Krip Yuson writes a Recap of the 5th Filipino American Int'l Book Festival

Humanity, Diversity & Resistance in the Arts
By Krip Yuson
The Philippine Star, Oct. 21, 2019

So many books, so little time.

Once again, this disproportion came into sorry focus during my brief participation at the 5th Filipino American International Book Festival held at the San Francisco Main Library from Oct. 11 to 13. Organized biennially by the Philippine American Artists & Writers Inc. (PAWA), this year’s fest had the theme “Isang Mundó: Humanity, Diversity, and Resistance in the Arts” — with over 80 writers from several countries and all over the USA converging for readings, panel discussions and book signings.   

From Manila, invited were novelist-journalist Criselda Yabes, poet Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta, fictionist Angelo “Sarge” Lacuesta, and this writer. I was giddy to meet up too with my godson Lucas Lacuesta at the opening gala reception, as well as old Fil-Am friends: poet Eugene Gloria, poet-novelist R. Zamora “Zack” Linmark, poet Elmer Omar Pizo (a Silliman University National Writers Workshop alumnus now based in Honolulu), journalist-author Benjamin “Boying” Pimentel, photographer-author Rick Rocamora, Ricco Siasoco, journalist-author Walter Ang, and artist Mel Vera Cruz. Also shook hands for the first time with Paloma Press publisher and poet Aileen Cassinetto.

The next few days would feature more meet-ups with old friends and erstwhile unseen correspondents. On Day 2, I joined the first of the “Hot Off the Press” author readings at Koret Auditorium, moderated by novelist Cecilia Brainard. The other readers were Walter Ang, Betty Ann Quirino, E.J. Ramos David, Cindy Fazzi, Grace Talusan, Cassinetto, Pizo, Yabes, and Brainard. San Francisco’s hotshot poet Tony Robles live-streamed this event on FB, where it may still be found.

Read more at https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-culture/2019/10/21/1961796/humanity-diversity-resistance-arts?fbclid=IwAR1oKYIMUwj5r4PsJ-DgcWh0mIMEHbUQ7H_4OyNuhKAgLyEc1zX7ybVaG8Q#RprAc1xWCMuuF5Fb.99


~~~
Many thanks to Krip Yuson for mentioning me and HOTP readers.

tags: Philippines, Filipino, literature, books, writers, authors, #FilAmBookfest #FilAmLitFest 

You can watch the entire first HOTP reading on Facebook streamed by Tony Robles:

https://www.facebook.com/tony.robles.330/videos/10156415101611975/?fref=gs&dti=400193900082870&hc_location=group

Read also:  

Inquirer.net: Int'l Book Festival in SF to Gather Filipino Authors

New Books from the Diaspora by Inquirer.net

12/21 Statement from Cecilia Manguerra Brainard regarding PAWA and Hot Off the Press Literary Readings: Please be informed that I will no longer be working on future Hot Off the Press Literary Readings (HOTP) and other programs with the San Francisco group PAWA (also known as PAWA, Inc.).  This group is also known as Philippine American Writers and Artists, Filipino American International Book Festival, Filbookfestival.org. You can contact me directly for more information.

~~~ 

Thanks to Inquirer.net for this article:

https://usa.inquirer.net/43362/new-books-from-the-diaspora-star-in-5th-fil-am-intl-book-festival?fbclid=IwAR2fJXM2T5-P0NRpSpl6Ai7nd2RnCPT6ytXJULLkSnNWB4vAah9mcFK3Y2g

New Books from the Diaspora Star in 5th FilAm Int'l Book Festival (Inquirer.net, Oct. 17, 2019) 

New books by Filipinos were introduced during the Hot Off the Press literary readings at the Filipino American International Book Festival.

Hosted by the Philippine American Writers and Artists, the festival is held every other year. The theme for this year was “Humanity, Diversity and Resistance in Arts.”

In addition to the literary readings, authors, poets, educators and journalists from all over the world participated in performances and discussion panels. Activities for young readers included storytelling, a puppet show, crafts, and coloring.

Held at the Koret Auditorium of the San Francisco Public Library’s main branch, each reading showcased up to 10 authors where they talked about or read from their books, giving the audience a sample of their work.

