Philippine American Literary House's Blog

Remembering Mariano F. Manguerra

2010-10-29T13:36:00.000-07:00

Today is the death anniversary of my father. I'm the one standing up.

FALL SALE! BOOKS FOR $3.99 OR $4.99, AT WWW.PALHBOOKS.COM

2010-10-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

FALL SALE! BOOKS FOR $3.99 OR $4.99; AT WWW.PALHBOOKS.COM
These books are on sale at Philippine American Literary House (www.palhbooks.com, go to page 3). US shipping is $4.95, via USPS priority; will combine shipping. Books are marked down to $4.99 or $3.99 - one-of-a kind so order right away. Some books are signed and rare. Email PALH@aol.com

Adamson, Sofia. GODS, ANGELS, PEARLS, & ROSES. American International Publishing Co., 1985, Second Edition, wraps, very good, 248 pp. $4.99; Inscribed and signed by the author. The autobiography of Sofia Adamson takes the reader to Greece, America, and the Philippines during World War II. The Adamson family founded the well-known Adamson University of Manila.

Aguilar, Mila. JOURNEY: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN VERSE. University of the Philippines Press, 1996, First Edition, softcover, 220 pp., $4.99; Recipient of the prestigious Freedom to Write Award, the poet Mila Aguilar, was an activist who lived underground during the Marcos years. Arrested and imprisoned in 1984, she was released in the midst of the February 1986 EDSA Revolution. The book is not only her autobiography, it is also the history of a society in radical transition. It chronicles the most significant turn of events in Philippine society in the last half of the 20th century.

Alburo, Linda; Almerino, Cora; & Tapia, Ester. SINUG-ANG: A CEBUANA TRIO. Women in Literary Arts-Cebu, Inc., 1999, First Edition, softcover, 166 pp. $4.99; Signed Copies. The poetry of three talented Cebuana poets are in this book - Linda Alburo, Cora Almerino, and Ester Tapia. These exceptional poems are bilingual, that is in Cebuano with side-by-side English text. These poems reveal much of the culture of Cebu, which is in Southern Philippines.

Alumit, Noel. TALKING TO THE MOON. Carroll & Graf, 2007, softcover, first edition, softcover, 340 pp. $4.99; Gay-themed novel involving crime fiction and mystical realism by Filipino American author.

Angeles, Carlos. A BRUISE OF ASHES: COLLECTED POEMS 1940-1992. Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1993, First Edition, softcover, 88 pp., $4.99; Carlos Angeles is one of the most respected Filipino poets. The collection includes all the poems this award-winning writer has written.Bonner, Raymond. WALTZING WITH A DICTATOR: THE MARCOSES AND THE MAKING OF AMERICAN POLICY. Times Book, 1987, First Edition, 546, as-new, $4.99This book is a startling report on America's tweny year alliance with the "Conjugal Dictatorship" of the Marcoses. Bonner creates a riveting narrative featuring the men and women who set the course of American policy in the Philippines.

Brainard, Cecilia Manguerra. GROWING UP FILIPINO: STORIES FOR YOUNG ADULTS. PALH, 2003, First Edition, softcover, irregular, has minor markings on cover, everything else fine; 298 p. $4.99; "Emerging and established award-winning writers are the authors of this fine collection of 29 stories about what it means to be young and Filipino in the Philippines and in the United States. This impressive array captures the complexities of both the Filipino culture and history and the realities of the lives of young adults no matter what their ethnic affiliations. Each story is assigned to one of five universal themes: family, angst, friendship, love, and home." - by Glenna Sloan, Bookbird Journal Internationl, Children's Literature, IBBY.

Brainard, Cecilia Manguerra. SONG OF YVONNE. 1991, First Edition, softcover, 186 pp., $4.99; Signed Copies. This novel is the Philippine edition of When the Rainbow Goddess Wept, a story about Filipino survival during World War II.

Chai, Arlene J. EATING FIRE AND DRINKING WATER. Fawcett Columbine, 1996, softcover, newsprint, very good, 350 pp. $4.99; Novel filled with family secrets and the intersection of personal and world histories; a portrait of a family in the Philippines.

Cordero-Fernando, Gilda and Francisco, Mariel. LADIES' LUNCH & OTHER WAYS TO WHOLENESS. GCF Books, 1994, softcover, 227 pp., $4.99; In this collection of personal essays, hatched over many leisurely lunches, the authors look with humor and reflection at the diverse strands of their sweet and rocky lives.

Cuizon, Erma. TIME OF YEAR: COLLECTED ESSAYS. Giraffe, 1999, First Edition, softcover, 148 pp. $4.99; The author is the editor of Sun Star Weekend Magazine, and these essays have been selected from her weekly column in that magazine. Cuizon is a noted writer from Cebu, Southern Philippines. She writes about events that have touched the heart of this gentle writer.

Enriquez, Antonio. THE LIVING AND THE DEAD. Giraffe, 1994, First Edition, softcover, 183 pp., $4.99; Written by Palanca Award winner Antonio Enriquez, this is a well-written novel, rich with details and local color.

Evangelista, Susan. GROWING INTO ASIA AND OTHER ESSAYS. UP Press, First Edition, softcover, 102 pp. $4.99; This is a collection of charming and insightful essays by Susan Evangelista who straddles many worlds. She hails from Michigan but is married to a Filipino. She has traveled to Japan, China, Thailand, Cambodia, and many other places. In this collection, she explores her life as an American in the Philippines, and reflects on the many other facets of her fascinating life. Evangelista taught writing and literature at the Ateneo de Manila.

Gonzalez, Mary Alice P. FILIPINO MIGRANT WOMEN IN NETHERLANDS. Giraffe, 1998, softcover, 136 pp, $4.99; Written by a member of the faculty of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, this book includes a background on Filipina migrant workers in general, and then focuses on the lives of some Filipinas in Netherlands.

Hargrove, Thomas R. THE MYSTERIES OF TAAL: A PHILIPPINE VOLCANO AND LAKE, HER SEA LIFE AND LOST TOWNS. Bookmark, 1991, softcover, very good-fine, 204 p. $4.99; The author of this fascinating book, has worked with the International Rice Research Institute, Los Banos, Laguna. As a scientist, he tells the lore and legens as well as scientific information about Taal.

Hernandez, Ethelrida M. SEARCH THE AUGUSTINIAN JOURNAL OF CULTURAL EXCELLENCE. Colegio San Agustin Publications Office, Dec. 2006, 152 ppg. $4.99; This journal collects 4 articles: Description of Ilocos Norte An Unpublished Manuscript of Fr. Jose Nieto, OSA; St. Augustine's Teaching on the Blessed Virgin Mary; Insights from the Development of the New Rite of Penance; Ecclesiastes (Thoughts about Life and its Meaning). To history buffs, the first article will be a great find.

Kalaw-Tirol, Lorna. COMING TO TERMS. Anvil, 1994, softcover, 206 pp. $4.99; A collection of essays by men about mid-life. The book is inscribed in the front page. The book includes writings by: Gemma Cruz, Imelda Nicolas, Chic Fortich, and others.

Kalaw-Tirol, Lorna. PRIMED FOR LIFE. Anvil, 1997, softcover 201 pp., $4.99; A collection of essays by men about mid-life. The book includes works by Jose Lacaba, Ricardo Malay, Alfred Yuson, and others.

Lee & Henschel. DOUGLAS MacARTHUR. Henry Holt, 1952, hardover, no dj, good condition, 370 pp. $4.99; Biography of the famous general, including black and white pictures.

MacArthur, Douglas. REMINISCENCES. Time, 1964, Hardcover no dj, good, 438 pp. $4.99; Biography by the famous American General Douglas McArthur about his beginnings as a soldier, World War I, World War II, Korean War. (see also Lee & Henshcel's Douglas MacArthur)

PAWWA. DIRECTORY OF PHILIPPINE AMERICAN WOMEN WRITERS AND ARTISTS 1994. PAWWA, 1994, softcover, out-of-print, 28 pp. $3.99; Published in 1994, this directory lists Philippine American women and writers, and the booklet also includes pictures of these women. This is great information for researchers and libraries.

San Juan, E. Jr. SMILE OF THE MEDUSA: SELECTED FICTIONS, Anvil, 1994, First Edition, softcover, 140 pp., $4.99; A collection of 11 stories by this noted Filipino writer. The works gathered here are generally his early writings from the 1950s and 60s.

San Juan, E., Jr. SUBVERSIONS OF DESIRE: PROLEGOMENA TO NICK JOAQUIN. Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1988, softcover, 222 pp., $4.99; Signed Copies. The first book-length study to situate noted Filipino author Nick Joaquin's poetics of literary production in its specific historical context. San Juan, the author of many academic as well as literary books, is a professor at the Washington State University.

Santos, Bienvenido. DISTANCES IN TIME. Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1990, First Edition, softcover, 67 pp., $4.99; A collection of poems by noted writer, Bienvenido Santos, with a fine introduction by Leonard Casper.

Stapleton, Lara. THE LOWEST BLUE FLAME BEFORE NOTHING. Aunt Lute Books, 1998 First Edition, softcover, 197 pp., $4.99; Signed Copies. Lara Stapleton's twelve short stories unerringly map that place in the human heart where exaltation and humiliation, hope and fear, merge. This collection is the first by this talented Filipina American writer.

Ty-Casper, Linda. KULASYON. Giraffe, 1995, softcover, 153 pp., $4.99; Linda Ty-Casper writes novels set in periods critical to Kulasyon is a collection of the first chapters of her novels: The Peninsulares, The Three-Cornered Sun, The Stranded Whale, Ten Thousand Seeds, Fortress in the Plaza, Hazards of Distance, Dread Empire, Awaiting Trespass, Wings of Stone, A Small Party in a Garden, and Dream Eden. This book has an excellent introduction by noted literary critic, Leonard Casper.

University of California, Berkeley, CRITICAL MASS: A JOURNAL OF ASIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CRITICISM, Vol. 2, No. 2, Spring 1995, softcover, very good, 210 pages. $4.99; This is a special issu on U.S. Filipino Literature and Culture, with articles by Kenneth Mostern, Nerissa Balce-Cortes, Theo Gonzalves, Oscar V. Campomanes, etc.

Velarde, Emmie G. APARADOR NI LOLA: PAST LIVES, PRECIOUS OBJECTS. Anvil, 2003, softcover, 132 pages. $4.99; Collection of nostalgic essays of heirloom treasures that belonged to ancestors.

Wolpert, Ira. AMERICAN GUERRILLA IN THE PHILIPPINES. Simon & Shuster, 1945, hardcover, good, green hardcover, 304 pp., $4.99; An account about David Richardson's guerrilla activities in Leyte and Southern Philippines.

LISTED IN AMAZON.COM GROWING UP FILIPINO II: More Stories for Young Adults

2009-11-30T14:16:00.000-08:00

Amazon.com is now listing the hardcover edition of GROWING UP FILIPINO II: MORE STORIES FOR YOUNG ADULTS. Click on the link below.

http://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Filipino-II-Stories/dp/0971945829/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259619206&sr=1-2

DISTRIBUTED BY: Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, among others
PUBLISHED BY:
PALH
P. O. Box 5099
S.M., CA 90409
Tel/fax: 310-452-1195; email:palh@aol.com; palhbooks@gmail.com;http://www.palhbooks.com

BOOK DESCRIPTION: Growing Up Filipino II: More Stories for Young Adults is the second volume of the Growing Up Filipino series by PALH. In this collection of 27 short stories, Filipino and Filipino American writers explore the universal challenges and experiences of Filipino teens after the historic events of 9/11. The modern demands do not hinder Filipino youth from dealing with the universal concerns of growing up: family, friends, love, home, budding sexuality, leaving home. The delightful stories are written by well known as well as emerging writers. While the target audience of this fine anthology is young adults, the stories can be enjoyed by adult readers as well. There is a scarcity of Filipino American literature and this book is a welcome addition.
CONTRIBUTORS: Dean Francis Alfar, Katrina Ramos Atienza, Maria Victoria Beltran, M.G. Bertulfo, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, Amalia B. Bueno, Max Gutierrez, Leslieann Hobayan, Jaime An Lim, Paulino Lim Jr., Rebecca Mabanglo-Mayor, Dolores de Manuel, Rashaan Alexis Meneses, Veronica Montes, Charlson Ong, Marily Ysip Orosa, Kannika Claudine D. Peña, Oscar Peñaranda, Edgar Poma, Tony Robles, Brian Ascalon Roley, Jonathan Jimena Siason, Aileen Suzara, Geronimo G. Tagatac, Marianne Villanueva

BIO OF EDITOR: Cecilia Manguerra Brainard is the award-winning author and editor of over a dozen books, including the internationally-acclaimed novel, When the Rainbow Goddess Wept, Magdalena and Acapulco at Sunset and Other Stories. She edited Growing Up Filipino: Stories for Young Adults, Fiction by Filipinos in America, and Contemporary Fiction by Filipinos in America, and co-edited four other books. Cecilia also wrote Fundamentals of Creative Writing (2009) for classroom use. She teaches at UCLA-Extension’s Writers Program.

Rare 1854 book- PAUL DE LA GIRONIER'S TWENTY YEARS IN THE PHILIPPINES

2009-10-25T07:51:00.000-07:00

PALHBOOKS.COM PROUDLY FEATURES:
Gironier, Paul de la. TWENTY YEARS IN THE PHILIPPINES. Harper & Brothers, Publishers, unmarked but around 1854, hardcover, very good, 380 pages,
This rare book is the original English edition. This is the narrative of a French medic-al surgeon, Paul de la Gironier's wonderful account about his estate Jala-Jala, his travels and impressions of the Philippines during the 1850s. This is an English translation of the original French. This rare book is an often quoted source because of Gironier's exceptionally well-done descriptions of Philippine life in the 1850s, beauty of the women and their fascinating costume, his marriage to a young Filipina.. The book has a wonderful full color period piece of a Filipina by Damian Domingo plus many other rare black and white period illustrations/pictures inside the book. (Special Collection) http://www.palhbooks.com/books3.htm

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

2009-09-22T05:58:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-17T21:17:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-10T18:07:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-09-02T21:13:00.000-07:00

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.

PALHBOOKS.COM HAS BOOKS BY JOSE RIZAL

2009-07-22T17:16:00.000-07:00

Rizal, Jose. CARTAS ENTRE RIZAL Y LOS MIEMBROS DE LA FAMILIA: 1887-1896. Comision Nacional de Centenario de Jose Rizal, 1961, hardcover, very good, 265 pp.
This book is the second volume of Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal's letters in the original Spanish language to members of his family from 1887-1896.

Rizal, Jose. (Translated by Leon Ma. Guerrero) NOLI ME TANGERE. Longman, 1978, Second printing, softcover, very good, 407,
This first novel by Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal fueled Philippine Revolution against Spain.

Rizal, Jose. NOLI ME TANGERE; and EL FILIBUSTERISMO. A two-volume set, published by the National Historical Institute, 1991, Fourth Printing, hardcover, as new, the set for
This two-volume set is a facsimile of the original hand-written novels by Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal. The books are large and measure approximately 15 1/2 X 9 1/2 inches. Noli Me Tangere was first published in 1886; El Filibusterismo was published in 1891.

