MANILA, Philippines — Anvil Publishing in cooperation with National Bookstore and Bistro Rosario launch the latest addition to its City Series entitled “Davao We Know,’’ an anthology of essays by residents of Davao, best known for its luscious fruits, exotic flora and its mild and balmy weather. The book will be launched at the tail end of the Kadayawan festival on Aug.23, 6 p.m. at National Bookstore in Abreeza Mall.

Edited by writer and teacher Lolita Lacuesta, the book gathers 19 essays written by an interesting mix of Davaoeños, both homegrown and migrant. The book reveals many things about the city that even their folk are unaware of. Readers will learn that in Davao, more Filipino lives were lost than in any other place in the country during World War II.

They will learn of how another author saw the family business engulfed in flames one harrowing day in February 1964, when the entire main commercial section of the city was reduced to ashes. Readers will also learn of how it was to be tortured by the military or to feel threatened by salvaging or to feel courageous for singing “Bayan Ko” during the dark days of martial law.

Davao We Know features essays by – Jo Bacani Angeles, Tita Lacambra Ayala, Nenita Belda Azarcon, Pribhu Dhalamal  Balchand, Renato S. Basa, Jose F. Campo, Ernesto I. Corcino, Fe del Rosario Dacudao, Karl M. Gaspar, CSsR, Lolita R. Lacuesta, Cynthia Nograles Lumbera, Margarita Marfori, Patria Garcia Montemayor, Marcelino E. Payumo, Aida Rivera-Ford, Michael L. Tan, Ting Tiongco, Josie C. Tionko and Macario D. Tiu.

The Anvil City Series consists of four books on Manila, Cebu, Baguio and now, Davao. Forthcoming releases will be Dumaguete and Quezon City. All titles are available in all National Bookstores, Bestsellers and Powerbooks branches.

Moleskine planners now out

For anyone who thinks that the year actually begins in July or just sees the middle of the year as the true turning point in their work schedule, Moleskine 18-month planners are back, now running from July 2011 to December 2012.

The Moleskine 18-month planners are available in two colors — black or red -- and in a choice of hard or soft cover. The weekly diary version is formatted in a horizontal weekly format and also includes an organizer insert and adhesive labels for personalizing the pages.

The weekly notebook version on the other hand is part notebook, part diary, with the entire week on the left and a page for notes on the right. The hard cover version also includes a removable address book.

The Moleskine 18-month planners are available in selected National Book Store branches. Visit the Moleskine flagship store at NBS Greenbelt 1 for the most complete selection of Moleskine products in the Philippines.