Rocket Kapre – Fantastic Filipino Speculative Fiction

Take your first step into a world of automata, magic, and alternative history! The year is 1764, and, for the first time in nearly two centuries, the Spanish forces have been repelled from the great walled city of Manila. While the Spaniards are quick to lay the blame at the feet of the invading British and their clockwork machines, the secret to the success of the Filipinos may lie closer to home, with an ally that is both ancient and new, mythical and mechanical. “High Society” is a stand-alone steampunk comic book in the “Wooden War” series.

Philippine mythology is full of images that ignite the imagination: gods of calamity and baldness, of cosmic time and lost things; the many-layered Skyworld, and weapons that fight their own battles; a ship that is pulled to paradise by a chain, and a giant crab that controls the tides… yet too few of these tales are known and read today. “Alternative Alamat” gathers stories, by contemporary authors of Philippine fantasy, which make innovative use of elements of Philippine mythology. None of these stories are straight re-tellings of the old tales: they build on those stories, or question underlying assumptions; use ancient names as catalysts, or play within the spaces where the myths are silent. What you will find in common in these eleven stories is a love for the myths, epics, and legends which reflect us, contain us, call to us–and it is our hope that, in reading our stories, you may catch a glimpse, and develop a hunger, for those venerable tales.

“Alternative Alamat” also features a cover and interior illustrations by Mervin Malonzo, a short list of notable Philippine deities, and in-depth interviews with Professors Herminia Meñez Coben and Fernando N. Zialcita.

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On December 16-17, typhoon devastated the South, particularly Iligan and Cagayan de Oro. As a response, we are once again releasing our “Ruin and Resolve” anthology for free, to promote awareness of the urgent needs of our brethren, and to provide some small reward for those who do choose to donate. You can view information on how to help at these links: http://cdocity.com/ or http://www.redcross.org.ph/donatenow

When calamities befall us, we react not only as individuals, but as distinct communities.When calamities devastate the country, as decent men and women, we give money, goods, and time to the relief effort–but we also engage our passions. Collectors hold auctions, artists offer commissions, and musicians stage concerts, all for the benefit of the typhoon victims. Our callings and vocations are part of who we are, and enable us to give in additional ways, unique ways. Artists draw, musicians perform…

Writers write.

“Ruin and Resolve” is a digital speculative fiction/poetry anthology that we first released in response to the devastation wrought by typhoons Ondoy and Pepng in 2009. It contains speculative fiction (original tales, as well as reprints and excerpts from longer work) and poetry that deal with the two faces of every disaster, and the paradox inherent in the fact that, sometimes, it is in only the midst of the most crushing adversity that our brightest human qualities arise.

The nineteen stories, five poems and cover artwork included in the anthology were provided by their creators free of charge, in order to help raise funds for their fellow Filipinos in need. During times of crisis, we make the anthology freely available to remind people of the need to donate, and to provide some small reward for those who choose to do so.