Reading Filipino in 2019

In August of this year, RomanceClass did a challenge to read/watch/listen to Filipino creations, and we had a bingo card for it. I participated here as much as I could but didn’t include my selections in my regular reading list. Some of these are quick reads, essays, not in English, or not books at all, and I wasn’t sure how to consolidate that with my reading list which is mostly romance and/or in English (because that’s professional development you see).

This exercise lets me dip into other genres, and other communities, that aren’t usually part of my reading. Doing that has been both encouraging and a kick to the gut. Knowing that a work exists to fit even the most specific prompt on a bingo card, but then also realizing that I only went looking for it for the first time in my life because of a specific prompt on a bingo card.

Every single year, several times a year, a Filipino creator will question the lack of support they get, and when they do, IMMEDIATELY ASK THEM TO TALK ABOUT THE KIND OF SUPPORT THEY GIVE. Some creators say “community” when they mean “customer.” I have had to explain many times that I don’t mind being seen as a customer. I am one! I buy and read and support! I also get to opt out when the work is mediocre as what may happen when the creator is out of touch with its audience. I’ve needed to navigate this as a creator myself. The kind of work this requires means anyone who does it recognizes when people are only pretending to do it. We’ve had to learn to be honest when we say “community,” or see through the pretense when faced with it, to find real community and real support. If this at all feels familiar, it’s okay to sit down and just be a consumer also. Maybe we shouldn’t be leaders of everything.

For this bingo card challenge I was primarily a customer, but I hope the card (that Tara Frejas made) and what #RomanceClass authors and readers posted on Twitter helped these books and works find their homes and audiences. Here’s what I was able to do:

For SOCIALLY RELEVANT, I read Lupang Ramos, an anthology of essays/narrated history by and of women living as farmers and activists in Cavite. Gantala Press https://t.co/E97f2o8Ad7 pic.twitter.com/pdYs0ViUl6

— Mina V. Esguerra (@minavesguerra) August 1, 2019

For COMICS BY A FEMALE ARTIST I read Other People by Jess Guaco and Comics Convention by Hulyen, both in Kommunity 2017 by Komiket #romanceclassBAPBingo pic.twitter.com/CCHcvV4agz

— Mina V. Esguerra (@minavesguerra) August 1, 2019

For MAIN CHARACTER/S NOT (COMPLETELY) HUMAN
Kambal: La Calavera Catrina by Budjette Tan and Ian Sta. Maria
Bakunawa by Ma-I Entico #BuwanNgMgaAkdangPinoy #romanceclassBAPBingo pic.twitter.com/v4pJjSi2Nb

— Mina V. Esguerra (@minavesguerra) August 1, 2019

For CONTEMPORARY FILM DIRECTED BY A WOMAN I re-watched The Achy Breaky Hearts (dir. Antoinette Jadaone)#BuwanNgMgaAkdangPinoy #romanceclassBAPBingo https://t.co/IePe3JeAs6

— Mina V. Esguerra (@minavesguerra) August 1, 2019

For POETRY COLLECTION, Kapag Naibig at iba pang mga tula by Abel Cribe #BuwanNgMgaAkdangPinoy #romanceclassBAPBingo pic.twitter.com/lRtcUSMU0z

— Mina V. Esguerra (@minavesguerra) August 2, 2019

For SONG COMPOSED AND PERFORMED BY A FEMALE MUSICIAN, Womb by Sugar Hiccup (Melody del Mundo)#BuwanNgMgaAkdangPinoy #romanceclassBAPBingo https://t.co/q2Q8cOb5s2

— Mina V. Esguerra (@minavesguerra) August 2, 2019

For HEALTHY/QUIRKY FAMILY DYNAMICS: Raya and Grayson's Guide to Saving the World by @thenoobwife, releasing soon but I've already read it, and am counting it in my bingo card haha. Watch out for this #RomanceClassFlicker book