Sunday, April 28, 2024

SUMMARY & INDEX

November 2021


Filipino literature--in the Philippines and the diaspora--is a vibrant area of English-language writing. The Halo-Halo Review is an accessible online summary of critical and other responses to Filipino literature's multiple and diverse forms. We hope that what others are saying about Filipino English-language literature will encourage others to read, teach and engage. 

By "Filipino," The Halo-Halo Review means all who self-identify as Filipino whether they're in the Philippines or the diaspora, as well as mixed and hyphenated Filipinos. Alternative monikers include Pinoy, Pinay, Pilipinx, Pin@y, Pilipino, Pilipina -- we welcome you all as long as you enjoy halo-halo and manga!

Reviews and engagements are sorted by genre. Click on the genre below to see the book titles reviewed and their accompanying links. Multi-genre books may be placed in more than one category (e.g. if a book includes poetry and fiction, it will be sorted in both of the categories).

POETRY

FICTION

NON-FICTION

SCHOLARLY WORKS

CHILDREN'S & YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE

OTHER

The Halo-Halo Review has two components. The first component, as described above, is an aggregation of online links to reviews and other engagements with Filipino literature throughout the internet. While the editor has begun collecting such links, readers are also encouraged to share information on other links. Links will be posted on an ongoing basis at the applicable genre sites.

The Halo-Halo Review's second component is The Halo-Halo Review's Mangozine which will contain new reviews. We welcome reviewers (reviewers need not be Filipino) -- click HERE for more information (feel free to review Filipino English-language books from your own sources). Also featured will be a "Readers Show Love to Filipino Authors" section--we are always looking for contributions; more info HERE. In addition, The Mangozine also will serve as the first online publisher for reviews and other engagements (e.g. book introductions)  published in print but not yet available online. Finally, its feature articles will include author interviews. 

While reviewed publications are in English, we will cover bilingual editions, as well as Filipino-language books if the review is in English.

To share information about additional links and/or to discuss your interest in writing a review, please go to the ABOUT section for contact information.

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FILIPINO AUTHORS ON ENGLISH
(to be updated over time)

If you're a Filipino writer and you're writing in English, you have to have a clear reason for the language that you're using ... I'm going to write in English: why? ... It really has to do with class ... For me to be part of the world of the enemy and yet to be attached to that world ... For the Filipino, English is a very literary language. The writers in English are always working with or working against the language we are given, the colonizer's language. People who live in a colonized world recognize you are living in a world of translation...



Ricardo M. de Ungria in “An English Apart” ...claim[es] that “[w]riting well in English is [his] best revenge against English,” De Ungria searches the various polemics that surround the English debate: 

But why do I want to take revenge at the English language? … Because it taught me, among other things, to think poorly of my native language and exclude this from the discourse of my deepest needs and joys and aspirations? … Because it foisted upon me a rich heritage of writing that I could never be a part of nor even closely relate to…? Because it left me inside a wonderful labyrinth of a symbolic world whose exquisite emblems and implements only heighten my sense of helplessness and futility at being understood…? Because it has opened me up to a fascinating world where I am condemned forever to live as a stranger? 



In 1898, the United States claimed it owned the Philippines after buying it for $20 million from Spain through the Treaty of Paris. The Filipinos—who had won and declared their independence from Spain—protested, and thus commenced the Philippine-American War, a war that has been called the United States’ “First Vietnam.” With their prowess on the military terrain, the U.S. defeated the Philippines. The U.S. solidified its colonial domination through the cultural and linguistic terrain with the popularization of English as the preferred language for education, administration, commerce and daily living. Thus, English is sometimes called by Filipinos to be “the borrowed tongue,” though enforced tongue would be more accurate.




whenever I sit down to chat your English rises like a mountain peak
Paolo Javier, from "Soldiering On Like The Devil" in COURT OF THE DRAGON



