DAVAO NOW HAS A BEACH SPIRIT
By Ramesh A. Dataya, as published in the DavaoGuide

"It was that incredible Paradise Island Beach Resort in Samal Island, Davao City that inspired me to write the short story 'The Beach Spirit' in my first visit to the island in 1998. The image of the man sweeping the beach had moved me to develop an enlightening character."

Such was the moving tale behind the book "The Beach Spirit and Other Stories" where the principal story was inspired by the beautiful mood of Paradise Island Beach Resort.

The book was released last month in Sydney, Australia, written by Erwin Cabucos, one of the Filipino-Australians' finest writers. It is a fiction book, a collection of nine engaging and enjoyable short stories mostly set in Sydney and in Southern Philippines.

There have been several books written about Davao before, but this one is so special. The main reason is that the writer -- Cabucos is now an Australian resident and yet vividly illustrates his admiration and love for the wonderful city of Davao. The fact that the writer is a non-Davao citizen who spent time doing a book about this city is an act that cannot be belittled or ignored.

Teody Boylie 'Bong' Perez, a Davao-born artist, designed the cover which depicts a man sweeping at the beach. Perez garnered his training from Ford Academy of the Arts in Davao and Saga University in Japan. Many of his works express his deep love for the tribes of Davao and other places in Southern Philippines. This magnificent cover illustration he made sets the tone for a book worth reading, especially for Davao residents.

The author has visited Paradise Island a few times and fell in love with the place. "There's nothing quite like that in Australia," he said.

Cabucos has degrees in Psychology (cum laude) from Notre Dame University, Philippines, and Communication Studies from the University of Newcastle, Australia. He is a member of the NSW Writers' Centre and the Australian Society of Authors.

The former Australian ambassador to the Philippines Mack Williams said that culturally, the Filipinos are the closest of all Asians to Australians because of their middle class lifestyles and consumer taste, Christianity, liberal education, …and other western institutions. This book has coloured and flavoured his bland claim.

Erwin's writings have been enjoyed by many from Ambitious Friends Magazine, Bayanihan News, Filipino.com.au, Asian-American Bulletin, University of the Philippines' Creative Writing Centre, Philippine Express International and others.

The book comes in a handy paperback, A5 stapled, 65 pages format, written in an easy-to-understand English. It can now be ordered through Dymocks Booksellers in Manila, located at Shop L01, 303-308, Robinsons Place Manila, M. Adriatico Street, Ermita, Metro Manila, Philippines. Phone 02 525 5303, fax 02 525 5416, email: dymksmla@info.com.ph. Please confirm the price with the distributor.