The writers traveled from the Philippines, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and various parts of the United States to let people know about the fruits of their labor: writings about food, families, growing up, fantasy worlds, knowledge they had gleaned, anger, pain, but also love.

Walter Ang read from his Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater History. Betty Ann Quirino charmed the audience with the courtship story of her parents that involved rice, a story from her cookbook Instant Filipino Recipes: My Mother’s Traditional Philippine Food in a Multicooker Pot). Also about food, Jacqueline Chio-Lauri shared an excerpt from her The New Filipino Kitchen anthology.

The poets delighted with their verses and passion: Aileen Cassinetto (The Pink House of Purple Yam Preserves and Speak Poetry Anthology, Volume 1), Elmer Omar Bascos (Leaving Shadow Behind Us), Arlene Biala (One Inch Punch), and Melinda Luisa de Jesus (peminology). Absent, but missed, was Leny Strobel (Glimpses: A Poetic Memoir).

Visiting from the Philippines were Rin Chupeco (Shadow Glass), Sarge Lacuesta (Coral Cove and City Stories), Criselda Yabes (Broken Islands and Crying Mountain) and Alfred Yuson (The Music Child & the Mahjong Queen) and.

The fiction writers read excerpts from their stories: Cindy Fazzi (My MacArthur), Ricco Siasoco (The Foley Artist: Stories), Yves Lamson (Bodies of Water), and Cecilia Brainard (Melisande in Paris and When the Rainbow Goddess Wept).

Grace Talusan read from her memoir The Body Papers and E.J. Ramos David read letters he had written to his children from his book We Have Not Stopped Trembling Yet: Letters to My Filipino-Athabascan Family. Rick Rocamora showed his photobook Human Wrongs.

“As host and moderator of HOTP since 2011, I [had] to coordinate the events with the writers,” wrote Cecilia Brainard in a Facebook post after the festival. “And in so doing, have a closer look at their work and their character … To me, most of these writers are warriors, the thinkers of our Filipino and Filipino American communities. They are the ones who preserve our culture and our stories.

“A writer I knew, Emma Gee, gave advice to other writers: Don’t wipe your feet. Leave tracks. I share this same advice to these writers and others out there: Don’t wipe your feet. Leave tracks.”

tags: Philippines, Philippine, Filipino, books, FilAm, literature, writers, authors, poetry, novels

Emmanuel Gonzalez E-book "Crazy Wild Ideas" Released

Now available in E-book is "Crazy Wild Ideas: Out-of-the-Box Solutions for Fixing the Philippines, by Emmanuel "Manny" Gonzalez. The book has a wonderful Foreword by noted journalist Boo Chanco and illustrations by Brandon Chavez.

Manny Gonzalez has been my Guest Blogger, with posts about restaurants and food, Bitcoins, Catalunya, and other topics.

His new book is available from Kindle.  A well-known businessman and native-Cebuano, Manny Gonzalez is also CEO of Plantation Bay Resort Hotel in Mactan.

Read on about his new book.

CRAZY WILD IDEAS: A BOOK THAT WILL IGNITE FIERCE DEBATE ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A FILIPINO

            World traveler and social-political commentator, Emmanuel “Manny” Gonzalez, has completed a pet project – a tongue-in-cheek E-book about the serious subjects of national identity, mission, and morale.  Crazy Wild Ideas: Out-of-the-Box Solutions for Fixing the Philippines is illustrated by Brandon Chavez. Well-known journalist Boo Chanco provides an incisive Foreword.

            Gonzalez wrote the book in a breezy conversational style rather than (what he calls) stuffy “scholarly” language. The humor is tongue-in-cheek. Wry and sometimes outrageous commentary is interwoven with fact, logic, and sentiment. The book is laced with witticisms, irreverent observations, and amusing historical vignettes, even while it carries a highly original message which will appeal to thoughtful people. Gonzalez notes that he had done extensive research for the book although he avoided including footnotes. Chavez’s humorous illustrations nicely complement the text.

