New Residency Fellowship for Fil-Am Writers Launched
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Aimee Suzara, Rona Fernandez and Isa Borgeson (l-r) in the garden of Mesa Refuge where they are the inaugural Helen Toribio Kapwa Fellowship residents (Photo by Elaine Elinson)
The Helen Toribio Kapwa Fellowship, inaugurated this year to support the work of Filipino and Filipino American writers and activists, is funded by a generous gift from an anonymous donor who was inspired by the experience of activist/writer Christine Cordero, a 2024 resident at Mesa Refuge. Cordero, in turn, was inspired by the work of the late Helen Toribio, an activist, writer, educator and scholar, whom she first met as a student two decades ago.
Toribio, who emigrated with her family from the Philippines to Hawaii as a child, and later settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, was determined to be a change agent. She became active in the Union of Democratic Filipinos (KDP or Katipunan ng mga Demokratikong Pilipino), an organization dedicated to fighting for the rights of Filipino immigrants and opposition to the Marcos dictatorship in the Philippines. Toribio taught in the Asian American Studies departments at San Francisco City College and San Francisco State University where she became an inspiring mentor to many students. Passionate about contributing to Filipino American literature and scholarship: Toribio co-authored The Forbidden Book: the Philippine-American War in Political Cartoons and edited the anthology Seven Card Stud with Seven Manangs Wild.
Cordero, an advocate for environmental justice, carried the anthology around with her for decades. While she was at Mesa, she cracked it open and was surprised to find that Toribio’s story took place in Tomales Bay and dealt with many of the same issues that she was contemplating, weaving time, intergenerational and social justice issues in a writing style she was exploring in her own work. “It felt like Helen was talking to me across time and space. She and her words were waiting for me to be at Mesa and ready to explore the stories of our people – to say what needs to be said, and write the stories yet to be read,” Cordero said.
“In the spirit of Kapwa – the universal truth of interconnectedness and solidarity with all human beings -- the fellowship is open to writers in all genres who focus on the issues to which Toribio dedicated her scholarship and life,” she added.
The three writers were selected from scores of applicants from all over the country. Borgeson, who has received fellowships from Voices of Our Nation Art Foundation (VONA) and the Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Foundation, says that their poetry is influenced by years of organizing in the aftermath of super typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. “My vision is for my poetry to stand witness to the impact of climate change on my Philippine homeland,” Borgeson said, adding that their mother’s lessons from surviving the storm serve as a core thread throughout their manuscript.
Isa Borgeson
Fernandez, who serves on the staff of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, was longlisted for the British Science Fiction Association Award and is the author of an essay in What God is Honored Here: An Anthology on Miscarriage and Infant Loss. Fernandez is also focusing on climate change, specifically how it can change a culture and a person’s worldview. She will work on a climate fiction novel set in 2061.
Rona Fernandez
Suzara is a multi-genre writer whose poetry collection Souvenir was a Willa Award Finalist. A teacher at San Francisco State University and the College of San Mateo, Suzara has collaborated with Deep Waters Dance Theater and Kronos Quartet. She will work on a film adaptation of her play Tiny Fires (premiered by Custom Made Theater), about two young women who scavenge for survival in Paradise Mountain, a refuse landfill in the Philippines. She will also begin a project about her ancestor, sarswela performer Venancia Suzara, who, like her, explored different creative genres.
Aimee Suzara
Mesa Refuge executive director Kamala Tully, explained, “Mesa Refuge is committed to supporting writers and activists who tackle the pressing issues of our time, including those whose voices have been marginalized or silenced. We are thrilled to have these three talented writers join us. We have heard that this might be the first writing residency fellowship focused on Filipino and Fil-Am writers, and we are so honored to provide it!”
The Helen Toribio Kapwa Fellowship, inaugurated this year to support the work of Filipino and Filipino American writers and activists, is funded by a generous gift from an anonymous donor.
Tully added that the organization hopes to host the Helen Toribio Kapwa Fellowship residency for several years to come. All those interested in applying for this fellowship, or for a general residency, should check the Mesa Refuge website www.mesarefuge.org for application deadlines and information.
Mesa Refuge, now celebrating its 27th year, aims to bring transformative voices, ideas and knowledge to the world by supporting a diverse community of writers and activists through residencies at its coastal retreat in Pt. Reyes Station, California.
Elaine Elinson was a writer-in-residence and former Board Chair of Mesa Refuge.
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