I like homemade gifts for Christmas presents. After all, one can buy what one wants, but the time, effort, and love put into something homemade makes the gift special. Today I am rebatching Ivory Soap and reshaping them usng angel and mermaid silicon molds. I ordered the silicon molds online. I use Ivory Soap but have used Dove and other brands. While some people add scent, oatmeal, … [Read more...] about Christmas Gifts: Rebatching Ivory Soap
World War Two: 78th Anniversary of Japan’s Attack
Today marks the 78th anniversary of Japan's attack of Pearl Harbor and Manila and the beginning of World War Two in the Pacific. This link gives you information. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/12/07/pearl-harbor-wasnt-only-surprise-attack-that-day.html To honor those who experienced World War Two, I am sharing a short excerpt of my World War Two novel, When the Rainbow Goddess … [Read more...] about World War Two: 78th Anniversary of Japan’s Attack
Jose Ma. Cuenco, Archbishop of Jaro: Antique photos
I'm sharing old pictures of my granduncle, Archbishop Jose Ma. Cuenco (May 19, 1885-October 8, 1972). The following writeup is from Wikipedia, with some changes. Jose Ma. Cuenco was the first of sixteen children of Mariano Albao Cuenco and Remedios Diosomito Lopez. He was the brother of my maternal grandfather, Senator Mariano Jesus Cuenco. Most of their children died in … [Read more...] about Jose Ma. Cuenco, Archbishop of Jaro: Antique photos
Holiday Cooking: Leg of Lamb for Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!For our family feast, I'm roasting boneless leg of lamb. (There will be the traditional turkey.) I took it out of the freezer last night - rock solid. I left it on the kitchen sink and by the morning the lamb was thawed. I plan on roasting it at 325 degrees for around 2 hours; to be specific, it's done when the meat thermometer registers 120 degrees (that's rare … [Read more...] about Holiday Cooking: Leg of Lamb for Thanksgiving
Recap of Hot Off the Press Readings at #FilAmBookFest
Recap of recent Hot Off the Press Readings 5th Filipino American International Book Festival - The Hot Off the Press Literary Readings at the recent Filipino American International Book Festival were held last Saturday October 12, 2019, at the Koret Auditorium, San Francisco Main Library. Each reading showcased up to 10 authors promoting new books. In less than ten minutes, they talk about or … [Read more...] about Recap of Hot Off the Press Readings at #FilAmBookFest
Cecilia Brainard’s October Literary Events — HOTP & Book Talks
Cecilia Brainard will be in two literary events this October. First, she will moderate Hot Off the Press Literary Readings at the Filipino American International Book Festival at the Koret Auditorium, San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, on Saturday October 12, 2019 at 12:45 pm and at 4 p.m. Cecilia will also read from her work at the 12:45 … [Read more...] about Cecilia Brainard’s October Literary Events — HOTP & Book Talks
Cecilia Brainard at Book Talks, Philippine Expressions Bookshop
Cecilia Brainard, Jules DelGallego, Myles A. Garcia, Paulino Lim, Jr., Alexander Villarasa will read and discuss their books at Philippine Expressions Bookshop on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, from 3 - 6 p.m. Cecilia will read and talk about the new Philippine edition of her World War Two novel, When the Rainbow Goddess Wept. Contact info@philippinebookshop.com for more … [Read more...] about Cecilia Brainard at Book Talks, Philippine Expressions Bookshop
Hot Off the Press Literary Readings, #FilAmBookFest SF, CA Oct. 12, 2019
Filipino and Filipino American authors with recent published books will showcase their books at the HOT OFF THE PRESS Literary Readings at the Fifth Filipino American International Book Festival at the San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, on Saturday October 12, 2019 at 12:45 pm and at 4 p.m. Cecilia Brainard is the host and moderator of HOTP Literary … [Read more...] about Hot Off the Press Literary Readings, #FilAmBookFest SF, CA Oct. 12, 2019
Cecilia Brainard Publications in Philippine PEN Journal & The Silliman Journal
I just discovered these links to articles that I wrote published in Philippine PEN Journal and The Silliman Journal: "The Island of the Living Dead" (Chapter from my novel, The Newspaper Widow) published in Philippine PEN Journal, HEALING, edited by Hermie Beltran, Jr., PEN International, 2014. page 15, Click on the link below:http://www.philippinepen.ph/Journal.pdf l-r: Shivaji Das … [Read more...] about Cecilia Brainard Publications in Philippine PEN Journal & The Silliman Journal
Cecilia Brainard Childhood Pictures
I'm sharing two childhood pictures that I recently cleaned up. The first one is the only surviving picture of me as an infant. This shows my oldest sister Vicky carrying me, my sister Ana, and my brother Jess or Junior. This photo was taken in our temporary home in Talisay, Cebu. We stayed there for a few years after World War II, while my parents built our home in Cebu City behind the … [Read more...] about Cecilia Brainard Childhood Pictures
