Insect Hag and Other Stories

by Yvette Tan

Yvette Tan's third short story collection brings you an infestation of love, death, and pests.

Shari seeks the help of an insect hag to cure the boils on her boyfriend's body, and maybe get answers for the disembodied voice cursing her. Rhys searches for the grave of an old friend—where something, or someone, awaits him. In the lone novella, Joy unearths her grandmother's anting-anting to avenge her murdered husband.

These are some of the stories in Insect Hag and Other Stories, warning you of seen and unseen forces that root themselves firmly in this plane, seeking revenge and solace. Each one is told with folk realism and a creeping unease that have long secured Yvette Tan's place as the queen of Philippine horror stories.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Short Story Collection, Fantasy

144 pages, Paperback

Published March 13, 2025

About the author

YVETTE NATALIE U. TAN is a Manila-based horror writer. Her works have been published in The Philippine Free Press, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Manila Times, Uno magazine, Rogue magazine, Story Philippines, and the Philippine Genre Stories, among others.

Her fiction has also appeared in anthologies such as Sleepless in Manila and Philippine Speculative Fiction II and III.

Reviews

[Neil Franz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.25 stars

Insect Hag and Other Stories is a short story collection that brought an eerie feeling over me. All six (6) stories have their own distinct brand of horror.

First of the Gang is the best opener, in my opinion (not because it has “first” in the title), offering a captivating mystery of baggies and consequences. Jimwel is an interesting character, and I was just as mystified as Tobi and Greg about what happened to him. The story feels strange and familiar—people trying their luck and/or wishing for necessity and convenience, and paying the price.

Surprisingly, Wings is my favorite among the six. I love how atmospheric it is from beginning to end. It starts slow but steady. The buildup is superb, and the backstory adds to the anticipation. It’s also sad and hits hard, especially upon learning what happened to Angel. And the ending was perfect for me. A haunting mix of love, grief, and terror.

Pwera Usog, though my least favorite, still got me thinking:
Nabati o nausog ba talaga si Jake? Or is that just how life is for him?
Kulang ba ang laway? Sangkaterba ba dapat ang pinahid dahil matagal na nangyari ang pagbati?
Inusog siguro talaga ni Tita Mona si Jake for some reason, no?
Something along those lines.

Hotel Vacui would be my most favorite if it weren’t so bitin. I want—no, need—more! Dito talaga ako kinabahan nang malala. Natakot talaga ‘ko sa nangyayari at mangyayari. But unfortunately, hanggang doon na lang siya. It feels like I was watching an edited episode of Shake, Rattle, and Roll on Tiktok.

Insect Hag, the story after which the book is named, is pure genius. A mambabarang who’s also an entomologist? Ganda! I enjoyed reading this story even if it was a little bit cheesy. And the boils, larvae, flies? Disgusting—I don’t even want to imagine it.

And finally, the crowd favorite, Antingera, is remarkable, relevant, and satisfying. My heart ached again after reading this war on drugs novella with a twist. It involves witchcraft, and it’s perfectly woven into the storyline. Nakakainit talaga ng dugo kapag nakakabasa ako ng mga kuwentong ganito—but Antingera also helped relieve the anger and pain. It was a perfect finale for this collection.

To wrap this up: I don’t know if I did enough to give Insect Hag the praise it deserves, but you can ignore this review and go grab a copy for yourself. Trust me—it’s worth it.

[ian without an e · Rating 4 out of 5]

My third Yvette Tan book and my new favorite from her collection. The novella “Antingera” is the definitely my favorite story and couldn’t be more timely since the recent developments about bringing justice for the victims of EJK during the Duterte Administration.

Rating for each story:

First of the Gang - 3🌟
Wings - 3 🌟
Pwera Usog - 3.5 🌟
Horror Vacui - 3.5 🌟
Insect Hag - 4 🌟
Antingera - 5 🌟

Stories ranked:

1.) Antingera
2.) Insect Hag
3.) Horror Vacui
4.) Pwera Usog
5.) Wings
6.) First of the Gang

[Pam Z (Pam's Shenanigans) · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's just something about folk horror that hits the spot when done right! I recommend Insect Hag and Other Stories if you're looking for these:

#1 - Horror stories set in a backdrop of folk realism, the supernatural, and Filipino superstitions

Hailing from the province of Bulacan, I grew up witnessing and being surrounded by superstitions. Usog, bales, bati? Even visits to albularyos are deemed pretty normal for things that cannot be explained nor treated by science. And I believe them even until now! So reading Insect Hag was a horrific treat at that.

