Happy New Year!

A Happy and Blessed New Year to all!

Review of ANGELICA'S DAUGHTERS

Thanks to Tinamat who wrote this review of ANGELICA'S DAUGHTERS:
onemorepage.tinamats.com/angelicas-daughters/

Angelica’s Daughters by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, Susan Evangelista, Veronica Montes, Nadine Sarreal, Erma M. Cuizon
Anvil Publishing, 201 pages

Angelica’s Daughters is a collaborative novel by five established Filipina writers, called a “dugtungan.” A dugtungan is a genre of Tagalog novel popular early in the 20th century, in which each writer creates a chapter and hands it off to the next, who writes another chapter without direction. The result, in this case, is an ensemble performance that contains something of the exhilaration of theatrical improv. One watches these accomplished authors inventively weave a historical romance, creating gripping heroines and turns of plot, crossing decades and national boundaries, tapping into cultural roots of the Philippines, Spain and America. Reading Angelica’s Daughters is a gripping experience.~ Brian Ascalon Roley, Author of American Son (W.W. Norton)

One time during junior year in high school, my friends and I started scribbling on spare pieces of notebook paper. It was a story about a group of friends that we started passing around our group, leaving a part hanging so the next person could continue the story. We never finished the story, but I remember we had a colorful cast of characters, and I ended up continuing the story and posting a snippet of it somewhere that I cannot remember for the life of me. Anyway, we also had the same kind of exercise during my college literary folio days — one would start a story and then another would pick it up. I adopted that exercise for our NaNoWriMo group, and although it never really flew, it was a fun project.

So that’s really one of the reasons why I was curious about Angelica’s Daughters. This book is a collaborative “dugtungan” novel by five authors: Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, Susan Evangelista, Veronica Montes, Nadine Sarreal, Erma M. Cuizon. They are all writers on their own but their friendship (and writing classes) led them to collaborate on different short stories. One day they decided to upgrade into writing a novel, passing on an idea and a chapter to one another, until they came up with the story of Angelica.

Angelica’s Daughters revolved around three female descendants of Angelica de los Santos. First was Tess, whose 8 years of marriage dissolved after she found out her husband Tonio has left his mens wedding ring behind and was dating a younger woman. She flies home to the Philippines to gather her thoughts and herself and spends time with her Lola Josefina. Josefina had secrets of her own, one that she wasn’t sure that her granddaughter (or anyone else in the family would understand). In the course of Tess’ stay, a cousin gives her a bundle of letters from their Angelica, a distant grandmother who was the subject of many of her childhood stories. They were never really sure if all those stories about Angelica were real or not — like how a guy killed himself when Angelica refused to give him her love, or how wives were often jealous of her because of her beauty. Through the letters, Tess got to know her better but there were holes in the story that she longed to be filled. On the annual Tayabas fiesta, Tess meets her younger cousin, Dina, who carries a darker secret that is eating her alive.

As I was thinking of how I was going to review this book, I realized one thing: Angelica’s Daughters could pass as a perfect comfort read. It’s like the local version of a Sarah Addison Allen novel, but maybe even a bit better because it hits closer to home for me. There’s a certain grace and lyricism in the prose that makes me immediately sink into it, and marvel at the familiar feelings it evoked. There’s really something about a well-written Filipino work that just hits the right spot, like how a perfectly cooked dish can satisfy the strongest craving. Case in point, this particular line:

She served herself generously from the garlic fried rice and daing. She took her first bite and closed her eyes with pleasure.

I totally started salivating for garlic fried rice and daing (dried salted fish, for my non-Filipino friends) after I read this line. :) The entire novel had that feel of home that made it such a good comfort read.

Besides that, the book also had an interesting angle of history. This kind of reminds me a bit of old history readings in school, or watching movies based on Philippine history. Note that it didn’t really have the “required reading for school” feel, but it provided a sense of nostalgia for the early Spanish era in Philippine history. Angelica’s letters to her aunt and her stories were vivid and she felt very much alive in those letters. She may not be the nicest or the most honest character, but she is a well-formed character that it’s hard not to be curious about her as the book goes on.

I had a few nitpicks though. For one thing, I felt that Lola Josefina’s angle wasn’t really that explored, up until she admitted her secret to Tess. I wasn’t even aware that she was the third person in the story until I finally figured it out. Also, I thought Dina was introduced a little too late in the story, almost like she was an afterthought, like she was only there to be the receiver of Tess’ wrath.

Also, there was the dreaded insta-love. I wished there wasn’t an insta-love thing between Tess and Luis — I could accept Tess liking/lusting after him during the first time she met him and danced with him in the disco, but the idea of her falling in love with him felt a little too quick for me. I was never a fan of insta-love, anyway, and personally, I would’ve been fine if Tess ended up not having a love life in the end. After all, she still had to find herself after her marriage disintegrated.

Nevertheless, I thought Angelica’s Daughters was a well-written and enjoyable novel that deals with family, love and moving on from past mistakes. It’s chick lit, but it’s not really hardcore fluffy chick lit that I think even guys will like to read this. Plus that recipe for Angelica’s special tsokolate-espeso is a must-try. This is one of the good ones in Filipino fiction, and I hope more Filipinos get to read this book. :)

Tony Suvega- Feng Shui Artist in Philippines

I met Tony Suvega a couple of years ago. He's a world famous Feng Shui Artist in the Philippines. Here's his site:

http://adspinas.blogspot.com/2010/07/worldwide-feng-shui-services-fortune.html

Letter about When the Rainbow Goddess Wept

Christmas 2011

Dearest Cecilia,
Thank you so much for writing "When the Rainbow Goddess Wept." It's one of the most endearing books I've read for a long time. My Lolo told us stories about the war and the flight of the Filipinos to hide and it made it all too life-like while reading your book. Thank you so much for all that you do and all the pro-Filipino things you write. I will always keep you, Yvonne and stories of Old Cebu in my heart.

Sincerely,
Christopher Ganio

The Cover of OUT OF CEBU: ESSAYS AND PERSONAL PROSE

The University of San Carlos Press will release my collection of essays, OUT OF CEBU: ESSAYS AND PERSONAL PROSE, this February 2012. I'm sharing the cover studies, the first one that was rejected, and the second one that was approved. Can you guess which one will be used as the final cover? (Answer below)






(Answer: the one with the candle)

The Essential Beginnings: An Introductory Creative Writing Workshop

If you sign up before Jan. 23, you get a $30 discount!

The Essential Beginnings: An Introductory Creative Writing Workshop at the Writers Program, UCLA Extension - Class starts Feb. 23-Mar 29, 6 mtgs. taught by Cecilia Brainard, call 310-825-9971.
The Thursday class meets in 1010 Westwood Blvd, one block from UCLA proper.

The class will make a life-altering Christmas gift!

Course Description: Many aspire to write creatively, but few know how to get started. A supportive workshop for those who wish to write for personal or professional satisfaction, this course provides many fundamental techniques--from journal writing to imaginative in-class exercises--all geared to motivate and cultivate the beginning creative writer. Topics include writing from observation and experience, creating dynamic characters, developing points of view, and writing dialogue. By the course's completion, you have in hand a series of short sketches or a draft of a story.

COMING UP: Art Gallery in Parian, Cebu!

BUZZ: Watch out for the opening of an Art Gallery in conjunction with the Cebu Art Association in the Dona Filomena Building in Cebu City, on time for the 2012 Sinulog! More later on...

