Rhandee Garlitos: A children’s book writer

By: Marianne Ilumba

Raymund “Rhandee” Magno Garlitos, the author of a well known Filipino children’s book Chenelyn! Chenelyn! believes in the iconic and factual quote, “Be a wide reader to be a good writer.”

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Garlitos was born on the 13th day of January 1978 and was exposed with a lot of books as he grew up. He became passionate in the words and metaphors that the authors make to bridge the reality and their limitless imagination and dreamed of becoming one of them too.

But not like as we usually expected, the successful author didn’t finish any writing-focused course, but instead graduated as a BS Computer Science student at La Salle Greenhills.

But way back during his college days, Garlitos showcased his skills not only as a student but as an active individual by joining several organizations including Malate Literary Folio. He then became the first ever poetry editor of the club and that’s where his passion in writing started.

Many opportunities have been unlocked for the young Rhandee as he decided to joined a prestigious children’s writing book contest (PBBY- Salanga Prize) when he was still 18, year 1999.

“The amazing thing about this book is that I wrote 30 minutes before the deadline of the competition.” Garlitos told us, recollecting his most treasured moments of writing his beloved book, Ang Bonngang-Bonggang Batang Beki.

“And the moment I finished this book, I cried. Kasi alam ko hindi ito mananalo. It was so beautiful I deemed it not worthy of its time. 20 years ago, people would frown about a story about his boy figuring out his gender identity.”

But two weeks after the judges called, and as expected— the book didn’t won but yet scored a runner up to the competition.

Tackling such a brave topic, he has received numerous awards including four Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature.

Garlitos, as much as a good literary writer is a one of a kind journalist too. He works as a feature writer in a newspaper company and said he prides his job so much for the moral rewards and the lessons he encountered all through out his journalistic journey.

“I can never be a graduate of journ, I will always be a graduate of journ.” He said.

As impossible as it may seem, from writing his fictional dreams and writing about real people’s life, Garlitos indeed proved that nothing is unattainable with a writer who has a heart for writing.

He said that it may be hard for the first time but expanding your world will always be a good step forward to keep yourself away from writer’s block.

“Explore freely with your mind yet keep your feet on the ground.” Is the advice Rhandee shared on how to successfully balance your imagination for literature and your ethics for journalism.