From Iloilo to the Stars

How MRenkerBooks is championing Filipino voices in Europe

What happens when two dreamers meet on a university campus in Iloilo and share a love for stories, learning, and culture? You get MRenkerBooks Publishing, a family-run publishing house founded by Michael and Maria Renker, who first met while studying at Central Philippine University in Iloilo City, Philippines.

Fast forward to 2022 in Germany—that shared passion evolved into MRenkerBooks: a growing platform for Filipino creatives in Europe and a bridge between cultures through multilingual children’s books, poetry, and speculative fiction.

More Than a Publishing House

The Pastel Dinos, a delightful series that brings pastel dinosaurs to life, are the books that started it all. Written by Maria Renker and illustrated by her daughter Kate, these stories are filled with gentle adventures, life lessons, and warm colors—perfect for young readers discovering friendship, courage, and kindness.

Another MRenker book, “Maria’s Dream Beyond the Stars,” was inspired by Maria’s own childhood dreams and her mother’s STEM legacy. This beautifully illustrated book follows a little girl who reaches for the stars—quite literally. It's a tale about believing in oneself, following your dreams, and the wonders of space. A celebration of Filipino excellence in science, space, and imagination.

‘Cosmic Lingo: An Intergalactic Guide for Young Explorers and Language Lovers,” launched May 18 at the Mama Macht Markt in Alte Kongresshalle, München. This trilingual space adventure is a colorful, educational journey through the cosmos—teaching space vocabulary in English, German, and Filipino.

Created by Maria, with art by Kate, editing by Cesca, and inspiration from their son Michael Jr., “Cosmic Lingo” is both a playful language guide and a love letter to the stars.

For Michael and Maria, it’s more than a publishing house, it’s a movement.

MRenkerBooks doesn’t just stop at family books. Their growing catalogue includes powerful works by fellow Filipino authors in Europe, such as “Chasing Windmills” by Maya Butalid, a poignant memoir soon to be translated into German;  “The Culling in Proxima” by Renato Tranquilino, a gripping sci-fi novel with deep philosophical undertones; and poetry from Jubail Andong, Claire Paladin, and Ma. Lowela Tondo Becaro—lyrical explorations of identity, migration, and belonging.

Helping build the Filipino Literary Circle in Europe

To deepen this literary mission, Maria Renker founded the Philippine Literary Circle Europe — a collective that brings together Filipino creatives across the continent. Through readings, workshops, and cultural exchanges, the circle aims to preserve and promote Filipino heritage through storytelling, especially in diaspora communities.

Onward to the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025. With the Philippines as Guest of Honor at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair, MRenkerBooks hopes to proudly showcase its authors and stories — a powerful reminder that Filipino voices belong on the global stage.

MRenkerBooks Publishing is not just a business. It’s a love story—of a family, a culture, and the written word.

Discover their books at mrenkerbooks.com, and reach out at info@mrenkerbooks.com.