LITERARY ACTIVISM

VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA is being used for activism beyond the literary, as it was meant to be!  Coming up, poems in VTY apparently are being used in De Anza College's “Unnatural Disaster: Typhoon Haiyan” -- a cross-disciplinary curriculum project involving faculty participants from the English, Women’s Studies, Political Science and Environmental Studies departments.  The project will include a teach-in, a research project, an action project and a Spring 2014 Benefit Concert. 

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As part of this project, I will be presenting VTY and doing a reading with Michelle Bautista and Aileen Ibardaloza at their May 31 benefit -- more deets to come closer to the date!

And recently, I had to stuff myself for desserts for the good cause of raising funds for Typhoon Haiyan (known as "Yolanda" in the Philippines) survivors.  We raised funds for another good cause, the Yellow Boat Foundation and the Panay-Bukidnon tribes.  The Yellow Boat Foundation helps fishermen who lost their boats during the typhoon.  More info HERE with pictures of me and my cakes!

A long way to go with fundraising, folks!  Official government estimates are looking at a minimum three years required to help the population overcome the effects of Haiyan.  I hope you can help!