Yadu Karu: Advocacy & Narratives

  For writers living outside the commercial publishing hub of Metro Manila, bringing a manuscript to print has historically meant navigating a crowded bottleneck. Short publisher lists, commercial demands, and geographic distance often leave regional voices unheard. In the provinces, however, a quiet literary movement is reshaping the landscape. Independent small presses are emerging across Mindanao and beyond, serving not merely as alternatives to Manila’s established publishing houses, but as vital bridges connecting regional writers directly with readers. In General Santos, filmmaker and writer Teng Mangansakan established Bidadali Press in 2015 to create a home for Moro and Mindanawon writers. “With some money from friends, we thought of putting up a small press that would, at that time, pave the way for books by Moro writers to be published,” Mangansakan said. What began as a modest initiative has expanded into a crucial platform for regional literature. Bidadali Press has pu...