Firefly
Writings by Various Authors
Edited and Translated by Riitta Vartti, et.al

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A new book of short stories by Filipinas has just been published in Finland and, according to its editor, is gaining prominence there. Firefly (the English title) was edited and translated by Riitta Vartti and other volunteers from the Finnish-Philippine Society. The book's title is derived from a story by one of the writers, Edessa Ramos.

The Finnish-Philippine Society (FPS) is a non-governmental organization which was founded in 1988. Before this anthology, FPS published (in Finnish) several booklets on social, environmental and women's issues in the Philippines. The FPS received support from the Finnish government for development aid also directed to NGO's working on Third World issues. The anthology is the first effort of FPS in the cultural sector.

Ms. Vartti said that Lakambini Sitoy, one of the writers whose work is included in Firefly, and professor Edna Zapanta-Manlapaz were in Finland in late April to help observe the Day of Book and Rose and to discuss the book with readers in book stores and at literary nights. Sitoy and Manlapaz met with school children to tell them about Filipino literature, and also visited Finnish libraries and to speak with people interested in the writings of Third World women.

Work by the following writers is included in Firefly:

Lualhati Bautista (Quezon City): Excerpts from novels "'Gapo" (named "The Night in Olongapo") and "Bata, Bata, Pa'no Ka Ginawa?" (named for the book "Children's Party")
Lilledeshan Bose (Manila): "The Mango Summer"
Cecilia Brainard (USA): "Almost Forgotten", "The Blue-Green Chiffon Dress"
Gilda Cordero-Fernando (Quezon City): "Early in Our World", "People in the War", "The Eye of a Needle"
Susan Evangelista (Palawan): "Fools"
Nena Gajudo (Quezon City): "To Weave a Dream"
Paz Latorena (deceased; US): "The Small Key"
Edessa Ramos (Switzerland): "Firefly", "Eleanor's Kitchen"
Nadine Sarreal (Singapore): "The Blouse"
Lakambini Sitoy (Quezon City): "Armani"
Grace Talusan (USA): "Aswang Tag"
Linda Ty-Casper (USA): "A Standing Sun", "A Small Party in a Garden"
Marianne Villanueva (USA): "Opportunity"

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OOV Bookshelf 2001

DECEMBER 2001 FEATURE The Word on Paradise by Alfred A. Yuson Asian Americans: The Movement and the Moment edited by Steve Louie and Glenn Omatsu SEPTEMBER 2001 FEATURE Filipinos in the United States by Estela L. Manila The Fall of the I-Hotel by Curtis Choy Warsaw in Asia by Jose Ma. Bonifacio M. Escoda JUNE 2001 FEATURE From America to Africa by Various Authors Willie Wins by Almira Astudillo Gilles Firefly by Various Authors APRIL 2001 FEATURE Coming Full Circle by Leny Mendoza Strobel Eye of the Fish by Luis H. Francia Names Above Houses by Oliver de la Paz