Anthony Robles, illustrated by Carl Angel, translated by Eoisa D. de Jesús,
Lakas and The Makibaka Hotel / Si Lakas at ang Makibaka Hotel
Children's Book Press, 2006.

Ages 5-9

Author / illustrator team, who created Lakas and the Manilatown Fish, delivers a second successful collaboration featuring young Lakas, the small all-American boy of Filipino descent.

In Lakas and the Makibaka Hotel / Si Lakas at ang Makibaka Hotel poet and activist Anthony Robles narrates the story of a group of Filipino and Filipino-American tenants on the verge of being evicted from their residential hotel, the  Makibaka; and how they are coaxed by young Lakas—with just the right amount of ingenuity—into joining forces and resisting eviction from their about-to-be-sold-to-developers hotel. The bilingual English/Tagalog story was inspired by real-life events involving the tenants of the Trinity Plaza Apartments in San Francisco, and it brings forth the true meaning of Makibaka: the spirit of struggle which lives in the heart of Filpinos everywhere.

Carl Angel's illustrations perfectly capture the characters' voice and indomitable spirit, and tap into the energy exuded by people when they stand up for their rights. The bold and invigorating colors give shape and personality to the lively characters Lakas encounters, taking a walk in downtown San Francisco:  Tick A. Boom, the drummer, Firefoot, the tap-dancer, and Fernando, the Karaoke King... all residents of the Makibaka Hotel, about to embark on a memorable experience. And readers should feel lucky to witness such a feat.

Young readers might not grasp the true meaning of their overarching fight against gentrification: but readers of any age will be able to understand the idea of people fighting for the right to keep a roof over their heads.

This is a very important addition to the growing—even if slowly—list of of bilingual multicultural picture books.

Aline Pereira
June 2006