10 December 2018, Toronto- Young authors of Filipino descent launched their works at the Sentro Rizal Toronto-the cultural hub of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto last Friday, 07 December 2018. Organized under the Sentro Rizal Toronto, the objective of the book launch is to create a platform for young Filipino-Canadian writers to introduce their works to the mainstream Canadian society and literary scene. In her welcome remarks, Consul General Rosalita S. Prospero said that the book launch cannot be timelier given the season. “I like to give books during the holidays. Books are easy to wrap and unwrap and yet you are giving someone something that lasts forever,” she added. Y
Yves Lamson’s work “Bodies of Water” is a literary fiction that wanders into the magic realism genre. It follows the lives of four generations of women with an innate ability to speak to water. Set against the lush and vibrant backdrop of rural Philippine life, familial myths collide with historical events and people. As of this writing, Bodies of Water occupies the number 5 spot in Amazon.ca’s Bestseller List of Asian-Canadian literature.
07 December 2018, Toronto-(Clockwise from the top): 1) Yves Lamson launched his first book entitled Bodies of Water; 2) Natasha Alli is a contributor to the cookbook “The New Filipino Kitchen”; 3) A teacher at the Toronto Catholic School Board, Eric Tigley shows copies of his works for children “Round Brown Blues” and “Hoy”; 4) Justine Yu is the publisher and editor-in-chief of an anthology of literary works of hyphenated Canadians entitled “Living Hyphen.”
Justin Yu is the editor and publisher of “Living Hyphen”, a journal that weaves together stories, poetry, photography and illustrations by individuals of hyphenated identities in Canada. Citing the lack of diversity in Canadian literature, Yu saw the need to amplify the stories of those who call Canada home, but whose roots come from distant places, including the Philippines.
Spoken word artist Rachel Chiong mesmerized the audience by performing two (2) spoken word pieces entitled “I Pray” and “Kabangka”.
A settlement worker by day, Jennylee Austria was the program’s emcee. She also read her story for children entitled “The Secret Behind your Spots,” which is still to be published into a book.
All members of the Pluma Collective, these young Filipino-Canadian writers based in Toronto expressed their appreciation to the Philippine Consulate General and the Sentro Rizal Toronto for spearheading this activity which provided them an important platform through which they can introduce their works not only to the Filipino-Canadian community, but more importantly, to a wider Canadian audience. •
7 December 2018, Toronto-(Topmost, left): The program’s emcee Jennylee Austria, read her story for children entitled “The Secret Behind Yours Spots”; (Topmost, right): Rachel Chiong performs two (2) spoken word pieces during the intermission; (Bottom photo): The young Filipino-Canadian literary writers pose for a souvenir photo with Consul General Rosalita S. Prospero.
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