Arkipelago Awakening

The debut short story collection ARKIPELAGO AWAKENING: Tales from the Filipino Fantastik by Monica T. S. Flores weaves mythology, history, and the supernatural across twenty-five interconnected tales of magical realism. Set in the Philippines, the United States, and in spaces and places in-between, the book follows Pinoy characters navigating belonging, heritage, and community, while crossing boundaries into other worlds.Modern and traditional values intersect in Southern Leyte, Oakland, Los Angeles, and Molokai, while Filipinos interact with ghosts, the undead, and cryptids. All who inhabit the archipelago traverse time and memory to connect with their families and build their homes anew. Flores is recognized by the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses in the 2026 Asian/Pacific American Heritage Reading List and is a Pushcart Prize 2027 nominee.