Las Positas College (LIvermore, Calif.) was planning its inaugural literary festival for May 2020. Richard Dry, English professor at Las Positas College, whose daughter and my kids had attended the same elementary school, had asked me if I would like to participate. We were in early discussions on topics when the pandemic hit and the literary festival was postponed. Fast-forward to March 2021. Despite the ongoing pandemic, the festival is set to take place, albeit in an online format. And I have my topic.

I decided on the Evolution of Filipino-American literature because when I was growing up, there were few works being published by Fil-Am writers. There are so many now, in the last decade, that I want to put a spotlight on Fil-Am poets, short story writers, and novelists. I’m going to add Fil-Am nonfiction writers, too. I’m really excited to share some of their names and their works, and I want to talk about how Filipino and Filipino-American history has informed their narratives and how current issues are playing out in their stories. I have never taught literature, but I come prepared with enthusiasm and a robust reading list.

The Last Positas College Literary Festival is on Saturday, May 8th, 9:30am to 8pm PT, with my session running 12:45pm to 2pm PT. You can sign up here. Hope to see you online!