We used to talk about the course of Philippine literature in English as though it passed somewhat miraculously through three stages: a period of apprenticeship, of emergence or growth, and then of maturity. It was in the 1950s a useful if also a subtly condescending way of picturing what was called its “development.” On the other hand, Fr. Miguel A. Bernad, S.J., thought in 1957 that Philippine literature is whatever language was “perpetually inchoate” because, first, the writers couldn’t earn a living from their writing; second, we were torn by several languages or had not mastered English well enough; and third, we were culturally confused or had not fostered enough our own hybrid culture. It is well worth quoting Fr. Bernad:
Filipino writers in Spanish flourished at the end of the nineteenth century and the first decades of the twentieth. But this flowering of a culture never bore fruit: its roots were soon withered. While Apostol and Guerrero, Bernabe and Balmori, Barcelon and Recto, were writing poems that were admired in Spain, a generation of Filipino was growing up that would not understand the language in which they were written.
This is not to deplore the coming of English to our shores. Its coming was by no means deplorable: it was a cultural windfall. It does explain, however, why Philippine letters, which had finally flowered (and it is a curious thing that it did not come to its full flowering until after Spanish political domination was over) died out quickly, even in flower. Philippine letters had to seek other roots in a different cultural soil. This is why even after sixty years of English in the Philippines, Philippine literature in English is still young. But it has much promise: it may eventually attain to full maturity. (Bamboo and the Greenwood Tree) 1957/1961).
Gemino Abad,  from Our Scene So Fair: Filipino Poetry in English, 1905-1955




Today, whatever standing I may have as a poet in the Philippines will probably be based on my Tagalog poems. But I will also probably be remembered, or remain notorious, for my last poem in English. // It’s an acrostic poem, and the first letters of the lines, if read downwards, spell out a Tagalog slogan popular among demonstrators before martial law: MARCOS HITLER DIKTADOR TUTA (Marcos Hitler, Dictator, Running Dog).
—Jose F. Lacaba, from "Why I Stopped Writing Poetry in English"





ABOUT

The Halo-Halo Review aggregates reviews of Filipino authors found in the internet.  In addition, through its The Mangozine, it will publish new reviews as well as features like author interviews and reader testimonials about beloved Filipino authors. We don't just feature writers but also visual and other types of artists. We welcome hearing from those with information about additional links, reviews, and/or reader testimonials. 

Reviewers need not be Filipino but the authors and artists under review must be Filipino (including mixed/part Filipino).  

Reviewers may review any books they wish, including those in their personal library. We also have some review copies available which we can send to you and, if you review them, you may keep.  The list of review copies is available HERE.

CONTACT:  galateaten at gmail dot com


EDITOR: 

Eileen R. Tabios has released over 70 collections of poetry, fiction, art, essays, and experimental writings from publishers around the world. Translated into 13 languages, she also has edited, co-edited or conceptualized 15 anthologies which has involved hundreds of other poets and writers. Penguin Random House SEA will release her second novel The Balikbayan Artist in 2024-25. Other recent releases include an autobiography, THE INVENTOR; a poetry collection Because I Love You, I Become War; an art monograph, Drawing the Six Directions; a flash fiction collection (in collaboration with harry k stammer), Getting To One; a novel DoveLion: A Fairy Tale for Our Times (released in 2024 as a Filipino translation, KalapatingLeon, by Danton Remoto); and two French books, PRISES (Double Take) (trans. Fanny Garin) and La Vie erotique de l’art (trans. Samuel Rochery). Her body of work further includes a first poetry book, Beyond Life Sentences, which received the Philippines’ National Book Award for Poetry, as well as invention of the hay(na)ku, a 21st century diasporic poetic form; the MDR Poetry Generator that can create poems totaling theoretical infinity; the “Flooid” poetry form that’s rooted in a good deed; and the monobon poetry form based on the monostich. Her writing and editing works have received recognition through awards, grants and residencies. More information is at http://eileenrtabios.com http://eileenrtabios.com 





THE MANGOZINE ARCHIVES

Click on links to go to each Issue. 
This Page will be updated with each issue.


