The Philippine Expressions Bookshop, in cooperation with the International League of People's Struggles, and GABRIELA Network-US, presents the launch of Ninotchka Rosca's new book, Jose Maria Sison: at Home in the World.

"The language of counter-terrorism is used to justify deportations, secret arrests, secret trials and a presumption of guilt before innocence. It is important for each of us to understand the circumstances, both real and imagined, under which individuals and organizations are labeled terrorists. The case of Jose Ma. Sison, a Filipino, is a study of those dismal circumstances." -  Ninotchka Rosca.

About the Author:

Ninotchka Rosca is an internationally acclaimed journalist and novelist from the Philippines. She has five published books and some 400 by-lined articles. She has received numerous awards for both journalism and literature, including the American Book Award for the novel, Twice Blessed. (W.W.W. Norton & Co., 1992). State of War, (WWW Norton & Co, 1988), another novel depicted the Philippines of the Marcos era as an endless festival amidst an endless war, a time of brutality, treachery, and betrayed passion.

She has also been active around issues of human rights, freedom of expression and women's rights.  She was the founding chair of the women's solidarity organization GABRIELA Network USA.  She admits to having " a a propensity for walking into the heart of controversy" - hence her collaboration and conversations with the founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines, Jose Maria Sison.

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About the Book:

Open Hand Publishing, 2004.  272 pages  6x9 inches
Cloth: ISBN 0-940880-70-9 $32.00.
Paperback: ISBN 0-940880-72-5 $16.00

If you will be unable to come but would like to own a signed copy of the book, there is a pre-publication discount of $2.00 per copy for prepaid orders. Plus applicable sales tax for CA residents; plus $5.00 shipping charges via Fedex ground. We only ship to a street address and not to a PO Box address.

The book is classified under Asian Studies & Global Studies /Political biography & Autobiography/ Sociology. See below for some comments about the book:

"This political biography of Professor Jose Maria Sison is thought-provoking and a necessary read for Filipinos and other people interested in current affairs .... Professor Sison is a long-time advocate of justice and human rights. His patriotic and progressive motivations, experience and views, as unfolded by the book, are enlightening ..." - Senator Loren Legarda, Majority Floor Leader, Philippine Senate.

"Those of us who are working to stop the unbriddled aggression against the world that has been unleashed by the Bush White House should make every effort to defend Professor Jose Maria Sison, and to support the Filipino people as they struggle to defend sovereignty and build peace." - Ramsey Clark, former Attorney General of the United States.

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About the Sponsors:

The event is part of the ongoing community outreach program of Philippine Expressions Bookshop, the mail order bookshop dedicated to Filipino Americans in search of their roots. 2114 Trudie Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes,CA 90275-2006. The Bookshop advocates free speech. 2004 marks our 20th year of service to the Filipino American community in North America.

International League of People's Struggles is a league made up of progressive local and international organizations that work towards Peace based on justice. Website: www.ilps2001.com.

Gabriela Network-US is a US-based Filipino women's solidarity organization. Gabriela-Network chairperson:
<chair@gabnet.org>.

RSVP

Cost : Free; Seats are limited

Sponsor(s): Philippine Expressions Bookshop, International League of People's Struggles, GABRIELA Network-US