essay by filipino writers

18 Best Filipino Authors on Your Must-Read List

Are you looking for a new book to read? Check out these 18 best Filipino authors that you will absolutely love. 

Many people living in the  Philippines  have had intense struggles through poverty, crime, and cultural challenges. Those who are skilled writers take those challenges and transform them into great works of literature. If you want to get a feel for the human struggle that the people of the Philippines experiencing, reading one of these  Filipino authors  could give you that insight.

Throughout the works created by famous authors from the Philippines, you will find something to fit almost any taste. From historic to modern, here are the Filipino authors you need to read.

1. Carlos Bulosan

2. jessica hagedorn, 3. jose rizal, 4. randy ribay, 5. barbara jane reyes, 6. elaine castillo, 7. f. sionil jose, 8. gina apostol, 9. joanne ramos, 10. malaka gharib, 11. melissa de la cruz, 12. mia alvar, 13. nick joaquin, 14. marcelo hilario del pilar y gatmaitan, 15. meredith talusan, 16. lysley tenorio, 17. mia hopkins, 18. tess uriza holthe.

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Best Filipino Authors Ranked

Born in the Philippines in a small farming village called Mangusmana,  Carlos Bulosan  came from a family who struggled to make ends meet. Determined to help his family and improve his education, Bulosan emigrated to the United States at the age of 17. He started working low-paying jobs while facing racism and illness until he finally learned how to write and put a voice to the struggles of the Filipino people in the United States. 

His best-known work is a semi-autobiographical book called America Is in the Heart. He also wrote The Freedom from Want. Bulosan was both a novelist and a poet, and he died in Washington in 1956. If you enjoyed our round-up of the best Filipino authors, we have many more articles on the best authors from around the globe. You might want to check out our list of the best Korean authors . Or use the search bar at the top right of the page to search for authors in a country or region you are interested in.

• Carlos Bulosan (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 327 Pages - 04/01/2014 (Publication Date) - University of Washington Press (Publisher)

Born in 1949 in Manila, Jessica Hagedorn is a modern playwright, poet and writer. She came to the United States in 1963 to get her education at the American Conservatory Theater training program. She lives in New York City and has won an American Book Award and the Lucille Lotel Foundation fellowship.

Hagedorn has many famous works to her name, but Mango Tango, her first play, is one of her most famous. She also wrote Burning Heart: A Portrait of the Philippines and the fiction novel Dream Jungle.

Jose Rizal came from a wealthy Filipino family He was well-educated and spent much of his time as a young adult traveling Europe to discuss politics. He also studied medicine at the University of Heidelberg and pushed for Filipino reforms under the Spanish authorities. His execution at the age of 36 put a fast end to his writing career.

Rizal wrote a number of poems as a teenager. He also wrote an Operetta called On the Banks of the Pasig. His first novel, Noli Me Tangere, offended the religious leaders of his area and caused him to be deemed a troublemaker. This likely led to his later arrest for political and religious problems.

Randy Ribay  is a Filipino  author  who writes middle-grade and young-adult fiction. Though he was born in the Philippines, he was raised in the United States and majored in English literature at the University of Colorado with a graduate degree from Harvard. In addition to writing, he teaches English in San Francisco. 

Ribay’s first works were poetry, but his book Patron Saints of Nothing is an award-winning work of adult fiction. He also wrote An Infinite Number of Parallel Universes and After the Shot Drops. You might also be interested in our round-up of the best Indian authors of all time.

Poet and author  Barbara Jane Reyes  was born in Manila and moved to the United States as a child. She studied literature and writing in California before launching her award-winning career. She now serves as an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco.

Reyes’s published works include full-length poetry collections and chapbooks. Gravities of Center, Easter Sunday and Poeta en San Francisco all won awards, including the James Laughlin Award of the Academy of American Poets. Letters to a Young Brown Girl is another popular collection.

Elaine Castillo  is an American writer who is of Filipino descent. She studied at the University of California Berkeley and the University of London. She is passionate about equality for the people of the Philippines, and that comes out in her work.

In 2018 Castillo published her first novel America is Not the Heart. Though this is the only publication she has so far, many reviewers consider her an up-and-coming name in literature. NPR named it one of the best books of the year. 

Francisco Sionil Jose was a Filipino writer who is one of the most widely read in the English language. He writes about the social struggles of his culture, and his books and short stories have a huge following. He was born in Pangasinan and attended the University of Santo Tomas before starting his journalism and writing career.

Jose has many novels in his name, including The Pretenders and The Rosales Saga. He also wrote Dusk: A Novel. He won the National Artist of the Philippines award for his literary works. He died at the age of 97 in 2022.

Gina Apostol  is a modern Filipino author who was born in Manila and attended Devine World College and the University of the Philippines before coming to the United States to earn her master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University. 

Apostol’s first book, Bibliolepsy, recently received republication. She also wrote The Revolution According to Raymundo Mata and Gun Dealers’ Daughter. She has non-fiction works about Filipino American History and short stories to her name as well.

Born in the Philippines, Joanne Ramos moved to Wisconsin when she was just six years old. She attended Princeton University, where she received a bachelor’s degree. She worked in investment banking and private investing before becoming a staff writer for The Economist. 

In 2019 Ramos published The Farm, her first novel. It tells the tale of a facility named Golden Oaks, where women serve as surrogate mothers for wealthy clients, and the main character is Filipino, shedding some light on the plight of poor Filipino women and where current cultural ideals could lead them. 

Malaka Gharib works for NPR as the digital strategist and deputy editor for their global health and development team. She started this position in 2015, and before that worked with the Malala Fund, which raises money for educational charities. 

Gharib is the author of the graphic novel I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir. It talks about what she faced growing up as a Filipino Egyptian American and introduces young readers to the culture of the Philippines. She also wrote How to Raise a Human and #15Girls, both of which won Gracie Awards. 

Melissa de la Cruz  grew up in Manila and made the move to San Francisco as a teenager. She majored in art history at Columbia University. She lives in West Hollywood, where she continues to write novels and middle-grade fiction.

Many of de la Cruz’s works are quite famous, including several New York Times bestsellers. She published The Isle of the Lost, a prequel to the 2015 Disney movie Descendants, which spent weeks on the bestseller list. She is also famous for her Blue Bloods series, which has three million copies in print, and she has over 50 books to her name.

Mia Alvar  was born in the Philippines and raised in the United States and Bahrain. She attended Harvard College and Columbia University and currently resides in California.

Alvar won the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction for her short story collection In the Country. She serves as the writer in residence at the Corporation of Yaddo. Sech also earned the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers award for her work.

Best known for his short stories and novels, Nick Joaquin often wrote under the pen name Quijano de Mania. He was born in 1917 and fought in the Philippine Revolution. After winning a nationwide essay competition, he started contributing poems and stories to magazines and newspapers. He was named the National Artist in 1957. 

Joaquin has several novels to his name, including The Woman Who Had Two Navels and A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino. He focused on trying to explain and showcase Filipino culture and its history. 

Marcelo Hilario del Pilar y Gatmaitan was often called Plaridel, his pen name. He was born in 1850 and lived in many parts of the Philippines before moving to Barcelona, Spain. Well-educated as a young man, especially in the arts, he became a well-known Filipino writer as an adult. He also attended law school and wrote on legal topics quite often. 

Del Pilar was a prolific writer who published many works during his lifetime. The Greatness of God and The Triumph of the Enemies of Progress in the Philippines were some of them. 

Meredith Talusan  is a Filipino-American author who moved to the United States at the age of 15. He has many excellent essays, stories, and books to her name. She attended Cornell University, where she received an MFA degree, and she worked as a journalist for many well-known publications. In addition to writing, Talusan trained as a dancer.

Talusan has hit the New York Times Bestsellers list with Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture. She earned the Marsha P. Johnson Fellowship and the Poynter Fellowship at Yale. Many of her books talk about the LGTBQ+ community, and Fairest is her most recent publication. 

Lysley Tenorio  is a Filipino writer who wrote The Son of Good Fortune and Monstress. His work won many awards, including a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, an Edmund White Award, and the Rome Prize. Many of his works have become plays.

Tenorio focuses much of his writing on short stories . He was born in the Philippines and moved to San Francisco to pursue his passion for the arts. He works as an associate professor at Saint Mary’s College of California.

Mia Hopkin s is a Filipino-American writer known for her romance novels. She lives in Los Angeles and continues to publish new novels today. She likes to use working-class heroes in her works. 

Mia Hopkins’ novels are full of steamy stories. Trashed is one of her most recent, and it is written from the point of view of the anti-hero of her previous novels. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, and The Washington Post. Several of her works are part of a larger series, which gives the reader the chance to get to know her characters.

Tess Uriza Holthe  is a Filipino-American writer who was raised in San Francisco. She attended Golden Gate University and works as an accountant in addition to her work as a writer.

Of her books, When the Elephants Dance is her most famous, hitting several national bestseller lists. She wrote the book during her breaks at work, and she drew information from her own father’s experience in the Philippines to inspire the story. She also wrote The Five-Forty-Five to Cannes. If you enjoyed this guide on the top Filipino authors, you might be interested in our round-up of the best Ukrainian authors .

Nicole Harms has been writing professionally since 2006. She specializes in education content and real estate writing but enjoys a wide gamut of topics. Her goal is to connect with the reader in an engaging, but informative way. Her work has been featured on USA Today, and she ghostwrites for many high-profile companies. As a former teacher, she is passionate about both research and grammar, giving her clients the quality they demand in today's online marketing world.

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Kathang Pinoy

Filipino in thoughts and words.

Famous Essays and Speeches by Filipinos

• My Husband's Roommate
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• I Am A Filipino
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• The Philippines A Century Hence by José Rizal  (Translated by Charles E. Derbyshire) Part I
• The Philippines A Century Hence by José Rizal  (Translated by Charles E. Derbyshire) Part II
• The Philippines A Century Hence by José Rizal  (Translated by Charles E. Derbyshire) Part III
• The Philippines A Century Hence by José Rizal  (Translated by Charles E. Derbyshire) Part IV
• The Indolence of the Filipinos by José Rizal  (Translated by Charles E. Derbyshire)
• The Filipino Is Worth Dying For
• 1983 Arrival Speech of Ninoy Aquino

• Philippines
• The Filipino Authors You Should...