CURRENT ISSUE:
Featuring reviews/engagements of works by Merlie Alunan, Gemma Cruz Araneta, Ron Baticulon, Carl Lorenz Cervantes, T. de los Reyes, Ruel S. de Vera, Robert Francis Flor, Eric Gamalinda, J. Neil C. Garcia, Nathan Go, Tita Lacambra-Ayala, Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta, Christian Hanz Lozada, Priscilla Macansantos, Jason Magabo-Perez, Paula Mendoza, Beverly Parayno, Oscar Penaranda, Vicente L. Rafael, D.M. Reyes, Tony Robles, E. San Juan, Jr., Katrina Stuart Santiago, MT Vallarta, Eric Tinsay Valles, and Lawrence Lacambra Ypil; Filipino Shelfie Features with Rachielle Ragasa Sheffler, Jose Elvin Bueno, Luisa A. Igloria, Jose Padua, Lara Stapleton, Leny Mendoza Strobel, Eric Abalajon, and Michael Caylo-Baradi; Readers' Love Notes to Paul Pfeiffer, Maryanne Moll, Beverly Parayno, Randy Gonzales, Jim Pascual Agustin, Elaine Castillo, and Eileen R. Tabios; Feature Articles by E. San Juan, Jr. and Elsa Valmidiano; Author Interviews with Jen Soriano, Christian Hanz Lozada, Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio, and Maryanne Moll; and Reprinted Book Introductions by Teodoro Alcuitas, C.E. Gatchalian, Patria Rivera, Jean Vengua, Eric Tinsay Valles, and Robert Francis Flor.

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PAST ISSUES:

Featuring reviews/engagements of works by Gemino H. Abad, Alicia Blando, Genevieve Alva Clutario, Patty Enrado, Mookie Katigbak Lacuesta, Maryanne Moll, Beverly Parayno, Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino, Eileen R. Tabios (w/ harry k stammer), Jeff Tagami, Catherine Torres, Elsa Valmidiano, and K.S. Villoso; Readers' Love Notes to Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio, Nick Carbo, M. Evelina Galang, Marlon Hacla, Beverly Parayno, Eileen R. Tabios, and Grace Talusan; Author Interviews with Jim Agustin and Danton Remoto; Feature Articles by Ralph Semino Galán (with Merlie M. Alunan's poetry) and E. San Juan, Jr.; a Featured Folio of Monobon Poetry by William Allegrezza, Aileen Cassinetto, Maica Castillo, Lorelyn De La Cruz Aravelo, Carol Dorf, Thomas Fink, Skye Ibarra, Luisa A. Igloria, Jashley C. Laconico, Julia Rose Lewis, Sandy McIntosh, Sheila E. Murphy, Bruce W. Niedt, Jenny Ortuoste, Zosimo Quibilan, Jr., Rachielle Ragasa Sheffler, harry k stammer, Leny M. Strobel, and Eileen R. Tabios; and Reprinted Introductions (from offline to online) by Christine Start, Angela Narciso Torres (for Rene O. Villanueva), and Justine Eva Li Villanueva.

Featuring reviews/engagements of works by Gemino H. Abad, Jobert E. Abueva, Jim Pascual Agustin, Ilana Antonio, Marcel Antonio, Arnold Arre, KaJo Baldisimo, Carlos Bulosan, Angela Dimayuga, Doreen Fernandez, M. Evelina Galang, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, Ligaya Mishan, Vicente L. Rafael, Budgette Tan, and Alfred A. Yuson; Readers' Love Notes to Hari Alluri, Ina Cariño, Paolo Chikiamco, Gilda Cordero-Fernando, Michaela Fenix, Patricia Go, Monica Macansantos, Mervin Malonzo, Ige Ramos, Patrick Rosal, and Claude Tayag; Author Interview with Lara Stapleton; Feature Articles by Denise Low (on "Indigenous Futurism" with nod to Eileen R. Tabios), Rachielle Ragasa Shuffler (on Cecilia Brainard with nod to Veronica Montes), and Cymbeline Villamin; and Reprinted Introductions (from offline to online) by Eileen R. Tabios and by Joi Barrios on Cymbeline Villamin.


