Started: 04/27/2021 Ended: 08/24/2021 Ang hirap palang tumanda. Ang hirap magbayad ng bills. Ang hirap suportahan ng pamilyang akala ay isang milyon ang suweldo mo. Ang hirap ngumiti sa nanay na mataas ang tingin sa'yo pero hindi ka kayang ipagtanggol. Ang hirap tabihan sa hapagkainan ng tatay na pinag-uubusan mo ng pera pero hindi ka maalala. Ang hirap mag-abot ng tulong sa kapatid na baon sa utang. Ang hirap intindihin ng hipag na nakakapagpa-rebond pa kahit kapos na kapos na. Ang hirap pakisamahan ng bunsong halos ilahad ang mga palad tuwing makikita ka. Ang hirap ngitian ng mga taong tanong nang tanong kung bakit hindi ka pa nakakapag-asawa. Ang hirap humarap sa mundong isasampal sa'yo na mag-isa ka. Tulong, bigay, utang. Isang iling mo lang, madamot ka na. Kasama mo sila kapag may maibibigay ka, pero hindi mo sila mahahanap kapag wala na. Ikaw ang kakayod, sila ang tutuka. Ikaw ang iiyak sa pagod, sila ang magtatamasa. Iyon ang summary ng buhay ko. Sobra-sobra ang naririnig na paghingi, kulang na kulang ang naririnig na pasasalamat. Sobra-sobra ang pagpapasensya, kulang na kulang ang natatanggap na pagpapahalaga. Sobra-sobra ang binabayaran, kulang na kulang sa kasiyahan. Kaya nang dumating sa buhay ko ang nag-iisang lalaking hindi ako nakita bilang naglalakad na alkansya, ang nag-iisang lalaking nakinig sa mahabang listahan ko ng problema, ang nag-iisang lalaking nagbigay sa akin ng kakaibang saya, ipinangako ko sa sarili na sa gitna ng hirap ng pagtanda, magtitiis ako basta't siya ang kasama. Kahit pa ang kapalit noon ay pagtalikod sa minahal na pamilya. Kahit pa ang kapalit noon ay paglaban sa mundong pinatatakbo ng kapangyarihan at pera. Kahit pa ang kapalit noon ay ang pagdurusa't pag-iisa. Siya ang ginhawa, pahinga, at kasiyahan ko. Dumating man ang araw na tanaw ko na ang dulo. Dumating man ang araw na wala na kaming sagot sa lahat ng bakit at paano. Dumating man ang araw na pareho na kaming talo.

[REVISED EDITION, 2025] Lost Island Series #3: Heart of Darkness "Some people have no idea how beautiful the darkness is." Winter Andromeda Almedarez may be in danger-her father is certain of it. But does she share his fears? She believes she can handle herself just fine. With her wits and the ability to defend herself, she never let the threats from her father's political adversaries unsettle her. Yet her father, gripped by concern for her safety, secretly hired a bodyguard. Here comes Major Warrion Adelram Alcantara, a favored and former military officer who was assigned to protect her. One look at him, and Winter realizes that while she may not fear danger, her heart is now in one- in an entirely different way. Amidst shadows of painful truths and buried secrets, can love become a beacon-bringing light to her heart filled with sorrow and darkness? Book 3 of Lost Island Series

Sandejas Legacy #3: Chaining Lockets Sandejas Legacy continues... "He's still chained like a locket, not to me...but in someone else's neck." Crest Veronica Sandejas is the high-maintenance fashionista heiress of Atty. Iñigo Sandejas. The ultimate kikay of the century, she loves shopping, glittery things, booze, and parties. She believes in living her life to the fullest because she can only have it once. She loves spending money; she loves hanging out with friends and partying all night that her father could already imagine white strands of hair on his head. She's a happy-go-lucky woman, but behind those smiles lies the loneliest woman you'll ever meet. Crest was living the life until she met that man with seductive gray eyes and a strict, cold face, Lt. Lorcan Keith Dmitrov, the man who would turn her life upside down. She thought it was the start of her own happy ending, but soon realized she was not in a fairytale with rainbows and butterflies. Instead, they're in a dark fantasy, scary and twisted. When the secrets from their past start unraveling and monsters start chasing them, what if the ends of the links locking them met? Will they be able to free themselves from the chains tied to them?

Sandejas Legacy #5: Solace Escape "Sandejas Legacy continues..." Sibyl Timothea Sandejas is a well-known ballerina, the center of attention, the star. Everyone wanted a glimpse of her life, not just because she's a great dancer but mostly because she's the daughter of the famous actress, Alyx Sandejas. She's in the spotlight. Fake smiles, false rumors, and the blinding flashes of cameras tired her. She's in the prime of her life, but one mistake and her world turned upside down. It cost her not only her career but also disappointment from her parents that they made her stay in Sta. Monica to learn her lessons. That's when she met again the hardworking and happy-go-lucky man, Solomon Alejo. A complete opposite of her. She expected to have the worst year ever, not knowing she'd find what she didn't even know she sought before. An escape from the eyes of the public. Solace. In his arms. Limelights are chaotic and blinding, no matter how pretty they are to look at. Every show ends, and as the curtain closes, will Sibyl fight for her stage back or will she embrace her peace?

