SIS (Social Issue Series) #4: Bullying They say that beauty is a luxury. That good looks is the only privilege that matters. That the world is only in favor of those who were born pretty. Sa panahon nga raw ngayon, parang kasalanan na ang pagiging less attractive. You're unappealing? Emotionally weak? Naive? How pathetic. Now you gotta deal with the consequences, loser. Sounds like bullshit? Yup. The truth may be harsh but it is what it is. Once you failed to reach the very high standards set by the society, you're doomed. Yara Isabelle got the deadliest combination of being unattractive, soft-hearted and innocent. But she used to get by and survive the bullying just fine. Because she got her knight-in-shining armor. Her childhood sweetheart. Not until he stopped saving her. Not until he stopped caring. Not until he got fed up of everything. Sky Edison used to be full of compassion. But that was before something terrible happened within their family. His perception had changed. He now finds it ridiculous that people let themselves get treated badly. However, the downside is that for some significant circumstances, these two have to share a condo as they enter senior high school. What could possibly happen given their situation? How would it feel like living under the same roof not with your bully but your former superhero who's now just a witness of your despair? How would it feel like going home to a place with a person who gets to see you getting bullied everyday at school? Wattys 2020 Winner under Young Adult Category

SIS (Social Issue Series) #2: Stereotyping Piercing, Tattoo, Dyed Hair. Usual indications of a badass. Kapag babae ka at meron ka nito ay malamang fuck girl, adik, slut, o wala ka raw patutunguhan sa buhay. Lia Kennedy grew up doing whatever she likes. Wala siyang nakitang rason para pigilan ang sarili sa kung ano man ang mga nakapagpapasaya sa kaniya. Ngunit nang mamulat ay nagising siya sa mapait na katotohanang hindi mo magagawa lahat ng gusto mo sa mundo. Madali para sa iba ang manghusga base lang sa kung ano ang nakikita nila sayo. Ridge Terrence is no exception. A serious guy who had things plan ahead for his life. He's one of those who believe that what you see is what you get. He gives no time for bullshits. As Lia gets stuck between being herself and changing to be accepted, she faced several conflicts in her teenage years that brought their fate together. Will it be a good thing? Or a bad thing? Started: April 15, 2020 Completed: April 26, 2020

Dion Andrius, a determined and overachiever college heartthrob of BS Biology, made his goal clear to himself already, and it is to become a professional... The best surgeon someday. A relationship-oriented man who has been living a perfect life like a lottery winner, especially when he met Thalia, a not-so-crybaby and a daddy's girl from BSBA FM who put too much pressure on him as he tried reaching her standards, and that's her daddy. She's just wanting someone who'll love her the way his father treasures her and the way her father loves her mom. And yes... He did prove it's him she's searching for. Butterflies. Sugars. Honey. Unfortunately, after all those sweet and good times... He's not born under a lucky star yet. What happened, then? #ATLLWP

Rejections doesn't scare her. Kaya kahit ilang nakakahiyang bagay pa 'yan, basta mapansin lang ng crush niya, gagawin niya. Embarrassment should not be the one to conquer oneself but confidence, she believes that. That's why although she's aware that Elizzer Hadley is sharing mutual feelings towards her cousin Hillary, hindi siya tumitigil. She's desperate. Wala pa namang confirmation. Wala pa silang label. May pag-asa pa! But what if ... the unconfirmed matter is completely answered by her, herself? She saw it. She felt it. When he can instantly refuse her, while he cannot say no when it comes to her cousin. She achieved what she wants. He fell for her. They fall in love with each other. But how assured she is that his every heartbeats screams nothing but her name? Her cousin comes first before her. Or she might be just a replacement. Who knows? [UNEDITED] #AGOLWP

To sail across the seven seas and to dock in many ports. Those are just the two things Kiro Danvier Celeres aimed for his life. He is popular as the flame darling of BS in Marine Transportation. Sa lahat ng Marino, siya lang ang may kakayahang umilag sa katagang "Seamanloloko". Why? Well, he has just no ex, no past or latest flings, but crush? Of course, he has. However, he met the girl when he was young. And he cannot just forget her. He cannot just unlove her. So as hard as he could ... He finds her no matter how many years it will take. As his cargo ship tranquilly sailed across his sanctuary, finding his lost queen, he suddenly met Zy and later developed feelings with her. Life is an art but unlike the paper - You cannot erase anything. It is what it is. She's the first victim. Hindi manloloko? Then why is she crying? Why is she grieving for what she'd lost? #LIGTWP

Akali Heniz Salonga, a bookworm, serious and intelligent high school student who grew up in a problematic family. Behind the trophies and medals she got, she doubts her ability in achieving her dreams caused by the underestimation of her father. But then, she has Tyron, who seemed to be her warm compressor when her period badly attacks. He tamed her. He cheered her when life pushed her down. She first found comfort on reading books until her book-buddy became the cause of her dreamest comfort. But Tyron found his rest on some other girl, and that was their bestfriend. [UNEDITED] #TLISWP

Bistre Santiago lives for fun and carefree moments, but her encounter with the serious man like Cyprian Segovia challenges her stance. Haunted by a dark past, she struggles to open her heart to him, yet finds herself fighting for the love she knows she deserves. *** Innocencia Bistre Santiago enjoys living life lightly and having fun-until she crosses paths with a serious man like Cyprian Altair Segovia in a bar. She vowed never to fall in love, yet finds herself irresistibly drawn to Cyprian's charm. However, as her dark past unravels, the people she once turned her back on resurface, revealing the unsettling truth about who she truly is. When freedom comes at a cost and respect must be earned, can Bistre afford the price for her happiness? Will she be ready to confront the truth when she discovers Cyprian's connection to her deepest, darkest secret? DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish. COVER DESIGN: Rayne Mariano

Ametrine Carillo drifts through life, searching for something she can't name--a purpose, a color, a reason to start again. When Elos Villareal saves her by accident, she discovers a love that was never part of the canvas. *** Ametrine Carillo lives in brushstrokes and silence, drifting through a life blurred by abandonment and betrayal. Her mother gambles away their future, her father left them, and still, she clings to her art, desperate to find the color that will make her feel whole again. Then one night, violence finds her. And so does Elos Villareal. He's everything every girl dreams of. And when he pulls her from the brink, their lives collide, and love starts to bloom. Until Ametrine learns the truth: Elos once loved her stepsister, the girl who shares her passion for painting. As old wounds resurface and buried truths unravel, Ametrine must fight not just for love but for the life she's never dared to imagine. Because some hearts are not broken by accident . . . they're torn apart by design. DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish. COVER DESIGN: Rayne Mariano

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