SATURDAY, Dec. 15, became a celebration of the literary talents of three local artists and writers who launched their books simultaneously.
In the company of their friends, the Luab family launched “Light Sunday,” a compilation of the late Evelyn Luab’s essays and columns published in SunStar Cebu.
The Class 1972 of the Sacred Heart School for Boys-Ateneo de Cebu published the book containing Luab’s essays in loving memory of their teacher and her passion for telling stories of how God’s love always prevail in people both in times of joy and sorrow.
Luab’s column “Light Sunday” was published in SunStar Cebu every Sunday for about 20 years.
The book “Light Sunday” features some of her published essays about work, motherhood, parenting, family and God.
It is a good source of advice for the youth as it encourages good values and character building.
The stories are complemented by photographs taken by Carlo Villarica, Reymund Fernandez and Estela Ocampo-Fernandez.
Luab was a high school teacher at the Sacred Heart School for Boys-Ateneo de Cebu and St. Theresa’s College.
She wrote for SunStar Cebu after her retirement and was given her own column in 1990. She received the Cebu Archdiocesan Mass Media Award (CAMMA) for Best Column Writing in 1998 and in 2016.
Luab’s last essay was published in August last year. In her final article entitled “I rest my pen,” she expressed her gratitude to SunStar Cebu for giving her the platform to express her passion in serving God.
She also thanked everyone who read her columns. She passed away in February this year.
The book launching at 38 Park Avenue Showroom at the Cebu IT Park was attended by Luab’s family and close friends.
Her five daughters thanked everyone who read their mother’s work as they reminisced her greatness and how she would have been proud of the book her former students published in her honor.
Josua Cabrera, SunStar Cebu’s Art Group chief, and Superbalita Cebu columnist and musician Lorenzo Niñal also launched their books at Handuraw Pizza in Mango Square.
Cabrera, also SunStar Cebu’s editorial cartoonist, launched his second book “Kisaw Sa Napukaw Nga Mga Adlaw,” a collection of prose and poems that evoke nostalgia.
He said he decided to write the book after realizing that he has written numerous poems over the years. Each poem is accompanied by an image of his paintings or illustrations.
The cover of the book depicts a wistful affection for the past and describes his favorite metaphor about the place where he grew up.
Niñal’s “Ang Batang Scorpion: Da Best of Eskina ug Uban Pa,” is a compilation of around 50 of his best columns in Superbalita Cebu. Niñal started writing for Superbalita in 2013, mostly about his humorous encounters and experiences.
The book’s cover page illustration shows the corner in front of the SunStar Cebu building on P. del Rosario St. where he used to hang out and talk with his close friends.
Their conversations eventually became the subjects of some of his columns.
Niñal and Cabrera signed books for their fans who attended the book launching event, which ended with a performance by Niñal and the rest of his band members from Missing Filemon.