BALIKBAYAN THE RETURN #1 2024

Writer Jeff Estrella

Cover art by Fabian Lelay

BALIKBAYAN is named for the care packages that Filipinos living overseas send back to family in the Philippines. This book is the 24-page opening chapter of a story that draws from traditional Filipino folk tales and is inspired by films like Hereditary, The Wailing, and The Farewell. It explores the often-strained relationships between the children of immigrants and their parents, and the difficulties of reconciling those two worlds. It asks: What if those old stories of ghosts and monsters from back home were true?

After years of estrangement, a sudden tragedy forces Ben into contact with his father, bringing up memories from his youth that he'd rather forget. He must confront his broken relationship with his father before they face the malevolent force calling them back to their homeland. They will learn firsthand that the sins of our past will always find us, no matter how far we try to run.