USED RARE BOOKS ABOUT PHILIPPINE AMERICAN WAR

2009-07-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

PALHBOOKS.COM has several rare books about the Philippine American War, the American Occupation of the Philippines at the turn of the century, and continued American imperialism until WWII, and more:

Brown, Arthur. THE NEW ERA IN THE PHILIPPINES. Fleming Revell, 1903, hardcover, very good condition, 316 pp.
An often quoted source, the book gives a comprehensive look at the Philippines at the turn of the century. Chapters include: Magellan and the Philippine Archipelago; How the United States Took the Philippines; The Peoples of the Philippines; The Chinese in the Philippines; The American Population; The Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines, etc.

Everett, Marshall. COMPLETE LIFE OF WILLIAM MCKINLEY AND STORY OF HIS ASSASSINATION. Marshall Everett, 1901, hardcover, with mylar protective cover, good+, 444 pp.
Biography of McKinley who greatly influenced the relationship of America and the Philippines. The book mentions the Spanish-American (Philippine American) war. It has numerous black and white period pictures.

Hahn, Emily. THE ISLANDS. Coward, McCann & Geoghegan, 1981, hardcover, fine, fine dj, 257 pp.,
An account of America's "imperial adventures in the Philippines."

Halstead, Murat. ILLUSTRIOUS LIFE OF WILLIAM MCKINLEY, 1901, hardcover, good+, 472 pp.
To understand American involvement in the Philippines, one needs to know about President William McKinley. This biography is a comprehensive one and has numerous references to American policies in the Philippines at the turn of the century. The book includes numerous black and white period pictures.

Hancock, H. Irving. UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES: OR FOLLOWING THE FLAG AGAINST THE MOROS. Henry Altemus Company, 1912, hardcover, very good, front part of dj encased in mylar protective cover, 256 pp.
A young adult novel, part of the Boys of the Army Series, this one is set in the Philippines.

Mac Clintock, Samuel, Ph.B. THE PHILIPPINES A GEOGRAPHICAL READERS. American Book Company 1905, hardbound, good, 120 pp.
An American published textbook used in the Philippines when the Philippines was a U.S. colony, this small book maps, black and white photos, and articles about the different regions of the Philippines. Chapters include: Up the Pasig; Laguna de Bay; Along the Railroad to Dagupan; The Negritos or Aetas; The Cultivation of Rice; Among the Visayans, etc.

March, Alden. THE HISTORY AND CONQUEST OF THE PHILIPPINES AND OUR OTHER ISLAND POSSESSIONS. Standard Publishing Co., 1899, hardcover, very good, 500 pp.
A highly collectible book, this is an early American documentation of the Philippine American War. The book has numerous rare, period B&W photos and illustrations, and there is a colored map in the frontispiece.

Mayo, Katherine. THE ISLES OF FEAR. Harcourt Brace & Co., 1927, hardcover, very good, navy cover with gilt, 372 pp.,
A book about the Philippines, from an American point of view, with map and B&W photos.

Millet, Frank D. THE EXPEDITION TO THE PHILIPPINES. Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1899, hardcover, very good, 276 pp.
A rare book, this is an often-quoted source in Philippine studies. The author, a special correspondent of Harper's Weekly and of the London Times, records his journey, reflections, and analyses of the Philippines, during the Philippine American war. It is a fascinating read by an astute writer. The book includes numerous rare black and white period photos. Chapters include: Departure of General Merritt on the Newport; Landing of General Merritt; Settled in Camp Dewey; The Quartermaster's Department; The Insurgents juggled out of their positions; Manila on the morning after the surrender, etc.

Neely, F. Tennyson. FIGHTING IN THE PHILIPPINES. F. Tennyson Neely, 1899, First Edition, hardcover, very good, 150 pp.
Approximately 150 B&W historic period photos taking in the Philippines by noted photojournalist Neely during the Philippine American War. A rare book.

Nichols, James T. BIRDSEYE VIEWS OF FAR LANDS. James T. Nichols, 1922, hardcover, very good+, 202 pp.
Described as a "human interest" book, this book gives information on China, the Philippines, Korea, Manchuria, Siberia, Russia, Holland, Belfium, France, Servia, Palestine, Jerusalem, Jordan, Egypt, Venezeula, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Panama Canal, and the Seven Wonders of the World.

Ralphson, G. Harvey. BOY SCOUTS IN THE PHILIPPINES: OR THE KEY TO THE TREATY BOX. Donohue & Co., 1911, hardcover, very good, very good dj, 256 pp.
One of the Boy Scout Series, this book centers on the boy scouts in the Philippines. This is young adult novel written back in 1911.

Randall, James. GUIDEBOOK TO THE PORTS OF ASIA WITH NOTES ON SHIPPING. Philippine Education Co., Inc., 1926, wraps, very good, 225 pp.,
Small-sized guidebook by a Commander of the Medical Corps, United States Navy, with interesting accounts of Baguio, Cebu, Iloilo, Manila, and Zamboanga; with B&W photos.

Roddy, H. Justin; & Gibbs, David. PHILIPPINE SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY. American Book Company, 1904, hardcover, very good, 136 pp.
This is a rare 1904 Geography book used in the Philippines during the American Occupation. It has numerous black and white, and colored maps, pictures and illustrations. The book gives a fascinating look at the Philippines of the time, as well as the American-way of thinking of the era. The Americans occupied the Philippines following the Spanish American War, and educational books such as this one were published in America for use in America's new possession. The hardcover has some age-marks.

Roosevelt, Nicholas. THE PHILIPPINES: A TREASURE AND A PROBLEM. J. J. Sears & Co., First Edition, 1926, hardcover, very good, former owner's name inscribed inside, 315 pp.,
The author, a trained newspaper observer, sees the human aspect as well as the political issues of the Philippines during the time of Major General Leonard Wood. This is an excellent early analysis of the Philippines as a U.S. possession.

Smith, Robert Aura. OUR FUTURE IN ASIA. The Viking Press, 1940, hardcover, very good dj & book. 306 pp.
The author, an active and influential newspaperman, writes an excellent analyses of Asia and America's relationship to the various Asian countries, including Japan, China, the Philippines, Indo-China, etc. It's a fascinating book written before World War II broke out.

Stevens, Joseph Earle. YESTERDAYS IN THE PHILIPPINES. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1898, hardcover, very good, 232 pp.
This rare book is an early account by Stevens about America's new possession, the Philippines. An often-quted source, this is must-have for serious Filipiniana collectors.

Stewart, Kilton. PYGMIES AND DREAM GIANTS. W. W. Norton, 1954, First Edition, hardcover, very good, good dj, 295 pp.,
Dr. Stewart's fascinating account of his life among the Negritos of Zambales.

Stickney, Joseph L. ADMIRAL DEWEY AT MANILA: AND THE COMPLETE STORY OF THE PHILIPPINES. Elliott Publishing Co., 1899, Edition sold only to subscribers, good-very good, 450 pp.
This is Stickney's version of the Philippine American War. This highly collectible book includes numerous B&W photos and illustrations.

Telfer, Lt. George F. MANILA ENVELOPES. Oregon Historical Society Press, 1987, softcover, as new, 186 pp.,
For the Filipiniana collector, this is a collection of Telfer's letters during the Philippine American War at the turn of the century. The book includes valuable B&W photos of the Philippines and the war.

Thomes, W. H. LIFE IN THE EAST INDIES. Lee and Shephard, 1873, hardcover, very good, green with gold gilt, 354 pp.,
This work of fiction includes an accurate description of Manila and its people in the 1870s. This rare book is filled with detailed descriptions of the places, the peoples and the customs. A valuable addition to Filipiniana collections, as noted in Cordero's "Household Antiques and Heirlooms."

White, Trumbull. OUR NEW POSSESSIONS: FOUR BOOKS IN ONE VOLUME. International Publishing Co., 1898, First Edition, hardcover, very good but there are small worm holes on spine, 676 pp. $75
This is the highly collectible book by White that is an often quoted source in Philippine studies. The first 270 pages are devoted to the Philippines; the other parts deal with America's other colonies at the turn of the century. The book has wonderful period photos.

Wolpert, Ira. AMERICAN GUERRILLA IN THE PHILIPPINES. Simon & Shuster, 1945, hardcover, good, green hardcover, 304 pp.,
An account about David Richardson's guerrilla activities in Leyte and Southern Philippines.

Worcester, Dean C. THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND THEIR PEOPLE. The MacMillan Co., 1898, hardcover, very good, 529 pp.,
The history of the Philippines according to renowned Worcester; with B&W photos.

Y'Blood, William T. RED SUN SETTING: THE BATTLE OF THE PHILIPPINE SEA. Naval Institute Press, 1981, hardcover, very good/very good, 272 pp.
The author has written a definitive account of what many regard as the most controversial conflict of the war in the Pacific, the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

http://www.palhbooks.com/books3.htm

Breaking Through: the Struggle Within the Communist Party of the Philippines

2009-07-17T17:19:00.000-07:00

Rocamora, Joel. BREAKING THROUGH: THE STRUGGLE WITHIN THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES. Anvil, 1994, softcover, 225 pp.,
A history of the national democratic movement and its members written to "honor its martyrs and keep faith with those, on all sides of the ideological divide, who continue to put their lives on the line." Critically examines the past so that the best can be carried into the future. http://www.palhbooks.com/books3.htm

A La Carte Food & Fiction

2009-07-16T19:22:00.000-07:00

A La Carte Food & Fiction, edited and collected by Cecilia Brainard & Marily Orosa:

A La Carte is the winner of the prestigious Gourmand Award
2008 as the Best Food Literature Book from the
Philippines, and received third place in the International Gourmand Award help in London

"A menu of stories to suit your every craving! That’s A la Carte: Food & Fiction. This book fills a hunger in Philippine literature for fantasy, hyper-reality, romance, mystery … but with a good measure of culinary flavoring mixed in."

Felice Prudente Sta. Maria, culinary heritage advocate and writer

"Here is a book guaranteed to satisfy even the most discriminating taste, but also to make readers hungry for more stories, characters, insights, and recipes. Fact, fiction, fantasy, and food mix in a feast for the mind, the heart, the palate, and the soul. There are many well-known writers in the anthology, but it is not so much who writes as what is written that makes this book a must-read, just as it is not so much the chef or the cook that makes a recipe to die for, but the dish itself. Enjoy the 25-course banquet."

Isagani R. Cruz, The Philippine Star

"Books on food are quite popular these days and we are glad that recent
publications have gone beyond mere recipes to evoke what Proust called a
‘remembrance of things past.’ "

Ambeth R. Ocampo
Chairman, National Commission for Culture and the Arts
Chairman, National Historical Institute

SALE OF PHILIPPINE BOOKS

2009-07-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

Many of our Philippine books have been discounted. Check them out, at http://www.palhbooks.com/books3.htm

State of the Philippines in 1810 - rare book

2009-07-13T14:03:00.000-07:00

Comyn, Tomas de. STATE OF THE PHILIPPINES IN 1810 and PHILIPPINE PROGRESS PRIOR TO 1898. Filipiniana Book Guild, 1969, hardcover, rare limited edition (1,000 copies only), 248 pp.
This book collects two writings that look at the Philippines in the 1800s. The first account is by Tomas de Comyn, STATE OF THE PHILIPPINES IN 1810, translated from the Spanish with notes by William Walton. This account was first printed in Madrid in 1820. Among the early Spanish commentators of the Philippines scene, Tomas de Comyn stands out for his frank and penetrating appraisal of the commerce and administration of the Islands. For 8 years during the first decade of the 19th century, Comyn was the general manager of the Compania Real de Filipinas, and as such, Comyn was in a good position to evaluate the economy of the archipelago as the galleon trade between Mexico and the Philippines went on. The second account is by Conrado Benitez - PHILIPPINE PROGRESS PRIOR TO 1898 - in which Benitez comments further on the conditions of the Philippines during that period.

SALE OF USED RARE PHILIPPINE BOOKS - PALHBOOKS.COM

2009-07-10T07:38:00.000-07:00

Palhbooks.com is having a big sale and many used/rare Philippine books are listed at $4.99. They are one of kind books, so don't wait:

Adamson, Sofia. GODS, ANGELS, PEARLS, & ROSES. American International Publishing Co., 1985, Second Edition, wraps, very good, 248 pp.
Inscribed and signed by the author. The autobiography of Sofia Adamson takes the reader to Greece, America, and the Philippines during World War II. The Adamson family founded the well-known Adamson University of Manila.

Aguilar, Mila. JOURNEY: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN VERSE. University of the Philippines Press, 1996, First Edition, softcover, 220 pp.,
Recipient of the prestigious Freedom to Write Award, the poet Mila Aguilar, was an activist who lived underground during the Marcos years. Arrested and imprisoned in 1984, she was released in the midst of the February 1986 EDSA Revolution. The book is not only her autobiography, it is also the history of a society in radical transition. It chronicles the most significant turn of events in Philippine society in the last half of the 20th century.

Alburo, Linda; Almerino, Cora; & Tapia, Ester. SINUG-ANG: A CEBUANA TRIO. Women in Literary Arts-Cebu, Inc., 1999, First Edition, softcover, 166 pp.
Signed Copies. The poetry of three talented Cebuana poets are in this book - Linda Alburo, Cora Almerino, and Ester Tapia. These exceptional poems are bilingual, that is in Cebuano with side-by-side English text. These poems reveal much of the culture of Cebu, which is in Southern Philippines.

Alumit, Noel. TALKING TO THE MOON. Carroll & Graf, 2007, softcover, first edition, softcover, 340 pp.
Gay-themed novel involving crime fiction and mystical realism by Filipino American author

Angeles, Carlos. A BRUISE OF ASHES: COLLECTED POEMS 1940-1992. Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1993, First Edition, softcover, 88 pp.,
Carlos Angeles is one of the most respected Filipino poets. The collection includes all the poems this award-winning writer has written.

Bonner, Raymond. WALTZING WITH A DICTATOR: THE MARCOSES AND THE MAKING OF AMERICAN POLICY. Times Book, 1987, First Edition, 546, as-new,
This book is a startling report on America's tweny year alliance with the "Conjugal Dictatorship" of the Marcoses. Bonner creates a riveting narrative featuring the men and women who set the course of American policy in the Philippines.

Cordero-Fernando, Gilda and Francisco, Mariel. LADIES' LUNCH & OTHER WAYS TO WHOLENESS. GCF Books, 1994, softcover, 227 pp.,
In this collection of personal essays, hatched over many leisurely lunches, the authors look with humor and reflection at the diverse strands of their sweet and rocky lives.

Cuizon, Erma. TIME OF YEAR: COLLECTED ESSAYS. Giraffe, 1999, First Edition, softcover, 148 pp.
The author is the editor of Sun Star Weekend Magazine, and these essays have been selected from her weekly column in that magazine. Cuizon is a noted writer from Cebu, Southern Philippines. She writes about events that have touched the heart of this gentle writer.

