Manila (CNN Philippines Life) — Philippine literature exists not only as an art form, but as a representation of our country’s rich socio-political history. Folk speeches of pre-colonial times, religious prose of the Spanish colonial period, the Americans’ introduction of English and critical aesthetics in written works, and the burgeoning of various languages of Philippine literature in the contemporary period have — in one way or another — molded the ways in which writers, authors, journalists, editors, and publishers consume Filipino literature.

Before another year of another era ends, CNN Philippines Life asked six authors, editors, writers, and publishers to share the best Filipino books of 2017. Some highlighted books outside of Metro Manila, while some recommended ones that are not readily available in mainstream bookstores. Still and all, these books mirror the diversity and richness of Philippine culture and history.