Commentary on Finding God: True Stories of Spiritual Encounters, by Reme A. Grefalda

Anvil Anthology Highlights Spiritual Narratives

Publisher Anvil Philippines recently released Finding God, an anthology of spiritual encounters by Filipino writers compiled and edited by Cecilia Brainard (When the Rain Goddess Wept) and Marily Y. Orosa (Studio 5 Designs). The 18 selected essays have a common religious base rooted in the Christian faith from authors with diverse backgrounds, among them a former high ranking leader in the Philippine communist party, noted journalists and editors of magazines, recipients of literary awards, college professors, teachers, a research scientist, a biologist and one who describes herself as a "runaway bride." Seven are based in the Philippines; the rest, including Brainard, reside in the U.S.

In their preface to this book project (their third collaboration), the editors praise the courage of contributors in discussing their personal trajectories and private pain which led them to their awareness of God. Novelist, M. Evelina Galang (One Tribe) in faraway Iowa recounts the horror of watching the televised events in New York City on September 11. Susan Evangelista (Carlos Bulosan biographer) experienced an intense oneness with the world during a session in Zen meditation. Children’s literature writer, Tony Robles describes in Agapé, his early years in a Christian School where he was the lone Filipino. In City of Courtesy, Brian Ascalon Roley (American Son, A Novel) recalls in his letter to his son that “the center of [his] childhood religious life” was his lola. His return to his faith, his daily masses and prayers now reflect his grandmother’s rote piety, one which he arrogantly dismissed during his teenage years. But tantamount to his experience is Roley’s appreciation of his Mid-western church community in Cincinnati, so totally different from his Southern California roots.
Other contributors include Mila D. Aguilar, Evelyn Regner Seno, M. G. Bertulfo, Edgar Poma, Aileen Ibardaloza, Paulino Lim Jr., Raquel Villavicencio Balagtas, Marlinda Angbetic Tan, Liza B. Martinez, Felice Prudente Sta. Maria, C. Sophia Ibardaloza, Susan Evangelista, and Remé Grefalda.
Cancer, the all-pervading strike-down of the 21st century, brought lives of authors into focus much more than any one issue. Personal loss of loved ones, confrontation with crossroads and powerful conversion narratives lift this anthology from the level of “religious” reading to the seldom-found affirmation, the necessary community-on-the-page for those who experience periods of isolation with their peers as they follow through with their spiritual awakening. Always, questions percolate in the mind: Was it real? Delusion, maybe? Self induced?
Finding God: True Stories of Spiritual Encounters brings to the forefront the hidden issue shied away from by most Filipino writers. The publication addresses the need for affirmation by readers with similar encounters so laced with their Filipino identity, but who are protectively reticent about sharing experiences in discovering their own spiritual reality.

Finding God is available in the Philippines in National Bookstores and Powerbooks; and online from http://www.anvilpublishing.com and http://www.palhbooks.com. Softcover, $19.95. For further information, contact anvilpublishing@yahoo.com or palh@aol.com.

Blair & Robertson, THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, 19 VOLUMES

http://www.palhbooks.com features: Blair, Emma Helen; & Robertson, James Alexander. THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS 19 Volumes . Cacho, 1970s, Reprint of 1907 Edition, hardcover, very good, 2 volumes are facsimiles but bound in red leatherette with red gilt to match the set. 
For the serious Filipiniana collection, we offer this rare 19-volume set of Blair and Robertson's 1907 publication, the 53-volume "The History of the Philippines." Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander Robertson's complete history of the Philippines (originatlly published by Arthur H. Clark Company) is the most comprehensive and includes rare photos, documents, transcripts and other materials which cannot be found in other research books. In 1970, Cacho reprinted (these are facsimiles) Blair and Robertson's edition, compressing the 53 volumes into 19 volumes. Shortly after Cacho reprinted the books, a fire burned the warehouse, and so there are very few Cacho editions left. This is a very rare set to find intact and in great shape. http://www.palhbooks.com/books3.htm

LIFE IN OLD PARIAN, by Concepcion Briones - history Cebu

Palhbooks.com features:

Briones, Concepcion G. LIFE IN OLD PARIAN. Kaguiakan 2000, softcover, new, 99 pages.

This book is for the history lovers!

From the Colon section of Parian lived the Gantuangcos, whose descendant, Concepcion Gantuangco-Briones, wrote in 1980 an important first-person account of life in the old Parian district. This book is a reprint of this important autobiography by Concepcion Briones of her life in this old Cebu section. This autobiography of Briones documents life in Old Historic Cebu in a personable and special way. It's an often quoted book. The book is hard to find.

THE SUN WAS DARKENED, 1947, Signed, First ed.

Bryant, Alice Franklin. THE SUN WAS DARKENED. Chapman & Grimes, 1947, 1st Edition, hardcover, very good, 262 pp.,
Signed by Author. A personal account of the wife of the American Governor of Negros about their experiences during World War II, with some B&W pictures.