MANILA, Philippines - The Ako Ay Pilipino: Noon at Ngayon book was launched via a pre-Valentine’s Day rock gig in Ortigas Center, Pasig City featuring some of today’s hottest entertainers.
The 350-page full-color coffee-table book conveys a timely and timeless message about the Filipinos’ identity and destiny through a truly innovative writing style and a hip, contemporary layout design. It explores selected historic and cultural highlights from the pre-Hispanic era to the present, and challenges the reader to reflect on these in a current and relevant light. It further presents and examines 20 traits and values that make us distinctly Filipino.
Ako Ay Pilipino Movement founder Lorna Joannes explained that the vision of the book is to spearhead a rediscovery of our true identity as Filipinos. She says, “We did not expect that a tiny movement will go this way. We are happy to be receiving such tremendous support to uplift the sense of nationalism in the Philippines. We are overwhelmed!”
At the launch, Pinoy musicians — from bands such as Mayonnaise, Glorious Masai Mara, Severo, Rinka Collective, and Hilera — read inspiring and thought-provoking excerpts from the book.
Ako Ay Pilipino: Noon at Ngayon is now on sale in leading bookstores nationwide. Visit www.akoaypilipino 2010.multiply.com and www.akoaypilipi-nongayon.com to view sample pages.