Experience the extreme joys, sorrows, and triumphs of a queer Filipino-American teenager struggling to prove himself in an unforgiving world.

“Rod Pulido delivers the ultimate one-two punch: bare-knuckled, bruising honesty wrapped in humor, sincerity, and sweetness.”—Becky Albertalli, bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“Pulls no punches as it explores the courage and community needed to stand up to hatred.”—Randy Ribay, author of the National Book Award finalist Patron Saints of Nothing

Self preservation. That’s Bobby’s motto for surviving his notoriously violent high school unscathed. Being out and queer would put an unavoidable target on his back, especially in a Filipino community that frowns on homosexuality. It’s best to keep his head down, get good grades, and stay out of trouble.

But when Bobby is unwillingly outed in a terrible way, he no longer has the luxury of being invisible. A vicious encounter has him scrambling for a new way to survive—by fighting back. Bobby is inspired by champion Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao to take up boxing and challenge his tormentor. But when Pacquiao publicly declares his stance against queer people, Bobby’s faith—in his hero and in himself—is shaken to the core.

A VULGAR GENIUSES BOOK AWARD WINNER