Each story features characters in search of answers and cures for ailments of the heart, curses, and life’s misfortunes. While all of the stories delivered an equal sense of unease and satisfaction, the story “Antingera” was the most impactful of all because of the raw grief and desperation emanating from each line. It had me going like “You know what, revenge murder is okay! Go get them, joy!” It also tackles the cruelty and wickedness of the war on drugs and spins it off in a way that the supernatural meets reality!

#2 - Vivid imagery that doesn’t rely on “jumpscares”

What I like about Yvette Tan’s writing is that it’s intentional and vivid. She packs so much punch in a sentence that you won’t be left hanging after every short story. She could be describing a barrio or what a talisman looks like or what the albularyo’s room looks like, but they’re all vital to the story! Each detail, paired with harrowing illustrations by Malayo pa ang Umaga, added an overall impact to the setting of the story.

#3 - It is ultimately a reminder that OUR reality is the true horror

Although folk realism is at the heart of this collection, ultimately, they are all rooted in true horror, which is real life, our reality. Each character was living their own version of reality anchored on real-life shit like death of a loved one, the drug war, fear of abandonment, and wishing for a better life. And that’s one of the beauties of Insect Hag and other stories, which resonated with me.

You can also watch the video version of this review HERE

[Rish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compared to Yvette Tan’s other books, Insect Hag is a collection of only six stories. Although it contains fewer stories, I think it feels heavier as it explores grief, especially since Antingera is the longest story in the collection and the one where I placed the most book tabs. First of the Gang and Antingera are two of my favorites from this collection. Antingera is definitely the scariest of all the stories because it tells a tale we are all too familiar with and one that holds so much truth, as it was inspired by a photo taken by Raffy Lerma during the drug war.

I recommend starting Yvette’s books from their publication date because it is evident how much she has grown as a writer. Seek Ye Whore remains my favorite in terms of story selection, but Insect Hag best showcases her elegant prose.

[Beatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love horror, this one is for you. Insect Hag and Other Stories by Yvette Tan is the third horror anthology collection that has a theme of real-life / realistic horror stories. It has witchcraft, Filipino superstitions / beliefs and grief. Each story is atmospheric and well-detailed — you can read this at night since it’s soft core horror. The illustrations are simple and it adds the creepy vibe especially on the last story.

I am sharing to you my top 3 stories:

•Antingera•
— you’ve got to save the best for last because this is timely to what happened during former President Duterte’s regime but add some paranormal twist to it. I love the gore and the anticipation as the story unfolds. So dark and gritty. I love it!

•Horror Vacui•
— My favorite line from Joshua’s grandmother and I quote “I live alone, forgotten, no people to care for me. How do you think I survived? You don’t know what it’s like to be old, people forget when you aren’t useful. Nobody remembers an old woman.”
— I felt sad when I was reading this book. In the Filipino culture, grandparents stay with their family rather than transferring them to nursing homes or home for the aged. It’s terrifying to feel the abandonment and being alone even if you have a family or relative.

•Pwera Usog•
— this is a common superstition that until now my mom believes in it. You don’t just greet babies, you say “pwera usog” to drive away curses in life. In this story, the main character’s life is unfortunate because of sheer bad greeting by someone.

Final rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you The Filipino Shelf for hosting the blog tour and to Anvil Publishing for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review. ❤️

[Krisha T · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

I had the privilege of buying this book at PBF and meeting the author, Ms. Yvette Tan, herself there. Which is partly why I wish I could give this book a higher rating.

Much like her other books, I felt that some stories in this one were a bit underdeveloped, though the ideas are creative and intriguing.

The novella, Antingera, was the best story of the bunch. It was gripping and timely considering our current political climate.

Here's how I rated each individual story:
* First of the Gang: 3.5
* Wings - 2
* Pwera Usog - 3
* Horror Vacui - 3.5
* Insect Hag - 4
* Antingera - 5

Overall: 3.5 stars

[V, The Reading Turtle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection is my first read of 2026. It’s a good start.

This book collects six stories that show the darker side of the repository of Filipino beliefs such as kamalasan, curses, and other folksy horrors. The book didn’t scare me much, nor did it feel very eerie, but I still found the stories decent.