Sandejas Legacy #6: Shattered Bullets (A DARK ROMANCE) "Sandejas Legacy continues..." "Every shattered piece of mine is yours..." Lethal, heartless, and frigid. Bullet, often referred to as Scythe, is the killing machine. She is notorious in the underworld and makes a life off of killing people. Men included were terrified of her. A look from her eyes will guarantee quick death, and even the mere mention of her name can take down opponents. She was Wyatt Anderson Sr.'s weapon, therefore she had no choice but to comply when she was given the assignment to spy on Colonel Zion Schauffer Sandejas, DEA's new acting director. She was very certain she had the man in the palm of her hand, but Bullet was unaware of the secrets from her past. That it would ultimately crumble her to pieces--shattered, perhaps. Because she may be the weapon of death but...he was the death itself.

Sandejas Legacy #7: Withered Roses "Sandejas Legacy continues..." Tasked to find evidence to free her father in jail, Zahrah Ortega pretends to be the new secretary of the strict and mysterious prosecutor in their area. But when she suddenly finds herself in a complicated relationship with him, can Zahrah still fulfill her mission in time? *** Suffering from trauma when kidnapped years ago, Zahrah Ortega is forced to live in a secluded mansion for her safety. With her father jailed for crimes his lawyer claims he didn't commit, Zahrah finds herself tasked with a difficult mission--she must pretend to be the secretary of the new prosecutor to get evidence that could set her father free. Zahrah believes she can fulfill her mission, but when she meets the cold and mysterious prosecutor, she is suddenly unsure what to think. With the doubts starting to cloud her thoughts and remnants of her past haunting her back, can Zahrah set aside her growing feelings for the prosecutor to uncover the truth once and for all? Disclaimer: This story is written in Taglish, a combination of Tagalog & English. Cover Design by Louise De Ramos

Lost Island Series #5: "Listen to the song, to the symphony of the sea and sail towards the love that was lost yet found again." Cathalina once called the palace her home, but now it feels like a cage. Sheltered, hidden, and controlled, she was nothing more than a puppet, obeying the commands of those who dictated her life. Lost and lonely, she realized it was time to break free and rediscover herself. When her parents announced her arranged marriage, she had reached her limit. She refused to let others decide her fate any longer. This time, she would make her own choice-to search for the man her heart truly longed for. Fleeing into the night, she found herself aboard a ship, where she met the tall, enigmatic, with striking midnight-black eyes, and handsome Captain Lucian Alessandro Castanier. Would their love rewrite a fate that's been sealed long ago? Could it defy fate? Could it defy the very forces that threaten to tear them apart-even death itself? As they sail together upon the endless sea, will they reclaim a love that was once lost? Or would the cruel destiny make history repeat itself? Book 5 of Lost Island Series Note: Please read the first four stories related to this series before this one. Or, you can read any of the first four then this if you prefer. But I suggest you'll read this last for more thrill.

A Royal Visit In Brooklyn (Lost Island Series Spin Off) Royal, beautiful, regal, and the next in line for the crown of Italy - that's how people see and describe Gabriela Romanov, the future queen from the royal dynasty Casa Savoia. She embodies beauty and perfection, admired by all. Yet, beneath the crown lies a lonely soul, longing for something more. She dreams of escaping the confines of her carefully orchestrated life, of experiencing the simple joys of the world beyond royalty. More than anything, she yearns for love-the kind that isn't dictated by duty or expectation. She never imagined it would happen. Her future has been set in stone. But fate takes an unexpected turn when she goes on a royal visit to Brooklyn and meets Captain Sebastian Gomez Baca-a man who is anything but refined. Brash, rugged, and utterly unlike anyone from her world. Could he be the one to grant her the freedom she craves? Will their love defy the odds, or will duty and destiny force them apart?

Elara Soledad de Merced thrives in attention and affection-being the youngest and only daughter, never once did she experience being set aside and treated as someone deemed unworthy. All her life, she was treated with utmost care and love. The princess with a perfect life who had never gone through hardship. Boys dream of her. Girls look up to her. Some hate her. Whatever she does, everyone follows. Second to none, rejection was something she was never familiar with, until him-her first love and the only man who ever rejected her. But not even her first rejection could stop her, so she pulls out her highest heels and her sparkly little dress, because what Elara wants, Elara gets. Luis Silvino Prodigalidad is what she wants, and she will get him, even if it means painting his hurricane into pink skies.

THE LOSERS' CLUB SERIES #1 Have you ever been so smitten with someone that you were just so grateful they existed? Tipong makita mo lang siya, solved ka na. Kahit hindi mo siya makausap o makasama, inspired na inspired ka. That was the case for Dawn Karsen Navarro, a die-hard fan of a prominent singer and songwriter, Dior Kobe Gallardo. Kahit pa laging General Admission ticket lang ang nabibili niya at halos kasinlaki lang ng gagamba ang natatanaw niya mula sa upuan, marinig niya lang ang boses ng binata, kuntento na siya. So, when luck pulled a trick on her poor heart, she didn't hesitate to take advantage of the opportunity. She went from being in the farthest row to being in the backstage, from seeing only a glimpse of her idol to a face-to-face encounter, and from hearing only a fraction of his life to knowing everything there was to know about him. She had made a lot of progress. But, why did she go back to being seated in the farthest row? Why did she go back to being just a mere fan? After everything they vowed, why did she go back to being a stranger in the midst of the crowd?