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Libing-Isa
Sino nga ba ang dapat katakutan?
Patay, buhay, o ang sarili?
Patay, buhay, o ang sarili?
184 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2022
2 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 13, 2025
This books represents the best that short illustrated fiction has to offer! It's haunting, thoughtful, and incredibly efficacious. Every word was chosen carefully, every illustration was strategically crafted and positioned. I can't believe I ever doubted this title whenever I saw it on shelves. This deserves more hype than it gets and I am eager for MPAU's future releases.
June 29, 2023
Naantig, nagdamdam, at napaisip.
November 17, 2025
“𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗯𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗮𝗽𝗮𝘁 𝗸𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗸𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻? 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗮𝘆, 𝗯𝘂𝗵𝗮𝘆, 𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗶?”
That single line captures everything 𝑳𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒈-𝑰𝒔𝒂 stands for—a haunting reminder that fear doesn't always come from the supernatural, but from the unsettling corners of our own minds.
𝑳𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒈-𝑰𝒔𝒂 is more than just a collection of horror stories; it's an intimate, eerie look into the human condition through a distinctly Filipino lens. Each story digs into the kind of horror that feels familiar yet deeply personal. Malayo Pa Ang Umaga doesn't rely on jump scares or elaborate myths; instead, they unravel the quiet terror of guilt, paranoia, and loneliness, exposing how sometimes, the scariest thing we can face is ourselves.
At only 184 pages, the book moves fast but cuts deep. All of the stories in this book share that sharp, lingering unease that good horror should bring. It's short, yes—but it leaves bruises. And the illustrations? They're deliciously disturbing—stark, shadowy, and almost too close for comfort. Each drawing amplifies the dread, making the pages feel alive in the worst (and best) way possible.
With its 4.57 Goodreads rating, it's clear that this collection resonates with readers who crave horror that's not just about what hides in the dark, but what festers inside us.
If you love Filipino horror or stories that make you confront uncomfortable truths, 𝑳𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒈-𝑰𝒔𝒂 deserves a spot on your shelf. It's haunting, introspective, and painfully human—a chilling reminder that sometimes, the monsters don't come from the grave. They come from within.
𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬:
💀 Isa: Makakalimutin si Tin
💀 Tatlo: Si Maning at Ang Diwata sa Kangkungan
💀 Lima: Hindi na Ako Takot kay Lola
💀 Walo: Musiko
💀 Labing Isa: Mabangong Pagdating
That single line captures everything 𝑳𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒈-𝑰𝒔𝒂 stands for—a haunting reminder that fear doesn't always come from the supernatural, but from the unsettling corners of our own minds.
𝑳𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒈-𝑰𝒔𝒂 is more than just a collection of horror stories; it's an intimate, eerie look into the human condition through a distinctly Filipino lens. Each story digs into the kind of horror that feels familiar yet deeply personal. Malayo Pa Ang Umaga doesn't rely on jump scares or elaborate myths; instead, they unravel the quiet terror of guilt, paranoia, and loneliness, exposing how sometimes, the scariest thing we can face is ourselves.
At only 184 pages, the book moves fast but cuts deep. All of the stories in this book share that sharp, lingering unease that good horror should bring. It's short, yes—but it leaves bruises. And the illustrations? They're deliciously disturbing—stark, shadowy, and almost too close for comfort. Each drawing amplifies the dread, making the pages feel alive in the worst (and best) way possible.
With its 4.57 Goodreads rating, it's clear that this collection resonates with readers who crave horror that's not just about what hides in the dark, but what festers inside us.
If you love Filipino horror or stories that make you confront uncomfortable truths, 𝑳𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒈-𝑰𝒔𝒂 deserves a spot on your shelf. It's haunting, introspective, and painfully human—a chilling reminder that sometimes, the monsters don't come from the grave. They come from within.
𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬:
💀 Isa: Makakalimutin si Tin
💀 Tatlo: Si Maning at Ang Diwata sa Kangkungan
💀 Lima: Hindi na Ako Takot kay Lola
💀 Walo: Musiko
💀 Labing Isa: Mabangong Pagdating
June 13, 2024
Amazing, easy to read, and really knows how to tickle the spooks in a way that Filipino writers can only do. It goes to show that not all horrors are mystical in nature, and sometimes the truest of horrors are the ones we experience in the land of the living.
January 23, 2026
SOBRANG LUPET. fave q yung pang 8 na kwento 😋
August 19, 2023
Ang dali lang basahin ng kalipunang ito dahil ang unti lang ng mga salita, pero minabuti kong hindi madaliin. Ninamnam ko ang napakagandang mga guhit, ninamnam ko ang nakakagulat na mga kuwento.
Kung may manghihingi sa akin ng book recommendation ng horror comics, isa ang antolohiyang ito sa mga imumungkahi ko.
Kung may manghihingi sa akin ng book recommendation ng horror comics, isa ang antolohiyang ito sa mga imumungkahi ko.
December 27, 2025
You can watch my full review HERE!
November 23, 2025
One of the easiest five stars I've ever given. Creepy. Quiet. Unhinged. Terrifying. 11 scary stories. 11 crazy twists. MPAU should create more.
Favorites:
Isa, Tatlo, Apat, Labing-isa
Favorites:
Isa, Tatlo, Apat, Labing-isa
September 2, 2023
May iba't ibang lasa ng kilabot na tinutuklas si MPAU (Malayo Pa Ang Umaga) sa seryeng ito ng labing-isang grapikong salaysay. Madalas sabihing madali para sa mga bata na makakita ng mga multo; na higit na bukas ang kanilang mga isip sa mga pahiwatig ng paligid--alingasngas ng dahon sa labas ng bintana, ang mga anino sa likod ng kurtina, ang mahihinang bulong sa hatinggabi--at ang pagsalig ng Libing Isa sa ganitong himig ng pagsasalaysay ang marahil pinakamatalab na bahagi ng kaniyang paglalahad. Nagkukuwento siya sa paraang madaling intindihin, kahit ng mga bata. Simpleng wika. Simpleng banghay. At may dumadalirot na kilabot sa mga kuwento dahil nakaugat sa mga alaala ng pakikipagtakutan noong mga bata pa tayo. At higit pa rito, may malinaw na paglingon sa mga kuwentong bayan ng Pilipinas. Sagad sa buto dahil umuusbong mula sa utak ng kolektibo nating mga kuwento ng takot. Gayunman, lalong lumalapot ang kilabot sa mga kuwento dahil bukas ang mga ito sa maraming interpretasyon bagaman hindi nagtutulak ng iisang leksiyon. Bukod sa mga simpleng kuwento ng kababalaghan, maaari ding basahin ang mga ito bilang kritika ng lipunan: na nakaugat sa mumunti't pang-araw-araw na kasamaan ang totoong kilabot ng mundo, na siyang nagsisilang at lumilikha sa mga multo at halimaw na nakapaligid sa atin. Gayon ang kalatis ng ilan sa mga paborito kong katha sa koleksiyon--"Ang Kasaysayan ng Bigas", "Natagpuan ni Erning Ang Sarili", at "Si Maning at Ang Diwata sa Kangkungan".
Halos walang tapon ang buong koleksiyon; gayunman, ang ipinangakong pagtitiyap ng panulaan at kababalaghan ang pinakamahinang aspekto ng aklat. Huling-huli naman ng estilo na line art ang dahas at gimbal ng mga kuwento; lutang na lutang ito sa mga kathang walang teksto na tanging ang mga guhit ang naglalahad ng kuwento, gaya ng "Matamis Pa Sa Kendi".
Mahalagang ambag ito sa Panitikan ng Kababalaghan. Basahin ninyo.
9/10
Halos walang tapon ang buong koleksiyon; gayunman, ang ipinangakong pagtitiyap ng panulaan at kababalaghan ang pinakamahinang aspekto ng aklat. Huling-huli naman ng estilo na line art ang dahas at gimbal ng mga kuwento; lutang na lutang ito sa mga kathang walang teksto na tanging ang mga guhit ang naglalahad ng kuwento, gaya ng "Matamis Pa Sa Kendi".