The 7 Most Legendary Filipino Authors

A country shaped by centuries of colonization by violent wars, long-lasting political upheaval, and the idyllic beauty of its islands, the Philippines offers writers plenty of material to work with. In stories drawn from this complex heritage, Filipino authors stand out for their creative, compelling voices. Culture Trip rounds up seven of the best literary talents to come from the Philippines.

Jessica hagedorn.

Best known for her 1990 novel Dogeaters , Jessica Hagedorn was born and raised in the Philippines and relocated to San Francisco in her teens. Hagedorn’s ethnic heritage is a mix of Spanish, Filipino, French, Irish, and Chinese. Dogeaters , which won the American Book Award and was a finalist for the National Book Award, shines a light on the many layers of Filipino society, especially the American influence prevalent in the entertainment industry. Hagedorn is also a poet and playwright. Her first play, Mango Tango , was produced by Joseph Papp in 1978, the same year she moved to New York, where she currently lives with her daughters.

Sionil Jose

A writer deeply concerned with social justice, F. Sionil Jose’s novels have been translated into 22 languages, and he’s one of the most widely read Filipino authors. Sionil Jose’s Rosales Saga is a five-volume work that follows the Samson family and their changing fortunes over a 100-year timeframe. Sionil Jose’s books are especially illuminating for anyone interested in provincial life in the Philippines, the revolution against Spain, and the framework of the Filipino family. His anti-elitist views have made him a somewhat unpopular author within the Philippines, but Sionil Jose’s works are among the most highly acclaimed internationally of any Filipino writer. He won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Literature in 1980.

Nick Joaquin

Winning the National Artist award for Literature, Nick Joaquín is probably the most esteemed writer the Philippines has produced. Joaquin came from a well-educated family and was published at the early age of 17. After winning a scholarship in a nationwide essay contest, he left the Philippines to study in Hong Kong. On his return to Manila he worked for many years as a journalist, and his highly intellectual writing raised the standards of journalism in the country. Joaquin’s book, The Woman With Two Navels is essential reading in Philippine literature. However many of his short stories, such as “May Day Eve,” are extremely accessible and enjoyable for those new to the Philippines.

Merlinda Bobis

Award-winning writer Merlinda Bobis started off as a painter, but grew into a writer as “painting with words was cheaper.” Bobis’ books, short stories, and poems tell of lesser-known aspects of Filipino life, often from a strong feminist stance. One of her most well-known novels, Fish-Hair Woman , describes a romance between a young village woman and an Australian soldier in the middle of a harrowing conflict that threatens the entire province. The Australian called it a “superb novel” that “maintains its tragic intensity throughout.” Bobis has also won the international Prix Italia award for her play Rita’s Lullaby and the Steele Rudd Award for her short story “White Turtle.”

Jose Dalisay Jr.

Jose Dalisay Jr. writes a popular online column where he’s more commonly known by his pen name, Butch Dalisay. Dalisay was imprisoned during Martial Law, and his experiences from this portion of Philippine history are brought to life in his first novel, Killing Time in a Warm Place . His second novel, Soledad’s Sister tackles the plight of overseas Filipino workers, and was shortlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize in 2007. Within the Philippines, Dalisay has won 16 Palanca Awards, the country’s highest prize for literature.

Luis Francia

Award-winning author Luis Francia has lived in New York for decades, but his experiences of growing up in the Philippines continue to shape the stories he tells the world. The poet, author, and teacher emigrated to the U.S. after finishing college, where he wrote and co-edited the Village Voice newspaper for more than 20 years. His memoir Eye of the Fish: A Personal Archipelago won a PEN Open Book Award and an Asian American Literary Award. Amitav Ghosh, author of The Glass Palace , described Francia’s memoir as “a hugely readable travelogue and an indispensable guide to a fascinating and richly varied archipelago.”

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The Philippines’ national hero was also a prolific writer, poet, and essayist. Jose Rizal’s two novels, Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo were social commentaries that sharply revealed the injustices of Spanish colonization while praising the Filipino in his most natural state. The novels, which are surprisingly wry and romantic, crystallized the growing anti-Spanish sentiment and were banned within the Philippines. The execution of Jose Rizal at 35 years old set off the Philippine Revolution and paved the way for the country’s independence. Even without these dramatic events, Rizal’s books and his final poem, “Mi Ultimo Adios,” stand on their own literary merit, and have influenced scores of Filipino writers since.

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10 Contemporary Filipina Authors You Absolutely Should Be Reading

Women have been writing amazing books about Filipino life and culture for as long as we can remember, and it makes no sense that our attention is skewed so heavily in favor of the men’s.

For the sake of those who need a greater push into the spotlight, we are featuring 10 Filipino women writers whose works you definitely have to read.

Also Read:  9 Kickass Women in Philippine History You’ve Never Heard Of

1. Barbara Jane Reyes.

A poet with a BA from the University of California at Berkeley and an MFA from San Francisco State University, Reyes is the author of three poetry collections: Gravities of Center (2003), Diwata (2010), and Poeta en San Francisco (2005) which won the James Laughlin Award from the Academy of American Poets.

The Poetry Foundation says her work “explores a variety of cultural, historical, and geographical perspectives,” and that her winning collection Poeta “employs English, Spanish, and Tagalog to create a devastating portrait of her hometown.”

2. Catherine Ceniza Choy.

Born in 1969, Choy is a professor and chair of the Ethnic Studies Department at the University of California, Berkeley. She has written two books on Filipino diasporic history: Empire of Care: Nursing and Migration in Filipino American History (2003) and Global Families: A History of Asian International Adoption in America (2013). The latter looks at the complex politics and relationships that compel Americans to adopt Asian children from abroad.

She created a stir with her first book, Empire of Care , which won her the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award in 2003; an Honorable Mention from the American Studies Association Lora Romero First Book Publication Prize in 2004; and the History Book Award from the Association for Asian American Studies in 2005.

3. Conchitina Cruz.

Cruz received her MFA in Writing from the University of Pittsburgh and currently teaches creative writing and comparative literature at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

She was the recipient of both the Fulbright and Rockefeller Foundation grants; Palanca Awards in 1996 and 2001; and a Philippine National Book Award in 2006.

She’s written four books so far, which include  Dark Hours (UP Press, 2005), elsewhere held and lingered (High Chair, 2008), and (together with Adam David and Delilah Aguilar), A Catalogue of Clothes for Sale from the Closet of Christine Abella—perpetual student, ukay fan, and compulsive traveler (The Youth and Beauty Brigade, 2012).

4. Eileen R. Tabios.

Born in 1960, our third poet on the list is also a prolific editor, anthologist, critic, publisher, conceptual/visual artist and fiction writer. With up to 50 titles in her combined bibliography, she has won the PEN Open Book Award, the Potrero Nuevo Fund Prize, and the PEN Oakland-Josephine Miles National Literary Award, among others.

Tabios is a writer who’s not afraid of crossing genres, mixing fiction with non-fiction as well as various artistic practices. The Poetry Foundation further credits Tabios for having invented the hay(na)ku , a poetic form in which “the first line contains one word, the second line contains two words, and the third line contains three words,  for a total of six words.”

5. Felisa Batacan.

Felisa Batacan, also known as F.H. Batacan overseas, is a Filipino journalist and crime fiction writer based in Singapore, whose first novel, Smaller and Smaller Cricles (2002), was considered to be the Philippines’ first crime novel.

Batacan’s novel was published to wide critical acclaim in 2002, even though it had already won the Carlos Palanca Grand Prize for the English Novel in 1999. It then went on to win the 2002 National Book Award and the 2003 Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award.

Ten years later, the book would be acquired by New York-based publisher Soho Press, and is due to arrive on bookstands this year.

6. Genevive L. Asenjo.

Known for her ability to write and translate between Filipino, Kinaray-a and Hiligaynon, Asenjo’s first novel, Lumbay ng Dila (2010), won the National Book Award in 2011.

In 2009, she spent half of the year in Seoul as an Overseas Writing Fellow, and in 2012, Asenjo attended the University of Iowa’s prestigious International Writing Program as an Honorary Writing Fellow. On top of being Associate Professor at De La Salle University-Manila, she is also the founder-director of Balay Sugidanun.

7. Jessica Zafra.

You probably have known her for her column, Twisted (1994-2004), which appeared in the newspaper Today (now the Manila Standard Today ) before it turned into a book series.

Jessica Zafra is known for her trademark wit and remarkable insight, which she displays in spades across her two collections of short stories, The Stories So Far and Manananggal Terrorizes Manila . She also runs the website, JessicaRulesTheUniverse.com, which you should totally check out.

8. Lakambini Sitoy.

Described as a “brilliant new talent” by the New York Review of Books, Lakambini Sitoy’s first novel, Sweet Haven , had been longlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize in 2008 and subsequently translated into French in 2011.

Sitoy also had two collections of short stories published: the first, Mens Rea and Other Stories (1999) received the National Book Award in 1999 while her second, Jungle Planet (2006), had been shortlisted. She’s also had the impressive feat of receiving prizes from the Palanca Awards as well as the Philippines Free Press Award.

9. Marjorie Evasco.

Born in 1953, Marjorie Evasco is a poet that prides herself as a true Bol-anon who keeps alive “the memory and spirit of the revolt led by Dagohoy,” committing “her vision through her poetry, believing that the worthy warrior and healer is adept at giving voice to the vision so that others may sing it, too.”

One of the earliest supporters of women’s rights and women writers in the Philippines, she has written a handful of collections and has received in turn a bucket load of awards, including the Palanca and National Book Awards. We recommend starting with Dreamweavers , a collection that details her sense of origin and deals with the intricacies of ancestral heritage.

