Not the start I was hoping for…

2025 so far has been a gut punch. Fires are raging across Southern California, and high winds continue to threaten entire cities. Friends and family have lost their homes—and, heartbreakingly, some have lost their lives. On top of that, rolling blackouts have disrupted countless lives, forcing communities to navigate the dark—literally and figuratively. It’s hard to feel grounded when everything around you feels like it’s falling apart.

While dealing with these local tragedies, the publishing world is facing its own upheaval. Diamond Distribution, a cornerstone of the comics industry, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, leaving indie publishers and retailers like us unsure of what the future holds.

As if that wasn’t enough, troubling news continues to shake the creative community. The deeply unsettling allegations against Neil Gaiman have left many of us reeling. I’ve admired his work so much, and now I feel heartbroken for the victims and unsure about how to process it all.

On a personal note, my wife is still working through her green card process. The uncertainty of what a new administration brings only adds to the anxiety. I’m scared. I’m angry. And the weight of it all is overwhelming.

I feel defeated…

But even in the face of all this, I believe we have to keep moving forward. We had big plans for 2025, and now, more than ever, I think it’s time to start manifesting them. I’m putting this out there so we can hold ourselves accountable. Together, we’re going to turn this tough beginning into a year of meaningful progress and connection.

At Hot Tropiks, we’ve always been about one mission—sharing and celebrating Filipino stories and culture with the world. That doesn’t change when the world feels unsteady; in fact, it becomes even more essential during these times of uncertainty.

Despite the obstacles, we’re moving forward with our plans for 2025:

• A special screening of Alimuom in Long Beach this Saturday, January 25, 2025, in partnership with Bret Harte Library. [LINK]
• Publishing five new books under Hot Tropiks Press from Filipinos across the diaspora.
• Partnering with Team Manila to merge Filipino design with cultural storytelling.
• Hosting the first annual Bayanihan Book Time in Las Vegas on February 8, in collaboration with Plot Twist Publishing. [LINK]

These projects remind us why we do what we do. Stories have the power to connect, to heal, and to inspire.

If you’d like to help Filipino American families displaced by the fires, SoCal Filipinos has created an amazing list of resources, and you can contribute here: [Link]. We’re doing this because we believe in the power of bayanihan—the spirit of collective effort. It’s what keeps us going when things feel impossible.

So here’s to 2025—not because it started how we wanted, but because we’re determined to make it better. We’re committed to the journey, no matter how rough the road may get. Let’s work to understand and support each other, even when it feels difficult. In challenging times, our connections matter most.