Online reading platform aims to make local books more accessible

While the internet has made knowledge widely available, the Philippine literature industry continues to face barriers as access to knowledge and information remains limited. 

Gia Santos, an engineer, saw this gap and created REKO, an online reading platform for Filipino-authored e-books that aims to make local literature more accessible through personalized, AI-powered recommendations and e-bookstreaming.

“Many readers live far from bookstores, with no libraries nearby. Even when secondhand books were sold by the kilo, people still looked for Filipino-authored titles in Tagalog because they wanted something relatable. However, the supply was so scarce that these books sold out as soon as they became available," she said during the Sustainability Pitch Fest at the DOST-SM Prime Sustainability Expo (SUSTEX) 2025 on August 30 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. 

With this, Santos said she needed to provide an innovative solution through REKO.

For one, REKO is more sustainable, as physical books require high printing and distribution costs.

According to Santos, issues in the publishing industry include distinctive topics that require substantial resources to reach certain audiences, as well as piracy concerns that make it a challenge to switch to digital formats. The lack of reliable data also hinders publishers from forecasting demand, tracking engagement, and understanding market trends.

“These issues have social, cultural, and economic implications,” Santos said. “Sustainability is not only about the environment—it’s also about access to knowledge and cultural preservation. Books should not be a privilege for a few; they should be accessible to everyone.”

“We may not be a typical environmental startup, but sustainability is also about knowledge, access, and culture. By moving away from print-first systems to digital distribution, we reduce waste while ensuring Filipino stories remain alive, accessible, and impactful for future generations.”

REKO was launched in May this year and is now in the beta testing stage with more than 500 users and over 200 titles currently available.

Similar to Netflix and Spotify, REKO features a recommendation engine to tailor book suggestions for each reader.

“This innovative approach addresses a common challenge—readers want to explore more local literature but often don’t know where to start,” Santos said.

Another unique feature of REKO allows users to take a photo of their bookshelf. The app then identifies the books and recommends similar works by Filipino authors.

It also includes text-to-speech compatibility and adjustable fonts, among others, to cater to users with disabilities or learning challenges. 

Santos' team started collaborating with the Department of Science and Technology's Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) when they applied for the Startup Grand Fund Program in 2023, during a time when they were still focused on BookSpine, a social enterprise that aimed to make selling, donating, and buying books more accessible. 

They received the grant in June 2024, with their team conducting R&D to develop the AI-based recommendation engine. It was during this time that their team pivoted towards e-book streaming, thus the creation of REKO. 

"The funding provided access to resources that would have been difficult to secure otherwise, especially given the low margins of secondhand books. Through this support, the team has been able to build and refine REKO* into a digital-first platform that uplifts local literature,” she said. 

—Nika Roque/CDC, GMA Integrated News