the FWN fifteen
We Filipina Women's Network's 2015 Global 100 Most Influential Women in the World awardees were asked to choose fifteen words that describe our life philosophy, the work we do, the category we were selected in." One of FWN's illustrious Keepers of the Flame, dynamic, funny emcee for the evening, Gloria Caoile, further directed us, "... and not just 15 unattached words. It captures the life philosophy and who You are. It's your Acceptance Speech." All of the above in fifteen
Collantes' Book Cover Design
My son, Ryan Akira, designed the book cover, choosing to embed images of the stories which he felt carried special significance. And I think he nailed it. His perspective is unlike anyone else's not only because he has read multiple iterations of some of the pieces but especially because he's my kid. He has grown into a man with a special sensitivity about people and where they're at, so when he draws things, it's as if he conjures a bit of the spirit of the subject matter
There Comes a Point When You Exhale
That Whitney Houston song, "Waiting to Exhale", has been a longtime favorite of mine and this line from the song came to me as I watched the coffee in my cup spin round while I mixed in the milk and brown sugar this morning. It was my moment to exhale. Let's recap: #30 Collantes Street (Carayan Press, 2015) popped hot off the press on October 1,"para bibingka," said Mauro Tumbocon- FACINE, just in time for the Filipino-American International Book Festival (Filbookfest 3) at
