BOOK LAUNCH

January 27, 2023 Opinion

A great book and a meet and greet would be too tempting to pass up, that is why I dedicate this
week’s column to this event. Happy reading! The newest edition of the book “Artfully Speaking &
Other Essays” by University of Los Baños Associate Professor Jerry R. Yapo will be unveiled on January 28, 2023, Saturday, 4:00 pm at Mt Cloud Bookshop (001 Yangco Road) in Baguio City.

Launched just last October 2022 by San Anselmo Press, “Artfully Speaking & Other Essays” is now on its third printing. Each printing has a different color of the cover art designed by Singapore-based Filipino artist DengCoy Miel. The first cover was maroon; the second, blue; and the third cover, violet. The 96-page volume contains Prof. Yapo’s reflections on personal experiences, as well as his take on the subject of art, which is his expertise.

From the mundane such as commuting, to the life-changing such as a death in the family; from the
simple life in the province, to the cosmopolitan pace in the city; from creatures that bring joy such as canine friends, to tasks that can be nerve-racking such as shopping — Prof. Yapo writes about all these and more. A number of the essays also delve into the concept and technique of art, and even how artists’ works are marketed.

The works by six Filipino artists—Rosa Mirasol, Averil Paras, Brent Sabas, Aldy Aguirre, Elena Malgapo- Domingo, and Janos Delacruz—grace the pages, as each chapter features a work that was especially made for the book. These works are printed on a separate full-color poster that is included with every purchase of the book. Prof. Yapo wishes that his musings give the reader the
same delight that he had while writing.

As he declares in the preface, “Reminiscence, admittedly, is the trigger that animates most of the personal essays in the collection. Hopefully, readers would sense it, too, as capable of sparking joy in their individual lives.” Based on the feedback, Prof. Yapo has certainly achieved his goal. Bulacan
State University Professor Bonifacio T. Cunanan, Ph.D. says, “Prof. Yapo inspires his readers to grasp the diverse, mostly biographical perspectives of life… with a deep sense of realization, hope
and warmth.” The January 28 launch of“ Artfully Speaking & Other Essays” at Mt. Cloud is open
to the public. Prof. Yapo will be present to sign copies.