10. Merlinda Bobis.

 Merlinda Bobis was born in Legaspi City, Albay, and is currently based in Australia where she teaches at Wollongong University.

 Bobis is a legend: she has published novels, short stories, dramas, and poems. Her plays have been produced and performed in more than ten countries around the globe. She went from winning the Most Underrated Book Award from the Small Press Network in Australia in 2013 to snagging the Juan C. Laya Philippine National Book Award for Best Novel in a Foreign Language in 2014.

Selected References

Cordite Poetry Review,. (2012). Three Poems by Conchitina Cruz . Retrieved 2 September 2015, from http://goo.gl/BR5NyG

Poetry Foundation,. Barbara Jane Reyes Biography . Retrieved 2 September 2015, from http://goo.gl/oZwh6O

The University of Iowa – International Writing Program,. Genevieve L. Asenjo . Retrieved 2 September 2015, from http://goo.gl/YRuVUy

University of California, Berkeley Department of Ethnic Studies,. Faculty Profile: Catherine Ceniza Choy, Professor and Department Chair . Retrieved 2 September 2015, from http://goo.gl/Vf2XtE

Written by FilipiKnow

in Facts & Figures

Last Updated January 21, 2022 01:30 PM

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Philippine Authors and Their Works – Some Legendary Authors In PH

Here are some of the most famous philippine authors and their works that left remarkable mark in the ph literature..

PHILIPPINE AUTHORS AND THEIR WORKS – These are the legendary Filipino authors and their remarkable contributions.

The Philippine literature has improved greatly over time. We have authors who write fully in Filipino, while others scribbled their thoughts and letters in English adapting the Western style and language. But what most definitely will be of significance is how these creations have shaped and enriched the literature of the country.

Meet some of the most legendary and iconic authors from the Philippines below and a few of their masterpieces:

• She wrote the 1990 novel  Dogeaters which won the American Book Award and was declared a finalist for the National Book Award. She also created the play Mango Tango which happened to be her first-ever play.
• He is one of those writers who deeply tackled social justice and issues. He created Rosales Saga – a a five-volume work. He is one of the most widely read Filipino authors. In 1980, he won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Literature.
• He is a National Artist. He published a work at the age of 17 and his skill has made him won a scholarship from an essay contest where he topped. Among his most famous works is The Woman With Two Navels .
• She wrote numerous books, short stories, and poems which told the lesser-known facts about the life of a Filipino. Fish-Hair Woman is one of her greatest stories that narrated the story of a woman who fell in love with an Australian soldier. Her works Rita’s Lullaby and White Turtle won the international Prix Italia Award and the Steele Rudd Award, respectively.
• He is popularly called Butch Dalisay, his pen name. He lived and got imprisoned in the time of Martial law. his writings include Killing Time in a Warm Place (his first novel) and Soledad’s Sister  (his second novel). In his career, he has won 16 Palanca awards.
• He is a poet, author, and a teacher. His Eye of the Fish: A Personal Archipelago won the PEN Open Book Award and an Asian American Literary Award. 
• Our very own national hero is a prolific writer. He wrote Noli me Tangere  and  El Filibusterismo m, which, at current times, is deeply discussed in academic institutions. Mi Ultimo Adios is the last poem he wrote before his execution.
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Famous Authors from Philippines

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The Philippines boasts a rich literary heritage, with its famous authors achieving worldwide recognition for their captivating storytelling and distinctive writing styles. These talented individuals have contributed significantly to Philippine literature, enchanting generations of readers. With a unique blend of cultural influences, these famous Filipino writers have managed to produce works that resonate deeply, inspiring countless others in their pursuit of literary excellence. 

Among the vast array of Filipino names in the world of literature, many have stood apart as exceptional contributors. These great writers practice a diverse array of writing styles and genres. From poetry and novels to essays and biographies, these best Filipino authors have demonstrated their expertise, earning a revered place in the literary world. Their profound insights and compelling narratives provide a fascinating glimpse into the vibrant culture and history of the Philippines, making them vital voices in the global literary landscape. 

Several prominent Filipino writers include Nick Joaquín, Fidel V. Ramos, and Luis Eduardo Aute. Joaquín is celebrated for his vivid portrayal of Philippine society and history, earning numerous accolades, including the country's National Artist for Literature Award. Fidel V. Ramos, a former president of the Philippines, is also an accomplished author, focusing on governance, leadership, and national development. Luis Eduardo Aute, a multifaceted artist, is known for his prowess not only in literature but also in painting, music, and filmmaking. These titans have undeniably shaped the course of Philippine literature, continually pushing the boundaries and expanding the horizons of artistic expression. 

The remarkable achievements and creative genius of these famous authors from the Philippines are a testament to the depth and diversity of Filipino literary heritage. They have undoubtedly influenced generations of writers, both from their home country and abroad. It is through their collective literary prowess that the Philippines continues to be recognized as a fertile ground for exceptional talent and a vital voice in the realm of global literature. 

Nick Joaquín

Fidel V. Ramos

Luis Eduardo Aute

Carlos P. Romulo

Ferdinand Marcos

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Nick Joaquin

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• The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation - Nick Joaquin

Nick Joaquin (born May 4, 1917, Paco, Manila, Philippines—died April 29, 2004, San Juan) was a Filipino novelist, poet, playwright, essayist, and biographer whose works present the diverse heritage of the Filipino people.

Joaquin was awarded a scholarship to the Dominican monastery in Hong Kong after publication of his essay “ La Naval de Manila” (1943), a description of Manila ’s fabled resistance to 17th-century Dutch invaders. After World War II he traveled to the United States , Mexico , and Spain , later serving as a cultural representative of the Philippines to Taiwan , Cuba , and China .

Starting as a proofreader for the Philippines Free Press , Joaquin rose to contributing editor and essayist under the nom de plume “Quijano de Manila” (“Manila Old-Timer”). He was well known as a historian of the brief Golden Age of Spain in the Philippines, as a writer of short stories suffused with folk Roman Catholicism , as a playwright, and as a novelist. Joaquin wrote his works in English.

The novel The Woman Who Had Two Navels (1961) examines his country’s various heritages. A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino (1966), a celebrated play, attempts to reconcile historical events with dynamic change. The Aquinos of Tarlac: An Essay on History as Three Generations (1983) presents a biography of Benigno Aquino , the assassinated presidential candidate. The action of the novel Cave and Shadows (1983) occurs in the period of martial law under Ferdinand Marcos . Joaquin’s other works included the short-story collections Tropical Gothic (1972) and Stories for Groovy Kids (1979), the play Tropical Baroque (1979), and the collections of poetry The Ballad of the Five Battles (1981) and Collected Verse (1987). Fifteen essays were published in the book Culture and History: Occasional Notes on the Process of Philippine Becoming (1988). Joaquin’s later works are mostly nonfiction, including Manila, My Manila: A History for the Young (1990), The D.M. Guevara Story (1993), and Mr. F.E.U., the Culture Hero That Was Nicanor Reyes (1995).

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13 Books by Filipino Authors You Should Be Reading

Today, it’s our pleasure to welcome author Tif Marcelo to Get Lit to recommend a few of her favorite books by Filipino authors! Her new novel Once Upon a Sunset , out now, is a delightful story of a woman who uses a sabbatical from her successful medical career to visit the Philippines to reconnect with her long-lost family, a trip that could just change her life forever. Thanks for joining us, Tif!

As a Filipino-American who, from a young age, found solace and a second home in our public library, I yearned to see representation of Filipino diaspora on the shelves. Now, as an author myself, I especially seek out other Filipino writers to read and share with others. Here are thirteen books from Filipino authors right off my bookshelf to grace your TBRs. They give a taste of the talent among Filipino authors, and some of our rich culture. Your heart is sure to expand as you read them, and you may possibly find your next favorite author among them.

This post was originally published on GetLiterary.com.

A diverse romance, the second in the Eastside Brewery series, is told from anti-hero Eddie Rosas’s point of view. Eddie is trying to reclaim his life and find his father after being released from prison. Although he attempts to live under the radar, he’s pulled to the surface by the independent chef Carmen Centeno, as well as his old crew, who mean to bring him back to the fray. An emotional read with ample sexy times, this book asks the evergreen question: Can people change?

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By Tif Marcelo | March 9, 2020

The first in the Carpe Diem Chronicles, this fun multicultural romance takes place in Boracay, Philippines, where Krista Lopez’s very last expectation on her week-long vacation is to fall for her American boss, who’s staying at the same resort. A light, enjoyable read, and the happily ever after is sweet and satisfying.

A debut, this enemies-to-lovers romance brings together Emmie, a headstrong heroine, and an equally formidable coworker, Tate, to work together for a charity construction project. With a sizzling and well-written first kiss, this romance is sure to keep you reading until the last page.

In this debut novel steeped in family drama and magic, Natalie Tan, a chef, returns home to San Francisco after her mother’s death, only to find that she’s inherited her grandmother’s restaurant. There, she’s challenged to cook three recipes to help her neighbors and the restaurant and, in doing so, finds her own healing.

A romantic novella about chance meetings and starting over, this book explores the giddiness of new love and the bittersweet reality of facing the unknown. As a #romanceclass book, it’s set in the Philippines with Filipino characters, bringing the authenticity of modern love and life in this island country to the reader.

The author of the unputdownable Creep series gives us a new dark thriller about pharmaceutical executive Georgina “Geo” Shaw, recently released from prison for her role in the murder of her best friend when they were in high school. With alternating timelines and points of view with investigator and childhood friend Kaiser Brody, Jar of Hearts  weaves a chilling tale of secrets, seduction, and fear.

In this richly developed dystopian novel, Jane, a Filipino immigrant, leaves her baby daughter to become a Host at Golden Oaks, a spa-like environment where surrogates are housed. It’s also a place where surrogates are not allowed to leave, and in which their daily lives are controlled. Touching on topics such as social class, motherhood, and money, this superb novel is an excellent choice for your next book club selection.

