The launch honored Wilfrido D. Nolledo through a series of exhibitions, readings, and talks, marking the release of Exploding Galaxies’ newest collection of the acclaimed writer’s short fiction.
Exploding Galaxies recently launched its sixth title, Canticles for Dark Lovers, this May 2026, marking its latest publication with a special event in collaboration with WHYNoT. Nolledo is also the author of But For the Lovers, the first novel republished by Exploding Galaxies in 2023.
The collection brings together sixteen short stories originally published between 1955 and 1971, including some of Nolledo’s most awarded works, previously uncollected writing, and a new foreword by his wife Blanca D. Nolledo reflecting on the late writer’s life.
READ ALSO: Canticles For Dark Lovers: Exploding Galaxies Releases First Short Story Collection
Inside The Launch Of Cantles For Dark Lovers
Celebrating the life and literary legacy of Nolledo, the launch gathered the author’s family, friends, and readers for an evening that revisited both his writing and personal history.
Representing the estate was daughter Melissa “Mimi” Nolledo, who returned to the Philippines for the occasion 22 years after her father’s passing in 2004.
“What moves me most about this publication is the idea that a new generation of readers is now encountering his stories for the first time—young readers, young writers, students, and book lovers discovering my father and all his words, his stories, the narratives that he dreamed about and made real—scribbled down on folded sheets of 8 1/2 by 11 paper, then typed out on a battered old typewriter,” shared Mimi during the event.
Also in attendance were members of the Nolledo and Datuin families; the Dalena family; Virgilio S. Almario; Julie Lluch; Rodolfo Samonte; and Alfred Yuson, who once worked alongside Nolledo at the Philippines Free Press.
The event featured installations showcasing Nolledo’s published short stories across various magazines, as well as family photographs, personal letters addressed to Blanca D. Nolledo, documentation of his work in film, and a portrait painted by artist and friend Danilo Dalena.
The evening’s program included readings of several of the author’s short stories, including “Moratorium est finie,” “Kayumanggi, Mon Amour,” and “Canticle for Dark Lovers,” led by Pablo Fabregas and Miren Alvarez-Fabregas, and accompanied by sound design from sound artist Mudskipper.
Introductions and acknowledgments were delivered by WHYNoT co-founder Baby Imperial and Exploding Galaxies publisher Mara Coson, followed by messages from the Nolledo estate and video tributes from Dalena, Blanca Datuin Nolledo, and Orlando Nolledo.
The launch concluded with a surprise speech by Yuson, who shared a few words about meeting both Nick Joaquin and Wilfrido D. Nolledo as a young writer.
“The appreciation stays for being treated to the kind of prose that only Ding Nolledo could produce,” Yuson shares. “And it wasn’t only prose for fiction. I loved to read even his movie reviews, his film reviews in the Philippines Free Press. Only he could produce such vocabularies, such syntax. I’m happy that Exploding Galaxies is producing this book.”
Readers may purchase copies of Canticles for Dark Lovers by Wilfrido D. Nolledo through the Exploding Galaxies website. The collection will also be available in bookstores around the Philippines and on Shopee and Lazada starting May 15, 2026.
