Is it possible to support Filipino authors and read Filipino books all-year round? Yes, very much so! Should that stop us from dedicating one whole month to uplifting Filipino voices? Absolutely not.
In the spirit of two things co-existing, I’m happy to share that everyone’s favorite Filipino-themed readathon is coming soon in theaters near you. Yes, Wikathon 3: Readerakas is back and more charming than ever. And with the cutest movie motif to boot! ๐๐ฟ
What is Wikathon? ๐ต๐ญ
Just in case you aren’t familiar with this readathon, Wikathon is a month-long bookish event founded and organized by Kate. Readers are encouraged to devour books by Filipino authors for the entirety of August. Which is coincidentally my birth month (๐ฆ). And also not-so-coincidentally Buwan ng Wika (translation: National Language Month) for Filipinos.
While Buwan ng Wika emphasizes the importance of appreciating all 150+ languages in the Philippines (btw, hi, I’m Kapampangan!), we usually spend this month by celebrating Filipino culture and heritage in general. And specific to Wikathon 2022, our aim is to hail and celebrate Filipino creativity, which comes in many forms of media, including books. (Check out Kate’s post for all the details!)
With that said, all you need to do is to read as many Filipino books throughout August. But if you want to take things to the next level, the Wikathon team and I prepared some fun prompts that you can try. Download the complete checklist of prompts here! โบ
Need help with picking Filipino books?
No worries, I got you! For the ambitious Wikathon participants who need an extra boost, I’ve prepared recommended Filipino books for the challenge prompts.
Of course, many Filipino authors have the range to satisfy more than one prompt. For example, Rin Chupeco has written both fantasy (Enteng Kabisote) and horror (Shake, Rattle, and Roll) books. So, I highly encourage you to further explore the portfolios of these accomplished authors.
On top of that, it also goes without saying that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Or the tip of the yelo? Sorbetes? Or what-have-you. There are so many fantastic Filipino books to choose from! And all I hope is that you find a title or two in this list that piques your interest. Let’s get to it! ๐
Gaya Sa Pelikula
Prompt: Read a Filipino-authored book that has been adapted into a movie.
๐ Smaller and Smaller Circles by F.H. Batacan // A Pinoy detective novel following two Jesuit priests on the hunt through Manila for a brutal serial killer — one who has left eviscerated bodies of preteen boys in their wake. Widely regarded as the first Filipino crime novel, this book also provides a haunting portrayal of the country’s broken justice system. (I actually watched its film adaptation, and it definitely gave me chills. ๐) // amazon โข goodreads
Other applicable prompts: Shake, Rattle, and Roll
๐ She’s Dating the Gangster by Bianca B. Bernardino // For fans of fake dating and hate-to-love romances, this book follows a teenage girl who agrees to pretend to be the school heartthrob’s girlfriend in order to make his ex jealous. // amazon โข goodreads
Other applicable prompts: Diary ng Panget, One More Chance
๐ Diary ng Panget by HaveYouSeenThisGirL // Pitched as a Cinderella story with a twist, this Wattpad book follows Eya, a young girl who believes that she’s ugly. And yep, this is her diary. // goodreads
Other applicable prompts: Diary ng Panget, One More Chance
Diary ng Panget
Prompt: Read a Filipino-authored Wattpad novel that’s either on Wattpad itself or has been picked up and circulated by a publishing house.
๐ For Hire: A Damn Good Kisser by Ariesa Jane Domingo // After being dumped by her boyfriend for being a prude, academic overachiever Dana Ferrer enlists the kissing tutorial services of the Good Kisser Inc., consisting of three campus heartthrobs. // wattpad โข goodreads
Other applicable prompts: One More Chance
๐ The Filthy, Rich Bitch by Kwento ni Jhingness // As the title suggests, this Wattpad novel follows a self-proclaimed independent, filthy, rich bitch. Upon learning that Daniel only married her for his wealthy grandfather’s inheritance, Meg is determined to be the biggest bitch in town. // wattpad โข goodreads
Other applicable prompts: One More Chance
๐ Unwanted by Ramayana Roxas // The last heir from a long line of dead men, Lizaveta unexpectedly rises to the role meant for a dead prince. Pressured to find a husband, to protect an empire, and to remain quiet, she comes to terms with her new reality: a throne, an empress, a power, unwanted. // wattpad โข goodreads
Other applicable prompts: Enteng Kabisote
Enteng Kabisote
Prompt: Read a fantasy book written by a Filipino author. (Sci-fi is okay, too!)
