10/28/2024
When I began thinking more earnestly about what I wanted my book launch to look like and feel like, I immediately knew I wanted it to feel warm, inviting, and comfortable. Basically, I wanted it to feel like the many Filipino parties I grew up going to-whether for relatives or family friends. My parents were part of a huge wave of immigrants from the Philippines after the passing of The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, so there were many such parties to attend as a child. These parties usually had bountiful Filipino food, great music (karaoke too), dancing, and children running around while the adults caught up in Tagalog.
I’m in awe at how everything aligned in such a perfect way: I was able to reserve .lb (a Filipina American owned event and retail space) and Filipina American owned happily agreed to carry my book. Then two of my Filipina American friends and agreed to help facilitate the program, which consisted of Katrina leading a heartfelt grief ritual connected to our collective Mother lineage, and Danielle interviewing me and offering a comforting hand whenever I began to cry. My Filipina American friends and jumped in enthusiastically to help plan the set up, decor, and do the installation and clean up after. New Filipina American friend agreed to my last minute request for one of her signature ube tres leches cakes (SO delicious) and thanks to I ordered amazing Filipino food from . Filipina American Kim of .lb offered the best day-off support while Jenn owner of .lb offered a warm introduction.
I read an excerpt from my book that focused on my Filipino heritage and I teared up many times, especially whenever I looked up at my Uncle Art who was in attendance- the first event he has dressed up for since his wife, my Tita Lorna, died two years ago. Rooted so strongly in Filipina American energy as it was, it’s really no wonder my book launch celebration was so meaningful. So powerful. So comforting. So beautiful.
