3 of 13: Interviews with authors of hot Vibal titles

 

At the Vibal Grand Launch during the Philippine Book Festival 2025 (from left) Gelo Lopez, Vibal's Chief Product Officer and Kristine Mandigma, Vibal Group president/ CEO and Vibal Foundation Executive Director pose with the authors/editors/illustrators of their new titles: Dr. Luisa Camagay, Danielle Florendo, Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, Victor Ocampo, Randy Valiente, Mina Esguerra, Nikki Alfar, Dean Francis Alfar, and Atty. James Latiph.

Summer vacation is upon us and for bookworms, that means more time to get lost in other worlds by swimming in words while flipping through pages.

Vibal Foundation, Inc. has got you covered. At the recent Philippine Book Festival 2025 held at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, the company via "Vibal Grand Launch" unveiled 13 new titles under 

5 new imprints, created by 17 authors, illustrators, and editors–all under one publishing powerhouse.

This marks a significant expansion of its trade publishing catalog that has traditionally focused on educational materials and non-fiction literature. From chick lit and speculative fiction, to poetry, and graphic novels, Vibal is name to imagine!

Vida New Adult

Vida New Adult welcomes readers into the realm of stories that articulate the life and love experiences of “new adults”— those aged 18 to 30. 

With Mina V. Esguerra at the helm as editor-at-large, Vida New Adult aims to resonate with the trials and triumphs of navigating the thrilling yet daunting journey of independence.

Under this new imprint are three new titles: "Interim Goddess of Love," "Queen of the Clueless," and "Icon of the Indecisive" written also by Esguerra. 

This enchanting trilogy blends humor, romance, and the vibrant elements of mythology, telling the story
of a young woman discovering love, identity, and the intricate dynamics of relationships—all while
juggling the immense responsibility that comes with being the Goddess of Love.

Watch our interview with Mina here:

Paradox

Vibal introduces this imprint dedicated to speculative fiction, which will showcase fantasy, science fiction, and horror narratives rooted in Filipino creativity. The collection, curated by Dean Francis Alfar, an award-winning author and pivotal figure in Philippine speculative fiction, promises to blend the mythic contours of our past with imaginative futures.

Two new titles are available: "New Philippine Speculative Fiction 1," edited by specific stalwarts Dean Francis and Nikki Alfar, to showcase fantasy, horror, science fiction, and everything in between; the past intertwining with the future; and narratives interspersed with wonder and melancholy—demonstrating the rich variety of speculative fiction in the Philippines. 

The other book is "The Infinite Library and Other
Stories" by Victor Fernando Ocampo, as a collection of loosely connected stories that push the
boundaries of form and genre, blending realism, speculative fiction, and experimental narrative.

Grafika

Aimed at elevating Filipino comics and graphic novels, Grafika will broaden public interest in this vibrant art form. 

Edited by celebrated illustrator Randy Valiente, the imprint seeks to bridge the gap between
visual storytelling and literature, highlighting both classic and modern narratives that reflect our rich
culture.

Its first title is "Nagalit ang Aswang sa Mahal ng Bawang," a graphic novel written by Valiente and illustrated by Aurelio Castro III. This book is about the aswang as a phenomenon of the modern age, where every event will not occur without the accompanying pang of hunger. While the town offers blood for the welfare of its citizens, the aswang sucks the blood that flows through it for its own flesh. How exactly did the aswang come to be, and why does it harbor a hatred for the value of garlic?

Watch our interview with Randy here:

Paralumanq

Under editor-at-large and acclaimed screenplay writer Jerry B. Gracio, Paraluman will feature a captivating collection of novels, stories, poems, and essays written in Filipino, English, and various Philippine dialects. The works will explore deep themes of personal aspiration and social consciousness, stimulating rich discussions among readers.

First to be launched is a poetry collection entitled "Panunumbalik sa Gomorrah" by Harold John L. Fiesta. The book offers a glimpse into the woven experiences of the author’s life through a bold and raw collection of poems. He will trace paths that are rarely explored and confront the complex burdens of hearsay. In the collection, one will find the paradox of stories hidden violently yet with caution, painful yet tempered.

Esther

Named after the influential foundress Esther A. Vibal, this new children’s imprint aims to push the
boundaries of children’s literature in the Philippines.

 

Illustrating the artistic and literary potential of

storytelling for young readers, Esther will present innovative and engaging works that embrace diverse perspectives and challenge conventional narratives.

Under the imprint is the series called “Bakit List” which aims to answer “many whys you need to know about how our body works.

The series aims to combine storytelling with educational principles. Each story in this series touches on scientific, physiological, and medical principles, which are discussed in a very engaging way. 

Its first title is "Rak en Rol Eyeball! (Bakit Tayo Nananaginip?)/ Rock and Roll Eyeball!
(Why Do We Dream?)" which is available in Filipino and English. With 72 pages and in hardbound and
softbound versions, this picture book uses words and illustrations to combine storytelling with
educational principles, to discuss health-related topics in a very engaging way.

The book is written by Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, who is a renowned doctor and author of more than 70
children’s books, and illustrated by Danielle Florendo, a multi-awarded illustrator based in Baguio City.

Watch our interview with Dr. Luis here:

Referencia, Academica, and Clasica

Aside from the titles under the new imprints, Vibal is also launching a set of new titles under the existing
non-fiction imprints Referencia, Academica Filipina+, and Filipiniana Clasica.

Atty. James Latiph is the author of "Mastering the Games of Politics: How to Win Hearts, Sway Minds," and "Secure Victories" – where he solidifies his expertise as both an election lawyer and campaign strategist into a concise yet powerful guide to navigating the ever-evolving Philippine political landscape.

"More Pinay Than We Admit 2: The Filipina Emerges from the Margins" edited by the esteemed Maria Luisa T. Camagay, explores the multifaceted roles of Filipino women during the Spanish, American, and contemporary eras of Philippine history. This collection explores the development of Filipino women over time, from how they were perceived and controlled to the ways they resisted and redefined their identities through time.

Author Gaspar Vibal meanwhile releases "El Español en Filipinas, The History of the Spanish Language, the Academia Filipina, and Hispano-Filipino Culture, 1924-2024," which charts the vicissitudes of the Spanish language in the postcolonial Philippines, beginning with the traumatic rupture with Spain in 1898. 

The text also explores the development of Hispano-Filipino culture from the late nineteenth century through the American occupation, the Spanish Civil War, and World War II, events that drastically impacted Spanish-speaking communities.

The third edition of Ferdinand Blumentritt’s "Dictionary of Philippine Mythology" is a landmark work that paved the way for the scholarly exploration of the mythological traditions of the Philippines.

Originallyq published as "Diccionario mitológico de Filipinas" in 1895, this English-translated edition brings new life to one of the earliest and most comprehensive studies of the deities, spirits, and supernatural beings that inhabit the belief systems of the archipelago’s diverse ethnolinguistic groups.