In 2025, audiences across the North are invited to experience AKA Theatre Company’s exciting new folk musical The Flood.

Based on true accounts of flooding in the Calder Valley, this show invites audiences to celebrate hope, creativity, and the strength of community in the face of disaster.

On Boxing Day 2015, the picturesque town of Hebden Bridge was devastated by the worst floods in a century. Homes and businesses were submerged. Lives were turned upside down. Yet, amidst the chaos, the spirit of the Valley rose. Neighbours joined forces, artists found new inspiration and Hebden Bridge rebuilt itself stronger than ever.

Performed by a cast of five talented actor-musicians, the show blends live traditional music and heartfelt storytelling to celebrate the strength of community.

“We’re thrilled to launch The Flood at Leeds Playhouse before taking it to audiences in York, Manchester, and other communities,” says director Lucie Raine.

“This is a story about what it means to come together when everything falls apart. It’s not just a play — it’s a tribute to resilience and creativity, inspired by Hebden Bridge and its people. It’s a celebration for all communities who have faced adversity and emerged stronger.”

The Flood premieres at Leeds Playhouse (19th April) and will then tour to Chester Storyhouse (24th – 26th), The Atkinson Southport (1st May), Georgian Theatre Royal Richmond (2nd May), 53Two Manchester (7th – 8th May), Friargate Theatre York (9th – 10^th May), Hull Truck Theatre (13th May) and Hebden Bridge Little Theatre (16th – 17th May).

For tickets and more information, visit , or contact the Box Office at 0113 213 7700.

AKA Theatre Company is a company. With the motto “Seeking freedom through limitations,” their aim is to highlight and cater to original works of upcoming artists and creatives that want to share their stories and ideas in a safe space. Freedom of collaboration and artistic expression.

Leeds Playhouse is one of the UK’s leading producing theatres, known for its vibrant programme of world-class productions. For over 50 years they have been committed to sharing stories that inspire, challenge, and connect communities across Leeds. They were recently recognised at the UK Theatre Awards where they were named the Most Welcoming Theatre 2022.

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The long-standing Filipino tradition of — that is, visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday in solemn commemoration of Christ’s passion and death — can be traced to a tradition initiated by St. Philip Neri in 1553, wherein he led the faithful to pray in the seven basilicas of Rome. 

You can continue this tradition in the UK by visiting some Roman Catholic churches located in England and Wales. Here, we make a suggested itinerary, with quite a number of listed churches. What is a ? Adjudged from Grade I to III, listed buildings are placed on a Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest and are protected from any large departures from their original design.

England

, Southeast Cambridge

The church was built between 1885 and 1890 in the 19th century gothic revival style. It was consecrated in October 1890. 

The west bell tower with a 65-metre spire is a Cambridge landmark.

The sculpture above the altar portrays the relief of the Holy Souls in Purgatory through the intercession of Our Lady and the angel who comforted Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The English martyrs died between 1535 and 1681, many of whom were residents of the university. Within the church, they are arranged in two groups: the clergy on the South side with most notably, St. John Fisher; the laity on the North side, with St. Thomas More. 

Houghton St Giles, Norfolk

Built in 1325, the basilica was built in honour of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of pilgrims to the Holy Land. It’s commonly known as the Slipper Chapel, as pilgrims used to stop here to attend Mass before slipping off their shoes and walk the Holy Mile into Walsingham. The chapel was declared a minor basilica by Pope Francis in 2015.

The chapel fell into disuse during the Reformation and the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham was taken to London and burnt. In 1896, the chapel was bought by Charlotte Pearson Boyd, an Anglican who converted to Catholicism, and restored it for Catholic use.

During the pilgrimage season in the UK, some 150,000 pilgrims visit the Slipper Chapel where the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham is enthroned.

, King’s Lynn, Norfolk

The location was originally founded in 1778 as the Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation. From 1897 to 1934, it also served as the pontifical shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham — with a replica of the Holy House of Nazareth at Loreto.

The foundation for the church was laid in 1896, after the old church, opened in 1845, had been demolished. 

Among the contributors to the construction were the future King Edward VII (then Prince of Wales), and the kings of Spain and Italy. 

It was opened in June of 1897. 

, Northampton

Christian worship in Northampton dates back to mid-Saxton times.

