Yes, YES, three weeks have passed since Kilig Cafe happened and I’m only now creating this wrap up post. As a *twenty-five year old, there are just some things I’ve made peace with. Such as giving myself more time to recover after a huge event such as Kilig Cafe. (Plus I had to work on more content for the #RomanceClass social media accounts.)
So anyway, yes, we made it happen! Kilig Cafe, the #RomanceClass tambayan concept that we started online during the pandemic, became a real-life hub for romance fans for one day! I still feel a bit emotional and overwhelmed that a wild idea thrown into a conversation over brunch became such a fun and memorable event almost three months later. Check out this post by Mina V. Esguerra to see everyone who’s been instrumental in mounting this event.
^ My little gratitude post on Instagram.
I was stationed at the registration table for most of the day (yes, with a custom-made Kilig Cafe apron because why not), which meant I had very little time to actually go around and see what was going on at the other tables. It was a little unfortunate, but thankfully a lot of event attendees took and shared photos and videos and I was really happy seeing all of them, especially since they highlighted a bunch of things I missed.
Check out these posts and reels from @pryngols, @highnyzbibliofiles, @katonthejellicoe, @archiveofbea, and @pamzaragoza.
It might not have looked like it (because I was ngarag the whole day), but I felt so much kilig at Kilig Cafe. And these were the Top 5 things that brought in that rush of joy:
- The beautiful exhibitors’ displays. We asked all exhibitors to dress up their own tables however they see fit, and they delivered. We had so many pretty table setups and of course, so many gorgeous books displayed on them. There were freebies in the form of stickers and candies, a gumball machine for lucky prizes, book catalogs in cafe menu form, cup sleeves, live doodle station, stamping stations, and even a “Versusan” board where various tropes “battled it out” tournament bracket style. I so loved the effort every author, artist, and community put into making their tables as presentable and interactive as possible. I just know the attendees enjoyed visiting each table and finding out what’s in store for them there.
Carla de Guzman’s books and stamping station 
The Whimsical Books table and their menu board 
Trope Versusan by Guilty Reads 
Leng de Chavez’s table featuring Andreau’s sablay portrait 
Ana Tejano launched a new book at Kilig Cafe, Win Meah Over 
Justine Tajonera and Catherine Dellosa brought their Penguin SEA published books to Kilig Cafe - Authors proudly talking about their books and reaching new readers. I understand most authors’ aversion to speaking in public, but I was so proud seeing them on stage talking about their books that day! Every single one, from those who were launching new books to those who were introducing previously published ones, had their own little time in the spotlight. And I’d like to believe that they were able to find new readers in the audience too! We invited authors to do panels, and that was very special. I hope we could do more of that in the future.
Chi Yu Rodrieguez talking about her Blush Book, No Two Ways 
H. Bentham and artist Rye Quizon on Kiss Away the Goodbye 
Celestine Trinidad launching her new short story collection Perfect for You 
Dawn Lanuza speaking at the Editors are Essential panel with Layla Tanjutco 
Vanessa from Whimsical Books and Khiara Laurea from BRU Multiverse on why editors are essential 
Myself in a panel with Rayne Mariano (Guilty Reads) and Ms. Rose Tan (Whimsical Books) about community building - Seeing so many new faces and a lot of familiar ones. Because I was at the registration table, I was able to meet a lot of attendees as we were handing out tickets and random prizes. I think it’s safe to say I’ve met more new people this time, thanks to the wonderful mix of exhibitors we invited. But it was also great to see the usual people we meet at our events. They are readers who have been with us since the beginning, since Kilig Cafe was only a virtual hangout where we could chat about whatever we wanted and connect somehow while the whole world shut down. Seeing all of them in one place brought the warm fuzzies for sure. I hope they were able to make new connections, too!
- The live readings. Self-explanatory, but hey. I’ve yet to meet a new-to-RomanceClass event attendee who has not been affected by a live reading. There’s always something about experiencing written work being performed in front of your that evokes a heightened sense of emotion. It’s also very enjoyable, as an author who enjoys theatre a lot. Inspiring too!Our live readers for Kilig Cafe were live reading veterans (VETERANS!?) Rachel Coates, Jef Flores, and two new faces, Camille Abaya, and Rendell Sanchez.
Rendell Sanchez and Camille Abaya reading Carla de Guzman’s Comeback to Me 
Jef Flores and Rachel Coates performing Ana Tejano’s Win Meah Over 
Post-live reading group photo with the authors whose books were read in the program It was Camille’s first time live reading a #RomanceClass work in Manila, because her debut was actually at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair. Meanwhile, we’ve worked with Rendell on some audio content a few months back, and Kilig Cafe was his debut for #RomanceClass.
All live readings are available now on the #RomanceClass YouTube channel. Go and enjoy them for free~!
- The generosity of everyone involved. I’ve always believed this community would not have continues to thrive if not for the generosity of people. Within the community, we help each other out in many different ways. Writing advice, yes. Editing tips, of course. Publishing tools, absolutely. #RomanceClass is a solid village where everyone works toward one goal, and every member does whatever they can to achieve it.But we are also very happy to have people outside the community who are always there to support us in their own ways. They’re the ones behind the scenes, helping set up tables, wrapping up souvenirs, asking “What else can I do to help?” They’re the ones who, despite being exhausted and having early call times at work the next day, still carve out some time in their calendars to show up to events. They’re the ones who say yes to talk at panels even if they’re actually very shy. They’re watching the livestream and making sure our audio levels are fine and the feed is working. They’re reading our books and telling their friends to read them too.It was an honor to have been at Kilig Cafe to experience everyone’s generosity firsthand. People offered to help me at the reg table so I could take a break. I got a cup of coffee from Brij. I got a slice of pizza from Avy. I got a present from Cath. I got big, big hugs that I really, really appreciated. Honestly, if all that love and generosity could seal the Honmoon, everyone at Kilig Cafe—organizers, exhibitors, and guests alike—would have successfully kept the demons underground for a long time.
(Unfortunately it doesn’t happen that way, so we soldier on. LOL.)
One of the best things about mounting this event is seeing what’s possible. What works. What else we can do to improve. And we are EXCITED for what’s next, because you know we’re not going to stop here! 🙂 The #RomanceClass community will continue to write and publish books and provide safe spaces for authors and readers to come together and celebrate our love for reading. Pangako ‘yan.
Until the next one! <3
