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
Takuya Matsuda Interviews Cecilia Manguerra Brainard
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
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”
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
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 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
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
Philippines Graphic Review Brainard’s Novel ‘Magdalena’
PHILIPPINES GRAPHIC BOOK REVIEW OF CECILIA BRAINARD’S NOVEL “MAGDALENA” Philippines Graphic Literary Editor and Associate Editor of the Philippines Graphic, Alma Anonas-Carpio, reviews the novel MAGDALENA by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard. Brainard will be at the #CebuLitFest on June 29 and 30, 2019, Ayala Terraces, Cebu City, Philippines, to talk about her works and sign copies of her … [Read more...] about Philippines Graphic Review Brainard’s Novel ‘Magdalena’
Philippine Edition of Cecilia Brainard’s War Novel at #CebuLitFest
PHILIPPINE EDITION OF CECILIA BRAINARD’S WAR NOVEL AT THE #CEBULITFEST The Philippine edition of Cecilia Manguerra Brainard’s novel, When the Rainbow Goddess Wept, will be released by the University of Santo Tomas Publishing House. The author, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, will be at the Cebu Literary Festival (CebuLitFest) on June 29 and 30, 2019, Ayala Center, Cebu, Philippines, to celebrate … [Read more...] about Philippine Edition of Cecilia Brainard’s War Novel 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
Manila Times Book Review: Cecilia Brainard’s Novel The Newspaper Widow
Book Review: The Newspaper Widow: A cut above other whodunits by Faye Valencia, May 12, 2019, The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/the-newspaper-widow-a-cut-above-other-whodunits/553054/?fbclid=IwAR3-AdSGYnAD11rv0xVmFzvjO6b0SXX3jbVPpAqXFW16xbQr0_DOvUUeRtM FOR the most part, crime fiction, also called the “whodunit,” is considered escapist entertainment. After all, it follows a … [Read more...] about Manila Times Book Review: Cecilia Brainard’s Novel The Newspaper Widow
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
Storytelling & Sketching, Talk by Cecilia Brainard at UST Manila
Please join us: Storytelling & Sketching Talk by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard Benavides Building University of Santo Tomas, Manila February 22, 2019, 3-5 p.m. Description: There will be a Powerpoint Presentation, Talk, and Open Forum regarding the Creative Process, by author and editor of 21 books, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, who recently discovered the art of … [Read more...] about Storytelling & Sketching, Talk by Cecilia Brainard at UST Manila
Sister Consuelo Varela ICM Passes Away
Our teacher at St. Theresa's College San Marcelino, Sister Consuelo Varela passed away recently. She was a big part of my life. She was from Cebu, like me. When I transferred from STC Cebu to Manila for High school, I felt out of place and lost. She was our teacher then, and she acknowledged my being Cebuana, mentioned knowing my family to me, which lifted my spirits up. Sister Consuelo was … [Read more...] about Sister Consuelo Varela ICM Passes Away
My Cousin, The Biz Wiz: Profile on Manny Gonzalez
I wrote about my cousin, Manny Gonzalez, businessman and CEO of Plantation Bay Hotel and Resort in Mactan, Philippines. This appeared in Positively Filipino, November 14, 2018 - please click here to visit Positively Filipino. The text is pasted below. My Cousin, The Biz Wiz By Cecilia Manguerra Brainard Positively Filipino, Nov. 14, 2018 I ran into my cousin Manny Gonzalez in … [Read more...] about My Cousin, The Biz Wiz: Profile on Manny Gonzalez