‘Lakbayin ang Sining: Readings in Creative and Cultural Work in the Philippines,’ edited by Alejandro D. Padilla

The book features the narratives, testimonies and heartwarming stories on arts and cultural work in the Philippines as recounted by Filipino artists, cultural workers and arts organizations from various provinces and communities nationwide. It seeks to inspire the present and future generations of artists and community organizers, and to instill in them the value, importance and wisdom of cultural work. The publication also provides a venue for artists, cultural workers and community leaders to relate how their organizations and communities grew, evolved and survived the challenges of cultural work. More significantly, “Lakbayin ang Sining” serves as invaluable source material on Filipino art and culture for students, teachers, scholars, academics and researchers. (Cultural Center of the Philippines; available through the CCP’s Facebook page)

‘Fearless Filipinas: 12 Women Who Dared to Be Different’ by Monica Padillo, Pancho Dizon and Mica Magsanoc; foreword by Vice President Leni Robredo

The message that women can do anything and everything they set their mind to should be a point of emphasis in media, especially literature. Filipino women need more heroes, so they can see and realize that there are no limits to what they can aspire to. Those featured in “Fearless Filipinas” were chosen for how they defied various odds and excelled in fields such as business, entertainment, sports, activism and much more. The stories shared in the book lend insights on how to succeed as a woman leader, the importance of grit and resilience, and overcoming women-centric issues such as sexism and harassment. “Fearless Filipinas” features profiles of Angel Locsin, Dr. Reina Reyes, Kim Lato, Elda Rotor, Kaizen Dela Serna, Erika Legara, Stella Abrera, Jessica Cox, Jessie Sincioco, Dzi Gervacio, Asia Jackson and Merlee Jayme. (Bookshelf PH; available through bookshelf.com.ph)

‘Children of the Postcolony: Filipino Intellectuals and Decolonization, 1946-1972’ by Charlie Samuya Veric

Charlie Samuya Veric, in his new book, “Children of the Postcolony: Filipino Intellectuals and Decolonization, 1946-1972,” examines the contributions of five Filipino intellectuals—Edith Tiempo, Bienvenido Lumbera, Fernando Zobel, E. San Juan Jr. and Jose Maria Sison—to our cultural archive of decolonization. (Ateneo de Manila University Press; available at ateneo.edu/ateneopress and the Ateneo Press Shopee and Lazada stores)

‘My Year Abroad: A Novel’ by Chang-rae Lee

Tiller is an average American college student with a good heart but minimal aspirations. Pong Lou is a larger-than-life, wildly creative Chinese American entrepreneur who sees something intriguing in Tiller beyond his bored exterior and takes him under his wing. When Pong brings him along on a boisterous trip across Asia, Tiller is catapulted from ordinary young man to talented protégé, and pulled into a series of ever more extreme and eye-opening experiences that transform his view of the world, of Pong and of himself. (Riverhead; available from Fully Booked and fullybokedonline.com)