The anthology First Draft: Personal Essays by Ten Women is off the press, edited by Lorna Kalaw-Tirol and with an introduction by Mariel N. Francisco.

Published by Tahanan Books, it features the narratives of eight other women who had been meeting for over 10 years in different homes and restaurants to share their compositions for critiquing. The authors are, apart from Kalaw-Tirol and Francisco, Gilda Cordero Fernando, Fe C. Arriola, Karina Africa Bolasco, Melinda Quintos de Jesus, Rita Ledesma, Elizabeth Lolarga, Edna Zapanta-Manlapaz and Chit Roces-Santos.

In his blurb, sociologist and columnist Randy David wrote that the essays “are fascinating forays into the nature of inner experience. Honest, courageous, and reflective — they tell of different ways of being, of reckoning time, of responding to the demands of multiple roles, of experiencing pain, loss, grief, and aging.”

Marlu Vilches, vice president for higher education of Ateneo de Manila University, called the narratives “refreshing” done “by achieved women who are simply themselves without trying to prove their worth further. In their inner room, we listen to how they play their multiple roles in various aspects of their lives… and their arriving at a greater awareness of self that can face the world squarely and bravely and well.”

Copies of the book are available at Ilaw ng Tahanan Publishing, Inc. at Unit 402, Cityland III Condominium,  105 V.A. Rufino corner Esteban Streets, Legaspi Village, Makati City. Call (+632) 8813-7165 or mobile 0916-3837238. Visit www.tahananbooks.ph.