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Pioneer Group subsidiary Blue Cow and Museo Pambata formally started the construction of the Career Options Room in the museum carrying the theme, “paglaki ko gusto ko maging ilustrador at manunulat para sa bata.”
The room creatively uses Blue Cow’s comic book, Private iris, to teach Filipino values and showcase the appeal of becoming an illustrator or writer for kids when they grow up.
“Usually, when kids are asked what they want to be when they grow up, their answers are limited to becoming a doctor, a nurse, or a teacher. We want to help widen their perspective and show them that there are other things that they can aspire to become as well,” explained Nanjo Berba, Blue Cow chief operating officer.
The room will have an interactive design using the works of Filipino writers and illustrators that will show children what it is like to write and illustrate. “We want to feature our children’s book writers and illustrators to inspire children to start sketching and writing their imaginary stories and perhaps become Filipino artists themselves someday,” said Museo Pambata president Nina Yuson.
The room will be a giant three-dimensional comic strip with panels and boards arranged in a path that unveils a full comic story that guests can walk through. Each of these panels will also have an interactive element to them, taking full advantage of its 3D form.
The main story of the room revolves around Private Iris main comic characters, with Iris teaching her friend Danton about various Filipino children’s authors and illustrators and their respective works. Through the comic panels, Iris and Danton, not only tell their own story but also serve as the guest’s tour guides. There will be two different storylines that lead guests around depending on which part of the room they enter, creating dynamic perspectives of the room.
“When you think of comic books in the Philippines, you think of something very simple and dated. I think we have shown people that we can do something more upbeat and trendy that kids today can appreciate,” Berba remarked.
With the museum comic room coming soon, children can look forward to an imaginative playground that aims to help them realize their creative potential.
