The Indie Publishers Collab PH (TIPC), a community of independent book publishers, offers new titles and bestsellers as the collab participates in the Indie Village of the Manila International Book Fair, which runs from September 15 to 22, at SMX Convention Center.
Showcased at SMX’s Booth 248 Aisle A are the books from TIPC members/partners Atma Prema Publishing, Kasingkasing Press, Southern Voices, Isang Balangay Media Productions, Aklat Alamid, Aklat Mirasol, Pawikan Press, San Anselmo Press, Aklat Ulagad, Alubat Publishing, Librong Lira, 8Letters, TBC Publications and Gantala Press. TIPC’s MIBF 2022 theme “Books by People, For People” underscores the members’ advocacies and the diversity and wide appeal of their publications.
Established in 2022, Atma Prema Publishing is dedicated to educating and inspiring readers through advocating personal growth, authenticity and spiritual and emotional wellbeing. This publishing arm of the Atma Prema Wellbeing Group is behind Lissa Romero de Guia’s personal debut anthology of short stories People I Have Been; and Lia Bernardo, Ph.D.’s self-help publications The Raising FrequenciesTM Journal and Love Yourself First: The Self-Love SolutionTM Primer.
Kasingkasing Press of Western Visayas publishes Filipino Literature in Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, and Aklanon languages. For MIBF 2022, it is unveiling its newest releases Owamat and other stories vol. 1 and 2 (comic books) by Pasyon Komiks; Vignette of Voyages poems by Elvie Victonette B. Razon-Gonzales; A Singular, Spectacular Chore by Anna Teresa Slater, Ilongga Bicycle Diaries essays edited by Early Sol A. Gadong, and The Katipunan in Aklan (Second Edition) by John E. Barrios, Melchor F. Cichon, and Diminador Ilio.
Southern Voices, a book publisher and a printing press, has made a mark in the industry through its Filipino translations of Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince and Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women; and original children’s books such as Jamin, Ang Batang Manggagawa; May Mumu sa Computer; and Nay, Tay, Itim na Ang Dagat.
Isang Balangay Media Productions (Balangay Books) uses its resources to empower local and grassroots literature and readership. By spearheading community-based workshops and book publication, it has produced literary works that not only resonate with the community but also discover new writers. For MIBF 2022, Isang Balangay Media Productions is proud to highlight RM Topacio-Aplaon’s El Arbol de la Alegria – one part of The Southern Quartet, a four-novel saga set in the Philippines’ southern regions.
Aklat Alamid is an independent publishing house of children’s and young adult books written in the various languages of the Philippines. It partners with government and private individuals, organizations and agencies in conducting activities that promote children’s literature in the different regions of the Philippines. Aklat Alamid is known for Dako Nga Yahong Sang Batchoy by Jennie Arado and Raya Dizon-Maniago; Ditoy, Isdi, Idiay, Isna by Heather Anne F. Pulido and Renz Juno Abreu; Paborito Nga Duag ni Denden by Early Sol Gadong and Gil Montinola, and its many other children’s picture books.
Aklat Mirasol Book Publishing House is a new company dedicated to creating books for children and young adults. Its series Mga Kwentong Pambata Tungkol sa Mindanao— which includes the books Nasa Arakan ang Puso by Pia Perez, and Narinig Mo Na Ba Ang Agong? by Carla Mortel Baricaua—endeavors to introduce the rich history and real life situation in Mindanaw, while its Nais Kong Magpakilala sa Iyo books, such as Ako si Dumay Gawid, Hanunuo Mangyan by Rowena P. Festin, aim to introduce different Philippine ethnic groups to young readers.
Pawikan Press focuses on books about Mindanao and Palawan, especially topics related to local culture and the natural environment as epitomized by their book Sa Yakap ng Gubat at Dagat ng Palawan: Mga Ekosanaysay by Dr. John Iremil Teodoro.
San Anselmo Publications, Inc. is the company behind the handy law guide Top 20 Changes to the Rules of Civil Procedure and Revised Rules on Evidence by Atty. Noel Oliver Punzalan+; the poetry collection 100 Pink Poems Para Kay Leni; the biography Servant Leader Leni Robredo by Prof. Ed Garcia; and the new poetry collection of National Artist Virgilio Almario entitled Mga Poon, Mga Piyon, Mga Pusong, Isang Pusong.
Aklat Ulagad, a Catanduanes-based company, takes pride in its artful custom-made books. Its releases include Allan Popa’s poetry collections: Morpo (which won the 2001 National Book Award for Poetry), Kami sa Lahat ng Masama, and Kundi Akala.
Alubat Publishing, another regional publisher, has its headquarters in San Antonio Zambales. It specializes in books on Literature and Medicine.
Librong Lira is the publishing arm of the poets’ organization Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA); its mission is to nurture the national language through poetry and poetry readings. Four of its books, namely Agua, Sa Ilalim ng Pilik, Lungsod–lungsuran and Siwang sa Pinto ng Tabernakulo, are National Book Award finalists.
Cebu-based 8Letters helps independent artists get their their works out in the bustling literary market. Among 8Letters titles are the anthology Budol by Jemson Cayetano, the sci-fi collection Pilipinas 2413 Super Societies and Other Stories, and Renato Tranquilino’s futuristic sci-fi anthology Fate of a Distant Future.
TBC Publications is an independent organization that helps Filipino authors produce and release their works through self-publishing. TBC’s assistance and expertise have paved the way for the publication of the dystopian fantasy Battlecast: Underground by Christian Kazuhiko John, the YA romance When You Came Into My Life by Mr_Teryo, the inspirational book Dear You by Missterious Dreamer, and the modern love stories I’m His Wife by JenyxViolet and Once Upon A Spirit by QueenOfActions.
Gantala Press is an independent, non-profit, volunteer-run Filipina feminist press that centers on women’s stories and issues such as China De Vera’s Palayain ang Aking Nanay about the experience of a child whose mother is a political prisoner; and Sulatan sa Panahon ng Pandemya, a collection of 48 letters of 24 Filipinas from various places (Cordillera, Marawi, USA, Australia), chronicling how these women thrive and nurture their relationships during these difficult times.
The Indie Publishers Collab PH’s Ronald Verzo says, “TIPC publishers and writers will be present at the MIBF booth to interact with readers, librarians, teachers, lovers of the written word. Our collab has also lined up activities such as signings, launches, kids’ sessions to make the fair more memorable for everyone.” TIPC’s presence at the MIBF is made possible through the support of the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP).
