Book launch at 5th Avenue, Manhattan

finally, we made it!

the launching of Postscripts from Mindanao in New York yesterday turned out surprisingly well.

at dahil iba-ibang lahi ang dumalo, nagmistulang united nations mini-conference and launching. i am soo thankful and inspired too for all the kind words i got from the guests na kahit hindi pa nakarating ng pinas ang iba, napaka-sincere ng appreciation nila for the book.

thank God for all these blessings talaga.

i am also deeply indebted to edward busque (administrator of the hotel im staying) for the support i dint expect from a pinoy new yorker (super snob daw kasi sila d naman ah?)for giving me the launching venue free of charge at room (hotel) rate na parang nagbabakasyong kapatid lang! thx din as always for ms. marivir-the gorgeous power host, daughter niki as videographer/photographer, ms. marivic, cultural officer-consulate office in NY, staff, members and volunteers of lovin life ministry, ms madonna davidoff-the global pinay ilustrator na power puff lady din, bob-who doesnt want to be called robert til he finished his phd, and to alll who joined me when i thought there were only 3 attendees , myself included.

hay salamat po..pwede na ako manuod ng sex in the city..phantom..mag-shopping ng tag 2$ shirt sa new jersey thrift mall..oh

ouch may new jersey (un)official book launch din pala kami kanina..children's party aktwali yun pero nag-gate crashed kami at sabay insert ng book launch sa program..(tama ba naman yun?)

pero idea ng host ko yun, so its not my fault..

Postscripts from Mindanao at Book Expo America 2010

"dont lose your focus, and dont take all those books only because its lying there free" was the first advise i got from an american author/publisher who's been in the industry for 25yrs and a veteran exhibitor of BEA (book expo america) and went on to give me a list of priority things to do as first time exhibitor.

in this year's book expo at jacob javits convention center in new york, independent book publishers are all over..a welcome sight, i was told, that independent publishing is now in the mainstream.

indeed, thats a good news to me.

but the bad news is, no other filipino exhibitor-neither author nor publisher was in there. an old timer (exhibitor) told me that i was brave to conquer BEA coming all the way from the mideast -, a 14hr direct flight from dubai, and all alone by myself, but made my strong presence felt. he told me its good enough i dint drown in the immensity of the event.

he was wrong aktwali, kasi nalunod ako sa freebies!

Budget travel advisory

catching up with below postings from www.angatingmindanao.webs.com ...

if 3star hotel is still way up your budget, there are many alternative accommodations in NY i.e., room to share or apt to rent, you may want to check out Easy Roommate.com, w/offers a thousand available rooms (rates ranges fm as low as $500/mo and up)wher u can easily find places close to your destination..but do it w caution kasi nga new york to.
alternately, you may just have to email friends from your hi-school class, im sure he/shel be glad to be of service to you. with FB around, your longlost friends are just a click away
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if you get a hotel, try to get international brands para sure ka na malinis at maayos. there are affordable 3star brands halos ka-presyo ng B&B din yan. kung may pera at maarte ka at gusto mo talagang bongga at memorable ang bakasyon, pwede ka mag-check in sa waldorf astoria rubbing elbows kayo nila angie at brad. pero thank god talaga im so lucky to find pinoys in NY na very hospitable at welcoming. so tip #1 is keep all your friends intact, u never know when u need them (user-friendly ba?) im soo lucky to met a pinoy admin ng isang hotel at this ridiculously expensive 5th ave/madison area at binigyan nya ako ng 70%discount at pinagamit pa sa akin ang function room to launch my book without charges o diba sadyang pinagpala? thank god and thank kuya edward for his kindness kaya if you are planning to visit NY, email me and il send you all the tips to get the most out of your trip
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google map is very detailed and a big help in finding way around your city of destination. so long before you go on vacation, plan ahead and check the map of the whole city to get acquianted with it and so youl not drown in its emmensity esp cities like NY! the same map can also advise you the travel time from the airport to your hotel or any destination. likewise for the alternative mode of transpo. and oh wag mag-taxi unless you have unlimited resources kasi the train and buses is the way to go not only in NY but anywhere else. hilig pa naman magtaxi ng mga pinoys. i paid half the normal fare of my dubai-NY-dubai ticket at emirates air pa yan kasi i searchd for the best price (seek help from your travel agcy). for accommodation, i prefer bed & breakfast over hotels, not only for practical reasons but more bcoz mas exciting yung makilala mo ang mga lokal and get assimilated with the local lifestyle. i did that in zurich and had great time and learnd so much about the swiss . pero staying B&B in NY is not that easy daw kasi maraming unscrupulous ind in NY and you never know who youre dealing w..

finally..i can

hay naku finally i can blog..could hardly catch up w time in new york, kapagod maghabol ng oras and soo many great moments to share..pero pagdating hotel bagsak na sa kama ..and the day is over..