In October 1825, a small chapel was built dedicated to St. Andrew. In 1844, a new chapel was built dedicated to St. Felix. In 1864, an extension was built — the current nave — and was dedicated to Our Lady Immaculate and St. Thomas of Canterbury. It is built in the Gothic revival style of architecture.

In 1948, part of St. Andrew’s was demolished for the cathedral’s extension. Of the original chapel, the portion that includes the altar remains, located in the present-day sacristy and the chapter room. 

Wales

, Cardiff

St. Peter’s is one of the oldest Catholic parishes and the oldest surviving Roman Catholic Church in Cardiff.  

In 1854, the Rosminians (of the Institute of Charity) arrived in Cardiff. The foundation stone was laid in August 1860 and almost exactly a year later, it was opened — but without a tower, presbytery, nor stained glass windows.

In 1873, the presbytery was built; in 1882, stained glass windows were installed in the sanctuary; in 1883, the tower was completed.

, Treforest, Pontypridd

St. Dyfrig was an abbott, bishop, and hermit who had been a prominent Celtic saint in Wales since the 5th century.

Irish immigration to the South of Wales increased Catholic presence in the 1840s. The growing population necessitated the building of a church, the first of which was built in 1868 at Bridge Street. By 1926, a new church was constructed, then consecrated in 1927 on Broadway.

The design is a variation of the early Christian style of basilica theme with brick walls and a slate roof with coped gables.

, Pennant Melangell

Saint Melangell was an Irish girl who travelled to the Tanat Valley in Wales to live as an hermit in the 7th century. She is the patron saint of hares and rabbits. According to legend, she saved a hare that was being hunted by Brochwel, Prince of Powys. Moved by her courage and sanctity, the prince gave St. Melangell the valley where she founded a small religious community.

The and is one of the most remote in Britain, hidden in the Berwyn mountains. Although it is now part of the Anglican Church in Wales, many Catholics and Orthodox visit it each year.

The architecture is that of a simple Norman church. The present stone church replaced an original wooden structure. The oldest church features are the doorway and narrow lancet window in the North wall from the 11th century, and the font from the 12th century.  The shrine was constructed between 1160 to 1170 to house the saint’s relics, as her burial site was also discovered in the area.

Have a meaningful Holy Week remembrance!

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Please describe your current role.

Currently, I live a sort of double life. My primary job is in investment banking and corporate finance but in my free time, I do some modelling and also do ambassadorial work for Miss Philippines UK (MPUK). Only last month, I was blessed enough to have walked London Fashion Week (I walked for 3 Filipino designers!), National Asian Wedding Show, and India London Fashion Week. I also judged Miss Vietnam UK.

What is the maxim you live by?

I was actually asked this as my question during the Miss Philippines UK competition. 

My mantra in life is: “Growth. Gratitude. Giving.” 

Growth: I think it is important to strive to keep learning more about yourself and the world around you. We should never settle and always be growing/striving for the next big thing. 

Gratitude: I think we should all be aware of our privileges and recognise the things/people we should be thankful for and what/who got us to where we are now. 

Giving: I think giving back to the community that helped us (and the world) makes life worth living. Leave the world in a better place than you found it.

Tell us the biggest challenge that you faced and how you overcame it. 

Find your purpose or your ‘WHY?’ and stay authentically you. Take some time to think about who you are and what you want to represent. Speak your truth but also take time to hear other people’s truth and try to understand where they are coming from as well.

I think one of the biggest challenges I have faced is accepting myself and my identity. I think a lot of us Filipinos in the UK, especially the younger generation, have had some sort of identity crisis – not feeling like we fit in anywhere. Joining MPUK has led me to find other Filipino-Brits and celebrate how they are proudly showing their personal halo-halo (“mixed”) of their Filipino and the British side. They taught me that we aren’t lost in-between cultures but are making our own identity that blends the beauty of both. Please see my personal project @FilBrit.ish on youtube/instagram to see us highlighting Filipino-British businesses and talent. 

What is the one achievement that you are most proud of and why? 

I would say that I am most proud of getting my degree from a top university and leading to the point where I am now. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree (with honours) in politics, philosophy, and economics from Durham University. I am most proud of this as, to me, it symbolises my hard work and determination as well as all the sacrifices that were made by my ancestors to get me to where I am today. I am the proud halo-halo of my hard work and my ancestors’ greatest dreams. 

