Seven Filipino Love Stories You Should Read This Pride Month (And Beyond)

Romance has always been at the heart of great storytelling. And in Filipino komiks, love takes many forms—soft, chaotic, unspoken, loud, funny, and brave. This Pride Month, we’re spotlighting seven komiks that explore the depth of human connection through stories centered on sapphic love, boys’ love, identity, heartbreak, and joy. These stories are Filipino-made and told with soul—and they’re worth reading any time of year.

1. Gigil: A Sapphic Anthology
Created by 20 talented Filipino artists, Gigil captures that overwhelming feeling of wanting, loving, or needing someone deeply. Through a series of short stories, it explores sapphic love in its many forms—shy glances, tender moments, and the ache of desire. Every page holds emotional weight, told with care and creativity.

2. Alapaap: A Collection of Filipino Boys’ Love One-Shot Komiks
Alapaap, edited by Arrel Untalan, is a full-color anthology featuring eleven short stories that dive into the many textures of boys’ love. From sweet to melancholic, each story is a standalone glimpse into the joy and uncertainty of queer romance. It’s an intimate, honest collection that highlights how varied and universal love can be.

3. Thirsty: A Filipino Boys’ Love Comics Anthology
If you’re looking for something more expansive, Thirsty delivers fifteen stories about love between men—some lighthearted, others packed with longing and tension. It’s one of the early BL anthologies to gain international attention, showcasing the richness of queer Filipino storytelling.

4. Somewhere in My Past by Gigi Chan
Set in 1980s Davao, this nostalgic, coming-of-age love story follows Gian Celis, a shy student whose world shifts when a charismatic new classmate enters his life. Gigi Chan captures that quiet, early kind of love—the kind that lingers long after the moment passes.

5. Careless x Confidential by Logihy
A mix of office politics and unresolved feelings, this story follows Florence Silva, who finds herself working under her ex-girlfriend at her dream job. It’s messy, intense, and totally relatable for anyone who’s tried to keep things “professional” while feelings still linger.

6. Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise by Tsambolero
Part love story, part surreal fantasy, this comic features Tomas, a winged creature who falls for an ordinary guy named Leo. Despite its supernatural twist, the core of this story is deeply human—about commitment, differences, and the kind of love that endures even when things get weird.

7. Zsazsa Zaturnnah by Carlo Vergara
No list would be complete without Zsazsa. This iconic Filipino superheroine transforms from a humble beautician to a powerful warrior after swallowing a mysterious stone. It’s campy, hilarious, and full of heart—blending action, queer identity, and love into one unforgettable story.

Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community or just someone who appreciates a good love story, these komiks offer something real. They remind us that love isn’t one-size-fits-all—and that the best stories are the ones that leave a mark long after you’ve closed the book.

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Hot Tropiks is a US-based distributor and publisher of Filipino books, komiks, and cultural media. We work directly with creators and indie publishers to bring fresh, original stories from the Philippines to global readers. From queer romance anthologies to folklore, kids lit, and indie comics—Hot Tropiks champions the next wave of Filipino storytelling. www.hottropiks.com