The Australian Filipina Woman's Magazine

A week and a half ago, I attended the launch of a new Filipino expat magazine here in Sydney. The invitation said "and partner" but since my partner was at home with the baby, I went alone. I forgot that Filos bring their ENTIRE FAMILIES to these occasions. So not only was a partnerless, I was parentless and totally nigelised. Luckily, I knew a few faces and managed not to look lost. I also chatted up one of the caterers and he insisted - yes, HE insisted, honest! - that I take home a box of food, including my favourite kutsinta. Mmm...

But anyway, enough about me. I really want to plug the magazine. It has turned out very well and I love working with the team so I'm very excited about future projects with them.

The Australian Filipina Woman's Magazine is aimed at Aussie Pinays and gives voice to our issues and concerns - identity, money, love, beauty and food.

The first issue is being sold in Filipino food stores and selected newsagencies or you can subscribe by visiting the website at http://www.ausfilipina.com.au/. The first 2,000 subscribers get a discount so make sure you sign up early!

Many of the writers are or have been professional journalists so I feel privileged to be part of the team. My article, "Faking it in the kitchen", is on page 24 (but the girl in the picture isn't me, in case you're wondering) - I hope you enjoy it!

I'm currently working on a story about karinyo in Filipino courtship and I'm looking for people to interview. I wanna know if Filo guys really do have a different courtship style (or is that just an old-fashioned idea), whether or not Filo-Aussie women actually like the karinyo approach and, most importantly...what's the best/worst Filo pick-up lines you've used/heard. Let me know if you or anyone you know is interested! (You can leave a comment but I need non-anonymous sources so include at least your e-mail address.)