M.G. Bertulfo

I am a Filipina American writer based in Chicago. In my practice, writing is both an artistic and a spiritual path. My work explores and celebrates women’s spirituality, Filipino history, and the wonders of nature. I admire writers and artists who breathe their own spirit into their works and who are conscientious about historical and cultural accuracy in their art.

Writing is the fire in my belly. And here are a couple of projects I’m working on:

Adventures in Field Research (see my historical fiction blog) - I toured the Philippines in April 2007 to do research for my historical novel. Set during the sixteenth century Philippines at Magellan’s arrival. The elusive siloy (”black shama”) bird in the rainforests of Cebu, women weavers, riding jeepneys, snorkeling in a marine sanctuary at Oslob, and the on-the-ground experience of the Kadaugan sa Mactan (the Festival re-enactment of the Battle of Mactan) - it was an amazing adventure!

Step-Ins, A Journey in the Shoes of Filipina American Women. Nonfiction. A collection of candid photos and heart-felt interviews with Filipina American women about the struggles of growing up and their real life triumphs and strategies. This project is a labor of love I’ve been working on with San Francisco Bay Area photographer, Elaine Serina.

Community-building

Over the last 15 years, I’ve had the joy and great fortune to work with others devoted to bringing stories and creative writing out into communities. I like the spiritual sense of the word commune where people from many different walks of life and backgrounds become united in their love of language, storytelling, and creativity. Among them are: Meryenda. The Chicago Children’s Museum. The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. River Oak Arts. The Flipside of Culture performances at U.C. Berkeley. Pangarap, Filipino American Literature Forum through U.C.L.A.’s Asian American Studies Department.

I am also a member of the Historical Novel Society and the Uptown Writers Space.

Writings & Other Work

• “The Fullness of Time”. Creative nonfiction, essay. Finding God.
  Editors Cecilia Brainard & Marily Orosa. To be published by Anvil Press in 2009.
• “Shiny Black Boots”. YA short story. Growing Up Filipino, Volume 2.
  Editor Cecilia Brainard. To be published by PAHL and Anvil Press in 2008.
• “Secret Doors”. Essay. Uptown Writers Space feature for May 2008.
• “Sounds in the Darkness”. Cover story. Chicago Wilderness Magazine.
• “Ralph Frese: Urban Voyageur”. Feature article. Chicago Wilderness Magazine.
• “New Roots: From the Golden State to the Prairie State“. Essay. Chicago Wilderness Magazine.
• “Letter to George W. Bush”. Letter in anthology. Outcry: American Voices of Dissent, post-9/11.
• “Hands and Faces”. Poem. Celebrate English! Coursebook. Pearson Education, Asia.
• “People of the Rainforest”. Script for children’s educational video. ERI Communications & Schlessinger Productions.
• “Windsong”. Short story. Amerasia Journal.
• “Isang anak Sa Pamilya”. Poem. Pacific Ties.

I also wrote 2 seasons for the Know Your Heritage Show. CBS and Central City Productions.