New Book on the Philippine-Australian Experience

Contemporary experiences of Filipino-Australians in Australia and in the Philippines are finally brought into the open through a newly released Australian book Green Blood and Other Stories.

Written by a Brisbane based Filipino-Australian high school English teacher Erwin Cabucos, the book explores issues on identity, racism and multiculturalism and racism in schools. The narratives also touch on the experiences in the Catholic tradition, social justice, father-child relationship and Muslim-Christian relationship.

Placing your face closely to the crucifix can be daunting so as having a terrorist in your house, asking you to bless the souls of Christian soldiers he had killed. How about plucking your pet spider off the nose of your father’s remains?

Why does it take for Marvin to see Reynaldo crucified before Marvin decides to march against war on Iraq? “I don’t know,” says Alex who thinks that the Catholic church started racism by using white-skinned Jesus and Mary in the churches, privileging the white over the black or brown race.

How did Emmanuel end up having his penis skin sliced behind his bully schoolmates? “I don’t know,” says Larry. “All I know is our toilet is holy because mum leaves some blessed palm leaves all over its wall.”

Fifteen short stories are packed in this 219 paged A5 paperback, published by Manila Prints in Sydney.

“Erwin deals with some very complex issues in this book and he never tries to paint anything as all black or all white…. funny and tragic at the same time,” says Pippa Kay, Author of Doubt and Conviction: The Kalajzich Inquiry, Sydney.

Cabucos was born and raised in the Muslim region of Southern Philippines and he first came to Australia on a scholarship, then after marrying his Australian wife. He completed degrees in Psychology from Notre Dame University in the Philippines and Communications and Education from New England University in Australia. He now works as an English and Religion teacher at a Catholic High School in Brisbane’s Bayside. He’s 34.

The book presents stories from the points-of-view of groups often marginalised or silenced in our mainstream and popular culture. “Really, they are literary pieces that I enjoyed writing over a number of years with the hope to also bring enjoyment to many readers of good writing ,” says Cabucos.

Coral Hartley, the publishing editor of The Write Angle Magazine in Brisbane read 'The Bleached Hills of Cotabato' short story and comments that it is “meaty, different and topical”.

Cecilia Brainard, author of When the Rainbow Goddess Wept, University of Michigan Press, USA, comments: “Erwin Cabucos' stories treasure the notion of the family. They are well grounded in contemporary history, so that after reading his work, one has a better understanding of the Filipino-Australian experience, and of Filipino experience in Muslim Mindanao.”

“I love the ‘reality’ and immediacy of the style, the use of language, and the way a sense of place is created. The stories are beautifully structured - a real joy to read. So alive, touching and funny,” says Judith Cheyne, Director of E-lucidate Web and Print Communications in Brisbane.

“I would like to see this book gain wide coverage in Australia with a place on High School reading lists,” says Joye Alit, Editor of Wordit, Australia. Filipinos are Australia’s second largest and perhaps the most well integrated non-English speaking migrants.

Meet the author and hear the President of the English Teachers Association of Queensland Garry Collins launch and discuss the book at 12:30PM on Saturday 7 June at the Brisbane Square Library. Entry is free.

Green Blood and Other Stories may be ordered from your local bookstore by quoting ISBN 978-0-9804827-0-6.

Copies are available from the following booksellers:
Manila Prints, Brisbane and Sydney. Phone 02 9313 8179.
Shearer's at Norton Bookstore, Sydney. Phone 02 9572 7766.
Collins Bookseller, Melbourne. Phone 03 9654 7400.
Abbey's Bookshop, Sydney. Phone 02 9264 3111 or 1800 426 657.
Manila Prints, Manila. Phone +63 2 8682 212.
Seekbooks.com.au, Online. Phone 02 9889 3566 Fax: 02 9889 3577
PALH Books, Sta. Monica, California. Phone (310) 452-1195

You may also order it from your local bookstore by qouting ISBN 978-0-9804827-0-6.