Featuring reviews/engagements of works by Gemino Abad, Merlinda Bobis, Cynthia Buiza, Michael Caylo-Baradi, Rodrigo Dela Peña Jr., Luis H. Francia, NVM Gonzalez, Rebecca Mabanglo-Mayor, Ned Parfan, Myrna Peña-Reyes, Eileen R. Tabios, and Charlie Samuya Veric; Readers' Love Notes to Gina Apostol and Malaka GharibAuthor Interviews with Jose Elvin Bueno and Cynthia Buiza; Feature Articles by E. San Juan, Jr., Eileen Tabios (on Venancio Igarta and Jenifer k Wofford), and Rainer Werning; and Reprinted Introduction on Babeth Lolarga. With Editorial by Eileen Tabios.

Featuring reviews/engagements of works by Mesandel Virtusio Arguelles (Trans Kristine One Muslim), Bren Bataclan, Melinda Bobis, Lourd de Vera, Rodrigo V. Dela Pena, Vanessa Haro, Joel Donato Ching Jacob, Angelo R. Lacuesta, Victor Fernando R. Ocampo, Noel Romero del Prado, Barbara Jane Reyes, Eileen R. Tabios, Kerima Lorena Tariman, Lesley Tenorio, Paolo Tiausas, Joel M Toledo, Rosmon Tuazon (Trans. Ben Aguilar), Emmanuel Quintos Velasco, Krip Yuson; Readers' Love Notes to Nick Carbo and Greg Sarris; Author Interviews with Angela Narciso Torres; Feature Articles by Rene J. Navarro and Poetic Feature by Cynthia Buiza, Aileen Cassinetto, Luisa A. Igloria, Marne Kilates, Eileen R. Tabios and Alfred A. Yuson; and Reprinted Review on Eileen R. Tabios.

Featuring reviews/engagements of works by Jose Malte Abueg, Jose V. Aguilar, Kay Ulanday Barrett, Mayette M. Bayuga, Merlinda Bobis, Cecilia Brainard, Luis Cabalquinto, Mark Anthony Cayanan, Michael Caylo-Baradi, Daryll Delgado, Eric Gamalinda, J. Neil Garcia, Francis Macansantos, Barbara Jane Reyes, Dinah Roma, Lara Stapleton, Eileen R. Tabios, Carlo Tadiar, Elsa Valmidiano, Joel H. Vega, and Alfred A. Yuson; Readers' Love Notes to Cecilia Brainard, Barbara Jane Reyes, Patrick Rosal, Eileen R. Tabios and Justine Villanueva; Author Interviews with Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino and Barbara Jane Reyes; Feature Articles by Rene J. Navarro, Vicente L. Rafael and E. San Juan, Jr.; and a Reprinted Introduction by Jose V. Dalisay, Jr. for Priscilla Supnet Macansantos.

Issue 11
Featuring reviews/engagements of works by or edited by Tilde Acuna, Merlie Alunan, John Bengan, Nica Bengzon, Nick Carbo, Mabi David, Daryll Delgado, Luis H. Francia, J. Neil C. Garcia, Ramil Dial Gulle, Luisa A. Igloria, Marne Kilates, Amado Anthony G. Mendoza III, Kristine Ong Muslim, Isabelita Orllina Reyes, Myrna Pena Reyes, E. San Juan, Jr., Eileen R. Tabios, Edith Tiempo, Joel M. Toledo, Elsa Valmidiano, and Jean VenguaReaders' Love Notes to Arlene J. Cha, Deborah Francisco Douglas, Therese Estacion, Lily Mendoza, Grace Nonno, Ninotchka Rosca, and Eileen R. Tabios; Author Interviews with Kay Ulanday Barrett, Cecilia M. Brainard, Migs Bravo Dutt, and Leny Mendoza Strobel; and Reprinted Reviews/Forewords/Introductions on the works of Paolo Javier and Radhey Shiam.

