Cebu Philippines: Old Picture Archbishop Jose Cuenco Carlock Monument

Archbishop Jose Maria Cuenco in the middle

Dear Readers,
I've been busy and have not been able to blog as often. Do visit my Facebook page because I've been posting update there about political developments in the Philippines and in the US.

Philippines: Visit with Maryknoll College Friends

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Maria Ciocon, Ollie Yujuico, and I drove to Palm Desert to visit "snowbirds" Tina and Andy Heiter who are visiting from Switzerland. The four of us women went to Maryknoll College and it was great fun to update one another of our lives and our friends' goings-on. We also admired the coffee table book that Andy Heiter made of some of Tina's art work, which were recently featured in a gallery in Switzerland.

The group picture above shows l-r: Maria Ciocon, Tina Heiter, Cecilia Brainard, and Ollie Yujuico.

Pictures: Thanksgiving 2016 - FamilyPictures

Here are some Thanksgiving pictures.

Philippines: Filipino Youth and the Parliament of the Streets

A  Filipino social media controversy erupted. It focused on the young students who protested the burial of the Dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the Heroes Cemetery (Libingan Ng Mga Bayani).  

Last November 18, Marcos had been hurriedly and secretly buried even before legal proceedings had been exhausted by those opposing the burial.  Within the hour, and throughout the Philippines, students spontaneously took to the streets to protest. (Filipinos have coined a phrase -- "Parliament of the Streets" to refer to the resistance movement characterized by protests in the streets.)

The social media matter began when the trolls accused the youths of not knowing what they were doing, having been born after the Marcos Martial Law years. The trolls said the young people were used by grownups for political reasons, that these youths were brainwashed and forced to rally, that it was child abuse, etc. 

Philippines: Rogelio Braga Writes About Ferdinand Marcos and Dovie Beams

My Guest Blogger is Rogelio Braga, a Filipino playwright, essayist, and fiction writer. He is the author of the novel, Colon (Balangiga Press). He shares with us a satirical piece, written in Tagalog, about the love affair of Philippine Dictator Ferdinand Marcos and the American actress Dovie Beams back in 1968-1970.

Braga published this funny and outrageous piece in his Facebook site but the post was removed because "it doesn't follow the Facebook Community Standards." I invited Braga to post his work here as my Guest Blogger. Thanks to Rogelio Braga for being my Guest Blogger.

