The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Intertextual Division will launch an e-book that highlights the importance of women and their respective experiences amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“In Certain Seasons: Mothers write in the time of COVID” will be launched at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 23, via the official Facebook pages of the CCP, CCP Intertextual Division, and the Philippine PEN.
CCP Intertextual Division, headed by fictionist Beverly Siy, said the book “can be a part of a parent's reading list, and can also be used by schools in tertiary level as reading material for their students.”
It was edited by renowned novelist Che Sarigumba, who wrote “Sana Kahit Minsan”, and Palanca-awardee and former Manila Bulletin online editor Jenny Ortuoste.
The e-book features 41 literary pieces focusing on the writers’ experiences during the pandemic, as well as quarantine, isolation, and healing.
The book showcases the works of Filipino mother writers such as Kora Dandan Albano (Nanay); Nikki Alfar (Surviving Ourselves); Merlie Alunan (Pilgrim Heart); Alma Anonas-Carpio (Pandemic Kitchen); Lualhati Bautista (Usapang Rape); Adelle Chua (Nest Never Empty); Jhoanna Lynn B. Cruz (Some Terms of Reference for a Pandemic); J.G. Dimaranan (Sa Wakas); May Dolis (Ang Iyong Ama); Heidi Emily Eusebio-Abad (Isang Panalangin).
“In Certain Seasons: Mothers Write in the Time of COVID” also features the creations of Rowena P. Festin (Tanawin Mula sa Aking Bintana); Geraldine Flores-Ingco (Braso ni Mercedes); Christine V. Lao (Violin Practice); Babeth Lolarga (Dreaming of When It's Over); Maricel Padua Lopez (Sabay: Buhay-Guro, Buhay-Nanay); Gina Lumauig (When Kindness Becomes Contagious); Ruth Elynia Mabanglo (Pamamaalam); Liwliwa Malabed (Mahal Kong Sampinit); Princess Malonzo (Linggo); Alma Cruz Miclat (Lola Love in the Pandemic).
Other feature writers include Banaue Miclat-Janssen (Learning in the Time of COVID-19); Aimee Morales (Mother in Blue); Reina Mae Nasino (Mensahe ng Pasasalamat at Panawagan); Marot Nelmida-Flores (Life-Changing); Eunice Barbara Novio (Yet, We Had Each Other); Rica Paloma-Espiritu (Chicken Soup); Mae Ann Reginaldo (Mga Lalaki sa Cubao sa Panahon ng Lockdown); Rae Rival (Paliligo sa Bakuran); Hope Sabanpan-Yu (The Garden is Always There); Adelma Salvador (Bisikleta); Anna Felicia C. Sanchez (Snapshots from the Pandemic Summer); Aida F. Santos (Being a Mother in the Underground); Heidi B. Sarno (Ponx Not Dead); Lee Sepe (Sa Bawat Bukas); Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz (Cocooning with No Complaints); Eleanor Strata (Shelved); Angela Stuart Santiago (Way to Live); Almayrah A. Tiburon (Pagluluwal); Mia Tijam (Directing Grace); Winnie Velasquez (Takipsilim ni Granny Google); and Lalaine F. Yanilla-Aquino (Roller Coaster of Emotions, Blessings in Disguise, at Reversal of Roles).
Imelda Cajipe Endaya’s “Salinlahi’y Iligtas” is the artwork of the book cover. The e-book also contains artworks by Imelda Morales, Jenny Ortuoste, Kora Dandan Albano, Rica Palomo- Espiritu, Eleanor Strata, and Chua Keng Keng – Lua.
The e-book may be downloaded by the public for free via CCP Facebook page, or may be availed by sending an email to [email protected], or text 0919-3175708.