10 Canadian books to read for Filipino Heritage Month
Filipino Heritage Month is celebrated in Canada every June.
Filipino Heritage Month is celebrated in Canada every June. Throughout the month, we recognize the almost one million people across the country who identify with being Filipino and their diverse experiences of living within the diaspora.
CBC Books has curated a list of fiction titles by Filipino Canadian writers to read this month and beyond.
Living Expenses Teri Vlassopoulos
Living Expenses tells the story of sisters Laura and Claire, the daughters of a single mother who immigrated from the Philippines. Their close bond is put to the test when Claire moves to Silicon Valley for a new job while Laura stays in Toronto and decides to start a family with her husband.
While Laura undergoes fertility treatments, Claire has her own run-in with the industry — and the sisters experience a rollercoaster of feelings, both together and apart.
Teri Vlassopoulos is the author of the short story collection Bats or Swallows, which was nominated for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award, and the novel Escape Plans. Her work has been published in Room Magazine, Catapult, The Millions and her regular Substack newsletter, Bibliographic. She lives in Toronto.
One Box by Andi Vicente, illustrated by Allan Matudio
One Box is a tender counting picture book about a migrant worker who sends a box of gifts and supplies, also known as Balikbayan boxes, back home to their family in the Philippines. Instead of counting the days until they will see each other again, they count the ways they are going to rebuild their relationship after being separated for so long.
One Box is for ages 4-7.
Andi Vicente is a writer and visual artist. They are based in Montreal.
Allan Matudio is an artist born to Filipino parents in Montreal. He is the author of the graphic novel Kasama.
Celestina's House by Clarissa Trinidad Gonzalez
In Celestina's House, Celestina is desperate to get out of her family's house after a shocking betrayal made the atmosphere too tense to bear. When her Lolo gifts her a property in Manila's bohemian district, she feels at home, even though there are ghosts lurking.
As time goes on, she gets a real chance at happiness, but voices from the past threaten to take it all away.
Clarissa Trinidad Gonzalez is a Filipina author based in Toronto. Celestina's House is her first book.
Mallory and the Trouble with Twins by Arley Nopra
Mallory is confident in her babysitting skills — after all, she's taken care of her seven younger siblings for years. But when she starts watching the Arnold twins, Marilyn and Carolyn, she quickly realizes they're more trouble than she expected.
The twins play tricks, act spoiled and make her job a nightmare! Still, as a responsible member of the Baby-Sitters Club, Mallory refuses to give up.
Mallory and the Trouble with Twins is for ages 8 to 12.
Arley Nopra is a Filipino comic creator who lives in Toronto. She has adapted and illustrated the Baby-Sitters Club books Claudia and the Bad Joke and Mallory and the Trouble with Twins.
The Story of Us by Catherine Hernandez
The Story of Us is the story of Mary Grace Concepcion, a Filipino worker who has left her family behind to build a new life in Canada. She secures employment as a personal support worker in Toronto, caring for Liz, an elderly woman living in a bungalow in Scarborough who is living with dementia.
An unlikely relationship blossoms between the two, as Mary Grace works to bring her husband to Canada and learns more about Liz's surprising past. The Story of Us is narrated by Mary Grace's infant daughter, adding a unique twist to this heartfelt story.
Catherine Hernandez is a Canadian writer, author and playwright. She is the author of several books, including the novels Scarborough and Crosshairs and the children's books I Promise, M is for Mustache and Where Do Your Feelings Live?. She is also the creator and star of the Audible Original sketch comedy podcast Imminent Disaster.
Scarborough was championed by actor Malia Baker on Canada Reads 2022. It was also adapted into a feature film that premiered at TIFF in 2021. CBC Books named Hernandez a writer to watch in 2017.
Magdaragat edited by C. E. Gatchalian, Teodoro Alcuitas, Patria Rivera
Magdaragat, which translates to seafarer, is an anthology of Filipino Canadian writing, such as short fiction, poetry and illustration, that showcases the expansive contributions and experiences diasporic Filipinos add to Canadian society. Featuring 43 writers, the anthology includes moments of joy, sorrow and sacrifice woven into the fabric of Filipinos past, present and future.
C.E. Gatchalian is a Filipino writer and editor from Vancouver and currently based in Toronto. His other works include the 2003 Lambda Literary Award finalist Motifs & Repetitions & Other Plays and Double Melancholy.
Teodoro Alcuitas is a Vancouver editor and the current publisher of Philippine Canadian News.
Patria Rivera is a Filipino Canadian writer and poet based in Toronto. Her other collections include Puti/White which was shortlisted for the 2006 Trillium Book Award for Poetry, The Bride Anthology and BE.
The Secret of the Ravens by Joanna Cacao
In The Secret of the Ravens, orphan twins Elliot and Liza take part in Raven Quests — helping message-carrying ravens with magical tasks that award coins and riches, to change their fate. However, the quests aren't as straightforward as they seem, and when Liza gets poisoned, Elliot must race against time to save her.
The Secret of the Ravens is for ages 8 to 12.
Joanna Cacao is a Canadian-Filipino writer and illustrator who lives in Winnipeg. Her other projects include illustrating The Tryout and Native Reflections. The Secret of the Ravens is her debut graphic novel.
Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados
Happy Hour is a novel about two women in their 20s — Isa Epley and her best friend Gala — who are having the time of their lives in New York City during the summer of 2013. Life for Isa and Gala is all about pleasure and ambition. This includes fun, partying and living in the moment, no matter the eventual cost.
Granados is a writer, filmmaker and podcaster based in Toronto. Happy Hour is her first novel.
Kasama by Allan Matudio
Kasama is a YA comic inspired by the artist's experiences reconnecting with his Filipino heritage. In the busy city of Orkidias, Kia and Allison are drawn together to fight the forces of evil creeping into the archipelago. Will they be able to defeat the infamous mythological creature that lies ahead?
Allan Matudio is a writer and children's book illustrator born to Filipino parents in Montreal.
The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K.S. Villoso
As a bloody war wages on, Queen Talyien's arranged marriage to the son of a rival clan promises peace. But when he mysteriously disappears before they can begin their lives together, the kingdom is in shambles. Years later, he invites Talyien to meet but an assassination attempt leaves her stranded and unsure of who to trust.
The Wolf of Oren-Yaro is the first book in the high fantasy series, Chronicles of the Wolf Queen.
K.S. Villoso is a B.C.-based speculative fiction writer from Taguig, Philippines. Her other books include Blood Mage and Daughter of the Wolves.
