“The Tiyanak chirps like a bird. It follows its human victims by leaping after them like a nighttime animal chasing its quarry. With sharp nails it scratches the man who picks it up from the ground and fondles it erroneously thinking it is a human baby.”

- Maximo D. Ramos, Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology

 

I grew up in Sampaloc, Manila, where horror stories were a big part of how the parents and grandparents scared the kids. Not in my mom's vocabulary. My mom and I would often visit a Betamax rental on Calamba St., and I still remember the excitement of borrowing two films: Aswang, a classic Filipino Aiza horror flick, and Impakto, which takes inspiration from the Tiyanak. What struck me about both films was the richness of Filipino horror stories, and that same feeling bathed over me while reading this book.

 

Yvette Tan’s “Waking the Dead and Other Horror Stories” is a delightful plunge into the spooky and surreal, all wrapped up in a uniquely Filipino vibe. This collection is not just horror; it’s an exploration of family, folklore, and the strange ways they intertwine in our lives. One of the standout features that I want to highlight is Tan's exploration of personal and collective trauma, particularly in the story of a character in “Daddy” receiving phone calls from her deceased father. This narrative brilliantly captures the complexities of grief and the lingering connections we maintain with those we've lost, making it profoundly relatable. If I had the chance to get a phone call from my mom and hear her say “Don’t Forget,” I would think back on all our memories. I’d hold onto those wonderful times, especially when she let me pick which horror movie to borrow at the video store. Those moments shaped my introduction to horror. 

 

This book is one of those that spark your imagination and make you reflect on deeper things and it also includes diverse voices in its stories. I truly appreciate authors who write inclusively in their narratives and often represent the community properly.

 

“Waking the Dead and Other Stories” isn’t just a horror anthology; it’s a celebration of the human experience... messy, beautiful, and sometimes terrifying. If you’re looking for a book that’ll make you chuckle, shiver, and think, you’ve found your book. Grab a copy, curl up in a cozy spot, and prepare for a wonderfully haunting Filipino horror experience! Always remember that the uncanny is just lurking just around the corner, waiting to be awakened by your imagination.