• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Visual artist and educator Miriam Montero-Bayles launched her first reprinted book at the Bacolod City Public Library in Bacolod City, titled “Mga Lihim na Alamat Mula sa Itnagat: Mayugat”, during the observance of National Children’s Book Day on Tuesday.
Bayles said she was inspired by British writer C.S. Lewis, who authored the seven Chronicles of Narnia in writing the book, which is somewhat considered fiction or fantasy or what she called “alternate reality.” The only difference of her book from the Chronicles of Narnia is that it contains messages from the Bible.
The book written in Filipino was first printed in 1994. Her late husband Pastor Arthur Bayles provided the spiritual inspiration while she did the creative writing part. The title of the book means secret of folktales from an island in the middle of the ocean, while “Mayuga” is a tree covered with many roots.
Bayles said the book is recommended for young readers from junior high school, as well as adults as it contains moral values like humility. It also teaches that we should never look down on ourselves since each one was created special by God with special talents or gifts not found in others.
She said they plan to launch an animation version of the book later, while the next sequel will contain characters from the Bible.
Proceeds of the book will help fund her trip to Thailand on September 5 to 15 for a missionary conference and training with her son Elijah, she added.
Miriam Bayles is a teacher at the Luis Hervias National High School and a licensed minister under the Philippine General Council of the Assemblies of God and leads the Geo Evangel Missions.
She and her family are active members of the Art Association of Bacolod-Negros (AAB-N), the second longest running art association in the country, next to the Art Association of the Philippines.
Miriam and her late husband Pastor Arthur Bayles founded the art groups Babayi, Christian Artists Natl Various Arts Society (CANVAS) and a group of writers called Buglas Writers Circle.*
