- Discussion
Women’s Writing in Asia
Featuring Ester Tapia, Beverly W. Siy, Hidaya H. Amin, Nastaran Makaremi, & Rochit Tañedo (moderator)
Asia Stage Event
Von Gender und Sexualität bis hin zu Sprache und Zensur – asiatische Schriftstellerinnen bewegen sich mit jedem Satz auf einem schmalen Grat. Vom Umgang mit Ausdrucksweise, Identität und dem unsichtbaren Druck der Selbstzensur.
The Asia Stage, Hall 5.1 A75, Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main
Meet the Speakers:
Beverly W. Siy
Beverly “Bebang” Wico Siy is a distinguished Filipina author, translator, and copyright advocate with nearly two decades of experience in the publishing industry. Born in Quirino, Manila, she is the eldest of five daughters of Roberto Siy and Resurreccion Wico. Her multicultural upbringing, influenced by her Chinese-Filipino heritage, is a recurring theme in her writings.
Siy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Malikhaing Pagsulat sa Filipino, graduating cum laude from the University of the Philippines Diliman. She furthered her education with a master’s degree in Philippine Literature. Her academic background laid the foundation for her multifaceted career in writing, translation, and advocacy.
In 2011, Siy co-founded Isang Balangay Media Productions, also known as Balangay Books, an independent publishing house dedicated to promoting local literature to strengthen community identity and self-worth. Balangay Books has been instrumental in empowering grassroots literature and readership in the Philippines. Throughout her career, Siy has authored, translated, edited, and illustrated numerous works, with notable publications that include It’s a Mens World (2011), a collection of essays that won the Filipino Readers Choice Awards in 2012, and It’s Raining Mens (2014). She has also translated works such as Paper Towns by John Green into Filipino. In recognition of her contributions, Siy was honored as a Book Champion and Intellectual Property Ambassador by the National Book Development Board and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines in 2015. She currently serves in the Intertextual Division of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, furthering her commitment to the development and promotion of Filipino literature. Siy’s works often explore themes of empowerment, independence, and the complexities of Filipino identity, resonating with readers both locally and internationally. Her dedication to preserving and enriching local literary heritage continues to inspire and influence the Philippine literary landscape.