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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Keeping Miss Kalila is FIVE!

Do all of you ever feel like time has been running so quickly? I’m always in some kind of mild shock when my babies (my books, lol) turn a year older. Like…what do you mean Keeping Miss Kalila is now five years old?

I released Keeping Miss Kalila on April 1st of the year the whole world shut down because of COVID. We were in a very uncertain, very scary situation and I wasn’t even sure if releasing a new book at the time was a smart move. But I did, and after I while I received messages from readers who said they found comfort in Datu and Kalila’s love story, which made me feel like I made the right decision.

But a book is never too “old” for anyone who’s just discovering them, and here’s your chance to discover Datu and Kalila’s love story too. To celebrate the book’s fifth birthday, Keeping Miss Kalila is now available for only $0.99 on Amazon!

Buy Keeping Miss Kalila for $0.99 here!

Read a sample on Wattpad!

This special birthday sale will run until April 30, 2025.

Happy reading, everyone! <3

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Happy World Theatre Week!

This is a little late — I just learned over the weekend that World Theatre Week begins on the 21st of March — but hey, I didn’t forget! Happy World Theatre Week to all who celebrate, and as always, my hats off to everyone who works tirelessly to create wonderful theatre productions, onstage or off. You are all heroes to me.

As you know, I’m a big musical theatre fan and I endeavor every year to catch as many shows as I can (as my savings can afford LOL) to support local theatre. I’ve seen Next to Normal last month, and so far on my list of shows to watch this year are:

  • We Aren’t Kids Anymore (Barefoot Theater Collaborative)
  • Delia D (NWR Musicals)
  • Grace (Encore Theater)
  • and another show I’m super looking forward to but hasn’t been announced yet, so shhhh.
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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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