Here it is in Tagalog.

~~~

Maliit Ang Titi ni Marcos, Mga Bes, Kalokah! Help!
by Rogelio Braga

Bes, may chismax akong bongga sa hero mo!

Alam mo ba na maliit lang ang titi ni Marcos? Yes, ito ang isang bagay na ipinagkait sa atin ng nakaw na libing kahapon: nawalan tayo ng chance masilip kung umuumbok ba ang titi ni Marcos sa liit at malaman na rin natin kung totoo nga ang claim ni Dovie Beams. Maliit lang daw ito kaya chinuchupa na lang siya ni Dovie Beams in aide of KY Jelly maitawid lang ang kangkang for the night. Pero huwag ka teh magaling daw ang dila ni Marcos kasi kaya nitong bigyan ng multiple orgasm si Mareng Dovie. 50ish na noon si Kuya Hero at late 30s ang hitad.

Philippines: 1966 Student Rally Against Ferdinand Marcos

The students in the Philippines are protesting the burial of the Dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the Heroes Cemetery.  I can't believe that 50 years ago, I was a Maryknoll student who also participated in student rallies against the Marcos Dictatorship. Here are some pictures from my scrapbook. There are two anti-Marcos stickers, and there's a newspaper clipping of a student rally. I'm in the picture, bottom, right. The rally was on November 5, 1966.

"When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?"

~~
Tags: students, rally, protest, Marcos, dictatorship, burial, politics, Philippines, Philippines, Filipino

Read also:

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• Fiction: The Syrian Doctor in Paris by Cecilia Bra...
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This is all for now,
Cecilia

Cover Studies and Prologue of Cecilia Brainard's Novel "Magdalena"

The University of Santo Tomas is publishing the Philippine edition of my novel, Magdalena. I'm sharing the cover studies for this book.  There were elements I liked in all three, but I finally chose the one with the human face -- above. The mood of this one is quiet and pensive and low-key, like the main character Magdalena.  I'm pasting below the beginning of this novel. You can find the American edition of  the novel, Magdalena, in Amazon.com

Fiction: The Syrian Doctor in Paris by Cecilia Brainard

My story, The Syrian Doctor in Paris, was published in The Philippine Graphic and received a Certificate of Recognition by the Nick Joaquin Literary Awards. I have read this piece in performance in Paris and in Jackson, Tennessee.

My deepest sympathies go to the Syrian people who have suffered long and hard. ~ Cecilia 

The Syrian Doctor in Paris

By Cecilia Manguerra Brainard 
Copyright 2014 by Cecilia Brainard, All Rights Reserved

May 9, 2014, the last rebels leave Homs

He lives in a flat near the Ile Saint Louis. Today, he’s up at four in the morning because he hardly slept and news feeds from Syria stream into the internet. His favorite sites are “The Syrian Revolution 2011” and the “Local Coordination Committees in Syria”, which give up-to-the-minute news in Syria. The sites will warn: “Artillery shelling and mortars and heavy machine guns aimed at the country districts of Daraa Al-Balad’s neighborhoods;” Or: “Explosive barrel bombs targeting the village Guenitarat in Aleppo.”

Writing Workshop: How to Create Compelling Characters by Cecilia Brainard

 This coming Saturday, November 19, 2016, 10 a.m.

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard will conduct a writing workshop on "How to Create Compelling Characters."

Characters are the central element in storytelling. For instance Atticus Finch and Scout are at the heart of the classic "To Kill a Mockingbird. But how does a writer create characters? How does she imbue them with life so much so that readers remember them as if they were living and breathing human beings? This mini-workshop will teach you how to create characters that are complex and compelling. You will learn how to flesh-out characters and try your hand at writing about these characters.

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard is the author and editor of nineteen books. She co-founded Philippine American Women Writers and Artists; she also founded Philippine American Literary House. Brainard's works include the World War II novel, When the Rainbow Goddess Wept, as well as Magdalena, and Woman with Horns and Other Stories. She edited several anthologies including Fiction by Filipinos in American, and two volumes of Growing Up Filipino I and II, books used by educators.

Please RSVP to roselgonzales@earthlink.net to save a seat. Please come a few minutes early to get coffee and breakfast. We start at 10.

The San Gabriel Valley Women Writers
Sat. Nov. 19, 10 a.m.
Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse
1010 Foothill Blvd.
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011

Tags: writing, writers, character, workshop, San Gabriel Valley, women, fiction, creative

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This is all for now,
Cecilia

The Pneumonia Shot That Sent Me to Urgent Care #Health #Vaccination

This article was also published by Positively Filipino, on November 29, 2016. Here's the link to Positively Filipino.

            Not too long ago, I had a severe reaction to pneumonia or pneumococcal vaccine and had to be rushed to Urgent Care.

            Before I launch into my story, let me explain that pneumococcal vaccine is given to prevent pneumococcal disease, an infection caused by bacteria. The vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person. In fact, the John Hopkins Medicine site states that “It should be noted that vaccination does NOT reduce pneumonia. A meta-analysis shows no decrease in pneumonia incidence as a result of vaccination, however it has been shown to be about 60-70% effective in preventing invasive disease (meningitis, bacteremia).” The John Hopkins Medicine site also says, “By CDC guidelines, once vaccinated, you will likely never need a revaccination. However, this is still a controversial area.” 

Democrats: Sign Petitions to Stop Trump

If you're not happy that Hillary Clinton lost, here are three things you can do: sign petitions to stop Trump and write your Democrat legislators. Please read on.

Following are two Petitions to stop Trump from becoming president. They're slim chances but worth taking. Further these will call attention to the fact the Hillary Clinton won the Popular Vote and that Trump does not have the mandate of the American people.

Here are the Petitions:

1. The first one asks the Electoral college electors to make Hillary Clinton President on December 19.

https://www.change.org/p/electoral-college-electors-electoral-college-make-hillary-clinton-president-on-december-19?recruiter=8143109&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_page&utm_term=des-lg-share_petition-custom_msg

Democrats: Write Letter of Support to Democrat Legislators

Following Hillary's loss, I wrote my Democrat legislators letters of support. 

I am pasting below the letter plus the links for the names and email addies of your legislators, if you should wish to do the same:

To Senators of your State –

http://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/

To Representatives of your district –

http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

 (Draft of Letter)

Following the unfortunate loss of Hillary Clinton, I decided to let you know that I am aware of the big fight ahead of you. I am particularly concerned that our Democratic institutions might erode under Trump’s presidency, and I urge you to protect our Democracy carefully and to stand firm against extreme Trump positions or proposals.  I and many others support you and other Democrats. 

 Many thanks for your hard work.

~~~

Tags: politics, US, Democrats, Trump, Clinton

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    This is all for now,

     Cecilia

Democrats: Letter of Support to Democrat Legislators

Following Hillary's loss, I wrote my Democrat legislators letters of support. 

