Dr. Factora holds this Ilocano folk song close to her heart as it is one of her cherished tunes from childhood. This delightful song tells an engaging tale that highlights the Ilocanos’ robust tradition of incorporating delicious and healthy vegetables into their daily diet. Children are bound to be captivated by this song as they join ‘Eggplant, Bitter Melon, and Tomato’ in their whimsical dispute over who tastes best! Through the trio’s boastful assertions, one can’t help but realize that pinakbet—a beloved vegetable dish or ‘dinengdeng’ in Ilocano cuisine—would not be as flavorful or complete without each of them.

The creation of this children’s songbook echoes Dr. Factora’s commitment to not just preserving but also enhancing the rich musical heritage of Filipinos.

Dr. Factora encourages readers to appreciate the beauty of the Ilocano language, predominantly spoken in Luzon’s Northern Provinces. Yet, she also decided to craft a Filipino version—the national language—to enhance non-Ilocano speakers’ understanding of the song. An English translation is additionally provided to ensure wider comprehension.

The book includes musical notation of the song with chords. It concludes with a variety of suggested activities designed to foster interdisciplinary connections and enhance student learning. Parents and teachers can then choose activities that best suit their children or students.

This delightful children’s songbook includes three downloadable audio tracks:

• A rendition of the song in Ilocano with instrumental accompaniment
• A rendition of the song in Filipino with instrumental accompaniment 
• An instrumental-only track for those who wish to sing without vocal guidance