Ateneo Press launches its newest YA title, “My Lola’s Love Letters”

On 15 April 2024, the Ateneo University Press launched its newest YA title, My Lola’s Love Letters by Ines Bautista-Yao. The novel tells the story of Nat, a college junior who chances upon letters from the 1950s written by her lola’s sister, her namesake Natividad.

The launch and book signing, held at the Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings, was attended by students, family, and friends of the author, including Dr Maria Luz C Vilches, Vice President for Higher Education and the author’s colleague at the Department of English. Press Director Rica Bolipata-Santos and writer & early book reviewer Cyan Abad-Jugo also gave a few words before the book signing.

“Ines’ writing is a balm, a refuge. You find it in the certainty and kindness of her language. You feel comforted, acknowledged, and you feel, in the youth’s turn of phrase, seen,” said Dr Abad-Jugo. 

“It really is an honor to be given this moment to speak about my good friend and to stand here in front of everyone and congratulate Ines for this very powerful book about the youth of the present, who are around us today, and the youth of the past, who most likely still dwell inside your parents and grandparents, as well as in yourself. Lola’s Love Letters has reminded me that the long-ago can still be in this moment, just as much as the possible future is.”

Members of theater collective The Playbook Club also performed an excerpt from the novel, with Enna Yap as Nat, Justin Decena as Luis, and Aly Ribo as Lola Natividad.

My Lola’s Love Letters retails at Php 450 and is available at the Ateneo University Press Bookshop in Bellarmine Hall, its website, and the Press’s official Lazada and Shopee stores.