I recently rejoined the Online Writing Workshop and posted a story based on events in Philippine History referencing the life of one of the heroes of the Philippine Revolution.

One thing I realized is how important it is to ground the story in true historical detail in order for it to really come alive. This story is turning out to be one of my favorite projects ever. I loved researching it, I loved writing it, and I love how I am learning more about writing stories with historical detail in them.

I presented the first draft for this story at Villa Diodati and the close to final draft is what's up at OWW. I'm so pleased that it's almost where I want it to be. Perhaps one or two more tweaks and I'll be able to send it off.

One challenge about writing a story based in Filipino history: non-Filipino readers won't read the story the same way as Filipino readers will read it--mainly because most non-Filipino readers don't have the immersion in Filipino history that Filipinos in the Philippines have. Although, I'm not so sure if there's really much of a difference since one of the younger Filipinas I recently met looked at me quite wide-eyed when our conversation went in the direction of what I'm working on and I found myself enthusiastically telling about the struggle for Philippine Independence and all the challenges Filipinos had to overcome before we gained recognition as a people.

Our conversation went on with me relating the names of Filipino heroes and her saying: Really? I didn't know there were heroes other than Rizal and Bonifacio. And I found myself groaning to myself and wondering what the state of education is like right now...and wondering if the person I was talking to was just someone who never absorbed anything while at school.

It's kind of depressing to think about it. God. I hope the young people of today don't forget just how much the revolutionaries sacrificed so we might enjoy this thing called Freedom.