BLOCKBUSTER BOOK | ‘Ako ay May Titi’ sold out after a week

August 14, 2020 , 07:38 PM

By Von Belinario

(August 14, 2020) – A local children’s book aiming to erase the stigma regarding boys’ genitals was a blockbuster hit, running out of copies only a week after it was announced online.

Lampara Books said “Ako ay May Titi” (I Have a Penis), written by Genaro Gojo Cruz and illustrated by Beth Parrocha, was making a second print run after the initial copies were sold out.

The Palanca-award winning writer said he breathed a sigh of relief upon learning the positive reaction with the book.

“Nabunutan kami ng tinik,” Cruz told News5, saying the readers who are mostly mothers have given the book very good feedback.

“Nakakatuwa na mga nanay ang nagsasalita, umoorder na gusto nilang ikwento sa kanilang mga anak na hindi dapat tawaging patotoy, ibon. Gamitin talaga ang titi,” he said.

“Ako ay May Titi” was written for four to five year olds, aiming to educate how to properly take care of one’s genitals.

Cruz, who is an educator at the De La Salle University and the Philippine Normal University, said it was about time that people remove the stigma from the word titi or penis.

“Palaging sinasabi paulit-ulit, hindi pa handa ang mga bata, hindi pa handa ang paaralan. So, kailan magiging handa? Sino maglalakas-loob na magsimula para pag-usapan ito at alisin ang pananaw na ito ay bastos, masama at malaswa?” he asked.

Cruz said even though he had written a number of children’s books before, he was hesitant to put the word titi on the title at first. But psychologists gave the book a thumbs up.

“Yung hesitation niya nung una is because culturally and socially, we are a very traditional kind of society,” Raphael Inocencio of Better Steps Psychology told News5,

“But it’s very important for us to teach them na kung ano ba yung dapat na itawag natin sa mga genitals natin.”

Inocencio said studies have established that removing the stigma on mentioning genitals out loud to be perverted or funny would go a long way.

“There is a lesser chance that when these children are exposed to situations where they might be abused sexually, it’s easier for them to say no,” Inocencio said,

“It’s easier to talk to their parents about the abuse that happened very early on so that interventions can happen,” he added.

Experts added this would also help in developing a health sense of their body promoting self-esteem, and promoting a good appreciation and respect for other children’s bodies.

The important thing, Cruz said, the books are written in consultation with child experts such as psychologists and social workers.

Cruz added that now, they are looking to develop a female version of the book called, “Ako ay May Puke”.

But it won’t be written by him.

(Katrina Elaine Alba/MM)

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