Anvil Publishing and Segafredo Zanetti
launches "Heart in Two Places"

What does it really mean to be an immigrant in America? "What's seldom articulated are the inner turmoils that immigrants go through - the homesickness, the loneliness, the ostalgia, the need to connect with kababayans. We often ask ourselves, is this move worth it?" says veteran journalist and essayist Gemma Nemenzo at the recent launch of her new book. Heart in Two Places.

The launch, organized by Anvil Publishing and Segafredo Zanetti, was held at the Segafredo Zanetti Expresso Bar in Greenbelt 2, Makati City. It was attended by friends and colleagues of the author who feasted on delectable canapes and teacakes prepared by Segafredo. The main drink of the evening was the famous Segafredo coffee, a special quality blend of the choicest Arabica and Robusta coffee beans.

Newsbreak editor-in-chief Marites Vitug and theatre director and actor Bernardo Bernardo talked about Nemenzo's accomplishments as a journalist and writer. Danny Javier of the Apo Hiking Society entertained the SRO crowd with the song Di Na Natuto.

Nemenzo said the book features "quite a number of stories of remembered moments, because remembering is a Filipino immigrant's way of coping and surviving."

Heart in Two Places is a collection of essays on the life of Nemenzo as an expatriate in the US—one present and in flux, the other in memory and nostalgia. These narratives focus on her family's life, memories of childhood, tales from the revolution, musings of age, and experiences and lessons learned, all retold beautifully using words that will amaze readers.

Heart in Two Places is now available in National Book Stores and Powerbooks outlets nationwide.