"I'm such a nerd that I actually jotted down some "notes" while reading her articles. I love her coinage of "fortunate accidents" because that is an element that epitomizes NYC, that's the magic of being in this city. You never know what can happen."
- Johanna Martinez, social worker, New York
- Johanna Martinez, social worker, New York
"Carissa is not only gifted, but is a gift to all of us who read her pieces and are blessed to meet her and be her friends. I read all her pieces and loved them all. She is a terrific writer whose writing is truly lucid, smart, wise, and deep in a breezy way. And I will not qualify that by adding 'for someone her age.' No, she's on her way to becoming to a great, published writer and I hope she'll remember one day that I said that. She'll be like an Anna Quindlen, only better.
Carissa is one of my life's biggest finds - as a writer and as a human being... Young people don't get any better. "
- Vincent Nebrida, screenwriter, producer, "American Adobo," "Crying Ladies"
"She has the talent of eloquently putting in writing all the little thoughts that come to mind. Her articles have a pulse on the heart of New Yorkers and definitely the guts to just put it all out there. Good for her and for us her readers."
- Kimberly Chow, banker - New York
"Reading her articles was almost like a gliding experience. I read all her pieces in one sitting. And that's her outstanding quality - simplicity. Easy writing. Easy reading. Her thoughts flowed without effort, and I found myself taken to various places with her - back at home with her family at dinnertime, in taxicabs as she rushes around NY, in her kitchen, as she struggles with meal-making. And then, as I was caught up in her stories, she hit me with some serious thoughts. Wow! That reaction was precisely what ran through my mind. "Wow" - that such a young mind could come up with something almost sublime.
Not only did I find her articles inspiring, I found myself soul-searching after I read them. It's difficult to stop and imagine such deep thoughts could come from someone so young. When did she become so brilliant ?"
- Edna Gotia-Tan, writer - Vancouver
"My favorite is her article 'In a Moment'. I identified with everything she wrote. I feel them sometimes, but she captured everything in words. Amazing!. Reading her articles makes me wants to experience life as she is experiencing it —by being."
- Michiko Yamamoto, award-winning screenwriter, "Magnifico," "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo
Oliveros"
- Michiko Yamamoto, award-winning screenwriter, "Magnifico," "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo
Oliveros"
"To read Carissa is to be inspired to approach life with less caution and more passion. Her observations about human foibles are as rich as they are disarmingly simply told."
-Raymond Lee, award-winning screenwriter and producer, "Tanging Yaman," "Anak,"
"Ang Pagdalaga ni Maximo Oliveros"
"Carissa writes with more depth and substance than any other writer her age. Her pieces should be more accessible to the public so that more people will be reached and pleased.
- Ditsi Carolino, award-winning documentary filmmaker, "Minsan Lang Sila Bata," "Riles,"
- Ditsi Carolino, award-winning documentary filmmaker, "Minsan Lang Sila Bata," "Riles,"
"Bunso"
"Carissa penned my favorite article ever. She is a real sweetheart and a very good writer. I couldn't wait for this book to come out!"
- Julie Danao-Salkin, Broadway actor, "Lennon," "Aida," "Rent"
"I've just discovered her Surreality column in Philippine News, late perhaps, but with great delight.
At first, I thought: Inq7.net , the cyber version of Phil. Daily Inquirer has an ongoing arrangement with Philippine News Online to reprint three or four of their articles a month; why not reprint this first-class writer?
And you know, it isn't so much the potential (her pieces are fully fleshed) as the "potency" - the power - of her being that's the constant. This is the bright hope: that this potency will come to full expression in dialogue with the world and itself. "
And you know, it isn't so much the potential (her pieces are fully fleshed) as the "potency" - the power - of her being that's the constant. This is the bright hope: that this potency will come to full expression in dialogue with the world and itself. "
- Sylvia L. Mayuga, Editor, Global Nation, Inq7.net
"I find "soul" between the lines of Carissa's writings. In a
city that makes you feel like you're on a constant treadmill,
it can be so easy to lose yourself and be calloused. How
refreshing it is to know that someone young and grounded is
able to share her thoughts and experiences -- inspiring one to
spend more time 'looking in.'"
-
Dindi Gallardo, writer/filmmaker
Nothing beats a generous mix of youthful exuberance and deep
thinking.
Carissa Villacorta’s book “Surreality” cuts through the
layers of superficiality that is materialism’s premiere
spirit. Life-and-death issues do not command the typical
young adult, but Villacorta who is in her 20s has stared
them down with Grace, since a little vision of New York
started her on a path of “dreamy” realism.
Lyrical prose and poetic ruminations characterize Surreality,
Villacorta’s collection of writings...
read more
-
Exuberance and introspection in
‘Surreality’
Hernan M. Hormillosa, Oct 25, 2006, Philippine News
Hernan M. Hormillosa, Oct 25, 2006, Philippine News
Surreality is 'a classic masterpiece.' a highly praised
and applauded collection of essays from this 'promising,
young writer.'
- Newstar Philippines, December 2006