What better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than by being in the company of some truly inspiring, awesome women AND doing something for the very first time? Yesterday, March 8, I joined five other women who were all invited to give a talk (my first ever! It was nerve-wracking!) on how we defined being an “Astigirl”. This was to celebrate the first anniversary of my friend, Tweet Sering’s, launch of her book “Astigirl” (a grown girl living on her own terms) which kicked off its first series of talks last year.
With my super-talented, beautiful, firecracker-of-a-friend, Tweet Sering, author of “Astigirl”
We gathered at the Filipinas Heritage Library along Makati Avenue–which, by the way is one of my favorite spaces in Makati. It’s a gorgeous library housed in what used to be the Manila international airport! How cool is that???
Tweet and some of her friends also organized the launch of the book “Baht, Boots & Gandhi” which is a collection of travel stories and essays by Gayle Certeza, Gina Verdolaga & Mo Francisco.
Gathered at the Filipinas Heritage Library
In my talk, I remembered my Lola Lucy, who inspired me to fashion my own future & live life “not by the book”
“Astigirl” speakers Dr. Chrystine Gonzalez (naturopathic doctor and founder of the Wellness Institute), Mabi David (poet, editor, and co-founder of poetry press High Chair), Charlene Tan (social entrepreneur and founder of organic community farming organization Good Food Community), myself, Joy Belmonte-Alimurung (Vice Mayor of Quezon City) and Atty. Lelen Berberabe (CEO of Pag-IBIG Fund) with “Astigirl” author Tweet Sering
I loved our personalized lootbags! “Astigirl” summer style essentials (canvas tote from Mother Earth, beach-side reading from “Baht, Boots & Gandhi”, an inspirational notebook for random ideas, odor spray from Messy Bessy, lip balm from Human Nature, a bottle of veggie/fruit organic juice from Liquid Sunshine and a cool “Astigirl” tee) 🙂
So this March, let’s celebrate Women’s Month and Filipina authors! Please grab multiple copies of “Astigirl” (available in leading bookstores & on Amazon.com), “Baht, Boots & Gandhi”, and while you’re at it, “Not By the Book: Fashioning Design” as well (available in leading bookstores & through NotByTheBook.net) to personally enjoy, or to share with all the amazing women in your life 🙂
wow Tips! you were able to give a talk! even at my age, i don’t think i can…your Lola Lu must be smiling from ear to ear…congrats!
Mom, Lola Lu is smiling down on both of us! I shared a picture of the three of us together in Rome too 🙂
Hey Tippi! I attended Tweet’s Astigirl talk. I was able to know about the event, since my kuya is friends with her back in JWT. Anyway, I was very much inspired by all of you ladies. I’m actually a fashion design graduate. But I’ve actually shifted gears, just like you did. Only that I became a web content writer. =)
Hi Mai, what a small world 🙂 Thanks for dropping me a note. Funny coincidence, I used to write before I became a designer (I still enjoy doing both). Who’s your brother? I used to work in JWT before too…