Press Release
Sweet Memories, Shared Recipes: New Bilingual Picture Book Celebrates Filipino Culture One Ingredient at a Time
Debut picture book inspired by childhood memories centers on nature, food, language, and the everyday experiences through which culture is shared across generations.
San Diego, California – September 10, 2026. Banana Blossom Ink announces the release of Mimi and Lola Make Halo-Halo: A Bilingual English and Bisaya Picture Book, the debut children's picture book by California author Alona Cuadillo.
Inspired by childhood visits to her grandmother's home in the Philippines, the story follows Mimi and her Lola as they harvest colorful tropical fruits, learn everyday Bisaya words, and prepare one of the Philippines' most beloved desserts, halo-halo.
Perfect for children ages 3 and up, Mimi and Lola Make Halo-Halo welcomes readers of all backgrounds into the vibrant countryside life of the Philippines. Readers are immersed in a lush tropical landscape, meandering through fruit gardens, learning Bisaya words, and seeing how halo-halo comes together from garden to table. Through playful storytelling and colorful illustrations, the book celebrates how some of life’s sweetest traditions are shared one ingredient, one word, and one moment at a time, inviting families to gather outdoors and in the kitchen, share food and language, pass down traditions, and create treasured memories of their own.
"Growing up in California gave me the opportunity to experience many wonderful cultures while also appreciating my own Filipino-American heritage," said Cuadillo. "Some of my happiest childhood memories were visiting my grandmother's home in the Visayas, where I was always curious about nature, the nearby river, the flora and fauna, the wildlife, the tropical fruits, delicious foods, and community that were so different from life in the U.S. I wanted to capture that sense of wonder, that connection with nature, culture, and learning and share it with others.”
While many bilingual Filipino children's books feature Tagalog, Mimi and Lola Make Halo-Halo introduces readers to Bisaya, the language Cuadillo grew up hearing often from her mother and grandmother. A Tagalog edition, another language she heard during her childhood, is planned for a future release, allowing even more families to enjoy the story in a language that feels like home.
The book also includes a halo-halo recipe and a glossary of Bisaya words, encouraging families to cook together, share traditions, learn from one another, and create lasting memories in the kitchen.
Mimi and Lola Make Halo-Halo is available in paperback through Amazon beginning September 20.
About the Book
Title: Mimi and Lola Make Halo-Halo: A Bilingual English and Bisaya Picture Book
Author: Alona Cuadillo
Publisher: Banana Blossom Ink
Editor: Moon Ertas
Publication Date: September 10, 2026
ISBN: 979-8996335619
Format: Paperback
Retail Price: $12.99 USD
Audience: Ages 3+
Languages: English and Bisaya.