What would be your advice to young Filipino girls of today?

My advice would be to find your purpose or your ‘WHY?’ and stay authentically you. Take some time to think about who you are and what you want to represent. Speak your truth but also take time to hear other people’s truth and try to understand where they are coming from as well.

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Please describe your current role.

Managing Partner and Head of Litigation and Family Law at Deo Volente Solicitors. I am a lawyer by trade.

What is the maxim you live by?

At all times, aim to add value to people’s lives, to those around you. At the very least, be kind.

Tell us the biggest challenge that you faced and how you overcame it.

Moving to the UK on my own and then building a life and a career here was the most tremendous set of challenges I faced, but equally have been the most fulfilling series of adventures. I would like to think that I survived these by being perennially stubborn, making the most out of every experience, and giving something back to our community. However, the humbling reality is that I was also very lucky with employers and mentors who gave me opportunities, with friends who became family, and just with the general kindness of people who came into my life, not to mention the support given by my family. 

Make a stand. Have a purpose. Be kind. Laugh a lot and live – be truly alive. 

What is the one achievement that you are most proud of and why? 

My biggest achievement is interestingly a “failure.” It made me realise the depths of what I am willing to go through and how far I can evolve to achieve what I dreamed of.  I once wanted to be a British Army lawyer – I was inspired by the brilliant Major General Susan Ridge, the first woman to reach that rank and the former Director of Army Legal Services.

After successfully passing the first round of interviews at Andover Army Headquarters, I trained for 60 days to prepare for the Army selection board. I transformed physically, psychologically and emotionally after 60 days of brutal cardio and conditioning. Towards the end of this two-month “suffer fest” (whilst I was still working full time as a high street lawyer), I was able to pass the standard physical tests for a soldier. This was quite a feat for a lifetime nerd. When I was growing up, I was a proper geek (still is and proudly so) and was the last person you would think of if you mention sports or the military. 

However, I realised in my adult life that we do not need to stick to our default settings. That we can transform and evolve so long as we put our minds into it. The Army did not pan out due to my history of asthma. I did not reach the dream.  Although, I was invited back months later to retry, the timing was not great. In the midst of this “failure” or “non-achievement” is the biggest and most potent breakthrough of my adult life: I learned that our capacity to evolve is dependent on our capacity to dream and that there is no such limit to that capacity. Learning how to break my “default setting” will always be my biggest achievement.

What would be your advice to young Filipino girls of today?

Find your voice. Take space. Make a stand. Have a purpose. Be kind. Laugh a lot and live – be truly alive. 

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Please describe your current role.

 I currently work as a part-time staff of, a part-time cleaner in a private household, and a full-time organiser of .

What is the maxim you live by?

My motto in life is to do everything with a good heart and to expect nothing in return. It is also my way of paying forward all the blessings I received.

Tell us the biggest challenge that you faced and how you overcame it.

The biggest challenge I faced was leaving my children behind in the Philippines to work abroad and take care of other kids. I felt like I was dying inside that day I left. But the need to give them a better future was so great that I have to be strong and believe that my decision was for the best. 

My advice to young Filipino girls is for them to have an active role in the community, and to become rights advocates by helping promote awareness of people’s rights, especially on gender equality and the rights of women and children.

Organising migrant domestic workers who left their family behind due to poverty and who became victims of slavery helped me to slowly overcome my struggles.

What is the one achievement you are most proud of and why?

The one achievement that I’m most proud of is starting the Filipino Domestic Workers Association-UK. Through the organisation, migrant domestic workers who are victims of modern slavery were able to find refuge and a community that upholds and defends their rights and welfare. 

What would be your advice to young Filipino girls of today?

My advice to young Filipino girls is for them to have an active role in the community, and to become rights advocates by helping promote awareness of people’s rights, especially on gender equality, and the rights of women and children.

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Please describe your current role.

Entrepreneur,

GL Communities Neighbourhood Connector

Global Media Relations and Host of “Inspiring Millions Show,” World Humanitarian Drive

Secretary, Filipino Association of Gloucestershire

Publicity Committee,

Community Panel, Voices Gloucester 

Community Producer, Hi-Street Festival

My several roles enable me to share love, joy, and inspiration with others. I bring people together to enjoy moments with their community and celebrate life.

What is the maxim you live by?

