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Halo-Halo Review

Honored and humbled to contribute to "The Halo-Halo Review," an online collection of reviews of books by Filipino authors aggregated by publisher, editor, poet and writer Eileen R. Tabios. Reviews are highlighted in "The Mangozine" which features new reviews and serves as the online publisher for reviews and other engagements.

In the fifth issue of "The Mangozine," I reviewed Cecilia Manguerra Brainard's second novel "Magdalena." Here's an excerpt:
Merging patterns of poetry and fiction, Magdalena succeeds in delivering historical fiction that moves gently and steadily to reveal multiple levels of meaning for Filipinos in the homeland and in the diaspora. In Magdalena, the characters embody unique components of the Filipino psyche through traditions and values. The Filipino reader would recognize members of our own pamilya in the multitude of intrigues, secrets, tragedies and heartaches that fill each chapter. Read more.

Eileen R. Tabios speaks at Berkeley Art Museum
Beyond publishing "The Halo-Halo Review," editor and critic Eileen R. Tabios tirelessly and selflessly promotes the work of Filipino authors in the diaspora and in the homeland through numerous poetry and fiction collections, anthologies and blogs. An award-winning poet, her work has been recognized by the Academy of American Poets Poetry Book Club, Asian American Writers Workshop, California Council for the Humanities, Council of Literary Magazines and Presses, Manila Critics Circle (Philippines), National Endowment of the Arts, among many others.

Literary works of Filipino authors reflect the complex interminglings of history, memory, identity, culture, and community. Introducing Issue 5 of "The Mangozine," Eileen writes:

"The presented essays to date corroborate the need for a journal like THE HALO-HALO REVIEW -- they highlight the uniqueness of English-language Filipino literature that cannot be subsumed in other categories like "Asian American" or "People of Color" literature. Feel free to suggest other books which may offer useful contributions that deserve to be republished online."

Much gratitude to Eileen for providing the platform to recognize Filipino authors and the stories they've brought to life.



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