The Dona Filomena Building is located on Zulueta Street, near Logarta, and near the Historic landmarks of Cebu (Jesuit House, Heritage Monument, Yap-Sandiego Museum, Casa Gorordo, and the Cathedral Museum)

Vanishing of the Bees - Worldwide Screenings

http://www.vanishingbees.com/events/

Upcoming Screenings

Thursday, November 17 2011 8.30 PM to 10.30 PM - 415 First Ave, Aloha, OR 97007
Friday, November 18 2011 7.00 PM to 9.00 PM - 1 LMU Drive/ U-Hall 1000, Los Angeles CA 90045
Monday, November 21 2011 12.30 PM to 2.30 PM - 13 Ray Small Drive, Papakura, Auckland 2122, New Zealand
Monday, November 21 2011 6.30 PM to 9.30 PM - 633 South Broadway, Boulder, Colorado
Tuesday, November 29 2011 4.00 PM to 6.00 PM - University of the Philippines Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines
Friday, December 2 2011 6.30 PM to 8.30 PM - 90 Quaker Hill Road, Unity ME 04988
Saturday, December 3 2011 7.00 PM to 9.00 PM - Albert Street, Wickham NSW 2293, Australia
Saturday, January 7 2012 11.00 PM to 1.00 PM - 3755 N HWY 17-92, Lake Monroe, FL 32747,
Saturday, January 21 2012 1.30 PM to 3.30 PM - 601 North La Canada, Green Valley, AZ 85614
Wednesday, March 21 2012 6.30 PM to 8.30 PM - 200 North Main St., St. Wallingford, CT

~~~
SILENCE OF THE BEES is another documentary on bees available for free on the internet

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/silence-of-the-bees/full-episode/251/

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIUo3STj6tw

Botero in San Miguel de Allende

Fernando Botero in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Angelica's Daughters: A Dugtungan Novel - picture

This picture of an old church reminds me of a scene from Angelica's Daughters: A Dugtungan Novel - page 145 "When Paolo and Tess swung open the heavy, dark wood doors, they were greeted with the strong odor of burning incense and the startling beauty of elaborately painted tiles beneath their feet..."



ANGELICA'S DAUGHTERS, A Dugtungan Novel

by Cecilia Brainard, Erma Cuizon, Susan Evangelista, Veronica Montes, Nadine Sarreal

Anvil Publishing, 2010

For copies, contact ANVIL (www.anvilpublishing.com)
email: anvilpublishing@yahoo.com
In the US, Email: palh@aol.com; palhbooks@gmail.com

"Chick lit with a comfortable dose of smartness and historical verve. Angelica's Daughters celebrates audacious heroines primed by deep passion and fairytale romance! Set in the heat of a 19th-century Asian revolution and what its setting becomes by the 21st Century, Angelica's Daughters beguiles with its mythic splendor, threat of a generational curse, masterful betrayals, and female leads readers can fall in love with.
The story found itself as one writer finished her chapter without consulting the others, and passed it on for the next writer in line to do with as she pleased. The amazing result is a delightful read by five writers who cherish their Hispanic, Filipino, and American cultural roots." ~ Felice Prudente Sta. Maria

This collective and collaborative novel proves that writers share much more than just an interest in, as one of the authors puts it, “the idea of creating something of rare beauty out of nothing at all.” They share a Creative Unconscious that, when working on a common text, comes up with startling and unpredictable imaginative delights and insights. This tale of two women living a century apart (and the women and men in their lives) told sequentially by five women is truly an ensemble performance worth a standing ovation.~ Isagani R. Cruz, Philippine Star

"Part of the pleasure of reading Angelica's Daughters, the engrossing new collaborative novel by five established Filipina writers, is seeing how deftly the authors deal with the challenge of writing in this resurrected literary form. A dugtungan is a genre of Tagalog novel popular early in the 20th century, in which each writer creates a chapter and hands it off to the next, who writes another chapter without direction. The result, in this case, is an ensemble performance that contains something of the exhilaration of theatrical improv. One watches these accomplished authors inventively weave a historical romance, creating gripping heroines and turns of plot, crossing decades and national boundaries, tapping into cultural roots of the Philippines, Spain and America. Reading Angelica's Daughters is a gripping experience.~ Brian Ascalon Roley, Author of American Son (W.W. Norton)

MORE ON BEES

I'm still following on the plight of bees. Here are two articles about them:

Dan Rather on Bees: //blip.tv/hdnet-news-and-documentaries/dan-rather-reports-bee-aware-5567670

And Farmers Add Bee-Friendly plants: //abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/farmers-adding-plants-attract-nourish-bees-14784666

Pictures of San Miguel Allende & Guanajuato, Mexico

I visited San Miguel Allende and Guanajuato in Mexico. This is a repeat visit; I love these places. They are Spanish colonial towns in the central part of Mexico - very colorful and vibrant. San Miguel is more touristy; Guanajuato is a university town. The Cervantes Festival was in full swing in Guanajuato and some of these festivities spilled over to San Miguel.

I took the following pictures in San Miguel Allende. The pictures after the door were taken in Guanajuato.
 
Read also
The Many Faces of Mexico
Gigantes at Wedding in San Miguel de Allende 
Pictures of San Miguel de Allende & Guanajuato 
House San Miguel de Allende
Visiting Colonial Mexico

 tags: Mexico, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Spanish Colonial, photographs

Creative Writing Class - Coming up!

I'm teaching Essential Beginnings of Creative Writing at the Writers Program, UCLA Extension Nov. 4-Dec.15, please call 310-825-9415 for more information. This is a good beginning class that covers the real basics: character, character development, tension, plot, conflict, etc.

Pictures from Book Talk, Carson Public Library

These pictures were taken at Book Talk, with Carlene Bonnivier, Cecilia Brainard, Lorenzo Paran, and Samantha Sotto, sponsored by Philippine Expressions and the Carson Public Library, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011.








Photos:
Top l-r: Cecilia Brainard, Lorenzo Paran, Samantha Sotto, and Carlene Bonnivier
Next l-r: Cecilia Brainard, Samantha Sotto
Next l-r: Lucila Dypiangco, Cecilia Brainard
The rest of the pictures show Oscar and Lucila Dypiangco with guests, most of them Theresians.

RECAP OF THE FILAM BOOK FEST

Recap of the FilAm Book Fest
By: Cecilia Manguerra Brainard



The first ever, Filipino American International Book Festival (FilAm Book Fest) was held in San Francisco Oct. 1-2, and was, in my opinion a success. Talk is that the organizers will do this again in two years, and I'm certainly hoping they do so because the event is a win-win situation to the authors, publishers, as well as the Filipino American Community.

The event started with a reception at the Philippine Consulate on Friday night. Cocktails were served and consulate people, authors, and publishers mingled. Ex-president Fidel V. Ramos was present to promote his biography as well as many writers, many of whom I know, such as: Isagani Cruz, Marily Orosa, Paulino Lim, Ambeth Ocampo, Butch Dalisay, Pete Lacaba, Cris Yabes, Felice Sta. Maria, Almira Gilles, Penelope Lopez, Oscar Penaranda, Edwin Lozada, and many more. Linda Nietes of Philippine Expressions was also present, as were Anvil Publishing folks represented by Karina Bolasco and Gwenn Galvez.

My husband kept pointing at a sign that said something like “No More Than 50 people Allowed in the Room” when in fact there must have been over a hundred people present. I wasn't sure if it was a political event, a literary event, or a book launch of Ramos' biography, but it was all energetic and fun. A lot of official introductions and talks took place, most of it lost in the organized chaos in the room. Throughout the room there was a lot of hugging and handshaking; and media people were busy taking pictures and doing interviews. It was, in short, like going to a class reunion – just a lot of good energy and high spirits all throughout. One must understand that out of the 100 some authors present in the Festival, around 20 flew in from the Philippines, and even among the US-based authors, some came from Chicago, or the East Coast. There were even a few who came from Canada and Europe; I met a Filipina from Copenhagen. I should also add that Philippine publishers were there and brought with them thousands of books.


The site of the Book Festival itself was in the San Francisco Civic Center and nearby San Francisco Public Library and Asian Art Museum. The outdoor area had a section for the food vendors, an outdoor stage, and booksellers and other booths. Fortunately, the weather was great over the weekend, mild enough so the authors and publishers from the Philippines were comfortable.


I shared a booth with John Silva (who just released the book, A Token of Our Friendship, Philippine Photos of Male Affection) and Marily Orosa, publisher of award-winning coffee table books. Even though there wasn't a huge crowd at the festival, those who showed up were very enthusiastic and snapped up books. By the end of the festival, John had sold out his book, and I sold out some titles. The books were, as the saying goes, "selling like hotcakes."



I was very impressed with the Festival visitors. In all honesty it wasn't a big crowd. Early Saturday morning, I started to worry because there weren't a lot of people. More people came mid-day, but the place really wasn't packed. However, those who attended were really interested in literature and books. They talked to the authors, bought books, and were excited and happy because they were in this literary event. I'm thinking here of Donna Bella whom I met at an earlier literary reading in Berkeley. I had invited her to the festival; she went, and was so happy, she glowed.

