Ticking off another item on her bucket list, Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition housemate Mika Salamanca fulfilled her dream of publishing a book which she personally wrote and conceptualized.
During the media launch of her book, Mika revealed how hands-on she was in preparing the children’s book, Lipad, from the story to the illustrations and overall visuals.
“Isinulat ko siya actually sa car. Kapag nagsusulat ako, binebase ko siya sa experience ko po or kung ano nakikita ko sa paligid ko. Noong nagstart ako magsulat noong bata ako, more about sa school ko or na-experience ko sa mga classmate ko,” Mika shared.
While she originally wanted to illustrate the book herself to preserve her vision, she eventually teamed up with Jewelle Villarisco, whom she described as sharing the same creative mindset as hers.
“Kasama po kami hand-in-hand sa pagiisip at pagsusulat talaga. Noong umpisa po pinipilit ko na hindi ko siya ilalabas kung hindi ako yung guguhit kasi sabi ko may ineenvision ako kumbaga may gusto ako makita ng tao sa kaniya, sa story ko kaya sabi ko hindi ko kaya siyang i-let go na hindi ako yung mag-drawing pero luckily, I met Ate Jewelle and same talaga kami ng pag-iisip,” she added.
Her hands-on approach extended to even the tiniest details of the book. From the main character Mahika’s curly hair to the colors used in the illustrations, Mika personally made sure everything carried meaning.
“Yung kahit pagkakulot niya, kino-correct po namin. So kahit kulot ng buhok pinapaayos namin. Yung color pinick ko po kasi kapag nakita ng mga bata, maganda sa mata kumbaga marami silang titingnan,” Mika said.’
Image Credit: mikslmnc IG
Image Credit: mikslmnc IG
She added, “Nilagyan ko po ng color yung tatlong magkakapatid dito sa book kasi kaming tatlo po iyan. When I see blue, I remember my brother kasi kapag may tears of joy ako, for some reason, siya ang naalala ko. Kapag red naman my sister kasi siya po laging laman ng puso ko. Yellow naman po ay yung sarili ko kasi yung sister ko po lagi niya sinasabi na yung favorite niya is sunflower and sunflower is color yellow so doon ko kinuha yung color ko.”
Beyond storytelling, Mika said she chose to write a children’s book as part of her advocacy for kids.
“Children’s book po kasi kapag tumutulong po ako sa mga bata lagi po ako pinapatayo sa harapan para magbigay ng mensahe or kumakanta. So, naisip ko po ano ba yung something na pwede ko matulong or maiwan sa kanila na maaalala nila hanggang pagtanda nila na kahit di nila alam yung pangalan ko, kahit di na nila ako kilala na may maiiwan sila na galing sa akin. Doon ko po naisip na perfect yung children’s book,” she explained.
She shared a heartfelt message to her younger self and to readers, encouraging them to keep flying toward their dreams, to stay grounded no matter how high they soar, and to keep pouring their hearts into what they love until the right time comes.
“Just keep on pouring your heart. Ipakita mo sa tao kung ano mayroon ka. One day, just wait for your time and kapag dumating ang panahon na iyon wag mong bitawan. Ingatan mo,” she said.
She also told PUSH ABS-CBN what she wished she could include in the book now that she has started to overcome her struggles.
“Ang gusto ko pa sabihin mula sa puso ko na wala sa libro na ito is wag ka magmadali,” she said. “Pupunta ka sa tuktok, sa paglalakad mo marami kang makikitang tao, marami kang makikita or matutunan, wag kang magmadali kasi mabilis ang mundo.”
“Kapag napunta ka na sa dapat mo pupuntahan, magugulat ka na ang bilis at yung lahat ng memory na pinagdaanan mo sana ninamnam mo. Kaya, masasabi ko lang kahit nasaan ka mang parte ng buhay mo ngayon, huwag kang magmadali,” she added.
Lipad will be officially launched at the Manila International Book Fair 2025, where Mika will hold a special reading and signing session. Limited copies will be available at the Paperkat Books Booth #2-122, SMX Convention Center, Pasay, from September 10 to 14.
Proceeds from the book will go to a chosen charity, something Mika insisted on when the project was finalized.
“Libre ko po siya sana ibibigay sa mga bata pero naisip po ng managemenat na para mas wider yung audience na makakabasa. Noong una ayaw ko po pumayag kasi ang vision ko ay libre so nagkaroon na lang po ako ng condition sa management na lahat ng makukuha sa libro ay sa charity pa rin and pumayag po sila,” Mika expressed.
Looking ahead, Mika expressed her excitement to continue writing.
“Iniexpect ko po yung sarili ko na nagsusulat pa rin talaga. It is something na anak ko, na puso ko. Nakikita ko po yung sarili ko guguhit at susulat hanggang kaya ko,” she happily expressed.