Philippine Genre Stories

Latest Articles in this Channel:

09/28/07--03:11: Philippine Genre Stories (chan 2813747)




12/15/11--05:12: "The Librarian" (chan 2813747)

The latest story on Philippine Genre Stories: "The Librarian" by Michelle T. Tan. Guest-edited by Exie Abola.


12/18/11--01:44: "Falling Into Reading, My Way, And Early" (chan 2813747)

My essay, "Falling Into Reading, My Way, And Early", is in the current issue of Philippines Free Press. My thanks to literary editor Joel Toledo for accepting and publishing it.
The essay's a simple reflection on how I became a reader, and a "thank you" for old friendships remembered.


12/18/11--20:04: Please Help The Victims Of Typhoon Sendong (International name: Washi) (chan 2813747)

Whatever Typhoon Ondoy did to Luzon in 2009, Typhoon Sendong has just repeated in Visayas and Mindanao last week, particularly hitting Northern Mindanao hard (Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City). I was just in CDO a few months ago, and I can't help but feel badly for the people there who are suffering from the worst flooding in their history.

Here's a link on how you can help by texting your donations.

Here's another link on how you can help by donating in kind.

Off the top of my head, I remember reading this year about terrible floods in Australia, Thailand, North America, and even certain parts of Europe. If this is an indication of a trend, we should all be prepared to take this as a general part of our weather patterns from now on.



12/24/11--17:31: "Ang Mahiwagang Kahong Pamasko" (chan 2813747)

Ang pinakabagong kuwento mula sa Philippine Genre Stories: "Ang Mahiwagang Kahong Pamasko" ni M.R.R. Arcega. Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat!


12/29/11--04:54: Tablets, e-readers closing book on ink-and-paper era (chan 2813747)

Reader behavior is moving fast. Tablets and e-readers are making their mark, according to this article. An excerpt:

"Tablet computers and electronic readers promise to eventually close the book on the ink-and-paper era as they transform the way people browse magazines, check news or lose themselves in novels.

"It is only a matter of time before we stop killing trees and all publications become digital," Creative Strategies president and principal analyst Tim Bajarin told AFP.

Online retail giant Amazon made electronic readers mainstream with Kindle devices and Apple ignited insatiable demand for tablets ideal for devouring online content ranging from films to magazines and books.

The combined momentum of e-readers and tablets will push annual revenue from digital books to $9.7 billion by the year 2016, more than tripling the $3.2 billion tally expected this year, according to a Juniper Research report.

Readers are showing increased loyalty to digital books, according ...


12/30/11--06:17: PGS Online Call For Submissions And Reading Period (chan 2813747)

PGS Online will be open to fiction submissions by Pinoy writers for reading and consideration from January 1, 2012 to April 30, 2012. Click here for more details. 


12/30/11--21:36: "Sibling Symmetry" In Philippines Graphic (chan 2813747)

My essay, "Sibling Symmetry", is in the January 9, 2012 issue of Philippines Graphic, which features the Overseas Filipino Worker as its Person of the Year. I got my copies just now from National Bookstore. My thanks to editor Joel Pablo Salud for publishing my essay. Happy New Year everyone!



12/31/11--22:02: Under A Mound Of Earth (Part 1) (chan 2813747)

The latest story on Philippine Genre Stories: "Under A Mound Of Earth" by Celestine Trinidad. Guest-edited by Exie Abola.


01/03/12--01:23: 3 Good Things (chan 2813747)

3 good things to cheer about and support as we enter 2012:

First, the anthology Alternative Alamat was launched last December 14, 2011 by Rocket Kapre. Edited by Paolo Chikiamco, it "gathers stories, by contemporary authors of Philippine fantasy, which make innovative use of elements of Philippine mythology."

Second, Diaspora Ad Astra, the science fiction anthology from Estranghero Press, is now live, featuring 14 science fiction stories by Pinoy writers. The man behind Estranghero Press is Joseph Nacino.

Third, the lineup of stories and authors for Philippine Speculative Fiction 7 has been posted by editors Kate and Alex Osias. 24 stories will soon be made available to readers, most likely by mid-2012.

Pao, Joseph, Kate, and Alex have done great work, and they bring great reads for us to enjoy in 2012. All four of them are PGS contributors, and in each anthology's lineup I see current (and future!) PGS contributors as well. Fiction-wise, locally, 2012 is off to a great...


