Lampara Publishing House, Inc.

In the old days in an unnamed place, there was two young men who were the best of friends: Arman and Dumaz. Arman had a fiancée named Doray, whose dream was to help her townmates.

In their search to have Doray's mission fulfilled, Arman and Dumaz searched for a cave where gold was buried.

But because of the gold, the friendship of Arman and Dumaz was ruined. One betrayed the trust of the other.

Find out in this contemporary legend the origin of the snake and why it strikes when it bites.

Marina is an “indio” kid who lives outside the walls of Intramuros. Almost every night, the mothers hold gatherings in different houses. When her mother prepares a similar gathering in their house, Marina discovers another gathering which she believes should be kept secret from the knowledge of the foreign colonizers of the country, like Father Quentin.

That night, Marina realizes the important role a child like her plays in achieving independence.

He is a kid just like you. But he has a story that is quite different. Every Saturday, he and his mother wake up early, prepare what they have to bring, and take a long journey. They are visiting a very important person in a special place. Find out in his story who this person is and where they are going to visit him, and also what special occasion they celebrate every Saturday.

Find out also in the story how to get along properly with a fellow kid whose father is not like any other father.

Juan is very famous in our village. It is because the people in our village are extremely diligent—except for Juan. If his body was lazy, his mind was just as lazy. He would rather lie than tell the truth. That is why everyone gave him the nickname “Juan Tamad.”

One day, Juan sells fake flea-killer which deeply angers the buyers.

Find out in this story what value Juan should learn in not telling the truth.

Gabby’s Uncle Edgar became rich because of diligence and patience. He succeeded in making his shoe factory flourish, he was able to buy luxury cars, he managed to send his children to good school. He was also able to build a big house with a large swimming pool.
Gabby was extremely delighted whenever he swam in the swimming pool. But the day came when the water in the pool vanished. Also gone were the big house, the shoe factory, and even the luxury cars.
Find out in this story about a vice that should be cast away, and how it consumes one’s wealth.

According to Mikaela’s playmate Rocky, there is a genie in the bottle in his mommy and daddy’s room. But Mikaela’s mommy and daddy say there is no genie in the bottle. What the bottle contains is an intoxicating drink. And that the genie is but an evil spirit that wreaks havoc in a person’s well-being.
Find out in this story about one of the most dreaded vices that should be avoided at all cost, and how it brings ruin to important aspects in a person’s life.

Beatrice’s family starts out as a happy one. Her elder brother Ryan has a big dream. They love each other very much.
But one day, her brother suddenly changes. He does not recognize her anymore. He is brought to a private facility. Her mommy says her brother has been possessed by a “monster.”
Find out in this story about one of the most fearsome plagues in society.

Eunice is not like the other kids. She does not have a father. Every time she asks her mother about her father, her mother does not have any answer and she even looks hurt. It was only on her seventh birthday when she learns what really happened to her father. According to her grandmother, her father got hooked on vice…
Find out in this story the nature of a destructive vice and the negative consequences it has on the health, life, and well-being of a person.

Miguelito’s ardent wish is to have an invisibility charm. He can use the charm every time he is asked about his father. It is because his father seldom comes home.
A few days before his tenth birthday, Miguelito discovers the truth that his father will never be with him and his mother to form a family.
Read in this story how Miguelito accepts his real situation in life.

In the beginning of time, Bathala fought it out with a giant snake and then made friends with a winged head.

Read in this legend about the legacy to the human race of the giant snake and the friendly winged head, and how the coconut came to be known as the “tree of life.”

In the beginning of time, Bathala came down from the heavens to look at his creations on earth. He felt the creation was not yet complete. He should have a fellow caretaker of his own creations, whom he would call “man.”

Find out in this legend the origin of the different races of mankind.

In the beginning of time, the ground and the sky were near each other. The people could touch the sky while they were standing on the ground.
One day, Tala pounded rice grains. Every time she raised the pestle, its other end jabbed the sky. And at every jab, the sky backed off upwards—taking with it her comb and necklace.

Read in this legend how the moon and the stars came about.

In old days, there was a doña who was extremely stingy. When a strange tree grew in her garden and it bore fruits, she slapped the old woman who begged some of the fruits before she offered some to her.
Read in this story how one of the most sour fruits in the Philippines came about.

Barabas is the only sultan in Mindanao who wears a crown. The crown has come to symbolize cruelty. One day, a little boy defies his authority A leader.
Read in this legend about sultan's legacy which brought the guava into existence.