8 Best Book Club Books I’ve Read So Far This Year

By Hannah Schaffer | October 1, 2019

I could not put down this book of short stories. Representing the range of Filipino diaspora across countries, with stories both poignant and sometimes heartbreaking, In the Country  speaks to the memories and customs familiar to Filipinos, written in exceptionally honest prose.

Set in World War II in the Philippines, this book captivated me with its blend of magic, the tragedy of war, and the strength of community. While the fight for possession of Manila during the Japanese occupation occurs above ground, the Karangalan family and their neighbors hunker down in a cellar for safety, telling each other tales that enable them to survive, tales that could teach all of us much about the power of hope.

Now I’m switching gears to a few of my favorite children’s books—which by no means should keep adults from reading! Ambitious Lou Bulosan-Nelson intends to build a home for her extended family, and along the way she discovers the meaning of home. We could all learn a lot from Lou’s tenacity in this middle-grade book, which should be read by all ages.

Brave Nora embarks on a journey to find her missing mother in a shantytown in Manila’s North Cemetery. With beautiful prose, Everlasting Nora  will sweep you away with the precious joys in its characters’ lives. This middle-grade book will speak to children and adults alike for its messages of hope and community.

The 2018 Newbery-winning middle-grade book, Hello, Universe  explores the unlikely friendship of four very different children. When one falls into trouble, the other three embark on an epic adventure to help, and along the way learn more about themselves and others. This book encourages empathy and cooperation—and we can never have enough of that!

In Something in Between , Jasmine de los Santos, on the cusp of adulthood, finds out that her family is undocumented and now has to decide how to face this new reality. This young adult book is only one of the many written by powerhouse bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz, but this one is special (in my opinion) because it speaks to the straddled identity of many Filipinos.

Want to learn more about Tif Marcelo’s new novel Once Upon a Sunset ? See why Get Lit's Nicole choose it as one of her Most Anticipated Releases for March:

I always eagerly anticipate books featuring POC leads, and that is one of several reasons I’m excited for Tif Marcelo’s Once Upon a Sunset . It’s the story of a D.C. physician named Diana who, through a series of unexpected and unfortunate life circumstances, finds herself with lots of free time. Rather than wallow, Diana attempts to restore some order to her life and, in the process, she and her mother, Margo, discover old letters that lead them to uncover a family secret and surviving relatives in the Philippines. Diana decides to take the trip to the other side of the world, and learns more there about herself, her family, and life in ways that she could never have expected. Tif Marcelo is known for writing about complex family dynamics, and I’m eager to see how that plays out here, especially with the added layer of Filipino culture woven in.

The author of The Key to Happily Ever After— “a true gem filled with heart, laughs, and a cast of delightful characters” (Nina Bocci, USA TODAY bestselling author)—returns with a heartwarming and charming novel about a woman who travels to the Philippines to reconnect with her long-lost family…and manages to find herself along the way.

Diana Gallagher-Cary is at a tipping point. As a Washington, DC, OB/GYN at a prestigious hospital, she uses her career to distract herself from her grief over her granny’s death and her breakup from her long-term boyfriend after her free-spirited mother moves in with her. But when she makes a medical decision that disparages the hospital, she is forced to go on a short sabbatical.

Never one to wallow, Diana decides to use the break to put order in her life, when her mother, Margo, stumbles upon a box of letters from her grandfather, Antonio Cruz, to her grandmother from the 1940s. The two women always believed that Antonio died in World War II, but the letters reveal otherwise. When they learn that he lived through the war, and that they have surviving relatives in the Philippines, Diana becomes determined to connect with the family that she never knew existed, though Margo refuses to face her history. But Diana pushes on, and heads on a once-in-a-lifetime trip that challenges her identity, family history, and her idea of romantic love that could change her life forever.

Infused with Tif Marcelo’s signature “sexy, adorable, and heartfelt” (Kate Meader, USA TODAY bestselling author) voice, Once Upon a Sunset is a moving and lyrical celebration of love, family, and second chances.

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9 Filipina Writers You Should Read Today

By Karen de Castro

They are leading conversations about womanhood, cultural identity, and Filipino identity.

Since 1988, National Women’s Month has been observed in the Philippines every year in conjunction with International Women’s Day to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness and advocate for women’s equality, promote positive change to advance women, and fundraise for female-focused charities. 

For Women’s Month, Vogue Philippines explores the works of these contemporary Filipina writers who are contributing to conversations about womanhood, Filipino identity , diaspora , gender and sexuality, and culture. Here are just some you should be adding to your reading list: 

Barbara Jane Reyes

Born in Manila and raised in the San Francisco Bay area, Filipino-American poet Reyes writes about the complexities of diasporic identity, womanhood, and the human body. With works such as “ Invocation to Daughters” and  “ Letters To A Young Brown Girl ,” Reyes uses poetry to discuss the nuances of multiple languages, multiple cultures, and multiple meanings. Her book Poeta en San Francisco won her the James Laughlin Award of the Academy of American Poets in 2005. 

Beverly Wico Siy

In her book It’s A Mens World , writer, translator, and copyright advocate “Bebang” Wico Siy pulls from her personal experience of growing up Filipino, using observational humor to reflect on her background of growing up poor, tell stories about being part of the Filipino-Chinese community, and delve into issues of womanhood. Siy’s witty repartee and punchy Filipino humor won It’s A Mens World the Filipino Readers Choice Awards in 2012.

Daphne Palasi Andreades

In her debut novel Brown Girls , Filipino-American writer Andreades tells a coming-of-age story from the point of view of a collective narrator: brown girls from “ the dregs of Queens ” who grow into women, navigating successes, failures, and similar microaggressions that they all face. 

She draws upon her own experience as the child of Filipino immigrants, depicting what life is like for people of color in the United States in an interview with the Asian American Writers’ Workshop: “a beautiful mix of people, cultures, languages, and beliefs, all co-existing; yet many of these people are invisible within the American society or perceived as outsiders when, in fact, they belong just as much to anyone else.”

Elaine Castillo 

Castillo is most known for her debut novel, America Is Not The Heart , which received critical acclaim. The novel delves into the lives of Filipino immigrants in San Francisco’s East Bay area, touching upon the political climate during the 1980s and 1990s and the immigrant communities that popped up in suburban United States as a result. 

She immerses you into the rich layers of multilingual and multicultural immigrant experiences through her use of five languages throughout the novel (English, Spanish, Tagalog, Pangasinan, and Ilocano). Making her main character bisexual is personal. “For me it was very important to write about queer women, bi women in particular, because I’m also bi and I don’t see any representations of bi women anywhere, especially not bi Filipina or Asian Americans,” she says in an interview . 

Gina Apostol 

A finalist for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, Apostol’s Insurrecto roots its story around one of the bloodiest incidents in the Philippine-American War: the 1901 Balangiga incident . The novel probes into two women’s ideas for retelling history, weaving multiple intricate narratives into a story of cultural appropriation, history and power, and how these all play into the main characters’ identities and motivations. 

Jhoanna Lynn B. Cruz 

“What makes you tingle as a lesbian?” This was the prompt that Palanca Award winner Cruz gave to the contributors who became part of Tingle: Anthology of Filipina Lesbian Writing . While there are compilations of queer writing published in the Philippines, an anthology of the literary works of Filipino lesbians is so overdue that she says “some of our lesbian writers have stopped writing or being a lesbian” in the book’s introduction. The result is a collection of pieces from writers who define what women loving women is like in their own terms.

Leny Mendoza Strobel 

Founder of Center for Babaylan Studies, Strobel explores the rich history and tradition of the Babaylan in her collection of essays, Babaylan: Filipinos and The Call of The Indigenous . The essays and personal narratives all share one main idea : “If we can articulate the Babaylan’s healing practice and Kapwa psychology as our intellectual, emotional, cultural, and spiritual capital—then we have much to offer to each other, to our communities and to the world.” 

Mia Alvar 

PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize winner Alvar’s most notable work is the short story compilation In The Country . The critically acclaimed debut work dives into the Philippine diaspora through nine short stories of exiles, wanderers, and emigrants who leave the Philippines to start over in the United States, the Middle East, and elsewhere, with some turning back. Alvar’s novel delves into themes of loss, displacement, and the longing for connections across borders. 

Mookie Katigbak Lacuesta 

Palanca Award and Philippines Free Press Award-winning poet Katigbak-Lacuesta’s poetry collections talk about a wide range of topics: love, power dynamics between men and women, the Filipino’s colonial past, diaspora—all presented in lyrical form. But if you prefer to read prose, her latest release, Assembling Alice , is a “biofiction” featuring a real-life person with a fictionalized story centered around nation-building, family storytelling, and memory. 

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2019 Was the Year of the Pinay Writer

Theresa Celebran Jones

Theresa Celebran Jones was born and raised in New England and has moved across the country four times. She is a technical writer and an MFA dropout but, like, definitely still an actual writer. She lives with her partner, her two human children, and her two canine children in San Diego. Contact here at [email protected] or find her on Instagram at @mandirigmajones.

View All posts by Theresa Celebran Jones

In 2019, I challenged myself to always have a book written by a Filipino writer in rotation. I like to juggle multiple books at a time to manage my short attention span, so I didn’t only read Filipino writers, but thanks to this challenge, I read more than I ever had before.

Growing up in New England, the scope of my understanding of the Filipino American experience was very limited (to basically myself and my family). I didn’t know the names of any Filipino authors until I got to college, and even then, there was exactly one class on Filipino American history available for me to take. And while I got to read great books by Carlos Bulosan, Jose Rizal, and Jessica Hagedorn, that semester wasn’t long enough for my professor to include too many modern Filipino writers in the curriculum.

So I knew I had a lot of books by Filipino writers to catch up on, but I was honestly surprised at how many of these books came out in the past decade. It feels slightly unbelievable to say this, but five of the best books I’ve read recently by any writer have all been written by Filipina Americans, and they all celebrated their first book birthdays in 2019 alone. Is it possible that 2019 was truly the Year of the Pinay?

