Filipino Literary Voices

A celebration of Filipino writes, boooks, and conversations at PhilFest Mississauga 2026.

About FLV

Filipino Literary Voices is a literary platform that celebrates Filipino writers, stories, and conversations. It began as an intimate community initiative and continues to grow as part of PhilFest Mississauga.

2026 Featured Writers

Eloisa Francia

Author

Diego Kalaw Linan IV

Poet

Corie Laraya-Coutts

Author

Joycelyn David

Storyteller

C.E. Gatchalian

Playwright

Past Featured Artist

Honouring the writers who helped shape the beginnings of Filipino Literary Voices.

Edwin de Leon

Memories and Reflections

Featured Writer,

Filipino Voices @ KCCC, 2025

Clarissa Trinidad Gonzalez

Celestina’s House

Featured Writer,

Filipino Voices @ KCCC, 2025

Edgar Frondozo

Being Lolo

Featured Writer,

Filipino Voices @ KCCC, 2025

About FLV

Filipino Literary Voices is a literary platform that celebrates Filipino writers, stories, and conversations. It began as an intimate community initiative and continues to grow as part of PhilFest Mississauga.

Program Highlights

Date

September 11-13, 2026

Venue

Mississauga Celebration Square

Author Talks

Engaging talks with featured writers

Readings

Live readings of stories, poetry, and more

Q&A

Conversations and community dialogue

Featured Books

Although Filipinos have made immense contributions to Canda, their impact is often overlooked. The book Magdaragat highlights and celebrate Filipino-Canadian culture by sharing a diverse collection of stories and writings from this growing community.
Written by author Diego Kalaw Linan under the pen name Dee Kayel, Eve of a New Sun draws from his 85 years of lived experience to chronicle the Philippines’ journey from colonial history to modern socio-economic struggles. Through vivid personal reflections and historical context, the book highlights a nation’s enduring resilience and the rising youth working to reclaim its future.
Follows a struggling stuntwoman who reluctantly joins old friends on a late-night job, only to flee for her life after declining an unacceptable assignment leads to a deadly fight. The film primarily focuses on a gritty, atmospheric chase through impressive locations as the group attempts to escape their relentless pursuers.
Written by global marketing expert Joycelyn David, The Multicultural Mindset introduces the concept of the Multicultural Quotient (MQ) as an essential skill for modern global leadership. Through personal stories, real-world case studies, and practical frameworks, the book offers business leaders an actionable blueprint for leveraging cultural intelligence to drive growth in an increasingly borderless
marketplace.
A Tale of a Malipayon Warrior – Corie Laraya-Coutts
The book follows a fourteen-year-old Canadian boy whose life revolvesbaround hockey until a trip to the Philippines exposes his connection to another world. After being magically transported to the bottom of the ocean, DJ discovers a hidden family secret and must lead a warriormission to defeat sea ogres and rescue a captive.
A warm and reflective tribute that celebrates the profound intergenerational bonds and everyday magic of family life. A firm believer that the written word paints the most enduring pictures of
the diaspora’s resilience, Edgar condinues to actively create, write, and develop new platforms to uplift the next generation of Filipino
storytelling.
Celestina’s House – Clarissa Trinidad Gonzalez
Set in the Philippines across the late 20th century, the story follows a young woman who escapes her fractured, traumatic upbringing by inheriting a haunted, long forsaken property in Manila’s bohemian district. Blending gothic romance and magical realism, the intergenerational saga explores love, family secrets, and the struggle
to break free from the dark shadows of the past.
A personal memoir tracing the author’s intellectual and emotional journey from youth to retirement. Blending personal anecdotes,
philosophical musings, and cultural commentary, it recounts his evolution from a hesitant student into a confident writer and science educator.

Sponsors and Partners

Stay Connected

flv@kalayaamcentre.com

FLV Programme Lead