‘Magdaragat’ anthology tops Amazon’s most wished for Asian Canadian Literature list

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The sea connects us all—from those home in the archipelago of the Philippines to Filipinos in nations across the oceans. Being an ever-present entity, the sea makes for the perfect image that would tie together the concept of our identity. That’s exactly why “Magdaragat: An Anthology of Filipino-Canadian Writing” is called such.

The book’s authors describe it further in the anthology’s introduction: “Ocean, sea, water—apt metaphors, then, for the contemporary diasporic Filipino experience. Water as both separator and melder, as symbol of cultural fluidity, of the protean adaptability that is both our blessing and curse.”

Carrying voices of Filipinos both from home and the diaspora, the anthology has soared to the coveted number one spot on Amazon’s most wished for list in the Asian Canadian Literature category. This achievement marks a historic moment as it is the first-ever anthology to feature the collective voices of Filipino-Canadian authors.

To commemorate the significant literary milestone, “Magdaragat” will be officially launched in two in-person events scheduled to take place in Vancouver and Toronto in November. The Vancouver launch, set on Nov. 14, will feature Teodoro Alcuitas who will partake in a thought-provoking question and answer session. The second book launch is scheduled on Nov. 28 at Toronto’s Ben MacNally Books.

“Magdaragat” is a collaborative effort of prominent editors and contributors, including C.E. Gatchalian, a three-time Lambda Literary Award finalist with six published books; Patria Rivera, a celebrated poet and writer with four books and two chapbooks of poetry, including “Puti/White,” shortlisted for a Trillium Book Award for Poetry; and Alcuitas, the publisher and editor of Philippine Canadian News and a former featured writer at Word Vancouver.

Within its pages, “Magdaragat” boasts a diverse ensemble of over 45 writers who skillfully delve into the multifaceted tapestry of Filipino-Canadian identities, experiences, histories, and future aspirations.

The anthology will feature various literary forms, such as poems, essays, speeches, short fiction, and even plays.

The number one spot on Amazon’s most wished for books in Asian Canadian Literature not only signifies the book’s excellence but also extends an invitation to readers worldwide to explore the compelling narratives within the pages of “Magdaragat: An Anthology of Filipino-Canadian Writing.”