Apoy ni Lakapati [English, Graphic Novel]

A Visually Poetic Filipino Graphic Novel on Memory, Myth, and National Healing

Step into the imagined world of Bayan ng Ginhaw, a compelling “novel in pictures” by renowned Filipino contemporary artist Rodel Tapaya. Co-published with Istorya Publishing House, this 176-page hardcover graphic novel blends Philippine folklore, personal history, and social commentary in a beautifully drawn, black-and-white visual narrative.

Set in a fictional Filipino town born from Tapaya’s 2005 painting, Bayan ng Ginhaw is inhabited by symbolic characters like Pitang Tsismosa, Emong Manlalakbay, and Don Miguel—archetypes of everyday life in the Philippines. The book draws inspiration from Tapaya’s childhood in Montalban, Rizal, and echoes the mythic resonance of Gabriel García Márquez’s Macondo.

Rooted in the etymology of Ginhawa—a Filipino word meaning relief, breath, and spiritual comfort—this book evokes a deeper yearning for social and moral renewal. Through Tapaya’s striking art and allegorical storytelling, Bayan ng Ginhaw explores themes of cultural identity, historical trauma, and the dream of collective well-being (kaginhawaan) for the Filipino people.

Product Details:

• Publisher: Rodel Tapaya & Istorya Publishing House, Philippines

• Publication Date: 2023

• Format: Hardcover | 7.95 x 5.59 inches | 176 pages | Black & White

• Language: Filipino, English

• ISBN: 978-1-387-38534-8

Perfect for readers and collectors of:

• Filipino graphic novels and art books

• Contemporary Philippine literature

• Southeast Asian visual storytelling

• Cultural studies, mythology, and postcolonial narratives