Books
We educate the palate, and that starts young. What you feed your children shapes how they eat. These books bring the food and life of Sulu to young readers.
By Nelson Canlas and Maria Isabel Moreno-Go · PaperKat Books · 2025
Nelson and my sister Isabel wrote the first book about me: Migoy is the boy I was in Sulu, with the food, the family and the language I grew up with. It’s printed in three languages, Tagalog, English and Bahasa Sug, so a child in Manila and a child in Jolo can read the same page.
It was shown at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in 2025.
Where to buy In Fully Booked stores and on Lazada.
By Miggy Cabel Moreno and Nelson Canlas · illustrated by Marbin Macalino · 2025
Nelson and I wrote the second book together. Putli Mandi is a royal child named after the purple rice-ball sweet of Sulu. She is born with a clubfoot, and finds her joy in the forest and the water with friends from Tausug legend.
It’s written in Tagalog for Buwan ng Wika, and translated into English and, more importantly, Bahasa Sug, because we don’t want our language to be forgotten.
The authors
Nelson Canlas, a GMA broadcast journalist, wrote Si Migoy with my sister, Maria Isabel Moreno-Go, and Ang Kwento ni Putli Mandi with me. They’re the first of a planned series of four about the heritage of Mindanao.
Readings
I read the books with children wherever I can, often with something to taste. Schools, libraries and bookshops can invite me for a reading.
April 23, 2026
Reading Si Migoy to children at the SM Book Nook.
October 2025
One of the Philippine delegates, the year the Philippines was Guest of Honour.
August 2025
At Gateway Mall 2, cooking putli mandi for the guests, with children from the Philippine National Clubfoot Program.