- Veteran TV actress Rita Avila expressed excitement over her recently published books for Children and Parents
- Rita will be having a book launch at the 38th Manila International Book Fair this weekend
49-year-old TV actress Rita Avila appeared on a Saturday afternoon in Cubao blooming as ever despite her age. Amidst what people say about her family and husband famous TV director Erick “FM” Reyes, Rita gave her media guests a warm welcome, wearing a cheerful smile and a childlike spirit.
Rita lost his beloved son last 2006 due to a heart ailment. In an interview with us, she admitted that even after 11 years passed, she and director Erick never entirely “moved on” despite almost every close friends and relatives keep initiating they do.
“Pag nagke-kwento ako, naiiyak pa rin ako.”
Rita, still in her state of grief, created her very first book “8 Ways to Comfort With Grace” in 2008. It was later translated into a Filipino version and was Finalist at the Jaime Cardinal Sin Book Awards.
It was like God called her to write, narrated Rita. She never thought that one day she’d become an author as she was just interested in words during high school through poems and academic requirements.
“It’s a gift given to me by God, we’re just returning the gift back.”
Children’s books
Rita discovered that she also has a knack for story-telling when she published her first books for Children, “Si Erik Tutpik At Si Ana Taba” in 2012. Since then, Rita’s publishers suggested she create more because of positive feedback. It was also a Finalist at the JCSBAwards for Best Literature for Kids category.
Director Erick corroborated Rita’s talent by sharing us stories of what he called “little encounters” his wife had with some street children. He said that Rita always had a heart for the little ones especially those who are poor and needy.
On 2016, enter the birth of “The Invisible Wings” trilogy, the product of “pagkukulong” in her room, as described by the director. He expressed admiration for his hardworking wife who still finds time to create stories with the demand of her showbiz career.
The first book of “The Invisible Wings” was sent to Pope Francis and Rita received a letter of appreciation from Monsignor Peter B. Wells, an official of the Vatican Secretariat of State.
This year, the actress is proud to announce that she finished the concluding book to her trilogy and will be launching it on the annual Manila International Book Fair this September 16 and 17. The theme is “Honoring God and Man” and will be distributed at the St Pauls Publishing booth on Saturday.
On Sunday at 5-7pm she will again launch three new books for the Mindmaster Publications. Her 1st book with them was released last year and is entitled “Wanna Bet On Love.” This year, 3 Books for Children: “How To Be A Superhero: The Tale of Bentot Lembot and Ginging Astig”; 2nd: “What Completes the Color of the rainbow: The tale of Popi Puti and Mimim Makutim”; and the 3rd: “What Is Missing In Having Everything: The Tale of Ronron Meron and Lala Wala.” All of these books have Filipino versions.
“What I want is for adults to avoid wounding the characters of the children. Kaya parang ‘yung three topics ng books ko are about how to guide the children if they don’t seem to fit the norm of society,” she explained.