Here are the mini-reviews of each story:

First of the Gang – The concept is nothing new—you know, wishes in exchange for something. But I really liked the execution of this one.

Wings – This is probably the most disturbing story because of the way it showed both fictitious and real-life horror.

Puwera Usog – Relatively simple. Too simple for me, but I liked the deafening silence the ending brought.

Horror Vacui – This is the kind of horror I find the scariest—visiting an old relative in an eerie house. It reminded me a lot of a very well-known book by Bob Ong. Overall, I liked the story of Horror Vacui, but I didn’t like the abrupt ending. Just a few more sentences would have sufficed; I wouldn’t ask for 100% answers.

Insect Hag – I liked the mixture of darkness and lightness in this story. The mambabarang dealing with a curse while also thinking about her dissertation at the same time brings uniqueness to her character. She’s the kind of witch I want to read more about.

Antingera – This is the favorite of a lot of people who have read this collection, and that includes me. We return to the horror of EJK, the greatest atrocity of Duterte. Overall, the story is very entertaining, especially when paired with illustrations by MPAU. But it also poses questions about justice and morality.

This is a great collection and a good introduction to the author. What I didn’t like were some of the abrupt endings. It’s effective for one story in a collection, but if two or more stories have that kind of ending, the reading experience becomes less pleasant.

But you know what would make this book better? More illustrations by MPAU. I swear, he has one of the best horror art styles.

Overall, highly recommended. I’m excited to read the author’s other short story collections.

[kyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

a collection of 6 short stories created to build up the tension and eerie feeling. you'll sure to be more conscious of folktales and the supernatural after reading through the entire book.

aside from yvette tan's powerful writing, the illustrations by malayo pa ang umaga were spot on too!

[Shiandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a nightmare inducing read. It is sinister and evil in its own unique way. Gobbled it up in one sitting like how most monsters eat their victims.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

sorry yvette tan i wasn’t familiar with your game 😔 consider me a fan now

I really enjoyed IHAOS because it knew when to be direct, therefore engaging, and when to be subtle; adding the kind of mystery and eeriness that bugs you. Pun intended.

[Ice M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A creative blend of atmospheric local myth and lore, with a dash of social commentary. My cup of tea (or salabat 🤭)

4.5 ⭐️

[Kat Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5 // Insect Hag and Other Stories is folk horror and realism at its finest—unsettling, atmospheric, and masterfully written. Yvette Tan truly knows her craft, and the hauntingly beautiful illustrations by Malayo Pa ang Umaga make each story linger even longer in your mind.

[ps.stillreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

“...the poor have no time to wallow. She was always having to pick herself up and move on to the next thing. She had no choice. It was either that or starve.”

Insect Hag and Other Stories is a collection filled to the brim with desperation. The desperate desire to escape: from poverty, from an unwanted pregnancy, from guilt, from loneliness, from ill-fortune, and from the terrible situations you find yourself in without having done anything to deserve them. And when the horrors of life is too much to bear, the people in these stories turn to the supernatural. Because what else is there? Desperate times call for desperate measures. Kapit sa patalim, ika nga nila.

This being the second Yvette Tan collection I’ve read, I feel like I’m stepping back into a world I’ve been to before. And I guess in a way I have, because Filipino life is woven so intricately into each story–take that away and it all falls apart. Dense neighborhoods with maze-like eskinitas that serve as a playground for mischievous little boys. Pwera usog. Returning to your lola’s house and seeing it with adult eyes for the first time. Watching her make your favorite chicken adobo. Tita Baby. Quiapo. Tao po. Nanlaban, tumakbo. Barbecue. Banana cue.

My favorite story is the titular Insect Hag, mainly because I love Joli, a scientist working on her PhD in entomology who also happens to be a mambabarang. Far from the type of mambabarangs often depicted in movies–old, creepy, slightly sinister–Joli is like a breath of fresh air: young, petite, and with a sense of humor that no doubt helps lighten the mood, given the fraught situations her work must lead her to. And I also love her house! In this story, Joli helps a young couple plagued with boils all over their body and a voice spewing hatred in their ears. They’ve been to doctors, but none have helped. And so they turn to someone whose practice is more ancient, a practice often scoffed at by non-believers as superstitious nonsense in the age of science, but those in the know can attest to how real it is even when they only speak of it in hushed tones and furtive glances.

