June 2021 Update
Dear Friends,
How did this happen??? Half of the year has gone—it's summer already!—and we’ve not posted any updates!
What have we been doing? A few things here and there. Mainly, I've been focusing on writing picture books since I joined this year's 12x12 challenge (to write one picture book story each month).
Briefly, here are highlights of the last few months:
In March, we interviewed with Rise & Shine with FilAm Creative. Thank you, Ed, Rex, Kyme, and Ronnie for such a fun hour talking about publishing, among many other things.
In April, I once again spoke at the University of Texas. Like last time, the freshmen students were attentive and had deep questions about storytelling. I even got to talk about decolonizing publishing! (I'll have to ask for permission to post the video, if possible. Stay tuned.)
The following two videos are not specifically Jack & Agyu related but they're very much in the spirit of resistance and liberation so I will add them here. I celebrated Cesar Chavez Day with a short shout-out to the Fil-Am manongs who collaborated with Cesar Chavez to bring about the creation of the United Farm Workers Union. This was part of the City of Davis' Cesar Chavez Day Celebration. Thank you, City of Davis, for including me!
AND I also was part of a webinar panel on Ethnic Studies. However, my mic wouldn't work so I ended up doing a separate segment towards the end of the video. Check it out here! Vanguard Webinar: Yolo County Ethnic Studies Public Forum (Video) | Davis Vanguard Thanks to the organizers at the Davis Vanguard for including me.
In May, I was asked to give a keynote speech for the Bukidnon State College’s celebration of International Language Month. Watch here: https://youtu.be/074nNylrJ8Y
In June, to celebrate Philippine Independence Day, I read Jack & Agyu and Lynnor did a craft session (kalasag making) for the Bergenfield Public Library in New Jersey. Video here: https://youtu.be/Bi12zuqQLis
There are a few more events lined up and I'm looking forward to all of them. As well as to summer!
Until next time! Thanks, as always, for the support.
(P.S. As I review this post, I realize I need to change my video background (and maybe get a haircut?) ! I love that mat, though...)