Bawal Book Club Jan 2026 — MAHARLIKA Volume 1

November 18, 2025

Welcome to the Bawal Book Club, Hot Tropiks’s monthly reading community for Filipino and Southeast Asian stories. Our first-ever pick is Maharlika Volume 1, the Filipino sci-fi comic created by Rexy Dorado and John Ray.

Why Maharlika?

Maharlika is Filipino science fiction at full force. A bold mix of action, culture, mystery, and worldbuilding.

What it’s about:
Over a century after the Philippines wins its revolution against Spain, the country sits at the center of a global superpower that is starting to fall apart.
Two childhood friends, Mal and Yari, reunite on a mercenary mission that spirals into a chain of strange events along the Pasig River.
A dog and its doppelganger.
A missing scientist.
A briefcase hiding a secret buried in history itself.

What they uncover could reshape their entire world.

Readers call it “absolutely insane,” “gripping,” “unpredictable,” and “a must-read for every Filipino sci fi fan.”

How the Bawal Book Club Works

1. Get the Book

Choose your format:
• Physical copy at HotTropiks.com
• Digital copy from the creators

2. Join the Facebook Community

All discussion, updates, prompts, and livestream info live inside the Bawal Book Club Group on Facebook.

3. Read at your own pace

We do have Weekly Author Prompts (Sundays)

These appear in the Facebook group and guide your reading experience.

• Dec 15 — Weekly Author Prompt 1
• Dec 22 — Weekly Author Prompt 2
• Dec 29 — Weekly Author Prompt 3
• Jan 5 — Weekly Author Prompt 4
• Jan 12 — Weekly Author Prompt 5 + question collection for the creators

4. Creator Livestream

• January 18, 2026
• 6:00 PM Pacific Time

What Happens During the Creator Livestream

You’ll be able to:
• Ask questions
• Hear behind-the-scenes stories
• Learn how the world and characters were built
• Connect with other Filipino lit and comic fans