During these Coronavirus days my cats, Che and Tesla, are following strict stay-at-home rules. Stay safe, everyone! Also published in my blospot: https://cbrainard.blogspot.com/2020/05/my-cat-during-coronavirus-days.html tags: #coronavirus #covid19 #pets #cats #graycats #stayathome … [Read more...] about My Cats During Coronavirus Days
Marissa Tay Praises Brainard’s Magical Years: Memories & Sketches
During these days of Coronavirus, I was particularly happy to hear from my college friend, Marissa Tay, who sent me her feedback about my book, Magical Years: Memories & Sketches,. This hardbound book collects sketches inspired by my childhood in Cebu. Marissa was my classmate at Maryknoll College in Quezon City.; we've had the chance to … [Read more...] about Marissa Tay Praises Brainard’s Magical Years: Memories & Sketches
Philippine Antique Photo 1930 Concepcion Cuenco
This is a rare 1930 picture of Concepcion Cuenco of Cebu.She was mother and daughter of Senator Mariano Jesus Cuenco and Filomena Alesna Cuenco. In 1931, she became Cebu Petit Carnival Queen. She married Engr. Mariano F. Manguerra and they had four surviving children. Widowed when she was only 47, she raised her children and sent to graduate schools in Europe and the United States. She was a … [Read more...] about Philippine Antique Photo 1930 Concepcion Cuenco
Reading: Sketch from the Pink Grandma
Hello Grandchildren, When Grandpa reads in bed, Tesla always wants to lay on top of him. Don't just watch movies and play games, be sure and read books. Your parents read books every night before going to sleep. Reading is important. If you can read, you can learn anything. Love, The Pink Grandma, Lola, or Grandma Tags: #sketch #penandink #drawing Read also: Che … [Read more...] about Reading: Sketch from the Pink Grandma
ParisLitUp Literary Reading in 2018
It's hard to imagine that in April 2018 I did a literary reading at #ParisLitUp . As their featured reader, I shared excerpts from my novels. I'm remembering Matt Jones and the young people who run ParisLitUp. I hope they are all fine. Matt Jones listening to my reading. Cecilia with Matt Jones and others before the ParisLitUp reading. Mike Head and Cecilia Brainard. … [Read more...] about ParisLitUp Literary Reading in 2018
Midnight Visitor: Sketch from the Pink Grandma
The Midnight Visitor Hello Grandchildren, Grandpa has the Ring app which allows him to see who's outside our house via video. He discovered that we have visitors that enter the courtyard late at night. There's a large orange cat and another strange looking creature that come around. They sniff around the courtyard and leave. Once I had leftover cat food out there and the … [Read more...] about Midnight Visitor: Sketch from the Pink Grandma
“Che Sleeping” — Sketches from the Pink Grandma
Hello Grandchildren, Grandpa and Grandma have to stay home because of Coronavirus. Have your parents talked to you about that? All of us have to be careful to avoid getting sick. You have to wash your hands with soap and water for twenty seconds, and you have to stay home for now, and while it's sad, you can't see your friends and even us for now. And don't forget to eat … [Read more...] about “Che Sleeping” — Sketches from the Pink Grandma
Batik Face Masks by Cecilia
I made some batik face masks, three-layers cotton, lined with flannel, with pockets for filter. People have asked if they can buy these and I'm making them available as a fund raiser for PALH (Philippine American Literary House). I have six right now (June 12). one size small (the blue solid with batik trim); the rest are size medium - $30 each and US shipping is $10. I … [Read more...] about Batik Face Masks by Cecilia
Easter, Coronavirus Update
Dear Readers, Happy Easter! May God's loving mercy fill your life. I am sharing an article I wrote for Positively Filipino about Coronavirus: The Beginning. It talks about my visit to the Philippines in late January, early February, when Coronavirus was exploding in China. It begins: "When I visited Manila last January 20 the air was thick with smoggy haze from the ash fall of Taal … [Read more...] about Easter, Coronavirus Update
Guest Blogger: Elizabeth Ann Quirino’s Beef Nilaga Short Ribs & Vegetables Stew
My Guest Blogger is Elizabeth Ann Quirino who shares with us one of her recipes, a favorite Filipino comfort food, Nilagang Baka - Beef Nilaga Short Ribs and Vegetables Stew. Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino, based in New Jersey, is a journalist, and a multi-award-winner of the Plaridel Writing Awards and has been a recipient of the Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Writing Awards. She is the author of … [Read more...] about Guest Blogger: Elizabeth Ann Quirino’s Beef Nilaga Short Ribs & Vegetables Stew
Guest Blogger: Diona Filipino Poetry by Ralph Semino Galán
