Filipino Cyberpunk Novel Hits the U.S.: Step Into the D.I.E. by Just Villanueva

May 20, 2026

Do you guys ever look at sci-fi and think, where are all the "brown Asians"? When I see sci-fi, I see cyberpunk skylines of a Neo-Tokyo or the neon lights and crowded streets of Hong Kong. But what are the Filipinos up to? I want to know what people in the Tropiks are doing! Cuz the reality is that the Philippines is living on the bleeding edge of a hyper-urbanized, tech-driven tomorrow right now, and if we don't actively imagine our own future, we kinda give up the power of us shaping it. Even if our present already feels dystopian in some ways, it is time for us to step into the spotlight and write our own future.

Hot Tropiks Press: Championing Indie Pinoy Sci-Fi

At Hot Tropiks Press, we are proud champions of this movement, searching for indie stories that go completely against the grain. We’ve always been massive fans of groundbreaking local works like Maharlika and Alimuom that dare to put our voices and experiences at the center of the future.

That’s why we are so incredibly excited to bring a piece of modern Philippine cyberpunk across the ocean for its United States debut: a limited US print run of D.I.E. (Department of Irregular Elimination), Vol. 1 by indie author Just Villanueva.

Meet the Author: Just Villanueva on Reclaiming Identity

By day, Just works as an IT specialist in the Philippines, but by night, he builds these hyper-tech worlds. "I’m an author who writes sci-fi stories set in my country," Just told us. "I’m the creator of the dystopian series D.I.E. and co-creator of the sci-fi anthology Deus Ex Manila."

When we asked him what sparked D.I.E.—a dark story where the government literally hunts down citizens who can't pay taxes or fit into the corporate machine, his answer hit close to home.

"I wanted to create a futuristic Philippines that closely mirrors the one we have today, full of corruption, disinformation, and poverty, but with added elements like lasers, nanomites, and hovercars. And of course, cigarettes and jazz."

For Just, this movement is about reclaiming our identity.

"My inspiration comes from wanting more Filipino representation in sci-fi. Fantasy and horror already draw from our culture, so it feels right for sci-fi to take its place next and help us seize the future! The future of Pinoy sci-fi looks bright."

Key Details at a Glance:

The Book: D.I.E. (Department of Irregular Elimination), Vol. 1 by Just Villanueva, which is a gritty, fast-paced Filipino cyberpunk thriller.
The Release: Exclusive, limited physical print run brought to the US by Hot Tropiks Press.
The Event: Bay Area Book Festival 2026 (Outdoor Fair / Bookworm Block Party).
When & Where: Releasing Sunday, May 31, 2026, in Downtown Berkeley, CA and the week after on hottropiks.com.