This Bookshop Offers Filipino Titles
Istorya Studios Bookshop fosters a love for reading within its community while prioritizing Filipiniana titles
Words Yra Luis Gener Gutierrez
Photos Istorya Studios Bookshop
March 21, 2025
In the gateway to the northern Philippines, a quiet village in Guiguinto, Bulacan, is home to a bookshop that fosters a love of reading. Once a garage, this space has transformed into a haven for Filipino titles, celebrated for their cultural significance.
Istorya Studios, both a publishing house and a bookshop, is the brainchild of visual artists Rodel Tapaya and Marina Cruz. The journey began when Rodel created a card game for his children, designed to complement their Araling Panlipunan lessons. “That's where our publishing journey started—with the cards,” he shares with Art+. “Then our love for books and book creation came to life,” he adds. “We've always dreamt of having a bookstore in the village,” Marina confesses.
Being visual artists means prioritizing the creation of art that brings them joy. This philosophy, shared by Rodel and Marina, also shaped their approach to making books. “We don’t have a target audience. What we want is to create and enjoy what we do,” Rodel explains.
Initially, they aimed to produce prints of game cards and comics, as these two media closely aligned with their artistic practice. They saw the potential to create engaging materials that could also spark conversations about history. “I want children to learn about the history of the Philippines,” Rodel shares.
This vision is reflected in the design of the bookshop’s facade, created by Archie Oclos. It portrays a grandmother telling stories to children, symbolizing the heart of their mission.
A Space For Young People To Read
Marina sees Istorya Studios Bookshop as playing a crucial role in expanding access to meaningful materials. “Bookstores, I really hope they multiply—they are pollinators of authors’ and creators’ messages,” she says.
The owners share that some visitors come to the bookshop simply to browse the titles. On one occasion, a group of children entered but immediately admitted to Marina that they didn’t like books. Undeterred, she welcomed them with a smile and said, “Perfect! We have books that you don’t need to read, you just need to look at.” She was referring to illustrated books like Mga Walang Pangalan Pero Andiyan by Archie Oclos.
Istorya Studios offers a browsing copy of every title in the shop. They believe that by providing young visitors with free access to read while they’re in the space, it will encourage them to engage with the materials and, hopefully, develop a love for reading.
When kids often reject books, the owners simply invite them to play with their educational game cards instead.
There’s a unique culture within the bookstore where people freely discuss the books they’re interested in or simply browse together. “I think that’s our biggest reward—we’ve managed to connect as humans with other humans,” Marina reflects.
Beyond this, Istorya Studios also offers activities designed to spark creativity and imagination in young visitors. Every Friday at 4:00 PM, they host a book reading session.
“The kids really listen,” Marina says. “They’re thirsty for stories, thirsty to listen,” she adds. The group of attendees varies, with the age range shifting from week to week. When the crowd consists mainly of young adults, the team switches to reading poetry instead.
“Sometimes, all they need is space or a platform—not necessarily to buy anything,” says Rodel. “Our model might not be applicable to everyone, especially from a business perspective—it doesn’t always make sense as a business model,” he continues. “But that’s not really how we view things.”
On Curating Books: Filipiniana Is A Priority
Istorya Studios Bookshop also serves another important purpose: championing Filipino titles. The books they offer are primarily works by Filipino authors, published by a variety of local publishers such as Adarna House, Anino Comics, UP Press, Grana Books, Ateneo de Manila University Press, Everything’s Fine PH, and more.
When asked why they prioritize stories that reflect the truths and experiences of Filipinos, Rodel explains simply, “There are so many talented Filipino authors and creators, but they don’t have platforms.”
He points out that many bookstores in the country predominantly offer international titles. “You know that the bookshop is there, but if you want Filipino titles, you either can’t find them or the selection is limited,” he says.
“We have a wealth of great resources, and these books represent important voices. What’s missing is the platform and the readers,” Marina emphasizes. “How do we find readers if there’s no platform?” She believes that their space plays a crucial role in bringing more attention to Filipiniana titles.
One day, a student entered the bookstore and asked her, “Ma’am, there are so many Filipino writers, right?” Marina couldn’t fault the student, as it seemed the issue extended far beyond their immediate reach. “It’s not their fault. They don’t know because they can’t find it anywhere. It’s all about policy.”
Essentiality of Reading
Istorya Studios Bookshop emphasizes the importance of reading books in an era where culture moves at an ever-accelerating pace. “The current culture we have is so fast,” Marina says. “It demands quick judgments,” something that reading actively resists. Long-form materials, like books, require readers to focus more deeply, especially on the storylines and the development of each character.
“I find it beautiful because through books, you come to understand the different voices and characters,” she shares. For Marina, books have become even more relevant today, in a time when people often struggle to understand one another. “Books help people empathize,” she emphasizes.
“For me, reading is a deep understanding of people, the author, and the environment they come from,” she adds.
Through books, Marina believes readers can see themselves reflected in a variety of characters, gaining new perspectives and insights.
The owners view literacy as a powerful gift that sparks the imagination. Sometimes, Marina hears her child say, “The book is even better than the movie,” which makes her reflect, “It’s different when it’s imagined—the way you picture it in your mind is often even more beautiful.”
