There is plenty to appreciate about the Philippines—the food, the history, the people, and its stories. With such a rich heritage, Filipinos in and outside the country have distinct worldviews that often make their experiences unique.
This extends to Filipino authors. Whether writing about folklore, socio-politics, or real-life experiences, their stories can be a gateway to a different blend of living.
Books By Filipino Authors
Below is a collection of fiction and nonfiction books that represent the Filipino perspective. For a well-rounded list, I’ve also included books made by Filipino-Americans, Filipino-Chinese, and more.
1. Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay
Jay’s plans to relax before starting university are derailed when he learns his cousin Jun is murdered under controversial circumstances. No one wants to talk about it, so he travels to the Philippines to find out more. The truth, however, is much more horrible than anything he’s thought of.
2. Smaller and Smaller Circles by F.H. Batacan
The violated bodies of pre-teen boys are discovered in a dump, leaving those living in it gripped by fear. The police are undermanned, the city suffers from corruption, and the poor are left with no protection.
With no government assistance in sight, two Jesuit priests decide to take matters into their own hands. The clues they uncover point towards a monster made by man—one still in search of its next victim.
3. La Tercera by Gina Apostol
Rosario, A Filipino writer living in New York, learns about her mother’s death in the Philippines. But instead of rushing back home, she begins searching for La Tercera, her mother’s supposed inheritance.
But as she dives through her family’s history, the only things she finds are more questions—about her mother, her family, and her heritage.
4. Chloe and the Kaishao Boys by Mae Coyiuto
Chloe is a Chinese-Filipina girl in Manila who unexpectedly gets accepted into USC. With her dream of being an animator suddenly within reach, all she wants is to go.
But before she goes, she must first endure her aunt’s insistence on a traditional debut for her 18th birthday. Worse, her father’s setting her up on a series of arranged dates, hoping to get her to stay.
5. I Was Their American Dream by Malaka Gharib
Being the daughter of immigrant parents with unrealized dreams, Malaka spent most of her childhood trying to be an all-American kid. But code-switching between her family’s Filipino and Egyptian customs is difficult, along with adapting to white culture.
Gharib’s graphic memoir tells about identity and culture, while also providing insight into the lives of immigrants and their children.
6. When the Elephants Dance by Tess Uriza Holthe
As the Japanese and Americans fight over the Philippines, the locals look towards survival.
The Karangalan family huddles in their cellar, telling each other stories to give themselves resolve and deal with their fears. They are transported from the chaos outside to a land of peace and better dreams.
7. In the Country by Mia Alvar
Exploring the lives of Filipinos in and outside the homeland, Alvar delves into the customs and experiences familiar to all Filipinos in this collection of stories. From a nurse in the United States to a student activist in Manila, she explores the universal complexities of family, belonging, and identity while highlighting the uniqueness of the Filipino experience.
8. The House That Lou Built by Mae Respicio
Living under one roof with her crazy and loving extended family can be a bit much sometimes. So, for the summer, Lou’s going to build her own tiny house on the land she inherited from her dad, who died before she was born.
But building a house isn’t easy, even when it’s tiny. Worse, the land she’s building it on may not be hers much longer. But she has no plans of giving up and learns what a home really is along the way.
9. Everlasting Nora by Marie Miranda Cruz
Manila’s North Cemetery functions as the largest slum in the Philippines. It is where 12-year-old Nora and her mother live, after a tragedy that took away both her father and home.
Then one day, her mother disappears. Nora embarks on a quest to find her, discovering hope and compassion from others on the journey.
10. Lola’s House: Filipino Women Living with War by M. Evelina Galang
When the Imperial Japanese Army invaded the Philippines in World War 2, thousands of Filipinas were taken from their homes. Forced to be “comfort women”, they suffered from rape, torture, and other forms of abuse.
Within this book are the stories of sixteen Filipinas who survived such a fate. From their abduction to their eventual escape, each tells their story so that no woman will undergo such horrors again.
11. Somewhere in the Middle by Deborah Francisco Douglas
Raised in an American household, Deborah Francisco Douglas has always longed to connect with her Filipino heritage. So when a chance comes to visit the Philippines as a Peace Corps Volunteer, she takes it.
But life in the Philippines is far from what she has ever lived. What welcomes her in the mountain city of Baguio is a lesson that community isn’t just about lineage but is something earned.
12. False Nostalgia by JC Punongbayan
With false information being weaponized and actively believed by an alarmingly large population of Filipinos, many have come out to guard the truth. Here, economist and professor JC Punongbayan debunks through data and past studies the many—ranging from the ridiculous to the insane—claims that the 20-year Marcos regime was the Philippines’ “golden era”.
Books About the Filipino Perspective
Like all cultures, Filipino life has its distinct blend of cultural, social, and historical elements. And like all cultures, there are things within the Filipino perspective that are universal to the human experience.
From finding your own place in the world to navigating the complexities of politics and religion, there are plenty of things to empathize with despite not being Filipino. This is why the books above offer a glimpse of something both strange and familiar.
What other books by Filipino and Filipino-American authors do you recommend? Share them in the comments below!
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Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