I am happy to feature Ralph Semino Galán as my Guest Blogger. He shares with us his work on a unique form of Filipino poetry called "diona" which has been labeled as Pinoy Haiku. The poems are in Tagalog and are about coronavirus. This is part of his larger writing project on the subject matter. ~ Cecilia Brainard Ralph Semino Galán, poet, literary and cultural critic, translator and editor, … [Read more...] about Guest Blogger: Diona Filipino Poetry by Ralph Semino Galán
Guest Blogger: Poetry by Elmer Omar Pizo
In this difficult time of Coronavirus, I am happy to feature poetry by Elmer Omar Pizo, a Filipino who now resides in Hawaii. May his poetry contribute to the healing that we need during this uncertain time. Thank you Elmer for being my guest blogger. ~ Cecilia Brainard POETRY BY GUEST BLOGGER ELMER OMAR PIZO I. Rice birds on the ground in front … [Read more...] about Guest Blogger: Poetry by Elmer Omar Pizo
The Quiet Voice
Now and then I will hear in my heart a tiny voice that is not my own. The voice, the thoughts it creates, come and go quickly, in my mind. The quiet voice came the other night. We sent you many warnings: white bison and other albino animals, but you continued poisoning the bees and destroying the mighty Amazon. You hunted elephants, rhinos, tigers, pangolins, and other rare and beautiful … [Read more...] about The Quiet Voice
Invitation to Write: Sensuous Writing #Covid19 #creativewriting
During this time of coronavirus, I invite my readers to write. Many of us are sheltering at home, why not use creativity to stay calm? I will try focus on one aspect of creative writing so the you can experiment with that element. Today, let us look at "Sensuous Writing." I am sharing a YouTube tutorial about this. Click here: or here: … [Read more...] about Invitation to Write: Sensuous Writing #Covid19 #creativewriting
Mary Is With Us: Our Lady of Lourdes
During this difficult time of Coronavirus, I will be sharing excerpts from the book, Magnificat: Mama Mary’s Pilgrim Sites, a collection of 24 testimonies by people whose lives were changed by Mama Mary. I hope that these articles remind us that Mary is with us during this difficult time. May you find solace in these personal testimonials. ~ Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, editor … [Read more...] about Mary Is With Us: Our Lady of Lourdes
Mary Is With Us: The Maryam Monastery of Lake Tana, Tigray, Ethiopia
During this difficult time of Coronavirus, I will be sharing excerpts from the book, Magnificat: Mama Mary’s Pilgrim Sites, a collection of 24 testimonies by people whose lives were changed by Mama Mary. I hope that these articles remind us that Mary is with us during this difficult time. May you find solace in these personal testimonials. ~ Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, editor … [Read more...] about Mary Is With Us: The Maryam Monastery of Lake Tana, Tigray, Ethiopia
Mary Is With Us: Our Lady of St. Maryam Dearit, Keren, Eritrea
During this difficult time of Coronavirus, I will be sharing excerpts from the book, Magnificat: Mama Mary’s Pilgrim Sites, a collection of 24 testimonies by people whose lives were changed by Mama Mary. I hope that these articles remind us that Mary is with us during this difficult time. May you find solace in these personal testimonials. ~ Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, editor … [Read more...] about Mary Is With Us: Our Lady of St. Maryam Dearit, Keren, Eritrea
Mary Is With Us: Our Lady of St. Maryam Dearit, Keren
During this difficult time of Coronavirus, I will be sharing excerpts from the book, Magnificat: Mama Mary’s Pilgrim Sites, a collection of 24 testimonies by people whose lives were changed by Mama Mary. I hope that these articles remind us that Mary is with us during this difficult time. May you find solace in these personal testimonials. ~ Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, editor … [Read more...] about Mary Is With Us: Our Lady of St. Maryam Dearit, Keren
Mama Mary Is With Us: Our Lady of Medjugorje
During this difficult time of Coronavirus, I will be sharing excerpts from the book, Magnificat: Mama Mary's Pilgrim Sites, a collection of 24 testimonies by people whose lives were changed by Mama Mary. I hope that these articles remind us that Mary is with us during this difficult time. May you find solace in these personal testimonials. ~ Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, editor of … [Read more...] about Mama Mary Is With Us: Our Lady of Medjugorje
Artist Tina Borja Heiter on Brainard’s Book of Sketches
I am sharing a letter from my artist friend, Tina Borja Heiter about my recent book, Magical Years: Memories & Sketches, a book that collects sketches inspired by my childhood in Cebu. Tina was my classmate at Maryknoll College and she is is now a resident of Switzerland where she exhibits her art at the Galerie am Schanzenbgraben. Tina has a website at … [Read more...] about Artist Tina Borja Heiter on Brainard’s Book of Sketches