Dorothy lives in a farm in kansas until she and her dog Toto are caught in a cyclone and somehow end up in the magical land of Oz. Things in Oz are strange and beautiful, but Dorothy just wants to get back home. Here she meets some memorable friends and oes.
In her wish to return home, she begins to travel to the Emerald City where a great wizard - who everyone knows can help her - lives. On her way she meets a Scarecrow who needs a brain, A Tin man who wants a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who desperately needs courage. They all hope the Wizard of Oz will help them.
Vividly illustrated and set in easy-to-read large font, this collector's edition can be enjoyed by young readers today and for generations to come.

On his way to Nottingham Fair, Robin Hood, a young apprentice forester is stopped by six foresters. Forced to escape, he shoots some arrows in self-defense at his attackers. One forester is accidentally killed.
As an outlaw, he comes to live in Sherwood Forest. There, he forms and leads an outlaw band called the “Merry Men.” They do not hesitate to fight and steal from their enemies—mostly the rich--but they always show compassion for the poor, protect women and children, and offer assistance to anyone of honor. Although Robin fights to take away the power of rich landowners, dishonest church leaders, and government representatives, he and his band respect the authority of King Richard, the ruling king of England.
One day, King Richard disguises himself and joins the Merry Men, intending to capture Robin. But he then discovers Robin’s honorable ways and pardons him. Robin Hood's breathraking escapes from his enemies... and one hilarious escapade after another, fills his adventures with action and celebrates his courage, generosity, skill in archery and comic flair. Vividly illustrated and set in easy-to-read large font, this collector’s edition can be enjoyed by young readers today and for generations to come.

At their age, children are prone to various illnesses. In this story, the main character suffers from different sicknesses and ailments—which are integral stages in her growing-up years.
Find out in this story what the best medicine is for children’s ailments, and who alone in the world can provide it.

Joseph’s acquaintances who are his age always shout or cry “Mommy, Mommmy!” whenever they are attacked by wasps, sideswiped by a tricycle, could not get down a tree they have climbed or presume they have seen a goblin.
What is the matter with them? Joseph wonders to himself. They do nothing but cry for their mothers every time they get scared of something.
But when a storm rages and their school gets flooded, and Joseph is put in danger, he also learns to utter the words:
“Mommy, Mommmy!”

In the olden days, Bathala created a man named Bugso. Everything on earth which Bugso coveted was given to him by Bathala. But Bugso was a creature who found no contentment in life. He wanted wings because he wanted to establish dominion over the heavens.
Read in this modern legend the origin of the eagle and why it soars in its flight.

In the beginning of time, there was a man who was known for being the most hardworking in their village. Kalay was an ardent suitor of Mara, a lady known for her innate beauty.
But there was one creature who disapproved of Kalay’s courtship of Mara. He owned a golden sphere from which he drew his powers.
Find out in this modern legend how the golden sphere cast a spell that gave the Filipinos the first carabao.

When the universe had just been created, there was a star who was envied by her fellow stars. She asked to be turned into a gust of wind, but it only brought damage. She asked to be turned into a cloud, but it brought nothing good. Until she was turned into a seedling that grew into a robust fruit-bearing tree.
Read in this modern legend about the origin of the apple, and also about the values of giving way to others and of being obedient.

In the beginning of time, there were two sisters who were both beautiful and were always mistaken for twins—Saling and Sampaga. But because of a mysterious old woman, their lives took different courses. While Sampaga always won as queen of beauty in various festivities and became the object of fondness of the people, Saling was overcome with envy and planned to take away her sister’s good fortune.
Read in this contemporary legend the origin of the sampaguita, and how helpfulness is rewarded with the sweet fragrance of success while envy earns a corresponding penalty.

In the beginning of time in a forest in Asia , there was a plant which the goddess of the forest failed to give a name. Nevertheless, the plant without a name sacrificed its life to save the forest from the evil scheme of settlers. Because of that, the plant without a name earned the honor to become palay —one of the most important grains in the world.

The people in our village have many ways in doing things. On the other hand, Juan has a lot of excuses just to evade work. He is called “Juan Tamad” because he is just too lazy to do all tasks.

One day, he makes his mother believe he is a seer-psychic.

Find out in this story what Juan gets in return for pretending to be a seer-psychic.

In our village, everyone is diligent—except Juan. The people say: “Juan is not to be emulated. Because from morning till night, he is cloaked with laziness.” Because he is extremely lazy, he is called “Juan Tamad.”
One day, Juan is asked by his mother to sell in town a basket of delicious bibingka.

Find out in this story what mischief Juan does to the bibingka and what value he learns from the experience.

The farmers in our village are extremely industrious. They are comparable to their carabaos. On the other hand, Juan is extremely lazy and can never compare to a carabao. That is why he was called “Juan Tamad.” Would Juan become industrious if he became a real carabao?

Read in this story what good fortune and value Juan gains after his experience as a carabao.