Everything I loved about SB19’s Simula at Wakas World Tour Kickoff

“Dam, ano’ng pakiramdam?”

—was the question SB19 posed at the beginning of the show, with a cloaked ensemble of 70 or so dancers and singers on stage, chanting as the live band made the music swell to fever pitch. In front of them, a 55,000-strong crowd roared enthusiastically back at them. And if Pablo’s words were a battlecry, we made sure we were all heard: We’re all in this together, Pins. Let’s fucking go!

On May 31 and June 1, SB19 mounted their most ambitious concert yet: The Simula at Wakas World Tour Kickoff at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. Expectations were off the charts for this one because it’s the group’s first time doing their own show at the venue. A’Tin were so hyped they sold out first day tickets in less than seven hours, and 1Z Entertainment decided a few weeks later to add a second concert date.

I was one of those people who initially said they won’t go because getting to the venue was too inconvenient, but as the day of the ticket sale grew closer, my co-A’Tin titas and I decided we COULD NOT miss this for the world.

So ayun na nga, nag-concert ang mga tita. And even though I know I cannot encapsulate the entirety of my Simula at Wakas World Tour Kickoff in words, it won’t hurt to try. Right?

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On safe spaces and success: My post-#PBF2025 musings

We had a favorite TikTok meme last week as we were manning the #RomanceClass booth at the Philippine Book Festival: “Bigla kang sumakses eh, pero istep by the step pala bago ka sumakses.”

We used it to tease H. Bentham, who, after 8 years, was finally able to finish and publish his first full-length novella in time for PBF. And he didn’t just publish it, mind you — his book, Kiss Away the Goodbye was picked up by Blush Books for its Philippine print edition, and so many people came to the booth looking to buy it! The very definition of success!

Just H. Bentham and his adoring public. Congratulations on the release of your book, Ben!

But we also kept repeating it whenever another author had their moment. Either someone bought their book at the event, or someone brought copies of their books bought elsewhere to get them signed + their photos taken. We must have said the words a hundred times a day, coupled with giggles and silent wishes that more books fly off the shelves as the hours went on.

Spoiler alert: Our wishes came true.

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It’s time for #PBF2025!

Hey hey, book lovers — the 2025 Philippine Book Festival is in A WEEK and I’m very excited! Why, you ask? Well, my friends, it’s because the Philippine Book Festival is the ONE big bookish event in the country that has Filipino-authored publications as its focus. So if you wanna get into Filipino authors and their works, this is THE event you should be at.

This year, the Philippine Book Festival is happening on March 13-16 (Thursday to Sunday) at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall Building B. As always, the event is FREE for the public — you can pre-register using the QR code on the poster below, or just simply show up on the day of the event and register at the door.

Every year at the Philippine Book Festival, the venue is divided into four realms: Booktopia (trade books), Kid Lit (children’s literature), Aral Aklat (educational books), and Komiks (comics and graphic novels). This year, #RomanceClass will be having its very own booth at Booktopia, and we are inviting you all to check us out at Booth BO11! Your favorite #RomanceClass books will be there, as well as some authors who’ll be hanging out and signing books as well.

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My weekend with Pawssion Project

I don’t remember now how exactly I discovered Pawssion Project, but I do know it was before the pandemic happened, and I’d had aspirations of becoming a volunteer even back then. Fast forward to 2023, and I saw a call for volunteers on their Instagram page; I signed up and that was it! I became a Pawssion Project volunteer!

I initially signed up as one of their content creators, but immediately realized I couldn’t contribute as much because of my day job and other author-related activities. Even volunteering at events became a bit tricky schedule-wise, because my weekends were always busy. And when they’re not, I’m almost always catching up on sleep.

Anyway, I was able to volunteer at the Bobba’s Backyard Pet Expo event this weekend, and it was a lot of fun. We got to raise over P100,000 for the shelter and new rescues in need of urgent care! It was amazing to meet people who share the same love and compassion for strays and abandoned animals, and I truly hope to see a world where every stray and homeless dog and cat find their furever homes.

For more information about Pawssion Project, visit their website: pawssionproject.org.ph. You may also follow them on Instagram or Facebook for updates on rescues and details of upcoming events. There are upcoming events where you can participate and help us out, so please watch out for those, and we hope to see you there!

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I’m launching a book at #MIBF2024 this Saturday!

Yes, folks—it’s finally happening! But first…

Look at these beauties! These are the new Blush Books edition covers for Six de los Reyes’ Beginner’s Guide: Love and Other Chemical Reactions, Mina V. Esguerra’s Better at Weddings Than You, and my book, Scandalized! Aren’t they amazing? Many thanks to talented local artists Enid Din, Ren Bit, and Shai San Jose for giving our books a glow-up!

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