01/03/12--01:48: All Imported Books Are Tax-Free (chan 2813747)

The Philippines' Department of Finance has announced that all imported books are tax-free. An excerpt from the article:

All books imported into the Philippines, whether for personal or commercial use, are tax-free, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).

Last December 12, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima signed Department Order No. 57-2011 emphasizing the duty- and VAT-free status of imported books, and detailing guidelines covering clearance procedures from customs.

"All imported books, whether for commercial or personal use with the exception of those published by or for a private commercial enterprise essentially for advertising purposes as stated in Annex A of the Florence Agreement, are exempt from customs duties. Importation of books is likewise exempt from value-added tax (VAT) pursuant to Section 109 (R) of the National Internal Revenue Code," the order stated.




01/05/12--02:52: D.O.A.--Extreme Horror Collection Reviewed by Shaun Hamilton (chan 2813747)

D.O.A.--Extreme Horror Collection, an anthology in which my short story, "Cherry Clubbing", is included, is reviewed by Shaun Hamilton on The Horrifically Horrifying Horror Blog. He rates the anthology quite highly, and I'm grateful and flattered that he likes my story. An excerpt:

Firstly, BLOOD BOUND BOOKS appear to be a professional outfit who should be proud of their work. The stories are all well written, decently edited and presented in a professional manner. Respect has been shown to the stories, no matter what their content might be and for this they should be congratulated. Not only are they giving authors whose work is designed to shock and disturb even the strongest of wills the opportunity to actually see their work in print, they are treating the stories with the respect they deserve. These authors are people who might be fearful of the reaction their work would create, but BBB appears to be a publisher willing to defend what some might call the indefe...


01/08/12--00:29: "Under A Mound Of Earth" (Part 2) (chan 2813747)

The latest story on Philippine Genre Stories: "Under A Mound Of Earth" by Celestine Trinidad. Guest-edited by Exie Abola.


01/15/12--06:24: The Tower And The Kite (Part 1) (chan 2813747)

The latest story on Philippine Genre Stories: "The Tower And The Kite" (Part 1) by Matthew Jacob F. Ramos. Guest-edited by Exie Abola.


01/22/12--18:13: The Tower And The Kite (Part 2) (chan 2813747)

The latest story on Philippine Genre Stories: "The Tower And The Kite" (Part 2) by Matthew Jacob F. Ramos. Guest-edited by Exie Abola.


01/26/12--06:54: The Lam-Ang Experiment By PGS Contributor Michael Co (chan 2813747)

PGS contributor Michael Co has a new graphic novel out: "The Lam-Ang Experiment". You can watch the book trailer here. He says he "took a science fiction approach, setting the story hundreds of years in the future instead of the past". Buy the graphic novel once it's out!


01/27/12--16:08: Rebound Magazine -- The Championship Issue (chan 2813747)

The championship magazine for last year's college basketball tournaments will be out soon! Get your copies once they're out!


01/31/12--20:47: "The Promise Of Love" (chan 2813747)

The latest story on Philippine Genre Stories: "The Promise Of Love" by Exie Abola.


02/11/12--20:09: Reminder: March 15, 2012 Deadline (chan 2813747)

Just a reminder of the March 15, 2012 deadline for this call for submissions. :)


02/15/12--20:35: "Nardo" (chan 2813747)

The latest story on Philippine Genre Stories: "Nardo" by Vince Torres. Guest-edited by Joseph F. Nacino.


02/22/12--05:38: U.P. Press Anniversary Sale (chan 2813747)

Sharing this piece of news about books on sale from the email inbox:

In celebration of its 47^th anniversary, the University of the Philippines Press (UP Press) will be holding its annual monthlong sale. All UP Press titles, bestsellers, and new releases will be sold at a 20% discount, and all consigned titles at a 5% discount. The book sale runs from March 01 – 31, 2012.

The UP Press bookstore is located at E. de los Santos Street, UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City and is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

For inquiries, call the UP Press at +63 (2) 494 2527 and +63 (2) 926 6642 or reach them online via the website uppress.com.ph or like their facebook fan page, University of the Philippines Press.

For more information contact:

Anna Jhorie P. Arciga

Marketing Supervisor

Telefax: +63 (2) 926 6642

E-mail: annajhorie(at)yahoo(dot)com