There were many students present, including Galileo High School students and Skyline College students who stopped by my booth. Parents, grandparents were there. And the wonderful thing about it was that they were truly interested in literature. It was awesome.



Aside from spending time in my booth, I moderated (along with Veronica Montes) the literary reading programs, HOT OFF THE PRESS on Saturday and Sunday. The literary readings celebrated newly published books by Filipino and Filipino American authors, including: Tony Robles, Almia de los Santos, Peter Jamero, Sunny Vergara, Gloria Ramos, Romy Honorio, Bob Flor, Geraldine Solon, Rafe Bartolomew, Angela Torres, Sarita See, Karen Llagas, Aileen Ibardaloza-Cassinetto, Lilia Rahman, Tilay Angbetic, Emmie Velarde, Myles Garcia, and Samantha Sotto.

I was particularly delighted that the readers were all professional and kept to their 8 minute limit. Both events were quite popular and drew an audience of some 150-200 people each day.

I should add that there were numerous talks and activities going on, all very interesting. For instance, Ambeth Ocampo gave a provocative talk “Queridas ni Rizal: Love and Sex in Philippine History.” Felice Sta. Maria and Claude Tayag gave talks on Philippine Cuisine. Children’s storytelling went on with Almira Gilles, Dorina Lazo-Gilmore, and Sol Manaay. The members of Bindlestiff Studio, an all Filipino-American theatrical group in San Francisco, did several performances. The Babaylan Group had a Healing Arts Pavilion where they gave talks and had hilot sessions. The artist BenCab talked about his creative process. Barbara Jane Reyes, Reme Grefalda, Neni Sta. Romana Cruz, Marites Vitub, Ben Pimentel, Marivi Blanco, Leny Strobel, and many others talked in various panels.

There was also a Tribute Night honoring Carlos Bulosan, NVM Gonzalez, Bienvenido Santos, Jose Garcia Villa, F. Sionil Jose, Al Robles, Ceres Alabado, Fred and Dorothy Cordova, Evangeline Buell, Linda Ty-Casper and Nick Joaquin. In short there was something for everyone, and from what I could see visitors were not disappointed.
The organizers are numerous and I do not mean to leave anyone out, but I do wish to thank those I dealt with: Gemma Nemenzo, Penelope Flores, Oscar Penaranda, Edwin Lozada, and Mitchell Yangson. I hope that the organizers will hold another festival it in the future — for the good of the writers, publishers, book sellers, and the Filipino and Filipino American communities.



For more, here's a video clip about the FilAm Book Fest:

www.balitangamerica.tv/book-festival-celebrates-fil-am-authors/
~~
Photos from the top:
Top - l-r: Paulino Lim, Barbara Lim, Lauren Brainard, Cecilia Brainard, Marily Orosa,Karina Bolasco, Penelope Flores, Ambeth Ocampo
next - l-r: Cecilia, Almira Gilles, Penelope Flores, Ambeth Ocampo, Paulino Lim
next - l-r: Cecilia, Felice Sta. Maria, Marily Orosa, Ex-President Fidel Ramos, guest
next - l-r: Pia Lopezbano-Carrion, Jeremiah Ysip
next - l-r: Barbara and Paulino Lim, Lauren Brainard
next - John Silva taking a break
next - l-r: Percival Arcibal, Cecilia Brainard, Paolo Salazar
last - Jonathan Best and John Silva taking a break

What's Cecilia Brainard doing this Saturday, Oct. 8?

YOU'RE INVITED:

I'll be reading from ANGELICA'S DAUGHTERS and VIGAN AND OTHER STORIES in Carson Public Library, Sat. Oct. 8 2-4:30 p.m., 151 E. Carson St. RSVP 310-514-9139

Articles re FilAm Book Festival

I found these article about FilAm Book Fest:

http://208.184.76.173/Article.aspx?articleId=731108&publicationSubCategoryId=111

Filbook Fest: Hot Off The Press Literary Readings
(The Freeman) Updated September 26, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0) View comments

CEBU, Philippines - The first Filipino American International Book Festival (FilBookFest) will be held in San Francisco’s Civic Center on October 1 & 2, 2011. The book festival is the first-ever of its size and focuses on literature, music, art, and performances by and from Filipinos and Filipino Americans.

The book festival will take place in three adjacent locations in Civic Center: the San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin St., the Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St., and on Fulton Street between Hyde and Larkin Streets. Lectures, author readings and panel discussions will take place through the Library; the Asian Art Museum will host culinary demonstrations and tastings; and booksellers, vendors and food booths will be located on Fulton Street.

Some 100 Filipino and Filipino American authors will be attending the Festival. Eighteen of these authors will be featured in two literary readings called HOT OFF THE PRESS, which will be held on October 1 and October 2, from 12-1:30 p.m. in the Koret Auditorium.

Those participating in HOT OFF THE PRESS include Tilay Angbetic who received her Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of the Philippines. After her year-long world tour with “Up With People,” Tilay moved to New York City, where she worked in the fashion industry and studied the craft of writing. She now lives in San Diego, pursuing her passions for writing, travel, photography, and food. She will read from her new novel entitled, Love & Other Firsts.

Still another participant is Benito M. Vergara, Jr. who was born and raised in the Philippines, and is the author of Displaying Filipinos: Photography and Colonialism in Early 20th-Century Philippines (University of the Philippines Press, 1995) and Pinoy Capital: The Filipino Nation in Daly City (Temple University Press, 2009). He received his PhD in Anthropology from Cornell University and has taught Asian American Studies and Anthropology at different universities in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Two other featured readers in HOT OFF THE PRESS were born and raised in California. Tony Robles is a writer and activist. His poetry has appeared in numerous journals including DisOrient Journalizine, Pinoy Poetics, The Asian Pacific American Journal, and the anthology Seven Card Stud with Seven Manangs Wild. He is the author of the children’s books Lakas and the Makibaka Hotel and Lakas and the Manilatown Fish. Tony is an editor of Poor Magazine.

Peter Jamero is the eldest son of Filipino immigrants, and was raised on a Filipino farm worker camp in California. He is the founding national vice-president of the Filipino American National Historical Society and the author of Growing Up Brown: Memoirs of a Filipino American and Vanishing Filipino Americans: The Bridge Generation.

The hosts of HOT OFF THE PRESS are Cecilia Brainard and Veronica Montes. Cecilia Brainard is the multi-award author of eight books, and editor of ten more. Cecilia’s work has been widely anthologized; her work has been translated into Finnish and Turkish.Veronica Montes’ short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies such as Growing Up Filipino, and Going Home to a Landscape. Her work has also been published in the literary journals Bamboo Ridge, Prism International, and maganda. She is co-author of the dugtungan (“connecting”) novel, Angelica’s Daughters.

These authors will read in the Saturday HOT OFF THE PRESS: Bob Flor, Janet Stickmon, Geraldine Solon, Marivi Blanco, Paulino Lim, Veronica Montes, Almia de los Santos, Peter Jamero, Tony Robles, and Gloria Ramos.

On Sunday, these authors will read in HOT OFF THE PRESS: Tilay Angbetic, Benito Vergara, Angela Narciso Torres, Reme Grefalda, Cecilia Brainard, Aileen Ibardaloza-Cassinetto, Marily Orosam and Myles Garcia.

Booksellers and organizations, such as Anvil, Philippine Expressions, Arkipelago, PALH, PAWWA, and others will have the authors’ books available.

~~
(another article)
Book Fairs To be held in Manila, San Francisco
http://thechinesenewsoflasvegas.com/photo-gallery/book-fairs-to-be-held-in-manila-san-francisco/

By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)
(© 2011 Journal Group Link International)
IN SAN FRANCISCO

While the Filipino American International Book Festival will be held from Oct. 1-2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at three venues in the Civic Center area of San Francisco. They are at Fulton Street where the booksellers,’ vendors’ and food booths, as well as an outdoor stage will be located; the San Francisco Public Library where lectures, readings and panel discussions will be held; and the Asian Art Museum, which will host the culinary lectures, food tasting, and a conversation with National Artist BenCab.

Ushering in the Filipino American History Month for 2011, the book fair will be the first-ever book festival in the U.S. to focus on literature, music, art and performances by and of the Filipinos and Filipino Americans.

Everyone is invited to take part in this free public event – as authors, booksellers, exhibitors/vendors, volunteers, sponsors/donors and performers, or just to enjoy Philippine culture and food at its best.

Among the authors of Filipino heritage, who have confirmed their attendance, are National Artists BenCab, Rio Alma and F. Sionil Jose, and well-known authors Ambeth Ocampo, Jose Dalisay, Pete Lacaba, Marites Vitug, Cecilia Brainard, among almost a hundred others.

Books that could browsed or be bought are of a wide variety of genres, for adults and children, artists and artisans, gays and straights, for those who seek inspiration and those who provide it, and many more. There will be new books to be launched at the event. Videos will also be available.

FilBookFest is sponsored by the Literacy Initiatives International Foundation (LIIF) a California nonprofit; the San Francisco Public Library, the Philippine Consulate, the Asian Art Museum and the Philippine Department of Tourism, in cooperation with TFC/ABS-CBN Foundation International. Among its sponsors are the Asia Foundation, the University of San Francisco’s Yuchengco Philippine Studies Program, Inquirer.net and Philippine News.

