Book recommendations, hauls, reading slumps and goals, BookTok, and Bookstagram—do any of these terms ring a bell?
Avid bookworms and non-readers alike have probably seen these buzzwords several times on their timelines already. They represent the rapidly growing communities of readers around the world who’ve taken their love for books to social media. For years, these thriving virtual groups have championed vast selections of titles, authors, and advocacies; however, the question still stands: what place does Philippine literature hold in these vast online spaces?
For content creators Kathryn “Kat” Leonorio and Saimon “Sai” Perez, the answer is right in front of us. Local literature and the authors who keep it alive have always been around. Others just don’t know where to look yet.
Sai (left) and Kat (right) of Akdang Pinoy. Photo: Akdang Pinoy
That’s why Kat and Sai founded Akdang Pinoy, a multi-purpose online platform and creative avenue with a lifelong goal of championing Filipino books, identities, and experiences across all generations. The project’s engaging content ranges from the classics we’ve learned to love in school to contemporary titles that are blazing trails for the local literary scene.
Now in its second year, Akdang Pinoy is commemorating Buwan ng Wika through its annual month-long online reading marathon—a readathon, for short. Every bookish Filipino is contributing to this productive and informative challenge. Here’s why you should, too, while there’s still time.
Akdang Pinoy’s Origin Story
View this post on Instagram
Kat and Sai’s aims and objectives for Akdang Pinoy have always been community-oriented. They ultimately strive to encourage their fellow book lovers to honor the country’s literature without prejudice.
“[Akdang Pinoy] grew out of our shared desire to foster a space where Filipino readers could actively celebrate and support homegrown literature,” the duo shared. “What started as a small online initiative to encourage readers to pick up a Filipino book has since expanded into a community-wide challenge embraced by long-time and new readers. We were inspired by the thought that Philippine literature deserves to be spotlighted more consistently, most especially during Buwan ng Wika.”
Every year, the readathon opens doors for Filipino readers, authors, and advocates to spark conversations about their favorite works and hidden gems. The challenge follows genre-based prompts that participants can use to curate their reading lists:
- P for a Filipino poetry collection or chapbook,
- I for an illustrated book (like komiks or graphic novels),
- N for non-fiction,
- O for a book outside your comfort zone, and
- Y for your favorite genre.
Throughout August, Filipino content creators, book clubs, and communities have collaborated with Akdang Pinoy to share their readathon lineups. Each post has highlighted the diverse and boundless scope of Philippine literature, where our history, culture, identities, and beliefs are brought to life by talented Filipino authors.
When Pages Meet Purpose
View this post on Instagram
A 2024 BusinessWorld report shows a 42% decline in adult book readership in the Philippines. Moreover, the National Book Development Board (NBDB) cited social media as a primary distraction that has hindered today’s youth from consistently enriching their minds and skills through books.
This drastic decrease in Filipinos’ readership—as well as the literacy crisis it has prompted—has compelled Kat and Sai to utilize Akdang Pinoy as a way to understand the stories behind these statistics. They saw no point in responding to the numbers with great disdain. Instead, their emerging online space has advocated for accessible and inclusive communities where local literature can flourish in times that threaten to erase and silence it.
For the founders, Filipino authors from all walks of life deserve to be widely recognized and appreciated in both local and global spaces. It’s one of Akdang Pinoy’s top priorities, they elaborated, alongside cultivating a stronger reading culture nationwide.
“We also hope to encourage Filipinos to initiate conversations on identity, culture, and creativity across all genres,” Kat and Sai added. Although most of us have already explored these eye-opening subjects in classes and electives, Akdang Pinoy expands these discussions beyond the classroom’s four walls.
No matter how Filipinos define reading—as a hobby, an academic practice, a discipline, or an artistic outlet—the common denominator lies in its ability to help us learn. Books, especially ones that pay homage to the country’s culture and history, remind us of the irreplaceable power that education and knowledge hold as a human right.
Exploring Philippine Literature Beyond Our Bookshelves
View this post on Instagram
Unlike books that gather dust on our shelves until we revisit them, Akdang Pinoy doesn’t just host a readathon every August and stay dormant for the rest of the year. As they grow into a fully fledged online community, Kat and Sai are cooking up more insightful projects to accompany their yearly challenge.
First up is The Filipino Shelf Book Tour, Akdang Pinoy’s nonprofit channel dedicated to promoting local books, authors, and events in Philippine literature. They host book giveaways, cover reading get-togethers in the metro, and attend nationwide literary conventions, such as the Philippine Book Festival (PBF).
Another one of Akdang Pinoy’s thoughtful initiatives is its Filipino Authors in Focus series. Every few days, Akdang Pinoy features notable contemporary authors and their latest bookish endeavors. Writers also share their views and aspirations on the current state of Philippine literature. These exclusive question-and-answer sessions introduce readers to the various genres of Filipino narratives and promote opportunities for aspiring authors to make their mark in the field.
“We’re always heartened by how the community continues to grow every year. The joy comes not only from readers completing the challenge, but also from seeing discussions, recommendations, and friendships bloom because of a shared love for Akdang Pinoy,” Kat and Sai shared, looking back fondly on the project’s fruitful journey so far. “We believe this is the true heart of the project: to remind us that our stories matter, and that Filipino literature deserves to be read, celebrated, and passed on.”
There’s no telling how the future of Philippine literature will pan out. But Akdang Pinoy affirms that Filipinos’ powerful stories are here to stay, and they’re certainly in great hands.
ALSO READ: BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: Filipino Historical Fiction Books to Read
Are you participating in this year’s Akdang Pinoy Readathon? What are your current reads and recommendations by Filipino authors? Share your picks with us in the comments below!
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com’s Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com community at WIM Squad, and join our Viber group to stay updated with the latest around the Philippines and beyond!
