Pieces to be read this evening from the anthology will include:

Janet Alvarado’s Introduction to Claming Our Stories – read by the author/editor

Albert A. Acena’s “Where Have the Nurses Gone? – read by Laarni San Juan

Rhys Alvarado’s “1946” – read by Alohi Alvarado

Emil Guillermo’s “Centennial Club Members Ricardo and Willie: Filipinos in the Heart of San Francisco” – read by Janet Alvarado

Baylan Megino’s “Dancing My Filipino Roots” – read by the author

Oscar Peñaranda’s “Babaylan in Playland by the Sea” – read by Edwin Lozada

Giulio Sorro’s “My Dad Is a Flower” – read by the author

_________________________________________________

Bios of the writers and readers:

Alohi Vega Alvarado is native born of Maui, Hawaii. She is an artist, freelance model and designer. In high school, Alohi pursued live theater performance and art.  In 2021, Alohi was featured in underwater fashions by Justin Drew, Fashion Le Cour.  Alohi, a third generation Alvarado comes from a long lineage of Creators.

Rhys Alvarado is a freelance writer and nightlife columnist with the San Francisco Examiner. Rhys was raised by his mother and grew up with the support of his Filipino family on the quiet island of Maui. In high school, he recognized his ability to write, and when college came around, he chose to explore the stories he’d find studying journalism. He is currently penning an autobiography about growing up in ‘90s Hawai’i.

Baylan Megino is the founder of Global Dream Makers and creator of the Dream Maker Matrix(tm). She is a 3rd generation Filipina American who advocates cultural awareness, history, and entrepreneurship to bridge cultures and countries. She has contributed to anthologies and publications. Today Baylan has a podcast, holds global summits, and helps people transition to creating the life of their dreams.

Oscar Peñaranda was born in Barugo, Leyte, Philippines and moved to Vancouver Canada when he turned twelve, and then moved to San Francisco in his senior year of high school. An educator for over forty years, and a writer for more, and a Filipino even longer, he has written stories, plays, essays, memoirs, and poems on how it feels to be a human being at a certain place in a certain time on this planet. He received the prestigious Gawad ng Alagad ni Balagtas in 2012, given by the Writers Guild of the Philippines. He has influenced generations through his works in literature, education, and community.