Book on ‘courage in public spaces’ to be launched

Book on ‘courage in public spaces’ to be launched

By CBCP News

May 17, 2018

QUEZON City

One of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, Professor Ed Garcia, will be launching his latest book Courage on May 22, Tuesday, 4:00 p.m. at the Arete, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights in this city.

A peace worker, educator, activist, and Ateneo de Manila’s 2015 Parangal Lingkod Sambayanan awardee, the author came out with the book to explore “the importance of courage in our lives and the imperative to demonstrate that courage in the public spaces and the critical moments that constitute our nation’s journey.”

The book, to be launched in cooperation with Jesuit Communications, seeks to answer three questions: “Why does it take courage to hope? Why is the citizen a central actor in today’s struggles? And, why is rediscovering a brave brand of doing politics a critical challenge of our times?”

Relevant to the times, the book proposes that citizens must rediscover a “brave brand of politics” that stresses principles and values over patronage politics, personal advantage, and compromise of convictions.

“From where I stand, we seem to have reached a critical threshold of ‘moral meltdown’. We cannot allow this to pass for the sake of the next generation,” said Garcia in the book’s prologue.

Among the notable guests expected to grace the event are Notre Dame de Sion Philippines superior Sr. Patricia Fox; Bishop of the Diocese of Kalookan Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” S. David, D.D.; University of the Philippines, Diliman Chancellor Dr. Michael L. Tan; renowned poet and former University of the Philippines vice president Dr. Gemino H. Abad will read his newly-minted work, “From Rage to Courage.”; Professor Benjamin T. Tolosa, Jr. , Ph.D. of the Ateneo de Manila University; and Jesuit Music Ministry artist Toto Sorioso who will render Fr. Manoling Francisco’s “Your Heart Today” where he pens the line “…I pray for courage.” A representative from the successor generation will also share, converting the said launch into “a platform of citizen courage,” reads a press release from JesCom.

For inquiries on the upcoming launch of “Courage!”, interested parties may get in touch with Ms. Dit Sablan at tel. (02) 426-5971 or 72, local 121, mobile number 0908-886-8447, or email esablan@admu.edu.ph