The Catalogue of Mythology-Inspired Stories

 Good day, everyone!

Presenting to you the Mythology-Inspired Catalogue. It is a collection of books by Pinoy indie Authors that have characters of subject that are inspired or taken from Philippine Myths.

This is for book buyers and book distributors. The details for each book and the author are inside the catalogue.

Download here

Super Teen Kapre

 

Vampires, Werewolves, Tamawos

Are you Team Vampire or Team Werewolf?

See which one gives you the tingle! 

For Team Vampire, we have Caleb from Care Package Mate (Amazon) and Brad from Mail Order Vampire (Free on this website). Special mention to Johan and King David. By the way, King David has 3 brothers. Might want to write about his story in the future. King David is often mentioned by the Werewolves as the one who got all the Mythicans or creatures of legend out in the open.

For Team Werewolf, you have many to choose from!!! First, we have Anthony and his team from Moonlight Eclipse (Amazon). I might not write about his team, only in passing, because I am moving on to different characters. Also will be doing a new spinoff, the original one that I was working on.

Markus Simeon and the Urbane Pack will be having their own series which will focus on love and the ups and downs or running a resort in Manila during and after Covid. Care Package Mate will connect to this. Markus must have his book because he was the one to tie them all together. Caleb's book should have been second. Argus Urbane , his book is nearly done, will be the third book while his twin Lyka Urbane will be the fourth. It will tie together with Resto Rescue as Rafe Redmoon's adopted daughter will have a book and will tie into this series in the future. Their stories are already in my vomitorium folder (for lack of a better term) and will be completed in the future.

Team Tamawo consists of loner Dante from Dimensional Eclipse (Amazon). He has kids, lots of them. They will be present in the resort and will no doubt be characters in future books. their focus will no longer be in supernatural and human trafficking. Maybe something else.

So, Tamawos are all about family. They don't do well outside family groups. Francisco has his tiny family unit. He wasn't doing so well. Danter, on the other hand, was doing well. Markus and Wolves' treatment of employees made him feel like a part of a big family so they became his family group. When Markus accepted him as an official pack member, his world became right and he felt so happy. 

Is this really how mythological Tamawos operate? We aren't sure as we cannot interview any. What we know is that they do live in groups and they protect natural real estate. That can be waterfalls, a stream or river, a forest, or a grove.

 

Why Death Myths?

Many Southeast Asian cultures, including the Philippines, have strong beliefs in an afterlife and the presence of spirits. Filipino mythology and death stories help shape national identity by passing down important cultural values like reverence for one's ancestors and reverence for one's elders.

My fellow writers Jean Karl Gaverza and Mary Louise Lu and I conceptualized Lagimat, A Tome of Philippine Death Myths. It has 61 entries divided into seven chapters. There are Psychopomps, The Ones Who Live Beyond, The Balancers, Sowers of Discord, Witches, Creatures and The Places Beyond.

In doing this project, I realized that although each ethnolinguistic group in our archipelago has distinct beliefs, there are similarities. And the way we view death, is different. It is very different from the Catholic and Christian views. Most of our death myths center around a journey. Many of the psychopomps are boat men, places in the afterlife are towns. Our views on death is not grim. What started a horror made me realize that Filipinos (the original pre-hispanic ones) have a more positive view of death. Perhaps there is a lesson or two to be seen here.

And perhaps, there is a part two to be written...

I've used different scripts in the book. they all say the same thing: Lagimat

How come I didn't use more scripts? Simple: These are the only cultures we have touched in these books (those with scripts, at least).

Pre-order Lagimat and other books for MIBF here: https://forms.gle/vmRP9p1AUp6ALore8

New Book Alert! Lagimat, Tome of Philippine Death Myths

 Lagimat: Tome of Philippine Death Myths, delves into the rich tapestry of Philippine mythology. Explore 61 unique spirits, deities, creatures, and sacred places associated with death across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. This dual-language book, presented in both English and Bisaya, offers a comprehensive guide to the ethno-linguistic groups that honor these entities, revealing the diverse beliefs that shape their cultural landscapes.

Featuring the stunning artwork of 19 talented Filipino artists, Lagimat not only serves as an informative resource but also as a visual celebration of the myths that have been passed down through generations. Each entry invites readers to discover the profound connections between life, death, and the spiritual world in the Philippines, making it an essential addition to the library for anyone interested in folklore, mythology, and cultural heritage.

Book Concept by Maita Rue, Jean Karl Gaverza and Mary Louise Lu

This is the first collaboration between Maita Rue, Jean Karl Gaverza, and Mary Louise Lu. Maita is a multi-genre author who had several books published since 2017. Jean Karl Gaverza is a researcher and author. He has several books including Philippine Spirits and Mythica Obscura. Both concentrate on Philippine mythology. Mary Louise Lu has published short stories with mythical undertones. Together, they conceptualized Lagimat.

Featuring 19 Filipino Artists! 

Maita Rue (18 Artworks plus layout), Mary Louise Lu (3), Donnie Ray Obina (5), Seb de Jesus (4), VexingLex (4), Joll Mark Manabat (4), Michael Sean Talavera (4), David Geralao (3), Niño Acero (3), Andrea Pua (3), Chris Alejado (3), Jerric Miraflores (2), Franzel Mae Mendoza (2), Chris Micu (2), Raven Venida (2), Marius Dideles (2), OOTF (1), Dot Lazo Tiu (1), Enervaugnn (1).

Pre-order Lagimat and other books for MIBF here: https://forms.gle/vmRP9p1AUp6ALore8

New Book Alert! Dimensional Eclipse.

 Announcing my newest book:

"Dimensional Eclipse" is a gripping tale of courage, loyalty, and the enduring power of family, where every choice holds the key to a future forged in the fires of adversity. Will Dante uncover the truth before it's too late, or will destiny's threads be severed by the hands of fate?

This book is set in the same universe as Care Package Mate, Resto Rescue, and My Vampire Heart for Your Human Soul. It happens right after the events of Moonlight Eclipse.
Upon reaching his brother's home, Dante is confronted with a harrowing sight: his niece, Anella, and childhood friend, Mariska, caught in the crosshairs of danger and are missing. Men, skilled and ruthless, are hot on their trail, leaving Dante to question the depths of his brother's involvement in their perilous plight.

This book is a Paranormal Romance story but contains no sex scenes. However, there are themes of violence and human trafficking.

Preorder here

What is a Manananggal?

 My upcoming book with Pinoy Indie Collab stars a Manananggal named Beldine Rosario. I have twisted the Manananggal myth to suit my story but I have taken some things from the source materials.

The Manananggal is a legendary monster with deep roots in Filipino culture, with a long and varied history that has been influenced by many different traditions. The Filipino root of "Manananggal" is "tanggal," which means "to remove" or "to separate." The creature's ability to dissociate its upper and bottom halves inspired its moniker, which describes its nocturnal, villainous antics.

Indigenous beliefs and animism were common in the Philippines before colonization, and this is where the Manananggal had their start. Many different kinds of supernatural entities, some good and others bad, were represented in these early beliefs. These indigenous traditions mixed with Catholicism after the establishment of Spanish colonial control in the 16th century. Like many other animals in Filipino legend, the Manananggal evolved and gained a darker reputation throughout time. The Manananggal has a reputation for being linked with witches, shapeshifters, and practitioners of black magic.

Traditional depictions of the Manananggal have her disguised as a beautiful woman by day and a hideous, winged monster by night. Its alleged diet includes the hearts of unborn children and the blood of living humans. It does this by separating its top body, which grows wings and flies to its prey, from its bottom body, which remains on the ground.

I wasn't going in that direction. In my world, Beldine and her tribe are a race of creatures who are all-women. Male offspring come out as humans. The women live in the jungles of Asia, primarily in the Philippines. They were discriminated against because of the Spanish Era, calling them demons and mosntaers. When the age of medicine came, humans found out that their organs were promising. They were exactly like humans except more resilient to disease and overuse. This led to them being a highly sought commodity and thus the tribe hid themselves further. When they were decimated, Beldine, a survivor, chose to live among humans, hiding in plain sight. 

Read about the complication that came to her life: Moonlight Eclipse

Sources for the manananggal can be seen here:

https://thoughtcatalog.com/january-nelson/2018/08/the-manananggal/

https://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Manananggal

https://phspirits.com/manananggal/

My book is out on Amazon! Moonlight Eclipse

 

My new book is out on Amazon!

Click here to buy.

Moonlight Eclipse is part of a collab. For readers in the Philippines, you may pre-order printed books before Nov. 1. You may also go to Storya Kitchen Makati at 4pm Nov. 5, 2023, to join the launch and get a copy on the spot. I printed limited copies. :-)

Preorder Form: https://forms.gle/kRwSQZK1h4WcuiKF6

MANANANGGAL IN THE CITY Series Collection: A Pinoy Indie Authors Collab

The Tie That Binds by Mayumi Cruz

Naima’s War by Jean Karl Gaverza / Philippine Spirits

Moonlight Eclipse by Maita Rue

One by One by Yeyet Soriano

Maya, At Your Service by Mary Villin / Marigold Andres Uy

Expansion by Mia Daquial

My Girlfriend is a Manananggal by Keira Viresse

My Manananggal Dream by Paola Aliedo

The Groovy Manananggal by Fred Figueroa

Manananggals in the City Book List

 The Mythical Manananggal

The manananggal is a mythological creature deeply embedded in Philippine culture and mythology, distinguished by its ability to split its upper body from its bottom half, allowing flight under the cover of night. Many people are terrified of these animals because they feast on the blood of unsuspecting victims.

A Literary Collab

"Manananggal in the City" brings together the skills of nine talented Filipino Indie Authors, each of them offers their own interpretation on this captivating fable. These authors deftly integrate mythology into the busy metropolitan environment, presenting a scenario in which the supernatural coexists with everyday life.

Upcoming Titles in the Collaboration

 

1.   1. The Tie That Binds by Mayumi Cruz

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Horror

FB: MayumiCruzAuthorPage

IG: @mcruz501

www.mayumi-cruz.com

 

2.    Moonlight Eclipse by Maita Rue

Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Urban Fantasy

FB: @authormaitarue

IG: Babymoonmaita

TikTok & YouTube: @maitarue

www.MaitaRue.com

 Amazon.com/author/maitarue

3.    3. My Girlfriend Is a Manananggal by Keira Viresse

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Urban Fantasy

FB page: @KeiraViresse

IG: @keira_viresse

Linktree: linktr.ee/keira_viresse

 

4.    4. One by One by Yeyet Soriano

Genre: Crime Fiction

FB: @Yeyetsorianowrites

IG: @Yeyetsoriano

Youtube: @yeyetsoriano6242

www.yeyetsoriano.com

 

5.    5. Naima's War by Jean Karl Gaverza

Genre: Fantasy

FB&IG: @Phspirits

https://phspirits.com/

 

6.    6. My Manananggal Dream by Paola Aliedo

Genre: Urban Fantasy

FB: @paolaaliedo

 

7.    7. The Groovy Manananggal by Fred Figueroa

Genre: Fantasy

FB: @fred.figueroa2

 

8.    8. Maya, At Your Service by Marigold Andres Uy

Genre: Action, Fantasy

FB &IG: @goldenartsbymarigold

 

9.    9. Expansion by Mia Daquial

Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy

FB: @MiaDaquial

Philippine buyers can buy these books by contacting the authors on their social media account.

Ebooks and paperbacks are also available on Amazon and other digital stores on each author’s account.