I Was Their American Dream by Malaka Gharib

Reading Malaka Gharib’s graphic memoir about growing up in with a Filipina mom and Egyptian dad, I couldn’t believe how many times I thought to myself, “Wow, I thought I was the only one!” I Was Their American Dream was a really fun look at finding and forging a hyphenated identity, and embracing being different.

The Body Papers by Grace Talusan

Grace Talusan’s memoir traverses her experiences with immigration, sexual abuse, mental illness, and cancer, and reminds us all of the importance and power of speaking the seemingly unspeakable. The language is plain and beautiful, and by giving herself the space to talk about these painful experiences, she’s able to show us the nuance and the weight of all this baggage.

S omewhere In The Middle by Deborah Francisco Douglas

In Somewhere In The Middle , Deborah Francisco Douglas, a biracial Pinay, writes about her Peace Corps assignment in the Philippines, where her father was born. Growing up, she describes being somewhat disconnected from her Filipino side, and this assignment helped her connect with the culture, warts and all. This doesn’t seem to be a typical experience of most Filipino Americans, and it was a refreshing memoir to read.

Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino

Jia Tolentino is already a hugely accomplished writer and a name familiar to many millennials. It should come as no surprise that her debut collection of essays is going to top many best of 2019 lists. Every essay in this collection is wildly intelligent and thoroughly researched, but her critical takes on marriage/the wedding industrial complex and the culture of scamming are absolutely “voice of a generation”–worthy.

How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell

Jenny Odell skips the tips and tricks of unplugging (of which there are already countless books and thinkpieces) and gets right to the heart of why you should want to unplug and the important things you miss when your attention is spread thin. What sets her apart from other writers on technology is her consideration of how race and class intersect with the attention economy. How To Do Nothing is not just a manual on giving up your iPhone in 30 days to go live on Walden Pond; it gives us important historical context on the conditions that led us to relying so heavily on social media and the implications this has for the future.

Editor’s Note: T. Kira Madden’s Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls was removed from this list.

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16 Books By Filipina Authors You Should Read

Learn more about the philippines and filipino culture through the stories of 16 filipina authors..

For the majority of my life, books have provided an instant escape whenever I wanted to travel to faraway places. However, the lack of representation on library and bookstore shelves left me feeling disconnected to stories with predominantly white characters and Westernized lived experiences. With the recent onslaught of Asian American/Pacific Islander hate crimes in the USA and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month on the horizon in May , I wanted to compile a reading list that not only highlights Asian literary excellence, but also amplifies the voices of primarily Filipina/x authors. The 16 books listed here are a return to roots, providing a sense of belonging to the marginalized and also help to decolonize the mind. All the Filipina authors featured reflect a variety of experiences: they are immigrants, migrant workers, first/second/third generation, biracial, (former) illegal aliens, albino, and LGBTQIA+ identifying, and many of these books are their literary debuts. A combination of personal narratives, educational text, and creative writing, these pieces touch upon themes of femininity, race, class, spirituality, privilege, beauty, and identity. Many of the suggested books have been written for a Filipino audience first and foremost, but also deepen understanding of Filipino culture and values among unfamiliar audiences. Special thanks to @pinaylit on Instagram for introducing me to many of these titles. From this large selection, you’ll find that not all immigrant stories are the same. Scroll through the whole list or click on the title of the book to jump to its synopsis:

Reading List

America Is Not The Heart – Elaine Castillo (Fiction, Contemporary)

In The Country – Mia Alvar (Fiction, Short Stories)

Arsenic And Adobo – Mia P. Manansala (Fiction, Cozy Mystery)

The Farm – Joanne Ramos (Science Fiction)

Once Upon A Sunset – Tif Marcelo (Fiction, Romance)

Something In Between – Melissa de la Cruz (Fiction, Young Adult)

When The Elephants Dance – Tess Uriza Hoelthe (Historical Fiction)

I Was Their American Dream – Malaka Gharib (Memoir, Graphic Novel)

Babaylan: Filipinos and The Call of the Indigenous – Leny Mendoza Strobel (Indigenous Studies)

Lola’s House: Filipino Women Living With War – M. Evelina Galang (History, Interviews)

The Body Papers – Grace Talusan (Memoir)

Malaya: Essays on Freedom – Cinelle Barnes (Memoir, Essays)

Fairest – Meredith Talusan (Memoir)

Somewhere In The Middle – Deborah Francisco Douglas (Memoir)

Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion – Jia Tolentino (Essays)

Letters To A Young Brown Girl – Barbara Jane Reyes (Poetry)

FICTION BY FILIPINA AUTHORS

America Is Not The Heart

By elaine castillo.

Author Elaine Castillo presents the paradox of The American Dream through the family of protagonist, Hero De Vera. As a new immigrant to the USA housed by her beloved uncle, Pol, his wife Paz, and her young cousin Roni, Hero must find a way to reconcile her painful past in order to move forward with her life in America. Woven into this delicately-crafted family saga are untranslated Tagalog, Pangasinan, and Ilocano words, displaying all the hidden histories living inside each newcomer to the USA. The title of this novel is a spin on one of the first Filipino-American classics, America Is In The Heart by Carlos Bulosan.

In The Country

By mia alvar.

In The Country is a stunning, lyrical work of fiction presented in the form of nine short stories. In 2016, Mia Alvar put contemporary Filipina authors on the map with her first published piece, giving voice to Filipino men and women in the diaspora. Her short stories about emigrants, wanderers, exiles, and expats across the globe expertly distinguishes the Philippine experience for each protagonist, while upholding the universal likeness of all Filipinos around the world and “in the country.” The tales of a migrant worker in Saudi Arabia, the sighting of a “ White Lady ,” and a New York pharmacist smuggling drugs to his sickly father in Manila will illicit nostalgia for many Filipinos looking for glimpses of home.

Arsenic and Adobo

By mia p. manansala.

Out this May and available for pre-order, Adobo and Arsenic, the first installment in Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries is layered with romance, comedy, murder, and all the servings of Filipino food you could want in one light, enjoyable read. This cozy mystery (ie. a mystery sub-genre involving an amateur female sleuth) will have your mouth watering as you try to solve this classic case of “whodunnnit” with heroine, Lila Macapagal, being framed for the murder of her ex-boyfriend, a food critic, all while trying to save her Tita Rosie’s restaurant from closure.

by Joanne Ramos

A dystopian novel about Golden Oaks, a luxury retreat nestled in New York’s posh Hudson Valley, with every amenity under the sun provided to its residents, including a large pay-off. For Jane, an immigrant from the Philippines, the trade-off of being a surrogate mother for nine months at Golden Oaks seems too good of an opportunity to pass up. However, life on “The Farm” as Jane soon finds out, is less idyllic than it seems. A thought-provoking exploration of economic disparity, motherhood, and ethics.

Once Upon a Sunset

By tif marcelo.

A high-powered OB/GYN, Diana Gallagher-Cary, finds herself at a crossroads after a series of unfortunate events in her life. But when she uncovers a box of letters from her supposedly dead grandfather to her grandmother in their youth, she sojourns to the Philippines to reconnect with her long-lost family members. Along the way, she contends with her identity, her definition of family, while finding love in the unlikeliest of places.

Something in Between

By melissa de la cruz.

One of the USA’s most celebrated Filipina authors, Melissa de la Cruz is back with a young adult story about high schooler, Jasmine de los Santos. Jasmine has met every expectation laid out by her hardworking Filipino parents and with a full college scholarship within reach, everything is perfect. But in the shocking wake of her parents’ expired immigration status, life as Jasmine knows it comes to a startling halt. With the threat of deportation looming overhead, Jasmine rebels to make time for the things she never experienced as an adolescent fixated on the future.

When The Elephants Dance

By tess uriza holthe.

Set in World War II Philippines, the fictional Karangalan family hunker down in their cellar with neighbors, consoling each other with stories of their homeland as the war rages overhead. These stories of family and community blend folklore, history, and magic, alluding to the mystical and comforting quality of storytelling as a means of survival and a tool to inspire hope in a time of devastation and violence. Trigger warning: rape, wartime atrocities.

NONFICTION BY FILIPINA AUTHORS

I Was Their American Dream

By malaka gharib.

A heartwarming debut from NPR correspondent and cartoonist, Malaka Gharib, as she captures her complex upbringing as a Filipino-Egyptian growing up in the USA. This coming-of-age-story is an endearing entry among the collection of modern immigrant stories, exploring common motifs about identity, culture, and belonging, all through an illustrated, interactive storyline. I was especially fond of Malaka’s presentation on the code-switching skills  individuals with straddled identities must master in order to accommodate their dueling realities.

Babaylan: Filipinos and The Call of the Indigenous

Edited by leny mendoza strobel.

In pre-colonial Philippines, Babaylans communed with spirits of nature and the world beyond. These revered shamans were almost always women or feminized men, becoming a modern symbol for non-conforming gender. In this anthology, decolonizing scholars, artists, poets, cultural theorists, and anthropologists offer insights as to how to call back the healing spirit and wisdom of the Babayalan. The tome is rich in spiritual and cultural capital and provides a framework to tap into Kapwa psychology, the fundamental Filipino belief that all Filipinos share kinship as human beings.

Lola’s House: Filipino Women Living With War

By m. evelina galang.

A heartbreaking history lesson on the violence perpetuated by the Japanese in The Philippines during World War II. Galang recounts the sorrows of sixteen surviving Filipino “comfort women” who were among more than one thousand Filipinas kidnapped, tortured, and defiled by the Imperial Japanese Army during their Philippine occupation. Lola’s House illuminates with sensitivity, the legacy of wartime horror and the impossible courage it took to survive. Their testimonies are huwes de kutsilyo —justice by knife. By reading this book, you are a witness to both the trauma and resilience endured by the female body. Trigger warning: rape, wartime atrocities.

The Body Papers

By grace talusan.

