Supreme Court and gender in Mt Cloud Bookshop

Mt Cloud Bookshop will be bustling next week. On November 20, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. Marites Dañguilan Vitug, one of the Philippines’ most brilliant investigative journalists, will give an author’s talk on her latest book on the Philippine Supreme Court, “Hour Before Dawn.” On November 24, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. Bernadette Neri will give an author’s talk on writing children’s stories and on her book, “Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin.” Vitug, editor-at-large of Rappler.com, has established herself as the foremost chronicler of the Philippine Supreme Court with her previous books “Shadow of Doubt” and “Our Rights, Our Victories.” In “Hour Before Dawn” she examines the Court under Renato Corona, the blows to the Court’s integrity, as well as the existence of an independent minority within the court that “stood up for what was right, giving hope for the rebirth and reorientation of one of the country’s most vital institutions.” (From the blurb.) Vitug’s talk will be followed by an open forum and book signing. “Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin” is an illustrated children’s story in Filipino and English about a nurturing and loving family in which the parents are a lesbian couple. It is the first book in Philippine children’s literature to tackle this topic with compassion. The story was awarded First Prize in the 2006 Palanca Awards, one of the highest literary honors in the country. Neri teaches creative writing in the University of the Philippines, Diliman, and will speak here about how to write for children, the problems of children’s literature in the Philippines, and “Ikaklit.” Both events are free and open to the public. Mt Cloud Bookshop is found at Casa Vallejo, Upper Session Road, Baguio City 2600, and is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For inquiries email (queries@mtcloudbookshop.com) or call (074) 424 4437. Press release from Mt Cloud Bookshop