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Cecilia Manguerra Brainard

author and editor

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Cecilia Brainard’s Book Review of Laurel Flores Fantauzzo’s MY HEART UNDERWATER

December 10, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Please read my book review of Laurel Flores Fantauzzo's MY HEART UNDERWATER in Positively Filipino: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/girl-interrupted "The novel My Heart Underwater by Laurel Flores Fantauzzo is about a 17-year-old Filipino American girl who is sent to the Philippines following a scandal. There, she is able to thread together the world of her parents with her … [Read more...] about Cecilia Brainard’s Book Review of Laurel Flores Fantauzzo’s MY HEART UNDERWATER

Filed Under: Fiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: books, novels, Philippine American, Philippines

Good night, Gilda Cordero Fernando

August 28, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Standing: Cecilia Brainard, Marily Orosa, Felice Sta. Maria; seated Gilda Cordero Fernando I must confess that I hardly slept last night, and it had to do with the passing of Gilda Cordero Fernando. That with the stresses of Covid and politics kept me awake until around 4 am.   Gilda graduated from St. Theresa's College, which I also attended, and so even when I was in high school, … [Read more...] about Good night, Gilda Cordero Fernando

Filed Under: Nonfiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: Filipiina, Gilda Cordero Fernando, Philippines, Pinay, women, writers

Herminia Meñez Coben Reviews The Newspaper Widow by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard

August 26, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: Fiction, Nonfiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: Cebu, crime, Filipino, literary mystery, literature, mystery, Philippine literature, Philippines, Ubec

Portrait of Filomena Alesna Cuenco by Cecilia Brainard

August 5, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: Nonfiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: Art, Cebu, Cuenco Famiy, Filipina, Filipino Women portraits, Philippines

Filipinos #CopingWithCovid — Brian Ascalon Roley, Ohio USA

July 11, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

The following is part of my series, Filipinos Coping with Covid. Responding to my interview questions, Brian Ascalon Roley describes life  in Ohio, USA, during the time of coronavirus. This was written on May 24, 2020. Update July 10, 2020 by Brian Roley: "Since I first answered these questions, the lockdown ended, but now there’s been a surge in my county and masks are required again. Not … [Read more...] about Filipinos #CopingWithCovid — Brian Ascalon Roley, Ohio USA

Filed Under: Nonfiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: #CopingwithCovid, #pandemic #covid19 #coronavirus coronavirus, Filipinos, Philippines

Old Photographs Tony Cuenco of Cebu, Philippines

June 28, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: Nonfiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: Cebu, Cuenco family, Philippines, politics

Filipinos #CopingWithCovid — New Zealand: Jay Montilla & Monika Tawngdee

June 9, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Jay Montilla On June 7, 2020, New Zealand declared it had eliminated Coronavirus. Its last new case was in May and New Zealand hospitals have no Covid-19 cases (as of June 9, 2020).  Lead by Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, the country implemented strict quarantine, travel restrictions and widespread testing. Here are the interviews of two Filipinos (my nephew and niece, in fact) who live in New … [Read more...] about Filipinos #CopingWithCovid — New Zealand: Jay Montilla & Monika Tawngdee

Filed Under: Nonfiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: Coronavirus, covid19, Filipino, Filipino New Zealand, New Zealand, pandemic, Philippines

Filipinos #CopingWithCovid Teresa Concepcion, Canada

May 31, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

The following interview is part of my series, FILIPINO COPING WITH COVID. Teresa Concepcion from Toronto, Ontario, Canada is featured. She was educated at Maryknoll College, Philippines, AB BA 1968, and University of the Philippines, MBA 1972. She's has over 30 years in investment management and corporate finance in the Philippines and in Canada. Teresa has been a small business entrepreneur … [Read more...] about Filipinos #CopingWithCovid Teresa Concepcion, Canada

Filed Under: Nonfiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: Coronavirus, covid19, Filipino, Interview, pandemic, Philippines

Framed Art by Cecilia Brainard “Vase and Bottles”

May 20, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

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”

Filed Under: Nonfiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: Art, Cebu, Cecilia Brainard, pen and ink, Philippines, sketching

Marissa Tay Praises Brainard’s Magical Years: Memories & Sketches

May 5, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

          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

Filed Under: Nonfiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: Cebu, Cebu sketches, pen and ink, Philippines, reed art, reed drawing

Philippine Antique Photo 1930 Concepcion Cuenco

April 28, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: Nonfiction Tagged With: Cebu, personalities, Philippines, society

Guest Blogger: Poetry by Elmer Omar Pizo

March 23, 2020 by admin 1 Comment

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

Filed Under: Nonfiction, poetry, Uncategorized Tagged With: Filipino, Filipino American, Guest Blogger, Hawaii, Philippines, poems, poet, poetry

Takuya Matsuda Interviews Cecilia Manguerra Brainard

March 15, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Interview of Cecilia Manguerra Brainard by Takuya Matsuda Focusing on her novel, When the Rainbow Goddess Wept Takuya Matsuda is a PhD Candidate, Teaching Fellow at the English Department of the University of North Texas This Interview was done in March 2020 by email TM (Takuya Matsuda): My name is Tak Matsuda, and I’m a PhD candidate in English at the University of North Texas. I’m … [Read more...] about Takuya Matsuda Interviews Cecilia Manguerra Brainard

Filed Under: Fiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: literature, Philippine literature, Philippines, World War II

Thanks to Tony Perez for Artistic Guidance

January 18, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: Nonfiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: Art, Cebu, drawing, Philippines, sketches

Cebu Antique Stereoviews

January 16, 2020 by admin 2 Comments

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

Filed Under: Nonfiction Tagged With: antique photographs, Cebu, Philippines, stereoviews

Happy New Year — Magical Years Sketches

January 1, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: Nonfiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: book, Cebu, drawings, pen and ink, Philippines, reed, sketches

Antique Pictures Lourdes Cuenco of Cebu Philippines

December 26, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: Nonfiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: antique photos, Cebu, Cuenco family, Filipina, Philippines, politics, society

Magical Years: Memories & Sketches by Cecilia Brainard — pictures

December 23, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

magical years

  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

Filed Under: Nonfiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: Art, book, Cebu, children, drawing, Philippines, reed art, sketching

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard’s Book of Sketches Available “Magical Years”

December 22, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

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”

Filed Under: Nonfiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: book, Cebu, drawings, pen and ink, Philippines, reed, sketches

Sketch: Inspiration for Cecilia Branard’s Woman with Horns

December 11, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: Fiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: Cebu, fiction, Philippines, short stories

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Welcome!

I am a daugh­ter of the Philip­pines and an adopt­ed daugh­ter of Amer­i­ca. I have also trav­eled to many places so I am also a daugh­ter of the Earth. My expe­ri­ences have found their way into my sto­ries, which try to depict char­ac­ters caught in impor­tant moments in their lives, sit­u­a­tions that force them to act, make deci­sions, change. I try to see the world from my own point of view, not the dom­i­nant West­ern one, thus my inter­est in his­to­ry, cul­ture, and set­ting. But my char­ac­ters car­ry my sto­ries; they are the most impor­tant in my sto­ry-telling. I have to dive deep into them to under­stand their human­i­ty – their good­ness as well as their bad­ness, their beau­ty as well as their ugli­ness. Just like us. Just like each of us. I need to know where they came from, where they are now, so I under­stand where they are going. Just like us.

Please read my full biog­ra­phy here

 

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When the Rainbow Goddess Wept

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