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The Philippines / Pilipinas A History of Resistance and Assimilation |
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“If by rebellion you need to hope and desire, to labor and struggle by every peaceful means for the liberties of my country, and if for that you demand the penalty of death, then gladly, willingly shall I die.” -José Rizal (1896)- |
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Cecilia Manguerra Brainard |
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Cecilia Manguerra Brainard was born November 21, 1947 in Cebu City in the Philippine islands. She developed a passion for writing in the Philippines at a young age and attributes her affinity for writing to her diary which she began to write in at the age of 14. After some time she evolved into writing pieces such as essays, short stories, and eventually led to her becoming the editor and author of several books related to the Philippines. Between the years of 1964 and 1968, Brainard attended Maryknoll College in the Philippines where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts. In 1969, after immigrating to the United States, Brainard attended college at UCLA in Los Angeles, California. She studied in graduate courses for Film making and took several Creative Writing Courses in the Writers’ Program up until 1971. Between 1969 and 1981, Brainard worked as a Documentary Scriptwriter where she developed several skills in the field of public relations. Since then Brainard has worked as free lance writer, an area in which she has published over 250 essays, over 36 stories, and 12 books. In 1989, Brainard became a faculty member of the Writers’ Program at UCLA, a position which she still holds to this day. Between 2000 and 2003 she acted as an Adjunct Professor in the Animation Department at the University of Southern California. Brainard has coordinated and participated in many writing workshops including the Creative Writing Workshops for Filipino American Youths in 1990 and 1991 in which she was the Project Manager. For her literary contributions as a Filipino American writer, Brainard has received several writing awards which can be seen below. Cecilia’s husband, Lauren R. Brainard, is a former Peace Corps Volunteer who served at the city of Leyte in the Philippines. The two are happily married with three sons and currently reside in Santa Monica, California. Her background and books can be seen in more detail at Cecilia’s website at http://www.ceciliabrainard.com. All pictures and background information obtained with permission from Cecilia M. Brainard. Copyright 2005 by Cecilia M. Brainard Cecilia Brainard’s Professional Affiliations FAHNS……Member PEN American USA, NY……Member Philippine American Literary House……President (1995-Present) Past Advisory Board, Arts and Letters……Member (1996) Past Officer and Executive Board……Member (1990-93) Midnight Special Cultural Center……Member Philippine American Women Writers and Artists……Member Pacific Asian American Women Writers West……Member Cecilia Brainard’s Career Awards 2003 Amazing Alumni Achiever’s Award, Maryknoll College 2001 Filipinas Magazine Achievement Award for Arts and Culture 2000 California State Summer School for the Arts 1998 Outstanding Individual Award from City of Cebu, Philippines 1994 Makati Rotarian Award 1992 Literature Award, Filipino Women's Network 1992 City of Los Angeles Certificate of Appreciation 1991 Brody Arts Fund Fellowship 1991 Special Recognition Award, Los Angeles Board of Education 1990-91 City of Los Angeles Cultural Grant 1989-90 California Arts Council Artists' Fellowship in Fiction 1989 PALM Honorable Mention Award for story "Welcome to America" 1987 Recognition Award, NAMFREL (Nat'l Citizen Movement for Free Elections) 1985 Fortner Prize, for story "The Balete Tree" |