Mahalagang ambag ito sa Panitikan ng Kababalaghan. Basahin ninyo.
9/10
May 22, 2023
Nanalo ako ng libreng kopya mula sa Anino Comics. Maraming salamat!
Ito 'yung klase ng libro na kayang-kayang basahin sa loob ng isang oras. Maiikli, pero maraming sinasabi. Minsan walang salita, pero maraming naikuwento. Pinapakita ng librong ito na hindi laging kailangan ng maraming salita.
Maganda rin ang mga guhit. Gusto ko ang istilo, bagay na bagay sa tema. Ito 'yung tipo ng mga dibuho na nagkukuwento at may mga interesado at nakakakilabot na detalye. Nakakabusog sa mata.
Dahil koleksiyon ito, isa-isa kong ire-rate ang mga kuwento at gagawan ng review sa kakaunting salita.
Isa: Makakalimutin si Tin ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hindi ko inaasahan ang pagtatapos.
Dalawa: Pag-ibig sa Pagitan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Maganda ang mensahe.
Tatlo: Si Maning at ang Diwata sa Kangkungan ⭐⭐⭐
Maganda, pero medyo nakulangan ako.
Apat: Ang kasaysayan ng Bigas ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Malagim ang analohiya, nakakatakot dahil nangyayari sa totoong buhay.
Lima: Hindi na Ako Takot kay Lola ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nakakakilabot, nakakalungkot, nakakaantig. Ito ang pinakapaborito ko.
Anim: Natagpuan ni Erning ang Sarili ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Maganda ang pagkukuwento kahit walang salita.
Pito: Matamis pa sa Kendi ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Napakaikli pero napakahusay.
Walo: Musiko ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Maganda ang mabilis na pagbabago sa atmosphere ng kuwento.
Siyam: Bunso ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wala ring salita, pero ito ang pinakanakakatakot na kuwento.
Sampu: Ayos ba? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kawili-wili ang karakter. Ayos na ayos.
Labing-Isa: Mabangong Pagdating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hindi bago ang konsepto, pero maganda ang pagkakakuwento. Naalala ko ang Pale Lady mula sa Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
Kabuuan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5)
Ito 'yung klase ng libro na hindi mo pagsasawaan kahit ulit-ulitin mong basahin. Malaking porsyento ng kahusayan sa pagkukuwento ay mula sa mga illustration.
Ito 'yung klase ng libro na kayang-kayang basahin sa loob ng isang oras. Maiikli, pero maraming sinasabi. Minsan walang salita, pero maraming naikuwento. Pinapakita ng librong ito na hindi laging kailangan ng maraming salita.
Maganda rin ang mga guhit. Gusto ko ang istilo, bagay na bagay sa tema. Ito 'yung tipo ng mga dibuho na nagkukuwento at may mga interesado at nakakakilabot na detalye. Nakakabusog sa mata.
Dahil koleksiyon ito, isa-isa kong ire-rate ang mga kuwento at gagawan ng review sa kakaunting salita.
Isa: Makakalimutin si Tin ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hindi ko inaasahan ang pagtatapos.
Dalawa: Pag-ibig sa Pagitan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Maganda ang mensahe.
Tatlo: Si Maning at ang Diwata sa Kangkungan ⭐⭐⭐
Maganda, pero medyo nakulangan ako.
Apat: Ang kasaysayan ng Bigas ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Malagim ang analohiya, nakakatakot dahil nangyayari sa totoong buhay.
Lima: Hindi na Ako Takot kay Lola ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nakakakilabot, nakakalungkot, nakakaantig. Ito ang pinakapaborito ko.
Anim: Natagpuan ni Erning ang Sarili ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Maganda ang pagkukuwento kahit walang salita.
Pito: Matamis pa sa Kendi ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Napakaikli pero napakahusay.
Walo: Musiko ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Maganda ang mabilis na pagbabago sa atmosphere ng kuwento.