I am pasting below the letter plus the links for the names and email addies of your legislators, if you should wish to do the same:

To Senators of your State –

http://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/

To Representatives of your district –

http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

 (Draft of Letter)

Following the unfortunate loss of Hillary Clinton, I decided to let you know that I am aware of the big fight ahead of you. I am particularly concerned that our Democratic institutions might erode under Trump’s presidency, and I urge you to protect our Democracy carefully and to stand firm against extreme Trump positions or proposals.  I and many others support you and other Democrats. 

 Many thanks for your hard work.

~~~

Tags: politics, US, Democrats, Trump, Clinton

Read also

• Interview of Cecilia Manguerra Brainard by Libay L...
• Travel Italy: Rome the Eternal City
• Philippine Literature: Writer Bienvenido N. Santos...

    This is all for now,

     Cecilia

Pictures: Cecilia Manguerra Brainard and Friends

I was with friends recently and am sharing some pictures. It was a good time to bond with old friends because the loss of Hillary Clinton presidential big in the US has made me and many friends sad and concerned.

Election Day today!

Election Day Today!

I hope Americans do their duty and vote. Every vote counts. We learned this when Al Gore lost the presidency in 2000.

I will vote for my candidate and am praying she will win.  But I encourage all Americans to vote --- be informed, use your head, not emotions, and vote your conscience.

God bless this generous country, America!

Food Writing Forum in Cebu City, Philippines Nov. 19, 2016

I participated in a Power of Pen Food Writing Forum in Manila and it was a life-changing opportunity for many participants. This time, the Power of Pen will be in Cebu City on November 19, 2016, at the University of San Carlos downtown campus.  Please read on and take at look at the above flyer:

FOOD WRITING FORUM, Nov. 19, 2016, at the University of San Carlos in Cebu, Philippines:

Life experiences and travel create a well-rounded food lover.
As food critiquing, and food writing in general has become a
more recognized ‘career’, seminars, workshops, food and
heritage tours are sprouting up geared specifically to food
writing.

STRAM,INCORPORATED, an events company based in Manila
has been creating and organizing the POWER OF PEN – a Food
Writing conference and forum since 2009. Since then, the Power
of Pen which happens every two years has now evolved and
developed regional food writing workshops to cater to the
growing demands of the food writer’s community.

This November 19, the Power of Pen will be touring the Visayas
region with the University of San Carlos as its co-presentor and
official venue for POP Visayas. The one day forum will gather
distinguished personalities from the writing industry composed of
editors, authors, culinary and heritage workers and news writers.

The POWER OF PEN is something which one can seek out if you
do not have an educational background in writing or to simply
boost your writing skills. The topics handled by our specially
chosen speakers will help you think in new ways to make your
writing come alive.

POWER OF PEN VISAYAS will have experienced and seasoned
writers, among them –

• Michaela Fenix (cook book author and writer for Phil Daily Inquirer), Myrna Segismundo ( Doreen Gamboa Food Writing Competition Founder), 
• Anne Marie Ozaeta ( Editor in Chief, FOOD by ABSCBN Publishing), 
• Louella Alix (Author of Hikay : The Culinary Heritage of Cebu for the University of San Carlos Press), and 
• Jobers Bersales,PhD (Publications Manager , the University of San Carlos Press).

THE POWER OF PEN Visayas will have the following topics for the day

• General Over-view of Food Writing, Importance of Research for food stories & ideas,
• Techniques & Tips for Recipe Writing, 
• Writing & Editing for Publications, and Regional Food writing and the Importance of Culinary Heritage.

Registration fee of Php 1,200.00 per person will include the
refreshments and the Certificate of Attendance signed by all the
speakers. Special rate for students currently enrolled is also being
offered at Php 600.00 per student. ( Valid school ID for the
current school year required before anyone can avail of this).
To register, please call STRAM,INCORPORATED, (02)
352.31.87 & (02) 927.72.08, (HP) 0906 385 9213 or you may
also email them at : info@strameventsinc.com.

Cecilia Brainard Talk at the Skyline Hills Library, San Diego, CA

This Saturday afternoon, in San Diego -- I hope I see some of you there! 

Saturday, November 5, 2016, 2 p.m.

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard will be at the Skyline Hills Branch Library, 7900 Paradise Valley Road, San Diego, California.

This is part of the celebration of the new library for Skyline Hills.

Cecilia will do a Reading and Powerpoint Presentation on "The Impact of Filipino History and Culture Upon American Literature."

Contact: Glenn Risolo, Manager, Skyline Hills Branch Library, City of San Diego, CA, 1-619-527-3485

~~~

Tags: literature, literary, program, talk, library, San Diego, Skyline Hills, California, Filipino American, writer, author, novelist, Philippine American

This is all for now,

Cecilia