The Cultural Center of the Philippines, through its Intertextual Division, launches the “In Certain Seasons: Mothers Write in The Time of COVID” e-book on January 23, 2021, 2PM, via official Facebook pages of the CCP, CCP Intertextual Division and Philippine PEN.
Edited by Che Sarigumba and Jenny Ortuoste, the e-book features 41 literary pieces, focusing on the experiences of mothers during the COVID-19 health crisis, as well as quarantine, isolation and healing.
The project highlights the literary geniuses of the following Filipino mother writers namely Kora Dandan Albano (Nanay); Nikki Alfar (Surviving Ourselves); Merlie Alunan (Pilgrim Heart); Alma Anonas-Carpio (Pandemic Kitchen); Lualhati Bautista (Usapang Rape); Adelle Chua (Nest Never Empty); Jhoanna Lynn B. Cruz (Some Terms of Reference for a Pandemic); J.G. Dimaranan (Sa Wakas); May Dolis (Ang Iyong Ama); Heidi Emily Eusebio-Abad (Isang Panalangin).
It also features: Rowena P. Festin (Tanawin Mula sa Aking Bintana); Geraldine Flores-Ingco (Braso ni Mercedes); Christine V. Lao (Violin Practice); Babeth Lolarga (Dreaming of When It’s Over); Maricel Padua Lopez (Sabay: Buhay-Guro, Buhay-Nanay); Gina Lumauig (When Kindness Becomes Contagious); Ruth Elynia Mabanglo (Pamamaalam); Liwliwa Malabed (Mahal Kong Sampinit); Princess Malonzo (Linggo); Alma Cruz Miclat (Lola Love in the Pandemic).
Other featured writers are: Banaue Miclat-Janssen (Learning in the Time of Covid-19); Aimee Morales (Mother in Blue); Reina Mae Nasino (Mensahe ng Pasasalamat at Panawagan); Marot Nelmida-Flores (Life-Changing); Eunice Barbara Novio (Yet, We Had Each Other); Rica Paloma-Espiritu (Chicken Soup); Mae Ann Reginaldo (Mga Lalaki sa Cubao sa Panahon ng Lockdown); Rae Rival (Paliligo sa Bakuran); Hope Sabanpan-Yu (The Garden is Always There); Adelma Salvador (Bisikleta).
Completing the list are: Anna Felicia C. Sanchez (Snapshots from the Pandemic Summer); Aida F. Santos (Being a Mother in the Underground); Heidi B. Sarno (Ponx Not Dead); Lee Sepe (Sa Bawat Bukas); Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz (Cocooning with No Complaints); Eleanor Strata (Shelved); Angela Stuart Santiago (Way to Live); Almayrah A. Tiburon (Pagluluwal); Mia Tijam (Directing Grace); Winnie Velasquez (Takipsilim ni Granny Google); and Lalaine F. Yanilla-Aquino (Roller Coaster of Emotions, Blessings in Disguise, at Reversal of Roles).
The book cover features a painting entitled Salinlahi’y Iligtas created by Imelda Cajipe Endaya during lockdown. The e-book also contains artworks by Imelda Morales, Jenny Ortuoste, Kora Dandan Albano and Chua Keng Keng – Lua.
Together with the Philippine PEN, the book project aims to understand the importance and the role of women, specifically mothers, and their literature during a global crisis. It also aims to promote the narratives of women who are mothers by highlighting that women can be both child-raisers and artists amidst the struggles of being a parent.
The e-book will be accessible to the public and will be available for free download. It can be a part of a parent’s reading list, and can also be used by schools in tertiary level as reading material for their students.