Issue 10
Featuring reviews/engagements of works by or edited by Gina Apostol, Cecilia Brainard, Rodrigo Dela Pena, Jr. with illustrator Josephine Roxanne Perez, Miki Garcia with photographer Luca Invernizzi Tettoni, Ayo Gutierrez, Amanda Galvan Huynh, Luisa A. Igloria, Hans Lawrence V. Malgapu, Veronica Montes, Barbara Jane Reyes, Eileen R. Tabios, Jean Vengua, and Niccolo Rocamora Vitug as well as contributors to OF COLOR: POETS' WAYS OF MAKING  (Abigail Licad and Sasha Pimentel); Readers' Love Notes to #romanceclass, Brigitte Bautista, Six de los Reyes, Angela Manalang Gloria, Luisa A. Igloria, Eileen R. Tabios, Angela Narciso Torres, and K.S. Villoso; Author Interviews with Kimberly Alidio, Veronica Montes, and Jean Vengua; and Reprinted Forewords/Introductions by Rene J. Navarro and Shiju Pallithazheth.

Issue 9
Featuring reviews/engagements of works by or edited by Brian Cain Aene, Merlinda Bobis, Irah Borinaga, Noelle de Jesus, Malaka Gharib, Ayo Gutierrez, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, Luisa A. Igloria,  Paula Mendoza, Allan Justo Pastrana, Cristina Querrer, Randy Ribay, Leny Mendoza Strobel, Eileen R. Tabios, Justine Villanueva with illustrator Lynnor Bontigao, as well as contributors to THE ARTIST AS CULTURE PRODUCER (Norberto Roldan and Stephanie Syjuco) and to A TRANSPACIFIC POETICS (Sean Labrador y Manzano, Barbara Reyes, & Eileen R. Tabios); Readers' Love Notes to Cecilia Brainard, Marianne Chan, Noelle Q. de Jesus, Ralph Semino Galan, Angela Manalang Gloria, Ron Loewinsohn, Rebecca Mabanglo-Mayor, Lisa Melnick, and Barbara C. Novio; Author Interviews with Marianne Chan, Noelle de Jesus, Reine Arcacha Melvin, Jen Soriano, and Leny Mendoza Strobel; and Reprinted Forewords/Introductions by and for Brian Cain Aene, Arienne L. Calingo, Ayo Gutierrez, Leny Mendoza Strobel, and Eileen R. Tabios.

Issue 8
Featuring reviews/engagements of works by or edited by Katrina Bello, Carlos Bulosan, Nick Carbo, Aileen Cassinetto, Benjor Catindig, M. Evelina Galang, Joonee Garcia, Christina Pantoja Hidalgo, Karen Llagas, Reine Arcache Melvin, Renee Macalino Rutledge, Leny Mendoza Strobel, Michelline Suarez, Eileen R. Tabios, Katrina Tuvera, Sylvia Mendez Ventura, as well as contributors to NO TENDER FENCES (Luisa A. Igloria, Keana Aguila Labra, Barbara Jane Reyes, José Edmundo Ocampo Reyes, Janice Lobo Sapigao, Leny Mendoza Strobel, Eileen R. Tabios, and  Angela Narciso Torres), contributors to RETURNING A BORROWED TONGUE (Gemino H. Abad, Karina Africa-Bolasco, Merlinda Bobis, Rofel G. Brion, Maria Elena Caballero-Robb, Luis Cabalquinto, Regie Cabico, Nick Carbo, Fidelito Cortes, Virginia E Escador, Jessica Hagedorn, Jaime Jacinto, Fatima Lim-Wilson, Noel Mateo, Michael Melo, Yolanda Palis, Patrick Pardo, Bino A. Really , and contributors to VERSES TYPHOON YOLANDA (G. Mae Aquino, Graciela Caniloa-Nieva, Rina Caparras, Emmanuel Codia, Miguel Cortez, F. Jordan Carnice, Jose Lorenzo Lim, Alain F Razalan, Eileen R. Tabios, Brylle Bautista Taborra, Von Torres, Jullienne M. Urrea, and Joel Vega); Readers' Love Notes to Mia Alvar, Ivy Alvarez, Betty Ann Besa-Quirino, Jose Elvin Bueno, Aileen Cassinetto, Kai Coggin, Melinda Luisa de Jesus, Rodrigo dela Pena, Kay Fabella, Luisa A. Igloria, Erin Entrada Kelly, Rebecca Mabanglo-Mayor, Monica Macansantos, Michelle Peñaloza, Jose Padua, Barbara Jane Reyes, Tony Robles, Ninotchka Rosca, Marivi Soliven, Leny M. Strobel, Eileen R. Tabios, Grace Talusan, and Veronica Montes; Author Interviews with Kawika Guillermo, Jose Padua, and Michelle Peñaloza; Reprinted Book Reviews of Cesar Ruiz Aquino, Eileen R. Tabios, Simeon Dumdum, Jr., and E. San Juan, Jr.; and Reprinted Forewords/Introductions by and for Brian Cain Aene, Luis H. Francia, Ayo Gutierrez, Andrea E. Lodge, Eileen R. Tabios, and Jose Garcia Villa.

