MANILA, Philippines — Boxer Manny Pacquiao. Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga. 2009 CNN Hero of the Year Efren Penaflorida. GMA CEO Felipe Gozon. Baker and cake artist Penk Ching. Mang Inasal founder Edgar Sia.

Would you like to know their secret to beating the odds that were stacked against them?

The Coincidence or Miracle series is back with its fourth edition, Against All Odds! With 108 stories compiled by PNB Chair Flor Gozon Tarriela and PLDT Group senior vice president Butch G. Jimenez, Against All Odds is filled with personal accounts of how people from all walks of life have overcome seemingly overwhelming odds by trusting in God’s grace.

Give the gift of inspiration this Christmas with a copy of Against All Odds, priced at R380 each. For orders, email citavlacdan@yahoo.com.

‘The Dumaguete We Know ’ launched

‘The Dumaguete We Know’ was launched recently at the Robert and Metta Silliman Library in Silliman University, Dumaguete City.

The book features essays from the late historian Caridad Aldecoa-Rodriguez, Bobby Villasis, Allan Pastrana, Eva Rose Repollo, Grace Monte de Ramos, Laurie Raymundo, Myrna Peña-Reyes, Jaime An-Lim, Niccolo Rocamora Vitug, Ian Rosales Casocot, Alfred Yuson, Timothy Montes, Edgar Griño, Linda Kalayaan Faigao-Hall, Niño Soria de Veyra, Dinah Roma-Sianturi, Susan Lara, Christine Godinez-Ortega, Priscilla Supnet Macansantos, Anthony Tan, Marjorie Evasco, Francis C. Macansantos, Lakambini Sitoy, and Cesar Aquino,

This is the latest in Anvil Publishing’s “City Series”, which has previously featured Baguio, Manila, Cebu, and Davao. The book is edited by Merlie Alunan Wenceslao.

Maya Kitchen Foodie Journal

The Journal for Cooks and Foodies, released by Anvil Publishing and Maya Kitchen Culinary Arts Center, is a collection of 180 delicious and foodie –friendly recipes that can also serve as a daily notebook for its owner. The recipes are grouped per month with a brief mention of feasts or celebrations highlighting each period.

The recipes are a mixture of starters, main courses, desserts and snacks, including festive dishes like fried chicken pandan, egg relleno and leche flan with garbanzos,langka and macapuno. While those who want a culinary challenge can prepare stuffed lotus chicken, baked Alaska pie, bangus cordon bleu and bacalao ala vizcaina.

The journal is a perfect gift for homemakers, culinary students, foodies and journal collectors and is available in all National Bookstore, Bestsellers and Powerbooks branches.