Winner of The Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing, The Body Papers is a written and visual catalog of Grace Talusan’s life in suburban New England, with family photos, medical records, and government papers to supplement her recollections. As a young brown child in majority white school, Grace grappled with racism, as well as sexual abuse at the hands of her grandfather. In her teenage years, she learns of the turbulence of her family’ legal status in the USA. The trauma of her childhood and adolescence take root in her body in the form of cancer, forcing Grace to explore invasive surgeries as a preventative measure. Amid all the suffering, Grace finds a way to persevere and eventually finds love and catharsis in a return to the homeland. Trigger warning: childhood sexual abuse, animal cruelty, life-threatening illness.

Malaya: Essays on Freedom

By cinelle barnes.

A rich memoir declaring the triumphs of Cinelle Barnes who immigrated to New York illegally and the challenges she encountered along the way. From under-the-table jobs evading authorities, to finding love with a Southern white man; from motherhood without a support system, to the PTSD she faced from her compounded experiences, these essays are about self-preservation and the resolve to overcome adversity against all odds as a brown Filipino woman in a white American world.

by Meredith Talusan

Fairest stands apart from the other memoirs by Filipina authors on this reading list as it explores intersectionality and creates dialogue around colorism, privilege, gender, race, and sexuality. Meredith was born as an albino male in the Philippines, being treated like a spectacle most of her childhood, but was given the opportunity to immigrate to the USA as a teen. She immediately is perceived as “white” upon arrival and navigates new waters of acceptance among her American peers while battling with her shifting gender boundaries, transitioning from male to female in her college years. A formidable voice providing refreshing nuance to the immigrant narrative.

Somewhere in the Middle

By deborah francisco douglas.

Growing up biracially, Deborah Francisco Douglas wanted to know more about her Filipino heritage. So on the fateful day she was assigned to the Philippines as a Peace Corps Volunteer, she packed up her bags hurriedly to connect with her Filipino side. But what welcomes Douglas in the small mountain town of Baguio City is a humbling lesson on belonging, that community is not an automatic but something earned. A homecoming tale to a home never visited, but always residing within, Douglas reflects on the ordinary ways we arrive to inclusion and inspires those looking to volunteer abroad with her descriptive account on her time overseas.

Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion

By jia tolentino.

Hailed one of 2020’s Best Books of The Year by The New York Times Book Review, Jia Tolentino’s Trick Mirror is a provocative social commentary running adjacent to a psychiatric evaluation, as Jia explores her own psyche in relation to the climate of the times. Her cerebral prose on pop culture themes such the punitive nature of optimization, the glorification of scammers as an American ideal, and our (de)construction of self on the internet, requires critical analysis from readers without compromising the entertainment factor. Trigger warning: rape.

Letters To A Young Brown Girl

By barbara jane reyes.

A riveting collection of poems that speak to the anger and difficulty of being a young brown girl, directed towards non-BIPOCs who have contributed to the harmful degradation of brown peoples’ worth. Reyes is unshakeable, spilling verses that read like thoughts, capturing the oppression of brown girls with a graceful balance of ferocity and empathy. She is raw and unabashed as she unpacks all her indignation against “othering,” but simultaneously, gives necessary affirmations for brown beauty in her reproach of western beauty standards.

Join the Filipina Authors Book Club

If you’re looking to build community and are seeking accountability in your reading journey as a Filipino/a/x reader or ally, join the Filipina Authors Book Club on Facebook ! With over 600 members, monthly discussions, and engaging community threads, this is a safe space for those interested in learning about Filipino culture without a patriarchial POV.

DISCLAIMER: Please support local, independent book retailers at this time. We invite you to purchase your books from independent Filipino books retailer, Arkipelago Books , or Bookshop.org , the largest inventory of independent bookstores..

More Reading Lists:

🚩 Best Travel Books of 2020

🚩 Best Travel Books of 2019

🚩 Best Travel Books of Summer 2017

🚩 Best Books of 2016

🚩 Best Travel Books of Summer 2016

👉 If you have any other Filipina authors I should know about, I’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments section!

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Millette Stambaugh

Filipina-American Millette Stambaugh is a thirty-something former expat who has traded her nomadic ways for Philadelphia living. Corporate worker by day, content creator by night, Millette specializes in visual storytelling and joyful journeys and wants to help others find their "next somewheres." Follow her escapades on Instagram, Youtube, and Tiktok @thenextsomewhere.

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Thank you SO much for posting this! I look forward to what we choose next within the Book Club, and am ecstatic that there are so many books to look forward to reading, even if they’re not chosen!

My absolute pleasure! Loved seeing the wealth of reads out there but thinking that there still could be more. I hope you get to read the books we don’t end up choosing regardless 🙂

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The Philippine Literature

The literary forms in philippine literature.

by: Christine F. Godinez-Ortega

The diversity and richness of Philippine literature evolved side by side with the country’s history. This can best be appreciated in the context of the country’s pre-colonial cultural traditions and the socio-political histories of its colonial and contemporary traditions. The average Filipino’s unfamiliarity with his indigenous literature was largely due to what has been impressed upon him: that his country was “discovered” and, hence, Philippine “history” started only in 1521.

So successful were the efforts of colonialists to blot out the memory of the country’s largely oral past that present-day Filipino writers, artists and journalists are trying to correct this inequity by recognizing the country’s wealth of ethnic traditions and disseminating them in schools and in the mass media.

The rousings of nationalistic pride in the 1960s and 1970s also helped bring about this change of attitude among a new breed of Filipinos concerned about the “Filipino identity.”

Pre-Colonial Times

Owing to the works of our own archaeologists, ethnologists and anthropologists, we are able to know more and better judge information about our pre-colonial times set against a bulk of material about early Filipinos as recorded by Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and other chroniclers of the past.

Pre-colonial inhabitants of our islands showcase a rich past through their folk speeches, folk songs, folk narratives and indigenous rituals and mimetic dances that affirm our ties with our Southeast Asian neighbors.

The most seminal of these folk speeches is the riddle which is tigmo in Cebuano, bugtong in Tagalog, paktakon in Ilongo and patototdon in Bicol. Central to the riddle is the talinghaga or metaphor because it “reveals subtle resemblances between two unlike objects” and one’s power of observation and wit are put to the test. While some riddles are ingenious, others verge on the obscene or are sex-related:

Gongonan nu usin y amam If you pull your daddy’s penis

Maggirawa pay sila y inam. Your mommy’s vagina, too,

(Campana) screams. (Bell)

The proverbs or aphorisms express norms or codes of behavior, community beliefs or they instill values by offering nuggets of wisdom in short, rhyming verse.

The extended form, tanaga, a mono-riming heptasyllabic quatrain expressing insights and lessons on life is “more emotionally charged than the terse proverb and thus has affinities with the folk lyric.” Some examples are the basahanon or extended didactic sayings from Bukidnon and the daraida and daragilon from Panay.

The folk song, a form of folk lyric which expresses the hopes and aspirations, the people’s lifestyles as well as their loves. These are often repetitive and sonorous, didactic and naive as in the children’s songs or Ida-ida (Maguindanao), tulang pambata (Tagalog) or cansiones para abbing (Ibanag).

A few examples are the lullabyes or Ili-ili (Ilongo); love songs like the panawagon and balitao (Ilongo); harana or serenade (Cebuano); the bayok (Maranao); the seven-syllable per line poem, ambahan of the Mangyans that are about human relationships, social entertainment and also serve as a tool for teaching the young; work songs that depict the livelihood of the people often sung to go with the movement of workers such as the kalusan (Ivatan), soliranin (Tagalog rowing song) or the mambayu, a Kalinga rice-pounding song; the verbal jousts/games like the duplo popular during wakes.

Other folk songs are the drinking songs sung during carousals like the tagay (Cebuano and Waray); dirges and lamentations extolling the deeds of the dead like the kanogon (Cebuano) or the Annako (Bontoc).

A type of narrative song or kissa among the Tausug of Mindanao, the parang sabil, uses for its subject matter the exploits of historical and legendary heroes. It tells of a Muslim hero who seeks death at the hands of non-Muslims.

The folk narratives, i.e. epics and folk tales are varied, exotic and magical. They explain how the world was created, how certain animals possess certain characteristics, why some places have waterfalls, volcanoes, mountains, flora or fauna and, in the case of legends, an explanation of the origins of things. Fables are about animals and these teach moral lessons.

Our country’s epics are considered ethno-epics because unlike, say, Germany’s Niebelunginlied, our epics are not national for they are “histories” of varied groups that consider themselves “nations.”

The epics come in various names: Guman (Subanon); Darangen (Maranao); Hudhud (Ifugao); and Ulahingan (Manobo). These epics revolve around supernatural events or heroic deeds and they embody or validate the beliefs and customs and ideals of a community. These are sung or chanted to the accompaniment of indigenous musical instruments and dancing performed during harvests, weddings or funerals by chanters. The chanters who were taught by their ancestors are considered “treasures” and/or repositories of wisdom in their communities.

Examples of these epics are the Lam-ang (Ilocano); Hinilawod (Sulod); Kudaman (Palawan); Darangen (Maranao); Ulahingan (Livunganen-Arumanen Manobo); Mangovayt Buhong na Langit (The Maiden of the Buhong Sky from Tuwaang–Manobo); Ag Tobig neg Keboklagan (Subanon); and Tudbulol (T’boli).

The Spanish Colonial Tradition

While it is true that Spain subjugated the Philippines for more mundane reasons, this former European power contributed much in the shaping and recording of our literature. Religion and institutions that represented European civilization enriched the languages in the lowlands, introduced theater which we would come to know as komedya, the sinakulo, the sarswela, the playlets and the drama. Spain also brought to the country, though at a much later time, liberal ideas and an internationalism that influenced our own Filipino intellectuals and writers for them to understand the meanings of “liberty and freedom.”

Literature in this period may be classified as religious prose and poetry and secular prose and poetry.

Religious lyrics written by ladino poets or those versed in both Spanish and Tagalog were included in early catechism and were used to teach Filipinos the Spanish language. Fernando Bagonbanta’s “Salamat nang walang hanga/gracias de sin sempiternas” (Unending thanks) is a fine example that is found in the Memorial de la vida cristiana en lengua tagala (Guidelines for the Christian life in the Tagalog language) published in 1605.

