THE 5/2016 (Fifth) Annual Lampara Books Illustrators Prize

Lampara Publishing House, Incorporated

To Illustrator:
Please provide ample spaces for the text on the illustrations, according to the following
type specs:
Tagalog text: Avant Garde Bk BT, 15pt boldface
English translation: Arial, 12pt, boldface
Footnotes: Arial, 10pt, bold-itals
The text block may be reshaped to fit into the illustration. The footnotes usually appear
at the bottom of the page.
Please provide also auxiliary illustrations for the other pages (covers, etc.) indicated
below.
Thank you.

ANG PINAKAMASAYANG BIYAHE NI KAREN

Karens Most Enjoyable Excursion
By / Ni Eugenia Martin
(Translated by Becky Bravo)
Grand Prize Winner
THE 5/2015 (Fifth) Annual Lampara Books Childrens Story Writing Contest
Lampara Publishing House, Inc.
FRONT COVER
INSIDE FRONT COVER / BOOKPLATE
P.1 / TITLE PAGE
P.2 / COPYRIGHT DATA
P.3 / NOTES TO PARENTS, TEACHERS AND CAREGIVERS / PARA SA MGA
MAGULANG, GURO AT TAGAPAG-ALAGA NG BATA
4-5
Biyernes. Walang pasok si Nanay Paula. Masaya ako dahil makakasama ko siya uli.
Gustong-gusto ko siyang laging makasama.
Aalis tayo mamaya, Karen. Pupunta tayo kay Lola Emma sa Tondo, sabi ni
Nanay habang inihahanda niya ang damit na isusuot ko... kulay pulang blouse at palda

Page 1 of 7

na may ribbon na paborito ko, pati na rin ang sapatos na bagong bili ni Nanay para sa
akin.
Friday. Nanay Paula has taken a day off from work. Im glad because I get to spend
some time with her again. I love being with her.
You and I are going out later, Karen. Were going to see Lola Emma in Tondo,
Nanay says as she lays out my clothesa red blouse and skirt decorated with ribbons,
and a brand new pair of shoes that she* bought me.
6-7
Kaarawan ni Lola Emma. Ang alam ko ipagdiriwang ni Lola Emma ang kanyang
pitumput-limang taon na kaarawan kaya may salo-salo ang buong pamilya. Ngayon rin
lang ako makakapunta kina Lola Emma sa Tondo. Kadalasan, sina Lolo Ador at Lola
Emma ang nagpupunta sa amin sa Marikina. Abala kasi si Nanay sa trabaho at hindi
raw siya makapag-absent kasi mababawasan ang sweldo niya. Naalala ko, nagpunta
sina Lolo Ador at Lola Emma noong nakaraang taon sa amin sa Marikina para sa aking
ikapitong taong kaarawan.
Its Lola Emmas birthday. I think Lola Emma is celebrating her seventy-fifth birthday,
and that is why the entire family is getting together for a party. Its my first time going to
Lola Emmas house in Tondo. Usually it is Lolo Ador and Lola Emma who come to see
us in Marikina. Nanay is always very busy at work and cant be absent because the
office would dock her salary**. I remember that Lolo Ador and Lola Emma came to visit
us in Marikina last year when it was my seventh birthday.
8
Makalipas ang ilang minuto, tinawag na ako ni Nanay. "Halika na, Karen." Hinawakan ni
Nanay ang kamay ko. Ang sarap hawakan ang kamay ni Nanay. Lumabas na kami ng
bahay papuntang istasyon ng tren. Malapit lang ang istasyon ng tren sa bahay namin.
Nanay called out to me after a few minutes. Lets go, Karen. Nanay took my hand. It
was such a nice feeling holding on to Nanays hand. We left the house and headed for
the train station. The train station was not very far from home.
9
Mahaba ang pila sa pasukan. Mahigpit ang hawak ni Nanay sa kamay ko. "Hay, naku,
ang haba ng pila," narinig ko na sinabi ng isang nakapila. Sinubukan kong bilangin ang
mga tao na nakapila sa harap namin. Isa, dalawa, tatlo, apat, lima, anim, pito, walo,
siyam, sampu. Ang dami! Pero parang ayaw kong mabawasan ang mga tao sa pila kasi
ang sarap hawakan ang kamay ni Nanay!
Sinilip ng guwardiya ang bag ni Nanay. Okay na daw. Pinapasok na kami.