I would like to share two: “Love life all you can while you still can”– to make the most of every moment. 

“There’s always something better if you make it so” — to not be stuck; to keep going and finding better opportunities. 

Tell us the biggest challenge that you faced and how you overcame it.

I battled homesickness and loneliness by connecting with others. It’s not easy starting out in a different country, carving a life for me and my husband. I lived in the Philippines for most of my life. When I moved here, I didn’t know anyone, just my husband. I’m lucky to have an outgoing personality; that I welcome adventures and challenges. It made me open up and adapt faster. Of course, my husband helped with the transition as well — love makes life easier. I miss my family and friends back home, but it’s wonderful to be able to get in touch with them on social media, call, and text.

Every effort you make matters, even if it seems you’re not living your dreams. With every step, you’re gaining skills and experience inching you closer to the best version of yourself. Who knows where your path may lead? Open up to new opportunities.

What is the one achievement that you are most proud of and why?

I was awarded Creative Business of the Year in 2019 and International Women’s Day Top 5 Business Women in the UK in 2020 by the Women’s Business Club. I was also one of the top winners of World Humanitarian Drive’s COVID Times Poetry Competition representing the Philippines. However, I believe my greatest achievements are yet to come. I give my best in everything I do. I’m guided by my values: to share love, joy, and inspiration with the world.

With my Love Viva Cakes and Crafts business, whenever I make my customers happy with the products and services I offer, that I feel is my greatest achievement.

What is your advice to young Filipino girls of today?

Life is a constant journey through self-discovery. You’ll keep learning more about yourself with every step you take.

When you’re baking or cooking and if what you’re making doesn’t taste right or look right, maybe you’re using the wrong recipe. You just have to keep experimenting, fine-tuning your recipe and try again.  

Every effort you make matters, even if it seems you’re not living your dreams. With every step, you’re gaining skills and experience inching you closer to the best version of yourself. Who knows where your path may lead? Open up to new opportunities.

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Name: Louie Horne

Please describe your current role.

Deputy assistant director of nursing for musculoskeletal & special surgery services at East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust. I’m also currently on secondment to NHS England as Workforce Race Equality Standard clinical research fellow for international staff.

What is the maxim you live by?

Every decision I make, big or small, must align with my principle of living an integrous life that I can model to my daughter. Some may think that it’s the big decisions in life that make or break us but it’s the day-to-day decisions and actions that tell us who we really are and will have the most impact and influence in our life.

Tell us the biggest challenge that you faced and how you overcame it.

It would be the struggle to create in the nursing profession. It’s been an uphill battle as a Filipino nurse to be acknowledged for the work that we do. I feel that as a group of professionals, Filipinos have some way to go in keeping a more united, integrated and supportive force that the junior ones can rely on. Only a few out of over forty thousand Filipino nurses were able to reach senior positions in healthcare and those few must keep that door open for the rest of the Filipino nurses to pass through.

What is the one achievement that you are most proud of and why? 

Twenty years ago, I looked around in Suffolk and saw that there was no one who looked like me in the senior nursing position and I have been doing everything possible to change that since then.

I am very happy to be able to start a simple informal buddy system to support our incoming Filipino nurses in Suffolk to see them through the tough six months after coming to a new country and learning the complexity of the NHS system. It’s humbling to receive letters of thanks from those I mentored since their Band 5 days and some of them are more senior than me now which makes me really happy.

To be an enabler to these professionals, be it personally or professionally, is something I take very seriously in and out of work hours. To be awarded a Chief Nursing Award for Services to Covid and the nursing profession by the Chief Nursing Officer of England, Dame Ruth May, was also a reminder of the biggest challenge I faced as a leader during the pandemic. The icing on the cake was to be invited by Their Majesties, The King and The Queen Consort, to a reception to recognise and celebrate the contribution made by the Asian community in February.

What would be your advice to young Filipino girls of today? 

I’m quite traditional when it comes to advice. Do not just work hard but work smarter. The effort you give to your craft will be rewarded in time.

Do not let go of the values we have back home in the Philippines. This will keep you on the right path when loneliness and isolation get to you – these feelings don’t last. Find a mentor in whatever setting you’re in for support, feedback or just to bounce ideas with whether formally or informally.

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Name: Paula Braiden

Please describe your current work.