Enriquez, Antonio. THE LIVING AND THE DEAD. Giraffe, 1994, First Edition, softcover, 183 pp.,
Written by Palanca Award winner Antonio Enriquez, this is a well-written novel, rich with details and local color.

Gonzalez, Mary Alice P. FILIPINO MIGRANT WOMEN IN NETHERLANDS. Giraffe, 1998, softcover, 136 pp,
Written by a member of the faculty of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, this book includes a background on Filipina migrant workers in general, and then focuses on the lives of some Filipinas in Netherlands.

Hargrove, Thomas R. THE MYSTERIES OF TAAL: A PHILIPPINE VOLCANO AND LAKE, HER SEA LIFE AND LOST TOWNS. Bookmark, 1991, softcover, very good-fine, 204 p.
The author of this fascinating book, has worked with the International Rice Research Institute, Los Banos, Laguna. As a scientist, he tells the lore and legens as well as scientific information about Taal.

Kalaw-Tirol, Lorna. COMING TO TERMS. Anvil, 1994, softcover, 206 pp.
A collection of essays by men about mid-life. The book is inscribed in the front page. The book includes writings by: Gemma Cruz, Imelda Nicolas, Chic Fortich, and others.

Kalaw-Tirol, Lorna. PRIMED FOR LIFE. Anvil, 1997, softcover 201 pp.,
A collection of essays by men about mid-life. The book includes works by Jose Lacaba, Ricardo Malay, Alfred Yuson, and others.

Lee & Henschel. DOUGLAS MacARTHUR. Henry Holt, 1952, hardover, no dj, good condition, 370 pp.
Biography of the famous general, including black and white pictures.

AND MORE....

FILIPINO AMERICAN LITERATURE - 2 ANTHOLOGIES

2009-07-08T10:47:00.000-07:00

Francia, Luis H,. Brown River, White Ocean. Rutgers University Press, 1993, large softcover, new, 279 pp.
These 31 short stories and 108 poems represent 82 authors, most of whom--with the possible exceptions of Jessica Hagedorn, Carlos Bulosan, and Jose Garcia Villa--will be unknown to American readers. The works frequently deal with universal issues of love, family, injustice, and interracial relations but explore them using Philippine customs and places, as well as words in Tagalog, Ilocano, and Spanish. Fine stories by D. Paulo Dizon ("The Beautiful Horse"), F. Sionil Jose ("Tong"), and Leoncio Deriada ("Pigpen"), and poems by Nick Joaquin, Carlos A. Angeles, and others make this anthology an excellent introduction. Recommended for general audiences.
Syquia, Louis, LIWANAG: Literary and Graphic Expressions by Filipino Americans. Liwanag Publications, 1975, First Edition, Signed & Inscribed by Editor, new, 222 pages.
A ground-breaking collection of poems, short stories, essays, photographs, and pictures by Filipino Americans. The book is highly collectible

FACSIMILE OF RIZAL'S NOLI ME TANGERE & FILIBUSETERISMO

2009-07-06T15:32:00.000-07:00

Rizal, Jose. NOLI ME TANGERE; and EL FILIBUSTERISMO. A two-volume set, published by the National Historical Institute, 1991, Fourth Printing, hardcover, as new, the set for $250
This two-volume set is a facsimile of the original hand-written novels by Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal. The books are large and measure approximately 15 1/2 X 9 1/2 inches. Noli Me Tangere was first published in 1886; El Filibusterismo was published in 1891. http://www.palhbooks.com/books3.htm

JOSE HONORATO LOZANO: FILIPINAS 1847, art coffe table book

2009-07-03T09:50:00.000-07:00

Carino, Jose Maria A. JOSE HONORATO LOZANO: FILIPINAS 1847. Ars Mundi, Philippinae, 2002, hardcover, with dust jacket, new, with 286 pages, measures 11 1/2 by 12 inches. This is a very rare copy of a book on the famous 19th century artist Lozano. This is the first full monograph on painter and 19th century visual chronicler Jose Honorato Lozano, known as the major proponent of the unique art form called letras y figuras. In six parts, this book gathers most of his known and newly discovered artwords and attempts to piece together the very scarce information about his personal life. The book is bilingual with side-by-side text in English and Spanish. The book is new and in fine condition. http://www.palhbooks.com/books1.htm

Blair & Robertson, THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, 19 VOLUMES

2009-07-02T08:04:00.000-07:00

FROM THE COLLECTION OF PALHBOOKS.COM:

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 has a 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

GROWING UP FILIPINO II - CONTRIBUTORS

2009-02-03T17:25:00.000-08:00

A couple more people wanted their names added to the Sponsors List for GUF II:

Special thanks to the following Sponsors whose donations have made possible the publication of Growing Up Filipino: More Stories for Young Adults:

John and Elizabeth Allen
Christopher Brainard Law Offices – www.christopherbrainard.com
Emmanuel Gonzalez
Barbara Lim
In memory of Arcadio, Maria, Sylvestre, and Celerina
Carol Ojeda-Kimbrough
Marily Y. Orosa
Remy’s on Temple Art & Garden – www.remysontemple.com
Tony Robles – www.tony-robles.com
Milagros Santillan
Studio 5
Carolyn Williams, Director, Writers House, Rutgers University - http://wh.rutgers.edu/

Update Fund Raiser for Growing Up Filipino II - more

2009-01-06T07:26:00.000-08:00

Cecilia Brainard writes: I feel gratified that more people have contacted me, wanting to support the publication of Growing Up Filipino II:

John and Elizabeth Allen, Carol Ojeda-Kimbrough, and Carolyn Williams contacted me last week. Here's the message from Carolyn Williams, Director of the Writers House in Rutgers University:

"I'm eager to help the publication of Growing Up Filipino II, but I've only just put my check in the mail. I hope it's not too late to include me!
Carolyn Williams
Director, Writers House
Rutgers University"

Special thanks to the following Sponsors whose support makes possible the publication of Growing Up Filipino II: More Stories for Young Adults:

John and Elizabeth Allen
Christopher Brainard Law Offices – www.christopherbrainard.com
Emmanuel Gonzalez
Barbara Lim
In memory of Arcadio, Maria, Sylvestre, and Celerina
Carol Ojeda-Kimbrough
Marily Y. Orosa
Remy’s on Temple Art & Garden – www.remysontemple.com
Tony Robles – www.tony-robles.com
Milagros Santillan
Studio 5
Carolyn Williams, Director, Writers House, Rutgers University - http://wh.rutgers.edu/

Fund Raiser for Growing Up Filipino II

2008-12-31T08:05:00.000-08:00

Hi, there, I'm raising funds to help defray the cost of publishing the book, Growing Up Filipino II; donors will be acknowledged in the book. The first Growing Up Filipino volume was quite successful and ended up in numerous
American libraries, and was also used by educators; there is also a Philippine
edition of the first volume. There will be a Philippine edition of the second volume as well.

Thus far, the following have pledged $100 each:

Christopher Brainard Law Offices – www.christopherbrainard.com
Emmanuel Gonzalez
Barbara Lim
In memory of Arcadio, Maria, Sylvestre and Celerina
Marily Y. Orosa - www.marilyo.multiply.com
Carol Ojeda-Kimbrough
Remy’s on Temple Art Gallery – www.remysontemple.com
Tony Robles - www.tony-robles.com
Studio 5

