When it comes to celebrities, it’s common to see them venture into fashion, beauty, or food businesses. But for young actress and “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition” big winner Mika Salamanca, her latest passion project takes a more meaningful turn—writing children’s books.

Recently, the 24-year-old actress released her debut book titled “Lipad,” which follows the story of a young fairy named Mahika who struggles to find her identity because of being different. Mika wrote the book to help children understand that everyone is unique in their own way.

“Through this book, I want to tell them that they shouldn’t compare themselves to other people,” Mika said during her book reading event in partnership with SM Book Nook held at SM North EDSA Annex last Oct. 1, 2025. “No matter what, you can find something that you would love about yourself. I believe that we’re all different and we all have our own beauty and characteristics that make us unique. That’s something I want them to understand, especially because with their exposure to social media, it’s easy to compare what they see online. But at the end of the day, what you see in the mirror is what truly matters.”

For Mika, the release of her first book marks just the beginning of her journey as a children’s author—a dream she has long held close to her heart. In an interview with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, Mika shared that she hopes to use her voice as both an author and an artist to help children become more aware of important societal issues.

“I don’t have any plans yet to venture into another genre. For my next book, I want to tackle another social issue,” she said. “When I’m writing, I make sure it’s not just to entertain. I want readers to gain new insights every time they read. I want my books to promote social awareness so children can also understand what’s happening around them.”

When asked about her favorite book growing up, Mika proudly shared that she’s a Potterhead. And while some artists tend to shy away from discussing social issues to avoid controversy, Mika firmly believes that celebrities have a responsibility to use their platforms to raise awareness and encourage meaningful conversations.

“You have your platform—a wide audience. So many people are listening and watching you. You should know what you’re sharing, your advocacies, and how you can help others, so you can inspire them to do the same. They’re looking at you; They should see that you’re doing what’s right,” she said.

Aside from her book reading, Mika also donated copies of “Lipad” to SM Book Nook as part of her advocacy to promote reading and learning among children.