16/09/2026
The 𝐀𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐨 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 (𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐖𝐖), with the 𝐀𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐨 𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 (𝐀𝐔𝐏), would like to invite you to the book launch of 𝘋𝘐𝘍𝘍𝘐𝘊𝘜𝘓𝘛: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘵𝘵𝘢 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴, authored by Carmel “Melay” V. Abao.
Co-sponsored with the Ateneo Martial Law Museum and Library, the University Gender and Development Office, the Department of Political Science, and Areté, the event will be held on September 21, 2026 (Monday) at 4:00 PM, at the Ateneo de Manila Loyola Heights campus and is open to the Ateneo community and the public.
Join us in celebrating the journey of Loretta Ann “Etta” P. Rosales, a survivor of the Martial Law regime, former AKBAYAN Party list Representative (11th-13th Congress) and former Chair of the Commission on Human Rights (2010-2015) – a remarkable woman, political activist, human rights defender, and public servant.
Attendees must register at bit.ly/difficult-book-launch on or before 12 NN, Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Limited seats available.
𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
Date and Time: September 21, 2026 (Monday), 4:00 PM
Where: Ateneo de Manila Loyola Heights campus, Quezon City.
Copies of the book will be available for sale onsite.
Registration begins at 4:00 PM, with light refreshments available.
Program proper will begin at 5:30 PM.
Book signing will take place from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
Confirmation emails with the final venue will be sent to participants that have pre-registered for the event.
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸
Difficult follows the life of Etta Rosales: from childhood to motherhood; her teaching and organizing work during Martial Law; her shift into parliamentary politics; to the ongoing fight for human rights. The book weaves together the testimonies of colleagues, friends, and family to offer a rich and authentic feminist perspective into the life of the Filipina activist, honoring Etta and many other women whose struggles continue to benefit and shape future generations.
This biography does not mythologize Etta; if anything, it emphasizes her humanity in all its nuances and contradictions. Her story is a moving testament to the ongoing struggles the Filipino people continue to face. In these turbulent times, riddled with political strongmen, systemic oppression, and state violence, her story is an unflinching reminder to resist the norms and systems in place that continue to perpetuate harm and disposability of human life. It is an unflinching reminder that resistance, however stacked the odds may be, however difficult, is born out of care for one another: an act, first and foremost, of love.
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿
Carmel "Melay" V. Abao is an associate professor of the Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Political Science and its former department chair (2022–2025). She completed a master's degree in politics and governance at the Institute of Development Studies of the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, and a PhD in development studies at the De La Salle University. She specializes in social movement studies, labor and migration, and international political economy. Before joining the academe, she was involved in a number of movements: as labor organizer and educator for the Workers’ College and Workers’ Institute, as deputy director of the Institute for Popular Democracy, as program officer of the Partnership of Philippine Support Service Agencies (PHILSSA), and as the founding national secretary-general of Akbayan (Citizens’ Action Party).
The Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings (ALIWW), with the Ateneo de Manila University Press (AUP), would like to invite you to the book launch of DIFFICULT: The Life and Times of Etta Rosales, authored by Carmel “Melay” V. Abao.
Co-sponsored with the Ateneo Martial Law Museum and Library, the University Gender and Development Office, the Department of Political Science, and Areté, the event will be held on September 21, 2026 (Monday) at 4:00 PM, at the Ateneo de Manila Loyola Heights campus and is open to the Ateneo community and the public.
Join us in celebrating the journey of Loretta Ann “Etta” P. Rosales, a survivor of the Martial Law regime, former AKBAYAN Party list Representative (11th-13th Congress) and former Chair of the Commission on Human Rights (2010-2015) – a remarkable woman, political activist, human rights defender, and public servant.
Attendees must register at http://bit.ly/difficult-book-launch on or before 12 NN, Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Limited seats available.
Event Details:
Date and Time: September 21, 2026 (Monday), 4:00 PM
Where: Ateneo de Manila Loyola Heights campus, Quezon City.
Copies of the book will be available for sale onsite.
Registration begins at 4:00 PM, with light refreshments available.
Program proper will begin at 5:30 PM.
Book signing will take place from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
Confirmation emails with the final venue will be sent to participants that have pre-registered for the event.
About the Book
Difficult follows the life of Etta Rosales: from childhood to motherhood; her teaching and organizing work during Martial Law; her shift into parliamentary politics; to the ongoing fight for human rights. The book weaves together the testimonies of colleagues, friends, and family to offer a rich and authentic feminist perspective into the life of the Filipina activist, honoring Etta and many other women whose struggles continue to benefit and shape future generations.
This biography does not mythologize Etta; if anything, it emphasizes her humanity in all its nuances and contradictions. Her story is a moving testament to the ongoing struggles the Filipino people continue to face. In these turbulent times, riddled with political strongmen, systemic oppression, and state violence, her story is an unflinching reminder to resist the norms and systems in place that continue to perpetuate harm and disposability of human life. It is an unflinching reminder that resistance, however stacked the odds may be, however difficult, is born out of care for one another: an act, first and foremost, of love.
About the Author
Carmel "Melay" V. Abao is an associate professor of the Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Political Science and its former department chair (2022–2025). She completed a master's degree in politics and governance at the Institute of Development Studies of the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, and a PhD in development studies at the De La Salle University. She specializes in social movement studies, labor and migration, and international political economy. Before joining the academe, she was involved in a number of movements: as labor organizer and educator for the Workers’ College and Workers’ Institute, as deputy director of the Institute for Popular Democracy, as program officer of the Partnership of Philippine Support Service Agencies (PHILSSA), and as the founding national secretary-general of Akbayan (Citizens’ Action Party).
