The Cultural Center of the Philippines, through its Intertextual Division, launched the “In Certain Seasons: Mothers Write In The Time of COVID” e-book via the official Facebook pages of the CCP, CCP Intertextual Division FB page and the Philippine PEN.
Edited by Che Sarigumba and Jenny Ortuoste, the e-book features 41 literary pieces, focusing on their experiences during the COVID-19 health crisis, as well as quarantine, isolation and healing.
The project highlights the literary geniuses of the Filipino mother writers. They are: 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).
It also features: 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 featured writers are: 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).
Completing the list are: 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).
The book cover features Imelda Cajipe Endaya’s art created during lockdown. It is entitled Salinlahi’y Iligtas. The e-book also contains artworks by Imelda Morales, Jenny Ortuoste, Kora Dandan Albano and Chua Keng Keng – Lua.
Together with the Philippine PEN, the book project aims to understand the importance and the role of women, specifically mothers, and their literature during the global crisis, and promote the narratives of women who are mothers, highlighting that women can be both child-raisers and artists amid the struggles of being a parent.
The e-book will be accessible to the public and will be available for free download. It 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.
For free copy of the e-book, visit the CCP Intertextual Division FB page or send an email to ccpintertextualdivision@gmail.com or text 0919-3175708.