Siyam: Bunso ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wala ring salita, pero ito ang pinakanakakatakot na kuwento.
Sampu: Ayos ba? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kawili-wili ang karakter. Ayos na ayos.
Labing-Isa: Mabangong Pagdating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hindi bago ang konsepto, pero maganda ang pagkakakuwento. Naalala ko ang Pale Lady mula sa Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
Kabuuan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5)
Ito 'yung klase ng libro na hindi mo pagsasawaan kahit ulit-ulitin mong basahin. Malaking porsyento ng kahusayan sa pagkukuwento ay mula sa mga illustration.
March 22, 2025
Dark, Haunting, and Poetic
-This is how I describe the book that I finished recently.
This collection of art and poetry discusses political and social injustices, love, and horror.
Malayo pa ang Umaga showcases his talent by bringing topics usually shrugged off by society. Though it is true to its theme - which is horror, the author added substances that will make you think of what you read.
The author is a master in story-telling through his words and writing and will leave you twisted and haunted and at the edge of your seat. He also made me realize that horror is not just limited to things that are unseen but more of the things that are happening in our society. I got a clear message that political and social injustices supersedes these things.
Who would've thought that you could have social commentary via your art?
-This is how I describe the book that I finished recently.
This collection of art and poetry discusses political and social injustices, love, and horror.
Malayo pa ang Umaga showcases his talent by bringing topics usually shrugged off by society. Though it is true to its theme - which is horror, the author added substances that will make you think of what you read.
The author is a master in story-telling through his words and writing and will leave you twisted and haunted and at the edge of your seat. He also made me realize that horror is not just limited to things that are unseen but more of the things that are happening in our society. I got a clear message that political and social injustices supersedes these things.
Who would've thought that you could have social commentary via your art?
January 4, 2024
Really good, and I really like it.
It's scary, actually. It talks about, not just the horrors of ghosts and aswangs and all that, but also the horrors of humans.
(I've been reading a lot of books lately, and I just find it sometimes that humans can really be the worst...)
Galing nito.
---
Sigurado akong ang mga kaluskos sa gabi ay hindi gawa ni Lola.
Alam ko dahil magdamag siya lagi sa ilalim ng kama ko.
Humuhuni nang tahimik.
Wala akong dapat ikatakot kay Lola.
It's scary, actually. It talks about, not just the horrors of ghosts and aswangs and all that, but also the horrors of humans.
(I've been reading a lot of books lately, and I just find it sometimes that humans can really be the worst...)
Galing nito.
---
Sigurado akong ang mga kaluskos sa gabi ay hindi gawa ni Lola.
Alam ko dahil magdamag siya lagi sa ilalim ng kama ko.
Humuhuni nang tahimik.
Wala akong dapat ikatakot kay Lola.
July 30, 2024
I have followed mpau on twitter since I was in med school (around 3 years ago) and even planned to have him design a tattoo for me. I find his art style beautiful and relatable as a filipina. What I noticed most about this book is that the words tell a different story than the artwork accompanying it. Which gave a wonderful and unique reading experience.
April 9, 2023
It went 1 to 100 REAL quick in the first chapters. Some of the stories aren't that terrifying but they're kinda sad and even dare I say, wholesome. But the ones that are....well, make sure there's nothing behind you. Why? I don't know...check your behind yourself.
July 17, 2025
Isang napakagandang munting libro na punong puno ng misteryo at katatakutan! Nagustuhan ko ng sobra ang labing isa kwento at mga larawan. Sulit na sulit ang aking pagbili. Irerekomenda ko ito sa mga taong tulad ko na hilig magbasa ng mga nakakatakot at maiiksing kwento.
December 24, 2022
Grabe ang librong ito. The atmosphere. The words. The twists. Wow!
November 10, 2023
UGH FCKING MASTERPIECE ANG GANDA TANGINA
January 30, 2024
Maiksi ngunit sagad.
September 22, 2024
NAKAKABITIN!!!
