Remembering Mila Aguilar by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard

 

Remembering Mila Aguilar

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard

         SHORTLY AFTER MY BROTHER DIED in 1994, my mother made arrangements to transfer a house and property in Makati to my name. Seeing my siblings bickering over money, Mama decided—while she was alive—to hand over the property to me, free and clear. That way, I would have a nice piece of property from her should the family end up in all-out fighting over inheritance. Which it did. But this story is not about the decades-long family litigation, rather it’s about an incident that had to do with my house on Mercury Street, Bel Air, Makati—a lovely, airy four-bedroom bungalow.

          When my mother was a child, a fortune teller told her she would be wealthy and that her “sun would never set”, meaning she would always be at her zenith. This was a story she liked to tell when the properties she had bought in Makati soared in price. The fortune teller was correct. Even though she had trained as a classical pianist, she had a knack for making money, and properties she held all turned out to be prime land. But regarding my mother’s sun never setting when she became really old, in her last years, Mama ended up isolated from the rest of us, except for a sibling who orchestrated events. My Mother's last years were not bright at all.

Linda Ty-Casper's Books Published by PALH (Philippine American Literary House)

 

 

Linda Ty-Casper

LINDA TY-CASPER had graduated from her studies in Law from the University of the Philippines and Harvard when she came across erroneous and biased books at Widener Library. She abandoned Law and became an advocate, through faithfully researched historical fiction, of the Filipino’s right to self-definition/determination.

Her 16 books of fiction deal with Philippine events from the 18^th century, the 1896 Philippine revolution, the Philippine-American War (1898-1902), World War II, on to the Martial Law years of the Marcos Dictatorship, and the post-Marcos days until the early 2000s.

She edited her husband’s biography, Will You Happen, Past the Silence, Through the Dark: Remembering Leonard Ralph Casper, (PALH 2023 The next near 2024, Exploding Galaxies reissued her The Three-Cornered Sun. She also wrote her memoir, Lives Remembered, a Memoir (PALH 2025). Her A Small Party in a Garden: Revised and Critical Edition and Fortress in the Plaza, Revised Edition were released by PALH in 2026. 

 

 

Ms. Casper’s awards include the SEA Write Award, the ALIWW Parangal, UNESCO/P.E.N., Rockefeller (Bellagio), Radcliffe Fellowship, among others. Her stories have been published in Antioch Review, The Asia Magazine, Windsor Review, Hawaii Review, Triquarterly, among many others.

        The following are books by Linda Ty-Casper published by PALH (Philippine American Literary House), 

A Small Party in a Garden: Revised and Critical Edition

by Linda Ty-Casper
PALH 2026, 177 pages
ISBN: 978-1-953716-55-2 (Paperback)
ISBN: 978-1-953716-56-9(Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-1-953716-576 (Ebook)

A Small Party in a Garden, Revised and Critical Edition, re-introduces an important historical novella that was first published 38 years ago. Written by award-winning Filipina writer, Linda Ty-Casper, A Small Party in a Garden is set in the Philippines during the Marcos Dictatorship. The story's protagonist is a privileged woman who is the right-hand woman of Imelda Marcos, and who learns first hand what brutality meant under Martial Law. This revised and critical edition has an Introduction by Dr. Charlie Samuya Veric, Professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, who analyzes the novella in terms of its continued historical and literary significance. Dr. Lynn M. Grow, Emeritus Senior Professor of English at Broward College gives a comprehensive overview of Linda Ty-Casper's literary works.

Linda Ty-Casper is the author of over sixteen books, which generally deal with Philippine historical and political themes. She is the recipient of the SEA Write Award, UNESCO/P.E.N., Rockefeller Bellagio, Radcliffe Fellowships and other awards. Her literary work is considered a significant contribution to Filipino, Philippine American, as well as Asian American literature. Her works of fiction are so powerful that two of her novels, Wings of Stone and Awaiting Trespass, were banned in the Philippines during the Marcos Dictatorship; the books were published in London.

