Book Review by Herminia Meñez Coben, Ph.D. Professor Emerita from California State University of Sonoma Title: The Newspaper Widow Author: Cecilia Manguerrra Brainard Publisher: University of Santo Tomas Publishing House, 2017, Beato Angelico Bldg., Espana, Manila, Philippines; Available from Amazon in hard copy and in Kindle format Number of pages: 234 pages Softcover, $18.95 in the … [Read more...] about Herminia Meñez Coben Reviews The Newspaper Widow by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard
Cecilia Brainard’s Popular Books
Cecilia Manguerra Brainard is the author and editor of over twenty books. Cecilia grew up in the port city of Cebu in Central Philippines, a place that retains its Spanish-Colonial influences, inspiring Cecilia to create her mythical setting called “Ubec” which echoes the Santo Niño Church, triangular Spanish fort, and old buildings and streets of the real Cebu. Her three novels — When the … [Read more...] about Cecilia Brainard’s Popular Books
Larger portrait of Remedios Lopez Cuenco by Cecilia Brainard
I made a larger portrait of my great-grandmother Remedios Lopez Cuenco as reference. I had made a smaller study a few days ago. https://ceciliabrainard.com/portrait-of-remedios-lopez-cuenco-by-cecilia-brainard/ Here is an excerpt from my grand-uncle's biography that touches on the life and background of Remedios, who inspired me to write my third novel, The Newspaper … [Read more...] about Larger portrait of Remedios Lopez Cuenco by Cecilia Brainard
Portrait of Filomena Alesna Cuenco by Cecilia Brainard
I made this portrait of my maternal grandmother, Filomena Alesna Cuenco, in prisma color and pastel, size 9 x 12. Filomena Alesna Cuenco from Carcar; born May 1, 1882, parents: Evaristo Barcenilla Alesna and Cresencia Ynosencia Sanchez Villarosa; parents died when she was young and she and her 2 sisters were raised by 2 old maid aunts; her older sister Placida married Mateo Noel; her younger … [Read more...] about Portrait of Filomena Alesna Cuenco by Cecilia Brainard
Old Photographs Tony Cuenco of Cebu, Philippines
Cuenco Famiy: I am sharing what I believe are early pictures of my cousin TONY CUENCO who recently passed away. The picture of three, shows my grandmother Filomena Alesna Cuenco with Tony (the older boy) and another grandson. The group picture features my grandfather and grandmother, Senator Mariano Cuenco and his wife Filomena with their family. Standing l-r: Carmen Cuenco, Milagros Veloso … [Read more...] about Old Photographs Tony Cuenco of Cebu, Philippines
Framed Art by Cecilia Brainard “Vase and Bottles”
I framed (for the first time) one of my art work, 9 x 12, ink "Vase and Bottles" . It's the one on the right beside an original by Manuel Rodriguez, the Father of Philippine Printmaking. Also published in my Travel blog: https://cbrainard.blogspot.com/2020/05/framed-art-by-cecilia-brainard.html tags: #ceciliaBrainard #art #Philippine #Cebu #writerswhopaint … [Read more...] about Framed Art by Cecilia Brainard “Vase and Bottles”
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 1932 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 1932 Concepcion Cuenco
2020 Get Togethers with Maryknoll Classmates
It's only February, but I've had the chance of seeing some classmates from Maryknoll College class of 1968. l-r: Cecilia Brainard, Bing Jacala, Tina Heiter, Maria Ciocon Recently some other Maryknoll classmates and their husbands had lunch at my home in Santa Monica. I have not seen these friends for some time and it was wonderful to get caught up with them. We … [Read more...] about 2020 Get Togethers with Maryknoll Classmates
Honoring Lina Espina Moore, Fiction Writer from Cebu, Philippines
One of Cebu's noted fiction writers was Lina Espina Moore (1919-2000). I met Lina in my publisher's (Gloria Rodriguez) office when I was an emerging writer and she was an established one. She greeted me and my mother (whom she knew) warmly, and Lina went on to mentor me. When I met her she was already a widow but she enjoyed talking about her married days with Kip Moore when they lived up in Mr. … [Read more...] about Honoring Lina Espina Moore, Fiction Writer from Cebu, Philippines