~~~

And more articles (may be repeats) here:

http://208.184.76.173/Article.aspx?articleId=731108&publicationSubCategoryId=111


http://thechinesenewsoflasvegas.com/photo-gallery/book-fairs-to-be-held-in-manila-san-francisco/

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/10/03/11/book-festival-celebrates-fil-am-authors

http://www.balitangamerica.tv/book-festival-celebrates-fil-am-authors/


http://www.usnewslasvegas.com/foreign/filipinos-foreign/book-festival-celebrates-fil-am-authors/

BOOK TALK in Carson Public Library

Hi, I'm part of this program, and hope you can make it.

BOOK TALKS TO CELEBRATE FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH


Saturday, October 8, 2011
2:00pm - 4:30pm

LA County Regional Library
Carson Public Library
151 E. Carson St., Carson, CA
Tel (310) 830-0901

The following authors will talk and read excerpts from their latest books.

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard is the multi-awarded author and editor of 14 books of novels, short stories, anthologies and essays. Her awards include a California Arts Council Fellowship in Fiction, a Brody Arts Fund Award, a Special Recognition Award from the Los Angeles Unified School District, a Certificate of Recognition from the California State Senate 2lst District, a 1998 Outstanding Individual Award from her birth city, Cebu, Philippines. She teaches creative writing at the Writers Program at UCLA-Extension. She will read from her two latest books, Vigan and Other Stories andAngelica's Daughters, a Dugtungan novel.

Samantha Sotto, based in Manila, shattered barriers that have previously stymied Filipino authors when Random House, one of the biggest publishers in the world published her debut novel, Before Ever After last month. Described as 'gutsy' and 'unusual', the book has been garnering some rave reviews. What if 'til death do us part meant longer than you realized? This is a love story that defies the boundaries of time and space to redefine our notion of forever.

Lorenzo Paran III was born and raised in Daraga, Albay, in the Philippines. He has a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in creative writing from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. His book, Pinoy in America is written with wry humor and it documents the immigrant's experiences which are anecdotal and experiential which the transplanted reader in America can relate to. He lives in Southern California, editing news stories for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group. He continues to write about the Pinoy-in-American life on his blog, pinoyinamerica.blogspot.com.


Carlene Sobrino Bonnivier's mother was from Baguio but Carlene herself was born in the heart of Historic Filipinotown when it was still teeming with Filipino immigrant families, and of aging Manongs. The word Manongs refer to elderly Filipino men who came to America in the early 20's to work as stoop labor in the farmlands of America; they have remained unmarried due to a twist in history. Carlene is a poet and novelist, and has co-authored a play entitled Brown Man in White Sheets which is about the Manongs. She will read from her novel, Seeking Thirst which took her three years to write but herewith condensed in one sentence: "Shrouded in normalcy - reliable husband, nice home in Noe Valley, health plan, Honda - Carol anesthetizes her memories of Dierdra and foster homes in alcohol until she discovers her orphan past in Los Angeles' Historic Filipinotown."

A table exhibit of some photographs of Filipinos during WWll will also be on display. Filipino American soldiers have played a part in fighting against the Japanese Army during WWll and their bravery is being remembered during this month of October which annually has been declared as Filipino American History Month.


This literary event is part of the celebration and is also an ongoing outreach program of Philippine Expressions Bookshop. It is co-sponsored by the Friends of Carson Public Library. Seats are limited. RSVP to or call (310) 514-9139.

Photo shows Cecilia Brainard (left) and Samantha Sotto( beside her) with other authors

Reprint from ABC-CBN News.com

(I found this on the internet. To clarify, Flip Gothic is a work of fiction. I do want to thank the folks from ABS-CBN because they have a video report:
hwww.balitangamerica.tv/book-festival-celebrates-fil-am-authors/

or try this YouTube link
www.youtube.com/watch?v=irZTH9r7EyE&feature=player_embedded

SAN FRANCISCO, California - Activist Tony Robles, author of "Lakas" and "The Makibaka Hotel" shared his poetry. Nurse Almia de los Santos, author of "Journey to the Beginning," traced her steps back to when it all began.

