The release of Vice President Sara Duterte’s children’s book, Isang Kaibigan, has stirred up controversy and sparked discussions among Filipino netizens. The book, which was brought up during Senate budget deliberations, has been allocated P10 million under the proposed budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP). Senator Risa Hontiveros‘ questioning of the book led to a heated exchange between Duterte and Hontiveros, with accusations of politicizing the hearing.
The book’s theme revolves around true friendship and helping others in tough times. It tells the story of Kwago, an owl who loses his home to a storm and is aided by his friend Loro, a parrot, in rebuilding his nest. However, the striking similarities between Isang Kaibigan and the 2009 children’s graphic novel Owly: Just a Little Blue by Andy Runton have raised questions of possible plagiarism.
Owly: Just a Little Blue follows the adventures of best friends Owly and Wormy as they assist a family of bluebirds in building a new home after their tree is damaged. When a storm hits, Owly and Wormy work to protect the bluebirds from the rain. The book is part of Runton’s Owly series, which was first published in 2004 and later republished in full color with text in 2020.
Author and activist Ninotchka Rosca was among the first to point out the similarities between Isang Kaibigan and Owly: Just a Little Blue, prompting other Filipino writers to join the conversation. Speculations about possible plagiarism arose, with netizens and journalists calling for Runton to compare the two books and share his thoughts on the matter.
Isang Kaibigan is a key component of the OVP’s „PagbaBAGo Campaign,“ where one million beneficiaries will receive bags containing the book. Despite the controversy surrounding its similarities to Owly: Just a Little Blue, the book remains a central part of the OVP’s initiatives. As of now, Andy Runton has yet to comment on the issue, leaving the question of potential plagiarism unanswered.
The debate surrounding Isang Kaibigan highlights the importance of originality and ethical practices in the creation of literary works. Whether the similarities between the two books are mere coincidence or a case of plagiarism, the incident serves as a reminder of the need for transparency and integrity in the publishing industry.