FROM AMERICA TO AFRICA, Voices of Filipino Women Overseas [Paperback]

Edited by Lorna Kalaw-Tirol (Author), Lorna Kalaw-Tirol (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2000

Nineteen Filipino women who have established homes and careers in various parts of the world come together in "FROM AMERICA TO AFRICA: Voices of Filipino Women Overseas". In essays especially written for the book, the women describe, discuss and reflect on their lives and their work, and the lessons they have drawn from being Filipino women abroad.

The writers of "FROM AMERICA TO AFRICA: Voices of Filipino Women Overseas" include a Muslim nurse in Saudi Arabia; an information technology expert in the government of Ontario, Canada; a nuclear safeguards inspector in Vienna; a former Ambassador to the United Nations in both Geneva and New York, a writer of history in Chile; a women's rights advocate in Eastern Europe; a television broadcaster in Singapore; a missionary nun in Cameroon, Africa; a visual artist and a translator of books in France; a domestic helper turned magazine editor in Hongkong; and a development consultant in Italy. Seven of the writers are based in the United States. They include the CEO of a giant multinational corporation, an animal rights' crusader, a fictionist, a yoga teacher, an inner-city activitist, a child care specialist, and an obstetrician-gynecologist.

The migrant's experience described in the essays is evoked by the cover painting done by Rome-based Lina Llaguno Ciani. A pointillist sketch of the writer by Philippine-based artist Lynett Villariba accompanies each essay.

The book was edited by journalist Lorna Kalaw-Tirol and published by New York-based corporate executive Imelda M. Nicolas

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lorna Kalaw-Tirol is Editor and Co-publisher of the book, "FROM AMERICA TO AFRICA: Voices of Filipino Women Overseas". She is a freelance journalist and book editor. She has been connected with various magazines and newspapers in Manila since the Sixties and briefly with a regional newspaper, "The Asian", in Hongkong.

In the last five years, three of the books she has edited - "Coming To Terms", "Duet for EDSA", and "The World of 1896" - have won National Book Awards from the Manila Critics Circle.

Ms. Tirol is a co-founder and member of the board of editors of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.

Since turning freelancer four years ago, she has been working from her home in Antipolo City, east of Manila. She and her husband, a newspaper publisher, have two sons. REVIEW1: "In 19 essays, 19 women living and working around the world, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, in Paris and Hongkong, in the warrens of UN offices in Geneva, among international NGO's in Rome and among communities in Chile, share what it means to be a Filipina among foreigners. Their experiences cover the whole range of social and professional levels: a missionary nun, the CEO of a major multinational company, an obstetrician-gynecologist, an international diplomat, a television broadcaster, a nuclear safeguards inspector, a nurse and a domestic helper.....And yet many are the common threads that run through their accounts, mini-biographies that seek to explain why they are where they are, and the journey that brought them there." REVIEW1_SOURCE: Rina Jimenez-David, opinion columnist, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Product Details

• Paperback: 279 pages
• Publisher: FAI Resource Management (April 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9719219505
• ISBN-13: 978-9719219507
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,939,207 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointing, November 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: FROM AMERICA TO AFRICA, Voices of Filipino Women Overseas (Paperback)

Was looking forward to reading this book. I thought I finally found a book about Filipino women who made a difference across professions and borders. I was quite disappointed, however, at finding most of the pieces too self-congratulatory. It's really too bad. Could've been a truly inspiring book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "If you are looking for a book to read, pick this one", July 15, 2000

By 

Charmaine Manansala (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: FROM AMERICA TO AFRICA, Voices of Filipino Women Overseas (Paperback)

Earlier this evening, I went to the book signing of "From America to Africa, Voices of Filipino Women Overseas". It was so inspiring to see and hear these women talk about their varied experiences and their words of wisdom. Their stores are truly compelling. So if you are looking for a book to read, this is the one to pick up. Tell your friends, give it to your younger sisters, share it with your grandmother.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful/Compelling/Passionate, July 14, 2000

By 

Charmaine Manansala (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: FROM AMERICA TO AFRICA, Voices of Filipino Women Overseas (Paperback)

The stories of overseas Filipinas are insightful,compelling and passionate. We promise you a good read!