THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1999

Wave of Asian-American writers emerge, author says

By Lovelynn Barlahan

On-Line Forty-Niner

There is a whole new wave of young Asian-American writers being born, said M. Evelina Galang, an author featured last Thursday in the University Student Union as part of Asian-Pacific Heritage Month.

"Recently, there has been an emergence of Asian-American authors coming out," said Galang, a Filipino-American author. "For too long Asian-American parents have been encouraging their kids to be lawyers and doctors and discouraging the world of artists." More than 200 Cal State Long Beach students gathered in the Univeristy Student Union to hear Galang read excerpts from her first novel, "Her Wild American Self," and upcoming novel, "What is Tribe?" The readings were followed by an open discussion about the significance of her writings.

Galang's visit to CSULB was just one of the many events hosted by the department of Asian and Asian-American Studies, the Filipino American Coalition, Chi Delta Theta, and the Center for Asian Pacific Studies to celebrate the month.

"Her Wild American Self," a collection of stories about young Filipino women, was named one of the 100 Distinguished Stories of 1996, making Galang the first Filipino-American to receive such an award.

"Evelina's writings help show the community that there are Filipino-American and Asian-American authors out there that can achieve great success," said Wesleigh Santamaria, a senior biology major.

Galang said her writings focus on identity and searching out ways to balance the Filipino self and American self, which has led her to discover deeper aspects of the Asian-American community.

"Galang's work speaks [about] alternative stories," said Linda Maram, professor of Asian-American studies. "She refuses to believe there is a normal Filipino or Filipina experience."

Galang is also at work on a screenplay called "Dalaga," which is about the coming of age of a young Filipino girl. Her novel, "What is Tribe?," is set for release later this year.