LOS ANGELES – Nine Filipino-American authors were given their time in the spotlight on Friday night in an intimate event organized by the Philippine Expressions Bookshop at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) in Los Angeles.
Philippine Expressions Bookshop magnate Linda Nietes emphasized the importance of Filipino literature in helping Fil-Am youth in learning more about Filipino history and culture, towards acquiring a deeper sense of patriotism.
“We have to train our kids to read, and read something Filipino,” Nietes said.
She said that parents must strive to expose their children to Filipino written material, so that they may be able to acquire a deeper sense of knowledge about Filipino culture and history.
“That’s the only way to encourage them to [become] full-blooded Filipinos, in [the] real sense,” Nietes added.
Nietes said that Authors’ Night is intended to become a “home for Filipino writings in America,” at the same time, create an avenue for Filipino literary writers to gain more readership and be put on the literary map of America.
Now on its 29th year, Authors’ Night is an annual event organized by Nietes and the Philippine Expressions Bookshop.
“Hopefully, I have improved the climate for them [Fil-Am writers] because more and more of them are writing now, and more and more people are reading about Philippine things. I think that’s an achievement in itself,” Nietes added.
Those who participated in event include Giovanni Ortega (Leaves from the Silverlake Barrio), Cecilia Manguerra Brainard (Magnificat: Mama Mary’s Pilgrim Sites), Janet Stickmon (Midnight Peaches, Two O’Clock Patience), Marvin Gapultos (The Adobo Road Cookbook: A Filipino Food Journey from Food Blog to Food Truck and Beyond), Criselda Yabes (Peace Warriors; Sarena’s Story: The Loss of a Kingdom), Steven Yagyagan (Haikus for Life; The Divine Mercy: An Amazing Journey), Sumi Sevilla Haru (Iron Lotus: Memoirs), and Almira Astudillo Gilles (The Fire Beneath: Tales of Gold).
Each of the authors took turns, speaking briefly about their work and explaining the inspiration behind their books.
After the panel discussion, the authors took time to answer some questions from the audience and the members of the press. They also graciously signed copies of their books for the eager patrons at the event.
Leaves from the Silverlake Barrio author, Giovanni Ortega told the Asian Journal via email correspondence that the event allows the Filipino literary community to be strengthened, as it provides a link to our cultural past and our legacy as part of the human race. (Ortega had to leave right away on Friday night after talking about his book because of prior commitments, and as such, was unable to join the open forum later in the night.)
“People like Linda Nietes allow Filipino and Fil-Am authors a vehicle to be heard. She empowers us to continue telling our cuentos whether it be through fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and even children’s stories,” Ortega said.
For first-time author Gapultos, events like this proved to be an important step towards generating awareness for his work, among “people who wouldn’t know otherwise.”
“From my viewpoint as a first-time writer, it’s awesome knowing that there’s the support from the community that would listen to my message,” Gapultos said.
The advent of electronic book technology was also briefly discussed in the open forum — focusing on how the tech is seen as major factor in driving down sales for paperback books.
Yagyagan, who admitted that he is not a fan e-books, said that even if the technology gives a new way for people to read published material, there are still be people out there who still prefer holding an actual book in their hands, curl up in bed and enjoy a good read.
Brainard said that e-books are actually “equalizers” in the industry. While in the past, writers had to deal with publishers and the rising costs of putting their work into hard copy – nowadays, the new technology makes it easier and cheaper to be published.
Brainard also noted that the convenience of e-books opens up a whole new world of readers that authors can now reach, simply by selling/ordering an e-book straight from the internet.
Consul General Hellen Barber – De La Vega, who was in attendance during the event, invited Filipinos in the US to patronize Filipino and Filipino-American literature.
“We are delighted that ten new books by Filipino and Filipino-American authors [were] presented this evening,” De La Vega noted.
“So I ask our community members to patronize the works of our authors and explore their genius, as they paint and describe their themes with the written word,” De La Vega added.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek April 24-26, 2013 Sec. A pg.5)