Thanks for considering and happy New Year,
Cecilia Brainard
~~~~~
In 2003, PALH or Philippine American Literary House published Growing Up
Filipino: Stories for Young Adults, a book that received favorable mainstream
reviews in the United States and is used by many educators.About Growing Up
Filipino, Booklist states:

"In this fine short-story collection, 29 Filipino American writers explore the
universal challenges of adolescence from the unique perspectives of teens in the
Philippines or the U.S…The stories are delightful!"

It was the success of the earlier volume, Growing Up Filipino, that prompted me
to collect for publication Growing Up Filipino II: More Stories for Young
Adults. Of this collection, Professor Rocio G. Davis of the University of
Navarre says, "Cecilia Manguerra Brainard's second volume of Growing Up Filipino
expands and deepens the paradigms presented in the frist book…This new
collection retakes the first volume's constutive strategy and many of the themes
but, importantly, extends some of the concerns…"

The 28 contributors to this forthcoming second volume are: Amalia B. Bueno,
Leslieann Hobayan, Rashaan Alexis Meneses, Paulino Lim,Jr., Dean Francis Alfar,
Marianne Villanueva, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, Jonathan Jimena Siason,
Charlson Ong, Brian Ascalan Roley, Veronica Montes, Edgar Poma, Tony Robles,
Oscar Peñaranda, Max Guttierez, Geronimo G. Tagatac, Kannika Claudine D. Peña,
Dean Francis Alfar, Aileen Suzara, Jaime L. An Lim, Elsa Orejudos Valmidiano,
Erwin Cabucos, Dolores De Manuel, Maria Victoria Beltran, M.G. Bertulfo, Rebecca
Mabanglo-Mayor, Katrina Ramos Atienza, and Marily Y. Orosa.

Unfortunately, the economic situation right now is particularly bad in publishing. I have therefore decided to seek
financial assistance from sponsors whose names will be acknowledged in Growing
Up Filipino II: More Stories for Young Adults, which is expected to be released
in 2009.

Donations of $100 or more will help defray the publishing cost of this
anthology. Donors will be listed in a Sponsors List in the book.

For clarification, I mention that PALH is not a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization,
and unfortunately these donations are not tax-deductible. However, I assure
you, that every penny will be used in the publishing of this book.
As many of you know there is a scarcity of Filipino and Filipino American
books. I hope you can help publish this worthwhile book. You may send your
$100 or more, made out to PALH, to:

PALH
PO Box 5099
Santa Monica, CA 90409.
Since we are currently in production, I need the names for the Sponsors List by
January 6, and you may email me at palh@aol.com to give me the name/names. These
may be personal names or business names, even websites, which will be printed for
posterity in the book.

Thanking you,
Cecilia Manguerra Brainard
Publisher and Editor of PALH (Philippine Am erican Literary House)
http://www.palhbooks.com
PALH
PO Box 5099
SM, CA 90409
Tel/fax: 310-452-1195
Email: Palh@aol.com

FILIPINO BOOKS WIN GOURMAND AWARDS IN LONDON

2008-05-02T07:29:00.000-07:00

Filipino books win in London !

For the first time cookbooks from the Philippines win major awards at the Gourmand Awards. In London on April 13, three Filipino books were honoured.

The Governor General Kitchen - Anvil

The book already received the 2006 National Book Award. Now it is one of the two Best Culinary History books in the world for the Gourmand Awards for books 2006-200
The Governor – General Kitchen
Philipines Culinary Vignettes and Period Recipes 1521-1935. In English
Felice Prudente Sta.Maria
Design: Guillermo Ramos, Ige Ramos Design Studio
ISBN: 971 2716961
www.anvil.com.ph
(Anvil)

It won second place with 24 countries competing in this category.

Foodlore and Flavours – Artpostasia

In the category Asian Cuisine Cookbook, the Artpostasia cookbook took third place, with 17 finalists in this category from 17 countries.

Foodlore and Flavors – Inside the South East Asian Kitchen
Tan Su – Lyn
Photos: Neal Oshima
ISBN: 978 971 9317050
(Artpostasia-Philippines)

There are 80 recipes from 10 Southeast Asian nations, by the most respected food writers and experts.

A La Carte – Anvil

There are excellent writers in the Philippines. The book A La Carte took third place, with 22 countries competing in the category Food Literature.

A La Carte: Food and Fiction
Edited by Cecilia Manguera Brainard and Marily Orosa
25 Authors
Illustrations: Ice de Leon
ISBN: 978 9712718779
www.anvilpublishing.com
www.pahlbooks.com
(Anvil)

The collection of 25 stories and recipes reveal Filipino culture in a unique way

The Gourmand Yearbook 2008

Books were received from 107 countries for the Awards. All finalists are now exhibited at the London Book Fair April 14-16 on Stand U800 the Gourmand/LBF Cookbook Corner. They will later be at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October.

All finalists are also listed in the Gourmand Yearbook 2008, with a photo of their front cover and contact details. There are also the international cookbook market sources, with publishers, authors, media, printers, bookstores and much more.

For information:
Edouard Cointreau, President
Gourmand Awards
icr@virtualsw.es
www.cookbookfair.com.
Tel: +34 91541 67 68

BOOKS BY E. SAN JUAN

2008-04-08T18:48:00.000-07:00

Newly released books by E. San Juan, Jr:

Racism and Cultural Studies, by E. San Juan Jr., Duke University Press, paperback, 440 pages, ISBN 0-8223-2866-6 - "In Racism and Cultural Studies" E. San Juan Jr. offers a historical-materialist critique of practices in multiculturalism and cultural studies. Rejecting contemporary theories of inclusion as affirmations of the capitalist status quo, San Juan envisions a future of politically equal and economically empowered citizens through the democratization of power and the socialization of property. Calling U.S. nationalism the new 'opium of the masses,' he argues that U.S. nationalism is where racist ideas and practices are formed, refined, and reproduced as common sense and consensus."

Balikbayang Mahal: Passages from Exile, by E. San Juan Jr., Lulu.com, Morrisville, N.C. 2007 - A book of translations, Balikbayang Mahal or Beloved Returnee is about making history in unexpected places.

For more information, contact E. San Juan, Jr. directly at philcsc@sbcglobal.com or philcsc@gmail.com

CALL FOR SUBMISSION - FINDING GOD

2008-03-14T18:17:00.000-07:00

This is a call for submissions of creative nonfiction for an anthology tentatively titled, FINDING GOD. The book will be co-edited by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard and Marily Ysip Orosa and published in the Philippines by Anvil. Contributors will receive copies of the book as compensation for the use of their work.

The manuscript should be approximately 10 pages long, typed, double-spaced (approximately 2,500 words) and should include your contact information on the first page. This can be emailed to cbrainard@gmail.com or to marilyo@yahoo.com.

You may also send it by air mail to:
Cecilia Brainard
c/o PALH
PO Box 5099
Santa Monica, CA 90409
USA

Our vision is to collect essays (creative nonfiction) that describe one’s spiritual journey towards God. We envision the essays to focus on a specific incident that made the writer “find God” or that drew the writer closest to God. We have a preference toward a writing style that uses elements as scene and dialogue. The editors are looking for articles that are lively, specific and visual – articles that address questions such as:
o Have you ever felt abandoned by God or felt your life in shambles, then realized that God was there all along?
o Did you ever have a close encounter with God? How? What circumstances surrounded such an encounter? Describe how such an encounter happened, in specific terms – where, when, how old were you, how did you feel before the encounter, and how did you feel after the encounter? How has your life changed from such an encounter?
o What specific situation was it that made you realize there is a God and that He is close to you?
o Take us on that journey: make us see you and those around you; make us feel what you had felt when you felt abandoned; make us feel what you felt when you discovered God; and make us see how your life has changed after finding God.

Deadline for submission is July 15, 2008. Early submissions are welcome. Please include your bio (approx. 150 words) in people-friendly narrative form, and all contact information (email address, mailing address, telephone number).

*
ABOUT THE EDITORS: Cecilia Manguerra Brainard is the author/editor of 14 books; Marily Ysip Orosa is the publisher of historical coffee table books. Both Cecilia and Marily have won numerous awards for their literary work. They have collaborated on two other anthologies: Behind the Walls: Life of Convent Girls, and the award-winning A La Carte: Food & Fiction, both published by Anvil.

Cecilia has a blog at http://cbrainard.blogspot.com.
Marily has a blog at http://marilyo.multiply.com

ERWIN CABUCOS BOOK RELEASED IN AUSTRALIA

2008-02-24T22:21:00.000-08:00

New Book: Short Stories on the Philippine-Australian Experience
Topics on Australian identity and migration experiences have perhaps bored many of us in our classroom and dinner discussion, but when they are told in honest and lively ways, with characters from different voices and ages, and with genuine human emotion, reading can become engaging and enjoyable.

Such is the comment of one of the initial readers of Green Blood and Other Stories' Judith Cheyne, Director of E-lucidate Web and Print Editing and Communications based in Brisbane.

She says: ‘I love the “reality” and immediacy of the style, the use of language, and the way a sense of place is created. …the stories are beautifully structured - a real joy to read. Once I started to read, I had to keep going till the end. …so alive, touching and funny.’

Written by an emerging Philippine-Australian author, this book of 15 short stories explores and asks questions: why is being cut essential to being straight in that particular culture? What happens when a terrorist comes to your door for a blessing of the soul of Christian soldiers he had killed? How many times have we cast racist slur over our immigrant neighbour's smelly food? Why am I only accepted as Australian if I can speak English? Isn't Australia a multicultural country, having people from different languages? Why are Caucasian looks more beautifully looking than say, Asians or Africans?

These questions have answers. Plenty and valid they may be, the answers are often sifted, favouring the ideological, the 'common sense' or the 'normal' ones. Many people in our society are happy to settle with what has been normalised, often those that have been represented and perpetuated in the Media. Hence, many of us assume that people who can not speak good English are less intelligent that those who can; that, people who have thick accents are not worth paying dedicated attention to.

The result: the points-of-view of people from different backgrounds are marginalised.

Author Erwin Cabucos wrote Green Blood and Other Stories with awareness that, often, stories and points-of-view of people from non-English speaking background are silenced. In the book, the characters are given voices, emotion, and resolution to their angsts, and yes sometimes, they feel like throwing dried fish scales to those who hate their cultural food.

But Erwin Cabucos is not mean. He trained as a high school teacher in the areas of English and Studies of Society and makes writing his hobby. His passion is transparent in the narratives of his stories.

‘The stories are about relationships: relationships between father and son, mother and daughter, Muslim and Catholic. Erwin deals with some very complex issues in this book and he never tries to paint anything as all black or all white…. funny and tragic at the same time,' says Pippa Kay, Author of Doubt and Conviction: The Kalajzich Inquiry, Sydney.

Coral Hartley, the publishing editor of The Write Angle in Brisbane read 'The Bleached Hills of Cotabato' short story from the collection and comments that it is 'meaty, different and topical'.

Erwin was born and raised in the Southern Philippines and he first came to Australia on a scholarship, then after marrying his Australian wife. He has degrees in Psychology from the Philippines and Communications and Education from Australia. He now lives with his wife and children in Brisbane.

‘What I like most about the stories of Erwin Cabucos are his characters who, even when they are in Australia, are Filipino through and through. They are touching in their simplicity and tenacity to improve their lot. [They] treasure the notion of the Family," comments Cecilia Brainard, author of When the Rainbow Goddess Wept, University of Michigan Press, USA.

‘Cabucos' stories … are well grounded in contemporary history, so that after reading his work, one has a better understanding of the Filipino-Australian experience, and of Filipino experience in Muslim Mindanao.’

The stories are probably not for the younger ones but are definitely stimulating for the young adult and adult readers. The sentences are simple and the plots are lively. The lay-out of the pages are spacious, promising accessibility to fuzzy readers.'

I would like to see this book gain wide coverage in Australia with a place on High School reading lists,' says Joye Alit of Wordit, Australia.Green Blood and Other Stories, Erwin Cabucos, Manila Prints Publishing, Sydney. ISBN 978-0-9804827-0-6. Paperback A5, 219 pages. RRP: AU$22.00 plus P&H.

Copies are available from palhbooks.com.

Erwin Cabucos

UPDATED FILIPINO AMERICAN BIBLIOGRAPHY

2007-08-10T10:24:00.000-07:00

courtesy of Barbara Jane Reyes

filipino_american_literature_bibliography
*Disclaimer: this is an attempt at a somewhat comprehensive list, which I originally created in August 2006. Please bear in mind I am limited in my ability to know of every single title out there. That said, I will update this list on a somewhat regular basis, as titles become known to me. Regarding self-published books, I am not yet sure how to include these, given my general difficulty in discerning vanity presses from various, diverse "D.I.Y." publishing projects. I do not include e-publications and CD's. I also do not include graphic novels, but if titles become known to me I will rethink this omission. There are some titles that cross genre, and which I decided to place in one genre over another.*

Novels

Alumit, Noel. Letters to Montgomery Clift. San Francisco: MacAdam/Cage Publishing, 2002.

Alumit, Noel. Talking to the Moon. New York: Carroll and Graf, 2006.

Bacho, Peter. Cebu. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1991.

Bacho, Peter. Nelson’s Run. Holliston, MA: Willowgate Press, 2002.

Bacho, Peter. Entrys. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2005.

Brainard, Cecilia Manguerra. When the Rainbow Goddess Wept. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1999.

Brainard, Cecilia Manguerra. Magdalena. Austin, TX: Plain View Press, 2002.

Bulosan, Carlos. America Is In The Heart. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1974.

Bulosan, Carlos. The Cry and the Dedication. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1995.

Chai, Arlene J. The Last Time I Saw Mother. New York: Ballantine Books, 1997.

de los Santos, Marisa. Love Walked In. New York: Plume, 2006.

Galang, M. Evelina. One Tribe. Kalamazoo, IL: New Issues Poetry and Prose, 2006.

Hagedorn, Jessica. Dogeaters. New York: Penguin Books, 1991.

Hagedorn, Jessica. The Gangster of Love. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1996.

Hagedorn, Jessica. Dream Jungle. New York: Viking Press, 2003.

Holthe, Tess Uriza. When The Elephants Dance. New York: Crown, 2002.

Holthe, Tess Uriza. The Five-Forty-Five to Cannes. New York: Crown, 2007.

Linmark, R. Zamora. Rolling The R’s. New York: Kaya Press, 1997.

Murray, Sabina. A Carnivore’s Inquiry. New York: Grove Press, 2004.

Nolledo, Wilfrido D. But for the Lovers. Normal, IL: Dalkey Archive Press, 1994.

Ong, Han. Fixer Chao. New York: Picador, 2002.

Ong, Han. The Disinherited. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Publishers, 2004.

Realuyo, Bino. The Umbrella Country. New York: Ballantine Books, 1999.

Roley, Brian Ascalon. American Son: A Novel. New York: W.W. Norton, 2001.

Rosca, Ninotchka. State of War. New York: W.W. Norton, 1988.

Rosca, Ninotchka. Twice Blessed. New York: W.W. Norton, 1992.

Ty-Casper, Linda. DreamEden. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1997.

Short Story Collections

Apostol, Gina, Eric Gamalinda, and Lara Stapleton. The Thirdest World. Ithaca, NY: Factory School, 2001.

Bacho, Peter. Dark Blue Suit and Other Stories. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1997.

Galang, M. Evelina. Her Wild American Self: Short Stories. Minneapolis: Coffee House Press, 1996.

Gonzales, N.V.M. The Bread of Salt and Other Stories. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1993.

Murray, Sabina. The Caprices. New York: Mariner Books, 2002.

Peñaranda, Oscar. Seasons by the Bay. San Francisco: T’boli Publishing & Distribution, 2004.

Santos, Bienvenido. Scent of Apples: A Collection of Stories. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1979.

Skinner, Michelle Cruz. Balikbayan: A Filipino Homecoming. Honolulu: Bess Press, 1997.

Stapleton, Lara. The Lowest Blue Flame Before Nothing. San Francisco: Aunt Lute Books, 1998.

Tagatac, Geronimo. The Weight of the Sun. Portland, OR: Ooligan Press, 2006.

Villa, José Garcia. Have Come, Am Here. New York: Viking Press, 1942.

Villanueva, Marianne. Ginseng and Other Tales from Manila. Corvalis, OR: Calyx Books, 1991.

Villanueva, Marianne. Mayor of the Roses. Oxford, OH: Miami University Press, 2005.

Books of Poetry

Barot, Rick. The Darker Fall. Louisville, KY: Sarabande Books, 2002.

Bautista, Michelle. Kali Blade. Saint Helena, CA: Meritage Press, 2006.

Cabalquinto, Luis. Bridgeable Shores. New York: Kaya Press, 2001.

Carbó, Nick. El Grupo McDonalds. Sylmar, CA: Tia Chucha Press, 1995.

Carbó, Nick. Secret Asian Man. Sylmar, CA: Tia Chucha Press, 2001.

Carbó, Nick. Andalusian Dawn. Cincinnati: Cherry Grove Collections, 2004.

Cariaga, Catalina. Cultural Evidence. Honolulu: A’A Arts, 1999.

Cerenio, Virginia. Trespassing Innocence. San Francisco: Kearny Street Workshop Press, 1989.

Corpuz, Veronica, and Michelle Naka Pierce. Tri/Via. Pittsburgh, PA: Erudite Fangs/Pub Lush, 2003.

de la Paz, Oliver. Names Above Houses. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 2001.

de la Paz, Oliver. Furious Lullaby. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 2007.

de los Santos, Marisa. From the Bones Out. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press, 2000.

Francia, Luis H. Museum of Absences. Saint Helena, CA and Quezon City: Meritage Press and University of the Philippines Press, 2004.

Gamalinda, Eric. Zero Gravity. Farmington, ME: Alice James Books, 1999.

Gamalinda, Eric. Amigo Warfare. Cincinnati: Cherry Grove Collections, 2007.

Gambito, Sarah. Matadora. Farmington, ME: Alice James Books, 2004.

Gloria, Eugene. Drivers at the Short-Time Motel. New York: Penguin Books, 2000.

Gloria, Eugene. Hoodlum Birds. New York: Penguin Books, 2006.

Gotera, Vince. Dragonfly. San Antonio, TX: Pecan Grove Press, 1994.

Hagedorn, Jessica. Danger and Beauty. New York: Penguin Books, 1993.

Igloria, Luisa. Trill and Mordent. Cincinnati: WordTech Editions, 2005.

Jacinto, Jaime. Heaven Is Just Another Country. San Francisco: Kearny Street Workshop Press, 1996.

Javier, Paolo. The Time at the End of this Writing. Ontario, Canada: Ahadada Press, 2004.

Javier, Paolo. 60 lv bo(e)mbs. Oakland, CA: O Books, 2005.

Legaspi, Joseph O. Imago. Fort Lee, NJ: Cavankerry Press, 2007.

Linmark, R. Zamora. Prime Time Apparitions. New York: Hanging Loose Press, 2005.

Nezhukumatathil, Aimee. Miracle Fruit. Dorset, VT: Tupelo Press, 2003.

Nezhukumatathil, Aimee. At the Drive-In Volcano. Dorset, VT: Tupelo Press, 2007.

Peñaranda, Oscar. Full Deck (Jokers Playing). San Francisco: T’boli Publishing & Distribution, 2004.

Pineda, Jon. Birthmark. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 2004.

Realuyo, Bino. The Gods We Worship Live Next Door. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 2006.

Reyes, Barbara Jane. Gravities of Center. San Francisco: Arkipelago Books Publishing, 2003.

Reyes, Barbara Jane. Poeta en San Francisco. Kaneohe, HI: Tinfish Press, 2005.

Rivera, Patria. Puti/White. Calgary, Alberta: Frontenac House, 2005.

Robles, Al. Rappin’ With Ten Thousand Carabaos in the Dark: Poems. Los Angeles: UCLA Asian American Studies Center, 1996.

Rosal, Patrick. Uprock, Headspin, Scramble and Dive. New York: Persea Books, 2003.

Rosal, Patrick. My American Kundiman. New York: Persea Books, 2006.

Starnes, Sofia M. A Commerce of Moments. Columbus, OH: Pavement Saw Press, 2003.

Tabios, Eileen R. Reproductions of the Empty Flagpole. East Rockaway, NY: Marsh Hawk Press, 2002.

Tabios, Eileen R. Menage a Trois with the 21st Century. Espoo, Finland: xPress(ed), 2004.

Tabios, Eileen R. I Take Thee, English, for My Beloved. East Rockaway, NY: Marsh Hawk Press, 2005.

Tabios, Eileen R. Secret Lives of Punctuations, Vol. 1. Espoo, Finland: xPress(ed), 2006.

Tabios, Eileen R. Dredging for Atlantis. Rockhampton, Australia: Otoliths, 2006.

Tabios, Eileen R. Silences: The Autobiography of Loss. West Hartford, CT: Blue Lion Books, 2007.

Tagami, Jeff. October Light. San Francisco: Kearny Street Workshop Press, 1987.

Villa, José Garcia. The Anchored Angel. New York: Kaya Press, 1999.

Non-Fiction Essay and Memoir

Francia, Luis H. Eye of the Fish. New York: Kaya Press, 2001.

McReynolds, Patricia Justiniani. Almost Americans: A Quest for Dignity. Santa Fe, NM: Red Crane Books, 1997.

Poblete, Pati Navalta. The Oracles: My Filipino Grandparents in America. Berkeley, CA: Heyday Press, 2006.

San Juan Jr., E., ed. On Becoming Filipino: Selected Writings of Carlos Bulosan. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1995.

Stickmon, Janet. Crushing Soft Rubies. Piedmont, CA: Broken Shackle Press, 2003.

Strobel, Leny Mendoza. A Book of Her Own. San Francisco: T’boli Publishing & Distribution, 2005.

Children’s Books

Gilles, Almira Astudillo. Willie Wins. New York: Lee and Low Books, 2001.

Robles, Anthony D. Lakas and the Manilatown Fish: Si Lakas at Ang Isda Manilatown. San Francisco: Children’s Book Press, 2003.

Robles, Anthony D. Lakas and the Makibaka Hotel: Si Lakas at Ang Makibaka Hotel. San Francisco: Children’s Book Press, 2006.

Plays and Screenplays

Barroga, Jeannie. “Walls.” In Unbroken Thread: An Anthology of Plays by Asian American Women, edited by Roberta Uno. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 1993.

Barroga, Jeannie. “Talk Story.” In But Still, Like Air, I'll Rise: New Asian American Plays, edited by Velina Hasu Houston. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1997.

Barroga, Jeannie. “Eye of the Coconut.” In Bold Words: A Century of Asian American Writing, edited by Rajini Srikanth, and Esther Iwanaga. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2001.

Cajayon, Gene, and John Manal Castro. The Debut. Chicago: Tulitos Press, 2001.

Pulido, Rod. The Flipside: A Filipino American Comedy. Chicago: Tulitos Press, 2002.

Tanglao-Aguas, Francis. When the Purple Settles. Manila: Bathala Press, 2006.

Anthologies: Short Stories and Poetry

Bay Area Pilipino American Writers. Without Names: A Collection Of Poems. San Francisco: Kearny Street Workshop Press, 1985.

Brainard, Cecilia Manguerra, ed. Contemporary Fiction by Filipinos in America. Manila: Anvil Publishing, 1998.

Brainard, Cecilia Manguerra, ed. Growing Up Filipino: Stories for Young Adults. Santa Monica, CA: Philippine American Literary House, 2003.

Cabico, Regie, and Todd Swift, eds. Poetry Nation: The North American Anthology of Fusion Poetry. Montreal: Vehicule Press, 1998.

Cachapero, Emily, Bayani Mariano, and Luis Syquia, eds. Liwanag: Literary and Graphic Expressions by Filipinos in America. San Francisco: Liwanag Publishing Co., 1975.

Carbó, Nick, ed. Returning a Borrowed Tongue: An Anthology of Filipino and Filipino American Poetry. Minneapolis: Coffee House Press, 1995.

Carbó, Nick, and Denise Duhamel, eds. Sweet Jesus: Poems About the Ultimate Icon. Los Angeles: The Anthology Press, 2002.

Carbó, Nick, and Eileen Tabios, eds. Babaylan: An Anthology of Filipina and Filipina American Writers. San Francisco: Aunt Lute Books, 2000.

Flores, Penelope V., and Allen Gaborro, eds. Whisper of the Bamboo. San Francisco: Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc., 2004.

Francia, Luis H., ed. Brown River, White Ocean: An Anthology of Twentieth-Century Philippine Literature in English. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1993.

Francia, Luis H., and Eric Gamalinda, eds. Flippin’: Filipinos on America. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1996.

Hagedorn, Jessica, ed. Charlie Chan is Dead: An Anthology of Contemporary Asian American Fiction. New York: Penguin Books, 1993.

Hagedorn, Jessica, ed. Charlie Chan is Dead 2: At Home in the World. New York: Penguin Books, 2004.

Realuyo, Bino, Rahna Reiko Rizutto, and Kendall Henry, eds. The Nuyorasian Anthology: Asian American Writings About New York City. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2000.

Tan, Joel B., ed. Queer PAPI Porn: Gay Asian Erotica. San Francisco: Cleis Press, 1998.

Tan, Joel B., ed. Best Gay Asian Erotica. San Francisco: Cleis Press, 2004.

Toribio, Helen, ed. Seven Card Stud with Seven Manangs Wild. San Francisco: T’boli Publishing & Distribution, 2002.

Villanueva, Marianne, and Virginia Cerenio, eds. Going Home to a Landscape: Writings by Filipinas. Corvalis, OR: Calyx Books, 2003.

Vengua, Jean, and Mark Young, eds. The First Hay(na)ku Anthology. St. Helena, CA: Meritage Press, 2005.

Non-fiction and Essay: Literary/Cultural Criticism and Theory

Carbó, Nick, ed. PINOY POETICS: A Collection of Autobiographical and Critical Essays on Filipino and Filipino-American Poetics. St. Helena, CA: Meritage Press, 2004.

Davis, Rocío G., Transcultural Reinventions: Asian American and Asian Canadian Short-Story Cycles. Toronto: Tsar Publications, 2003.

Davis, Rocío G., ed. Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States (MELUS) Issue on Filipino American Literature (Spring 2004).

Davis, Rocío G., and Sue-Im Lee, eds. Literary Gestures: The Aesthetic in Asian American Writing. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2005.

Galang, M. Evelina, ed. Screaming Monkeys: Critiques of Asian American Images. Minneapolis: Coffee House Press, 2003.

Grefalda, Reme A., Lucy M. Burns, Theo Gonzalves, and Anna M. Alvez. Towards a Cultural Community: Identity, Education, and Stewardship in Filipino American Performing Arts. Washington DC: National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NAFFAA), 2003.

Hidalgo, Cristina Pantoja, and Priscelina Patajo-Legasto, eds. Philippine Post-Colonial Studies Essays on Language and Literature. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 1993.

Hosillos, Lucila V. Philippine-American Literary-Relations, 1898-1941. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 1969.

Igloria, Luisa, ed. Not Home, But Here: Writing From the Filipino Diaspora. Manila: Anvil Publishing, 2003.

Lumbera, Bienvenido. Revaluation 1997: Essays on Philippine Literature, Cinema and Popular Culture. Manila: University of Santo Tomas Publishing House, 1984.

San Juan Jr., E. The Radical Tradition in Philippine Literature. Quezon City: Manlapaz Publishing Company, 1971.

San Juan Jr., E. History and Form: Selected Essays. Manila: Ateneo De Manila University Press, 1996.

San Juan Jr., E. The Philippine Temptation: Dialectics of Philippine-U.S. Literary Relations. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1996.

Strobel, Leny Mendoza. Coming Full Circle: The Process of Decolonization Among Post – 1965 Filipino Americans. Manila: Giraffe Books, 2001.

Tabios, Eileen, ed. Black Lightning: Poetry in Progress. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1998.

FILIPINO SPANISH RECIPE - Paella by Evelyn Morales Del Rosario

2007-06-17T20:42:00.001-07:00

PAELLA

This recipe is for 8 persons.
Broth
Salt and pepper one whole chicken in at least 8 cups water. Add one onion, tops of 2 leeks, 4 chicken bouillon cubes and 10 whole black peppercorns. Boil and simmer at least 1 hour. Drain and reserve broth.
You can take 2 chickens, remove the leg quarters and the breast and wings for the paella recados, and just boil the rest for the broth.
Use the chicken for salad or other purposes.
A paella is only as good as the broth it is cooked in.
Recados
Prawns
Squid
Chicken pieces
Mussles
Optional: crabs, other seafood
Steam mussles open with water, ginger, onion salt and pepper. Drain and keep mussles for decoration. You can add the liquid to add to your broth. this is optional.
Salt and pepper squid, prawns, chicken. Toss in calamansi juice.
Get one slice of bacon preferably as thick as your thumb. Cut into cubes. If only regular bacon is available, use 4 slices cut in strips.
Cooking the Paella
Prepare:
2 Tbsp. crushed garlic
1/4 cup frozen green peas
1 large red bell pepper deseeded and sliced in
strips
1 large green bell pepper deseeded and sliced
in strips
12 baguio beans (stringed but kept whole)
Heat about 1/4 cup olive oil in heavy frying pan.
Fry bacon to render the fat. Saute the chicken until light golden brown. Do not overcook. Remove chicken and bacon.
Saute squid until opaque. Remove.
Saute prawns until color changes. Remove.
Add olive oil to pan. Saute garlic. Add the vegetables and saute. Remove vegetables and set aside. Do NOT allow garlic to get brown!!

Check olive oil and add if necessary to lightly coat pan. Always use same pan with all the drippings. This will add to the flavor of the paella. Add saffron or colorante (you can buy this in a Spanish deli or La Tienda). Of course you can use achuete in your broth but do not tell your guests that.

Saute 6 cups of rice slowly over medium heat. This takes about 10 minutes. Do not hurry this step. Slowly pour in the broth. Stir rice once. Add more broth until rice starts to puff. Do not keep stirring or you will get lugao. When rice seems more than half cooked, bite into the rice to test doneness, and the broth is enough to steam it cooked, decorate top of the paella with the chicken, bacon, seafood and veggies. Do not forget the mussles. Drizzle with virgin olive oil. Cover pan with aluminium foil and seal tight. When you notice steam forming, turn off the pan. Cover foil with at least 4 layers of newspaper to keep in the heat, and let the paella steam to finish cooking the rice.
The amount of water depends on the type of rice you use. Count on at least 1 1/2 cups broth per cup of raw rice. Sometimes you need 2 cups broth to 1 cup uncooked rice. Best rice to use is Calrose.
Remove the foil and serve only when guests are ready to eat. Serve with lemon wedges and virgin olive oil.

I do not use fish because it tends to dry out and fall apart. Do not overcook the chicken because it will lose it flavor and become dry.
Add cubed pork belly if you like. Just season it well and saute it well to render the fat.

This is a very hearty dish. Serve only paella. If you like, you can serve paella with baked or fried fish fillet and a salad and dessert. Paella as part of a buffet is too much. It will overpower everything else you serve.

Remember, your broth is key to a good paella. Make sure it has good robust flavor. This does not mean salty!!

Have fun cooking! ~ Evelyn Morales Del Rosario
~~~~~~~~~
Evelyn Morales Del Rosario is a graduate of St. Theresa's College, Manila, and the University of Connecticut. She has worked in market reserach, the airline indurstry in the Philippines and in Germany. She is also a food author and food stylist. She has extensive managerial, marketing and corporate communications experience. She is currently working in Europe.
Copyright 1007 by palhbooks.com and Evelyn Del Rosario, all rights reserved.