"It began with just a dream or maybe a child's fantasy. I would visualize coming to America as a cultured and beautiful woman," de los Santos said.

A Filipino-American in his 70s, Peter Jamero, who wrote "Vanishing Filipino Americans," talked about a generation lost.

Cecilia Brainard, award-winning author of "Flip Gothic," read letters about rediscovering one's roots. "I am still trying to figure out why you left for America when you had a good life here," Brainard said.

They were just some of the one hundred or so authors whose works were celebrated at the Filipino-American International Book Festival.

For two days, San Francisco hosted the largest gathering of artists and authors of Filipino heritage outside the Philippines.
~~
Same article reprinted in Philippine Times of Southern Nevada

re the Filipino American International Book Festival

The first ever, Filipino American International Book Festival (FilAm Book Fest) was held in San Francisco Oct. 1-2, and was, in my opinion a success. Talk is that the organizers will do this again in two years, and I'm certainly hoping they do so because the event is a win-win situation to the authors, publishers, as well as the Filipino American Community.

The event started with a reception at the Philippine Consulate on Friday night. Cocktails were served and consulate people, authors, and publishers mingled. Ex-president Fidel V. Ramos was present to promote his biography as well as many writers, many of whom I know, such as: Isagani Cruz, Marily Orosa, Paulino Lim, Ambeth Ocampo, Butch Dalisay, Pete Lacaba, Cris Yabes, Felice Sta. Maria, Almira Gilles, Penelope Lopez, Oscar Penaranda, Edwin Lozada, and many more. Linda Nietes of Philippine Expressions was also present, as were Anvil Publishing folks represented by Karina Bolasco and Gwenn Galvez.

My husband kept pointing at a sign that said something like “No More Than 50 people Allowed in the Room” when in fact there must have been over a hundred people present. I wasn't sure if it was a political event, a literary event, or a book launch of Ramos' biography, but it was all energetic and fun. A lot of official introductions and talks took place, most of it lost in the organized chaos in the room. Throughout the room there was a lot of hugging and handshaking; and media people were busy taking pictures and doing interviews. It was, in short, like going to a class reunion – just a lot of good energy and high spirits all throughout. One must understand that out of the 100 some authors present in the Festival, around 20 flew in from the Philippines, and even among the US-based authors, some came from Chicago, or the East Coast. There were even a few who came from Canada and Europe; I met a Filipina from Copenhagen. I should also add that Philippine publishers were there and brought with them thousands of books.


The site of the Book Festival itself was in the San Francisco Civic Center and nearby San Francisco Public Library and Asian Art Museum. The outdoor area had a section for the food vendors, an outdoor stage, and booksellers and other booths. Fortunately, the weather was great over the weekend, mild enough so the authors and publishers from the Philippines were comfortable.


I shared a booth with John Silva (who just released the book, A Token of Our Friendship, Philippine Photos of Male Affection) and Marily Orosa, publisher of award-winning coffee table books. Even though there wasn't a huge crowd at the festival, those who showed up were very enthusiastic and snapped up books. By the end of the festival, John had sold out his book, and I sold out some titles. The books were, as the saying goes, "selling like hotcakes."



I was very impressed with the Festival visitors. In all honesty it wasn't a big crowd. Early Saturday morning, I started to worry because there weren't a lot of people. More people came mid-day, but the place really wasn't packed. However, those who attended were really interested in literature and books. They talked to the authors, bought books, and were excited and happy because they were in this literary event. I'm thinking here of Donna Bella whom I met at an earlier literary reading in Berkeley. I had invited her to the festival; she went, and was so happy, she glowed.

There were many students present, including Galileo High School students and Skyline College students who stopped by my booth. Parents, grandparents were there. And the wonderful thing about it was that they were truly interested in literature. It was awesome.



Aside from spending time in my booth, I moderated (along with Veronica Montes) the literary reading programs, HOT OFF THE PRESS on Saturday and Sunday. The literary readings celebrated newly published books by Filipino and Filipino American authors, including: Tony Robles, Almia de los Santos, Peter Jamero, Sunny Vergara, Gloria Ramos, Romy Honorio, Bob Flor, Geraldine Solon, Rafe Bartolomew, Angela Torres, Sarita See, Karen Llagas, Aileen Ibardaloza-Cassinetto, Lilia Rahman, Tilay Angbetic, Emmie Velarde, Myles Garcia, and Samantha Sotto.

I was particularly delighted that the readers were all professional and kept to their 8 minute limit. Both events were quite popular and drew an audience of some 150-200 people each day.

I should add that there were numerous talks and activities going on, all very interesting. For instance, Ambeth Ocampo gave a provocative talk “Queridas ni Rizal: Love and Sex in Philippine History.” Felice Sta. Maria and Claude Tayag gave talks on Philippine Cuisine. Children’s storytelling went on with Almira Gilles, Dorina Lazo-Gilmore, and Sol Manaay. The members of Bindlestiff Studio, an all Filipino-American theatrical group in San Francisco, did several performances. The Babaylan Group had a Healing Arts Pavilion where they gave talks and had hilot sessions. The artist BenCab talked about his creative process. Barbara Jane Reyes, Reme Grefalda, Neni Sta. Romana Cruz, Marites Vitub, Ben Pimentel, Marivi Blanco, Leny Strobel, and many others talked in various panels.

There was also a Tribute Night honoring Carlos Bulosan, NVM Gonzalez, Bienvenido Santos, Jose Garcia Villa, F. Sionil Jose, Al Robles, Ceres Alabado, Fred and Dorothy Cordova, Evangeline Buell, Linda Ty-Casper and Nick Joaquin. In short there was something for everyone, and from what I could see visitors were not disappointed.
The organizers are numerous and I do not mean to leave anyone out, but I do wish to thank those I dealt with: Gemma Nemenzo, Penelope Flores, Oscar Penaranda, Edwin Lozada, and Mitchell Yangson. I hope that the organizers will hold another festival it in the future — for the good of the writers, publishers, book sellers, and the Filipino and Filipino American communities.



For more, here's a video clip about the FilAm Book Fest:

www.balitangamerica.tv/book-festival-celebrates-fil-am-authors/
~~
Photos from the top:
top - l-r: Cecilia, Almira Gilles, Penelope Flores, Ambeth Ocampo, Paulino Lim
next - l-r: Cecilia, Felice Sta. Maria, Marily Orosa, Ex-President Fidel Ramos, guest
next - l-r: Pia Lopezbano-Carrion, Jeremiah Ysip
next - l-r: Barbara and Paulino Lim, Lauren Brainard
next - John Silva taking a break
last - Jonathan Best and John Silva taking a break

What is Cecilia Brainard Up to?

COMING UP:

Thurs, Sept. 29 7 p.m. - Reading at Eastwind Books, 2066 University Avenue, Berkeley
Friday, Sept. 30 - Talk to Students of Galileo High School, attend Bindlestiff production in San Francisco
Saturday, Oct. 1 - FilAm Book Fest, mind the book I'm sharing with John Silva, Marily Orosa, and Veronica Montes, read in Hot off the Press;
Sunday, Oct. 2 - still at the book fest, moderate Hot off the Press

More later on, with pictures!

