Short story collections
Bayan ng mga Bangkay (A Country of Corpses)
The stories in Bayan ng mga Bangkay explore various notions of crime and horror in current Philippine society, from rampant and normalized murder and violence, creatures from folk literature and popular culture, to gruesome and dark scenarios gnawing at the consciousness of the individual battered by social media, politics, and lockdown due to COVID-19.
Philippine Writers Series 2022, UP Institute of Creative Writing
Hindi Ito Romansa (This is Not Romance)
There is another word that can be used for Pascual’s works, which I think we can consider synonymous with transgression: tragedy. Pascual’s tragedies are transgressive at this time because he rejects the proposition that suffering, which is the condition of humanity, can be a source of strength. Sometimes, often, suffering is just suffering. It does not bring any edification. There is no redemption here. – U Z. Eliserio, University of the Philippines Diliman
Aklatang Bayan-Online, Sentro ng Wikang Filipino-UP Diliman
Ang Nawawala (The Vanished)
Ang Nawawala (The Vanished) is a comic, queer, and Filipino take on the detective novella. It is made up of seven interconnected stories featuring the exploits of Brigido, a.k.a. “Bree,” a masseuse and barangay (village) hall receptionist turned unlikely detective. Bree’s search for these small, seemingly inconsequential objects and persons unearths other issues and crimes in the village of Talong Punay.
Filipino edition out of print
19th Avenida Publishing
Shopee
Winner, Best Book of Short Fiction in Filipino, 37th National Book Awards
Winner, Best Book, Dangal ng UST Awards
Kumpisal: mga kuwento (Confession: Stories)
Chuckberry’s stories have depth because they share similar historical roots: low-class gay and queer protagonists; revolving around the family and employed by the familiar community of this type; if so, the main problem comes from this community and class issue; there is no longer a problem with the issue of gender and sexuality as an issue of conflict because it is a non-issue in many poor and low-class communities. Not refined but polished; the stories are short but complete; the characters and the way they speak and act are worldly, but they have a soul and metaphysics in understanding their situation; emotions and social forces are vital in the story; heavy but leavened with humor, Chuckberry’s stories have a lightness. – Rolando B. Tolentino, University of the Philippines Diliman
Out of print
Winner, Best Book, Dangal ng UST Awards
Finalist, Best Book of Short Fiction in Filipino, 35th National Book Awards
Finalist, Best Book of Fiction in Filipino, Gintong Aklat Awards 2016
Finalist, Madrigal-Gonzales Best First Book Award 2016