The artist and author Lorina Mapa discusses her new graphic novel Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and Me (Conundrum Press, 2017), a look at her family, growing up and living in the Philippines during the 1970s and 1980s, and the country itself, with Joseph Planta.

Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and Me by Lorina Mapa (Conundrum Press, 2017). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and Me

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

A new graphic memoir by Lorina Mapa, her first book in fact, recounts her childhood in The Philippines. In the book Lorina returns to the country of her birth when her beloved father dies suddenly. She remembers the many people around her growing up, and the many memories with her siblings, parents, grandparents, caretakers, extended family, and of course the politics of the era. It was a volatile era in the 1980s as the Marcos regime tightened its grip on the country. Soon in 1983, Ninoy Aquino, an opposition leader, is assassinated and spurs on the 1986 People Power Revolution that exiles the Marcoses. Lorina’s family is affected by this. Family members are on either side of the political debate. The book is called Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and Me. It does a splendid job recounting the political history of the Philippines during the 1980s, as well as looks at the culture, the faith of Filipinos, the role of gender, as well as class. It’s also a touching book about a daughter’s relationship with her father. I’ll get Ms. Mapa who joins me now to tell us about her dad, about his death which inspired this book, and how she views the country today as we all seem to be paying a little more attention to it. Lorina Mapa is an illustrator, art instructor, and does lettering for comic books. She’s done work for Bob’s Big Boy, Equinox, WILD Magazine, New Brunswick Tourism, among others. Visit www.lorinamapa.com for more information. This new book is published by Conundrum Press. They’ll be participating at Vancaf, the Vancouver Comic Art Festival 20-21 May 2017. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, in Hudson, Quebec, Lorina Mapa; Ms. Mapa, good morning.

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