FILIPINO RECIPE - Puchero by Nadine Sarreal

2007-06-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

We'll be posting some Philippine recipes from www.palhbooks.com's Favorite Filipino Recipes. The following main dish recipe is from Filipina literary writer, Nadine Sarreal, who writes prose and poetry. Her work has been published in the Philippines, the USA, Hong Kong, Singapor, Finland, and France. She is the founding member of the Writers Coven, a support group in Singapore.

PUCHERO (Stew)

2 lbs of stewing beef, cut into 2" cubes
1 oz chorizo or hot pepperoni, cut into thin slices
4 green onion, cut in 4" length
1 stalk celery, cut in 4" length
2 tsp salt
1 small cabbage, cut into 8
2 medium potatoes, pared and cubed
1/4 lb green beans
2 tbsp cooking oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, minced
1/2 c tomato sauce
1 cup canned chickpeas (garbanzos)

Procedure
1. Boil beef in a big pot with just enough water to cover meat. Let simmer until beef is tender, about 2 hours.
2. Remove beef from pot. Boil broth and add potatoes. Boil for 2-3 minutes. Add green beans and cabbage. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
3. In a separate smaller pot, saute garlic and onion in hot oil. Add beef and tomato sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add 3 cups of the broth and bring to a boil. Add the chickpeas. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Place the beef in a deep serving dish. Arrange the vegetables around the meat. Garnish with the chorizo slices. Pour the tomato sauce broth over the entire dish and serve with hot rice.
5. Eggplant salad complements this nicely. Serve it as a side dish.

(Note A: You may substitute 3 lbs of cut-up chicken instead of the beef, or 2 lbs of chicken and 1 lb of lean pork. Cook the pork first for about 1 hour before adding the chicken for another 30 minutes.)

This recipe serves 6-8 people. Nadine R. Sarreal
~~~
Copyright 2007 by palhbooks.com and Nadine Sarreal, all rights reseved.

UCLA EXTENSION WRITERS' FAIRE

2007-06-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

UCLA Extension Writers' Program presents The Writers Faire: A Celebration of Writing on Sunday, September 9, 2007, 11-3, UCLA: Young Hall Courtyard.

Get your creativity flowing, meet UCLA Extension Writers' Program instructors, and enter a drawing to win free courses - all at the Writers Faire, a celebration of writing.

Stop by and join us for a festive and informative day of free programs on the art and craft of writing.

Each hour features "mini-classes" and panels hosted by over 60 professional writers who teach in the UCLA Extension Writers' Program.

Admission is free. Parking in Lot 2 on campus is $8.

For more information, call 310-825-9415 or email writers@uclaextension.edu
~~~~~

Additional information: There are 3 Philippine American writers teaching at UCLA Extension's Writers' Program, and they are Noel Alumit, Cecilia Brainard and (online) Marianne Villanueva.

FILIPINO AMERICAN LITERATURE BIBLIOGRAPHY - Barbara Jane Reyes

2007-06-09T08:31:00.000-07:00

The following list is from Barbara Jane Reyes (Poetaensanfrancisco.blog-city.com)
filipino_american_literature_bibliography
*Disclaimer: this is an attempt at a somewhat comprehensive list, which I originally created in August 2006. Please bear in mind I am limited in my ability to know of every single title out there. That said, I will update this list on a somewhat regular basis, as titles become known to me. Regarding self-published books, I am not yet sure how to include these, given my general difficulty in discerning vanity presses from various, diverse "D.I.Y." publishing projects. I do not include e-publications and CD's. I also do not include graphic novels, but if titles become known to me I will rethink this omission. There are some titles that cross genre, and which I decided to place in one genre over another.*

Novels
Alumit, Noel. Letters to Montgomery Clift. San Francisco: MacAdam/Cage Publishing, 2002.
Alumit, Noel. Talking to the Moon. New York: Carroll and Graf, 2006.
Bacho, Peter. Cebu. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1991.
Bacho, Peter. Nelson’s Run. Holliston, MA: Willowgate Press, 2002.
Bacho, Peter. Entrys. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2005.
Brainard, Cecilia Manguerra. When the Rainbow Goddess Wept. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1999.
Brainard, Cecilia Manguerra. Magdalena. Austin, TX: Plain View Press, 2002.
Bulosan, Carlos. America Is In The Heart. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1974.
Bulosan, Carlos. The Cry and the Dedication. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1995.
Chai, Arlene J. The Last Time I Saw Mother. New York: Ballantine Books, 1997.
Galang, M. Evelina. One Tribe. Kalamazoo, IL: New Issues Poetry and Prose, 2006.
Hagedorn, Jessica. Dogeaters. New York: Penguin Books, 1991.
Hagedorn, Jessica. The Gangster of Love. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1996.
Hagedorn, Jessica. Dream Jungle. New York: Viking Press, 2003.
Holthe, Tess Uriza. When The Elephants Dance. New York: Crown, 2002.
Holthe, Tess Uriza. The Five-Forty-Five to Cannes. New York: Crown, 2007.
Linmark, R. Zamora. Rolling The R’s. New York: Kaya Press, 1997.
Murray, Sabina. A Carnivore’s Inquiry. New York: Grove Press, 2004.
Nolledo, Wilfrido D. But for the Lovers. Normal, IL: Dalkey Archive Press, 1994.
Ong, Han. Fixer Chao. New York: Picador, 2002.
Ong, Han. The Disinherited. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Publishers, 2004.
Realuyo, Bino. The Umbrella Country. New York: Ballantine Books, 1999.
Roley, Brian Ascalon. American Son: A Novel. New York: W.W. Norton, 2001.
Rosca, Ninotchka. State of War. New York: W.W. Norton, 1988.
Rosca, Ninotchka. Twice Blessed. New York: W.W. Norton, 1992.
Ty-Casper, Linda. DreamEden. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1997.
Short Story Collections
Bacho, Peter. Dark Blue Suit and Other Stories. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1997.
Galang, M. Evelina. Her Wild American Self: Short Stories. Minneapolis: Coffee House Press, 1996.
Gonzales, N.V.M. The Bread of Salt and Other Stories. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1993.
Murray, Sabina. The Caprices. New York: Mariner Books, 2002.
Peñaranda, Oscar. Seasons by the Bay. San Francisco: T’boli Publishing & Distribution, 2004.
Santos, Bienvenido. Scent of Apples: A Collection of Stories. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1979.
Skinner, Michelle Cruz. Balikbayan: A Filipino Homecoming. Honolulu: Bess Press, 1997.
Stapleton, Lara. The Lowest Blue Flame Before Nothing. San Francisco: Aunt Lute Books, 1998.
Tagatac, Geronimo. The Weight of the Sun. Portland, OR: Ooligan Press, 2006.
Villa, José Garcia. Have Come, Am Here. New York: Viking Press, 1942.
Villanueva, Marianne. Ginseng and Other Tales from Manila. Corvalis, OR: Calyx Books, 1991.
Villanueva, Marianne. Mayor of the Roses. Oxford, OH: Miami University Press, 2005.

