Mylene Agana Jao Richardson was born in Manila, Philippines, and is the sixth of nine children (six boys and three girls) from Tessie Agana Jao and Dr. Rodolfo Jao. Although she grew up in Indiana in the United States, her trips back to the Philippines are her most memorable family vacations.
She developed a passion project to write a book in 2009 as a way for her eldest son, who just celebrated his first birthday, to learn about his grandmother and great-grandmother. It transformed into years of countless hours of interviews with family members and friends, providing a unique glimpse into the life of these important women. This story can only be told from the lens of a family member revealing details out of love, respect, and honor.
1 topic · no fee, no honorarium, no mileage
Review available topics below. Use the “Request This Free Speech” button and fill out the contact form. Mylene contacts you to discuss the details of the request.
Mylene connects with her mom, Tessie Agana, a famous child actress from the Philippines, who today lives in Cave Creek with dementia. Mylene listens to her mother’s stories of yesteryear, and their candid discussions break barriers between mother and daughter.
Tessie Agana was affectionately deemed “The Nation’s Little Sweetheart” and known as the “Shirley Temple of the Philippines.” With unsparing truth, Mylene offers the first intimate portrait of her mother, whose early fame and exposure to the public eye led to dark shadows that impacted her entire life.
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