You Are Invited to the HOT OFF THE PRESS: LITERARY READINGS, FilAm Book Fest - Final Lineup

Here's the Final Lineup of the Readings, Hot Off the Press, with authors' books noted:
Please join us for Hot Off the Press this weekend at the FilBook Fest!

WHAT: Hot Off the Press: 10 Readers @ 8 Minutes Each

WHERE: Koret Auditorium / Lower Level SF Main Library / 100 Larkin St.

WHEN: Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 - 1:30


Saturday's Lineup
(in order of appearance)

Moderator: Veronica Montes
Tony Robles - Lakas and the Manilatown Fish, Lakas and the Makibaka Hotel (will be reading poetry)
Almia de los Santos - Journey to the Beginning - A True Story
Peter Jamero - Vanishing Filipino Americans: The Bridge Generation
Cecilia Brainard - Vigan & Other Stories
Rafe Bartholomew - Pacific Rims
Sunny Vergara - Pinoy Capital: The Filipino Nation in Daly City (will be reading fiction)
Gloria Ramos - The Whippoorwill, Mirabella's White Boots, Mango Memories
Romy Honorio - Op en Visa: A Novel
Bob Flor - Daniel's Mood - Mestizos, The FAYTS (Filipino American Young Turks)
Geraldine Solon - Love Letters, Chocolicious


Sunday's Lineup:
(in order of appearance)

Moderator: Cecilia Brainard
Angela Narciso Torres - contributor, Hanggang sa Muli: Homecoming Stories for the Filipino Soul
Sarita See - The Decolonized Eye: Filipino American Art and Performance
Karen Llagas - Archipelago Dust
Veronica Montes - co-author, Angelica's Daughters: A Dugtungan Novel
Aileen Ibardaloza-Cassinetto - Traje de Boda
Lilia Rahman - For the Sake of Louise
Tilay Angbetic - Love & Other Firsts
Emmie Velarde - Show Biz, Seriously--Entertainment as Life, Life as Entertainment
Myles Garcia - Secrets of the Olympic Ceremonies
Samantha Sotto - Before Ever After

Hope to see you there. Visit filbookfest.org/ for more information about the Festival!

You Are Invited to the HOT OFF THE PRESS: LITERARY READINGS, FilAm Book Fest

YOU ARE INVITED TO:
HOT OFF THE PRESS: Literary Readings at the FilAm Book Festival in San Francisco, Oct. 1 and 2, 2011, Koret Auditorium, 12-1:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 1 Lineup (moderator: Veronica Montes)

Tony Robles
Almia de los Santos
Peter Jamero
Cecilia Brainard
Rafe Bartholomew
Sunny Vergara
Gloria Ramos
Romy Honorio
Bob Flor
Geraldine Solo

Sunday,Oct. 2 Lineup (moderator: Cecilia Brainard)

Angela Narciso Torres
Sarita See
Karen Llagas
Veronica Montes
Aileen Ibardaloza-Cassinetto
Lilia Rahman
Tilay Angbetic
Emmie Velarde
Myles Garcia
Samantha Sotto

Reprint of Manila Bulletin Article - Which Book Would You Un-ban?

Which book would you un-ban?
By RONALD S. LIM
September 24, 2011, 12:22pm

MANILA, Philippines — Every year, from September 25 to October 1, the American Library Association (ALA) celebrates Banned Books Week, a celebration intended to highlight free and open access to information by spotlighting on successful or attempted banning of books across the United States.

The ALA accomplishes this by providing a list of over 100 books that have either been subject to banning, a challenge, or any form of restriction that prevents libraries from freely distributing it to its patrons. The list can be viewed here: http://www.abffe.org/ bbw-booklist.htm

During Banned Books Week, library patrons are usually encouraged to pick up a book from the list and also encourage other people to do the same.

As part of the banned Books Week celebration, the Students and Campuses Bulletin posed this question to local authors: “If you were to remove just one book from the banned books list, which book would it be and why?”

" This is like asking me which one of my kids I would save if they both fell off a boat. Ugh. Okay.
Fine. Harry Potter. Some people say it should be banned because it promotes witchcraft. That’s like saying that Winnie the Pooh promotes gluttony. Muggles.” – Samantha Sotto, author of “Before Ever After”

“To Kill a Mockingbird’’ by Harper Lee. I have no idea what this novel is doing in a banned list!

This is a fine work of literature, excellently written, with memorable characters, and about a topic that needed to be looked at the right time in America. That the book was banned because of ‘racial slurs’ is absurd.

I have no doubt that those who banned it were not comfortable with the larger Black-White racial problems in the US that the book brought up. The novel, told from the point of view of a young girl, Scout, focuses on a particular legal case that her father dealt with, in which a white woman accuses a black man of attempted rape. In fact, the white woman had been attracted to him.

Was this what made the people who banned the book uncomfortable? This question was raised in court by Scout’s father, the unforgettable Atticus Finch.” – Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, author of “Vigan and Other Stories”

“Looking over the list of books and authors , it reads like a Who’s Who of classic American fiction.

I think it would really be an honor to be included in ANY club (even a “Banned Books” club!) with authors like Isabel Allende, Aldous Huxley, Mark Twain,

Tobias Wolff. Looking over the list of banned books, I am most saddened by the inclusion of Edwidge Danticat’s Krik? Krak! which I thought was a great collection of short stories.

Of the banned books, the one I’ve read most recently was The Bookseller of Kabul. I read it a few years ago, and was grateful for Asne Seierstad’s warmly human eye, her skill at observation, and for her affording us a glimpse into the world of the Afghan wife.

The human heart is so unpredictable – I thought the book was not a blanket condemnation of the subordinate status of the wife in a traditional Afghan household, but rather a very empathetic portrait of a couple of women, who would never dream of changing the system which requires them to stifle their own desires, but who are resilient and resourceful and find ways to endure.” – Marianne Villanueva, author of “The Lost Language”

“If I could take just one book away from t e banned books list, this would be The Freedom Writers Diar y by Erin Grunwell.

I think it is important for high school students to know how important it is to have hope and care about making a difference in this world. Reading this true story teaches young people not to be afraid of believing in your dreams and making it happen. This is truly an inspiring story.” – Rosanna Gonzalez, author of “Restaurant Management 101”

“I was surprised to find ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee in the l ist of banned books.

The s tory is classical literature that deals with prejudice and racism. I think even if racism against blacks are a thing of the past, new forms of racism are emerging and that there is much to learn from that novel. Also, Atticus Finch serves a model lawyer even for professionals of this day.” – Rachel Khan, author of “Campus Journalism for Students”

Thank you, Teacher - reprint from Manila Bulletin

Here's another article in the Manila Bulletin that includes my 2-centavos worth.

Thank you, teacher
In gratitude, these personalities pay tribute to their teachers by simply saying 'thank you'…
By STUDENTS AND CAMPUSES BULLETIN TEAM
September 18, 2011, 8:00am

MANILA, Philippines — ‘’Marami akong pasasalamatan. Lahat siguro ng teachers ko noong high school. And of course sa St. Mary’s, mga RVM sisters. I started in the business young pero noong nag-aaral ako, talagang they guided me dahil sirang-sira ang schedule ko. Nagsa-summer ako para lang makahabol. And then kumukuha ako ng DepEd test, sa RVM retreat house ako pinakuha ng test para makapasa lang ako ng high school, para makuha ko ‘yung diploma ko. I owe it to them, sa lahat ng teachers ko in high school and of course sa St. Mary’s RVM sisters.’’ – VILMA SANTOS, actress.