๐ The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez // Perfect for readers in search of more parent-child stories in speculative fiction, this story begins when a mysterious child lands in the care of a solitary woman out of place and outside of time, ultimately changing both of their lives forever. // amazon โข goodreads
Other applicable prompts: Billie and Emma
๐ Never Have I Ever by Isabel Yap // A unique, impressively written collection of short stories drawing inspiration from Filipino urban legends, mythical creatures, and supernatural magic. // amazon โข goodreads
๐ The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi // A deadly, magical heist set in 1800s Paris? Wealthy hotelier Sรฉverin Montagnet-Alarie and his band of unlikely experts are coerced into hunting down an ancient artifact, only to find more than they bargained for — including a darker, grittier history than they’ve ever known. // amazon โข goodreads
Other applicable prompts: Billie and Emma, Oro
๐ The Wolf of Oren-yaro by K.S. Villoso // Stranded in a dangerous land teeming with enemies and untrustworthy allies, Queen Talyien must fight her way home, to her son, and to the same kingdom that would rather see her dead. (One of my personal favorite SFF books! Highly recommended.) // amazon โข goodreads
Other applicable prompts: Oro
๐ The Hour of Daydreams by Renee M. Rutledge // On the countryside, respected doctor Manolo Lualhati encounters a young woman with wings, whom he coaxes to stay behind — to quit flying to the stars with her sisters each night so they can marry. (This is a dream-like reimagining of the star maidens folktale, which I totally adored!) // amazon โข goodreads
Related: 22 Must-Read Backlist Books For 2022
Billie and Emma
Prompt: Read a book written by a Filipino author that features a queer main character. Bonus points if the book is sapphic!
๐ Another Word for Happy by Agay Llanera // What does it mean to come out in the Philippines? This book follows a gay college student’s journey to self-discovery and freedom — with the help of his spoken word group. // amazon โข goodreads
๐ Dauntless by Elisa A. Bonnin // For readers in search of a delightful sapphic YA fantasy, this book follows a teen girl who must trust a mysterious stranger and work to bring together two broken worlds in order to save her nation. // amazon โข goodreads
Other applicable prompts: Enteng Kabisote, Oro
๐ The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake // Within a secret society of magical academicians, six new talented magicians are selected for membership every decade, but only five will be fully initiated. If they can prove themselves to be the best, they will survive. Most of them. (This one’s a BookTok favorite, it seems!) // amazon โข goodreads
Other applicable prompts: Enteng Kabisote
๐ You, Me, U.S. by Brigitte Bautista // A friends-to-lovers romance between two women with near-opposite personalities, which is further complicated by their personal ambitions, family duties, and a one-way trip to the United States. (Yes to working class and sex work representation in romances!) // amazon โข goodreads
Other applicable prompts: One More Chance
๐ My Heart Underwater by Laurel Flores Fantauzzo // After getting caught kissing her older female teacher, young Corazon is sent to the Philippines to live with a half-brother she barely knows. There she learns more about loss and love than she could have ever imagined. (Recommending this one with some caution, as explained in my review.) // amazon โข goodreads
Saving Sally
Prompt: Read a comic, graphic novel, or webtoon by a Filipino author/artist.
๐ Sagala by Tori Tadiar // A Filipiniana fantasy story about gunslinging girls, overprotective older brothers, mythical ambassadors, and conniving courtesans against a backdrop of deceit and guns hidden under petticoats. // penlab.ink โข goodreads โข author/artist
Other applicable prompts: Enteng Kabisote
๐ Champion of the Rose by Cat Aquino and Dominique Duran // A princess’ hand in marriage becomes the grand prize of a deadly tournament. She thus strikes a deal with a trans swordsman: if he fights for her to help her win her own hand, he can finally return home. // penlab.ink โข author โข artist
Other applicable prompts: Enteng Kabisote, Billie and Emma
๐ Bukang Liwayway by @syzygees // The Tagalog goddess of morning falls in love with a mortal Filipino girl who loves mornings and is haunted by her shadows. When their daily routine is broken, the goddess realizes something is amiss. // penlab.ink โข author/artist
Other applicable prompts: Enteng Kabisote, One More Chance
Shake, Rattle, and Roll
Prompt: Read a horror, mystery, or thriller novel written by a Filipino author.
