Thursday, January 14, 2016

Book Launch Invitation: O Susana: Untold Stories of Martial in Davao

You are most warmly invited to the book launch of




Date: February 19, 2016, from 3-5 pm

Venue:  F213 (2nd floor), Finster Bldg., Ateneo de Davao University.

A Letter of Invitation

Dear friends,

On January 13, a group of us met in a room near the Tambara office of the Ateneo de Davao University to discuss the details of the launching of our book     O SUSANA! THE UNTOLD STORIES OF MARTIAL LAW IN DAVAO.

There are more than 30 of us writers who were part of this network of human rights activists during the Marcos regime’s martial rule who congregated in a building known as Susana Building. The offices in this building included: the Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference Secretariat (where I was Executive Secretary), the Mindanao-Sulu Secretariat of Social Action, the Philippine Business for Social Progress, the Foundation of the Banana Planters, Inc., the Mindanao-Sulu Conference for Justice and Development, the Citizens' Council for Justice and Peace and AFRIM.

The building was constantly under the surveillance of the agents of Marcos' authoritarian rule and in fact there were a few raids that took place in that location.  A few of us eventually got arrested, or spent time in prison. A portion of this building, i.e. the MISSSA-MSPCS offices, was burned or caught fire, a mystery to us until now. However, we continued to sustain our commitment long after martial rule ended.

In the years that followed, reunions among those in this network of friends continued to take place as we continued to interact given our sustained commitment to justice, peace and the integrity of creation.  Most remained actively engaged in various social and ecological advocacies based in Davao City.

Two years ago, during this reunion, the idea arose that we should come up with an ANTHOLOGY recalling those years so that the present and future generations have an idea how oppressive martial rule was, and to share our reflections on how those times have greatly influenced what we have become.  This has taken on a greater importance with the current attempt to deodorize the Marcos dictatorship, as you very well know.

In the last two years, the articles got written and compiled.  And eventually we were able to get Dr. Macario Tiu into this project not only for him to serve as main editor; he even graciously offered to ask AdDU to be the book's publisher.

We are hoping you are free on this date and time as we would like to invite you to attend our book launch.

Your presence would be a source of inspiration for all specially those who share our perspective on human rights and civil liberties.

We are hoping that Fr. Joel Tabora, President of AdDU and Archbishop Romulo Valles DD will also be present to do the Closing Prayer and Final Blessing.

We highly anticipate your presence to help us celebrate the birth of this much-awaited book.

Very sincerely,

Bro. Karl Gaspar, CSsR


The authors


Titles
Authors
1
A Man with a Big Heart
Remy Arquiza
2
A Middle Way
Gene Stoltzfus
3
A Night  In Jolo
Elvira Ang Sinco
4
A Taste of Faith, A Taste of Fear
Cesar Ledesma
5
Afternoons at Susana
Lillian Abella
6
Bankerohan
Joey Ayala
7
Bibingka
Jackie Schramm
8
Carabaos and Spider Webs
Gene Stoltzfus
9
Davao On My Mind
Leila “Lalay” Rispens-Noel
10
Demolisyon
Rebecca Jolito
11
Dialogue at the Grassroots, My Malabang Experience
Mary Lou Birondo-Caharian
12
Dreams and Desires in Creative Drama
Malou Tiangco
13
Durian
Jackie Schramm
14
Fr. Ben Montecastro
Jeanette Birondo-Goddard
15
His Metallic Specs
Teresa Naraval
16
His Name was Buyog
Jeanette Birondo-Goddard
17
If the Land could Speak
Antonio Ferrer
18
Ikatulo nga nadakpan
Leon Bolcan
19
Journeying with the BCCs
Florante Villas
20
Life at the MDC
Daz Lamparas
21
Love and Laughter
Marilen Abesamis
22
Martial Law
Orlando Carvajal
23
My Radical Journey
Emy LaviƱa
24
My Travelling Companion
Avelina Engen
25
Of What Use Our Work for Liberation
Jackie Schramm
26
Relief and Rehabilitation Work
Dodong Cadorna
27
Salamat Kaayo
Dorothy Friesen
28
Shepherding a Stalked, Stressed but Struggling Flock
Karl M. Gaspar, CSsR
29
So That Others May Know
Melot Balisalisa
30
Something Special
Remy Arquiza Guillena
31
Tatay Bido
Karl M. Gaspar, CSsR
32
The Beginnings of MISSSA
Fr. Tom Marti
33
The Drama of Our Lives
Jehovenn A. Honculada
34
The Living Waters of Dumoy
Agnes Miclat Cacayan
35
The Tenants of Susana Building
Flora Ninfa Leocadio
36
Theater’s Tragic Tale
Karl M. Gaspar, CSsR
37
Wala Nang Tao sa Santa Filomena
Joey  Ayala
38
When Local is Global
Marilen Abesamis
39
When MSPC Calls
Earl Martin
40
Yanong Katawhan, Sa Kadasig Ug Inspirasyon Tuburan
Nonoy Rodriguez
41
Year 33 of the Cassandra
Illuminada Lucia S. Ramoso