Tala’t Liryo

Tala’t Liryo is a Filipino-led Girls’ Love/Sapphic Zine with a diverse team settled in different parts of the Philippines. Inspired by the Filipino sapphic anthologies and zines that came before us, we hope to be a safe space that lets sapphic Filipinos feel seen, heard, and valued.

Founder/s: Katrina Bautista & Annie-ya
Founding Year: 2026

With the centuries of our community’s stories and history twisted and erased, it’s important to continue writing for our future and in memory of our past.

How would you introduce your group to a child? Get creative with colors, metaphors, or anything to spark their wonder! 

Imagine the coolest women in your life got together to come up with stories and poems and draw cooler women on the page for you.

What is one hill you would die on? Even if it’s controversial or goes against the grain of the typical queer or female experience, what is the one thing you refuse to compromise on?

You don’t need to “try” men to know you don’t like them! Trans women will and should always be accepted in women’s spaces, especially our women’s spaces.

You’re standing in front of people in power. How would you argue why the passing of the SOGIE SC Equality Bill and/or the Divorce Bill is needed now more than ever?

The Philippines has always been a revolutionary country. With countries around the world falling to the idea of division, it’s now more important than ever for the country to fight for one another. With abuse rates and discrimination-based murders happening around the world, including the Philippines, it’s important for the government to be revolutionary again. It’s the government’s duty to protect its citizens, and a citizenship that feels protected and cared for would be more than willing to give back in economical and political ways.

Let’s play genie! Given a chance to instantly eliminate one stereotype about women or queer people overnight, which one would you choose? What do you think its absence will bring about?

That women are more empathetic than men. The absence of this stereotype would allow women to bypass and exceed expectations when they aren’t expected to always be “more empathetic” than men. When women in relationships, positions of power, or even just women living their daily lives, are no longer expected to be the “bigger person”, they can  reach their full potential since they no longer have to tiptoe around certain people’s feelings.

Community building isn’t always rainbows. It’s hard work. What is one growing pain your group has faced, and how did you navigate it while keeping yourselves and your space safe?

Scheduling has been difficult as our members are in different stages of life and in different parts of the country. We have constant reminders and check-ins, a goal calendar, and prioritize communication so we know when members are behind on deliverables.

What is one thing you still wish to see in the community? Whether it’s a physical space, a project, or a radical culture shift—tell us what’s missing and why you think it’s worth dreaming about.

One would be more original GL and another would be permanent Queer spaces around the country, not just Metro Manila.

Here comes the “how do you see yourself in the future” question. If you achieve everything you set out to do, what do you think the world, or at least the Philippines, would look like? What is the ultimate dream state for your collective?

More representation, IRL events, and casual hangouts to lead to a more inclusive space and equal rights.

Manifestation time! Name one Filipino queer or women-led initiative you wish to work with. What is it about their mission that sparks a fire in yours?

Bading University is a safe space for all queer women and nonbinary queers that inspires us to keep making similar spaces and sharing their stories.

The struggle is real, but it is shared. And there is love. There is hope. There is community! Why do you think it’s necessary to celebrate and insist on queer and female joy? When we laugh, dance, or exist peacefully together, what are we actually reclaiming?

It’s necessary to continue to celebrate because we continue to show that we exist, we have always existed, and we will always continue to exist. With the centuries of our community’s stories and history twisted and erased, it’s important to continue writing for our future and in memory of our past.

Write a little love note! What’s one message you wish to tell any gay/girl who will come across this page?

You’re valid, loved, and you’re not alone. Your voice will always matter and you deserve to be heard.