A two-volume book on the life stories of inspiring Kagay-anons and Misamisnons will be launched later today at the Mindanao Book Fair happening at the Event Hall of SM Cagayan de Oro Downtown from June 18 to 20.

Authored by veteran provincial writer and community journalist Rene Michael “Mike” Baños, it is published by Papel-Papel Publishing OPC, a Cagayan de Oro-based independent micropress dedicated to publishing underrepresented literary works from Northern Mindanawon writers. Founded by Nadine Legaspi, herself a published author, Papel-Papel highlights stories that vividly capture the evolving experiences of Region X in all local languages.

“We chose Pinahanongod (Dedication) as the title for this anthology dedicated to the Kagay-anons and Misamisnons whose lives and dedication continue to inspire generations young and old, not merely because it seems not just a most appropriate and sincere word, but also for its significance in Cagayan de Oro’s history that continues to resonate with its citizens more than a century later,” Baños explains.
“Pinahanongod” is a Cebuano poem composed by the Kagay-anon poet Toribio Chaves which was performed by Pedro Akut on 10 January 1899 when Cagayan de Oro (then known as Cagayan de Misamis) marked the inauguration of the Philippine Independence with a two-day celebration called the La Fiesta Nacional, which featured a parade around the town, cannonades, and only the second raising of the Philippine flag in Mindanao.

“In the course of my thirty-three years as a provincial writer and community journalist, I have been privileged to be blessed with the friendship of many Kagay-anons and Misamisnons, many of whom I first met in my various vocations as a community organizer with the first-ever iteration of the Oro Chamber, a government employee with the Cagayan de Oro-Iligan Corridor Special Development Project (CIC-SDP), and as a print and broadcast journalist with one of the country’s major broadcast networks and various regional and national newspapers,” Baños noted.

“Many of the subjects of these stories may not be considered great by the usual measures of fame we attribute to persons we are wont to look up to, and of whom wonderful feats have been proclaimed: an incorruptible public servant, a photographer who recorded Cagayan de Oro’s journey in his pictures and paintings, two pilots who brought hope to people in the world’s far-off conflict areas, a humble kusinera whose home-cooked meals epitomized the quintessence of the Kagay-anon karenderiya and an up-and-coming chef in the USA who is bringing the essence of Kagay-anon culinary traditions to a global audience, local artists who pioneered excellence in cinema, fashion, sculpture, and pageantry,” he added. “The common thread running through all these stories are the exemplary and inspiring experiences they shared, which will surely resonate with all readers.”

Papel-Papel Publishing OPC is one of six co-exhibitors featured under the National Book Development Board’s (NBDB) Collective Stand during the fair. In the announcement on their Facebook page, the NBDB states: “As we continue to champion #AklatParaSaLahat, we celebrate publishers and creators who help bring books beyond traditional centers and into more communities across the country. Through initiatives like this, we open more opportunities for Filipino stories, ideas, and voices to reach readers wherever they may be.”

Pinahanongod is the fifth title from Papel-Papel since its establishment in 2025 and its first reference title. Its catalogue includes literary titles such as The Rain is Different Now by Adeva Jane Esparrago-Kalidas, Password and Other Works by Abigail C James, Sa Gabing Pumanaog sa Pusod ng Lungsod by Eric John B. Villena, and Terminal: Mga Kuwento by Raymond Ardiente Ybañez. Papel-Papel also produces paper products such as the CDO Urban Sketches Series notepads and postcards featuring watercolor art by Alexander Christian Legaspi.

Baños acknowledges the following persons without whose collaboration these stories wouldn’t have been shared: Dante M. Sudaria, publisher of BusinessWeek, Mindanao Daily News, and Metro Cagayan de Oro Times; Herbie Gomez, Rappler Central Desk/Mindanao Bureau Coordinator; Antonio J. Montalvan II, Europe-based Filipino social anthropologist and heritage activist; and the many others too numerous to list down here, who shared their insights and experiences of friends and loved ones featured in these tales.

“And most of all to Nadine Legaspi and the Papel-Papel Publishing OPC team for believing in the power of these stories to inspire readers to pick themselves up from any and all hurdles that keep them from pursuing their vision, and breaking those barriers and glass ceilings to fulfilling their dreams.” (PPP-OPC)