Issue 7
Featuring reviews/engagements of works by or edited by Mark Anthony Cayanan, Xyza Cruz Bacani, Abel Clerk, Conchitina Cruz, Faye Cura, Mary Dacorro, Mabi David, Carmen F Davino, Luis H. Francia, Amber Buenaventura Garma, Nick Joaquin, Mookie Katigbak Lacuesta, Jenny Romero Llaguno, Melissa-Ann Nievera-Lozano, Rae Rival, Brian Ascalon Roley, Neni. Sta. Romana-Cruz, Anthony Abulencia Santa Ana, Alice Sun-Cua, Eileen R. Tabios, and  Almayrah Tiburon; Readers' Love Notes to Felisa Batacan, Merlinda Bobis, Conchitina Cruz, Nick Joaquin, Ed Maranan, and Eileen R. Tabios; Author Interviews with Jonel Abellanosa, Aileen Cassinetto, and Melinda Luisa de Jesus; Reprinted Book Reviews of Pacita Abad, Luis Cabalquinto, and Francisco Guevara; and Reprinted Forewords by and for Vince Gotera, Ayo Gutierrez, Luisa A. Igloria, Ira Sukrungruang, and Eileen R. Tabios.

Issue 6
Featuring reviews/engagements of works by Merlinda Bobis, Glenn Diaz, Simeon Dumdum, Jr., Luis H. Francia,  N.V.M. Gonzalez, Nick Joaquin, F. Sionil Jose, Linda Ty-Casper, Eileen R. Tabios, and Jessica Zafra; Readers' Love Notes to F.H. Batacan, Felix Fojas, Danny Gallardo, Carolyn Gutierrez-Abanggan, Nick Joaquin, Aine M. Losauro, Sasha Pimentel, Rose Rizal M. Reyes, Leny M. Strobel, Eileen R. Tabios, and Joel M. Toledo; Author Interviews with Luisa Igloria and Chris Santiago; and Reprinted Book Reviews of works by Antonio R. Enriquez and Eileen R. Tabios.

Issue 5
Featuring reviews/engagements of works by Jim Pascual Agustin, Marive Blanco, Rica Bolipata-Santos, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, Luis H. Francia, M. Evelina Galang, Jenny Ortuoste, Michellan Sarile-Alagao, Eileen R. Tabios, and Lawrence Ypil; Readers' Love Notes to Mia Alvar, Barbara Jane Reyes, Angelo Suarez, and Jose Garcia Villa; Author Interviews with Angela Peñaredondo and Renee Macalino Rutledge; and Reprinted Book Introductions by or for Avotcja, Glynda Tejada Velasco, and Alfred A. Yuson.