Page 2 of 7

The line at the entrance was very long. Nanay held on tight to my hand. Oh dear, what
a long line, I heard someone in the queue say. I tried counting how many people there
were ahead of us. One, two, three, four, five , six, seven, eight, nine, ten. So many
people! But I felt like I wanted them to stay right where they were** because it felt so
nice holding on to Nanays hand!
The security guard took a look inside Nanays bag. He gave us the okay. And
then he let us in.
10-11
Pagpasok namin may pila uli. "Anak, bibili muna tayo ng tiket. Mahaba uli ang pila sa
bilihan ng tiket. Mahigpit ang hawak ni Nanay sa kamay ko. "Hay, naku, ang haba ng
pila," narinig ko na sinabi ng isang nakapila. Sinubukan kong bilangin ang mga tao na
nakapila sa harap namin. Isa, dalawa, tatlo, apat, lima, anim, pito, walo, siyam, sampu.
Ang dami! Pero parang ayaw kong mabawasan ang pila kasi ang sarap hawakan ng
kamay ni nanay!
There was another line when we went inside. Anak, lets buy our tickets first. There
was long line again at the ticket counter. Nanay held on tight to my hand. Oh dear,
what a long line, I heard someone in the queue say. I tried counting how many people
there were ahead of us. One, two, three, four, five, six , seven, eight, nine, ten. So
many people! But I felt like I wanted them to stay right where they were because it felt
so nice holding on to Nanays hand!
12-13
Pagkabili ni Nanay ng tiket, pumila uli kami sa pasukan papuntang tren. `Yong may
arrow na kulay berde ang pinilahan ni Nanay. Itinapat ng nasa harap namin `yong tiket
sa makina. "Beep!" tunog nito. Itinulak niya ang bakal na harang para makapasok.
`Tapos, kami naman ni Nanay.
Nauna si Nanay na pumasok. Tinuruan ako ni Nanay kung paano ang gagawin
ko. Itinapat ko `yong tiket sa makina. Beep! tunog nito. Itinulak ko ang bakal na harang
para makapasok. Ang galing! Ang saya!
After Nanay bought our tickets, we stood in line again to get through the turnstile*.
Nanay got in line where there was a green arrow. The person ahead of us touched his
ticket against the machine. It went beep! He pushed at the steel barrier to get through.
And then it was our*** turn.
Nanay went in first. Then she showed me what to do. I touched the ticket
against the machine. Beep! it went. I pushed at the steel barrier to get through.
Amazing! It was so much fun!

Page 3 of 7

14-15
Umakyat kami sa hagdan. Mahigpit ang hawak ni Nanay sa kamay ko. Nagmamadali
ang mga nakasabay namin. Sinubukan kong bilangin ang mga hakbang sa hagdan
paakyat. Isa, dalawa, tatlo, apat, lima, anim, pito, walo, siyam, sampu. Ang dami! At
meron pa Isa, dalawa, tatlo, apat, lima, anim, pito, walo, siyam, sampu. At meron pa
uli. Ang daming hakbang. Dahan-dahan ang paghakbang ko.
"Ingat, anak, dahan-dahan," sabi ni Nanay. Kahit marami pa, parang ayaw kong
matapos ang paghakbang kasi ang sarap hawakan ang kamay ni Nanay.
We climbed up the stairs. Nanay held on tight to my hand. People hurried past us. I
tried counting how many steps there were going upstairs. One, two, three, four, five,
six, seven, eight, nine, ten. So many steps! And there were moreone, two, three,
four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. And still some more. There were so many steps.
I climbed up very carefully.
Be careful, anak, walk slowly, said Nanay. Even if there were still many steps to
take, I didnt feel very much like reaching the end**** because it felt so nice holding on
to Nanays hand.

