Lunch with Nadine & Ruth Sarreal

I had a nice "Ladies' Lunch" with writers Nadine and Ruth Sarreal!

Invitation: PINAY GATHERING: Celebration of Women's History Month

YOU ARE INVITED...

PINAY GATHERING

A Celebration of Women's History Month
Honoring Filipino American Women Authors

A chance to break bread together, talk and bond with other Pinay Sisters in the community

Saturday, March 31, 2012 12:00 Noon
Pizza Per Tutti Pizzeria & Tratoria
4143 Lankershim Boulevard corner Acqua Vista
Toluca Lake, CA 91602 Tel 818-760-8200


Join us and celebrate the publication of two new books by our featured authors who will speak and sign their books.

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, author of Out of Cebu: A Collection of Essays and Personal Prose. The book collects 28 essays about the author’s Cebuano ties and her pride of heritage, including colorful accounts about her mother’s family, the Cuencos, a prominent political family in Cebu. The book also includes writings about the author’s life and travels outside of Cebu. She is the author of When the Rainbow Goddess Wept: A Novel; Magdalena: A Novel; Acapulco at Sunset and Other Stories; Philippine Woman in America; Woman with Horns and Other Stories; Cecilia’s Diary, 1962-1968; and Fundamentals of Creative Writing.
She has edited four anthologies: Growing Up Filipino, 1 & 2; Fiction by Filipinos in America; and Contemporary Fiction by Filipinos in America.
With Edmundo Litton, she co-edited Journey of 100 Years: Reflections on the Centennial of the Philippine Independence. With Marily Orosa, she co-edited three anthologies: Behind the Walls: Life of Convent Girls; A La Carte: Food and Fiction; and Finding God: True Stories of Spiritual Encounters.
With four other authors, she co-wrote Angelica’s Daughters, a Dugtungan Novel.

Ofelia V. Dirige and Aurora S. Cudal, co-authors of Global Filipino Cuisine: Healthy Recipes. First published in 2009 with the late Dr Riz A. Oades,
this is a revised and expanded edition of 100 modified choices with nutrient analysis. This is a much-needed book for healthy eating in the community.
Proceeds from sales of this title will cover programs and services of the FilAm Wellness Center/Kalusugan Community Services which is located at
1419 E 8th Street., National City, CA 91950. www.WebKalusugan.org / Info@WebKalusugan.org

Other authors who will attend and will sign their books include Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Forty Years of Writing in America; Carina Monica Montoya
(AKA Carina Forsythe), Los Angeles’s Historic Filipinotown; Filipinos in Hollywood and Let's Cook Adobo!, a juvenile cookbook; Roselyn Estepa Ibanez, co-author, Filipinos in Carson and the South Bay; and Carlene Sobrino Bonnivier, Seeking Thirst: A Novel and Autobiography of a Stranger.

If you will be unable to attend but would like a signed copy of any of the books mentioned here, you can place your order with:
linda@philippineexpressionsbookshop.com or linda_nietes@sbcglobal.net

This is an ongoing program of Philippine Expressions Bookshop to reach out to the FilAm community and to increase the visibility of Filipinos in mainstream
America. $25.00 Lunch, inclusive of drinks, dessert and gratuities. Menu to be emailed upon reservation. Limited seating. The event is also open to male
guests. The venue is owned by Pinay entrepreneur Hilda Mauro. RSVP: linda@philippineexpressionsbookshop.com or call (310) 514-9139.

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Philippine Expressions Bookshop
The Mail Order Bookshop dedicated to
Filipino Americans in search of their roots.

PO Box 4201, Main Post Office
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274, USA Tel (310) 514-9139
www.philippineexpressionsbookshop.com
orders@philippineexpressionsbookshop.com
Join Friends of Philippine Expressions Bookshop in FaceBook
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/linda-nietes/29/558/7ab
Visit the personal page of Linda Nietes in FaceBook
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"Do not go where the path may lead, go
instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo
Emerson.

We have blazed the trail in promoting Philippine books in America.
2012 marks our 28th year of service to the Filipino American
community. Mabuhay.

Planning Meeting Book Launch Cecilia Brainard's OUT OF CEBU: ESSAYS AND PERSONAL PROSE

Picture taken at the Planning Meeting of the Book Launch of my collection of essays, OUT OF CEBU, launch scheduled on Sunday, 2/5/12, 2:30 p.m. Granada Rm, Casino Espanol, Cebu City. No hardcopy invitations required to attend, but RSVP sancarlospublications@yahoo.com


Seated l-r: Terry Manguerra, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, Jaime Picornell
Standing l-r: Louie Nacorda, Gavin Bagares, Jason Baguia, Jobers Bersales

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/
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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

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!

ANGELICA'S DAUGHTERS, A DUGTUNGAN NOVEL - by Brainard, Cuizon, Evangelista, Montes, Sarreal

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

The novel should be available at the Manila book Fair, Sept. 15-19, 2010. The novel is suitable for high school and college students, as well as the general public.

"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)