The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), through its Intertextual Division, will launch an e-book, titled In Certain Seasons: Mothers Write in the Time of Covid, on the CCP’s official Facebook page on January 23 at 2 p.m.
Edited by prize-winning writers Jenny Ortuoste and Che Sarigumba, this special anthology features 41 literary works focusing on the experiences of their respective authors during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as quarantine, isolation and healing.
The project highlights the literary genius of Filipino mother-writers. They are 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”); and 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”); and Alma Cruz Miclat (“Lola Love in the Pandemic”) and daughter Banaue Miclat-Janssen (“Learning in the Time of Covid-19”).
Other writers in the book are 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”); and 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 e-book cover shows Imelda Cajipe Endaya’s art created during the coronavirus-induced lockdown, called “Salinlahi’y Iligtas.” It also contains artworks by Morales, Ortuoste, Albano and Chua Keng Keng-Lua.
In Certain Seasons aims to understand the importance and the role of women, specifically mothers, and their literature during the public health crisis; and promote the narratives of women who are mothers, highlighting that women can be both child-raisers and artists amid parental struggles.
The e-book will be accessible to the public, and also available for free download. It can be a part of a parent’s reading list, and can also be used by colleges as reading material for their students. For a free copy of the e-book, visit the CCP Intertextual Division Facebook page or send an email to ccpintertextualdivision@gmail.com or text 0919-3175708.