International Women's Day: Quotes From 5 Filipina Fictionists

March 09, 2022

Cover Photo; Patrick Tomasso / Unsplash

Celebrate International Women's Day by reading books written by Filipina writers and their memorable quotes to live by

Update your reading list by including a few books written by incredible female fictionists from the Philippines just in time for Women's Month. You'll find that it won't take long before you become fully immersed in the worlds that these authors have created. Read on to learn more about these Filipina writers and their famous quotes to live by in every aspect of life:

1. Jessica Zafra

Above Photo: jessicarulestheuniverse.com

That's the thing about a great book. Every time you read it, it's different, because you're different. You've changed since the last time you picked it up, things have happened to you.

— Jessica Zafra

The Collected Stories of Jessica Zafra is composed of short fiction from her two books: The Stories so Far (2016) and Manananggal Terrorizes Manila and Other Stories (1992). Zafra's readers admire her humour and eloquence in writing stories with dark themes. James Hamilton-Paterson described her as a "natural short story writer". She has won three Palanca Awards—two of which was under the Short Fiction category. Apart from giving writing workshops at the Writing Boot Camp, Zafra has hosted several shows on TV and radio including The Sanity Maintenance Program on Studio B.

2. Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo

Above Image Courtesy of Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo

The journal records the narrative now. And the tales retrieve the past.

— Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo

It's hard to forget the characters you meet and learn in Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo's stories. Apart from being a pioneer of creative non-fiction in the Philippines, the multi-awarded author has produced several works in other genres including fiction. She is the author of the epistolary novel Recuerdo, a story that is told through a collection of email messages. Hidalgo also has published short story collections such as Catch A Falling Star and Collected Stories and Tales which was recently released. She has won over 10 awards and published textbooks on non-fiction, travel essays, and literary criticism to name a few.

3. FH Batacan

Above Photo: penguin.com.au

We are powerless when we wait for other people to act on our behalf. Yes, that's it. The truly powerful man is the man who stands alone.

— FH Batacan, 'Smaller and Smaller Circles'

The Philippines' first modern crime novel, Smaller and Smaller Circles, is written by Filipino journalist and fictionist Felisa Batacan, famously known as FH Batacan. Set in the Philippines, the novel follows the investigation of two Catholic priests who are eager to uncover the mystery behind the killings. Years after the novel was released, the book was adapted into a film. The book received recognition at the Palanca Awards and Philippine National Book Awards. For a thrilling read, consider adding this novel to your list.

4. Gina Apostol

Above Photo: amazon.com

Words are all we have to save us...but at the same time, they are not enough to make us whole.

— Gina Apostol, 'Gun Dealer's Daughter'

If you're fascinated with history and crime, look into the decorated fictionist Gina Apostol's stories. She is the author of the novels Insurrecto, Gun Dealers' Daughter, Bibliolepsy and The Revolution According to Raymundo Mata. Her historical novels provide a new perspective on significant events in the Philippines and a voice to the women characters in her stories.

5. Cyan Abad-Jugo

Above Photo: amazon.com

It’s only when I write things down that I become clear to myself. I would like to make writing my advocacy. Everyone should write and clarify themselves to themselves.

— Cyan Abad-Jugo

Whether you'd like to revisit your childhood or read to your little ones, consider reading Cyan Abad-Jugo's children's stories that include wonderful illustrations like Letters from Crispin, The Looking Glass Tree and Yaya Maya and the White King. Most of her works, including the novel Salingkit and the short story collection Sweet Summer and Other Stories, add an interesting and insightful twist to history and Philippine mythology. She has also published a book with her father Gémino H. Abad titled Father and Daughter: The Figures of Our Speech. Recently, she has published Leaf and Shadow: Stories About Some Friendly Creatures which won second place at the Palanca Awards.