Favorite stories: Dalawa, Apat, Lima, Walo, Sampu, Labing-Isa
Favorite stories: Dalawa, Apat, Lima, Walo, Sampu, Labing-Isa
March 13, 2025
Iba pa rin ang pakiramdam kahit nabasa ko na ang librong ito ni MPAU.
Bawat kwento ay puno at hitik sa detalye ng mga larawan sabay ng mahusay na pagkukwento.
Ibang klase ito.
Bawat kwento ay puno at hitik sa detalye ng mga larawan sabay ng mahusay na pagkukwento.
Ibang klase ito.
January 9, 2026
creepy! 5/5 kasi medyo natakot ako nito
January 19, 2026
ang ganda. nakakabitin.
February 6, 2023
Napaka. Nakakakiliti ng utak ‘yong mga kwento. Ang ganda ng art. Huhu
March 29, 2024
Creepy and moving, Libing-Isa effectively captures Filipino folklore and family in his unique art style.
I’ve been a fan of MPAU’s art since seeing it on Instagram, there’s something about the dark and heavy pen strokes which immediately tells a story even from a single picture.
This collection contains 11 stories, as the title implies, which are creepy to varying degrees.
Some are plain folklores from the Philippines, some are fears that we unconsciously have at the back of our minds, while some leans toward politics in the subtlest of ways.
My rating for each story:
3⭐️ - Makakalimutin si Tin
5⭐️ - Pag-Ibig sa Pagitan
5⭐️ - Si Maning at ang Diwata sa Kangkungan
4⭐️ - Ang Kasaysayan ng Bigas
3⭐️ - Hindi na Ako Takot Kay Lola
2⭐️ - Natagpuan ni Erning ang Sarili
2⭐️ - Matamis Pa sa Kendi
5⭐️ - Musiko
4⭐️ - Bunso
3⭐️ - Ayos Ba?
5⭐️ - Mabangong Pagdating
I especially commend ‘Bunso’, for telling a very scary story out of just images. I never really understood the fascination of Filipino families and building shrines in their homes. To me, those replicas are scary and doesn’t necessarily reflect one’s religion/belief. Having it in this context, I remembered stories from provinces about these statuettes drawing bad spirit than embodying saints.
Nevertheless, all stories are worth reading and pondering on! I enjoyed the artwork and small easter eggs you can see from looking at the image more intently. Really great read and looking forward for more! 🖤🕯🕯
I’ve been a fan of MPAU’s art since seeing it on Instagram, there’s something about the dark and heavy pen strokes which immediately tells a story even from a single picture.
This collection contains 11 stories, as the title implies, which are creepy to varying degrees.
Some are plain folklores from the Philippines, some are fears that we unconsciously have at the back of our minds, while some leans toward politics in the subtlest of ways.
My rating for each story:
3⭐️ - Makakalimutin si Tin
5⭐️ - Pag-Ibig sa Pagitan
5⭐️ - Si Maning at ang Diwata sa Kangkungan
4⭐️ - Ang Kasaysayan ng Bigas
3⭐️ - Hindi na Ako Takot Kay Lola
2⭐️ - Natagpuan ni Erning ang Sarili
2⭐️ - Matamis Pa sa Kendi
5⭐️ - Musiko
4⭐️ - Bunso
3⭐️ - Ayos Ba?
5⭐️ - Mabangong Pagdating
I especially commend ‘Bunso’, for telling a very scary story out of just images. I never really understood the fascination of Filipino families and building shrines in their homes. To me, those replicas are scary and doesn’t necessarily reflect one’s religion/belief. Having it in this context, I remembered stories from provinces about these statuettes drawing bad spirit than embodying saints.
Nevertheless, all stories are worth reading and pondering on! I enjoyed the artwork and small easter eggs you can see from looking at the image more intently. Really great read and looking forward for more! 🖤🕯🕯
October 30, 2025
A short but impactful read is how I would describe this book. The illustrations were wonderful and added to the creepy element. It was amazing the way it was written. I highly recommend reading this (not at night though).
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews