A talking cat, a divided world of Neithers, and a girl searching for meaning — these are the realms E. Manawari brings to life in The Bathala Games. A fantasy adventure that lives up to its name, the novel invites readers to journey through a story that honors the Filipino spirit, from mythical beings of old to the customs that shape our everyday life. In doing so, the story earns its merit as a thrilling, fantastical tale.

But long before she imagined high gods, monsters, and magical realms, Manawari was a fifth grader encouraged by a teacher who saw promise in her words. And beyond the fantastical world she has built, the writer herself reveals that the path to storytelling is an adventure of its own. 

Young beginnings

While many writers ventured into writing influenced by a love for books and their favorite stories, Manawari began to know the craft during her elementary years when a teacher praised her writing.

From there she continued to write and create stories until high school, where she ventured into journalism, although she paused for a time before rediscovering storytelling through Wattpad.

For nearly a decade since 2013, she wrote under a different pen name, publishing stories online with little expectation beyond sharing them with readers. Over time, however, the manuscripts piled up, and there were more stories she felt were too meaningful to leave behind; and there she decided to pursue writing more seriously. 

Manawari started working with editors, as well as revisiting earlier works with fresh perspective, and what once followed a write-and-publish rhythm evolved into a more “intentional” creative process.

That same year, she achieved the unexpected milestone of a publishing deal with Penguin Random House Southeast Asia. Penguin is among the world’s top publishers.

The opportunity, she shares, came unplanned at all. Encouraged by a fellow writer to submit her manuscript, she had only followed the publisher’s guidelines and turned her work in. Within a month, Penguin had sent a response, and weeks later she received a most-awaited contract offer.

“It felt surreal,” she shares, noting that she didn’t have to go through agent-hunting for publishing offers. “Publications like this seemed distant for me noon, even impossible. Kasi ‘di ba, usually, kailangan mo muna ng agent, tapos ibang process pa ‘yung paghanap sa kanila.” 

(Because usually, you’d need an agent first, and there’s a different process altogether just searching for agents to represent you.)

A story years in the making

The Bathala Games traces its origins to 2017, when she wrote the story for a children’s book competition — her first time writing in the genre. Having written across multiple genres, including romance and speculative fiction, she challenged herself to create a story rooted in Philippine mythology.

Although the manuscript did not win, feedback suggested the work was better suited for older readers. Undeterred, she self-published an earlier version in 2018 and later shared it online — over time, however, the story went stagnant and faded from circulation. 

By 2024, she found her place in the escritoire once again. Manawari went over the manuscript of The Bathala Games, and revised the narrative that had been in a years-long development which, unbeknownst to her, would be the final stretch before striking a deal with the Big Five publisher.

Manawari describes herself as a “proud pantser” — a writer who does not rely on meticulously detailed outlines. Ideas, for her, often begin with a single scene or emotion, allowing the story to unfold organically. Now, while crafting fantastical elements came naturally to her, she found emotional and interpersonal scenes more challenging. The “challenge,” she said, lies in striving to make characters relatable, particularly for younger readers. 

“I want young readers to resonate with my main character. You want realistic interactions. Things they’d see themselves doing in the daily,” she said.

The novel’s protagonist, Chi, reflects this intention. Unlike many main characters in mainstream fantasy, Chi is level-headed and introspective. Despite being a teenager — usually the age wherein one is reckless and irritable — Chi is patient, strong on the inside, and has the ability to influence others without losing her sense of self.

“She’s very patient, understanding, pero not to the point na magpapaapi siya (but not to the point that she will let herself be bullied),” she said.

Mythology and identity

Drawing from Filipino folklore, the novel introduces readers to diwata, duwende, bakunawas, and other mythological beings, while also exploring themes of belonging and self-discovery. For Manawari, mythology is not merely a backdrop but a lens in which contemporary realities can be told and reexamined.

She also shines the spotlight on underrepresented and endangered animals, inspired in part by her adoption of a stray cat. 

“So I adopted a stray cat, and I said, ‘I’m going to make you a nepo baby and include you in my book!’” she shared animatedly. “But anyway, I thought, why not include our endangered species, our underrated animals? The puspins, aspins; our eagles, we should show appreciation for them.”

These elements reflect a broader desire to celebrate often overlooked aspects of Filipino culture and everyday life. Her novel, she said, was also a gateway to introducing other parts of our culture and wildlife.

While Penguin SEA has positioned the novel for younger audiences, Manawari reveals that she also wrote with adult readers in mind. Through Chi’s experiences, personal struggles, and overall adventures, she hopes readers of all ages may find reflection and connection.

“I hope whoever reads Chi — and of course, there are also many other characters in the story — kids or adults, see themselves in her. I want them to relate, to have them go through an adventure alongside the main character.”

Her experience navigating the publishing landscape, both independently and within traditional systems, has shaped her perspective on the evolving literary scene. She acknowledges the challenges while expressing optimism about growing representation for Filipino stories on the global stage.

“We’re at the door that can lead us to a wider audience,” she said. “Our mythology is rich — I know many already say that, but it’s true — and there is so much more to share.

“I hope, in the future, Philippine mythology’s reach comes close to the popularity of Greek or Norse mythology.”

For aspiring writers interested in Filipino and Southeast Asian culture and mythology, her advice is simple: begin with what you know. While research remains essential, she encourages writers not to be overwhelmed by the breadth of cultural material.

“You don’t have to include everything,” she said. “Start with what resonates with you.”

From a fifth-grade classroom to global publication, the path of Manawari is reflective of the very themes found in her work: our tenacity, identity, and the courage to explore unknown paths. Through The Bathala Games, she not only crafts a world of myth and adventure but also affirms the enduring power of Filipino storytelling.

And, much like her protagonist, her journey suggests that the most meaningful discoveries often begin within. – Rappler.com

Angel Baleña is a Rappler intern studying Creative Writing at University of the Philippines Diliman.