Books of Poetry
Barot, Rick. The Darker Fall. Louisville, KY: Sarabande Books, 2002.
Bautista, Michelle. Kali Blade. Saint Helena, CA: Meritage Press, 2006.
Cabalquinto, Luis. Bridgeable Shores. New York: Kaya Press, 2001.
Carbó, Nick. El Grupo McDonalds. Sylmar, CA: Tia Chucha Press, 1995.
Carbó, Nick. Secret Asian Man. Sylmar, CA: Tia Chucha Press, 2001.
Carbó, Nick. Andalusian Dawn. Cincinnati: Cherry Grove Collections, 2004.
Cariaga, Catalina. Cultural Evidence. Honolulu: A’A Arts, 1999.
Cerenio, Virginia. Trespassing Innocence. San Francisco: Kearny Street Workshop Press, 1989.
Corpuz, Veronica, and Michelle Naka Pierce. Tri/Via. Pittsburgh, PA: Erudite Fangs/Pub Lush, 2003.
De la Paz, Oliver. Names Above Houses. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 2001.
Francia, Luis H. Museum of Absences. Saint Helena, CA and Quezon City: Meritage Press and University of the Philippines Press, 2004.
Gamalinda, Eric. Zero Gravity. Farmington, ME: Alice James Books, 1999.
Gambito, Sarah. Matadora. Farmington, ME: Alice James Books, 2004.
Gloria, Eugene. Drivers at the Short-Time Motel. New York: Penguin Books, 2000.
Gloria, Eugene. Hoodlum Birds. New York: Penguin Books, 2006.
Gotera, Vince. Dragonfly. San Antonio, TX: Pecan Grove Press, 1994.
Hagedorn, Jessica. Danger and Beauty. New York: Penguin Books, 1993.
Igloria, Luisa. Trill and Mordent. Cincinnati: WordTech Editions, 2005.
Jacinto, Jaime. Heaven Is Just Another Country. San Francisco: Kearny Street Workshop Press, 1996.
Javier, Paolo. The Time at the End of this Writing. Ontario, Canada: Ahadada Press, 2004.
Javier, Paolo. 60 lv bo(e)mbs. Oakland, CA: O Books, 2005.
Linmark, R. Zamora. Prime Time Apparitions. New York: Hanging Loose Press, 2005.
Nezhukumatathil, Aimee. Miracle Fruit. Dorset, VT: Tupelo Press, 2003.
Nezhukumatathil, Aimee. At the Drive-In Volcano. Dorset, VT: Tupelo Press, 2007.
Peñaranda, Oscar. Full Deck (Jokers Playing). San Francisco: T’boli Publishing & Distribution, 2004.
Pineda, Jon. Birthmark. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 2004.
Realuyo, Bino. The Gods We Worship Live Next Door. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 2006.
Reyes, Barbara Jane. Gravities of Center. San Francisco: Arkipelago Books Publishing, 2003.
Reyes, Barbara Jane. Poeta en San Francisco. Kaneohe, HI: Tinfish Press, 2005.
Rivera, Patria. Puti/White. Calgary, Alberta: Frontenac House, 2005.
Robles, Al. Rappin’ With Ten Thousand Carabaos in the Dark: Poems. Los Angeles: UCLA Asian American Studies Center, 1996.
Rosal, Patrick. Uprock, Headspin, Scramble and Dive. New York: Persea Books, 2003.
Rosal, Patrick. My American Kundiman. New York: Persea Books, 2006.
Starnes, Sofia M. A Commerce of Moments. Columbus, OH: Pavement Saw Press, 2003.
Tabios, Eileen R. Reproductions of the Empty Flagpole. East Rockaway, NY: Marsh Hawk Press, 2002.
Tabios, Eileen R. Menage a Trois with the 21st Century. Espoo, Finland: xPress(ed), 2004.
Tabios, Eileen R. I Take Thee, English, for My Beloved. East Rockaway, NY: Marsh Hawk Press, 2005.
Tagami, Jeff. October Light. San Francisco: Kearny Street Workshop Press, 1987.
Villa, José Garcia. The Anchored Angel. New York: Kaya Press, 1999.
Non-Fiction Essay and Memoir
Francia, Luis H. Eye of the Fish. New York: Kaya Press, 2001.
McReynolds, Patricia Justiniani. Almost Americans: A Quest for Dignity. Santa Fe, NM: Red Crane Books, 1997.
Poblete, Pati Navalta. The Oracles: My Filipino Grandparents in America. Berkeley, CA: Heyday Press, 2006.
San Juan Jr., E., ed. On Becoming Filipino: Selected Writings of Carlos Bulosan. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1995.
Stickmon, Janet. Crushing Soft Rubies. Piedmont, CA: Broken Shackle Press, 2003.
Strobel, Leny Mendoza. A Book of Her Own. San Francisco: T’boli Publishing & Distribution, 2005.

Children’s Books
Gilles, Almira Astudillo. Willie Wins. New York: Lee and Low Books, 2001.
Robles, Anthony D. Lakas and the Manilatown Fish: Si Lakas at Ang Isda Manilatown. San Francisco: Children’s Book Press, 2003.
Robles, Anthony D. Lakas and the Makibaka Hotel: Si Lakas at Ang Makibaka Hotel. San Francisco: Children’s Book Press, 2006.

Plays and Screenplays
Barroga, Jeannie. “Walls.” In Unbroken Thread: An Anthology of Plays by Asian American Women, edited by Roberta Uno. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 1993.
Barroga, Jeannie. “Talk Story.” In But Still, Like Air, I'll Rise: New Asian American Plays, edited by Velina Hasu Houston. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1997.
Barroga, Jeannie. “Eye of the Coconut.” In Bold Words: A Century of Asian American Writing, edited by Rajini Srikanth, and Esther Iwanaga. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2001.
Cajayon, Gene, and John Manal Castro. The Debut. Chicago: Tulitos Press, 2001.
Pulido, Rod. The Flipside: A Filipino American Comedy. Chicago: Tulitos Press, 2002.
Tanglao-Aguas, Francis. When the Purple Settles. Manila: Bathala Press, 2006.
Anthologies: Short Stories and Poetry
Bay Area Pilipino American Writers. Without Names: A Collection Of Poems. San Francisco: Kearny Street Workshop Press, 1985.
Brainard, Cecilia Manguerra, ed. Contemporary Fiction by Filipinos in America. Manila: Anvil Publishing, 1998.
Brainard, Cecilia Manguerra, ed. Growing Up Filipino: Stories for Young Adults. Santa Monica, CA: Philippine American Literary House, 2003.
Cabico, Regie, and Todd Swift, eds. Poetry Nation: The North American Anthology of Fusion Poetry. Montreal: Vehicule Press, 1998.
Cachapero, Emily, Bayani Mariano, and Luis Syquia, eds. Liwanag: Literary and Graphic Expressions by Filipinos in America. San Francisco: Liwanag Publishing Co., 1975.
Carbó, Nick, ed. Returning a Borrowed Tongue: An Anthology of Filipino and Filipino American Poetry. Minneapolis: Coffee House Press, 1995.
Carbó, Nick, and Denise Duhamel, eds. Sweet Jesus: Poems About the Ultimate Icon. Los Angeles: The Anthology Press, 2002.
Carbó, Nick, and Eileen Tabios, eds. Babaylan: An Anthology of Filipina and Filipina American Writers. San Francisco: Aunt Lute Books, 2000.
Flores, Penelope V., and Allen Gaborro, eds. Whisper of the Bamboo. San Francisco: Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc., 2004.
Francia, Luis H., ed. Brown River, White Ocean: An Anthology of Twentieth-Century Philippine Literature in English. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1993.
Francia, Luis H., and Eric Gamalinda, eds. Flippin’: Filipinos on America. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1996.
Hagedorn, Jessica, ed. Charlie Chan is Dead: An Anthology of Contemporary Asian American Fiction. New York: Penguin Books, 1993.
Hagedorn, Jessica, ed. Charlie Chan is Dead 2: At Home in the World. New York: Penguin Books, 2004.
Realuyo, Bino, Rahna Reiko Rizutto, and Kendall Henry, eds. The Nuyorasian Anthology: Asian American Writings About New York City. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2000.
Tan, Joel B., ed. Queer PAPI Porn: Gay Asian Erotica. San Francisco: Cleis Press, 1998.
Tan, Joel B., ed. Best Gay Asian Erotica. San Francisco: Cleis Press, 2004.
Toribio, Helen, ed. Seven Card Stud with Seven Manangs Wild. San Francisco: T’boli Publishing & Distribution, 2002.
Villanueva, Marianne, and Virginia Cerenio, eds. Going Home to a Landscape: Writings by Filipinas. Corvalis, OR: Calyx Books, 2003.
Vengua, Jean, and Mark Young, eds. The First Hay(na)ku Anthology. St. Helena, CA: Meritage Press, 2005.
Non-fiction and Essay: Literary/Cultural Criticism and Theory
Carbó, Nick, ed. PINOY POETICS: A Collection of Autobiographical and Critical Essays on Filipino and Filipino-American Poetics. St. Helena, CA: Meritage Press, 2004.
Davis, Rocío G., Transcultural Reinventions: Asian American and Asian Canadian Short-Story Cycles. Toronto: Tsar Publications, 2003.
Davis, Rocío G., ed. Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States (MELUS) Issue on Filipino American Literature (Spring 2004).
Davis, Rocío G., and Sue-Im Lee, eds. Literary Gestures: The Aesthetic in Asian American Writing. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2005.
Galang, M. Evelina, ed. Screaming Monkeys: Critiques of Asian American Images. Minneapolis: Coffee House Press, 2003.
Grefalda, Reme A., Lucy M. Burns, Theo Gonzalves, and Anna M. Alvez. Towards a Cultural Community: Identity, Education, and Stewardship in Filipino American Performing Arts. Washington DC: National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NAFFAA), 2003.
Hidalgo, Cristina Pantoja, and Priscelina Patajo-Legasto, eds. Philippine Post-Colonial Studies Essays on Language and Literature. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 1993.
Hosillos, Lucila V. Philippine-American Literary-Relations, 1898-1941. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 1969.
Igloria, Luisa, ed. Not Home, But Here: Writing From the Filipino Diaspora. Manila: Anvil Publishing, 2003.
Lumbera, Bienvenido. Revaluation 1997: Essays on Philippine Literature, Cinema and Popular Culture. Manila: University of Santo Tomas Publishing House, 1984.
San Juan Jr., E. The Radical Tradition in Philippine Literature. Quezon City: Manlapaz Publishing Company, 1971.
San Juan Jr., E. History and Form: Selected Essays. Manila: Ateneo De Manila University Press, 1996.
San Juan Jr., E. The Philippine Temptation: Dialectics of Philippine-U.S. Literary Relations. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1996.
Strobel, Leny Mendoza. Coming Full Circle: The Process of Decolonization Among Post – 1965 Filipino Americans. Manila: Giraffe Books, 2001.
Tabios, Eileen, ed. Black Lightning: Poetry in Progress. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1998.

(Photo above, courtesy of Cecilia Manguerra Brainard: l-r: Vince Gotera, Virginia Cerenio, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, N.V.M. Gonzalez, William Oandasan)

CALL FOR SUBMISSION - GROWING UP FILIPINO II

2007-04-02T09:44:00.001-07:00

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

This is a call for submissions of short stories for an anthology tentatively titled, GROWING UP FILIPINO II – Stories for Young Adults. The book will be edited by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard and will be published by both Anvil and PALH. Contributors will receive copies of the book as compensation for the use of their work.

The manuscript should be approximately 8-10 pages long, typed, double-spaced (approximately 1,800-2,300 words). This should be emailed to CBrainard@aol.com. You may also send it by air mail to:

Cecilia Brainard
c/o PALH
PO Box 5099
Santa Monica, CA 90409
USA

This book project is a follow-up of an earlier short story collection entitled Growing Up Filipino: Stories for Young Adults (published by PALH 2002, and Anvil). The following review describes the 2002 collection:

From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up-These 29 short stories offer a highly textured portrait of Filipino youth and an excellent sampling of creative writing. Thematically arranged, most of the pieces have been written since the turn of the 21st century. Each story is introduced by a thumbnail sketch of the author and a paragraph or two about some element of Filipino culture or history that is relevant to the story. Authors include those born and continuing to live in the Philippines, emigres, and American-born Filipinos. Tough but relevant topics addressed include a gay youth's affection for his supportive mother, the role of religious didacticism in the formation of a childhood perception, consumer culture as it is experienced by modern teens in Manila, and coping with bullies of all ages and stations in life. … The high caliber and broad but wholly accessible range of this collection, however, makes this title a solid purchase for multiple reasons.

The 29 stories in the 2002 edition of Growing Up Filipino were written before 9/11 (September 11, 2001). The editor would now like to collect a second volume that continues to address the young adult audience. The stories in the collection will still be about the Filipino experience in the Philippines or any part of the world. But in this second volume, the editor is seeing contemporary stories, or post 9/11 stories. The editor is seeking the best stories about growing up Filipino. The editor is not looking for stories written by young adults, but about Filipino young adults. The editor envisions the stories dealing with relationships, family, falling in love perhaps, and other issues that the young adults deal with. Character-driven stories are encouraged. Those interested in submitting are encouraged to read the first volume of Growing Up Filipino: Stories for Young Adults, to get an idea of the kind of stories the editor is looking for.

Deadline for submission is August 1, 2007. Early submissions are welcome. Please send us your bio (approx. 150 words) in people-friendly narrative form.

