Mila Bongco-Philipzig was born in Manila, Philippines and moved to Edmonton in 1984 to pursue graduate studies. She eventually earned a PhD in 1995 from the Department of Comparative Studies and Modern Languages at the University of Alberta. Her doctoral thesis is entitled “Reading Comics: Analysing Language, Culture and the Concept of Superheroes in Comicbooks.” She relocated to Munich, Germany to pursue additional graduate studies. There she met her husband and started a family. Subsequently, the family decided to relocate to Edmonton, Alberta. Bongco-Philipzig is also an advocate for inclusion and diversity.
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Good Night Philippines, Good Night World
Illustrated by Frances Alvarez.
Philippines: Anvil Publishing, 2016.
Also available as a Kindle e-book.
Publisher’s Synopsis
A dreamy book of different people in different places tenderly saying goodnight to each other. Each spread highlights a specific place and language in the Philippines, as well as a place and language in another country, as separated Filipino loved ones bid each other good night.
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Sandy Beaches to Snow, Snow to Sandy Beaches
Illustrated by Jamie Bauza.
Philippines: Anvil Publisning, 2016.
Also available as a Kindle e-book.
Dual language: English and Filipino.
Publisher’s Synopsis
Two children recount the sounds and sights and lovable chaos of preparing to travel across the seas. One is travelling from sun and sand to a winter clime; the other is going the exact opposite way.
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Tony’s Wheels
Illustrated by Michael Parillas.
Winnipeg: ANAK Publishing Worker Cooperative Inc., 2021.
Dual language: English and Filipino.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Inspired by a true story, Tony’s Wheels follows a boy who moves to Canada from the Philippines and becomes successful in wheelchair racing. He becomes so good he gets to join the National Canadian Team. While competing internationally, Tony meets para-athletes from his old country and notices that their equipment is old and heavy. Tony wins the race, but how does he treat his competitors?