Sparkle artist and ‘Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition’ Big Winner Mika Salamanca continues to soar—this time by inspiring young readers through her debut children’s book, ‘Lipad’.
Fresh from her heartwarming visit to the National Children’s Hospital on October 1, where she read ‘Lipad’ to young cancer patients, Mika headed straight to SM North EDSA The Annex Atrium for another storytelling session as part of Book Nook, the flagship literacy and community engagement program of SM Cares.
During the event, Mika read ‘Lipad’—the story of Mahika, a diwata who learns to believe in herself—to more than 500 children from various schools, accompanied by their teachers and guardians. The audience listened intently as the young star narrated the tale, which she shared was inspired by her own journey of courage and self-discovery.
“Lipad is about believing in yourself and embracing who you are,” Mika said. “It’s for anyone who wants to rise above fear and take flight toward their dreams.”
Following the reading, the children enthusiastically participated in interactive games and a Q&A session, where they asked Mika thoughtful questions about the story’s lessons and her creative process. Each child received a free copy of ‘Lipad’, while additional copies were donated to Book Nook branches to encourage more kids to read in the future.
Mika expressed her joy and gratitude for being part of the initiative. “It’s such a meaningful experience to connect with kids through storytelling,” she said. “Seeing their faces light up reminds me why I wrote this book—to inspire them to dream and believe in themselves.”
Beyond her growing success as an artist—fresh from the release of her single ‘What If Tayo?’ with Brent Manalo, and with upcoming projects including the MMFF 2025 entry ‘Call Me Mother’ and the GMA Network-ABS-CBN collaboration series ‘The Secrets of Hotel 88’—Mika remains grounded in her advocacy for mental health, self-belief, and creativity.
Proceeds from ‘Lipad’ go toward charitable initiatives and outreach programs, continuing Mika’s commitment to giving back to the community.
As she continues to balance her artistic and advocacy work, Mika shared that she’s focused on becoming both a better performer and a better person. “It’s not just about success,” she said. “It’s about using what I have to uplift others.” (with reports from Lau Balocos)