*
ABOUT THE EDITOR: Cecilia Manguerra Brainard is the author/editor of over a dozen books. She has a website at http://www.ceciliabrainard.com/ and a blog at cbrainard.blogspot.com

~~~

Asian Pacific American Book Festival - May 12, 2007

2007-03-19T16:24:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE
March 19, 2007

Contact: Audrey Lee-Sung
Asian Pacific American Legal Center
(213) 977-7500, ext. 229

APALC to Launch Inaugural Asian Pacific American Book Festival

Premiere Book Event to be Held During Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month on May 12

Los Angeles -- The Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California will launch the Asian Pacific American Book Festival, the first festival of its kind focusing on the literary contributions of writers of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, on Saturday, May 12, at the Japanese American National Museum. The festival will be part of Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month.
Writers, poets, and industry professionals from across the country will participate in panel discussions, readings, and book signings exploring the festival’s inaugural theme of “Family.” Some of the confirmed panelists include Newbery Award winner Cynthia Kadohata, Asian American Writers Workshop executive director Quang Bao, Los Angeles Times Book Review editor David Ulin, poet Victoria Chang, pioneering Latino activist and author Luis J. Rodriguez, and many others.
“The Asian Pacific American Legal Center’s mission is to advocate for issues involving our various ethnic communities and what could be more illuminating than to spread, share, and examine our stories,” said Stewart Kwoh, president and executive director, Asian Pacific American Legal Center. “Through the celebration of these stories, we can help to transform the lives of not only Asian Pacific Americans, but also our larger world. Democracy begins with ideas and these ideas are expressed through words, either spoken or written.”
The festival, which will feature various book and community group booths that target Asian Pacific American issues, will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. Activities, designed for audiences of different ages, will include panel discussions, poetry and children’s book readings, spoken word presentations, writing workshops and a publishing seminar.
The growing list of writers, poets, and industry professionals confirmed to participate include:
· Noel Alumit / novelist, Talking to the Moon (Carroll and Graff) and Letters to Montgomery Clift (Alyson Books)
· Teena Apeles / nonfiction writer, Women Warriors: Adventures from History’s Greatest Female Fighters (Seal Press)
· Cecilia Manguerra Brainard / fiction writer, When the Rainbow Goddess Wept (Ann Arbor Paperbacks); editor, Growing Up Filipino: Stories for Young Adults (PALH)
· Victoria Chang / poet, Circle (Southern Illinois University) and Asian American Poetry: The Next Generation (University of Illinois Press)
· Alison de la Cruz / poet and performer
· Ghalib Shiraz Dhalla / novelist, Ode to Lata (Really Great Books)
· Sesshu Foster / poet, Atomic Aztex (City Lights Publishing)
· Kip Fulbeck / performance artist and author, Part Asian, 100% Hapa (Chronicle Books)
· Linda Furiya / food memoirist, Bento Box in the Hearthland: My Japanese Girlhood Whitebread America (Seal Press)
· Tracey Gee / coeditor, More Than Serving Tea: Asian American Women on Expectations, Relationships, Leadership and Faith (Intervarsity Press)
· John Hamamura / novelist, Color of the Sea, (Thomas Dunne)
· Naomi Hirahara / mystery author, Summer of the Big Bachi and Snakeskin Shamisen (Bantam Dell), and short story contributor, Los Angeles Noir (Akashic)
· Toyomi Igus / children’s book author, The Two Mrs. Gibsons (Children’s Book Press)
· Blossom Kan and Michelle Yu / chick lit authors, China Dolls (St. Martin’s)
· Ketu Katrak / UC Irvine professor and nonfiction writer, Politics of the Female Body: Postcolonial Women Writers of the Third World
· Shishir Kurup / performance artist
· Dan Kwong / performance artist and author, From Inner Worlds to Outer Space: The Multimedia Performances of Dan Kwong (University of Michigan Press)
· Ann Le / writer, The Little Saigon Cookbook: Vietnamese Cuisine & Culture in Southern California’s Little Saigon (Globe Pequot)
· Lela Lee / creator, Angry Little Girls
· Philip Lee / cofounder, Lee and Low Books
· William Poy Lee / memoirist, The Eighth Promise: An American Son’s Tribute to His Toisonese Mother (Rodale Books)
· Sunyoung Lee /editor, Kaya Books
· Russell Leong / editor, Amerasia Journal, UCLA Asian American Studies Center, fiction writer, Phoenix Eyes and Other Stories (University of Washington Press), and poet, Country of Dreams and Dust (West End Press)
· Claire Light / speculative fiction writer and cofounder, Hyphen Magazine
· Aimee Liu / memoirist, Gaining: The Truth About Life After Eating Disorders (Warner Books) and novelist, Flash House (Warner Books)
· Pooja Makhijani / children’s book writer, Mama’s Saris (Little, Brown), and editor, How Girls Experience Race in America (Seal Press)
· David Mas Masumoto / memoirist, Epitaph for a Peach (HarperCollins) and Letters to the Valley: A Harvest of Memories (Heyday Books)
· Eric Nakamura and Martin Wong / co-editors of the magazine, Giant Robot
· An Mai Nguyen / publisher, Viet-Baby
· Rick Noguchi / poet, The Ocean Inside Kenji Takezo (University of Pittsburgh Press) and children’s book author, Flowers from Mariko (Lee and Low Books)
· Angela Oh / memoirist, Open: One Woman’s Journey (UCLA Asian American Studies Center Press)
· Mae Respicio / nonfiction author, Filipinos in Los Angeles (Arcadia Publishing)
· Nina Revoyr / novelist, Southland (Akashic) and Necessary Hunger (St. Martin’s)
· Luis J. Rodriguez / memoirist, Always Running: La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A. (Touchstone) and cofounder of Tia Chucha Bookstore
· Brian Ascalon Roley / novelist, American Son (W.W. Norton) and short story contributor, Los Angeles Noir (Akashic)
· Sonia Singh / chick lit author, Ghost Interrupted and Goddess for Hire (Avon)
· Icy Smith / publisher of East West Discovery Press
· Eileen Tabios / poet, I Take Thee, English, for My Beloved (Marsh Hawk Press)
· Denise Uyehara / performance artist and author, Maps of City and Body: Shedding Light on the Performances of Denise Uyehara (Kaya Press)
· Amy Uyematsu / poet, Stone Bow Prayer (Copper Canyon Press)
· Patricia Wakida / former editor, Heyday Books
· Duncan Williams, Camp Dharma: Buddhism and the World War Two Incarceration of Japanese Americans (University of California Press)
· Phil Yu / blogger and creator, Angry Asian Man
· Sandra Zane / agent, Global Literary Management

“A group of Asian Pacific American writers has been discussing this idea of a festival of our own for a while,” said award-winning memoirist David Mas Masumoto, who is a member of the festival’s advisory council. “This event is important not only for authors but also for anyone believing in the power of public discourse and sharing of ideas, ranging from the irreverent to the profound. It’s so appropriate that the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, which promotes issues like literacy and community networking, would be at the forefront of this ground-breaking event.”
Community partners include UCLA Asian American Studies Center, Japanese American National Museum, FilAm Arts, Poets & Writers, Hyphen, KPCC, and Asian American Journalists Association – Los Angeles Chapter. Asian Pacific American Book Festival sponsors include ABC7, Prudential Financial, Los Angeles Times, The James Irvine Foundation, California Community Foundation, and the Verizon Foundation.
This event is free and open to the public; pre-registration is only required for the writing workshops. Japanese American National Museum is located in Little Tokyo at the corner of First Street and Central Avenue. Parking is available in area lots.
~~~~
As part of this festival, Cecilia Brainard will be conducting free workshop - info below:

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Asian Pacific American Book Festival, organized by the Asian Pacific American Legal Center

Writing Workshops (Preregistration Required) / Education Center, Japanese American National Museum Pavilion, 369 E. First St., Los Angeles

1-3 p.m.

“Writing Our Family: A Beginning Writing Workshop”

--led by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard / fiction writer, When the Rainbow Goddess Wept; editor, Growing Up Filipino: Stories for Young Adults; and teacher, UCLA Extension

--Co-sponsor: Song Sparrow Writing Workshop

This workshop is for beginning writers, interested in flexing their creativity and focusing on creating characters from their family members. Please bring a photo of a relative (living or deceased) to the class. To preregister, e-mail apabookfest@apalc.org or call 213-241-0254.

apabookfest@apalc.org
. Also see updates at
http://www.apalc.org/calendar.htm

LEINBACH'S BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NOVELS

2007-03-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

Professor Leinbach’s List of Southeast Asian Novels

(Professor Thomas Leinbach is a professor of geography at the University of Kentucky for over 25 years

Burma
George Orwell, Burmese Days, Penguin. When Flory, a white timber merchant, befriends Indian Dr Veraswami, he defies the bigoted orthodoxy of the time. The doctor is in danger: U Po Kyin, a corrupt magistrate, is plotting his downfall. The only thing that can save him is membership of the all-white club.
Cambodia- http://www.mekong.net/cambodia/reading.htm

Francois Bizot, The Gate, Knopf, 2003. French ethnologist Francois Bizot's The Gate offers a unique insight into the rise of the Khmer Rouge. In 1971 Bizot was studying ancient Buddhist traditions and living with his Khmer partner and daughter in a small village in the environs of the Angkor temple complex. The Khmer Rouge was fighting a guerilla war in rural Cambodia; during a routine visit to a nearby temple, Bizot and his two Khmer colleagues were captured by them and imprisoned deep in the jungle on suspicion of working for the CIA. On trial for his life, over the next three months Bizot developed a strong relationship with his captor, Comrade Douch, who would later become the Khmer Rouge's chief interrogator and commandant of the horrifying Tuol Sleng prison where thousands of captives were tortured prior to execution. The portrait Bizot gives of the young schoolteacher-turned revolutionary and their interaction is simultaneously fascinating and terrifying.
Finally freed after Douch had pleaded his case with the leadership, Bizot became the only Western captive of the Khmer Rouge ever to be released alive, but his story does not end there. On his return to Phnom Penh, due to his fluency in Khmer, he was appointed interpreter between the occupying forces and the remaining western nationals holed up in the French embassy. As the interlocutor at the eponymous gate, he relates with dreadful resignation the moment when the Khmer nationals in the compound were ordered out by the Khmer Rouge forces for "resettlement."

Bizot's is a touching and gripping account of one of the darkest moments in modern history and it is told with a unique voice. As a Cambodian resident, a lover of Cambodia and a fluent Khmer speaker, Bizot shows an understanding of the prevailing mood in the country that other Western commentators have failed to capture effectively, while as a Western academic he is able to see the forces at work and how Cambodia fits into the bigger picture of South East Asian conflict. What emerges is a tale of a land plunged into insanity and Bizot tells it like a eulogy for a dead friend and a confrontation of old demons. The Gate is a stunning book and a must for anyone interested in this grim period of Asian history. --Duncan Thomson

Jon Swain, River of Time St. Martin's Press, 1995 Jon Swain's book is a wonderful memoir of Indochina, expressing beautifully the powerful, inexplicable hold that Asia holds for those who love her. Swain was one of the few Western journalists who remained in Phnom Penh as the city fell to the Khmer Rouge. His descriptions of the siege and its immediate aftermath are terrifying and haunting.

Indonesia
Vicki Baum. A Tale from Bali. Oxford, 1973. A free rendering account of the Dutch intervention in the island’s affairs following the alleged looting of the wreck of a Chinese ship in the early 20th century. Written from the Balinese point of view, it is a vivid portrayal of the character of the Balinese, their customs and way of life.

Miguel Covarrubias. Bali. Oxford, 1972. First published in 1937, Bali is a classic on life, art, customs and culture on the island of Bali. Written by Mexican painter and student of anthropology, Covarrubias, it offers a glimpse into the spirit of the dance, theater, music, decorative arts, and pastimes of Bali as well as religion, sexual customs, family life and economic and political organization.

C J Koch, The Year of Living Dangerously. St Martins Press, 1978. In 1965, Indonesia’s beauty conceals an atmosphere of tension and unease as Sukarno placates his impoverished subjects by declaring his love for them and threatening war against the Western world. As Java’s violent spirit erupts, a group of Western newsmen take refuge from the seething streets of Jakarta and strike up unlikely friendships against the background of a nation in crisis.

Mochtar Lubis. A Road with No End. Hutchinson, 1968 (Graham Brash, 1982) Conceived during a period of detention in Madiun, Java, and the story is set between the re-occupation of Indonesia by the Dutch in 1946 and the aegis of the British. The central figure is Isa, a school teacher, who has suffered the hardships of the Japanese occupation and is now baffled by the confusion and unsettlement of the British interregnum as the Dutch struggle to gain control of their former colony. In contrast is the spirited revolutionary Hazil, who can speak of his ideals with fluency and conviction. The ill assorted pair is brought together by music, and especially the violin which was a popular instrument from the period of the Portuguese influence in the 16th Century. Between them is Isa’s wife, Fatima. Isa is a man beset by fear, fear of violence and this is the source of his impotence. He does not join the revolution because of his fear of making decisions and not out of patriotism. This non-decision sets him at the beginning of a road with no end -not leading to heroic deeds but to a coming to terms with him, a learning to live with fear, his besetting weakness. The road also represents his psychological journey to the recovery of his virility. In this Isa is a symbol of Indonesia unable to mobilize its energies, unable to activate the social and moral strength of thousands of little people and the pursuit of human happiness.

Mochtar Lubis. Twilight in Djakarta. Vanguard, 1963. In the dark and swirling currents of Jakarta, the tranquil past of colonization and the unformed future of independence live together in terrible chaos. Out of this Mochtar Lubis, one of Indonesia’s foremost authors weaves a classic tale that is frank, scornful and compassionate. It is the story of the return of a young Indonesian diplomat to his homeland where he is caught up in the world of undisciplined power politics and corrosive immorality. He sees for the first time that those in high places including his father are rotten with corruption, the poor are degraded beyond debasement, activists and intellectuals unobtrusively pursue lofty goals, and the underground world teems with criminals and prostitutes. (For years Lubis was kept under house arrest as well as imprisoned without trial for his editorials criticizing the government and army.)

Colin McPhee. A House in Bali. Oxford, 1979. A young American composer moves to Bali after hearing records of Balinese gamelan music. This is a sympathetic and often amusing account of his stay in Bali and his involvement in Balinese society. From McPhee’s narrative, the reader gets an overall impression of life on the island before WWII.

Pramoedya Ananta Toer, This Earth of Mankind. Penguin, 1975. Indonesia’s epic storyteller is Pramoedya Ananta Toer who was imprisoned by the Dutch as a propagandist during the revolution of the 1940s and later imprisoned for 14 years after a mob stormed his house and a government truck carried away his library following a coup in 1965. This book, part of an epic quartet, reaches beyond contemporary politics to touch more universal human concerns: the struggle against oppression and ignorance. An evocative story of remarkable characters caught in the cultural whirlpool that was the Dutch East Indies of the 1890s. Minke, an aspiring Javanese writer, finds a new love—the exquisite but fragile mixed blood girl Annelies and a new teacher—her mother, the charismatic native concubine Nyai Ontosoroh. With them he learns more profoundly of the ideas and values of Europeans and of his own dispirited people and with these women he must confront the prejudice and power that threatens to overwhelm them all.
Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Child of All Nations. Penguin, 1984. The second novel in which Minke, a young Javanese and one of the first to receive a European education, struggles to understand his divided world and of people’s emergence from colonial domination.

