I was the second oldest kid in the house and the only girl, so that deep-seated feeling of obligation and family responsibility is something we both share. I grew up in a multi-generational household with my maternal grandparents, parents, younger brothers, and cousins. All I had was my family and the food we shared.

MIA: Unlike Lila, I didn’t have a Filipino community growing up. How did you use parts of your background in Lila Macapagal’s voice? The Book Smugglers: Your thoughtful author’s note mentions that as a Filipina American, this book is shaped through your experience and worldview. An icy bowl of halo-halo would be the perfect finish. I’d keep the dishes on the simple side since it would likely be everyone’s first time trying Filipino food: pancit bihon, lumpiang shanghai, lumpiang togue, shrimp sinigang, chicken adobo, maybe a vegetable dish like pinakbet, and lots of different kakanin so they can sample the wide variety of sweet rice cakes we have in the Philippines. Plus I think she’d appreciate a loud, ridiculous, loving family. I think it’d be so much fun to have her over for a tea party full of gossip and judgment. Lana Lee from Vivien Chien’s Noodle Shop Mystery series – anybody who can appreciate a good bowl of noodles the way Lana does is always welcome at Tita Rosie’s.Ĭharlotte Holmes from Sherry Thomas’s Lady Sherlock series – Charlotte is someone who appreciates food, particularly sweets, and it would be hilarious to have her turn her sharp insight toward the aunties and Lola Flor.Įlizabeth Bennett from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice – I’m super basic and absolutely love Lizzie. I’m sure Lila and her family would love to take her under their wing and introduce her to the world of Filipino food. Odessa Dean from Olivia Blacke’s Killer Content – she’s a small-town transplant currently living in NYC and has been expanding her palate (and crime-solving skills) ever since moving there. The Book Smugglers: If you could host a dinner party with characters from your book at Tita Rosie’s, and any other characters from any other fictional world: who and why? And, what would you serve?

Adobo and arsenic