Her recent books include the biography of her husband:: Will You Happen, Past the Silence, Through the Dark: Remembering Leonard Ralph Casper, and Lives Remembered, A Memoir

Book Review of A Small Party in a Garden: Revised and Critical Edition: by Eileen Tabios in The Halo-Halo Review

Introduction of A Small Party by Charlie Samuya Veric, published in Esquire Magazine - https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/books-and-art/gardens-and-mountains-of-philippine-literature-a7837-20260108-dyn

How I Became a Writer 2: Essays by Filipino Writers - Information and Links

 

 

How I Became a Writer 2: Essays by Filipino Writers

Collected and Edited by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard

ISBN 978-971-97-1067-7 - (Vibal Foundation 2026), softcover, 170 pages, with full color photos, order from Vibal Shop, Lazada, in the US, contact palhbooks@gmail.com

PRAISE:

"How I Became a Writer, Volume 2 affords twenty-five fascinating glimpses of the phenomenon by which experience, sense, and sensibility are transmuted by the grace of writing—not to mention opportunity and stamina—into a form of intervention in the world. This is a book to be read for fun, for insight, and for inspiration. " ~ Caroline S. Hau,Ph.D. Literary Critic and Fiction Writer

"The 25 new essays in How I Became  A Writer, Volume 2, recount the failures and frustrations as well as successes and joys of the writers of all genres, whether of creative writing (prose fiction, poetry, plays and/or of essays and journalistic pieces.  Readers, whether Filipino or not, get to know the writers close up, as people as well as practitioners, with extensive, often multi-national experiences.  Combined with volume 1 of How I Became A Writer (Vibal, 2025), we see the remarkable richness of Filipino literature, wherever inthe Philippines or the diaspora it may originate." ~ Lynn M. Grow, Ph.D. Emeritus Senior Professor of English, Broward College

"This book is remarkable because it reveals what few readers get to explore, the inner lives, private rituals, or simple kismet paths to creative expression that marks the life of every writer. It is a compendium of life experiences leading to a documentation of craft: of individuals, and generations of some of the keenest minds this country has produced." ~ Manolo L. Quezon III, Author and Historian

 

GERONIMO TAGATAC

My publisher Vibal, the other contributors of How I Became a Writer 2, and I are deeply saddened at the passing of Geronimo Tagatac on September 23, 2026. This was a shock to me. As editor of the anthology How I Became a Writer 2, I was trying (these past days) to reach Geronimo to send a copy of the book, which includes his personal essay about his journey to becoming a writer. I share this in my blog, as a way of honoring Geronimo. I did not have the chance to meet him, but we had brief conversations via email. I asked him about his trips to other places, seeking his travel advice at time, just admiring his photographs on other occasions. I had also read his writings online, which I admired, and which is why I included in the collection of writers that I edited.  May he rest in peace.

***

Geronimo Tagatac’s father was from Ilocos Norte. His mother was a Russian Jew. Geronimo has been a Special Forces soldier, a legislative consultant, a dishwasher, cook, folksinger, computer system planner, a modern and jazz dancer and a roofer. His short fiction has appeared in Writers Forum, The Northwest Review, Alternatives Magazine, Orion Magazine, The Clackamas Literary Review and The Chautauqua Literary Review. He’s received fellowships from Oregon Literary Arts and Fishtrap. “Summer of the Aswang,” received the 2017 Timberline Award for short fiction. His first book of short fiction, The Weight of the Sun, was a 2007 Oregon Literary Arts finalist.
***

A TWISTED PATH TO BECOMING A WRITER

COPYRIGHT 2026 BY GERONIMO TAGATAC 

 

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY STRANDS to my life that have gone in so many directions. They eventually converged to make me a writer.

