When quiet voices speak
No voice is too small to be heard.
For 16-year-old Filipina author Amara Raphael, the pen name of Rafaela Robles, this belief sits at the heart of her debut book, Ghost and Found, which she launched on March 11 at the Manila Polo Club.
Her beautifully illustrated story tackles the struggles of children with hearing impairments and those who feel unheard.
Through history, imagination, and resilience, the story encourages young readers to be brave and claim their space, no matter the challenge.
“Fear is natural, and doubting yourself is normal. What I want children to learn from this book is that while we can’t change certain realities, like Bianca’s hearing impairment, we can always choose to be brave,” she said.
“I relate to Bianca as a quiet kid myself. But at the end of the day, you only get one shot, so you might as well go for it.”
A journey to self-discovery
Raphael, however, admitted that building confidence doesn’t happen overnight. Like Bianca in her book, children need a strong support system—from family, friends, and even pets to role models such as José Rizal, Melchora Aquino, and Juan Luna.
“Encouragement starts at home, and parents play a huge role in helping their children build confidence,” shared her mother, Dr. Liza Abano-Robles.
“With enough support and encouragement, children—whether they have special needs or not—can achieve anything.”
From a professional perspective, Manila Hearing Aid Consultant Susan Javier praised the book for giving youth with hearing differences a voice in Filipino literature.
“This book is important because it opens a conversation for young children—whether hearing-impaired or with other special needs—to understand that we are all equal,” Javier explained.
“A person with a disability is still a person, and there’s no need to treat them differently.”
Ghost and Found is more than a story: it is a call to society to notice, listen, and empower all children, especially those who struggle to be seen and heard.
It challenges readers to reconsider how they view quiet voices, to celebrate resilience in all its forms, and to ensure that every child knows their presence matters.
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Ghost and Found is available this month at Fully Booked and National Book Store, with proceeds from the P500 book supporting its chosen beneficiary, Museo Pambata.
