Interviews

His works often demonstrate this multidimensional approach to fear. Pascual wrote horror stories like “Sigbin,” “Kapre,” and “Kyawtibel” (2017). Two of these feature local mythology creatures, while Kyawtibel is an entirely invented mythological being. He also wrote an adaptation of a story titled “Pusong’’ of the Juan Pusong Tales, reframing it as a story on violent activities. All of these are included in his latest book, “Mga Bubuyog na Nagkumpulan,” a revised edition of his work “Kumpisal.”

He emphasized that reflection lies at the core of his process, urging writers to probe deeper into the genre that could unfold and reflect the fears rooted in everyday life and society.

“If one knows how to write stories effectively—creating characters that are human, i.e., flawed and complex, crafting a balance between plot and character development—one will be able to create an effective horror story.”

Chuckberry Pascual is a Filipino author, fictionist, and playwright. Since 2022, he has successfully published Bayan ng mga Bangkay, a collection of short stories; Ang Nawawalang Barangay, a supernatural mystery novel; and the young adult/zombie/dystopian series Mars May Zombie! His recently released novella Daddy marks his foray into realist fiction, while remaining true to his roots in queer storytelling. Pascual also works as a translator and university professor.

In this spotlight feature, Pascual discusses his latest book, his journey to becoming a published author, his writing process, why he writes in the queer, horror, and young adult spaces, and more.

The following afternoon I make my way back to Manila, this time to Quezon City, with almost three million inhabitants, Manila’s largest “neighbourhood”. Chuckberry Pascual is already waiting in the Kandle Café, and over black matcha we quickly come to his extremely disturbing story Room 202, published on Literatur.Review, and his radical work, which – like Derain and Olan – amalgamates the old Filipino monster mythology of the Aswangs in a very contemporary and political way. And on the question of whether we should be more afraid of monsters or people in the current political transformations in favour of autocratic systems, Pascual explains that since Duterte, politics itself has divided families and that at parties – not unlike in the USA – politics is taboo, which is particularly tragic given the Philippine hymn to the family.

Yes, he’s named after the singer. Chuckberry Pascual is an author, translator, and academic from Malabon, a seaside city in Metro Manila where the streets disappear with the tides and the air is filled with the scent of its iconic local dishes.

In a city shaped by rising waters and social divides, humor is a way to face daily challenges.

Official Selection & Finalist for “Best Documentary” award in 2023 Student World Impact Film Festival (SWIFF)

A magnifying glass, a roll of tissue paper, and a movie ticket—a person sees these as mere objects, but Chuckberry J. Pascual sees these differently. Every object reflects a piece of his art, an amalgamation of his years as an author. From writing his favorite piece, ‘Ang Nawawala,’ to his most recent book, ‘Mars, May Zombie!,’ to producing, ‘Pagpasok Sa Eksena,’ as his most daring work to date, Chuckberry shares a fragment of his radiant soul. This is a documentary film about a queer writer; raw, soulful, and authentic.

BIC Philippines promotes “The Write with BIC: Behind The Writing” campaign which features writers from different literary genres such as Chuck Berry Pascual—who enjoys the freedom of creating an entirely different world and dreams of hope for the future through fiction writing. At BIC, we embrace and promote the art of writing as writing allows for personal and creative expression, and we’d like to give our audience the power to create, express, and connect.

The UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies, in cooperation with the UST Publishing House, holds its latest installment of the UST Authors Series, featuring Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo and Chuckberry J. Pascual.

The UP Press is offering a special treat: an up-close and personal interview with our authors as they discuss their new book. This is an interview with Chuckberry J. Pascual, author of PAGPASOK SA EKSENA.

Kasama ang guro at kuwentista na si Prof. Chuckberry Pascual ng Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas ay tatalakayin natin ang napapanahong papel at espasyo ng maikling kuwento sa lipunang Pilipino. Tara na, mga ka-GM TV at makiisa sa ating talakayan!

A conversation with Prof. Seymour Sanchez and his students from De La Salle College of St. Benilde.

Bakit laging sinusugod ng taumbayan na may dalang sulo at lampara ang nagtatago na ngang aswang? May pag-asa pa bang magmahalan, o kahit pa, mapagbuti ang relasyong tao-aswang? E, tao sa tao? E, aswang sa kapwa aswang kaya? Samahan ang kuwentistang si Dr. Chuckberry Pascual ng UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies sa isang kuwentuhan, kulitan, at tawanan para sa kaniyang akdang “Aswang As You Love Me” (Dapitan Journal, 2020).

Immerse yourselves in Chuckberry Pascual’s works with this playlist!