Lost Books Cebu

10/06/2026

Cebuano writer and Palanca-awardee Alden Arsèn narrates one of his poems from his newly published poetry collection, “Sigay and Other Poems.”

Our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who spent their day at the bookshop last Sunday for the launch of the book.

When I read Alden Arsèn, I hear the sea. I hear the sepia-washed years of my childhood being pulled back. . . . At the heart of the matter, these poems are grounded in the meditation of everyday life,” writes Libya Montes, from Pawn Press, the publisher of this debut work.

“Sigay and Other Poems” is now available to everyone at Lost Books Cebu.

08/06/2026

Lost Books at CAO Mercado Building in Cebu City is an independent bookstore and cafe that houses a wide collection of Binisaya literature, self-published authors in the Visayas, and other Philippine books.

Text and photos by Christa De La Cruz.

07/06/2026

There is a rich history written in the petals and leaves of our archipelago, beautifully captured in “Flowers of the Philippines: A Selection of Botanical Illustrations" by Dr. Domingo A. Madulid, with illustrations by Gizzele Delos Santos-Eustaquio, published by Gentry Press.

From the wind-swept ridges of the Cordilleras to the rain-drenched forests of Mindanao, this elegantly crafted book takes readers on a stunning visual and botanical journey. Inside, each plant is accompanied by finely rendered illustrations and succinct notes on its taxonomy, habitat, and traditional uses, offering a deeper understanding of our country's ecological richness.

This botanical florilegia is available at Lost Books Cebu.

03/06/2026

We are gathering at the bookshop again this Sunday for a poetic afternoon. Come and celebrate with us the book launch of "Sigay and Other Poems," the debut poetry collection by Palanca-awardee Alden Arsen.

This collection introduces a distinct, resonant voice—one marked by tenderness, restraint, and longing. Moving through themes of grief, memory, distance, and the quotidian life, these poems trace emotional landscapes that feel both deeply personal and widely familiar.

Although this event is open and free to all, our space is limited. Therefore, we kindly request that you arrive early to secure a seat.

Lost Books Cebu is located on the ground floor of CAO Mercado Bldg., Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City.

02/06/2026

Our heartfelt gratitude to all of you who celebrated with us during the launch of “River,” the debut novel by Gian Carlo Jubela.

"River" plunges readers into a world where the boundary between the modern world and the elemental wild is beautifully, dangerously thin.

At its heart, the book is an exploration of healing and the devastating sacrifices that love demands when two entirely different realities collide. Gian Carlo weaves a spellbinding tale that is as much an emotional journey as it is a mythical adventure.

We are delighted to have this story flow out from this beautifully crafted world and onto our shelves. "River" is now available at our bookshop.

31/05/2026

If you grew up your whole life in Cebu, chances are you have visited the Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary and Art Gallery during a school field trip. So, when we heard that the sanctuary had recently published two books, we couldn’t wait to pay a visit. This is just a condensed portion of a two-hour-long visit. It was lovely to see this place still standing after all these years, and truly inspired by the heart and wisdom of Ms. Humaida Jumalon, its current caretaker.

“A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Cebu, Philippines” by Humaida A. Jumalon and Osman A. Jumalon; and “Julian N. Jumalon Works of Art” by Julian N. Jumalon with notes by Humaida A. Jumalon are now available at the bookshop.

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27/05/2026

Join us for another eventful Sunday at the bookshop. Let the entire community gather for the launch of "River," the debut fantasy novel by Gian Carlo Jubela.

"River" is a poignant story that explores themes of healing, the clash between the modern world and the elemental wild, and the devastating sacrifices love demands.

Although this event is open and free to all, our space is limited. Therefore, we kindly request that you arrive early to secure a seat.

Lost Books Cebu is located on the ground floor of CAO Mercado Bldg., Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City.

27/05/2026

We had an astonishing and immersive time connecting with our roots yesterday. One of our stops was the historic The 1730 Jesuit House Museum, where we had a meaningful, albeit short, conversation with Mr. Jaime Sy, the person keeping this place alive so that future generations can still cherish it. We will be posting more of our excursion soon.

A heartfelt thank you to Sir Donald Villamero and the amazing team from Lost Books Cebu for visiting the 1730 Jesuit House Museum! 📚✨

It was a pleasure sharing with you the rich history, stories, and heritage preserved within the oldest dated house in the Philippines.

Your visit also beautifully highlights the natural connection between museums and bookshops, as both serve as guardians of memory. While museums preserve lived history through artifacts, spaces, and architecture - bookshops like Lost Books Cebu keep history alive through words, ideas, and narratives. Together, they form a shared mission: to keep culture accessible, remembered, and continuously reimagined.

We truly appreciate your time, curiosity, and support for Cebu’s cultural treasures. We hope to welcome you again soon at the 1730 Jesuit House Museum!

25/05/2026

We are grateful to everyone who joined us yesterday at the book talk and signing for “3amverse: a poetry collection,” the debut poetry book by Darlene Tiffany.

We are so excited that this book is now available in our bookshop.

Written across sleepless nights and deeply personal seasons, the collection explores what it means to survive emotional ruin while slowly learning how to live gently again.