Monday, November 12, 2018

Lit News: Martha Cecilia Day Launches the Author's Last Novel

Para Siempre, a Celebration of the Life and Legacy of the Romance Diva


martha cecilia day 2018
Martha Cecilia Day or also know as MC Day 2018
October 28, 2018 - hundred of attendees have gathered to celebrate the "Martha Cecilia Day" or also known as the MC Day with The Eirycats, the romance diva's fan group. It was the 25th anniversary of the late Martha Cecilia as a romance writer.

Precious Pages Corporation, publisher of Precious Hearts Romances decided to launch her last novel: The Farmer and the Heiress, written in 2014 and finished by her daughters Nina Martinne and Tsina Cajayon. The event held at The Space, 4th floor of JRich Corporate Center in Sto. Domingo Avenue, Quezon City.

The Farmer and the Heiress is about the beautiful Elleana Syquia, who was born in London with a rich family background in the Ilocos region. Her fabulous life takes a turn when her mother dies. She was obligated and has to leave London to manage her family's hacienda in the said region. Back in her home country, she meets Felipe, a farmer and the most wretched man she has ever met.


Here are some of the positive reviews about The Farmer and the Heiress:
“Done reading… ang ganda super ganda… na miss ko yung mga gawa ni MC. Ung malalim na Tagalog iba tlga tatak Martha Cecilia… Nakakalungkot lng na ito na ung huling gawa ni MC but still nag iisang Martha Cecilia yan at kahit kailan di malalaos at kahit kailan di makakalimutan ang mga akda nya. imiss MC truly. Salamat sa pagkakataon na makapunta at maka-attend sa #MCDAY #ParaSiempre… ” says Abegail Azuela after finishing the book.
“Natapos ko ang book na maraming pagtigil, may mysterious part, nakakaiyak, nakaka-in love,” says Malou Galviso, in one of her Social Media post about the book.

MC Day's theme was Coachella where attendees came in their late spring shorts or Bohemian-inspired outfits. The event began on time with loot bags given to early birds. The program included a game raffle, video presentations, interview, and book signing with Nina Martinne.

freebies for early birds of martha cecilia day
Gifts & other prizes from the Martha Cecilia Day

nina martinne daughter of martha cecilia
Nina Martinne signing The Farmer and the Heiress

All-in-all, the MC Day brought a lot of memories from the romance author, truly a very significant day for the fans.

martha cecilia fans
Attendees of the Martha Cecilia (MC) Day

The Farmer and the Heiress, as of this writing, are now available at most branches of Precious Pages Store. The book will hit other bookstores in the coming weeks.

For more lit events, check the Facebook page of Precious Pages Corp. and Lampara Books below:


About Martha Cecilia:
Martha Cecilia (born Maribeth dela Cruz née Hamoy) [May 13, 1953 - December 08, 2014 †], the Romance Diva, has written tons of best-sellers in the romance genre with interesting storylines and charming personalities that readers would love to root for. Martha Cecilia's most notable legacy is her writing: accessible and playful but full of sass and feminine sensuality. She perfected the Pinoy romance formula the way readers want to feel it, regardless of ridiculous one-liners and questionable plots. Four years after her death, Martha Cecilia's legacy remains untouched.


Thanks!

Saturday, November 3, 2018

Lit News: PISTA! Pambansang Komperensiya sa Panitikang Pambata

literature event in the philippines pista On October 27, 2018, authors, artists, teachers, students and literature enthusiasts gathered to attend the very first Pista! (Pambansang Komperensiya sa Panitikang Pambata), sponsored by Lampara Publishing House, Inc. The event was directed by writer-teacher China Patria de Vera and award-winning author Dr. Eugene Y. Evasco.

Keynote speakers were Dr. Rosario Torres-Yu who discussed regional children's literature, Mr. Segundo Matias, Jr. who talked about his recently released Young Adult novel "Mga Batang Poz" and award-winning author Wilfredo Pascual with his topic about the children's literature in Asia and Africa.

pista pambansang komperensiya sa panitikang pambata

There were four parallel sessions by 17 speakers who discussed regional children's literature, sexuality, gender-based stories, and the significance of reading to children.

Five masterclasses were additionally opened to the participants. Masterclass on Writing Children's Book by writer Becky Bravo, illustrating children's books by Prof. Ruben de Jesus, and Creating Comics with Black Ink artists Herbs Navasca and Jake Vicente. A masterclass on Writing Young Adult stories was also opened and graced by Rebel Fiction author Luna King and the first champ of Lampara Prize Young Adult Story Writing Contest, Steno Padilla. The masterclass was finished by LGBT-Themed story writers Leonna and Nina Satomi from Pride Lit.

Consistent with its name, Pista! (Pambansang Komperensiya sa Panitikang Pambata) was a true fiesta. The day was loaded up with new information, and awareness concerning children's literature and reading.