Immigration Drama, Shipping Fails, Big Wins, and Must-Watch Filipino Films!

Kumusta, Bookmates!

This week has been a roller coaster. Dealing with immigration issues with my wife made it hard to concentrate on the business, but despite the chaos, we’ve got some exciting updates!

---

Good News: We’re Back to Events This Week!

We’re excited to announce our Hot Tropiks Pop-Up Event at The Pop-Hop in Highland Park, Los Angeles. Here’s what you need to know:

Event Details:
📅 Date: Saturday, August 31, 2024
⏰ Time: 12 PM - 4 PM
📍 Location: The Pop-Hop, Highland Park, Los Angeles

Event Highlights:

• 1 PM - 1:30 PM: Filipino Children's Book Reading and Discussions with Nadine
• 3 PM - 3:30 PM: Filipino Komiks Show and Tell by Angelo

We can’t wait to share Filipino stories, comics, and culture with you! It’s going to be an amazing event—don’t miss out.

---

More Good News: Zsazsa Zaturnnah Animated Film Hits Its Funding Goal!

Thanks to all of your support, the Zsazsa Zaturnnah animated film has reached its funding goal! With one week left, let’s keep pushing to hit their stretch goals and make this project even more epic.

Kickstarter Campaign

---

The Not-So-Good News: Shipping Fails

On the downside, UPS has been losing and damaging packages, so we’ve had to stop using them for our shipping services. We’re working hard to find a better solution for our international Bookmates, and for now, we’re relying on USPS, which has been getting books safely to our readers. Apologies for the inconvenience—thanks for your patience!

---

Our Crazy Immigration Drama

As if shipping issues weren’t enough, we’ve been dealing with some major immigration headaches. It’s been stressful, but we’re staying hopeful and pushing through. We’ll get past this and continue bringing you all the best Filipino books and pop culture. If you want to see how we’re handling it all, check out our YouTube channel for a behind-the-scenes look!

🔗 Hot Tropiks on YouTube

---

Films to Watch: Filipino Stories on Screen

 

Yellow Rose (2019) – Directed by Diane Paragas
Rose, a 17-year-old Filipino-American, dreams of becoming a country music star, but her life turns upside down when her mother is detained by ICE. She’s forced to choose between chasing her dreams or staying close to her family. A powerful story about resilience and hope.

Since we’ve been dealing with immigration issues, I thought it’d be fitting to recommend a film that touches on it...

Rookie (2023) – Directed by Samantha Lee
An awkward teenager, transferred to a Catholic school without a basketball team, reluctantly joins the volleyball team, but things take an unexpected turn when she meets the team’s star player. This indie gem from Manila is raw and refreshing.



Fun fact: Our partner Rexy produced this one!

Manila by Night (1980) – Directed by Ishmael Bernal
A dark, gritty portrayal of Manila's hidden nightlife, this classic film reveals the lives of ordinary people caught in the city’s underbelly. It’s an intense, provocative look at love, family, and survival.



I love indie movies about Manila, they're so raw.

Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B (2016) – Directed by Prime Cruz
A mysterious woman living alone in the city harbors a dark secret, but everything changes when she meets a broken-hearted guy who stirs feelings she’s tried to bury.



Monsters and romance... this is my jam.

Love at First Stream (2021) – Directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana
The story follows four characters—a streamer, a student, a breadwinner, and a heartthrob—as they navigate love and friendships online to escape their offline realities.



Fun fact: I'm the executive producer of this films and maybe one day ill make a YT video on how we made this movie. 

 

---

Upcoming Events Schedule

Here’s what’s on the calendar for the next few months:

• August 31 – Highland Park, Los Angeles at The Pop-Hop
• Sept 14 – National City, San Diego at FilAm CreatorCon
• Sept 28 – Seattle!!! More details to follow
• October 12-13 – FilBookFest 7, San Francisco Public Library
• October 16-20 – Frankfurt, Germany at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2024

Hope to see you at one of these events soon!

---

Featured Books of the Week

Sa Wala by Ren Galeno
When Anding stumbles upon a mysterious rooster, he thinks his luck has changed, but little does he know, this creature brings far more trouble than he bargained for.
👉 Read more

 

The Black Bestiary: An Alejandro Pardo Compendium
Explore the eerie creatures of Filipino folklore in this compendium, written by some of the most talented Filipino authors.
👉 Check it out

---

Featured Children's Books

The Amazing Beasts of Philippine Mythology
A bilingual children’s book that introduces readers to the enchanting creatures of Philippine mythology.
👉 Learn more

 

My Ghost, Where’d You Go?
A touching comic book that explores life, loss, and memory through the eyes of a little ghost.
👉 Get your copy

---

Thank you, as always, for sticking with us through the ups and downs. Your support means everything, and we’re excited to keep bringing Filipino culture to the world, no matter what obstacles come our way!

Salamat!
Angelo + Nadine
Team Hot Tropiks