            I grew up surrounded by stories. My earliest memories are of the stories my father told of his boyhood in Baay, a lakeside place in Ilocos Norte, and of his ship’s journey as a nineteen-year-old to America. One night, as my father and I stood at the edge of a field and looked up at the stars, he told me about when the ship put in at Hong Kong, and he said that he couldn’t tell where the city lights ended and the star-filled sky began. He told me the story of the bamboo grove at the edge of his family’s village where, on some still nights, the bamboo bent as though pushed by a strong wind. It was where, during the Japanese occupation, Filipino guerillas had slaughtered a Japanese army patrol and dumped their bodies.

Cecilia Brainard at the MIBF26 for Book Launch and Book Signings

 

front l-r: Marites Vitug, Cecilia Brainard, Alma Miclat Cruz, Ceres Doyo, Jose Victor Torres;

back l-r: Joem Antonio, Wendell Capili, Gelo Lopez, Fr. Jay Miranda, Charlie Veric

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard was at the Manila International Book Fair 2026 at SMX Convention Center Manila on Saturday September 12, 2026, to sign copies of her books published by the UST Publishing house: When the Rainbow Goddess Wept, Magdalena, The Newspaper Widow, her Selected Short Stories, and Growing Up Filipino 3.  

She also launched the anthology she edited, How I Became a Writer 2: Essays by Filipino Writers, on Saturday, September 12, 2026, 5 pm at the MIBF, Vibal booth (Booth Nos. 189–193 and 204–209, Aisles K & L) Manila International Book Fair 2026 at SMX Convention Center Manila. (You can find the book at Vibal Bookshop, Lazada, Vibal; in the US contact palhbooksatgmaildotcom.)

Contributors present were: Joachim Emilio Antonio, Ceres P Doyo Alma Cruz Miclat , Jose Victor Torres , Jesus Jay M Miranda Jr. , Charlie Samuya Veric, Randy Valiente , Marites Danguilan Vitug .

Contributors who did not make it are: Gene Alcantara, Rene Ciria Cruz, Claire Betita de Guzman, Susan Evangelista, Luis Francia, Myles Garcia, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, Marra Pl. Lanot +, Elizabeth Lalorga, Vicente Rafael +, Ige Ramos, Danton Remoto, Brian Roley, Geronimo Tagatac, Grace Talusan, and Jessica Zafra.

The following link has the Introduction to the anthology and other information:

https://cbrainard.blogspot.com/2026/08/book-launches-for-how-i-became-writer-2.html

The following FB link has the book trailer of How I Became a Writer 2:

https://fb.watch/v/82q1boZfh/

Here are some pictures of the Book Launch and the Book Signing at UST booths. I'll be adding pictures, so please check back.

 

  

l-r: Wendell Capili, Gelo Lopez, Cecilia Brainard, Ceres Doyo, Marites Vitug, Randy Valiente

 

 

 

  

Cecilia (left foreground) with l-r: Carlos Zialcita, Oscar Penaranda, and their family

l-r: Cecilia Brainard, Gelo Lopez

 

 

 

l-r: Cecilia Brainard, Jordan Santos

l-r: Wendell Capilo, Alma Miclat, Cecilia Brainard, Gelo Lopez, Guest, Guest, Ceres Doyo, Father Miranda, Randy Valiente, Marites Vitug, Chalie Veric  

 

l-r: Cecilia Brainard and Rio Brigino-Lim

 

L-r: Ditas Arambulo Antenor, Cecilia Brainard, Charlie Samuya Veric 

 

L-r: Anthony Balisi, Gelo Lopez, Cecilia Brainard, Charlie Samuya Veric 

 

L-r: Mitos Ming Suson, Cecilia Brainard 

L-r: Pacita Agoncillo Sode, Cecilia Brainard, Kingsley Side Medalla

UST Publishing House Book Signing

check back for more pictures

Read also:

Book Launches for How I Became a Writer 2

         Perspectives in the Arts and Humatiies Asia - Dr. Charlie Veric Interviws Cecilia Brainard 

Writing Amid the Babel of Books by Vicente L Rafael - included in How I Became a Writer 2

I Became a Writer by Marra Pl. Lanot - included in How I Became a Writer 2 

Book Review of How I Became a Writer: Essays by Filipino and Filipino American Writers by Elfren S. Cruz  

#mibf26

#booksphilippines

#ManilaInternationalBookFair

A Look at Junglegate in the Philippine Literary Scene, by Cecilia Brainard

 

Frankie and Tessie Jose with Cecilia Brainard at their Solidaridad Bookshop when run by them.