            The book’s core message is this: Nationalism consists of Identity, Mission, and Morale. Gonzalez explains that Nations involve Millions of People and many kinds of interaction, so National Symbols must be carefully chosen and Promoted to Help the Average Citizen Identify with the Nation, “Buy in” to a shared Mission, and Feel Pride in Doing So (Morale).

            The book looks at diverse subjects such as the flag, national food dishes, national attire, sports, holidays and vacations, and others. The conclusion of the book is a resounding, patriotic call to national pride.

            Get the book now on Kindle in Amazon, and join the debate: 

https://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Wild-Ideas-Out-Box-ebook/dp/B07VWG1JX8/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Crazy+wild+ideas&qid=1571205553&sr=8-1

~end~

Read also:
My Cousin, the Biz Wis, Profile of Manny Gonzalez 
Bitcoin - The Emperor Has No Clothes
Barcelona by Bar
Catalunya Independence Crisis Explained - Part 1

Tags: books, writers, author, Philippines, Cebu, Manny Gonzalez, Mactan, Plantation Bay

Japan Tour: Hiroshima 2019

In Hiroshima last August, we visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Park, the Hiroshima Castle, Shukkeien Garden, and the Miyajima Island. 

Read also https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/japan-a-thoughtful-travelogue

Recap of Hot Off the Press Readings at the #FilAmBookFest

Dear Readers,

l-r: Cecilia Brainard, Walter Ang. Aileen Cassinetto, Elmer Omar Bascos, Cindy Fazzi, EJR David, Grace Talusan, Krip Yuson, Betty Ann Quirino

The Hot Off the Press Literary Readings at the recent Filipino American International Book Festival were held last Saturday October 12, 2019, at the Koret Auditorium, San Francisco Main Library. Each reading showcased up to 10 authors promoting new books. In less than ten minutes, they talk about or read from their books, giving the audience a sample, so to speak, of their work.

The writers traveled from the UK, the Philippines, Canada, Hawaii, and various parts of the US to let people know about the fruits of their labor: writings about food, about families, about growing up, about fantasy worlds, about knowledge they had gleaned, about anger, pain, but also love.

 l -r: Cecilia Brainard, Walter Ang, Grace Talusan, EJR David, Criselda Yabes, Elmer Omar Bascos, Betty Ann Quirino, Cindy Fazzi, Krip Yuson.

Walter Ang read from his history of Filipino American Theater. Betty Ann Quirino charmed the audience with the courtship story of her parents that involved rice -- this from her cookbook. Also about food, Jacqueline Chio-Lauri, who flew in from the UK, shared an excerpt from her The New Filipino Kitchen anthology.

The poets delighted with their verses and passion: Aileen Cassinetto, Elmer Omar Bascos, Alfred Yuson, Arlene Biala, and Melinda Luisa de Jesus. (Absent, but missed, was Leny Strobel.)

The fiction writers read excerpts from their stories: Cindy Fazzi, Criselda Yabes, Rin Chupeco, Sarge Lacuesta, Ricco Siasoco, Yves Lamson, and yours truly (Cecilia Brainard).

Grace Talusan read from her memoir and E.J. Ramos David read letters he had written to his children. Rick Rocamora had his photobook.

l-r: Cecilia Brainard, Rin Chupeco, Arlene Biala, Melinda Luisa de Jesus, Sarge Lacuesta, Rick Rocamora, Jacqueline Chio-Lauri, Ricco Siasoco, Yves Lamson — with Arlene Biala, Melinda Luisa de Jesús, Sarge Lacuesta, Ricco Siasoco and Yves Lamson.

As host and moderator of HOTP since 2011, I have to coordinate the events with the writers and in so doing have a closer look at their work and their character. (For example, you know who submit information promptly or who don't; you get to know who will respect the program guidelines or who don't.) To me most of these writers are warriors, the thinkers of our Filipino and Filipino American communities. They are the ones who preserve our culture and our stories.

A writer I knew, Emma Gee, gave advise to other writers:  Don't wipe your feet. Leave tracks.

I share this same advice to these writers and others out there:
Don't wipe your feet. Leave tracks. 

