Beyond Manila: How Small Presses Are Reshaping Philippine Literature

 

For writers living outside the commercial publishing hub of Metro Manila, bringing a manuscript to print has historically meant navigating a crowded bottleneck. Short publisher lists, commercial demands, and geographic distance often leave regional voices unheard.

In the provinces, however, a quiet literary movement is reshaping the landscape. Independent small presses are emerging across Mindanao and beyond, serving not merely as alternatives to Manila’s established publishing houses, but as vital bridges connecting regional writers directly with readers.

In General Santos, filmmaker and writer Teng Mangansakan established Bidadali Press in 2015 to create a home for Moro and Mindanawon writers.

“With some money from friends, we thought of putting up a small press that would, at that time, pave the way for books by Moro writers to be published,” Mangansakan said.

What began as a modest initiative has expanded into a crucial platform for regional literature. Bidadali Press has published two major anthologies of Bangsamoro writing: Rays of the Invisible Light and In Transit: Selected Works from Bangsamoro Literary Review 2021–2025.

The press also published Mangansakan’s short story collection, Closing Party and Other Stories, recognized by Rolling Stone Philippines among its notable books of 2025.

This year, Bidadali is taking another step toward developing new literary voices, particularly young Moro writers, through the publication of poetry chapbooks. Saquina Karla Guiam's Archipelagic and Jamil E. Mabandis's Lanitan: Poems in Maguindanaon and English are scheduled to be released in time for the Manila International Book Fair in September.

Poetry often struggles in commercial publishing, where novels and mainstream nonfiction dominate. Yet for emerging writers working in regional languages, chapbooks offer an accessible first entry into print.

Similar efforts are taking root across the southern Philippines. In Cagayan de Oro, Nadine Hendrikka Legaspi founded Papel Papel OPC to cultivate space for books outside traditional circuits. In Tacurong City, poet Gerald Galindez, who writes as Aswang K. Queso, runs Tridax Zines, a grassroots project embracing handmade zine culture.

Operating a regional press carries steep economic hurdles. Paper costs, shipping logistics, and small print runs make independent publishing financially precarious. Geographic realities compound the problem: distributing books from Manila to the provinces is expensive, while regional presses face equal difficulty reaching capital-area bookstores.

Because of this, Mangansakan emphasizes that regional publishing requires rigorous editorial standards, not just passion.

“If regional publishing is to create a lasting literary ecosystem, its books must be edited carefully, designed professionally, produced well, and presented to readers with the same seriousness afforded to books from larger houses,” Mangansakan said.

Unlike corporate publishers, small presses can take artistic risks. They champion works in Maguindanaon, Maranao, Cebuano, Filipino, and English, filling a critical gap in national literature.

Rather than relying solely on traditional bookstores, these presses reach readers through social media, book launches, academic networks, and festivals.

The name Bidadali, a Maguindanaon word for a mythical water spirit, reflects this transformative intent to transport readers into new worlds.

Looking ahead, Mangansakan aims to widen the passage for emerging authors. “We look forward to publishing at least six titles in the next year,” he said.

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(First published in PhilStar.com)