The collection closes with Antingera, the story that moved me the most, because it is set within a real horror we all know: the war on drugs and the police brutality that came with it. Joy’s partner Carding is shot dead, kasi nanlaban, kasi tumakbo. But it was a case of mistaken identity, of police shooting first and callously killing with no consequence. Sorry na lang to all the wives and mothers cradling their dead men in their arms under the pouring rain. Nanlaban kasi. Tumakbo kasi.

At Carding’s wake, Joy refused to practice any of the mourning rituals to be done for the victims of murder, much to the consternation of the neighbors. “Didn’t she love Carding? Didn’t she want his murder avenged? She noticed that nobody mentioned justice. Fantasy only went so far.” Little did they know that Joy had her own way of getting revenge and making sure that Carding is at peace. Gifts from her lola: an anting, a book of spells, and knowledge passed down from generations to be used only in the direst of circumstances, and only when she is ready.

This is the story where desperation boils over, where the people are forced to do something drastic. Because that is the only thing they can do in the face of the many-headed and long-armed monster that is government-approved violence. But even then, Joy’s act has little effect and only provides her with a small comfort. Carding is still dead, and many more will die. “What now?” she asks herself.

Antingera was made even more poignant by the accompanying illustrations by Malayo Pa ang Umaga. Each scene has a haunting quality to it, highlighting how Joy feels and what she is going through. I included my favorites in this post, but each one drew me in with its intricate details.

For fans of horror and Philippine fiction, do yourself a favor and pick up any book by Yvette Tan. I had a great reading experience, and I think you would too.

[Pages, Plates, and Screens · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Yvette Tan, who is considered one of the most important contemporary voices in Philippine horror and speculative fiction. Her works often draw from Filipino folklore, superstitions, and lived realities, combining the supernatural with everyday struggles.

Some stories in this collection, like Pwera-Usog, Insect Hag, and Antingera, felt very familiar to me because I have experienced events quite similar to the ones described, though I will not go into details here. This is one of the things I admire about Tan’s writing: she stays true to Filipino beliefs about the supernatural and superstitions. For example, Pwera-Usog highlights a practice that still exists today. Many Filipinos continue to believe in the power of the “bati” (greeting) to cause discomfort to babies, which is why parents instinctively respond with “pwera-usog.” The same goes for characters like the mambabarang and the stories of healers, charms, and rituals. Even today, especially in the provinces and urban poor communities, people often turn to hilot or albularyo before going to hospitals. This is partly due to economic limitations but also because these practices are deeply rooted in cultural tradition.

Another strength of Tan’s work is how she situates her stories among the marginalized—the poor, the working class, and the youth—as seen in First of the Gang and Antingera. Her writing is not only steeped in folklore but also political. She is unafraid to touch on sensitive issues such as abortion, poverty, class struggle, and the war on drugs. Her stories avoid clichés, and her narrative build-up pulls the reader in so effectively that it is difficult to put the book down once you begin. In Wings, for example, she shifts between past and present but never confuses the reader, carefully laying out the details in an organized way, leading to a shocking plot and powerful ending.

Not every story resonated with me equally. Pwera-Usog, while amusing, left me slightly underwhelmed. It made me smile and even face-palm, though I could not quite tell if it was meant to be humorous. Horror Vacui was more frustrating. It felt as though important details were missing, which made me re-read sections in search of clarity. Questions like “What was the creature? What is the liquid? Why was there both an anting and holy water? And why did the Tita react that way?” lingered without answers. Similarly, in Insect Hag, I found myself questioning the roles of the mambabarang and the albularyo. From what I know, the mambabarang curses while the albularyo heals, but in the story these roles seemed blurred. Can the dead really curse the living?

For me, the strongest piece in the collection is Antingera. In fact, I wish the whole book carried that title. The story was compellingly told, and the protagonist’s journey toward justice felt both satisfying and symbolic. In reality, victims of violence and oppression in the Philippines often face a long and difficult road toward justice, but in Tan’s story, she gives them the victory they deserve. This, I think, is one of her greatest strengths as a writer: she ensures that the voices of victims and the oppressed are not silenced, and in her stories they can find dignity, resolution, or triumph.

Insect Hag and Other Stories is more than a horror collection. It is a reflection of Filipino culture, fears, and struggles, blending folklore with social realities in a way that feels both authentic and unsettling. Yvette Tan reminds us that horror is not only about the monsters lurking in the dark but also about the injustices and traumas we face in everyday life. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to experience horror that is deeply rooted in the Filipino psyche.

