Pinoy writers make waves in Australia

Ranulfo Concon, a first time author born in the island of Bohol, Philippines, is currently making a name as a writer and artist in Sydney. His novel, Nirvana’s Children, has been described as "one of the cleverest, cheekiest comic voices to erupt into the young adult fiction scene." The novel was recently presented in the Sydney Writers’ Festival, a professional, innovative festival that presents ideas, debate, performance, best writers and writing from Australia.

Nirvana’s Children is the story of a 15 year-old Filipino boy who left his repressive home and takes to the streets of Kings Cross, where he falls into a difficult learning process of what life really means.

Concon joins two other successful Australian writers of Filipino heritage, Arlene Chai, whose The Last Time I Saw Mother was an instant hit, and Merlinda Bobis, a bilingual author, lecturer and performance artist.

Chai will give a talk about her perspectives as a migrant in Australia for the last two decades tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at the Australia Center, 104 Paseo de Roxas cor. Perea St., Makati City. She is also the featured speaker in the Filipino and Proud Series – Meet the Author of the Asia Society Philippine Foundation Inc. together with the Australian Embassy and Dymocks on June 20, 5:30 p.m. at the Filipinas Heritage Library.

* * * Zonta Success Stories

The Zonta Foundation Philippines recently launched Holding Up Half the Sky: Success Stories in the Economic Empowerment of Women at the Manila Polo Club. Edited by foundation chair Erlinda Panlilio and foundation president Herminia Fajardo, the book documents successful Zonta projects to economically empower poor women in order to protect them from violence, the violation of their human rights and to redress the many social inequalities they still face. The book is published by Milflores Publishing Corporation and is available at National Book Stores at P320 per copy.

* * * Instituto Cervantes Director Launches Poetry Book

Aire, a book of poetry written by Instituto Cervantes director Felix Blanco was launched recently at the Salon de Actos, Instituto Cervantes, 2515 Leon Guinto corner Estrada Sts., Malate, Manila. The book, a product of Blanco’s creativity and inspired by his long stay in Manila, is his legacy to all those who share his passions.