The Indie Publishers Collab PH (TIPC) is a group of Filipino independent book publishers whose mission is to enrich Philippine literature, culture and education through works by new and forward-thinking Filipino authors. The group will feature Inclusive Literature titles in its booth at the BOOKTOPIA area of the Philippine Book Festival (PBF) to be held at SMX Davao City from August 18-20, 2023.
“The TIPC booth theme is ‘Book Bridges’ to convey the message that every book by a TIPC publisher is a connection to a more meaningful discovery and a more profound learning. TIPC publishers produce books that address today’s most urgent advocacies and depict the various genres, subjects and languages of Filipino life,” explains Ronald Verzo of TIPC and Balangay Productions.
Participating TIPC publishers include: 8Letters, a boutique publishing company based in the Philippines that has over 400 titles focusing on Southeast Asian literature; Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA), an organization of poets writing in Filipino established by National Artist Virgilio S. Almario; Aklat Alamid, an independent publishing house for children’s books and YA books written in the different languages of the Philippines; Aklat Mirasol whose mission is to publish literary materials for Filipino children and youth that contribute to their development of a deep sense of positive identity as Filipinos; Alubat Publishing which focuses on stories of illness and healing in the Philippines, especially written by doctors themselves; Isang Balangay Media Productions (Balangay Books), a company whose aim is to empower local and grassroots literature and readership; LitArt Publishing which focuses on publishing and promoting short-form literature, such as short stories, poems, and personal essays; Pawikan Press which specializes in books about Mindanao and Palawan, particularly on topics related to local culture and the natural environment; San Anselmo Publications, Inc., a company that puts the spotlight on Filipino poetry, biography, fiction, non-fiction and reference books; the Ilocos-based Saniata Publications; and Southern Voices Printing Press which supports the voices of the struggling people from the South, the less empowered and the voiceless, while serving also as an accessible channel to progressive storybooks and biographical works, among others.
The poetry genre tops the list of TIPC offerings with Lean Borlongan’s self-published book Sa Ibang Katawan and Pasakalye; the anthology When I Speak of Home, which contains poems written in regional languages; the LGBT-themed collection Made of Saltwater. There are also Life, Beats and Pieces and Interlude which are inspired by everyday life, the latest editions of LIRA’s publications Agua and Lila, and the Virgilio Almario-edited Jose Corazon de Jesus: Mga Piling Tula which is a definitive reference on the works of the first king of the Balagtasan.
Regional experiences are well represented through the children’s stories Paborito nga Duag ni Denden (Denden’s Favorite Color); Ang Buhok nga Naglimpyo kang Suba (The Hair That Cleaned The River); Dako nga Yahong sang Batchoy (A Big Bowl of Batchoy); Gusto Maglupad ni Bangsi (Bangsi Wants to Fly); the short story anthology Kining Inalisngaw Sa Akong Tutunlan; My Ranaw Kitchen Lab: Food for Peace in Muslim Mindanao, which is a collection of essays and recipes from Mindanaoan communities; the poetry books from Mindanaoan translators entitled Pesoa and Forth; and the short story collection Salamin at iba pang Panglaw.
Current issues are also tackled: the environment in Sa Yakap Ng Gubat At Dagat ng Palawan: Mga Ekosanaysay and The Mountain That Grew; gay subculture in Orosa-Nakpil, Malate; disinformation in the one-act play anthology Pilipinas Kong Mahal with All the Overcoat; mental health in Sino Ang Dakila? Sino Ang Tunay Na Baliw? and My High School Romance Fairy Tale; child labor in Jamin, ang Batang Manggagawa; women’s history and culture in Mindanao in Suysuy ni Sarena (Sarena’s Story); and politics in the novels Lumbay ng Dila and El árbol de la Alegria.
Furthermore, TIPC is also holding events at PBF Davao— a talk on “Infinite Inclusive Stories” with Leila Rispens-Noel, Renato Tranquilino, Maita Rue and Andrew Pasaporte on August 19 at 2:30 pm; a panel discussion on “Writing About Mindanao” with authors Assad Baunto, Jennie Arado and Xaña Angel Eve Apolinar on August 20 at 5 pm; and the launch of the book Ang Gamay Nga Prinsipe (The Little Prince) with translator Maria Cora P. Larobis and poet/writer Agustin Pagusara on August 20, 6 pm. Venue is at PBF’s Booktopia section.
Pawikan Press’ Yasmin Arquiza underscores, “We believe in providing a path to peace and understanding. TIPC bridges the gaps in today’s modern society, one book at a time.”
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