September Reading by Asian American Women Writers
I'll be reading with some members of that awesome women's group, PAAWWW (Pacific Asian American Women Writers-West) on September 21, 2019, from 2-4 p.m. at 1952 W. 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247. Thanks to Timothy Toyota for organizing this event. Please join us. I'm sharing a- 1980s Photo taken after a reading that included Wanda Coleman Front L-R: Amy Uyematsu, Akemi … [Read more...] about September Reading by Asian American Women Writers
Cecilia Brainard Sketch of Cebu’s “Tartanilla” Carriage
My cats usually hover near me when I'm writing or doing artwork. Che was particularly interested in the following work. It's an image of the tartanilla, a horse drawn carriage found only in Cebu. This is part of my ongoing sketches of memories from my childhood. Stay tuned! #graycat #tabby #sketching # drawing #Cebu #tartanilla … [Read more...] about Cecilia Brainard Sketch of Cebu’s “Tartanilla” Carriage
HOT OFF THE PRESS Literary Readings, FilAm Book Festival, October 12–13, 2019
Here are some Filipino and Filipino American authors who will be reading at the HOT OFF THE PRESS Literary Readings at the Fifth Filipino American International Book Festival in San Francisco, October 12 and 13, 2019: Ivy Alvarez, author of Diaspora Volume L (Paloma Press, 2019 Ivy Alvarez is the author of verse novel Disturbance (Wales: Seren, 2013). A MacDowell Colony, and Hawthornden … [Read more...] about HOT OFF THE PRESS Literary Readings, FilAm Book Festival, October 12–13, 2019
Bamboo Reed Paintings by Cecilia Brainard
Fuente Osmena Park, Cebu, Philippines (copyright 2019 by Cecilia Brainard) I've been experimenting some more with bamboo reed painting. I also use barbecue stick for finer work. I like the energy, the unruly and wild feeling of reed painting. Here are two reed paintings based on my memories of my birth city, Cebu, Philippines. Kiosk of Magellan's Cross, Cebu, Philippines (copyright … [Read more...] about Bamboo Reed Paintings by Cecilia Brainard
Interviews of Cecilia Manguerra Brainard by the Media and Researchers
Following are some Interviews by the media and by researchers of Cecilia Manguerra Brainard Rappler Interview of Cecilia Brainard, 2019, l-r: Lilibeth Frondoso, Ceciia Brainard, Miriam Grace Go Interviews Interview by Shiela Mae P. Abas https://cbrainard.blogspot.com/2015/10/interview-cecilia-brainards-novel.html#more Interview by Christopher Abadilla, University of the Philippines, … [Read more...] about Interviews of Cecilia Manguerra Brainard by the Media and Researchers
Authors Cecilia Brainard & Giovanni Jose at #CebuLitFest
Authors Cecilia Manguerra Brainard (ceciliabrainard.com) and Giovanni Jose (GiovanniOrtega.com) will be at the #CebuLitFest on June 29-30, 2019, Ayala Terraces, Ayala Center, Cebu City, Philippines, to talk and sign copies of their books. Look for them at the table of PALH (Philippine American Literary House). The Festival runs from 10 in the morning until evening each day. PALH will also be … [Read more...] about Authors Cecilia Brainard & Giovanni Jose at #CebuLitFest
Jewish, Russian, and Indochinese Refugees in the Philippines
Many people are unaware that the Philippines provided safe haven to Jewish, Russian, and Indochinese refugees. In the late 1930s, 1,200 German and Austrian Jews fled the Holocaust of Europe and found refuge in Manila. The plan for the rescue reportedly came about during regular poker games which included Philippine President Manuel Quezon, an American official Paul McNutt, Col. Dwight … [Read more...] about Jewish, Russian, and Indochinese Refugees in the Philippines
Concepcion Cuenco Manguerra 1932 Cebu Carnival Queen Article
I came across this article and magazine cover (Sunstar Weekend 9/1/1996) featuring my mother, Concepcion Cuenco Manguerra. She was Cebu's 1931 Carnival Queen. Read also: Death of a Carnival Queen Mother's Day: Remembering My Mother Concepcion Cuenco Manguerra Lucy Urgello Miller's Glimpses of Old Cebu Cebu Politics Philippines: Cebu's Cuencoi Family in 1932 Tags: #Cebu #Philippines … [Read more...] about Concepcion Cuenco Manguerra 1932 Cebu Carnival Queen Article
Cecilia Brainard’s Pen and Wash of Old House in Cebu
Here is a Pen and Wash of my "Old House in Cebu" which I did in pencil and pen and ink earlier. This is my interpretation of the Villalon Mansion in Cebu City, Philippines. Tags: #CeciliaBrainard #sketch #art #penandwash #penandink #cebu #house #hauntedhouse #heritagehouse #antiquehouse #mansion #Philippines … [Read more...] about Cecilia Brainard’s Pen and Wash of Old House in Cebu
Tyberius the Cat — RIP
To continue the story of my son's and his family's visit over Easter (with their dog Ellie), when they returned home, they found one of their two cats ill, and unfortunately poor Tyberius had to be put to sleep. They were all distraught, especially the children. To make them feel better, I did a drawing of Tyberius. I had wanted to put him in Pet Heaven, a mythical place that I have … [Read more...] about Tyberius the Cat — RIP