In this excerpt from the book, “Not on Our Watch: Martial Law Really Happened. We Were There,” CNN correspondent and Beijing bureau chief Jaime “Jimi” FlorCruz recounts how he and a motley group of fellow student activists were stranded in China following a three-week tour in 1971. Fearing arrest and military reprisals, the group was forced to live in China after President Marcos first suspended the writ of habeas corpus and then declared martial law in 1972.
It was a step towards greatness. On Aug. 10, 2013, the Philippines rejoined the ranks of the world’s basketball elite, an achievement that resonated in a nation addicted to basketball. To do so, the team, known as Gilas Pilipinas, had to overcome the team that had emerged as its nemesis in international play through the years: Korea. Bucking the odds and in front of a frenzied home crowd, Gilas did just that, winning 86-79, ensuring the team of at least a second place finish and one of three slots to the basketball World Cup in Spain in 2014.
Like a hero in a science fiction story, Claude Tayag seems to live in three different worlds all at once. But if you ask him, it’s the same world with different aspects to it. Widely known for being a visual artist and an accomplished chef with a devotion to Kapampangan cuisine, Claude has also emerged as an engaging food writer and author.
It is a challenge to figure out exactly where to begin when it comes to telling the story of Ed Maranan. Quite curious, considering how the man is a pro when it comes to telling stories. Stories for adults and children, poetry, plays… he literally breathes them. Even when he talks, the sentences slide and move from one story to another almost without gaps.
Extremely shy and low-key, casual and sporting a goatee, Manix Abrera is the last person you’d imagine leading a cult. But he is—in a sense. The 30-year-old cartoonist is the creator of the “Kikomachine” comic strip, whose books are among the country’s best-sellers.
Contrary to the popular misconception that they are read only by the household help, Filipino romances rank among the most diverse and vibrant products of the Philippine publishing industry. They don’t get a lot of love from the literati crowd, but are nonetheless the result of a dizzying creative process and have an extremely loyal following that continues to grow.
On their own, radio and books represent traditionally powerful forms of media for Filipinos. Put them together, and you have a potent mix indeed.
Fittingly enough for someone who willingly surrounds herself with stories from childhood, Tarie Sabido’s nickname is accompanied by a quirky...
Growing up surrounded by books, Andrea Pasion-Flores seemed destined to work with books. What was perhaps unexpected was just how deeply involved she was going to be in the field. The award-winning fictionist and currently the only Filipino literary agent has been making literature as well as representing it.
The first and most important thing you need to know about Anthony De Luna is that he’s not here to destroy your books. On the contrary, he loves old-fashioned ink-and-paper books.