I am the founder and managing director of , a multi-award-winning digital marketing agency based in Manchester. 
I work with our clients in all aspects of marketing in the digital landscape which includes website development, running paid ads on Google or social media, SEO, content creation, and graphic design.

What is the maxim you live by?

“Never compromise your values for success.”

We all have things we truly believe in and that’s very personal to us. 

My beliefs drive a lot of my decision-making. Sticking to my values allows me to live a happier and a more peaceful life. 

1. Don’t be scared to speak your mind, however, do this respectfully. 

2. Learn to be comfortable speaking to anyone & everyone as it’s a life & career skill that will help you.

3. Don’t miss the opportunities to learn from your mistakes and failures even if it feels like there’s no lesson to be learned.

Tell us the biggest challenge that you faced and how you overcame it.

To date, the biggest challenge I have ever faced is the initial years of establishing and growing my company in the UK as a confident woman of colour.

Early in my business journey, I kept thinking how much easier this would have been if I were back home in the Philippines.  The colour of my skin or my really prominent American accent would not confuse people as much or be a red flag to suggest that my ability was not up to par with British standards.

I worked really hard to assimilate British culture and made sure to learn how to communicate effectively, even changing my accent to make people feel at ease. 

I still battle racial inequality in business from time to time.

What is the one achievement that you are most proud of and why.

This one is quite personal and I feel an achievement most people would probably overlook.

Moving, fully settling, and finally feeling England is my home is one of my proudest achievements. 

Moving away from your home country is really hard. A lot of people, not just Filipinos, try and often fail. 

The initial excitement turns into bouts of bad homesickness.  You used to know what to do and where to go for everything and then everything changes and things don’t always make sense. 

So yeah, finally feeling really happy and settled is (was) a great thing. 

What would be your advice to young Filipino girls of today?

1. Don’t be scared to speak your mind, however do this respectfully. 

2. Learn to be comfortable speaking to anyone & everyone as it’s a life & career skill that will help you.

3. Don’t miss the opportunities to learn from your mistakes and failures even if it feels like there’s no lesson to be learned.

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Name: Sarah Cosgriff

Please describe your current role/work. 

My work involves a combination of different things because I work part time and run my own business part time – which means every week is so different! Broadly speaking, I would say that I work in science communication and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

Examples of my work include: working with schools to help them become more inclusive, training scientists to communicate their work, consulting for education or public engagement projects, public speaker for EDI and a science show presenter. In my spare time, I volunteer for my local LGBTQ+ youth group.

What is the maxim you live by?

Life is short. This is something that has stuck with me since my dad died in 2010. This is the reason why I try to tell my friends how much I care about them or tell people how much I like their work as you can never know what will happen tomorrow.

Tell us the biggest challenge that you faced and how you overcame it.

I grew up in a predominantly white area and felt different to others growing up. I had met two Filipinos in our local area before I left for university at 18. I’ve never been part of a local Filipino community. As I got older I became more aware of my lack of knowledge of Filipino culture. I don’t know any of the languages and many cultural nuances. I don’t look Filipino (because I’m mixed). Because of all of this I have wondered: am I allowed to call myself Filipino?

I would encourage you to go try things! Trying things doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stick to them and can teach you a lot about yourself...When I was at school I wanted to be a doctor and was very fixed on doing that – but that didn’t work out. And I am so glad that it didn’t! You have so many more options open to you than you think and I’d encourage you to explore them.

Over time I’ve had to accept that I am Filipino enough. I am Filipino simply by being me. There isn’t one ‘correct’ way to be Filipino. And it also turns out that many Filipinos (and Asians) in the diaspora feel the same way as I do. Being mixed is also its own experience and I embrace that. I am proud to call myself Filipino.

What is the one achievement that you are most proud of and why? 

At the start of the pandemic, I came to the realisation that I am not straight. This is partly because I did not have access to the language and knowledge that I do now, but I also ignored some of the signs that happened throughout my 20s. 

Since 2020 I have identified as asexual, which describes someone who experiences little to no sexual attraction to others. It is getting better known but tends to be less understood than other sexual orientations. I came out towards the end of 2020 and have been involved in asexual advocacy, such as and .

Over the last couple of years, I have connected with some of my Filipino-American family members, who are also LGBTQ+, in a different way and started a podcast with them (called ). Through this podcast, we shared our experiences and interviewed two LGBTQ+ Filipinas: Amber who is a transgender and Ria who is asexual and aromantic.