A LOOK AT JUNGLEGATE IN THE PHILIPPINE LITERARY SCENE

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard

DURING MY LONG FLIGHT back to California, I thought about the Junglegate scandal that erupted in the Philippine Literary Scene when I was there in September. The term "Junglegate" refers to the scandal that followed the cancelling of Krip Yuson's novel (the title has Jungle in it), by Exploding Galaxies following revelations and protests over his alleged sexual misconduct and acknowledged plagiarism. These 2 facts were known by older writers but not known by the younger ones until now. The younger writers were the ones who clamored that his novel not be replatformed.

There were other things that occurred; one of which was a Facebook post by Butch Dalisay, a good friend of Yuson, about how many books would remain in his library if he threw away books written by "people who, sometime or other, were accused of moral turpitude, political incorrectness, sexual misconduct, poor parenting, drunkenness, drug use, slovenliness, animal cruelty, greed, arrogance, general insufferability, or some such debility of spirit and behavior.." Dalisay's statement excacerbated the controvery and angered the younger writers.

The issue, the young writers insisted was not so much Art vs Artist, but that Yuson and his novel did not deserve the honor of being republished. In fact, I agree that the Art Vs Artist was a distraction.

Soon after, stories about sexual misconduct that occurred in the Philippine literary scene, many of them in the Siliman Dumaguete workshops, surfaced. The names of other writers who reportedly took advantage of younger writers, surfaced or were hinted at. Me Too stories by three writers appeared, and here I mention them with great respect and admiration for their courage: Gian Lao, Irene Sarmiento, and Marguerite Alcazaren De Leon. I have shared their accounts in my FB page.

I had heard of other victims and witnesseses but who were afraid to go public, even on an anonymous basis.

I thought about all these and more and felt really sorry for the current state of the Philippine literary scene, where it's dog-eat-dog; writers using other writers; writers trying to monopolize power, and "sharing" only with their proteges and friends, and mentors taking advantage of the younger writers. It's horrible really; and the more aware I was of the problem, the more I "saw" manifestations of the power-brokering in a few hands.

Bienvenido "Ben" Santos and Cecilia Brainard

I experienced a more gracious time with mentors like Lina Espina Moore, Ben Santos, Frankie Jose, as well as NVM Gonzalez and Resil Mojares and other senior writers. Contact with them was productive and cordial and fun.

I want to be optimistic and believe that the establishment writers may realize that this junglegate system needs to change; and if not, I have faith that the younger writers who made this "revolution" happen, will change things.

So be it.

NVM Gonzalez and Cecilia Brainard

l-r: Michael Cullinane, Resil Mojares, Cecilia Brainard

Cecilia Brainard and Lina Espina Moore

Sources: 

re Yuson plagiarism -- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/content/217125/famed-writer-krip-yuson-apologizes-for-plagiarism/story/

Re Yuson plagiarism --

https://globalvoices.org/2011/05/29/philippines-novelist-mired-in-plagiarism-controversy/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAUaqGBjbGNrBRqoVnBkb2YFZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEe-9xpLchSxYtTGFGNBS5f3h8TtmFRwoifTtWHmyYqE7jBvYE-KS4EQOONHQg_aem_4x9EumxHc_MFk9_3KkQOVg

Re Yuson alleged sexual misconduct and more 

https://www.rappler.com/people/artists/alfred-krip-yuson-book-republishing-controversy/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAUaqKNjbGNrBRqoknBkb2YFZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEeMyj9JXFKxxquQAhH7T3Ah5CHUsFlY6TlTTyDKEW3KoXIu1_3xN1wmb0N8m0_aem_AoW4hu521kxVlf_rbOX3cg