For the authors' bios, please check this site: 
https://cbrainard.blogspot.com/2019/08/hot-off-press-literary-readings-in-san.html

Thank you, dear readers,for continuing to follow this travel blog. I also keep a blog in my official website:   https://ceciliabrainard.com

Salamat!

Cecilia Brainard

Read also:  Inquirer.net Int'l Book Festival in SF to Gather Filipino Authors

Read also Krip Yuson's Recap: "Humanity, Diversity & Resistance in the Arts 

You can watch the entire first HOTP reading on Facebook streamed by Tony Robles:

https://www.facebook.com/tony.robles.330/videos/10156415101611975/?fref=gs&dti=400193900082870&hc_location=group

tags: #FilAmBookfest #Filamlitfest #literature #authors #poets #goodreads #librarygirl #pinoylit #Filipino #FilipinoAmerican #Filam #books #writers #authors #poetry #academics

Cecilia Brainard's October Literary Events - HOTP and Book Talk

12/21 Statement from Cecilia Manguerra Brainard regarding PAWA and Hot Off the Press Literary Readings: Please be informed that I will no longer be working on future Hot Off the Press Literary Readings (HOTP) and other programs with the San Francisco group PAWA (also known as PAWA, Inc.).  This group is also known as Philippine American Writers and Artists, Filipino American International Book Festival, Filbookfestival.org. You can contact me directly for more information. 

~~~

Cecilia Brainard will be in two literary events this October.



First, she will moderate Hot Off the Press Literary Readings at the Filipino American International Book Festival at the Koret Auditorium, San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, on Saturday October 12, 2019 at 12:45  pm and at 4 p.m. Cecilia will also read from her work at the 12:45 HOTP event. 

The readers are:
 12:45 - 2 p.m.

Walter Ang, Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino, Cecilia Brainard, Aileen Cassinetto, EJR David, Cindy Fazzi, Elmer Omar Bascos, Grace Talusan, Alfred A. Yuson, Criselda Yabes

4- 5:15 p.m.
Arlene Biala, Jacqueline Chio-Lauri, Rin Chupeco, Melinda Luisa de Jesus, Angelo R. Lacuesta, Yves Lamson, Rick Rocamora,  Ricco Siosoco,  Leny Strobel

Cecilia is also part of Philippine Expressions Bookshop's Book Talk, on Saturday, October 26, 2019, 3-6 p.m., at 479 W. Sixth Street, Suite 105, Historic Arts District, San Pedro, CA 90731, RSVP: 310-514-9139.


Cecilia will talk about her recent publications, the Philippine edition of her war novel, When the Rainbow Goddess Wept, and her novella Melisande in Paris which is part of the book Please, San Antonio! & Melisande in Paris. 

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard draws inspiration from her birth city of Cebu, Philippines.  Her three novels and numerous stories are often set in her mythical Ubec (Cebu backwards).  Her first novel, When the Rainbow Goddess Wept, in print for 28 years has been recently reissued in the Philippines by the University of Santo Tomas Publishing House. 

When the Rainbow Goddess Wept (USTPH 2019) is a coming of age story of a young girl in the Philippines during World War Two.  It is published in the US by the University of Michigan Press and in the Philippines by the UST Publishing House.

Please, San Antonio! & Melisande in Paris (PALH 2018) collects two novellas by Eve La Salle Caram and Cecilia Manguerra Brainard. Cecilia’s story in this collection focuses on the backstory in Paris of French character who appears in her third novel, The Newspaper Widow. 

~~~

Tags: literature, literary, Philippine, FilAm, authors, writers, books, novels, fiction

Cecilia Brainard - Book Talks at Philippine Expressions

Cecilia Brainard, Jules DelGallego, Myles A. Garcia, Paulino Lim, Jr., Alexander Villarasa will read and discuss their books at Philippine Expressions Bookshop on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, from 3 - 6 p.m.

Cecilia will read and talk about the new Philippine edition of her World War Two novel, When the Rainbow Goddess Wept.  

 Please visit Cecilia's official site for information about her and her books:

https://ceciliabrainard.com

Contact info@philippinebookshop.com for more information.


Tags: book, book launch, Philippine, Filipino, literature, books, authors