‘’The teacher I appreciated most was my own mother – Dolores Aniceto Musngi. I have always been quite a loner, for most of my elementary and high school days. My mother’s body was half-paralyzed and her speech was very limited and yet she struggled to take care of me and my unmarried sister then, keep home, and teach us about values, persistence, hard work and love of God and family. My mother taught me that no matter the odds that are against you, if you try hard enough, success and happiness can be within your reach. She always told me to never give up.’’ – PETER MUSNGI, unit head of ABS-CBN Manila Radio and Sports division.

“Sister Consuelo Varela was my teacher in St. Theresa’s College, San Marcelino where I attended high school. She was also the principal. She was strict and fearsome and we were all terrified of her, until we became her students and enjoyed her protection. She pushed all of us to use our heads, reminding us that we had an obligation to give back to society. What I remember most was studying Shakespeare in her class her. She had us do little theatrical plays in the classroom. Those were memorable; they made Shakespeare’s work come to life. She made us excited about literature. I can still quote Lady Macbeth’s lines: Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.” – CECILIA MANGUERRA BRAINARD, author

“If I could thank one teacher, it would be my dad, Sonny Jaboneta. When I was six years old, he chided me that a younger cousin could read the newspaper already. That moment really taught me that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it.” – JAY JABONETA, firestarter, Philippine Funds for Little Kids

“I would thank all my high school and college teachers, but ultimately I would thank Mr. Jesus de Silva, my fourth year class adviser and our Accounting teacher. He made Accounting perfectly clear for us, with his funny jokes. And he made our last year in high school the best we could possibly have. He is very proud of what I’ve become. – CARLA ABELLANA, actress

“Teacher Baba Paguia is one of my autistic son’s early teachers. She’s a gifted SpEd (special education) teacher who made a lot of breakthroughs during those years of early intervention for my Gio. Very creative... can you imagine miniature trampoline made out of ladies’ undies? She taught our yayas and me how to be consistent when doing behavior management at home with Gio. While addressing family issues with Gio, including those of his siblings, she was educating me not just on raising a child with autism, but on how to be a mother to all my three boys. Come to think of it, Teacher Baba IS one of my teachers. I would always think of her with so much love and gratitude.” – DANG KOE, chairman emeritus, Autism Society Philippines

“I would like to thank Dr. Judy Ick from the UP College of Arts and Letters. She was my teacher in three different classes, including Intro to Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature. Ma’am Ick had an ability to make works written in the 15th, 18th century relevant to our lives. She made stories come alive and made us realize that even though so much has changed since the time of Shakespeare, so much has remained the same in terms of racism, gender studies, politics, religion, etc. Ma’am Ick taught with such infectious enthusiasm that I looked forward to going to class every single day. Her approach to life and literature inspired me to pursue my passion and take the road less traveled.” – ANNA OPOSA, environmentalist and theater artist.

“I would thank the teacher (clinical supervisor) who gave me a failing grade during my last rotation at the Philippine General Hospital, a month before I was supposed to graduate. She taught me a real lesson in life – that you do not always reap what you sow, but the most important thing is falling forward and bouncing back with every misfortune that comes your way! That experience taught me to rise above life’s challenges and be resilient enough to pick up the pieces and move on. If I probably had it easy with that teacher, I wouldn’t have turned out the way I did.” – GENEVIEVE RIVADELO, pediatric physiotherapist and special educator

“The teacher that I appreciate the most is my grandmother Ruby Mangahas. She got me into music and loving it for the pure art that it is. I never thought I would like music but the more I talked to her, the more I spent time with her, the more she encouraged me to do it, to follow what I liked to do and to follow what’s in my heart. Until now I subscribe to that. If you do something, it has to be bigay todo, or just don’t do it.’’ – KELLEY MANGAHAS, band member, Kjwan

“Doreen Fernandez. I met her when I was a freshman at the Ateneo. She told me I was a writer long before I felt like one. The stresses of the writing life are many but with her firm belief in my ability, and her example, I learned to navigate the shoals of the writing life with fearlessness.” – MARIANNE VILLANUEVA, author of ‘’The Lost Language’’

What Would You Ask Rizal? - Reprint Manila Bulletin

I found this article in the internet that includes my 2-centavos worth:
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/323194/what-would-you-ask-rizal


What would you ask Rizal?
By RONALD S. LIM
June 18, 2011, 3:00pm

MANILA, Philippines — Jose Rizal excelled at many things, but nowhere is he more well known here and around the world than for being the writer of the “Noli Me Tangere” and the “El Filibusterismo”.

The “Noli” and the “Fili” not only stoked the fires of Filipino patriotism during the 19th century, but they have also stood the test of time and have proven themselves to be exceptional novels worthy to be ranked alongside the other great works of the world. Rizal’s works have no doubt inspired many a young Filipino to pick up their pens and write.

In celebration of the upcoming 150th celebration of Jose Rizal's birth, the Students and Campuses Bulletin has asked some of the country's top writers what they would ask the national hero if he were still around today.

Politics, maybe? “Ang itatanong ko kay Rizal ay kung kakandidato ka ba sa pagka-presidente, senador, o congressman? At kung kakandidato ka, gusto mo bang kasama sa ticket si Manny Pacquiao? Para sa akin, unang-una, tanong iyon para ma-determine natin kung tama 'yung ating mataas na pagpapahalaga sa politics at politicians. Tama ba ang paraan ng pagtingin natin sa mga pulitiko. Si Pacquiao nga eh kakandidato daw for President. 'Yun ang gusto kong malaman. Kung tunay siyang hinahangaan ng taongbayan, maaring makapagsalita siya tungkol sa uri ng ating mataas na pagpapahalaga sa politics at sa uri ng politics na meron tayo dito.

Ang ikalawa kong tanong, pahihintulutan ba niyang komiks ang ipangturo sa Noli at Fili sa high school at sa kolehiyo?” — National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario

Where do you get the energy? “If I were to ask a question addressed to Rizal, it would be this: How were you able to do all those things--study, organize Filipinos abroad, research prehispanic Philippines relentlessly, write the novels, befriend Spaniards, put up a school--in so short a time?” — Romulo P. Baquiran, Jr., editor of “Laglag-Panty, Laglag-Brief” and “Tahong/Talong”

What are you hiding? “The question I will ask is also one of the things I tell people. He left us 25 volumes of material. But those are the things he wanted us to see. There are things he didn't write. There are letters and diaries he destroyed. Why did you destroy that and why?” — Ambeth Ocampo, historian and former chair of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines

Peace or revolution? “Knowing what happened to the Philippines after your death, which would have been more effective in achieving independence from Spain - non-violence as Gandhi used, or a bloody revolution?

