POLOMOLOK, South Cotabato — An author from South Cotabato will bring a Filipino supernatural story to an international audience this August as Gimo Jr. and the Aswang Clan makes its US physical debut at LAcon V, the 2026 World Science Fiction Convention, in Anaheim, California.
Written by Andrew Jalbuena Pasaporte, the middle-grade novel draws on the legend of Teniente Gimo and aswang lore, introducing young readers to these familiar elements of Philippine folklore through a contemporary supernatural adventure.
The book will be featured by Hot Tropiks, a California-based company that promotes Philippine books, products, and creators to readers in the United States. Hot Tropiks will bring Gimo Jr. and the Aswang Clan to LAcon V, which runs from August 27 to 31, 2026, marking the book’s first physical release for US readers.
Pasaporte’s writing has focused on stories that draw from urban legends and Philippine folklore. His works include Gimo Jr. and the Aswang Clan (2023), which follows 13-year-old Danny as he confronts a supernatural threat, and Keep Pinetown Weird (2026), a surreal collection of childhood stories rooted in folklore and small-town gossip. Both books are set in a shared universe, Pinetown, a fictional town inspired by the area where he grew up.
Taking a Filipino middle-grade title to the US market also comes with practical challenges. For an independent writer, getting a book into the hands of overseas readers involves finding distribution partners, introducing unfamiliar folklore to new audiences, and securing places where the book can be seen and purchased.
Hot Tropiks’ involvement gives Pasaporte an avenue to meet that challenge. The company has positioned LAcon V as an opportunity to introduce Filipino books and creators to an international science fiction and fantasy audience.
“Debuting at Worldcon was never something I imagined. But with Philippine mythology and folklore finding their way into more media and films, I feel that this is the right time to share these stories not only with the Filipino diaspora, but also with new audiences. I’m excited, and thanks to Hot Tropiks.”
LAcon V will bring thousands of science-fiction and fantasy readers, writers, artists, and fans to Anaheim for five days of programming and events. For a writer from Polomolok, having Gimo Jr. and the Aswang Clan at Worldcon marks an important step for a story that began with Filipino folklore.
The book will be available at the Hot Tropiks booth during the convention. Hot Tropiks has announced that more information on creator appearances, signing schedules, and other activities will be released as plans are finalized.
For Pasaporte, the US debut gives readers an opportunity to encounter a story rooted in Philippine folklore, including the aswang legend, for the first time.
