Magdaragat – An Anthology of Filipino-Canadian Writing

Edited by Teodoro Alcuitas, C.E. Gatchalian, & Patria Rivera

Order from University of Toronto Press

Since first arriving on Canada’s shores over 150 years ago, Filipinos have contributed invaluably — though too often invisibly — to the fabric of Canadian society. This anthology of writing by members of the Filipino-Canadian community explores Filipino-Canadian identities, experiences, histories, presents, and futures, and serves to reinforce their cultural contributions.

The Cine Star Salon

Gold Medal Winner
2022 Independent Publisher Book (IPPY) Award – Multicultural Fiction Category
Order from NeWest Press 

Philippine-born Vancouverite Sophia is most grateful for two things: her modest hair salon and Adrian, her mild-mannered fiancé. She is eager to get married, move away from her highly educated but career-frustrated parents, who believe that their daughter can be so much more than a beautician.

Then Sophia’s estranged friend reaches out from Manila, desperate for help. After a dubious accident, her fiery Auntie Rosy is on the verge of losing the Cine Star Salon—the place where Sophia first felt the call to become a hairstylist and salon owner. Coming to her auntie’s aid is not so easy though. Sophia worries helping might reopen old wounds and threaten the bright future she has planned.

Leah Ranada’s debut novel is a graphic and engaging depiction of the importance of women’s work and the loyalties that connect friends across oceans. The Cine Star Salon marks the entry of a vital new voice in Canadian literature.

Praise for The Cine Star Salon

“From Vancouver to Manila, with a cast of vibrant characters, Sophia’s story pulled me in close—an intimate behind the scenes look at the beauty salon and working women. This is also a tale of immigration, and family drama; the ones we are born into and the ones we create. Wry and clear-eyed this powerful debut by Leah Ranada is an important new work in the literary scene.”

~ Hiromi Goto, author of Shadow Life and Chorus of Mushrooms

A stunning debut. Ranada’s writing crackles with energy and humour. Memorable characters and a clever, tender-hearted prose examines the stigma of “women’s work,” The Cine Star Salon will speak across generations, so tell your mother and your sister and your sister’s friends.”

-Carleigh Baker, author of Bad Endings

Dazzling debut…The Cine Star Salon engages with the often overlooked inner lives of service workers and immigrants – identities that frequently intersect – to explore the question: how much of ourselves do we owe to our loved ones versus what we want and owe to ourselves?”

– Quill & Quire

There’s ease and cleverness behind these oscillations from present to past, Vancouver to Manila. Ranada adds subtext to Sophia’s story by presenting it in this way, trusting the reader to draw parallels between the two timelines.”

– The Malahat Review