Re Art vs Artist 

https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/notes-and-essays/opinion-separating-art-from-the-artist-a7165-20260910-dyn

Tags: Philippine books, Philippine literature, Filipino writers, Filipino books

Read also:

Book Launches for How I Became a Writer 2

         Perspectives in the Arts and Humatiies Asia - Dr. Charlie Veric Interviws Cecilia Brainard 

Writing Amid the Babel of Books by Vicente L Rafael - included in How I Became a Writer 2

I Became a Writer by Marra Pl. Lanot - included in How I Became a Writer 2 

Book Review of How I Became a Writer: Essays by Filipino and Filipino American Writers by Elfren S. Cruz  

How I Became a Writer 2 (ed Brainard) - Book Launch MIBF2026

 

How I Became a Writer 2: Essays by Filipino Writers (edited by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard) will be at VIBAL Booths, MIBF 2026 on Sat. Sept. 12, 2026, Book Launch at 5 PM; Book Signing from 1-8 pm.

The anthology includes personal essays by: Gene Alcantara, Joem Antonio, Wendell P. Capili, Rene Ciria Cruz, Claire Betita de Guzman, Ma. Ceres Doyo, Susan Evangelista, Luis Francia, Myles Garcia, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, Marra Pl. Lanot, Elizabeth Lalorga, Alma Cruz Miclat, Father Jay Miranda, Vicente Rafael, Ige Ramos, Danton Remoto, Brian Roley, Geronimo Tagatac, Grace Talusan, Jose Victor Torres, Randy Valiente, Charlie Samuya Veric, Marites Vitug,  and Jessica Zafra.

The book is available from Vibal bookstore, Lazada, and Shopee.

#booksphilippines #PhilippineLiterature #Filipinowriters #Filipinobooks

Read also:

Book Launches for How I Became a Writer 2

         Perspectives in the Arts and Humatiies Asia - Dr. Charlie Veric Interviws Cecilia Brainard 

Writing Amid the Babel of Books by Vicente L Rafael - included in How I Became a Writer 2

I Became a Writer by Marra Pl. Lanot - included in How I Became a Writer 2 

Book Review of How I Became a Writer: Essays by Filipino and Filipino American Writers by Elfren S. Cruz  

Invitation Brainard Book Events Philippines, September 2026

 

 

INVITATION

Hello, I'll be in the Philippines in September and would like to invite you to a meet and greet and book signing.

Sat, Sept 5, 2026, 3 pm -Book Launch of How I Became a Writer 2, Lost Books Cebu, CAO Mercado Bldg, Osmena Blvd, Cebu City - Editor Cecilia Brainard and Contributor Danton Remoto will be there;

Sat, Sept 12, 2026, 1-2:30 pm – Cecilia Brainard signs at the MIBF UST PH booth - When the Rainbow Goddess Wept; Magdalena; The Newspaper Widow, her Selected Short Stories, and Growing Up Filipino 3: New Stories for Young Adults

Sat, Sept 12, 2026, 5 pm – Book launch of How I Became a Writer2: Essays by Filipino at the MIBF, Vibal booth (Booth Nos. 189–193 and 204–209, Aisles K & L) Manila International Book Fair 2026 at SMX Convention Center Manila.

Note that contributors to How I Became a Writer 2, will be signing at Vibal’s booths on September 12, from 1 p.m onward.

Read also:

Book Launches for How I Became a Writer 2

         Perspectives in the Arts and Humatiies Asia - Dr. Charlie Veric Interviws Cecilia Brainard 

Writing Amid the Babel of Books by Vicente L Rafael - included in How I Became a Writer 2

I Became a Writer by Marra Pl. Lanot - included in How I Became a Writer 2 

Book Review of How I Became a Writer: Essays by Filipino and Filipino American Writers by Elfren S. Cruz