The Race to Uswag: What If Slowing Down Is the Real Way Forward?

By Noel Galon de Leon

In a world where success is often measured by speed, noise, and competition, The Race to Uswag emerges as a tender yet powerful reminder that true growth is found not in comparison, but in the quiet discovery of one’s unique purpose. This enchanting children’s book by Dr. Elvie Victonette B. Razon-Gonzalez transcends the borders of age and genre. It is both a fable and an allegory, written for children yet deeply resonant with adults who continue to race through life, often forgetting why they began the journey in the first place.

The story follows two brother ducks, Isug and Tawhay, who live on the island of Pigado. According to tradition, every duck who turns ten must leave Pigado and travel to the island of Uswag in search of food and fortune. Isug and Tawhay, though physically identical, embody two contrasting temperaments. Isug, whose name means “brave,” is bold, ambitious, and focused on winning the race. Tawhay, whose name means “calm,” is gentle, contemplative, and drawn to the beauty of nature, music, and poetry. As they journey to Uswag, they decide to make it a race, but what unfolds is far more than a contest of speed—it becomes a lesson in life, love, and self-realization.

Through rich storytelling and exquisite illustrations by the talented Mark John “Makoy” Gaboy, readers are invited into a world that reflects their own inner struggles. The story mirrors the rhythm of our daily lives: the rush to achieve, the pressure to be the best, and the quiet longing to simply be. When the two ducks finally reach Uswag, they do so transformed, realizing that success is not a finish line but a discovery of one’s gifts and the choice to use them for the good of others.

Dr. Razon-Gonzalez, an internist-gastroenterologist and clinical epidemiologist based in Iloilo City, writes with the precision of a scientist and the tenderness of a mother. Her professional background grounds the story in emotional truth. Her years of caring for others have deepened her understanding of human fragility and resilience. As a mother of four—Paolo Vito, Elvessa Pilar, Estelle Victoria, and Elena Bettina—she infuses the book with warmth and wisdom that speak to both parent and child. This is her first children’s book, and it feels like the culmination of many lives lived in one—the healer, the storyteller, the nurturer, and the dreamer.

Her literary achievements are equally impressive. Dr. Razon-Gonzalez has received the First Prize for Short Fiction in the Dr. Arturo B. Rotor Memorial Awards for Literature in 2024, Third Place for Short Story for Children in the prestigious Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature in 2023, and Second Place in the 1st Normal Literary Awards for Essay in 2021. Her poems, short stories, and essays have appeared in various journals and anthologies, establishing her as one of the most thoughtful literary voices of her generation.

In The Race to Uswag, the author confronts a deeply modern concern: the toxicity of comparison. In an age of social media where people measure their worth through likes and shares, Dr. Razon-Gonzalez wanted to write something that would remind children—and the adults reading beside them—that joy cannot be found in competing with others but in celebrating our own unique journey. She believes that comparison is the thief of joy, and through the contrasting personalities of Isug and Tawhay, she teaches that every gift, no matter how different, has a purpose.

The book’s illustrator, Mark John “Makoy” Gaboy, brings the story to life with vibrant images that leap off the page. A magna cum laude graduate from the College of Fine Arts and Architecture at TUP-Manila, Makoy is not only a talented artist but also a visual storyteller with a passion for creating worlds that inspire imagination. His artistry gives the book a soul that complements the text—lush, emotional, and full of wonder. Makoy believes that children who read, draw, and imagine are future leaders. His work on The Race to Uswag is a testament to that belief, encouraging young minds to think, feel, and dream.

What makes The Race to Uswag so extraordinary is its dual nature. It is simple enough for a child to understand yet profound enough to move an adult to tears. It is a story about ducks, but it is also about us—our fears, ambitions, and hopes. It teaches that no one is superior or inferior, that every individual carries within them a special gift waiting to be discovered. For Dr. Razon-Gonzalez, this is the true meaning of uswag, or success: the discovery of one’s gift and the act of using it to uplift others.

The author’s creative process was one of deep reflection and humility. She wrote the story not with the intention of winning awards but from a place of sincerity and purpose. She shared the manuscript with her family and trusted friends who offered honest feedback. Through multiple revisions, the story took its final shape—a story that feels both timeless and timely. For her, the true joy lies not in accolades but in the act of creation itself, in the quiet fulfillment that comes from giving life to something meaningful.

For mothers and doctors who dream of writing their own stories, Dr. Razon-Gonzalez offers a piece of heartfelt advice: write honestly in the language of your children. Examine your heart and write what you truly wish them to learn. Do not write to impress, but to express. Writing, she believes, is a craft that demands both the discipline of Isug and the mindfulness of Tawhay. And perhaps that is the greatest lesson of all—to live and create with balance, courage, and compassion.

The Race to Uswag is more than just a children’s book. It is a mirror, a map, and a message for every reader who has ever felt lost in the race of life. It is a gentle call to slow down, to look around, and to appreciate the beauty of the journey. With its moving prose, award-winning author, and stunning illustrations, it is not just a story to be read—it is a story to be remembered, shared, and lived.