Learn the peso’s history with ‘Cashaysayan’

WE occasionally hear people say “money talks,” but few realize how true that is. Our coins and bills tell us a lot about what makes the Philippines and its people so special.

In Ca shay say an: A History of PhilippineMoney (2018), written by Michelline Suarez, Joonee Garcia, and Divine Reyes and illustrated by Benjor Catindig, young readers will learn how money was invited, how it came to our shores, how it is made, and why it looks the way it does.

The 176-page book—the second title in children’s book publisher Tahanan Books’ popular Halo-Halo Histories series—unravels the mysteries of money with the help of some quirky characters: the silver heavyweight coin Money Pakyaw; the reliable bamboo coin bank Al Kansya; the enterprising sari-sari store operator Aling Suki; and Tatang Tarsier.

From the age of bartering with neighboring countries to the first

forms of money to the challenges that led to the development of currency systems, the seven-chapter Cashaysayan takes readers through the winding historic trail of the Philippine peso.

Historian and TheManila Times columnist Xiao Chua says Cashaysayan “reminds us that our economy has a story” and “that money is not just currency.”

“It carries with it meaning, identity, and our shared experience,” he adds.

“A fun way to learn about our history,” BPI Foundation says, while Flips Flippin’ Pages’ Sana Sta. Ana remarks: “I never realized how [much] we can learn [about] our history just by looking at our cash.”

Cashaysayan: A History of Philippine Money costsP225andis available in major bookstores and boutique shops. Copies can be ordered through the Ta han an Books website(www.tahananbooks.ph).