February 1 - 15, 2019
PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY
JUMP! The book launch!
31
By Ginalyn Mendoza
single mom running her
own insurance business,
You are
Book
she kept her passion
of writing poems. She
would write when she’s
alone, when she can’t
Cordially
Launching
sleep, when she trav-
els, when she’s inspired,
when she cries, or when
Invited!
Party
she’s happy. All these
emotions were translat-
ed into poems, never re-
alizing that her passion
RSVP 604.999.3376
[email protected]
Me-An
will someday pay off.
In the early Spring
of 2018, she met Isaac
February 2, 2019 7 pm
and Etienne to whom
545 Mahon Ave, North Vancouver V7M 2R7
she read, from her cell
phone, her poem “The
who believed in her talent and sup- side Secondary School in North
Light” to at a business meeting. ported her cause. The event was Vancouver and her very own foun-
They were both very impressed graced by two members of the dation, the ME-AN Project (Medi-
and Etienne stated in fascination, North Vancouver City Council, Don ate Educational Assistance to the
“why would you keep a very good Bell and Tony Valente, other digni- Needy). More than $1,000.00 were
poem in a cellphone? You have to taries, Church leaders and com- raised that night from the silent
share this.” The two gentlemen munity organizers. A silent auction auction and more than 100 copies
suggested making a video out of
it that was later uploaded on You
Tube and garnered popularity
through other social media. That
simple remark started it all! The
poem was made into a video which
was translated into 16 different lan-
guages. The astounding success
of her first published poem gained
a lot of support that enthused the
consequent poetry collection.
On February 2, about 200 of
her family, friends, colleagues, was also included in the event. of her poetry book were sold that
and acquaintances gathered at Proceeds went to organizations night. This book launch was very
St. Edmund’s parish hall in North which are dear to Me-An’s heart. well attended and reviews of the
Vancouver to witness the launch of They are: CERESAV (The Center event and of the compilation were
her very first book entitled, “Feel- for Rehabilitation of Survivors of unanimously complimentary. For a
ing Blue? Jump!” The book was Acid and Burns Violence), an orga- first book launch, it was very suc-
released on that day and was at- nization that supports acid attack cessful and credit to her hard work
tended and supported by people victims in Uganda; the Mountain- and her team of dedicated friends,
peers, sponsors and family. “Feel-
ing Blue? Jump!” paperback and
e-book version are available on
Amazon.ca.
Me-An is hoping to write an-
other book with a collection of po-
ems and short stories before the
year ends. Until then, she hopes
to spread more love and positiv-
ity in all her writings, giving people
glimpse of who she is as a mother,
a daughter, a friend, an entrepre-
neur, an adventurer, a traveler, a
My friends from way back in the early
writer, a poet and now an author.
With ladies from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Liberia.
90’s when we were all nannies
While people were busy plan-
ning their vacations and hibernat-
ing, Me-An was busy organizing a
book launch. This was a trek into
uncharted waters for her, as well
as the initial compilation of her po-
ems over the years.
Me-An as she is fondly called by
families, friends and colleagues, is
a woman of many talents. She grew
up in the impoverished Northern
Province in the Philippines where
life was tough and toilsome, it was
in this destitute condition where
she learned about life and found
inspiration in her circumstance.
At 21, she ventured into work-
ing abroad and was exposed to
African cultures when she worked
in Nairobi, Kenya for 3 1/2 years.
In 1990, she came to Canada as
a nanny and was blessed with a
wonderful family to work for that
made a big impact at the way she
looks at life.
While working, she also en-
rolled in different classes to get
a Canadian diploma and have an
edge to Canadian way of life. And
every time she encountered some-
thing that was good, inspiring,
stimulating, encouraging, or be
it dejecting or disheartening, she
will jot these thoughts and feelings
down.
Me-An has always written
her thoughts down as early as her
university days until her 1st official
Canadian publication and 3rd over-
all on February 2, 2019. These jot-
ted down notes have been a great
foundation to her success in this
competitive poetry writers’ club.
Despite her busy schedule as a
With my editor, Dr. James Lutaaya, and his sister Marion
and niece Isla
With NV City Councillor Don Bell (who is also ex-
mayor).
WWW.PHILIPPINEASIANNEWSTODAY.COM
Kestell Family. Steve, to my right, and Dave,
to my left, were the two kids I looked after
back in 1991. Carol is the mother who has
shown me kindness and welcomed me into
their family.