Bahaghari Dreams

BAHAGHARI DREAMS shares stories and poems contributed by J. J. de Melo, Maleia Mortis, and Monica T. S. Flores. This collection from global Pinoys celebrates #LGBTQIAPinoyauthors and is released in celebration of the 2026 Filipino American International Book Festival.Published by DILIM Press, this collection highlights stories and poems originally featured in the diaspora dark fiction project Galleon Dreaming, as well as new pieces. "Sanggalan: Stories that Propel Us, Stories that Protect Us" is the motto for the 2026 Filipino American International Book Festival in San Francisco, California. The bahaghari is the rainbow, and these pieces propel and protect the queer Pinoy community by sharing insights by, about, and for LGBTQ readers.J. J. de Melo: The science fiction short story "Tethered" focuses on a monster from Filipino folklore who haunts a spacefaring crew and "Mind Sweep" explores relationships in an AI-managed world.Maleia Mortis: Mortis's poems include "I Dreamt of Gold" which examines memory and heritage, and "Sapin Sapin" which is an homage to self-discovery through a favorite treat.Monica T. S. Flores: "Kristal" explores events crystallizing around a lesbian couple's miscarriage on a neighbor island, and "Origins, The Big Spoon & Fork" is a re-telling of how familiar Pinoy home decor items came to be.