Your Voting Voice

“Can my one vote really make a difference?” a child asked Margarita Andrea “Maita” Pelea.

The 23-year-old alumna of the University of Asia and the Pacific, who was doing read-aloud with preschoolers for her book Your Voting Voice, was not one to be flustered by such a mature question from a child. A magna cum laude graduate with a degree in child development and education, Maita knew just how to answer. She made use of the idea of the steam-powered train that will not move unless its water boils at 212 degrees. At 211 degrees, she told her very young audience, the train stays still.

“So it’s that one degree change that spells the difference between the train moving and staying put. And so, our one vote could be that one degree change that spells the difference between a leader being elected and losing,” the first-time book author explained.

Your voice matters

Maita has been doing read-alouds with children and had guested on a radio show for her inaugural book Your Voting Voice, a rhyming book on voter’s education that comes with English and Tagalog text, guide questions, and suggested activities. The book introduces children to the concept and mechanics of voting in the Philippines, the importance of paying attention to what the candidates say and do, and the power of using their “voting voice”.

“This book is for ages 5 and up, and I would love for parents, teachers, and others to read it together with their children, as it’s never too early to bring them into this important conversation,” the instructional designer at the UA&P Center for Teaching and Learning said in an interview with Universitas. “The message I wish to convey to my young readers is that they have a voice, their voice matters, and they can use their voice to shape the future of our nation.”

Needless to say, the elections on May 9, 2022 were factored into the conceptualization of the book, which took about seven months for Maita to write.

“I noticed a lot of children asking their parents about all these names, terms, and colors. I realized that there was a need to start voter’s education early, so that even at a young age, children will already understand how voting works in a Philippine context, and why it’s important to care about our country’s leaders.”

A classroom staple

Your Voting Voice, illustrated by Maita’s blockmate and fellow UA&P alumna Mikee Miranda, was launched on March 29, 2022 and in just a month has sold over 200 copies. Maita was overwhelmed with how well it was received by readers of all ages, who gave the following reviews:

“Thank you for publishing this. It’s about time we teach our kids early on about how their voice matters and how their vote and our votes matter.”

“I feel strongly about my kids growing up with the right mindset of being a Filipino, so books like Your Voting Voice help start that early. Gusto natin productive members of society sila paglaki, bumoboto ng tama, naninindigan sa tama at mabuti, asin at ilaw ng komunidad.”

“Finally, a book for children that talks about voting as a right. Having it also written in Filipino allows children to read the beautiful words in our own language.”

Maita, who made it to the top 10 of the Licensure Examination for Teachers in January 2022, considers turning this book into a series on good citizenship.

“I hope to see this book become a classroom staple. And I hope that its readers will carry its values and principles throughout their lives. If we want the next generation to grow up to be responsible citizens, we need to start forming them now, and I hope Your Voting Voice can be a part of that.”

 

You can order Your Voting Voice here: bit.ly/YourVotingVoice or you can message Maita directly on Facebook and Instagram @yourvotingvoice. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Teach for the Philippines.

In-text images from Maita Pelea. Banner photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels.