VTY REPRESENTED AT CENTER FOR ART AND THOUGHT EXHIBITION

"STORM: A TYPHOON HAIYAN RECOVERY PROJECT" is curated by Johanna F. Almiron and J. Lorenzo Perillo, November 2014 for the Center for Art and Thought.  VTY contributor Janice Sapigao read her poem “An Invocation After Typhoon Haiyan” during their fundraiser event on Nov. 8, 2015.  

Her poem is also posted on the Center for Art and Thought's website HERE.

The Center for Art and Thought is an educational, arts & entertainment, and charity organization.  Their Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Art-and-Thought/219498038124805

CENTER FOR BABAYLAN STUDIES

We are pleased to share that the latest recipient of funds raised from sales of VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA is the Center for Babaylan Studies (CfBS).

CfBS will work with providing relief to Haiyan survivors, specifically working with Panay Bukidnon communities devastated by the typhoon, in conjunction with the relief efforts of Sonoma County, CA.

We thank CfBS for their ongoing outreach to various communities around the world, including those affected by Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines.

BABAYLAN PANEL IN SAN FRANCISCO

VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA was part of the books discussed and presented by Eileen Tabios at this event:

[Click on image to enlarge]

Babaylan: 2-4 PM, Sunday,Nov. 9, 2014

San Francisco Public Library, Main Branch

100 Larkin Street

San Francisco

Koret Auditorium

BABAYLAN: A Roundtable Discussion of Bay Area Filipino Women Writers

Eileen R. Tabios joined other Pinay writers sharing narratives in progress and talking  about the importance of the Bay Area for their writing and practice.  Other participants were Jean Vengua, Arlene Biala, Veronica Montes, Elsa Valmidiano and Rose Booker.  Host was Barbara Jane Reyes.

Sponsors: Philippine American Writers and Artists and SFPL.

Barbara Janes Reyes, Veronica Montes, Eileen Tabios, Elsa Valdimiano, Jean Vengua, 

Rose Booker and Arlene Biala. (Sunny Vergara's photo). Art on screen by Trinidad Escobar.

PAWA founder Ed Lozada and Lisa at book table which featured, among others, SUN STIGMATA, THE AWAKENING and VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA

Long-time activist Terry Bautista with a copy of VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA!

Arlene Biala and Barbara Jane Reyes--something about the Giants...

Eileen was also moved to meet Amy Pabalan who was apparently published for the first time when I accepted one of her poems for VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA -- it's always special to midwife that first publication.

Thanks as well to Mitch Yangson who curates the Filipino American Center for the San Francisco Public Library.

SONOMA, CALIFORNIA BOOK LAUNCH

EVENTS REPORT

At The Sitting Room - A Community Library, Eileen R. Tabios launched three 2014 books:

147 MILLION ORPHANS (MMXI-MML) (gradient books, Finland)
SUN STIGMATA (Sculpture Poems) (Marsh Hawk Press, New York)
and
as Editor, VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA (Meritage Press, San Francisco & St. Helena)

Here are photos from the wonderful event:

Erin, a visiting student from Sonoma State University and 

The Sitting Room founder J.J. Wilson by the book table.

Scholar-poet Lily Mendoza

Poet-scholar Leny M. Strobel 

Among the delicious refreshments put together by Sheila Bare was

the above cracker with goat cream cheese and truffle honey. Truffle honey!

Home-made calamansi chips by noted poet-scholar and chef Leny M. Strobel!

Sadly, Eileen's books couldn't compete with Dr. Seuss for Gabriella's attention.

*****

THE PRESS RELEASE

The Sitting Room - A Community Library (near Sonoma State University) will present a book launch for Eileen R. Tabios' three 2014 books:

147 MILLION ORPHANS (MMXI-MML) (gradient books, Finland)
SUN STIGMATA (Sculpture Poems) (Marsh Hawk Press, New York)
and
as Editor, VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA

The event is free to the public and will take place at 2 pm, Saturday, November 1, 2014.  Please click on The Sitting Room link for directions and other information.  The Sitting Room is at  2025 Curtis Drive, Penngrove, CA.

Other poets from VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA, also will be present at the launch.  All book sales proceeds during this event -- not just from VTY but also Eileen Tabios' two other books -- will be donated for Haiyan relief.  To date, attending VTY poets will include Joi Barrios, Michelle Bautista, Leny Strobel and Marianne Villanueva!

Readings, discussions, Q&As -- you are invited to attend and participate!

For questions: email MeritagePress@aol.com

CHICAGO LAUNCH

A Chicago launch for VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA was part of a typhoon memorial event--"Typhoon Haiyan, One Year Later: Remembrance and Reconstruction"--on  October 19, 2014 at the Assembly Hall (auditorium), International House, University of Chicago, 1414 E. 59th St., Chicago, IL 60637.

The event began with a reception and included an art display, readings from the book, a musical performance, a dance, and a panel discussing reconstruction efforts. The panel consisted of UNICEF, a Tacloban medical mission, and a university professor.

The event is sponsored by the Filipino American National Historical Society--Midwest Chapter, the Chicago Arts Coalition, and U Chicago departments (Center for International Studies, Program for the Global Environment, and International House).

Information about the event is available on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Typhoon-Haiyan-One-Year-Later-Remembrance-and-Reconstruction/268979129969996

During the event, this video was played; VTY is noted at about 2:40:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxqriDnEsGpiUkdhN0prOGxKaE0/edit

Thanks to VTY contributor Almira Gilles for coordinating!

VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA IN 100 THOUSAND POETS FOR CHANGE FUNDRAISER!

Eileen Tabios and VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA participated in a 100 Thousand Poets for Change Event in Napa, CA -- funds were raised for both a program to help kids exposed to domestic violence and survivors of Haiyan.  Here are pics of organizer Glynda Velasco, who's also a poet in the anthology; fellow featured poet Janet Stickmon who presented her poetry reading as music to both a painter Angeli Lata and dancer Emee LaRose; the organizers; and various Open Mic poets in attendance:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PRESS RELEASE:

Eileen Tabios and VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA will be participating in a "100 Thousand Poets for Change" event in Napa California.  Here's the flyer where she will be a featured poet in the referenced 6-8 pm Open Mic Fundraiser.

From the event's Press Release:

100 THOUSAND POETS FOR CHANGE-NAPA
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2014.

POETRY OPEN MIC AND FUNDRAISER FOR KEDS PROGRAM

Time: 6:00-8:00PM 

Doors open and open mic sign ups open: 5:30PM
Open mic sign ups close at 7PM or when list is filled.

Location: Slack Collective Art Studios and Gallery
964 Pearl Street, Suite B. Napa, CA (Entrance in back of the building.)

Hosted by Jonathan Pyner (of Mewted Poetry Jam: Workshop and Open Mic)

**

Eileen Tabios’ 28^th poetry collection, SUN STIGMATA, is forthcoming this Fall from the New York publisher Marsh Hawk Press.  She recently released the poetry book 147 MILLION ORPHANS and edited a 133-poet fundraising anthology for Haiyan/Yolanda typhoon survivors. Translated into seven languages, she received the Philippines’ National Book Award for Poetry. She is an avid bibliophile. When she is not publishing, critiquing, promoting, and writing books, she enjoys the scenery of  her St. Helena home along with her family which includes her husband, son, and four legged companion Achilles, as shown here in photo.

VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA: A Storm of Filipino Poets will be sold at this open mic event. Half of the book sales proceeds go to Yolanda and half to KEDS Program for this special 100 Thousand Poets for Change-Napa fundraiser event. KEDS (Kids Exposed to Domestic Violence Services) is a program of the nonprofit NEWS (Napa Emergency Women's Services). 

For more information about 100 Thousand Poets for Change-Napa or please contact co-organizer:
Glynda Velasco 
phone: (707) 501-3670 or 
email: glyndavelasco@gmail.com

More information at Facebook Event Page.

ARCHIVED AT POETS'' HOUSE, NEW YORK CITY

VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA was presented during Poets House's Annual Poetry Showcase.  And it is now in its collection -- a list of all books archived from the showcase this year is available HERE!

(Photo from Poets House, New York City)

TACLOBAN BOOK LAUNCH UPDATE

VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA was just launched in Tacloban!  We are grateful to writer-activisit Almira Gilles for coordinating the event at the University of the Philippines at Tacloban.  Almira writes, “I was fortunate to have met Jasmin Ado, and she'll attest that the launch was emotional and powerful. Tacloban and other disaster-hit areas are still in much need of help, and this book is a tribute to their resilience and our unity.”

Here are some photos!

Almira with another VTY poet, Jasmin Ado

From Almira: "First visit to UP Tacloban, the morning of the event. The fabulous U.P. Prof. Joycie Dorado-Alegre, organizer of the event, second from right."

Feel free to go to Almira Astudillo Gilles' Facebook for more photos, including scenes from the aftermath of Yolanda, such as this:

Meritage Press would like to thank everyone involved in presenting the book.  We also are glad that anthology sales helped aid a donation of anthology copies to the Tacloban community.

"STORMED" BY FRANCESCO CONTE

UPDATE:  The documentary, "STORMED" is now available for your perusal on Vimeo.  Go to this link: http://vimeo.com/99549556

At about 21:41, Joi Barrios-Leblanc's poem, "SUMPA NG KAWAYAN" (with English translation) is read over the compelling images.

****

Francesco Conte is an Italian journalist and film maker.  He's making a documentary entitled "Stormed" on the Haiyan and Sendong storms.  And we're pleased to report that Joi Barrios-Leblanc's poem in VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA, "Sumpa Ng Kawayan" will be part of his documentary!  More information will be reported as we hear.  Meanwhile, here are some links to Mr. Conte:

https://www.facebook.com/franatopos

• http://italiain30giorni.blogspot.com/
• 
  
• http://twitter.com/#!/franatopos
• 
  
• http://www.franatopos.com
• 
  
• http://www.atopicamente.blogspot.com
• 
  
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/atopos
• 
  
• 
  

DE ANZA COLLEGE: "ONE HEART ONE FAMILY"

VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA will be represented by Eileen Tabios, Michelle Bautista and Aileen Ibardaloza at this weekend's benefit event at De Anza College -- open to the public:

The evening's program:

6-7p Dinner, set-up, DJs, Open Mic, Announcements

7-7:10 Introductions

10 min: PATTERSON

5 min: Brandon

5 min: Alicia

10 min: Brian Dublin

7 min: DSA

10 min: VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA book reading

5 min: South Bay Task Force Haiyan/Kim & Rey (donations pitch)

5 min: Brandi

10 min or under: Far East Dragon Lion Dance

10 min: Sam Young & Kazamm

10 min or under: Ernie Reyes World West Coast Martial Arts

10 min: Denny Pham

10 min: Yiann

5 min: Closing

More information about the program is available at http://www.ysom.org/concert.html

This is a fundraising event and donations will be given to National Alliance for Filipino Concerns-USA which helps survivors of Typhoon Haiyan.

UPDATE: Some photos from event below (other photos are in prior post or HERE):

Michelle Bautista, her baby Gabriella, De Anza Instructor Rowena Tomaneng, 

Eileen Tabios and Aileen Ibardaloza)

(Aileen with Ray Llabang, one of the student organizers who also spoke on behalf of NafCon)

*****

Poets from VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA participated in the May 31, 2014 Benefit at De Anza College, from 7-9 pm.  The VTY poets did a reading and the anthology was available for sale.  Participants were:

Michelle Bautista is a poet and 3rd degree black belt in the Philippine Martial Art of Kali. Her current projects include a memoir/instructional martial arts book tentatively titled, Mandirigmang Babae: journey of the woman warrior and multi-lingual children's ebooks. Author of Kali's Blade (Meritage Press, 2006), she lives in Oakland, CA with her husband and newborn daughter.

Aileen Ibardaloza is the Associate Editor of Our Own Voice Literary Ezine (www.oovrag.com). Her works have appeared in various online and print media including the anthology, Hanggang sa Muli: Homecoming Stories for the Filipino Soul. Her first poetry collection, Traje de Boda, was published by Meritage Press in 2010.

VTY Editor Eileen R. Tabios has released more than 20 print, three electronic and 1 CD poetry collections; an art essay collection; a “collected novels” book; a poetry essay/interview anthology; a short story collection; and an experimental biography. Recipient of the Philippines’ National Book Award for Poetry for her first poetry collection, she has crafted an award-winning body of work that is unique for melding ekphrasis with transcolonialism. Her poems have been translated into Spanish, Italian, Tagalog, Japanese, Portuguese, Polish, Greek, computer-generated hybrid languages, Paintings, Video, Drawings, Visual Poetry, Mixed Media Collages, Kali Martial Arts, Music, Modern Dance and Sculpture.  She also has edited, co-edited or conceptualized ten anthologies of poetry, fiction and essays.  She maintains a bibliophilic blog, “EileenVerbs Books“; edits Galatea Resurrects; steers the publisher Meritage Press; serves as Library Director for BIBLIOTHECA INVISIBILIS; and frequently curates thematic online poetry projects including LinkedIn Poetry Recommendations.

*****

JULY 14, 2014 UPDATE:

I'm pleased to report the largest single donation so far for NAFCON  which helps survivors of Typhoon Haiyan.  Here’s an image — and may there be more future images like this (you can make it happen through HERE): 

PHOTO COVERAGE FROM "ONE HEART ONE FAMILY"

VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA was represented at De Anza's Benefit for Yolanda survivors. Here are some photos of the FEST! Musicians, singers, a hula dancer, hip hop, a ukelele cover of Lorde, martial arts, "Bollywood"and, of course, Poetry!

Last but not least -- the tweaking lions!

(Baby Gabriella was unsure over the whole thing ...)