Issue 4
Featuring reviews/engagements of works by Kimberly Alidio, Michelle Bautista, Carlos Bulosan, Jeffrey Arellano Cabusao, Nick Carbo, Jessica Hagedorn, Aileen Ibardaloza, Luisa A. Igloria, Cheena Marie Lo, Rei Magosaki, Arnie Mejia, Kristine Ong Muslim, Jose Padua, Angela Penaredondo, Cristina Querrer, Barbara Jane Reyes, Mg Roberts, Brian Ascalon Roley, E. San Juan, Jr., Greg Sarris, Leny M. Strobel, Eileen R. Tabios, Joel Toledo, Glynda Velasco, Jean Vengua, Charlie Samuya Veric, and Jose Garcia Villa; Readers' Love Notes to Gemino H. Abad, Carlos Bulosan, Jose Padua, and Mg Roberts; Author Interviews with Kimberly Alidio, Erin Entrada Kelly, and Barbara Jane Reyes; and Reprinted Book Introductions et al by or for Jaime An Lim, Mg Roberts, Angela Penaredondo, and E. San Juan, Jr.

Issue 3
Featuring reviews/engagements of works by Ivy Alvarez, Jessica Hagedorn, Aileen Ibardaloza, Cristina Querrer, Barbara Jane Reyes, Mg Roberts, Ninotchka Rosca, E. San Juan, Jr., Felino A. Soriano, Eileen R. Tabios, Edilberto K. Tiempo, Jean Vengua and Jose Garcia Villa; Readers' Love Notes to Jason Bayani, Cecilia Brainard, Erma M. Cuizon, R. Zamora Linmark, Rene Navarro, E. San Juan, Jr., and Edilberto K. Tiempo; Author Interviews with Amanda Ngoho Reavey and Felino A. Soriano; and Reprinted Book Introductions et al by or for Dean Francis Alfar, Cecilia Brainard, Billy Burgos, Rachelle Cruz, Rocio Davis, Luis H. Francia, Ralph Semino Galan, Theodore Gonzalves, Duane Locke, Melissa Sipin, Felino A. Soriano, Eileen R. Tabios, and Carlos Villa.

Issue 2
Featuring reviews/engagements of works by Albert E. Alejo, Kimberly Alidio, Ivy Alvarez, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, Luis Cabalquinto, Oliver de la Paz, Luis H. Francia, Yolanda Perez Johnson, M. Evelina Galang, Aileen Ibardaloza, Paolo Javier, Rolando Laudico, R. Zamora Linmark, and Eileen R. Tabios; Readers' Love Notes to Nick Carbo, Luisa A. Igloria, Jessica Hagedorn, Bino A. Realuyo, Barbara Jane Reyes, Patrick Rosal, Eileen Tabios, and Marianne Villanueva; Author Interviews with Paolo Javier and Kristine Ong Muslim; and Reprinted Book Introductions et al by or for Nick Carbo, Oliver de la Paz, Thomas Fink, Luis H. Francia, Roseli Ilano, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard and Marily Isip Orosa, Jon Pineda, Lolan Buhain Sevilla, and Eileen R. Tabios.

Issue 1
Featuring reviews/engagements of works by Mia Alvar, Ivy Alvarez, Ophelia A. Dimalanta, Maria Victoria A. Grageda-Smith, Karen Llagas, Oscar Penaranda, Barbara Jane Reyes, Mg Roberts, Melissa Sipin, Eileen R. Tabios, Jean Vengua, Jose Garcia Villa, Mark Young and Alfred Yuson; Interviews with Mia Alvar and Eric Gamalinda; Readers' Love Notes to Mia Alvar, Elynia Ruth Mabanglo, Bienvenido N. Santos, Leny Mendoza Strobel and Eileen R. Tabios; and Reprinted Book Introductions et al by or for Ivy Alvarez, Virgil Mayor Apostol, John Bloomberg-Rissman, Nick Carbo, Thomas Fink, Luis H. Francia, Eric Gamalinda, Theodore S. Gonzalves, Vince Gotera, Vicente G. Groyon III, Jessica Hagedorn [no longer online], Crag Hill,  Edwin Lozada, Ernesto Priego, Amanda [Ngoho] Reavey, Leny M. Strobel, Eileen R. Tabios, Edith Tiempo, Ricardo D. Trimillos, Jean Vengua, Jose Garcia Villa [no longer online], Mark Young and Alfred Yuson.