16-17
Nakarating na kami sa itaas. Nakita ko ang maraming sasakyan sa ibaba. Nakita ko pati
mga bubong ng mga bahay. Saan kaya ang bahay namin dito? naisip ko. Maraming
taong naghihintay sa pagdating ng tren. Merong tingin nang tingin sa relo. Merong
nagpapaypay. Ang ilang pasahero, sa malayo nakatingin. Nagkukwentuhan naman ang
iba na may mga kasama sa paghihintay.
We reached the top. I saw the great many cars down below. I saw the roofs of all the
houses. I wonder where our house is? I thought to myself. There were so many
people waiting for the train to come. There were some who were constantly checking
the time. There were some who were fanning themselves. Some of the commuters
had a faraway look in their eyes. And some people who had come there with
companions chatted as they waited for the train*.
18-19
Toot! Toot! Toot! Dyug... dyug... dyug! Paparating na ang tren. Naggalawan na ang mga
tao. Pagtigil ng tren, tumunog ito habang dahan-dahang bumubukas ang pinto. Blink!
Blink! Blink! Blink! Blink!
Mas humigpit ang paghawak ni Nanay sa akin. Dinala niya ako sa harapan niya
at iningatan upang huwag mabangga ng iba pang pasahero na nakikipag-unahang
makapasok sa loob para makaupo. Sa dami ng tao, nakatayo kami ni Nanay. Tumunog
uli ang tren habang dahan-dahang sumasara ang pinto. Blink! Blink! Blink! Blink! Blink!

Page 4 of 7

Toot! Toot! Toot! Chug-achug-achug!** The train was coming. Everyone got
moving. When the train came to a stop, the doors made a sound as they slowly slid
open. Bing! Bing! Bing! Bing! Bing! **
Nanay gripped my hand even tighter. She placed me in front of her and took
special care that I wasnt jostled by passengers rushing inside and scrambling for seats.
There were so many people that Nanay and I ended up standing. The doors made a
sound again as they slowly slid shut***. Bing! Bing! Bing! Bing! Bing!
20-21
Hindi nagtagal may tumayo na estudyante at pinaupo si Nanay.
Salamat, sabi ni Nanay sa nagpaupo sa amin. Kinalong ako ni Nanay. Hinalikan
niya ako. Ngumiti siya at niyakap niya ako nang mahigpit. Ang sarap ng yakap ni Nanay.
Before very long, a student stood up and offered Nanay a seat.
Thank you, Nanay said to her**. Nanay sat me on her lap. She gave me a
kiss. She smiled and wrapped her arms tight around me. It felt so nice being in
Nanays embrace.
22-23
Sumilip ako sa bintana para makita ko ang labas. Ang ganda ng tanawin sa labas. Ang
daming puno. Ang daming sasakyan sa ibaba. Nang may narining akong nagsalita:
"Ang susunod na estasyon ay Katipunan. Ang tren na ito ay hanggang sa Recto."
`Nay, Katipunan? tanong ko kay Nanay.
Oo, anak, Katipunan station. Titigil doon ang tren. May ibang pasaherong
bababa at marami pa ring sasakay. Natandaan mo nong nagpunta tayo kina Tita Dina
sa Tandang Sora, Quezon City? Sa may Katipunan nagdaan `yong sinakyan nating
jeep, kwento ni Nanay para lalo kong maintindihan.
I peered out of the window to look at the scenery***. What a wonderful view there was.
There were so many trees. There were so many cars down below. And then I heard a
voice say: Next station, Katipunan. This train travels all the way to Recto.
Nay, Katipunan? I asked Nanay.
Yes, anak, the Katipunan station. The train is going to make a stop there. Some
passengers will be getting off and some more will be boarding the train. Do you
remember when we went to see Tita Dina in Tandang Sora, Quezon City? The jeep we
took passed somewhere near**** Katipunan, Nanay explained.
24-25
Aliw na aliw ako sa mga nakikita ko sa labas. Nang biglang dumilim. Napayakap ako
kay Nanay nang mahigpit.

