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  • Discussion
  • Arts, Architecture, & Design
  • Book Launch

Launching: San Rafael by Leila Rispens-Noel, from the Philippines to Sri Lanka with Love

Featuring Cindy Wong, Leila Rispens-Noel, Pradeep Saxena, & Che de Leon, author of Silence (moderator

Philippine Stand Event

The sunlight brings life, but we cannot get too close to the sun. For people like us, it is safer to stay in the shadows.

Isabel, a seventeen-year-old living in a poor rural village, longs for the chance to go to college and make a difference in her community. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes and takes away her parents and crushes her ambitions.

Meanwhile, Gabriel—the son of the wealthy San Rafael Plantation owner—is attracted to Isabel as conflict between his father and the workers intensifies. But when Marcos declares martial law, their relationship is doomed.

Though separated for eleven years, neither has forgotten the other. Will they reunite and be able to fulfill their hopes and dreams? What will become of the workers on the sugarcane plantation?

Oktober 17, 2025 11:00

Hall 5.1 A95 & B95, Pilipinas Space, Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main

Philippine Stand

Meet the Speakers:

Cindy Wong

Cindy Wong

Cindy Wong is the founder of 8Letters Bookstore & Publishing, a dynamic publishing house based in the Philippines. With a deep passion for literature and storytelling, she has dedicated her career to fostering a vibrant literary community and promoting sustainable publishing practices. She understands and empathizes with writers from the Philippines, which inspired her to establish the 8Circles community. This platform now includes thousands of writers and readers, encouraging collaboration and engagement in the literary world.
A well-traveled individual, Cindy is one of the few Filipinos to have journeyed to Antarctica. Her diverse experiences enrich her perspective on storytelling and the importance of representing various narratives.
As a mother of two boys, Cindy skillfully balances her professional and personal life. Her experiences as a parent further motivate her commitment to creating opportunities for emerging voices in literature, ensuring that stories from all walks of life are shared.
Under her leadership, 8Letters has transformed from a small book curator to a significant player in the publishing industry, featuring over 400 titles from authors across the Philippine archipelago. The company’s innovative print-on-demand model prioritizes sustainability while making literature accessible to a wider audience.
Cindy Wong’s vision and dedication continue to drive her mission of championing quality literature and building a supportive community for writers and readers alike.