Considering her stature and personal comportment today, those who are not privy to her personal beginnings may think that she, Soledad Muesco Manaay, was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Fact is, just the opposite is true. Born in poverty in a Philippine town no one has heard of, she rose to become a successful entrepreneur and a published writer by way of her personal struggles, hard work and perseverance. She is a classic example of what a plucky, self-made woman is. Her journey began when she was accepted as a student at San Ramon Catholic School in Suay, Himamaylan. This school is very special indeed being run by Irish Augustinian Orders who taught their students how to speak without the usual "sing-song" accent prevalent among the natives of the Negros Occidental Province. Even then, Soledad showed academic and leadership qualities as well as artistic prowess. She was the yearly school valedictorian from kindergarten until she graduated from that institution, as well as the yearly class president and member of the school's drama, dance and singing clubs. Through hard work, courage, inherent intelligence and perseverance, she was assigned as Media Attaché to the US in 1980's. She was in her early 20's. Four years later, she resigned and worked at the Office of the Mayor of Honolulu Hawaii. At an early age, Soledad discovered the magic she can create through the written words. She has been writing poetry and short stories and also wrote for her college journal. In 1987, she co-published and edited a community newspaper in Honolulu, Hawaii where she also worked as a freelance columnist, a radio and television personality and a real estate broker. She became a United States citizen in mid 1980's. In 1997, she moved to California, where she now lives with her daughter, Solitaire and their Terrier, Bebe. She worked as Executive Director of Glenwood In n, an assisted living community in Menlo Park prior to establishing CARE ON CALL, Inc., a senior care giving agency. Soledad has two bachelor's degrees, has pursued graduate and law studies and has worn many hats as a business and community leader. She is now completing her Masters of Arts Degree in Psychology with Focus on Gerontology. She continues to improve her writing skill by attending writing classes and workshops. She has several completed manuscripts and a screenplay (she has taken script writing classes at Stanford University and the San Francisco Writing Salon)and has adapted a few of her stories into screenplay. Although she writes for personal enjoyment, Soledad truly believes in the commercial value of her written work and its salability. She hopes to become a full time novelist/ screenplay writer, and for the world to, someday soon, enjoy her literary work. - www.themagicpondbook.com