21 October 2015 – The Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc., in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco and the San Francisco Public Library, held the 3rd Filipino-American International Book Festival at the Koret Auditorium of the San Francisco Public Library from October 02 to 04.
The event coincided with the month-long celebration of Filipino-American History Month. With the theme, “Bukas na bukas: An Open Tomorrow. Pin@y Lit in the 21st Century,” the three-day festival included a film screening of Dr. Nicanor Tiongson’s “Ang Kababaihan ng Malolos” at the Library’s Koret Auditorium, panel discussions on Filipino-American History, Philippine Diaspora and Politics, Arts and Literature, a gallery talk led by Ms. Patis Tesoro and Fashion Designer and Textile Technologist Anthony Cruz Legarda on piña, Hot Off the Press Author Readings, and many more.
In his remarks at the closing ceremony of the Bookfest, Consul General Henry S. Bensurto said that the Bookfest aligns with the Consulate’s thrusts of promoting empowerment and continuity. “The substantive discussions on everything Filipino and Filipino American would ensure the continuity of our culture and history from generation to generation. The end goal is to empower the Filipino American community in the U.S. by making sure that they know themselves – their history and culture, their values, their soul and what they can contribute to this nation.”
The Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc. (PAWA) invited authors from all over the world to the Book Festival. When asked why “Bukas na Bukas” was chosen as the theme for the Festival, Filipino-American poet Karen Llagas said that much of Filipino-American literature focused on the immigrant experience of their parents and grandparents. Today’s authors and poets are now ready to write without limitations, celebrating other aspects of Filipino culture and heritage.
At the opening of the Book Festival, PAWA recognized the Philippine Consulate’s efforts in partnering with the community to bring the festival to life. PAWA President Edwin Lozada presented books to Consul General Bensurto as a token of appreciation.
The Bookfest is one of the major activities that specifically targets the Filipino-American Community, in support of the Filipino American Center of the San Francisco Public Library. END