A Cebuana in New York

A Cebuana in New York is the debut novel from the first-time published writer J.M. Noval where she traces her travels and travails, triumphs and torments as a Filipino immigrant who uprooted herself from the Philippine Islands in search for grand adventures and dream fulfillment in the Big Apple.With an eclectic sprinkling of wit, humor, romance, drama, and some inventive flourishes, this slightly-fictionalized memoir showcases the author's wide-eyed perspective of the world as she...
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A Cebuana in New York is the debut novel from the first-time published writer J.M. Noval where she traces her travels and travails, triumphs and torments as a Filipino immigrant who uprooted herself from the Philippine Islands in search for grand adventures and dream fulfillment in the Big Apple.With an eclectic sprinkling of wit, humor, romance, drama, and some inventive flourishes, this slightly-fictionalized memoir showcases the author's wide-eyed perspective of the world as she forges her way through a new country; resilience in the face of intense adversity on her career path as a healthcare professional; and an unflappable penchant for making the best of the circumstances life threw her way.Set against the backdrop of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, this novel juxtaposes Noval's distant recollections of her last few years in Cebu--prior to leaving for the United States--with her musings and experiences during the five-month-long lockdown, giving the reader an interesting glimpse into her past while getting caught up with her present.Edited and co-written by M.A. Machacon who also imparts insights on the existential, philosophical, and spiritual conundrums Noval poses in the book, A Cebuana in New York offers a rare and refreshing outlook on the essentials of life and the redemptive value of faith.