There are book events… and then there are gatherings that feel like something more: a small turning point for the children in the front row, the parents quietly cheering from the back, and the young dreamers who suddenly think, Maybe I can do this too.
That was the atmosphere at Book Nook, SM Podium during “Stories by the Young, For the Young,” moderated by teacher-writer and mom-of-five Meg Murrf Trinidad. It wasn’t only a celebration of two young fantasy authors—it was a celebration of imagination itself, and the growing movement of Akdang Pinoy literature led by the young.
The afternoon featured:
- Yxavel Magno Dino, author of The Serpent Rider and The Firefly Crown, who writes fantasy inspired by Filipino heritage and folklore.
- Y. Alcazaren, author of Thornsong: The Lantern Bearer, a Filipino epic fantasy set in a world called Arvian, filled with living forests, ancient lore, and themes of courage and friendship.
And right from the start, the event felt special because of one simple detail: the youngest readers were seated up front, close enough to see the authors’ faces, close enough to imagine themselves in their place someday.
Readers, writers, family and friends all gathered to listen to and support two young and promising Filipino authors.
Y and Yxavel donating their signed book copies to Book Nook at the SM Podium Mall.
The First Spark: Where Stories Actually Begin
One of the most memorable parts of the talk was how both authors returned to the beginning—not the glamorous parts of publishing, but the humble beginnings that most writers recognize.
Yanna shared that her writing started with scribbles, notebook work, and even “copy work”—copying passages and lines she admired until her own voice emerged. During the pandemic, writing became a natural outgrowth of reading: a way to keep wonder alive when the outside world felt uncertain.
Yxavel’s start was different—and surprisingly relatable. She admitted she wasn’t naturally a bookworm at first. She loved cartoons and TV, until her teacher introduced her to Magic Tree House. Then something shifted, and she realized books were more than entertainment:
Reading felt like telepathy—an author’s imagination traveling straight into your mind through words on a page. And she wanted that superpower too.
Filipino Fantasy Is Rising—and It Deserves the Spotlight
The heart of the event was rooted in one beautiful idea: Filipino stories belong on the shelf.
Yxavel spoke passionately about why she chose Filipino mythology as a foundation for her books. Growing up, fantasy shelves were packed with knights and castles, dragons and kingdoms—yet rarely did Filipino myths and legends take center stage. Her stories aim to preserve and spotlight those myths, weaving together different folklore elements into new worlds young readers can fall in love with.
A young reader asked an unforgettable question: as someone who grew up in Australia, how did Yxavel learn enough mythology to write about it?
Her response was honest and powerful. She admitted she sometimes wondered, Am I still Filipino enough? But she returned again and again to her roots—teachers, family, and careful research through archives and dictionaries—because preserving our stories matters.
The Live Reading Moment That Made Everyone Hold Their Breath
If there was a moment when the room collectively leaned in, it was the live readings.
Yxavel read a gripping scene from The Firefly Crown: an undead swarm of ghost insects attacks a ship, and the heroine realizes there’s no one else to save her—she must act with courage in the face of terror. Yxavel later shared that this scene marks a turning point, where the character learns to stand for what she believes in.
Then Yanna read the prologue of Thornsong: The Lantern Bearer, and the atmosphere became quiet and cinematic. Soldiers marching. Fog like little ghosts. Darkness thick under the canopy.
And then the line that stayed with everyone:
“The forest was alive, and it was watching them.”
Yanna explained that what she wanted readers to feel was specific: the awe of entering a forest—paired with an unsettling dread that whispers, You don’t belong here.
A Room Full of Young Writers (Not Just Readers)
In a joyful surprise, the event became interactive when Meg asked:
Who here has ever tried writing a story?
Hands shot up. Children stood and shared what they were writing—forest adventures, fantasy novels, even a decades-spanning story about four sisters. In that moment, the event shifted from author spotlight to something bigger:
A room of creators recognizing one another.
Stories Travel: A Signed Book Donation
Before the signing, the authors donated signed copies of their books to Book Nook so that more young readers could discover them.
Because as Meg said so beautifully:
Stories don’t end with one reader. They travel.
The Line That Felt Like Permission
To close the afternoon, the authors were asked what they wanted young readers—especially those who secretly want to write—to remember.
Yxavel encouraged them to write their culture and identity bravely, because there will always be someone who needs that story.
And then Yanna gave a message that felt like permission for every beginner:
“Your writing doesn’t have to be good. It just has to be yours.”
And just like that, Book Nook wasn’t only a venue. It became a threshold.
A reminder that young people can create something real and magical—right now, right where they are.
Watch the full recording of the event below: