The Mumu Goes Mainstream
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Book Review: Bunso Meets a Mumu by Rev Valdez (Paw Prints Publishing, 2023)
The irony, however, is that mumu is unleashed as a threat meant for children who won’t obey. Who hasn’t heard the line, “Sige ka, kukunin ka ng mumu” (Beware, the ghost will get you)? It’s an experience spanning generations, whether you were that child being told or the adult delivering the warning.
This is the premise of the children’s book, Bunso Meets a Mumu. Bunso (the youngest child in the family) just wants to do fun things like drawing on the walls or playing with his older brother’s video games. His family tells him that this behavior is not allowed and if he does it again, they taunt collectively, “The mumu will get you!”
He now sees the mumu as the enemy who sucks the fun out of life. Instead of fear or frustration, Bunso’s approach is of curiosity and proactive problem-solving. One night, he outfits himself with homemade armor and finally meets a mumu. The story that the mumu confesses catches Bunso by surprise.
Bunso Meets a Mumu is written and illustrated by Rev Valdez, a Filipino American kindergarten teacher based in Brentwood, California.
Rev Valdez is the author and illustrator of “Bunso Meets a Mumu.” He wants to introduce readers to the myths of Filipino culture through fun visual storytelling. (Photo courtesy of Rev Valdez)
“I wanted to create a Filipino character that took inspiration from my family and childhood. The idea first started out with Bunso dealing with normal childhood experiences common to Filipinos growing up in the States,” Rev explains. “One of those experiences was stories about the mumu, and that took on a life on its own and became the main idea for the series, Bunso meeting creatures from the Philippines. My goal with this book and the future books in the series is to show Filipino culture and folklore through humor. I’d love for the Filipino aswang (evil spirit) to be common knowledge, like vampires and werewolves.”
The format is like a comic book or graphic novel that children four years old and above can appreciate. Rev says, “My illustration style is heavily inspired by animated children’s shows I watched growing up and cartoons I’ve seen recently, like Dexter’s Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, Gravity Falls, Steven Universe, and Craig of the Creek. For my sketches I love to use water-based markers and color erase pencils. For my final concept art, I prefer to use a combination of Adobe Photoshop and Animate.”
Rev Valdez’ early sketches for “Bunso Meets a Mumu.” He initially created the book for a New York competition and the final version took about a year to finish. (Photo courtesy of Rev Valdez)
Art has been an important part of his life. He learned from his Grandpa Edgar. “He lived in Texas while my family lived in the Bay Area. My mom always told me that my grandpa was a great artist, so whenever he came to visit us I always asked him to draw something for me. I remember when he returned to Texas, I would collect his art and practice trying to copy what he drew, then surprise him with the drawings I’ve done. He would laugh with joy seeing how inspired I was by him,” Rev recalls.
Rev Valdez credits his Grandpa, Edgar Valdez, for teaching him how to draw. (Photo courtesy of Rev Valdez)
Rev continued to pursue art as an adult, going to the Academy of Art University to study animation, but his tried-and-true method of mastering his craft, he says, is studying works of art, from animation to comics.
“I dedicate time to working on my art every day, usually with a project or concept in mind, this helps drive my creativity. I believe illustration is like any craft, if you love doing it, you’re more willing to put in the work.”
Part of his book launch included drawing sessions with the kids in the audience. “Art is a form of expression that is important to help children develop their creativity and confidence. When we illustrate from things we observe or from our imagination, we are communicating with one another. I find joy in being able to teach that skill,” Rev says proudly.
During the book launch of “Bunso Meets a Mumu,” author and illustrator Rev Valdez taught kids how to draw. (Photo courtesy of Rev Valdez)
“I have received some wonderful feedback from Filipino parents happy to have a book to share with their kids that included a mumu like the ones that their parents would scare them with. Non-Filipino kids have also been very receptive and eager to learn all about the mumu! A few kids in the school I work at have started to call any ghost a mumu,” he adds.
Rev is passionate about telling stories conveying Filipino heritage. “It is important to not just rely on the older generations to pass along folklore and culture. We need to take a proactive stance on educating the younger generations. Just like with other cultures who live in the States, representation is important especially in children’s media,” he declares.
According to Bobbie Bensur, director of Paw Prints Publishing, "There was so much to love about Bunso and this series. The format is super kid-friendly and accessible. We loved the picture book-graphic novel hybrid, the bright palette, the humor that nodded to beloved characters like Calvin & Hobbes. We also appreciate that the series fills a gap, shining a light on the Filipino culture, which had historically been underrepresented in kid lit. We can’t wait until Book Two next fall – Bunso Meets a Duwende (elf)!"
“Who hasn’t heard the line, “Sige ka, kukunin ka ng mumu” (Beware, the ghost will get you)? It’s an experience spanning generations.”
Rev Valdez is on a mission to introduce Filipino mythical creatures to a wider audience. If he had a mumu friend, what things would they do together to get the most fun out of life?
“I’m a nerd at heart, so I would run the gambit on mumu and share my top favorite anime and comic books. We would talk about the latest updates on dinosaurs and then end with a game of Dungeon and Dragons. Then we would treat ourselves to some Filipino food and boba tea.”
Claire Mercado-Obias is a writer, food stylist and pastry chef based in New Jersey.
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