Book publisher brings PHL folklore to iPad

Local book publisher Vibal Publishing House unveiled on May 15 a new set of bilingual interactive storybook applications on the Apple iPad, bringing Philippine folklore to the fingertips of Filipino and foreign readers throughout the globe. With the release of the new iPad apps, Vibal Publishing becomes the first local publisher to deploy English and Filipino interactive editions of its children’s storybook series Chikiting Books on both the iPad and Android-driven devices, the company said in its website. The two new storybook apps, entitled “Mariang Sinukuan: The Goddess and Keeper of Mt. Arayat" and “Pagpapagayuk: The Magical Bird of Bukidnon", both penned by award-winning writer Eugene Evasco, are now available for download from the Apple AppStore. To download, one has to have an account on the iTunes. The new iPad apps feature English and Filipino language options, customized animation, voiced narration, background music, and sound effects, all of which can be turned on and off at the readers option, Vibal said. A third title in the folklore genre, “Amansinaya: Goddess of the Sea", is set to be released on the Appstore in time for the formal unveiling of the digital edition of “The Magical Shirt (Ang Mahiwagang Kamiseta)" at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content in Singapore on May 27, the company added. — Newsbytes.ph