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Press Release
THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CHICAGO
PUBLIC LIBRARY, HOLDS A BOOK LAUNCH AND READING OF CAULBEARER BY LUISA A. IGLORIA
In celebration of the National Literature Month and US Poetry Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, in collaboration with the Chicago Public Library, held a book launching and reading of “Caulbearer,” the latest book by Filipino-American author Ms. Luisa A. Igloria, on 12 April 2025 at the Harold Washington Library Center. This is the third book reading event that the
Consulate has organized in recent months.
Ms. Mary Grace Bertulfo (right photo) asks Ms. Luisa A. Igloria (left photo) about her journey and inspirations as a poet. (Photo courtesy of Ms. MJ Mortel)
Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano, in her welcome remarks, underscored the importance of amplifying the voices of Filipina authors and celebrating their narratives that help shape Philippine culture. She likewise emphasized the value of their work in deepening and strengthening the ties between the Philippines and the US through culture.
Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano delivers her remarks before the audience. (Photo courtesy of Ms. MJ Mortel)
Mr. Scott Watanabe, who represented the Chicago Public Library at the event, likewise delivered his brief welcome remarks and provided a brief background of the collaboration project between the Philippine Consulate General and the Chicago Public Library.
The guest author, Ms. Luisa A. Igloria, is a recipient of the prestigious Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas Lifetime Achievement Award in Poetry (English) from UMPIL (the National Union of Writers in the Philippines). She is also an eleven-time recipient of the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature in three genres (poetry, nonfiction, and short fiction) and its Hall of Fame distinction. The Palanca Award is the Philippines’ highest literary prize.
Audience listens to Ms. Igloria as she reads portion of her latest book “Caulbearer”. (Photo courtesy of Ms. MJ Mortel)
In the US, she is the recipient of the Immigrant Writing Series Prize, the Book Arts Letterpress Chapbook Prize, the (inaugural) Resurgence Poetry Prize (the Ginkgo Prize), and was named the Poet Laureate of the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2020. She is a Louis I. Jaffe Professor and a professor of English and creative writing in the MFA creative writing program at Old Dominion University.
Ms. Igloria captivated the audience with readings of her insightful, lyrical, and contemplative poems from both the book "Caulbearer" and her personal collection. She shared the background and context of each poem, which were mainly inspired by her personal experiences, little known parts of Philippine history and other local beliefs.
After her reading, Ms. Igloria was joined by another Filipino-American writer, Ms. Mary Grace Bertulfo, for an engaging discussion of her book. During the conversation, Ms. Igloria delved into her insights on her creative process and the inspiration behind her latest work.
The event, which attracted a diverse audience, showcased the Consulate’s and library’s commitment to fostering a love for literature and poetry. Attendees had the opportunity to purchase signed copies of her book "Caulbearer” at the end of the event. END
The audience participate in the discussion.(Photo courtesy of Ms. MJ Mortel)
Ms. Igloria signs copies of her book after the program. (Photo courtesy of Ms. MJ Mortel)
Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano thanks Ms. Luisa A. Igloria for partnering with the Consulate in the celebration of the National Literature Month. (Photo courtesy of Ms. MJ Mortel)
In celebration of the National Literature Month and US Poetry Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, in collaboration with the Chicago Public Library, held a book launching and reading of “Caulbearer,” the latest book by Filipino-American author Ms. Luisa A. Igloria, on 12 April 2025 at the Harold Washington Library Center. This is the third book reading event that the
Consulate has organized in recent months.
Ms. Mary Grace Bertulfo (right photo) asks Ms. Luisa A. Igloria (left photo) about her journey and inspirations as a poet. (Photo courtesy of Ms. MJ Mortel)
Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano, in her welcome remarks, underscored the importance of amplifying the voices of Filipina authors and celebrating their narratives that help shape Philippine culture. She likewise emphasized the value of their work in deepening and strengthening the ties between the Philippines and the US through culture.
Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano delivers her remarks before the audience. (Photo courtesy of Ms. MJ Mortel)
Mr. Scott Watanabe, who represented the Chicago Public Library at the event, likewise delivered his brief welcome remarks and provided a brief background of the collaboration project between the Philippine Consulate General and the Chicago Public Library.
The guest author, Ms. Luisa A. Igloria, is a recipient of the prestigious Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas Lifetime Achievement Award in Poetry (English) from UMPIL (the National Union of Writers in the Philippines). She is also an eleven-time recipient of the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature in three genres (poetry, nonfiction, and short fiction) and its Hall of Fame distinction. The Palanca Award is the Philippines’ highest literary prize.
Audience listens to Ms. Igloria as she reads portion of her latest book “Caulbearer”. (Photo courtesy of Ms. MJ Mortel)
In the US, she is the recipient of the Immigrant Writing Series Prize, the Book Arts Letterpress Chapbook Prize, the (inaugural) Resurgence Poetry Prize (the Ginkgo Prize), and was named the Poet Laureate of the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2020. She is a Louis I. Jaffe Professor and a professor of English and creative writing in the MFA creative writing program at Old Dominion University.
Ms. Igloria captivated the audience with readings of her insightful, lyrical, and contemplative poems from both the book "Caulbearer" and her personal collection. She shared the background and context of each poem, which were mainly inspired by her personal experiences, little known parts of Philippine history and other local beliefs.
After her reading, Ms. Igloria was joined by another Filipino-American writer, Ms. Mary Grace Bertulfo, for an engaging discussion of her book. During the conversation, Ms. Igloria delved into her insights on her creative process and the inspiration behind her latest work.
The event, which attracted a diverse audience, showcased the Consulate’s and library’s commitment to fostering a love for literature and poetry. Attendees had the opportunity to purchase signed copies of her book "Caulbearer” at the end of the event. END
The audience participate in the discussion.(Photo courtesy of Ms. MJ Mortel)
Ms. Igloria signs copies of her book after the program. (Photo courtesy of Ms. MJ Mortel)
Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano thanks Ms. Luisa A. Igloria for partnering with the Consulate in the celebration of the National Literature Month. (Photo courtesy of Ms. MJ Mortel)