[Jin]

Even antingeras have housework to be done too.

Insect Hag is the third and the most recent installment among Yvette Tan’s collection of stories featuring the obscure and macabre. The book came in with six new tales of varying horror heavily featuring Filipino folklore as its signature theme.

This book had the least number of stories compared to the previous titles but to me, this has been the most compact and this held the freshest concept in terms of approach in storytelling. One thing I’ve noticed is the author’s likeness of mentioning Sta. Teresa the Child Abandoned even as a small detail that’s incorporated in the story.

With an excellent job in setting expectations, Insect Hag brought me the “mambabarang” vibes in the most elegant, and enchanting way possible. The storytelling this time contained just the right amount of spook, detail, and the exposition needed to keep me engaged and form the rest of the story in my head.

In this book, I particularly loved “Insect Hag” and “Antingera” due to the fact that it delivered exactly what I had in mind before, during, and after I read it. Antingera delivered such relevance now that the discourse concerning EJK has reignited like wildfire again. The concept of revenge that took a dark, magical turn was something I didn’t know I needed to read in this day and age.

I made sure to fully immerse myself in the stories and read the book without rush. Among the three books Yvette Tan released, this is my current favourite so far!

Personal ratings on individual stories:

First of the Gang - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wings - ⭐⭐⭐
Pwera Usog - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Horror Vacui - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Insect Hag - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Antingera - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Personal Favourites:
Insect Hag
Antingera

[Tess Blanch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my tour stop for Insect Hag and Other Stories by Yvette Tan. Thank you The Filipino Shelf for hosting this book tour in partnership with Anvil Publishing.


Yvette Tan does it again! I love Waking The Dead, Seek Ye Whore and even Kaba. So when this came out, I knew I have to read this and immerse myself in her world once again.

Insect Hag and Other Stories is composed of five short stories and a novella. Although shorter than her other two books, this one packs a punch. Her stories always have supernatural elements that will make you wonder long after reading them. The mystery elements in all her stories are something you wouldn’t even think possible and at the same time it will raise the hair at the back of neck after reading them. Very mysterious, tinge will Filipino superstitions, with things seen and unseen. It was all well done as each story will captivate you, and excitedly think what new things she will bring into the story.

My favorite is Antigera, the novella. I love the setting, the character and the vibe. The theme of the story is something we Filipinos can relate in the fight against drug. What I like about it is how she used that and added the supernatural elements in the story. And how the little bit of a twist in the end is something I didn’t expect.

Here is my rank according to my favorite:
Antigera
Insect Hag
Pwera Usog
First of the Gang
Horror Vacui
Wing
I can’t wait for the author’s next work and I hope we won’t wait much longer.

[Chrian Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating is 4.5 stars.

My little black books of happiness, Miss Yvette Tan’s latest horror short story collection- Insect Hag And Other Stories- is relatively shorter than her previous collections, but not without having a weighty subject matter that is grounded in reality- now the stories lean closer to that of love, grief, and insects.

Because of the collection having only six short stories, here are the following that stood out to me the most- Antingera, Horror Vacui, Wings & Insect Hag. All stories tackle about loss & love very well, complete with the backdrop of creepy crawlies that will definitely send chills as you turn the page.

Antingera is one of the stories that I see would get a proper film adaptation if need be, and it seems very much like Jerry Zucker’s Ghost, without the overarching ear worm and cheesy Demi Moore reminiscing. This story is more on showcasing the height of Filipino superstition, and of showcasing just how gripping Miss Yvette’s storytelling gets- with unpredictability, stunning detail and balanced characterization and plotting.
I say it’s my second favorite besides Seek Ye Whore (the titular story in her second collection). It’s that good.

Overall, another triumph for Miss Yvette Tan, and always a blast to be able to enjoy her work as the reigning queen of Philippine horror. I am very much looking forward to reading her future story collections…or even a novel, if it’s in the cards! 💖

[lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of the stories resonated with me. As someone who has lived in a barrio steeped in tales of mambabarangs, albularyos, and superstition, this book did not disappoint!

"First of the Gang" was one of the stories that hit home. I’ve heard many accounts in our barrio about some rich people who have lived there longer than us being guided by elementals, specifically dwarves. Story goes, they were the ones responsible for the residents' good fortune.

