to mark the 62nd Caloocan Cityhood Anniversary. The awarding ceremony was held at the Bagumbong-based Caloocan Sports Complex.
Prof. Boquiren was a writing fellow at the Virgin Labfest 10 Writing Fellowship Program in 2014, the 8th Palihang Rogelio Sicat Workshop in 2015, the UST National Writers’ Workshop in 2017, the 1st Ed Maranan Children’s Literary Festival in 2019, the 4th Cavite Young Writers’ Workshop in 2021, and the 7th Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio Writers Workshop in 2023. He was likewise part of the YC2 Film Lab of the Quezon City Film Commission and the Department of Trade and Industry this year. He is a member of professional organizations such as The Writers’ Bloc, Inc., Kataga, Ang Pinoy Storytellers, and the Artisilangan Collective.
A 2011 graduate of the then Bachelor of Arts major in Communication Arts program of UE CAS Caloocan, the future “Direk Norman” produced and acted in several stage productions as a UE college student, including the Caloocan Campus’s annual ‘O ’Di Ba?’ variety show, until becoming student president of the UEDC. He received an Outstanding Alumnus Award from the UE Caloocan Alumni Association, Inc. in 2019, and a Distinguished Achiever Award in 2021 from the UE Alumni Association Inc.
Prof. Boquiren’s kids’ public safety book series and all of his books are for the young and the young at heart alike.
Congratulations and kudos, Warrior Author-Literary Artist!
