Stories of love, loss, hope, and strength

This has been a difficult year with the coronavirus pandemic disrupting plans and altering the way we live.  During these turbulent times, stories have the power to inspire and uplift our spirits.  Under a cloud of fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty, books offer hope and inspiration, helping us maintain a positive mindset. 
 
Here, in particular order, are 5 books (all published in 2020) that depict stories of love, loss, hope, strength, and resilience, as recommended by the Ateneo de Manila University Press.
 
The Philippines Is Not A Small Country by Gideon Lasco
Gideon Lasco's essays in his debut collection are mostly critical in nature (stemming from his background as a physician and medical anthropologist), but they always come from a place of deep love for the country. His essays prove that the Philippines, including its complex histories and its challenging futures, is worth writing about.

 
The Zanjeras of Ilocos: Cooperative Irrigation Societies of the Philippines by Jose A. Rivera
Self-governed, long-enduring, and exemplary models of sustainable agriculture, zanjeras ensure the equitable distribution of water among its shareholders. With the ongoing climate crisis and our reckoning with our impact on the environment, it's even more vital to preserve this traditional practice, ensure the protection of our natural resources, and fight for the provision of water for all. 

 
School Is Life: Progressive Education in the Philippines edited by Ani Rosa Almario and Tina Zamora
Progressive education, as this anthology proves, is not just about individual learners and specific teaching methods—it is also about a deep and fervent hope for all children in all communities to have access to learning that best enriches them. The stories of these progressive educators are powerful testaments to the belief that education is indeed for all.

 
Biyaheng Pinoy: A Mindanao Travelogue by Edilberto N. Alegre
There are few things as enriching as traveling to new places, and at a time of canceled flights and deferred vacation plans, reading travelogues could be the next best thing. This collection of essays written across Mindanao gives insight into the beauty of the Philippine landscape, the often undocumented struggles of indigenous peoples and Moro communities, and the intricate process of writing the travelogue.

 
Creating Sustainable Value in Social Enterprises: Stories of Social Innovation edited by Maria Assunta Cuyegkeng, Raquel Cementina-Olpoc, Ana Marina Tan
 
What often gets lost in the typical feel-good coverage of social enterprises is that there are legitimate business and financial risks in each attempt to start these SEs. Yet they persist, as seen in the evolution of SEs in the Philippines and the stories captured in this book, because of the bigger picture: genuine social development, equal opportunities across the board, and a better quality of life for fellow Filipinos.

All books are available at https://www.ateneo.edu/ateneopress/