๐ The Sleepless by Victor Manibo // When journalist Jamie Vega launches an investigation into his boss’s mysterious death on the eve of a controversial corporate takeover, he discovers that he was the last person who saw Simon alive. Except he has no memory of the night in question. // amazon โข goodreads
Other applicable prompts: Enteng Kabisote, Billie and Emma
๐ The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco // This YA horror book follows a dead girl who targets child rapists and abusers, much like the man who threw her body down a well three hundred years ago. When a strange boy moves into the neighborhood, something strange arrives with him. // amazon โข goodreads
Other applicable prompts: Enteng Kabisote
๐ The Quiet Ones by Glenn Diaz // During a regular shift at the call center, Alvin Estrada discovers a way to embezzle money from the American telecom giant he works in. A month later, a phone call tells Alvin that the police are on their way. (Very intrigued by this title because it’s a Palanca award winner and offers relevant social commentary.) // amazon โข goodreads
๐ Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala // When Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her life seems to be following all the typical rom-com tropes. But when a notoriously nasty food critic drops dead moments after a confrontation with Lila, her life quickly swerves from a Nora Ephron romp to an Agatha Christie case. // amazon โข goodreads
One More Chance
Prompt: Read a romance novel written by a Filipino author.
๐ Keep the Faith by Ana Tejano // Following the end of a five-year relationship, Faith literally moves on to a typhoon-stricken town in Iloilo for her disaster relief work, where she meets an attractive new guy named Nico Tamayo. (This one’s perfect for fans of quiet romances and French fries!) // amazon โข goodreads
๐ Ghost Of A Feeling by Celestine Trinidad // One Halloween night, medical student Cris Villareal decides to end it all. Until her attempt is stopped by Emilio, the ghost of a young man who haunts her building. Except he isn’t really a ghost after all. (One of my all-time favorites!) // amazon โข goodreads
๐ Sweet On You by Carla De Guzman // Sari’s careful Christmas plans are foiled upon the arrival of her new neighbor. The baker next door might have cute buns, but when he tries to poach her cafรฉ customers with cheap coffee and cheaper tactics, the competition is officially on. // amazon โข goodreads
๐ Making It Complicated by Clarisse David // Desperate to escape the stresses of her life, Cam spends her summer in Boracay. No stress, no expectations, absolutely nothing. Until she meets a hot drummer named Hunter. // amazon โข goodreads
Other applicable prompts: Oro
๐ Like Nobody’s Watching by Tara Frejas // As an actor, if there’s anything Pio Alvez is good at, itโs pretending to be someone heโs not. After all, how difficult would it be to pretend to be smitten with a beautiful, intelligent go-getter like Audrey Alonzo? Perhaps itโs more difficult pretending not to be. // amazon โข goodreads
Oro
Prompt: Read a Filipino book that has been adapted into a movie.
๐ Promdi Heart: Hometown Love Stories by Georgette S. Gonzales, Agay Llanera, Chris Mariano, C.P. Santi, Jay E. Tria, Ines Bautista-Yao // An anthology of short stories featuring six hometown love stories – from Misamis Occidental to Zambales to Ilocos Sur. Take a quick tour of the Philippines and fall in love in more ways than one! // amazon โข goodreads
Other applicable prompts: One More Chance
๐ Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly // This is the story of Lalani Sarita, a twelve-year-old girl who lives on the island of Sanlagita in the shadow of a vengeful mountain. When she makes a fateful wish that endangers her already-vulnerable village, she sets out across the distant sea in search of life’s good fortunes. // amazon โข goodreads
Other applicable prompts: Enteng Kabisote
๐ We Belong by Cookie Hiponia // This novel-in-verse follows sisters Stella and Luna whose only way of connecting to their Filipino heritage is by requesting a bedtime story from their mother every night. As they get ready for bed, their mama spins two tales: that of her youth as a strong-willed middle child and refugee; and that of the young life of Mayari, the mythical daughter of a god. // amazon โข goodreads
Other applicable prompts: Enteng Kabisote
๐ Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay // A coming-of-age story about grief, guilt, and the risks a Filipino-American teenager takes to uncover the truth about his cousin’s murder. // amazon โข goodreads
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Iโd love to hear from you!
๐ป Are you going to participate in Wikathon 2022? What Filipino books are you planning to read next month?
๐ป Have you read any of the Filipino books on this list? Will you be adding any new-to-you titles to your TBR?
๐ป It’s actually going to be my first time to participate in Kate’s Wikathon event! If you’re a fellow Wikathon virgin, let me know in the comments below! Let’s take this leap together. ๐
Thank you for this list!!
While I had a few onto my wanting ro read, iโve added a few more!