In the Philippines, getting access to local literature isn't as easy as opening a browser tab. Many readers still struggle to find books written by Filipino authors, especially in Tagalog. Printing costs remain high, distribution is limited, and piracy keeps publishers from going fully digital.
That's the gap engineer-turned-founder Gia Santos is trying to solve with Reko, a startup building a digital reading platform dedicated to Filipino-authored eBooks.
Launched in May 2025 and currently in beta, Reko has more than 500 users and a catalog of 200 titles. Its pitch is simple: if Netflix transformed the way people watch films, and Spotify reshaped music discovery, Reko wants to do the same for Filipino literature.
At its core, Reko runs on AI-powered personalization. The platform's recommendation engine suggests titles tailored to each reader's interests, lowering the barrier to discovery. A standout feature even lets users scan their physical bookshelf -- Reko then identifies the books and recommends similar works by local authors.
For publishers and writers, the platform is designed to be more than just a storefront. Reko aims to provide data-driven insights that help the industry forecast demand, measure reader engagement, and make smarter publishing decisions.
"Traditional publishing in the Philippines is resource-heavy and unpredictable," Santos said at the recent DOST-SM Prime Sustainability Expo.
"We're building a system where Filipino stories can reach the right readers without being bottlenecked by print and distribution costs."
The startup is also leaning on sustainability as part of its narrative. By shifting from print-first to digital-first, Reko argues it can reduce waste while preserving Filipino stories for future generations.
For now, the platform is still testing the waters with early adopters, but Santos is clear on the long game: to break barriers in book access, and to prove that technology can redefine how local literature is created, distributed, and consumed.