During the mid-1970s, the Nutrition Center of the Philippines (NCP) found itself in need of a series of storybooks to supplement their mental feeding program. They approached Virgilio S. Almario, a well-known poet and literary critic of that time, to spearhead the production of this series. He then recruited authors, editors, illustrators, and researchers for the series, which he would call Aklat Adarna. (The Adarna bird is a fictional creature which had the ability to cure any sickness with its song.) The name was chosen to evoke the healing power of education and knowledge against the struggle of the Filipino against poverty-causing ignorance.
When NCP concluded the storybook program, Almario carried on with the project through the Children's Communication Center. Soon enough, with its increasing number of publications, CCC needed a distributor and publisher and a decision was made to found Adarna Book Services, later renamed to Adarna House, Inc.
Gazing at the landscape, after all you'll find my fellows
there, on the tranquil traces of my white, clear land. No need to fear
opening the gates to travel, it comes so nearly
to make you feel the glorious side
Feeling free, diving into times you'll never forget, hunger for
freedom, in the silence of wintery nights, spirits herald. The wind comes
The light looses significance, throughout the night
Owl singing the dead song inside the forest of dusk uncontrolled desire rising
from above the heart strength is near to haunt you
Coming to touch your soul. Heed to the harmonious song of wise owl.
All fear fading away. By hearing the hoarse cry.
Take a look as the mighty wind will bring the flood washing your pain
takes your sorrow to far away face of the old trees glorifying the land
Calls to spirits made before you time for joining with the long breeze of day
when the wind scars the bleached faces, of the snowy land,
cold scent of the wind, brings the truth from behind different sides.
Hear them calling for precious spirits to fly dreaming the truth