I also connected with Filipinos in the Philippines through the group and learnt about the challenges that they face. Ally, a representative of the group, has . I can relate a lot to the group’s experiences and have also been able to learn more about Filipino culture by speaking with them.

Last year, I was fortunate to be shortlisted for the in the Positive Role Model – LGBT award. I feel this nomination reflects my advocacy work but also the LGBTQ+ inclusion work that I do in education and youth settings.

Learning that I am asexual was initially a bit scary – but it helped me reflect on who I am and why and has impacted my work and my life in such a positive way. It’s never too late to learn more about yourself.

What would be your advice to young Filipino girls of today? 

I would encourage you to go try things! Trying things doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stick to them and can teach you a lot about yourself.

I fell into the type of career path I have and that is because I tried out different things. When I was at school I wanted to be a doctor and was very fixed on doing that – but that didn’t work out. And I am so glad that it didn’t! You have so many more options open to you than you think and I’d encourage you to explore them. And that’s not just limited to jobs and careers – things like hobbies would be included in this. Make sure to keep an open mind too.

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Prayer, blessings and dancing marked the launch of Wild Song, Filipino author Candy Gourlay’s latest book, at the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) in London on 28 February.

In 1904, Americans took Igorots to the and put them on display as living exhibits. In 2023 — almost 120 years later— by Filipino author Candy Gourlay retells their story to remember the injustices the Igorots endured and reclaim pride in the cultures America wanted to erase. Wild Song works as a standalone young adult book and a sequel to the Carnegie Medal- and Costa Award-shortlisted Bone Talk and is published by David Fickling Books.

Wild Song follows Luki, a brave, teenage Bontok girl who longs to be a warrior. When the ancients try to make her marry her best friend, she joins the World’s Fair to go on her own adventure. But there, Luki realises that the people at the Fair don’t see her and her fellow Igorots as human beings, but as animals for America’s entertainment. Luki must now somehow fight to defend her and her people’s dignity.

The Bookseller has already made Wild Song its March 2023 Book of the Month, hailing it as a “stunning achievement”. The Telegraph praised it for its “simple, lyrical storytelling,” while The Times named it Children’s Book of the Week of February 28, 2023 and described it as a “shocking, refreshingly different coming-of-age story” that takes colonialism, racism, and sexism head on. 

During the book launch, some 25 young Igorot-UK charity members led by Mark Sapaen Watan (whose ancestor was at the World’s Fair) sang the Salidumay prayer with the audience and to celebrate Wild Song’s publication, hoping that the book would honour Igorot cultures and Igorot ancestors. 

At the launch, Ms Gourlay told guests — especially the Igorot kids and teens present — about the behind the Philippine-American War and American colonial period, with real pictures and details about how the United States saw Filipinos and indigenous peoples as backwards and in need of civilisation. She also spoke about how cathartic researching and writing Wild Song was, as she discovered stories and facts about Philippine history that she never learned while in school. Ms Gourlay explained that she hoped to empower readers by bringing these truths to them too. 

“Wild Song is a cracking adventure with heart, authenticity and love which is exactly how it felt to be at the launch,” tweeted Louise Johns Shepherd, , who attended the book launch.

Wild Song’s launch ended with final words from Watan and Igorot-UK on the importance of reclaiming Igorot identities through art and stories in the face of prejudice from the West (and even fellow Filipinos in the mainland and the diaspora). Watan expressed hope in fellow Igorots “finding courage to move past shame, towards pride” and reminded readers to “learn about your own cultures—or someone else is going to tell you, and you won’t like it.” Wild Song aims to do just this for Igorot and Filipino kids and teens like Luki, who need to appreciate who they are and the cultures and memories they’re inheriting. 

Wild Song is published by and is available in bookstores now.

About the author

Cat Aquino is an author, teacher, and researcher of children’s and young adult literature born and raised in Manila and currently based in London. Champion of the Rose, her young adult graphic novel/manga series co-created with Dominique Duran, will be published by VIZ Media in 2024. She received the 2022 Otherwise Award Fellowship for excellence in writing gender in speculative fiction, and her stories have been published by Goethe-Institut Finland’s DRIN Project for Children’s Literature, Strange Horizons, and other presses. You can find her at .

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