Another form of religious lyrics are the meditative verses like the dalit appended to novenas and catechisms. It has no fixed meter nor rime scheme although a number are written in octosyllabic quatrains and have a solemn tone and spiritual subject matter.

But among the religious poetry of the day, it is the pasyon in octosyllabic quintillas that became entrenched in the Filipino’s commemoration of Christ’s agony and resurrection at Calvary. Gaspar Aquino de Belen’s “Ang Mahal na Passion ni Jesu Christong Panginoon natin na tola” (Holy Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Verse) put out in 1704 is the country’s earliest known pasyon.

Other known pasyons chanted during the Lenten season are in Ilocano, Pangasinan, Ibanag, Cebuano, Bicol, Ilongo and Waray.

Aside from religious poetry, there were various kinds of prose narratives written to prescribe proper decorum. Like the pasyon, these prose narratives were also used for proselitization. Some forms are: dialogo (dialogue), Manual de Urbanidad (conduct book); ejemplo (exemplum) and tratado (tratado). The most well-known are Modesto de Castro’s “Pagsusulatan ng Dalawang Binibini na si Urbana at si Feliza” (Correspondence between the Two Maidens Urbana and Feliza) in 1864 and Joaquin Tuason’s “Ang Bagong Robinson” (The New Robinson) in 1879, an adaptation of Daniel Defoe’s novel.

Secular works appeared alongside historical and economic changes, the emergence of an opulent class and the middle class who could avail of a European education. This Filipino elite could now read printed works that used to be the exclusive domain of the missionaries.

The most notable of the secular lyrics followed the conventions of a romantic tradition: the languishing but loyal lover, the elusive, often heartless beloved, the rival. The leading poets were Jose Corazon de Jesus (Huseng Sisiw) and Francisco Balagtas. Some secular poets who wrote in this same tradition were Leona Florentino, Jacinto Kawili, Isabelo de los Reyes and Rafael Gandioco.

Another popular secular poetry is the metrical romance, the awit and korido in Tagalog. The awit is set in dodecasyllabic quatrains while the korido is in octosyllabic quatrains. These are colorful tales of chivalry from European sources made for singing and chanting such as Gonzalo de Cordoba (Gonzalo of Cordoba) and Ibong Adarna (Adarna Bird). There are numerous metrical romances in Tagalog, Bicol, Ilongo, Pampango, Ilocano and in Pangasinan. The awit as a popular poetic genre reached new heights in Balagtas’ “Florante at Laura” (ca. 1838-1861), the most famous of the country’s metrical romances.

Again, the winds of change began to blow in 19th century Philippines. Filipino intellectuals educated in Europe called ilustrados began to write about the downside of colonization. This, coupled with the simmering calls for reforms by the masses gathered a formidable force of writers like Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Mariano Ponce, Emilio Jacinto and Andres Bonifacio.

This led to the formation of the Propaganda Movement where prose works such as the political essays and Rizal’s two political novels, Noli Me Tangere and the El filibusterismo helped usher in the Philippine revolution resulting in the downfall of the Spanish regime, and, at the same time planted the seeds of a national consciousness among Filipinos.

But if Rizal’s novels are political, the novel Ninay (1885) by Pedro Paterno is largely cultural and is considered the first Filipino novel. Although Paterno’s Ninay gave impetus to other novelists like Jesus Balmori and Antonio M. Abad to continue writing in Spanish, this did not flourish.

Other Filipino writers published the essay and short fiction in Spanish in La Vanguardia, El Debate, Renacimiento Filipino, and Nueva Era. The more notable essayists and fictionists were Claro M. Recto, Teodoro M. Kalaw, Epifanio de los Reyes, Vicente Sotto, Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, Rafael Palma, Enrique Laygo (Caretas or Masks, 1925) and Balmori who mastered the prosa romantica or romantic prose.

But the introduction of English as medium of instruction in the Philippines hastened the demise of Spanish so that by the 1930s, English writing had overtaken Spanish writing. During the language’s death throes, however, writing in the romantic tradition, from the awit and korido, would continue in the novels of Magdalena Jalandoni. But patriotic writing continued under the new colonialists. These appeared in the vernacular poems and modern adaptations of works during the Spanish period and which further maintained the Spanish tradition.

The American Colonial Period

A new set of colonizers brought about new changes in Philippine literature. New literary forms such as free verse [in poetry], the modern short story and the critical essay were introduced. American influence was deeply entrenched with the firm establishment of English as the medium of instruction in all schools and with literary modernism that highlighted the writer’s individuality and cultivated consciousness of craft, sometimes at the expense of social consciousness.

The poet, and later, National Artist for Literature, Jose Garcia Villa used free verse and espoused the dictum, “Art for art’s sake” to the chagrin of other writers more concerned with the utilitarian aspect of literature. Another maverick in poetry who used free verse and talked about illicit love in her poetry was Angela Manalang Gloria, a woman poet described as ahead of her time. Despite the threat of censorship by the new dispensation, more writers turned up “seditious works” and popular writing in the native languages bloomed through the weekly outlets like Liwayway and Bisaya.

The Balagtas tradition persisted until the poet Alejandro G. Abadilla advocated modernism in poetry. Abadilla later influenced young poets who wrote modern verses in the 1960s such as Virgilio S. Almario, Pedro I. Ricarte and Rolando S. Tinio.

While the early Filipino poets grappled with the verities of the new language, Filipinos seemed to have taken easily to the modern short story as published in the Philippines Free Press, the College Folio and Philippines Herald. Paz Marquez Benitez’s “Dead Stars” published in 1925 was the first successful short story in English written by a Filipino. Later on, Arturo B. Rotor and Manuel E. Arguilla showed exceptional skills with the short story.

Alongside this development, writers in the vernaculars continued to write in the provinces. Others like Lope K. Santos, Valeriano Hernandez Peña and Patricio Mariano were writing minimal narratives similar to the early Tagalog short fiction called dali or pasingaw (sketch).

The romantic tradition was fused with American pop culture or European influences in the adaptations of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan by F. P. Boquecosa who also penned Ang Palad ni Pepe after Charles Dicken’s David Copperfield even as the realist tradition was kept alive in the novels by Lope K. Santos and Faustino Aguilar, among others.

It should be noted that if there was a dearth of the Filipino novel in English, the novel in the vernaculars continued to be written and serialized in weekly magazines like Liwayway, Bisaya, Hiligaynon and Bannawag.

The essay in English became a potent medium from the 1920?s to the present. Some leading essayists were journalists like Carlos P. Romulo, Jorge Bocobo, Pura Santillan Castrence, etc. who wrote formal to humorous to informal essays for the delectation by Filipinos.

Among those who wrote criticism developed during the American period were Ignacio Manlapaz, Leopoldo Yabes and I.V. Mallari. But it was Salvador P. Lopez’s criticism that grabbed attention when he won the Commonwealth Literay Award for the essay in 1940 with his “Literature and Society.” This essay posited that art must have substance and that Villa’s adherence to “Art for Art’s Sake” is decadent.

The last throes of American colonialism saw the flourishing of Philippine literature in English at the same time, with the introduction of the New Critical aesthetics, made writers pay close attention to craft and “indirectly engendered a disparaging attitude” towards vernacular writings — a tension that would recur in the contemporary period.

The Contemporary Period

The flowering of Philippine literature in the various languages continue especially with the appearance of new publications after the Martial Law years and the resurgence of committed literature in the 1960s and the 1970s.

Filipino writers continue to write poetry, short stories, novellas, novels and essays whether these are socially committed, gender/ethnic related or are personal in intention or not.

Of course the Filipino writer has become more conscious of his art with the proliferation of writers workshops here and abroad and the bulk of literature available to him via the mass media including the internet. The various literary awards such as the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, the Philippines Free Press, Philippine Graphic, Home Life and Panorama literary awards encourage him to compete with his peers and hope that his creative efforts will be rewarded in the long run.

With the new requirement by the Commission on Higher Education of teaching of Philippine Literature in all tertiary schools in the country emphasizing the teaching of the vernacular literature or literatures of the regions, the audience for Filipino writers is virtually assured. And, perhaps, a national literature finding its niche among the literatures of the world will not be far behind.

source: http://www.seasite.niu.edu

Literary Journal of the Philippine South

Recently, I discovered a poem entitled “Aswang” by Barbara Jane Reyes. Readings of the poem relate it to the subversive nature of powerful women. But the moment I chanced upon it, it reminded me of what I first learned about aswangs in my Philippine History class years ago, especially in the lines which read: “I am the bad daughter, the freedom fighter, the shaper of death masks.”

Reyes’ aswang never stayed the same way. She became “the snake, the crone,” or “the grunting black pig” or “your inverted mirror.” She shifted not to what the other person would deem desirable, but in the very creatures which would frighten them.

By the end of the poem, she dared the reader to “burn me with your seed and salt / Upend me, bend my body, cleave me beyond function. Blame me.” It was a powerful statement. Prodding the accuser to do the very thing they do best– inflict violence against those who challenge what they view as attractive, as normal, and as good. Read More

My Other Name

I was five when I learned I had another name, besides what my parents gave me. The name was first born out of my younger sister’s anger who never understood my difference—which for her and other kids were unusual and difficult to comprehend. For them, the world operated in black and white. Dolls are for girls; cars and toy guns are for boys. I wouldn’t blame them, we were taught to see the world in such banality and convenience.

But growing up was tough if you happen to be in the gray area. 

As I ran my soft little hands and patted it against the black silky hair of my sister’s limited edition Barbie doll—donned in gold Filipiñana , beaded in intricate red gumamela patterns, and crowned with pearls towering on her head like those queens in Sagala , I was caught in a trance, mesmerized in an unknown cadence of beauty that I can’t help but adore. I continued patting her, held her brown legs, making sure not to spoil the crisp sparkling saya shaping her hourglass figure. I lifted her slim brown arms, waving them like queens do. She was beaming with her white teeth framed in her cherry red lips. I giggled in adoration until I heard my sister’s voice.