"Wings," on the other hand, broke my heart more than it scared me.

"Pwera Usog" humored me. I remember having diarrhea or constipation, and instead of taking medicine, my Grandma would do “papalawayan” (spit healing) on me, lol. It wasn't effective, so I know exactly what Jimwel experienced.

"Horror Vacui’s" storyline really set the scene for me. I’m scared of clutter, too! Kidding aside, it was sadder for me than it was scary. The ending also left me hanging quite a bit. I wonder what happened next?

"Insect Hag" was the best story! The way my imagination wandered while reading the words... the horror!

"Antingera" got the most annotations from me. Joy, Carding, and all the EJK victims didn't deserve any of that. My heart ached knowing this happened in real life—the police still having a normal day while the family of the bereaved still has to earn a living despite their grief. ACAB indeed.

[PJ Nadela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading Yvette Tan. Medyo kabado ako going in, kasi everyone in the book community speaks so highly of her work—and rightly so.

Thankfully, Insect Hag and Other Stories didn’t let me down.

The first five stories read more like literary vignettes. They focus on encounters with antings, or Filipino talismans. They weren’t scary in the traditional sense, but they definitely carried an eerie weight. The kind of horror that lingers. I enjoyed them, even if this style of writing doesn’t usually speak to me. Vignettes can feel distant sometimes, and that was my only hurdle. But the atmosphere and cultural grounding? Excellent.

Then came the novella Antingera—and wow. That’s where everything clicked for me.

It’s completely different in tone and emotional impact. This was the point in the book where I went from admiring Yvette Tan’s writing to becoming a full-on fan. Antingera is fast-paced, emotionally heavy, and thematically rich. I felt everything. I may have cried. No shame.

It reminded me of the kind of slow-burn psychological horror you’d find in Nocebo—not the same plot, but the same charged energy. Grief, rage, fear, power. All in under 70 pages. If Tan ever writes a full-length novel in this style, I’ll be the first in line.

[Miracle Meryll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was different from the first two books. However, the message is still the same — the most terrifying creature in this world is none other than us — humans. Especially those people with powers, whether it’s witchcraft or not.

I personally think that Waking the Dead and Other Stories consists of the most number of stories that really scared me. Meanwhile, Seek Ye Whore only has a few, but they are truly mind-blowing and terrifying as well.

However, Insect Hag leans more toward heart and sympathy than just scaring. And the last story, Antingera, left me stunned — a flashback to those terrifying days when so many innocent people died. It’s both heartbreaking and terrifying. Though it’s been years already, I believe that, with or without witchcraft, justice will prevail.

In the end, Insect Hag shows that horror isn’t only about fear — it’s also about remembering, grieving, and quietly hoping that truth will come to light.

[Ronabear · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has lesser stories than the previous book but they're definitely more eerie and spooky. While reading in the dead of night, I can't help but feel that a looming shadow will tap me on the shoulder.

My top 3 stories

🐞 Antingera
The theme is more on witchcraft, curses, barang but I also love how Yvette Tan incorporated the war on drugs in Antingera.

🐞Insect Hag
This is lighter and a tad humorous (for me). I can't help but imagine Joli as a petite, pixie-like girl. A cutie face that doesn't show what she truly is. Also, I love the back story of how the couple were cursed.

🐞Horror Vacui
This one's emotional. I didn't grow up with a lola but I can't help but feel sad with how the lola yearns for her daughter to visit. How she must have felt lonely all those years living alone.

Devoured this in a day

[Jandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Yvette Tan book I’ve read and it did not disappoint! Really love local folk horror stories especially when done this well. I’m usually not a fan of short horror collections since they usually leave you hanging and wondering what to make out of the story you’ve read, but this particular collection is just crafted so well that it gives you the closure that you need. There are open endings, yes, but every bit just makes sense for you to form your own conclusion.

My favorite is Horror Vacui. So reminiscent of Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan (one of my fave horror stories). Ganda ng build-up tsaka ng setting. Felt like I was really transported to the house and kinabahan ako para sa amin ni main character. Hahaha. Yung sa conversations nila ng lola nya, grabe takot na ‘ko. Kung ako yun baka umalis na ako agad lol.

I am now on the hunt for Yvette’s other works. I need more!!

