Filipino American History Month: Fiction & Literature

Biographical information about Carlos Bulosan's life and poetry that includes an anthology of his poetry.

A rich anthology of poems by Filipino and Filipino American writers.

Sensuous poetry about the poet's family, life, death and politics.

Referencing Magellan's voyage, poet Marianne Chan explores her Filipino American identity.

A cozy mystery, the first in a new series, that is a rom-com involving Lila Macapagal moving back home to help save Tita Rosie's failing restaurant. Mystery and food mix well in what promises to be a delightful series.

A very modern take on current history in the Philippines, when a Filipino American journalist returns to her homeland that is beset by a malevolent dictatorship. Ting Klein is back home to do research for a biography but is caught in a web of her family's upper-class life and the reality of life under Procopio “Copo” Gumboc's brutal regime.

A heart-rending collection of nine vibrant short stories about the Filipino diaspora and life in Manila. The stories center on the Filipino experience both worldwide and “in the country.”

In 1872, three secular priests were publicly executed at Manila's Bagumbayan Plaza, which was a turning point and the beginning of the Philippine Revolution when Filipinos sought to free themselves from Spanish colonial rule. However, there was a conflict within the revolution between the upper-class ilustrados and the lower-class Indios.

This debut collection of stories is noteworthy for its depiction of a spectrum of Filipino and Filipino-American experiences little represented in American literature; settings include San Francisco's Manilatown in the 1930s, a Philippine leper colony in the 60s, and the Manila film scene of the 70s. What makes the stories truly enjoyable, though, is Tenorio's ability to cut to the quick of deep emotions with control and with humor.

"An undocumented Filipino American teenager struggles to make sense of his past in order to move into the future."

Fausto Empleo was the last manong, part of the first group of Filipinos who immigrated to the United States during the 1920s and 1930s, and worked as farm laborers in California. This work of historical fiction brings to life the history of the Filipino-American contribution to the farm labor movement, as Empleo looks back on his life seeking the American Dream.

 Filipino poet Carlos Bulosan's memoir about his childhood in the Philippines, his trip to America and the many years of hard work, loneliness and despondency working menial jobs and finding the time to write, which was his passion.

A collection of Carlos Bulosan's short stories, essays, poetry, and correspondence.

A suspense thriller that takes place at the end of World War II. Filipino, Gar Stanley returns to his homeland to help a childhood friend and ends up being pursued by a host of nefarious characters. A novel that offers insights about life during that time period, by the Philippines honored and respected poet and novelist, Carlos Bulosan.

"The adventures of seven Filipino guerrillas rebelling against U.S. domination."

As the son of Filipino immigrants, Patrick Rosal has a deep understanding of the need to bring together those who have different ethnic, national and religious differences, which he does through his poetry.

Paul Kuya is a Filipino-American artist, who lives in Los Angeles, and explores the meaning of love through his poetry and short stories.

Disowned by her family for her revolutionary activities in the Philippines of the 1990s, Hero de Vera travels to Milpitas, California, where she is taken in by her aunt and uncle and given the job of caring for their seven-year-old daughter, Roni.  Haunted by her past and disturbed by her life as an American immigrant, Hero finds some solace in her relationship with Roni–and through a passionate affair with makeup artist Rosalyn.