The Department of Languages of the Higher Education Unit involves its students in experiential activities that cultivate interest and target learning outcomes such as developing an appreciation for literature through an understanding of how it is crafted deliberately and creatively by writers all over the world. In line with this, students taking Philippine and World Literature courses attended the twin book launch of Cecilia Manguerra Brainard’s novels, The Newspaper Widow and the Magdalena novels, last July 3 at De La Salle University, Manila.

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, a native of Cebu and an Amazing Alumni Awardee of Miriam College, is the author of 10 books. The newly-released The Newspaper Widow was shortlisted by the Cirilo F. Bautista Prize for the Novel in 2015.

Brainard's second novel, Magdalena, inspired a stage play, Gabriela's Monologue, which was produced by Bindlestiff Studio, SF.  Brainard is also a multi-awarded writer and a teacher of writing at UCLA-Extension.

During the book launch, she expressed her appreciation towards the Miriam College students and teachers who attended the event to hear her talk about her writing experience as a woman writer and to listen to her read interesting excerpts from her fiction.