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insect Hag and Other Stories by Yvette Tan
Read: Aug 10-13, 2025

4.5 stars 🌟

Solid read! I read it for my Akdang Pinoy Readathon prompt O - Out of Your Comfort Zone because reading short stories is actually new to me.

Some of the short stories felt a bit bitin, but they were still really engaging. My favorite was definitely Wings!!! I love that short story sm! And the longest one, The Antingera, at first, I thought I spotted a plot hole, but when I looked back, turns out everything made sense. That was such a satisfying discovery and made me appreciate the story even more.

What I really loved was how refreshing it felt to read about our own kind of supernatural stories in our culture (🇵🇭). Yvette Tan’s writing mixes the eerie and the familiar so well, and it made me proud (and a little spooked 👀) to see Filipino folklore and horror represented in such a compelling way.

[Redg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me that I actually enjoy scary stories in written format (as an avid reader of True Philppine Ghost Stories series) as much as I dislike watching scary movies.

However, Yvette Tan’s Insect Hag and Other Stories are undeniably original but still has the familiar magic and horror that we all grew up with. The stories were creepy, thought-provoking, and sometimes disgusting (in a gory, scary movie kind of way) that made me want to just continue reading. I stayed up until 6AM just to finish the last novella!

I wish we could get footnotes to shed light into the lore used in the stories. Hoping we get that maybe in an anniversary edition?

I loved the illustrations in the book as well! Really helpful when it comes to imagining the anting in the stories. Although… and I just have to put this out there… I’m not too crazy with the covert art and the typeface. (It will probably grow on me.)

This was my first foray into Yvette Tan’s work and excited to her other books!

[Gabriela Francisco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yvette Tan’s works are extremely grounded in reality. We’ve heard of similar things happen to relatives, to neighbors. We know these things happen. And despite growing up all my life in the Philippines, I happily learn new tidbits about my culture when I read her works, as her stories are all-inclusive, showing how all sectors of Philippine society are affected by social ills.

Read the rest at:

https://exlibrisphilippines.com/2025/...

[Jonnalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book made me reminisce about my high school days when I read all sorts of horror books at our town library after class. Haaa fun times.

Going back to this book, at first, the clunky prose was off-putting. Maybe because this is my first read of Yvette Tan but i soon got used to her voice. 

My favorite story from this collection is probably Antingera because that was the longest story. The other stories were thrilling but was cut too short to actually leave an impact. Also, the emotional scenes just doesn't hit the spot. Yes I'm looking at that conclusion in Insect Hag. Cringe. 

But all in all, I will be reading more of her work because I enjoyed the body gore parts.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started this initially back in May 2nd. Forgot about it and picked it up again yesterday, September 2. Exactly 4 months since I left it on my bedside table to collect dust.

This is the first book that I read from the pile I have beside my bed so yay for that haha. I have 4 more physical titles to finish before I can start another ebook.

As usual, Yvette Tan’s storytelling is 5/5. I read Seek Ye Whore as well as Waking the Dead last year and was pumped when I checked that she came out with another short story compilation.

“Horror Vacui” is DELICIOUS. Made me scratch my head a bit but I loved it. Can’t wait to read more from this Author!!!

[Sai theengineerisreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yvette Tan concreted her place as the PH horror queen with Insect Hag.
If you’ve read Yvette’s previous works, IH offers a new flavor by combining folk realism and pieces of Filipino community such as medallions, spells, and dark magic.
I also looooove how the author incorporated socio-political issues like with Antingera where the MC’s innocent husband was killed by cops in a shootout. It also highlighted other relatable prompts like in Pwera Usog where a simple response to a compliment means protection against unwanted curses.

IH is also such a quick read and I like how the author saved the best for last with the 14-chapter Antingera.

[Jorsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another banger from Yvette Tan!

Ever since I read her first two anthologies, I was looking forward to her next collection. This didn't disappoint.

At first, I wished for more short stories. However, the inclusion of Antingera made up for this book's smaller slate of tales. A masterclass of quality over quantity, Insect Hag provides such biting political commentary alongside a seamless blend of Filipino superstition and modernity.

[Arianne Morano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yvette Tan still has me in her talons with this. Even after reading the prior two of her collections of short stories, and with the surprising mini novel taking up half the book, these ones still have that unexpected twist at the end. They're like little nibbles dark chocolate, in the center of which is a goo of indeterminate flavor, but it will leave you wanting more. Can't wait to read the next collection from her.