Fil-Am bookstore’s ‘Pinay Gathering’ to mark Women’s History Month

Philippine Expressions bookshop’s 26th Pinay Gathering to honor women authors of Philippine ancestry is the third event in the Book Talk Series for 2023. CONTRIBUTED

SAN PEDRO, California – The annual National Women’s History Month book talks, readings and book signings will take place at Philippine Expressions Bookshop on Saturday, March 25.

The bookshop’s 26th Pinay Gathering to honor women authors of Philippine ancestry is the third event in the Book Talk Series for 2023.

The live, in-person event will be held at 479 West Sixth Street, Suite 105, San Pedro. The bookshop is located in an art-deco 1928 vintage building right in the cultural arts section of San Pedro which is the Port City of Los Angeles.

It is free and open to the public but registration is requested due to space limitations. RSVP by calling 310-514-9139 or open this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-26th-pinay-gathering-tickets-579823125577

The featured authors are: Jennifer Suzara-Cheng, Lia Ocampo, Melody Lomboy-Lowe, Gracelyn Bateman and Norma Samuelson.

Jennifer Suzara-Cheng is a Filipino American grandmother, author, science educator and recipient of multiple awards on environmental education advocacy.

My First Book of Animals/Ang Aking Unang Aklat ng Mga Hayop won in the category Children’s Picture Book: Softcover Non-Fiction of the 2020 International Book Awards.

Lia Ocampo was born and raised in the Philippines, where she spent 18 years working for the U.S. government. She came to New York City in July 2012 as an immigrant. In 2014, she achieved her lifelong goal of becoming a flight attendant.

Her first book, What We Know for Sure is a compilation of inspirational stories of Filipino immigrants in America. In 2021, she published her second book, I Love Flying: An Inspirational Journal for Your Flying and Travel Adventures.

Melody Lomboy-Lowe is a childhood leukemia survivor, in remission for 40 years. She co-founded the nonprofit Luna Peak Foundation. Follow Me, Cancer Free! is her book for children. Her book and that of Gracelyn Bateman were published by Luna Peak, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports those affected by cancer and grief. Luna Peak has donated over two thousand books to hospitals, palliative care and hospice centers, retirement facilities, support groups and therapist offices.

They collaborated on two books: Beyond Remission: Words of Advice for Thriving and Beyond Grief: Snapshots of Life After Loss, Portraits, which include mementos, and stories of how 80 grievers have navigated their life after loss.

Norma Samuelson started her classical training as an artist at the age of 12 at the Martin A. Malharro Superior School of Visual Arts, in Mar del Plata, Argentina. At the age 26 she started her own business as an Architectural Illustrator, and went on to work for some of the largest firms in the country. Currently she has turned her talents to author and illustrate children’s books.

Her two books are Emma’s Dream and A Life, An Orphan. Emma’s Dream is a story about a little orphan girl living with 6 other kids in an orphanage. She dreams of having her own family, until someday her dream becomes a reality.  The illustrations are rendered with graphite pencil, colored pencil, and watercolor. The book has been translated into different languages, including Filipino and is entitled Pangarap ni Emma.

Autographed copies of the authors’ books can be ordered via email at :  [email protected] The books presented in this event were especially chosen by the bookshop owner, Linda Nietes-Little so that true to life stories are depicted to enhance the reader’s awareness of the various problems that beset our society today.

The Book Talk Series is part of the ongoing outreach program of Philippine Expressions Bookshop in order to increase the visibility of Filipino and Filipino American Authors, Performance and Visual Artists in the American scene.

The next event, Book Talk #4 will be on Saturday, April 29 when new titles will be launched.

To be included in the bookshop’s mailing list, send an email or call 310-514-9139. If you wish to volunteer for events, just call or email the bookshop.