Cebuana domestic worker Ester Vargas-Castillo has self-published a book of poetry sharing her experiences as a household worker in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Titled “Biriterang Makata” (Diva Poet), the book is a collection of 136 award-winning poems written in English and Filipino by Vargas-Castillo, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) from Cebu who passionately creates music and poems.
Vargas-Castillo has been working in Dubai since 2017. She is a member of Kapanulat (Kapatid sa Panulat) and other prestigious literary and poetry groups, as well as the choral group Filipino Social Club (FilSoc) Chorale that performed during the Expo 2020 Dubai.
The poet-singer writes to inspire women of all walks of life. Her poems often talk about the difficulties she faced as a household helper abroad, and her writing aims to uplift the wounded.
Vargas-Castillo is well-known amongst her peers as “Biriterang Makata,” which is also the title of her first book of poems.
The new book was launched at the Studio M Arabian Plaza Hotel in Dubai the United Arab Emirates on May 14, 2022.
Vargas-Castillo shared that her work as a household helper has helped her provide for her children and send them to school in the Philippines. She also expressed gratitude to her employers who encouraged and allowed her to pursue writing.
Check out the book, “Biriterang Makata” by Ester Vargas-Castillo available on Amazon here.
Inspiring stories from OFWs include Hong Kong domestic worker turned famed photographer Xyza Bacani who recently graduated from New York University and Davao native Liza Avelino who climbed the Mt. Everest neighbor peak.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to Filipina domestic helper Ester Vargas-Castillo for self-publishing her book of poetry, Biriterang Makata (Diva Poet).
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