Manananggal In The City Book Launch

Manananggal. That vile, evil creature in Filipino horror films during their glory days in the 90s. Usually guised as the town’s mysterious pretty woman, the manananggal has always been the monster. She’s the villain that will be burned to death by the morning sun after the top of her lower body part is sprinkled with salt which prevents her upper half from connecting to it.

Oh yes, that’s usually how it goes.

But what if it is the other way around? What if the manananggal is actually the hero of the story (she could be the victim in her story ’cause it’s her story, right?)? What if someone dreams to be a manananggal and her wish has been granted? What if your girlfriend, your one true love and your heart’s only desire turns out to be this folklore monster?

Good thing this group of indie authors actually thought about this other side of the story. Manananggal In The City gives this monster the chance to be the hero for once. There aren’t so many books about this – I only ever read one, Ricky Lee’s Si Amapola sa 65 Na Kabanata. I think the books are gonna be exciting reads, a welcome change from the usual Japanese lit and romance my bookshelf is accustomed to keeping.

Nine authors, nine stories, one theme – Manananggal In The City books were launched last weekend. It was an intimate setting, happened in a cafe/bar called Storya. I saw familiar faces, Yeyet Soriano, Pau Alagao, and Maita Rue, people from the first-ever writing workshop I attended were among the authors who launched their books. Magsi, another author from the same workshop was also there to support.

 

Some of the books are already on Kindle so I just got them from there. I am particularly intrigued by some of the titles like:

1. My Girlfriend Is Manananggal because what if this good-looking boy I am crushing right now is one?

2. My Manananggal Dream because who dreams to be a monster?

3. Moonlight Eclipse because there is a guy that disguises as a charismatic boy band leader and I am weak when it comes to them.

4. One By One because it reminds me of R.L. Stine’s Hit and Run, a YA read that gave me a core memory.

I am still waiting for the other titles, hopeful to read all of them and maybe share my thoughts. The books are available both in digital and in print.

Let’s support Fillipino authors!