Cecilia Manguerra Brainard

Ms. Brainard is a Filipina writer based in California. She was born in Cebu, Philippines, attended St. Theresa's College in Cebu and in San Marcelino, Manila. She went to Maryknoll College, graduating with a degree in Communications Arts. She also did graduate work in film making at UCLA, but somehow found her way back to writing, which has been a passion since she was a young girl.

Ms. Brainard started writing in a diary when she was 14. The journal-writing evolved to writing essays, then short stories, then novels. She is now the author and editor of nine books, has published over 250 essays and three dozen stories. From 1969-81, she worked in the area of Communications, working as a documentary scriptwriter and as an Assistant Director of Development which included responsibilities in public relations. Since 1981, she has worked as a free lance writer and has also been teaching in the Animation Department, University of Southern California, and UCLA-Extension Writers’ Program.

Ms. Brainard’s published books are: Cecilia’s Diary (Anvil, forthcoming); Magdalena (Plain View Press, 2002); Acapulco At Sunset and Other Stories (Anvil, 1995); When the Rainbow Goddess Wept (Dutton, 1994, which first appeared as Song of Yvonne, New Day Publishers, 1991; Plume paperback, 1995); When the Rainbow Goddess Wept (University of Michigan Press, 1999); Philippine Woman in America (New Day Publishers, 1991); and Woman With Horns and Other Stories (New Day Publishers, 1988). Among the books Ms. Brainard has edited are: Contemporary Fiction by Filipinos in America (Anvil, 1998); Fiction by Filipinos in America (New Day, 1993); and Growing Up Filipino: Stories for Young Adults (PALH & Anvil, forthcoming).  

Ms. Brainard has received such awards as: a Certificate of Recognition from the California State Senate, 21st District (2001); the Filipinas Magazine Achievement Award for Arts and Culture (2001); the California State Summer School for the Arts Award (2000); the Outstanding Individual Award from the City of Cebu, Philippines (1998); the Makati Rotarian Award (1994); the Literature Award, Filipino Women's Network (1992); the City of Los Angeles Certificate of Appreciation (1992); the Brody Arts Fund Fellowship (1991); the Special Recognition Award, Los Angeles Board of Education (1991); the City of Los Angeles Cultural Grant (1990-91); the California Arts Council Artists' Fellowship in Fiction (1989-90); the PALM Honorable Mention Award for story “Welcome to America” (1989); a Recognition Award, NAMFREL (Nat'l Citizen Movement for Free Elections) (1987); the Fortner Prize, for the story “The Balete Tree” (1985).

          Ms. Brainard became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1972. She is married and has three sons. Contact address: P.O. Box 5099, Santa Monica, CA 90409. Web site address: http://www.ceciliabrainard.com