Page 5 of 7

Nasa underground kasi `yong station, anak, nasa ilalim tayo. Mamaya liliwanag
na uli, bulong sa akin ni Nanay habang mahigpit ang kanyang pagkakayakap.
Isa, dalawa, tatlo, apat, lima, anim, pito, walo, siyam, sampu. Parang ang tagal
ng dilim! Nang unti-unti nang lumiwanag. Pero bakit parang gusto ko pang mas matagal
pa? Ang sarap kasi ng yakap ni Nanay.
I was enjoying the view outside, when it grew dark all of a sudden. *** I immediately
held on tight to Nanay.
Were underground, anak, its an underground station. Well be coming out into
the light again soon, Nanay whispered as she wrapped me in a firm embrace.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. We were taking so long in
the dark! And then we slowly came out into the light again****. But why did I wish we
could stay in the dark a little longer? It just felt so nice being in Nanays embrace.
26-27
Narinig ko ang mga pangalan ng mga istasyon. Anonas. Araneta Cubao. Betty Go
Belmonte. Gilmore. J Ruiz. V Mapa. Pureza. Legarda.
Paparating na sa Recto station.
Naisip ko, huling istasyon na ang Recto station.
I heard them announce the names of the stations. Anonas. Araneta Cubao. Betty Go
Belmonte. Gilmore. J Ruiz. V Mapa. Pureza. Legarda.
We are now arriving at Recto station.
It occurred to me that Recto was the last station*.
28
Sa mga minamahal naming pasahero. Maraming salamat po sa pagtangkilik sa LRT.
Hangad po namin ang inyong maayos at maginhawang paglalakbay.
Last station, Recto.
Bumagal na muli ang takbo ng tren. Tumunog uli ito habang dahan-dahang
bumubukas ang pinto. Blink! Blink! Blink! Blink! Blink!
To our dear passengers, thank you very much for taking the LRT**. We wish you a
safe and restful journey.
Last station, Recto.
The train slowed down again. The doors made a sound once more as they slid
open. Bing! Bing! Bing! Bing! Bing!*****
29
Nag-unahan uli ang mga pasahero sa paglabas. Isa, dalawa, tatlo, apat, lima, anim,
pito, walo, siyam, sampu. Ang dami! Pero parang ayaw ko pang lumabas ng tren. Hindi

Page 6 of 7

kami nakipag-unahan ni Nanay. Kung sa iba, nakakainip ang biyahe, sa akin ito ang
pinakamatagal at pinakamasayang biyahe.
The passengers began jostling towards the exit again. One, two, three, four, five, six,
seven, eight, nine, ten. So many people! But I didnt really feel like getting out of the
train just yet. Nanay and I didnt squeeze in with the other passengers. If other people
got bored during the journey, to me it was the longest and most enjoyable ride I had
ever taken.
30-31
Sa loob-loob ko, `di lang maayos at maginhawa, masaya pa. Napakasaya ko talaga!
Kasama ko si Nanay. Hawak niya ang aking kamay. Yakap niya ako. Mamaya pag-uwi
namin ni Nanay, sana sumakay uli kami sa tren. Sana maulit ito. Sana.
Deep inside, I didnt just think it was a safe and restful journey, but a joyful one. I felt so
very happy! I was with Nanay. She had held on to my hand. She had her arms
wrapped around me. I hope well be taking the train again when Nanay and I make our
way home. I hope we do it again. I really hope so.

Page 7 of 7