Thanks to Tony Perez for Artistic Guidance
Putting a face on those who helped Brainard's Magical Years: Tony Perez (Playwright, Novelist, & Painter) gave artistic guidance to Cecilia Brainard when she was working on the sketches for Magical Years: Memories & Sketches. He taught her what pencils, pen and ink, paper to use; he critiqued her work all along. Cecilia Brainard first met Tony Perez in the 1990s when the USIS sponsored … [Read more...] about Thanks to Tony Perez for Artistic Guidance
Cebu Antique Stereoviews
I have some antique stereoviews from my collection, including these with Cebu subjects, circa 1899 Family from Cebu Carabao pulling cart Filipino Saw Mill Cebu Street, Holiday crowd Children playing Tags: history, photos, antique photographs, stereoviews, stereoptics, antique postcards, Philippines, Cebu, Filipino … [Read more...] about Cebu Antique Stereoviews
Happy New Year — Magical Years Sketches
Happy New Year.! Here's a drawing I did yesterday (last year!) of Che scratching on the glass door to try and get out. Che and Tesla are favorite drawing topics of mine. They are part of my new book, Magical Years: Memories & Sketches, a collection of 43 of my sketches in pen and ink and reed. The book is a limited edition of 100 hardbound copies, signed and numbered. It is available from … [Read more...] about Happy New Year — Magical Years Sketches
Antique Pictures Lourdes Cuenco of Cebu Philippines
Perhaps because I've always been interested in family genealogy, relatives and friends have been forwarding old family pictures to me. Many pictures were damaged or lost in the Philippines during World War Two, and therefore old family pictures are rare. I'm featuring pictures of my aunt, Lourdes Cuenco, oldest sister of my mother Concepcion Cuenco. Lourdes remained unmarried as was her … [Read more...] about Antique Pictures Lourdes Cuenco of Cebu Philippines
Magical Years: Memories & Sketches by Cecilia Brainard — pictures
I'm excited about my book, Magical Years: Memories & Sketches, which collects 43 of my reed and pen and ink drawings. Some of you have been following my progress as a sketcher since December last year, when I picked up a simple book about sketching and started drawing, first in pencil, then pen and ink, and later bamboo reed, which Van Gogh did -- I love his reed … [Read more...] about Magical Years: Memories & Sketches by Cecilia Brainard — pictures
Cecilia Manguerra Brainard’s Book of Sketches Available “Magical Years”
BOOK OF CECILIA MANGUERRA BRAINARD'S SKETCHES AVAILABLE! PALH (Philippine American Literary House) has advance copies of MAGICAL YEARS: MEMORIES & SKETCHES by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, a special limited hardbound signed edition that collects Brainard's 43 sketches. Known as a writer and lacking formal training in the arts, Cecilia started sketching in 2018. Using reed and pen and ink, she … [Read more...] about Cecilia Manguerra Brainard’s Book of Sketches Available “Magical Years”
Antique Girl Photo: Concepcion Cuenco of Cebu
The girl in the middle is my mother, Concepcion Cuenco. This photo was taken circa 1920.I love the stockings, hat, bow, flowers, the flapper-style dresses, and that fuzzy nude in the background. I'm assuming the girls beside her are her sisters: Lourdes Cuenco the bigger girl, and Consuelo Cuenco the little one. They were children of the politician Mariano Jesus Cuenco and Filomena Alesna from … [Read more...] about Antique Girl Photo: Concepcion Cuenco of Cebu
Sketch: Inspiration for Cecilia Branard’s Woman with Horns
This is one of my (Cecilia Brainard) sketches in reed and pen and ink. This depicts two women from my childhood who fascinated me and inspired my fiction. One was a woman who reportedly had horns on her forehead; the other was said to be a witch and who always carried an umbrella so she could hide her face. I'm pasting below my short story "Woman With Horns" which is part of literature … [Read more...] about Sketch: Inspiration for Cecilia Branard’s Woman with Horns
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
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