Jose Rizal did not join the revolution; he sought reforms from the Spanish government. Would the Spanish government have given reforms if the Filipinos had not fought? Would non-violent means as Gandhi used, have worked? Or would the Spanish government have simply crushed and oppressed the Filipinos further if they tried to get reforms peacefully?” — Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, co-author of “Angelica's Daughters”

Are we free from the church? “Pepe, what can you actually do so that the Church is truly separate from the state in all matters of state governance? Why this question? Remember he didn't like the Spanish friars then for being the real governors of the country during colonial times, and so that may be his continued sentiment today.” — Herbert Sancianco, author of “Sales Promotions: Best Practices”

A modern Noli? “I have a few questions for Jose Rizal:
1. Do the many books and other materials on you do you justice? Are they faithful to your life and all that you hold dear? Which titles do you recommend we all read?
2. Considering how you have always regarded the youth as the hope of the fatherland, what is the most important advice you'd give today's youth?
3. Seeing the state of affairs in the country today, what 2011 version of the Noli would you write?
4. What are you most pleased about the Philippines today?
5. How do you feel that the Philippine Board on Books for Young People has pegged the annual celebration of the National Children's Book Day on the 3rd Tuesday in July, when Trubner's Oriental Record in London first published your 'Monkey and the Turtle'?” — Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz, author and National Book Award winner

What's cooking? “What foods did you eat on a daily basis with your meager allowance during your stay in Europe? If you had more money at your disposal then, how would you have spent it, upgraded your lodging or spent more on food?” — Claude Tayag, author of “Food Tour” and “Linamnam”

What's the best translation? “Which English and Filipino translations of your novels best capture the aesthetic effect you wanted to achieve?” — Jonathan Malicsi, University of the Philippines professor and author of the “English Linguistics Project”

What about your big brother? “Why did you agree to everything your brother Paciano planned for your education and mission? Did you agree because you also believed in it totally or because it was expected of you? It is clear that if your brother Paciano wasn¹t there to support you on both an emotional, financial and moral basis, you may not have been able to study abroad and do the mission you had to fulfill for our country. I wonder if there was every a moment or time that you doubted what your brother Paciano had requested of you and the pact you both agreed on.” — Jeannie E. Javelosa, writer and curator of the Rizalizing the Future Exhibit at the Yuchengco Museum

Are you gay? “Your flitting from girlfriend to girlfriend, was that to camouflage a homo streak? Why I'd ask him that is explained by my observation that most men I know who leave a trail of broken hearts of women are actually, well, insecure about their manhood and they have to prove this to themselves over and over through conquest, and then dumping, so they could be assured na lalaki nga sila.” — Babeth Lolarga, editor of “Baguio We Know” and “Baguio Calligraphy”

Any advice for expats? “What advice would you give Filipino expatriates today about loving one's country from across the seas? Who better can speak about the concept of patriotism away from home better than Rizal?” — Gemma Nemenzo, managing editor of the online FilAm magazine Filipina

THOUGHTS ON DOCUMENTARY ABOUT TIBET, The Sun Behind the Clouds

I saw the documentary The Sun Behind the Clouds (directed by Sarin and Sonam) about Tibet's fight for independence from China and the tension between the Dalai Lama's Middle Road policy and the younger generation's desire for total independence. The documentary is very moving and makes the point that China is a Big Bully. If I'm not mistaken 2 Tibetan monks burned themselves in March and August of this year as a political protest.


For some time now, I check all labels of food, clothing, etc. and if I can help it, I don't buy if made in China. In fact, a friend told me recently that she found apple juice that at first glance indicated it came from Canada, but the fine print indicated it actually came from China; she did not buy it.


Further, the Chinese people better wake up; LA Times featured an article yesterday about how organic food in China is sold exclusively to high Communist Party leaders. Do you recall how China has provided tainted milk, poisonous cat food, and lead-laden toys to the world?

INQUIRER NEWS RE SAN FRANCISCO FILBOOKFEST

One Hundred Authors, Thousands of Books at Filbookfest
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/12533/one-hundred-authors-thousands-of-books-at-filbookfest
September 15, 2011

The largest convergence of authors with Filipino roots outside the Philippines is taking place on October 1 and 2 at San Francisco’s Civic Center for the first-ever Filipino American International Book Festival (FilBookFest).

The Philippine contingent includes former Philippine president Fidel V. Ramos, National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario (aka Rio Alma), National Artist for Visual Arts Ben Cabrera (aka BenCab), journalists Marites Vitug, Cris Yabes and Pete Lacaba, historians Ambeth Ocampo and Felice Sta. Maria, critic Isagani Cruz, noted psychologist Dr. Honey Carandang, cultural activist John Silva, author/chef Claude Tayag and multi-awarded authors Jose “Butch” Dalisay, Ed Maranan and Neni Sta. Romana Cruz, among others.

The bigger group of writers/authors of course are Filipino Americans and include such notables as Cecilia Brainard, Marivi Soliven Blanco (who just won the Palanca Award for Best Novel), Ben Pimentel (another new Palanca awardee), R. Zamora Linmark, Oscar Penaranda, Barbara Jane Reyes, Evangeline Buell, Tess Uriza Holthe, Luis Francia, Leny Strobel and Reme Grefalda, publisher of the online magazine, Our Own Voice.

A Filipino-Canadian author, Romeo Honorio, is flying in from Calgary while Filomenita Hogsholm will be joining from Denmark.

There will be something for everyone to look forward to and enjoy at Filbookfest.

Presented by the Literacy Initiatives International Foundation (LIIF), the San Francisco Public Library, the Asian Art Museum and the Philippine Department of Tourism, in cooperation with TFC/ABS-CBN Foundation International, FilBookFest is headed by Al Perez, the moving force behind the annual Pistahan celebration. Perez is festival director.

Among its highlights:

• Children’s book readings by well-known Filipinos, arts and crafts, a lesson on writing in baybayin (ancient Filipino script) and video showings at the second floor of the San Francisco Main Library. To be featured are Filipino American children’s book authors reading their works , and a large selection of children’s books published in the Philippines

• Lectures on Filipino cuisine by cultural historian/author Felice Sta. Maria, who will talk on the fascinating historical evolution of Filipino food, and chef/artist/author Claude Tayag, who will describe the many flavors of regional cuisine. The audience will be treated to a taste of a variety of Filipino dishes created by local chefs.

• A balagtasan (traditional debate in poetry) on a timely topic by the Philippines’ best known balagtasan performers, Teo Antonio, Vim Nadera and Mike Coroza.

• Hot Off the Press featuring Filipino American authors reading from their newest books

• In the evening of October 1, A Tribute to Filipino Literary Laureates, a special program honoring Filipino authors who have created classic works that celebrate our history and culture: Carlos Bulosan, NVM Gonzalez, Bienvenido Santos, Jose Garcia Villa, F. Sionil Jose, Al Robles, Ceres Alabado, Fred and Dorothy Cordova, Evangeline Buell, Linda Ty-Casper and Nick Joaquin. There will be a reception to precede the program.

• Thousands of books by Filipino and Filipino American authors will be available for sale from various booksellers on Fulton St., between the San Francisco Public Library and the Asian Art Museum.

• The best Filipino dishes from restaurants and food trucks also on Fulton St.

• Hourly prize drawings and a grand prize drawing at the end of each day of the festival. The grand prize is a round-trip ticket to the Philippines, courtesy of Philippine Airlines.

FilBookFest is sponsored by The Asia Foundation, the University of San Francisco’s Yuchengco Philippine Studies Program, Target, Chevron, Ramar Foods International, AT&T, Mama Sita’s, Philippine News, Inquirer.net and Asian Journal. Partner organizations include the Book Development Association of the Philippines, the National Book Development Council, the National Commission for Culture and Arts, the Philippine American Writers and Artists Inc. (PAWA), the Filipino American National Historical Society (FAHNS), the Filipino American Arts Exposition (FAEE), the Friends of the San Francisco Library and Philippine Expressions Bookshop.

For more festival information, please check out www.filbookfest.org regularly.