Stack Natin is from the Filipinos of Substack.
Stack Natin (or “Our Stack” in Filipino) is a Substack publication putting the spotlight on Filipino stories, writers and creatives across this platform and beyond. Whether they are based in the Philippines or elsewhere, we believe that our stories and experiences can help us see the world a little differently, and hopefully, appreciate what makes us different, and what makes us the same.
What’s with the Philippines?
The Philippines is a country that defies categorization.
It identifies with Asia, but is not your typical idea of Asian. It is predominantly Catholic in a region that’s predominantly Islamic—and yet attitudes and values are shifting and not as clear-cut as that suggests. It traces some of its traditions to centuries of trade with the Chinese and the Malays, and further beyond—but it also carries the influence of centuries of colonialism under the Spanish and the Americans.
With over a hundred million people across over 7,000 islands, it is certainly not homogenous and monolithic. Voices from Manila may be the loudest, but there are worthy perspectives in every town and city, every island and even in the waters that divide them.
Filipinos are a presence around the world, but are arguably also little-known and misunderstood. We are performers in Hong Kong, domestic workers in the Middle East and sailors in cargo vessels around the world—but we are also Hollywood actors and industry titans. It’s no wonder we’re so proud of Olivia Rodrigo. (But a Filipino did not invent the fluorescent light, despite what some of us would like to believe.)
What’s Stack Natin all about?
Stack Natin looks to highlight these diverse perspectives, both from writers and creatives based in the Philippines, as well as those of Filipino descent and members of the diaspora around the world. A tall order, considering how Substack is heavily biased towards Western voices, but we’ll do what we can.
Apart from amplifying these stories, we aim to build a community of Filipinos on this platform, to further our voices and hopefully provide a different point of view on the world for everyone on this platform and beyond.
We are in the process of compiling a directory of Filipino writers on Substack—if you are keen to take part, sign up through the button below.
In the long run, we plan to post digests of the best writing from Filipinos across Substack, and hopefully, exclusive essays, interviews and other ways to highlight these creatives… stay tuned for more.
Why should I subscribe?
Subscribe now (for free!) to get our latest posts straight to your inbox (or the Substack app, if you’re on it). You’ll also get full access to our archives. As this project grows we hope to be able to bring you stories from our world, which could very well be stories from your world, too.
You do not need a Substack account to subscribe to this publication. Also, your email is safe with us—we won’t use it for any other purpose than sending you our latest posts.
Or you can follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/stacknatin.
