Randy Ribay's Patron Saint of Nothing looks at the president's war on drugs through a whole new perspective. After his cousin's murder, Filipino-American protagonist, Jay Reguero, flies to the Philippines to uncover the truth. Complex and emotional, the story was written by Ribay as a way to connect to his Filipino roots. In an interview with NPR, he said: "I created [Patron Saints of Nothing], ultimately, as a way to confront that question: What's my role as a Filipino American who is at once connected, but also an outsider to what's happening in the Philippines."

See also: Tokyo Olympics 2021: Meet Filipino Representatives Carlos Yulo, Hidilyn Diaz, And More

National Artist, Nick Joaquin, shares with us his penchant for storytelling through A Prevalence of Witches or the Exorcists. The book contains an anthology of stories, all of which are inspired by true events which have made headlines on the news. The book is as creepy as it sounds, and just as delicious for those late night hours you want to cuddle up with a book. 

Written by local author, Edgar Calabia Samar, the Janus Silang series is a set of Filipino novels written in Tagalog. It's an easy read, especially for people who are more acquainted with Filipino. It follows the adventures of its namesake protagonist, Janus Silang, as he investigates the mysterious deaths of his fellow video game players. Soon, he uncovers a fantastic though terrifying turn of events in his very own home.

Read more: 8 Of The Best Filipino Chocolate Brands: Auro, Tigre Y Oliva, And More

You may have watched Trese on Netflix; if you have, then it's time to read the books! With multiple volumes, the world of Trese is as evocative as it is online. Plus, reading the graphic novel will give more meaning to the nuances of Alexandra Trese, Crispin, Basilio, and all the other characters on the show. (Not to mention, the art is fantastic in and of itself!)

Read more: Trese: A Quick Guide On The Monsters Of Philippine Folklore—Who Is Friendly And Who Is Not?