Maupay (At Mga Katagang Waray na Di Ko Malilimutan)

• Maupay nga aga (kulop o gab-i) – magandang umaga, hapon o gabi.  

Magiliw ang wastong kataga. 

Madalas tayong magpalitan ng mga “maupay” – sa umaga o gabi – depende sa iyong kagustuhang sumagot. “Maupay man,” ang tugon sa kumustahan. Mabuti naman. 

Madalas kong tingnan ang cellphone ko. Palagian kong ina-unlock, sakaling may nakaligtaan akong text mo. Kung babatiin mo rin ba ako ng maupay na kung isulat mo ay “maupai”. Kung sasagutin mo ako ng okey na kung isulat mo ay “uki po.” Madalas din akong nagpapanggap na may itatanong o hihinging pabor – paki-salin mo naman ito sa Waray; may maitutulong ba ako sa inaayos niyong papel? Sasamahan ko ba si Alice bukas sa miting niyo? Mga palusot para lang mapahaba ang usapan natin sa text. 

Choosing to Stay Home

?Diri lang ta,? Nanay Salbing says, as she leads us through the maze that is Barangay Pasil.

An hour ago, I was sitting in a cubicle in our office on the sixth floor of a building inside IT Park. The office only seems to have two colors: blue and white. In the office, there are cubicles as far as the eye can see. And once you sit down on your designated spot, the only sight you are permitted is your computer unit, which you would be staring at for the rest of the day. If you stayed glued to your work, other people aren?t visible unless you look over the spines on top or to the side, which requires movement. Everything inside there is identical and easy to commit to memory.

Every step in Pasil is dynamic.

Baybayin All Over Her Face

Her eyes spill out unspoken stories?in the form of wrinkles that etch deeper and longer with the passage of time. From the corners of her eyes, they branch out like patterns on the wings of a butterfly?crawling all over her face, etching curves on her cheeks or fashioning waves on her forehead.

These scratches of age may reveal themselves as random graffiti for marking territories, as if declaring, The fine lines around my eyes are the marks of generations I witnessed coming and going. The folds below my mouth are the stories I wish to tell but can only whisper.

I witnessed these lines curve and swirl and dance with the rhythm of time, until they turned themselves into beautiful baybayin : the hushed characters of our history, striving for survival, like every one of her silent stories.

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Katitikan Issue 5: Writes and Rights

Our voices, words of law, the symphony of frogs, the slaying of the war crab.

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Leslye Headland Hopes the Force Is With ‘The Acolyte’

Her new “Star Wars” show is a dream come true, but she knows it carries enormous expectations. “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared,” she said.

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By Brooks Barnes

Reporting from Los Angeles

Leslye Headland has been telling “Star Wars” stories onscreen since she was a teenager. Ostracized at school for being different, she retreated inward, making stop-motion films starring her action figures.

So when she found success as an adult in Hollywood — Headland helped create “Russian Doll,” the 2019 Netflix comedy starring Natasha Lyonne — and got the chance to create an actual “Star Wars” show, it was the realization of a lifelong dream.

And a chance for humiliating failure. On a galactic scale.

“I essentially cold-called Lucasfilm and, after a lot of conversations, found myself pitching a show — utterly elated, my ultimate career goal, the culmination of my fandom,” Headland said. “At the same time, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared. There is so much pressure. It’s extreme. I had never done anything this big before.”

Headland’s show, “ The Acolyte ,” will debut on Disney+ on June 4. Costing roughly $180 million (for eight episodes) and taking four years to make, it attempts two feats at once: pleasing old-school “Star Wars” fans — who can seem unpleasable — while telling an entirely new story, one that requires no prior knowledge of “Star Wars” and that showcases women and people of color.

For the faithful, “The Acolyte” serves up scads of Jedi, a franchise fundamental that the other live-action “Star Wars” TV shows have depicted sparingly or not at all. The opening scene in “The Acolyte” takes place in an eatery crowded with colorful aliens, a callback to the Mos Eisley cantina from the first “Star Wars” movie, in 1977.

Other shout-outs to core fans — we see you, we haven’t forgotten about you — are sprinkled into the dialogue: “May the force be with you” and “I have a bad feeling about this” makes an early appearance.

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Gothic in Asian Animation and Sequential Art, a special issue of 'Gothic Studies'

Article proposals are invited for a special journal issue of Gothic Studies (expected publication date November 2026) on “Gothic in Asian Animation and Sequential Art” edited by Katarzyna Ancuta (Chulalongkorn University) and Joseph Crawford (University of Exeter).

Gothic horror has always been an important genre in Asian sequential art. In post-war Japan, the mingling of imported Western horror media with indigenous traditions of  kaidan  (‘strange stories’) and  ukio-e  prints depicting ghosts and monsters gave rise to a vigorous tradition of horror manga, which subsequently flourished in publications such as  Gekkan Halloween  magazine (1985-95) and the works of Junji Ito (1986-present). With the rise of Japanese anime to global popularity over the last thirty years, Japanese animated series based on horror manga have acquired worldwide audiences and fanbases, making popular horror anime such as  Death Note  (2006-7),  Black Butler  (2008-14) ,  and  Tokyo Ghoul  (2014-18) some of the most internationally influential works of Gothic fiction of the twenty-first century. The Gothic horror genre has been similarly important in Korean manhwa , with influential Gothic manhwa titles such as  Priest  (1998-2007) attracting a large international readership:  Priest  even had a 2011 American film adaptation.   In the 2010s Korean manhwa increasingly moved online, shifting to the smartphone-friendly webtoon format that now dominates sequential art in South Korea, and Korean webtoon horror manhwa is now widely read worldwide, with works such as  Bongcheon-Dong Ghost  (2011) acting as touchstones of a new globalized culture of viral online horror media. 

Although the Japanese and Korean traditions of sequential art have long been better-known in the West than those of other Asian nations, in recent years this has started to shift. Chinese manhua is growing swiftly in international popularity, especially in webtoon format: dedicated online fan communities now produce fan translations of the latest horror manhua for Western audiences, allowing them to access everything from Chinese zombie stories to Chinese vampire romances in manhua form. The Filipino horror komik tradition was brought to the attention of international audiences by the horror anime series  Trese  (2023), which was adapted from Filipino komiks in collaboration with Netflix. Thailand’s infamously gory horror comics have long been popular with domestic audiences, and some are now starting to find international readers online. In India, meanwhile, Hindi-language horror comics have flourished for decades, although their stories of bloodthirsty  rakshasas  and  pishachas  currently remain little-known outside the Indian diaspora.  

The sheer numbers involved in the Asian sequential art market are staggering. Bestselling works of horror-themed manga can sell in excess of a hundred million volumes worldwide, a scale of popularity which should push us to rethink our assumptions about what the words ‘Gothic novel’ mean in the 2020s: today, if someone reads a fictional book about ghosts or demons, it is just as likely to be drawn rather than written, electronic rather than physical, and to make use of the horror traditions of Asia rather than the familiar Gothic folklore of the West. Yet despite their importance for modern Gothic media worldwide, which today is just as likely to take inspiration from  Death Note  or  Uzumaki  as from Sheridan Le Fanu or M.R. James, these Asian traditions of horror animation and sequential art have been very little studied in Anglophone scholarship.  

A few scholars, such as Pandey (2001, 2008), Bolton (2005), Dollase (2010), Davis (2022), and Taylor (2023) have written on Gothic themes in Japanese manga and anime, and articles on key titles such as  Black Butler  and  Tokyo Ghoul  have recently appeared in the  Journal of Anime and Manga Studies . More recently, we have also seen some publication on Indian horror comics and graphic novels (Sarma 2018, Ciemniewski 2019, Sen 2021),   but the horror genre remains highly marginalized within the field. Scholarship on Asian Gothic outside Japan and India has generally ignored sequential art entirely: studies of Korean or Thai horror media, for example, have tended to focus heavily on film and television rather than manhwa . Our proposed special issue would address this gap, providing an opportunity for scholars to explore this increasingly influential but critically neglected field of Gothic media.

Suggested topics include, but are not limited to:

• Gothic horror in manga and anime, and the different forms it takes in different manga and anime subgenres (e.g. shōnen , shōjo , seinen , josei ).
• The role of Gothic aesthetics in manga art (e.g. Hellsing, Black Butler, ‘Gothic Lolita’ fashion styles).
• Manga adaptations of Western Gothic literature (e.g. Junji Ito’s Frankenstein, Shin-ichi Sakamoto’s DRCL ).
• Gothic in other Asian sequential art traditions, e.g. Korean manhwa , Chinese manhua , Filipino komiks , Thai and Indian horror comics.
• Asian horror webtoons and digital Gothic.
• Gothic romance in Asian animation and sequential art, especially queer ‘girl’s love’ and ‘boy’s love’ romance media.
• Depictions and interpretations of Asian supernatural beings in Asian animation and sequential art (e.g. Chinese jiāngshī , Indian rakshasa , Malay penanggalan, Filipino Tikbalang ).
• The localisation of western Gothic monsters – vampires, werewolves, zombies etc. in Asian animation and sequential art.
• Ghosts and hauntings in Asian animation and sequential art.
• The role of Asian folklore and religious beliefs in Gothic Asian animation and sequential art.
• Monsters and monstrous humans in Asian animation and sequential art.
• Haunted geographies and Anthropocene eco-gothics in Asian animation and sequential art.
• Gothic cyberpunk and the post-human in Asian animation and sequential art.
• Post-colonial Gothic and the legacies of empire in animation and sequential art from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, and/or the Philippines.
• Gothic and the articulation of historical trauma in Asian animation and sequential art.
• Gothic vs. Horror in Asian animation and sequential art.

Please send abstracts of 300 words to the journal editors at [email protected] and [email protected] by 31 August 2024 . We will notify the authors about the results in early September.

The first drafts of the complete papers should be submitted by 31 May 2025 . Please note that the articles will need to undergo peer review and the submission of the first draft does not immediately guarantee the publication. The complete issue will be submitted to the journal in early 2026.