Rocket Kapre – Fantastic Filipino Speculative Fiction

Larry Nolen of the OF Blog has a great post entitled “Steampunk and Retro-Futurism: Three Anthologies and Three Approaches” where he discusses three anthologies — Steampunk Revolution, and the Portugese language anthologies Solarpunk and Lisboa no Ano 2000 (Lisbon in the Year 2000)  — in the context of the “revolutionary potential” of steampunk as an alternative template. It’s a great read, and also notable for Rocket Kapre readers because he talks about how my story in Steampunk Revolution — “On Wooden Wings”, set in the same universe as “High Society” — fits into that context of reimagination.

Chikiamco’s story stands out because the reader immediately is forced to picture a Jolo of the southwestern Philippines that is the center of a trade rather than a “faraway outpost.”  This shift in perspective opens up possibilities for stories such as “On Wooden Wings” to challenge readers, because the underlying socio-political assumptions that such settings and people are “exotic” or “faraway” have been dismissed with prejudice and the reader is forced to accept a world different from what she may have imagined.

Check out the post, especially if you’re a fan of steampunk or post-colonialism — you won’t be sorry.

The Trese series by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo is one of the most popular comics franchises in the Philippines. It’s been hard to spread the love overseas as Trese used to be primarily available in print — but no longer. Flipside Publishing, now brings us the first two cases (note, not the first two compiled volumes) of the Trese series in digital form, featuring redrawn art by Kajo Baldisimo. The books are available on Amazon now (Case 1) (Case 2), and soon on Flipreads, Apple, Kobo, and BN.com.

Nothing like a positive review to brighten your day: just found a new review of “Alternative Alamat” by author Michele Albert on her reading blog. It’s a positive, detailed review — my favorite kind — with something about each of the stories, as well as the art. Here’s a taste:

“Alamat” is the Filipino word for “legend,” and the “alternative” part of the title is self-explanatory. I enjoyed this anthology; it introduced mythologies unfamiliar to me and the stories and author styles were nicely diverse. The stories ranged from the sort of urban fantasy you’d find in a Charles DeLint or Neil Gaiman book to something more along the lines of the kick-ass heroine in a city full of weird. One story read like a fairytale and another like a more straightforward mythic tale. The oddest was the story told in footnotes!

xxx

I enjoyed all the stories, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be Keeper of My Sky. A creation myth with an alternative time stream twist, it was sad and hauntingly beautiful. The bit with the rain, and the reason why Tungkung Langit and Alunsina could never be together, was lovely. Fans of N.K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy would probably enjoy this story too, although it takes place in our modern world.

Filipina author (and Alternative Alamat contributor) Rochita Loenen-Ruiz has just been short-listed for the 2012 British Science Fiction Association Awards for her story “Song of the Body Cartographer”” (published in country’s very own Philippine Genre Stories). Congratulations, Rochita!

And the nomination couldn’t come at a better time, as I hope it introduces more people to Rochita’s fiction, and in turn, I hope those new readers will consider contributing to this year’s World SF Travel Fund. The fund was set up to enable one or two international persons involved in science fiction, fantasy or horror to travel to a major genre event — you’ll recall it was successful in bringing Charles Tan to the World Fantasy Convention in 2011. Rochita is one of the beneficiaries this year (alongside Csilla Kleinheincz, a Hungarian-Vietnamese writer) and it would be wonderful if she got the chance to attend a major United States genre convention, so do check out the Peerbackers page.

I’ve received notice that the first book of the Anak Bathala series of graphic novels will be launching this Friday night at the Fully Booked at Bonifacio High Street. Here’s the presser:

“Legends have foretold his destiny, and a bewildered journey is about to begin…
He has the power of the Gods…the heart of a man…
He is Kalem…the Anak Bathala.”

Dedicated to nurturing a society that fortifies the youth with intellectual capacity, moral integrity and global faculty, BHM Publishing, in partnership with 2P’s in a Pod, is proud to re-launch Anak Bathala’s Kalem:  the first of a five-book graphic novel  series that celebrates rich Filipino  cultural heritage  by weaving together rich elements of Philippine mythology, culture, beliefs, folklore and values  through well-executed and artistic graphic illustrations  Mr. Norman G. de los Santos, Mr.  Bernard H. Morillo, and Mr. Edsel L. Africa.

The book launch will happen  on  January 18, 2013 at Fully Booked, Bonifacio Global City Fort fro m 6:00PM  onwards. Aside from  the  much-anticipated meet-and-greet and book signing, various interesting activities such as Q & A with authors, Alibata Henna Tattoo, and many others, await those who will attend the event.  Cocktails will also be served and tokens of appreciation will be given away.

The editor-publishers of the Philippine Speculative Fiction anthology (available now in digital format at Amazon, iTunes, Flipreads, Barnes and Noble…) have released a free sampler (not to be confused with the Philippine Speculative Fiction Sampler of Mia Tijam and Charles Tan) for those who want to see what the anthology series has to offer, without committing to a paid volume. You can get it from iTunes or Flipreads.

The latest issue of the Tabi Po Filipino horror webcomic by Alternative Alamat artist Mervin Malonzo is now out (and, as always, NSFW). It’s in Filipino, but those looking for an English version can find the first two collected volumes here.

Let’s start the new year with some good news! Congratulations to the Filipino authors whose stories were included in the 2012 Mariner Awards of Bewildering Stories. Dean Alfar (Packing for the Moon), Victor Ocampo (Synchronicity) and Mia Tijam (Talking to Juanito) all produced stories “that the Review Board and Managing Editor have rated “very good” or “excellent” in 2012. They have earned Bewildering Stories’ most signal honor.”