Words Gabbie de la Cruz
Images Aesop Queer Library
“Being named after a master storyteller, Aesop has always been informed and inspired by literature,” opens the Aesop Philippines team. “Since its inception in 2021, the Queer Library has given a platform to underrepresented or silenced voices, affirming the ability of literature to broaden minds, embolden individuals, and foster community.”
Members of the media, guests, and Aesop patrons were invited to a preview of the Aesop Queer Library in batches, showcasing the transformation of the Aesop SM Aura store as Southeast Asia and the Philippines’ inaugural Aesop Queer Library.
For three days, Aesop SM Aura will operate not as a retail boutique, but as “a sanctuary for the written word.” Visitors are invited to walk in, browse, and step out with one complimentary book of their choice. No purchase required!
“We’ve got roughly 3,000 books for the Philippine edition,” the Aesop Philippines team told Kanto. “We all read these books and collaborated with esteemed local publishing houses like Anvil Publishing, Adarna House, and Milflores to secure copies.” Titles are mostly written by Filipino queer authors, while select ones feature pages of queer narratives written by allies.
Photographed by Gabbie de la Cruz
For three days, Aesop SM Aura will operate not as a retail boutique, but as “a sanctuary for the written word.” Visitors are invited to walk in, browse, and step out with one complimentary book of their choice. No purchase required!
“We’ve got roughly 3,000 books for the Philippine edition,” the Aesop Philippines team told Kanto. “We all read these books and collaborated with esteemed local publishing houses like Anvil Publishing, Adarna House, and Milflores to secure copies.” Titles are mostly written by Filipino queer authors, while select ones feature pages of queer narratives written by allies.
Photographed by Gabbie de la Cruz
Now in its sixth year globally, this iteration of the library is themed “Body of Work.” The concept explores the human body as a bridge between our deeply private interiority and the public world we navigate. In the context of LGBTQIA+ literature, the queer body is seen as a powerful act as it challenges entrenched assumptions and celebrates identity as an act of joyful resistance.
Photographed by Gabbie de la Cruz
The collection features 29 titles from authors such as National Artist Ricky Lee, poet Jerico Silvers, and Palanca award-winning writer Jhoanna Lyn B.Cruz:
- Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata by Ricky Lee
- Para kay B by Ricky Lee
- Kalahating Bahaghari by Ricky Lee
- Of Flowers That Bloomed in Fire by Jerico Silvers
- Of Flowers That Bloomed That Night by Jerico Silvers
- Kinaiya by Trist’n Buenaflor
- Nino Bughaw by CJ Reynaldo
- Whatcha Saying? by CJ Reynaldo
- The Gathering Bees by Chuckberry J. Pascual
- Plus/+, at Iba Plus, Maramihan by Rolando B. Tolentino and Chuckberry J. Pascual
- The Vanished by Chuckberry Pascual
- Lamyos by J. Neil C. Garcia
- Mga Batang POZ by Segundo Matias, Jr.
- Every Step in the Right Direction by Patrick Flores
- Kites in the Night by Blaise Campo Gacoscos
- Magsimula Tayo sa Panghalip by Andyleen Feje
- Beijing Comrades by Bei Tong
- Ako ay Ako by Joanna Estrela
- Naratibô by Bernadette Villanueva Neri
- Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin by Bernadette Villanueva Neri
- Kembang Kertas: Mga Binalaybay / Mga Tula by John Iremil Teodoro
- Dante, Damian, and Pascal by Levi Sabarre
- Ang Kompedio ng mga Imposibleng Bagay by Carlo Paulo Pacolor
- Tingle: Anthology of Lesbian Pinay Writing, edited by Jhoanna Lyn B.Cruz
- More Tomboy, More Bakla Than We Admit by Mark Blasius and Richard T. Chu
- Alon and Lila’s Last Summer Before Doomsday by Ingrid Valenzuela
- The Queen Lives Alone by Ronald Baytan
- Living Food by Robert Alejandro and Jetro Rafael
The Aesop Queer Library was launched in 2021 in celebration of Pride Month. The library concept began as a Women’s Library featuring female authors, with iterations ranging from complete store takeovers to intimate reading rooms. The Aesop Philippines team shares that shelves are usually cleared within two to three days, with the initiative distributing over 115,000 books as of writing. •
The Aesop Queer Library runs from June 26 to 28 at Aesop SM Aura, Taguig. Books are available until the collection is fully distributed.