Pramoedya Ananta Toer, The Girl from the Coast. Select Books, 1991. A 14 year old village girl’s arranged marriage to a Javanese aristocrat marks the beginning of her lonely and painful path to maturity. As she adopts the ways of the aristocracy she realizes aristocrats are just as impoverished, oppressed, and crass as commoners.

Malaysia
Shahnon Ahmad. No Harvest but a Thorn. Oxford, 1972. A contemporary novel from an important Malaysian author who tells the story of an inarticulate peasant world that is little known and hardly written about. This is a depiction of man’s eternal struggle for survival against forces of nature. Lahuma’s only assets are a piece of land, his four limbs, a wife and seven children –all girls. The struggle is unending, the rewards skimpy and faith in God is his only source of strength and solace.

Anthony Burgess, The Malayan Trilogy. Penguin, 1972. This famous trilogy wittily dissects the racial and social prejudices of post war Malaya during the chaotic upheaval of independence. Through a succession of splendidly colorful characters he delineates the conflict and confusion arising from the almost enforced mingling of cultures.

Henri Fauconnier, The Soul of Malaya. Oxford University Press, 1965. First published in English in 1931, this autobiographical novel is written by a rubber planter in British Malaya in the 1920s. The jungle predominates throughout the book, but includes accounts of life on a rubber estate peopled with Tamils, French, English and other characters. As the story progresses, the focus is on two Malay brothers, their charm and superstition, and the relationship that develops between them, the narrator and the rubber planter before tragedy strikes.

James Kirkup. Tropic Temper: A Memoir of Malaya. Collins, 1963. Kirkup lived in Malaya for a year while teaching at the University of Kuala Lumpur. When he arrived he was depressed and disappointed, but as time went on and he learned more about the country and the three races—Malays, Chinese and Indians—who live there, his appreciation of it and affection for them grew. The evolution of his feelings and the development of his understanding of Malaya are vividly impressive as the descriptions of the landscape, the encounters with individuals, the information about places, festivals, food and religions.

John Slimming. Temiar Jungle: A Malayan Journey. John Murray, 1958. This is a true account of a journey through a hilly jungle area of Malaya while the author was working as an Assistant Protector of Aborigines. The aboriginal Temiar are semi-nomadic primitive people who live in the jungle of Kelantan, practice shifting cultivation, live on the land and hunt and trap animals and wild game. Their existence is becoming affected by the impact of civilization and the Communist guerilla warfare going on in the jungle during the Emergency. As Slimming surveys the Temiar communities to determine the acreage under cultivation, he stays in Temiar longhouses, shares their food and gains their confidence in an effort to help safeguard their welfare.

John Slimming. The Pepper Garden. Lipincott, 1968. Set in the mountains and jungle slopes of Malaya and Sarawak, The Pepper Garden is told in frames of memory by Rodway, a rubber planter whose world is torn apart with the Japanese invasion of Malaya in 1941 and later through the outbreak of Chinese communist terrorism. The story reveals the heart and mind of a man who, when the chips are down, again may stand up and give battle.

Han Suyin, And the Rain My Drink, Jonathan Cape, 1956 (The Emergency Period) With great feeling the author writes about the intertwining lives of many people caught up in the clash of powerful forces—dogged, downtrodden Chinese rubber tappers, slim Malay women and a pretty girl called Small Cloud, for whom betrayal has become a way of life.—the stiff, aloof world of British administrators and their ‘mems’.

Agnes Newton Keith, Land Below the Wind, Little Brown, 1939. Agnes Keith's Land Below The Wind was written during an era when Sabah was known as North Borneo, and when life was very much different from todays. Reprinted many times, this classic of Agnes Keith's observations and reflections of the time is a true-to-life record of society and culture then and of the captivating natural beauty of Sabah. Today, Sabah continues to be known as the "land below the wind", a phrase used by seafarers in the past to describe all the lands south of the typhoon belt, but which Agnes effectively reserved for Sabah through her book.

Agnes Newton Keith, Three Came Home, Little Brown, 1947. It is World War II. Journey into the lives of a lady, her husband and son during the occupation of the Japanese in Borneo. A woman tells a story depicting the life during troubled times. This book is a follow up to her 1939 Atlantic Monthly Non-Fiction Prize Contest award winning book, Land Below the Wind.
Agnes Newton Keith, White Man Returns. Little Brown, 1951. The family returns to Borneo in the post-war period.

Philippines
Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, When the Rainbow Goddess Wept , University of Michigan, 1999
Yvonne Macaraig is an exuberant and mischievous nine-year-old when the Japanese invade her Philippine homeland in 1941, and so she begins her grim story of endurance and survival with a spirit of adventure and optimism. Her father, Nando, an American-trained engineer who's invaluable to the guerrilla movement, is often called away as Yvonne, her mother and a small family entourage flees toward presumed safety ever deeper in the jungle. Yvonne witnesses scenes of incredible carnage and silently notes the slow decline in her mother's health, but her spirits are buoyed by the Philippine folktales narrated to her by the family cook. These myths and legends, violent and colorful, extol the gallantry of ancient warrior kings or show the triumph of love and valor over subjugation. In simple yet deeply moving prose, Brainard's first novel presents similar acts of monumental courage: a doctor's sacrifice in the jungle; quiet defiance against terrorist threats. Gradually, Nando and his companions become aware that the U.S. is capable of betraying them-and that Philippine independence is a necessity. The strengthening of the national spirit; the loss of innocence in two generations-these themes are explored by the author, who was born in the Philippines, with persuasive conviction and stark realism.

F. Sionil Jose, Dusk : A Novel, Modern Library, 1998 This rich historical novel takes place at the end of the 19th century as the Filipinos, with the aid of the Americans, finally expelled the Spanish after three centuries of often brutal rule. Major themes are on display here--war and peace; rich versus poor; tyranny versus freedom--all passionately presented within the context of one man and his family. After being unjustly dismissed from the seminary by a corrupt priest and then suffering the death of his brother at the hands of Spanish authorities, Istak Samson is forced to flee from increasing oppression and lead his family on a journey for a new home. This harsh quest from the coast to the central plains eventually leads Samson to find love, peace, and relative prosperity, as well as provide a device for José to vividly describe the beauty and complexity of his homeland and to elaborate on the cultural effects of Spanish occupation. The joy Samson finds, like Philippine independence, is short-lived, as the Filipinos soon engage in a bloody conflict with the Americans, who have substituted Spanish imperialism with their own. Unable to reconcile his pacifist nature with his sense of duty to his country, Samson reluctantly joins the rebel forces in their battle to reassert their freedom. After setting the stage for tragedy, José does not follow an easy route to a happy ending but instead builds to a climax that is moving, if not unexpected. In telling his epic tale from the perspective of a common peasant, José lends a powerful voice to a people long trapped in the midst of historical upheaval

Tess Uriza Holthe, When the Elephants Dance, Penguin, reissue, 2003
Tess Uriza Holthe writes with a mixture of metaphor and fact, a combination of the supernatural and the all-too-real. When the Elephants Dance opens, in fact, with an apposite metaphor for a horrible reality: "Papa explains the war like this: 'When the elephants dance, the chickens must be careful.'" The elephants in question are the Americans and the Japanese, fighting for possession of the Philippines. The chickens are, of course, the ordinary Filipinos. Three of these "chickens" by turns tell us the story of the Japanese occupation as a small neighborhood near Manila literally goes underground, hiding in the cellar and swapping stories. Holthe takes her onus as a seminal Filipino voice seriously; she sometimes seems determined to cram every bit of tradition, history, and myth into her novel, to the detriment of the plot's propulsion. But readers who stay with her will be rewarded with an extraordinary display of historical color, and will certainly root for her three narrators

Thailand
Chart Korpjitti's The Judgement, Thai Modern Classics, 1995. In a famous Buddhist parable, a man who had always observed the five precepts of the lay Buddhist is tempted one day to break the fifth, which prohibits the consumption of intoxicating liquors. In his drunkenness he succeeds in breaking the other four precepts. The parable is intended to show that the fifth precept is the most important because drunkenness destroys the mindfulness that is the means and end of Buddhist practice. The novel The Judgement by Thai writer Chart Korpjitti is a variation on this parable, but it is much more than that. It is also a meditation on how the vicious and powerful corrupt the virtuous and the weak. Specifically it shows how this happens in Thailand, where power and appearances, not merit, often determine respectability. Like many Thai novels it presents a country quite different from the one found in tourist brochures, and one more akin to Thailand's grisly newspapers or its sordid television dramas, of which a version of The Judgement was one. The novel relates the last days of Fak, the janitor of the local temple school. Fak's father has passed away, leaving Fak to care for his father's widow, Somsong, who is quite out of her mind. The rumor mill begins to screech that Fak and Somsong are sleeping with each other. And though the rumor has no basis in fact, Fak's sterling reputation begins to tarnish: one of the Buddhist precepts prohibits illicit sexual conduct.

Vietnam
Nelson Demille, Up Country, 2002 Return to Vietnam of a U.S. war veteran on assignment. Contemporary fiction but interesting descriptions of place and culture.

Thu Huong Duong and Nina McPherson (Translator), Memories of a Pure Spring Penguin, 2001. Memories of a Pure Spring is a mesmerizing portrait of modern Vietnam and its people who struggle to survive under the complexities of a post-war regime. During the Vietnam war, Hung, a well-known composer, becomes enchanted by the voice and beauty of a young peasant girl named Suong. He invites her to join his troupe; she becomes his wife and his star performer. But after the war, Hung loses his job, setting off a series of events that drive him and Suong into a destructive spiral. One of Vietnam's most popular writers, Duong Thu Huong draws on her own experiences to describe life at the battlefront, the conditions of a re-education camp, and the texture and rhythm, scents and sounds, of a provincial Vietnamese city. Most of all, she tells a haunting, universal story of failed love.

Thu Huong Duong (Author), Nina McPherson (Author), Paradise of the Blind : A Novel Perennial, 2002 This staunchly unsentimental, evocative novel, originally published in Huong's native Vietnam and beautifully translated by Duong and McPherson, offers a narrative rich in detail and free of cliche. The author, who lives with her children in Hanoi, depicts the complexity of Vietnamese culture--the allegiance to family and ancestors, the symbolic value of food, class distinctions and the continuing sense of desperation mingled with pride. The protagonist, Hang, a physically fragile young woman of the '80s, recalls Hanoi in the previous decade. While there are subtle allusions to war and peacetime, Huong's focus is on the shifting, uneasy relationships between modernized Hang and her traditionalist mother, a merchant who peddles food; Hang's selfish, hypocritical uncle, a communist peasant; and Hang's comparatively wealthy, unconditionally loving aunt. Contrasts between young, old, urban and rural, help to convey the full variety of Vietnamese lifestyles. McPherson's introduction provides essential background information without spoiling the plot of Huong's unquestionably powerful tale.

Graeme Green, The Quiet American, Modern Library, reissue, 1992
Graham Greene wrote one of the best novels of the 20th century with "The Quiet American." His straightforward, elegant prose along with ample doses of irony and humor, make this novel a masterpiece. Greene's characters are extraordinarily complex and passionate beneath their seemingly quiet exteriors. Published in 1955, during the waning days of French colonialism and the beginning of American intervention in Southeast Asia, the book foreshadowed the America War in Vietnam. Thomas Fowler, Greene's narrator, is a cynical, veteran journalist for a London newspaper based in Saigon in 1952. The dispassionate Fowler has "gone native." He has fallen in love with Vietnam and with the lovely Phoung, a one-time taxi dancer who is young enough to be his daughter. Despite the turbulent political climate, Fowler is content with filing an occasional story and living a pleasurable, carefree life. His dream is to convince his Catholic wife, back in England, to divorce him so he can live out his days idyllically with Phoung and an opium pipe in Saigon. Enter Alden Pyle, a seemingly innocuous, naive American who is supposedly part of a medical assistance delegation sent by the US government. Pyle is a passionate advocate of an American foreign policy theorist named York Harding, who has proposed that the solution to the problems in French Indochina is a "third force," other than the French colonial government and the Vietminh insurgents currently battling for control of the country. Pyle has really come to Vietnam to foster this alternative third player - a Vietnamese strongman who would lead an American-backed government. Fowler and Pyle meet and improbably, the jaded, world-weary Brit and the earnest, patriotic American form a friendship - until Pyle intrudes in the relationship between Fowler and Phoung. Pyle falls in love with Phuong, almost at first sight. He seduces her away from Fowler with promises of marriage and a life in America. Initially, Pyle's innocence and decency were endearing to Fowler. However, with the potential loss of his lover and the increasing evidence that Pyle is involved in violent clandestine activities, Fowler's feelings toward Pyle begin to sour and the friendship becomes strained. Still Fowler strives to remain objective about the political situation and proclaims, "I don't get involved. I just report what I see". After a car bomb in downtown Saigon kills several innocent bystanders, Fowler traces the contents of the bomb back to Pyle. He realizes that Pyle, in his fervent adherence to ideological theories, has lost his humanity. He sees Pyle as the quintessential innocent and too simplistic: "'...I had better look after Pyle.' That was my first instinct - to protect him. It never occurred to me that there was greater need to protect myself. Innocence always calls mutely for protection, when we would be so much wiser to guard ourselves against it. Innocence is like a dumb leper who has lost his bell, wandering the world meaning no harm." And finally, Fowler is dramatically forced to take sides. He can no longer be a passive observer to the growing conflict. Graham Greene quotes Lord Byron on one of the pages preceding the novel, "This is the patent age of new inventions/ For killing bodies, and for saving souls. All propagated with the best intentions." This novel is at once a powerfully prophetic commentary and a riveting thriller. Beautifully crafted.

(from http://thebookaholic.blogspot.com)

Philippine Comfort Women Issue

2007-03-16T19:31:00.000-07:00

Some women are circulating this petition regarding the World War II comfort women:

Petition:
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
H 232 Capitol
Washington DC 20515-6501

Dear Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi,
We the undersigned request you to support House Resolution 121-1H. We urge you to bring the House Floor to a full vote. Historians and researchers in South Korea and Japan discovered several official war documents in the late 1980's that established the existence and systematic abuse of WWII Comfort Women. They estimated 200, 000 young women were taken hostage by Japanese soldiers to serve as military sex slaves from all of South East Asia. After fifty years of silence, surviving Comfort Women have broken the culture of shame to document their experiences of systematic rape and sexual slavery bythe Japanese Imperial Army. Their demands are simple -- they would like a formal apology and reparations for the war crimes they suffered, crimes that continue to affect their aging bodies in physically, mentally and sexually abusive ways. The women make their demands in order to reclaim their dignity, and ensure the safety of their own daughters, granddaughters and now, greatgranddaughters. The surviving Comfort Women are mostly in their 80's now. Many are dying. We urge Congress to act swiftly so that some may see justice before theypass away.
Sincerely,
(Go to http://www.gopetition.com/online/11466.html to sign)

PALH Ed's note: John Silva's blog has an entry about this same Comfort Women/Japanese Government issue - go to http://johnsilva.blogspot.com