FRESH DROPS
We're Currently Loving









Quaderno: Yakap by Fran Alvarez
Introducing an all-new Quaderno that brings together original artworks of Filipino visual artists Fran Alvarez, Anika Loquite, Harry Monzon, and Anthony Palomo. In this new collection, the artists explored and used their own lens to interpret the concept of yakap (embrace)—a seemingly simple gesture that can lead to various translations that represent the sentiments of today.
From the most literal sense to a more abstract investigation, the artists freely unpacked the realities behind a simple embrace to create sixteen artworks that take us into a stroll along memories, dreams, and unspoken realities of life.
Express your own explorations of yakap with Quaderno. Artful and well-made, each Quaderno collection features four limited-edition notebooks designed in collaboration with the artist, created for the thinkers of tomorrow. Quaderno is a space to support Philippine art, probe ideas, and embrace the creative you.
Features:
- Dimensions: 6.02″ × 7.91″ (15.3 × 20.1 cm)
- Cover: Digitally printed with artwork by the artist
- Type: Sewn bound to keep each notebook secure
- Quantity: Four 64-page notebooks per set (dotted, blank, grid, and lined)
- Paper: 100 GSM cream textured paper (can be used for calligraphy writing, watercolor painting, sketching, or writing and journaling)
- Scan & Read: Scan the QR code at the back of each notebook to get to know the artist
About Fran Alvarez
Fran Alvarez is an illustrator and graphic designer based in Rizal, Philippines. She makes drawings for books and other publications, commercial and brand-related projects, and personal experiments like zines and stationery. She uses both digital and traditional materials, and loves for her work to have a hand-drawn feel, whatever the medium.
She graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University in 2010, and was part of the Bartels Scientific Illustration Program at The Cornell Lab of Ornithology in 2015. She has worked with Adarna House, The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Chronicle Books, Room to Read, the East-Asian Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), and UNIQLO. Fran works with Studio Dialogo, a boutique graphic design studio based in Quezon City. She is also an active member of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK), a Filipino organization of artists committed to the creation and promotion of illustrations for children.
Fran is especially happy when she works on things about nature, pop culture, food, childhood, play, and daily life. When she is not at her desk, her cat Chimken is.
Never Forget Our Realities, Never Forget Our Stories
Looking Out for Juan
Discover how our advocates use art and stories to impact people and raise a generation of readers.
Instagram recommendations
Aia de leon
Safe Space: A Kids Guide to Data PrivacyProtect our children, let's help them understand their rights. #YouThink @lookingforjuan @canvasph.art
ANGIE MEAD KING
Amazing gift bag from @lookingforjuan for every book that we purchase they will match it and send a copy to less fortunate communities...
Jasmine Curtis-Smith
Wish I grew up with books like this! This book helps the young ones understand kung ano ba ang CLIMATE CHANGE at ang impact ng mga araw-araw natin na mga activities from home to work, and everything in between...
Award-winning Reads
We dream of raising empowered readers
Functional illiteracy is one of the root causes of economic and societal problems in the country. At Looking for Juan, it is our hope to raise a generation of socially aware readers and learners by fostering a love of books.
Through our Buy 1, Donate Books to Juan program, we match every purchase with book donations to Filipino children in underprivileged communities, exposing them to quality books made by the best Filipino authors and artists. Beyond this, we can do so much more. Take part in our social impact projects by being a Looking for Juan volunteer.
Meaningful gift ideas
Stories from the press
Peek through the Pahin(g)a Journal on Spot.ph
(SPOT.ph) In late 2020, we rounded up the 50 best planners, diaries, and journals you can shop in Manila so that you'd be good and ready for both the responsibilities and the adventures that 2021 would bring...
Business Mirror's Mommy No Limits on our books and advocacy
The online store is replete with art-based books and gift items, and it aims to improve literacy in the Philippines by merging art and purpose with every purchase. This makes it easy for individuals and companies...
DISCOVER Our Books by Women about women on Rappler Reads
...women dominate not only its roster of authors and illustrators, but also its employees – that’s six out of seven staff. This makes it easier for them to depict women accurately in their children’s stories, and be in charge of charting their narratives...
art - books - gifts - partnerships - communities
Art, Purpose, and Community
From concept to completion, we collaborate closely with Filipino creatives to develop art-driven, socially aware books, products, and corporate gifts. We partner with like-minded businesses, organizations, and individuals to give more books to children and promote literacy in disadvantaged communities.