ShareThisSkokie, Illinois, November 18, 2012. Almira Astudillo Gilles, a Filipino American author based in Illinois, will launch her first novel, The Fire Beneath (Tales of Gold) on Sunday, November 18, at 1:30 p.m. at the Emily Oaks Nature Center, 4650 Brummel Street, Skokie, Illinois.
This novel was inspired by the true discovery of the largest collection of gold treasures in the Philippines. In 1981, a bulldozer operator found gold artifacts while working in an irrigation project in Surigao. Most of these treasures are now on permanent display in the Ayala Museum, Philippines, where Almira will have the Philippine launch of the book.
Almira is an award-winning writer of fiction and nonfiction. She was born and raised in the Philippines, and came to the U.S. for graduate study. Most of her writing focuses on her Filipino heritage, and her picture book, Willie Wins, is the most widely circulated Filipino American book for children in the U.S. She has also published poetry, essays, short stories, and plays. She has been invited to speak at many venues around the country, including the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
This event is from start at 1:30 to 3:30, with short readings from the book and a question and answer portion around 2:30. Copies of the book will be for sale, which Almira will sign if desired. Refreshments will be served. An RSVP to almiragilles@gmail.com is appreciated, and you may also use this e-mail address for questions. Books can be ordered online at Almira’s website, almiragilles.com.