WATTYS 2021 SHORTLIST - ROMANCE Jude Asrael Savio, lead vocalist of the famous international band Queen City, suddenly announces a hiatus from the limelight after Faith, his secret fiancée, died in a reckless driving accident caused by the son of Roberto Morales, Lucio. He hates how the family shows no remorse for the death of his fiancée. Whether it's pure luck or not, Jude discovers Lucia Marison's identity-the ghost daughter of Roberto Morales, whom nobody knows exists. Driven by his grief, Jude plans his revenge, and the best way to get even is to use Marison. He will make her fall for him, and he will make sure Marison hates herself for being Roberto Morales' daughter. But will a kiss of deception be enough to prevent him from falling for her? Or will the mysteries of Faro de Amoré save him from losing Marison for good? But what if Marison can hear Jude's dead fiancée? Disclaimer: This story is written in Taglish. Cover Design: WeirdyGurl

AR. THADDEUS BERNARDO APOSTOL faces his greatest regret after ten long years of waiting for the girl that got away. But instead of meeting Susanna Evangeline Rama's future self, the mysterious lighthouse of Faro de Amoré brings back the Sanna from his past that he failed to protect-clueless about her life and the events that occurred between the years 2009 and 2011, with 49 days ticking on her wrist. However, fate doesn't seem to be doing Thad any favors when a little boy emerges from the lighthouse, bearing a resemblance to both him and Sanna-again, with the same day and time on his wrist. Forty-nine days, fragmented memories as clues, and questions about Thaddeus' past that link him to the 4th missing item of the de Dios-will Thad be able to uncover the truth behind the past that holds him back from his present? And if so, will it be easy to accept? Disclaimer: This story is written in Taglish. Cover Design: WeirdyGurl

Fortune teller Aurea Feliciano gets a major plot twist when a compass necklace makes her the chosen bride of doubter hot-torney Tor Velez. The initial plan is simple: live together for three months. But when the mysteries behind the necklace resurface, maybe being together isn't as easy as it seems. *** Twenty-three-year-old Aurea Feliz Feliciano only wishes to finish her studies and get a stable job. But her life completely changes when she finds a mysterious compass necklace underneath her dead grandfather's bed. The plot twist? The necklace makes her the bride-to-be of Atty. Kale Thomas Velez. After getting hurt from his previous relationship, Tor is completely against the idea of marrying a stranger like Aurea. But through his grandmother's wish and the given history of the compass necklace, he finally caves in and gives it a try. Nothing could go wrong in living with a fortune teller who sees spirits, right? Or maybe not. Disclaimer: This story is written in Taglish. Cover Design by Regina Dionela

BARTHOLOMEW JUAREZ, a genius multilingual kindergarten teacher adorably loved by kids. A certified bookworm, human CCTV, and the BEST best friend and brother everyone could have. But behind Balti's smile and laugh is a man who couldn't face the demon of his unknown past. Niña Rosella Marzon, a sweet elementary teacher with a decade of love for Balti and currently a sworn enemy of Balti's younger sister, Maha. Ilang move on strategies na ang inaral at ginawa ni Niña pero bumabalik pa rin ang feelings niya kay Balti. And now, she finds herself teaching in the same school Balti and Maha (ex-best friend) are teaching. Natural dahil pumayag ba naman siyang mag-apply na teacher sa private school na pagmamay-ari ng mga Juarez. But things got of hand, mas malala pa sa procrastination ng paggawa ng grado ang nangyari nang aksidente niyang mapainom ng GAYUMA si Bartholomew Juarez. Now, Ser Balti is crazy in love with her. Paano pa siya makaka-move-on nang tuluyan kung mahal na siya ngayon ni Ser? At mukhang mapapa-research nang wala sa oras sina Ma'am Niña and Ser Balti dahil mukhang hindi lang isang simpleng love spell ang nangyari. Balti's demons have awakened and will try to ruin the happiness of the people living in Faro de Amoré. Lalo na't hindi lang pala ang gayuma ang naglalapit sa kanila. Their unresolved past made sure to linked their lives so they meet again in this future. Will Balti allow his past to take over or will he teach himself to correct all his mistakes, so he can keep Niña in this lifetime? Disclaimer: This story is written in Taglish. Cover Design: WeirdyGurl

CHEF MATHIEU DMITRY BRANDAEUR

Sir D, Ito flash drive mo. Ako na nag-save ng lecture report mo para mamaya. LUNCH BEFORE LECTURE!!! Okay? Sunduin ka namin pagkatapos mo. We love you. I love you. - Addie, Nadia, and Yanyan CRAVING : A Whenever You Want novelette ynativity, 2022 Cover illustration by charameldraws

Circe Isle Andino is one of the most decorated professional surfer. Surfing is her life. During the day, she spent hours and hours riding the waves, and at night she lay contented on her bed sleeping peacefully. There's nothing she want more in her life. Basic needs of a human? That's not a problem to her. She has food and water... and sex? She can purchase a battery operated boyfriend anytime she wants to. Sex is just a cliché thing for her. Something that people loves to hype up. But one drunken night, she realized how wrong she was. One night that the ocean couldn't take away her misery, the stranger drown them by engulfing her in his arms. Just for one night. Because when the morning came, she was gone. He doesn't need the hassle of the morning after of a one night stand, and she don't need to remember the night of her reckless mistake. She just need to go back to her life as if nothing happened. It's not like one night could change her life, right? She was wrong. Life is not that easy. Not when she's looking at two positive lines that would change her life completely.

Belaya Lawrence is the most sought-after actress of her time. She loves her job. She loves living different lives, even if she only has one. It's challenging and wonderful at the same time because she can be anyone through the script that is given to her. But sometimes, when you have all the things that you ever wanted in life, it can also be boring. Pakiramdam niya kasi ay may kulang. The thing is, it's not easy to find that missing thing if you don't even know in the first place what you're looking for. Until one day, she met him. So with her favorite Chanel on her shoulder, her wicked and kickass Louboutin, and red lips on point, she embarks on the most exciting project of her life. This time, there are no cameras, no lights, no directors, and no writers. Everything is unscripted, and she's all for it as long as it leads to the only result that she wants, which is... making the hot single dad, Pierce Dawson, hers.

People call Ember Nile Calderon a lot of things. Sometimes it's the Huntress, Queen of Arrows, the Archeress, or the Lonely Wolf. Those she don't mind. After all, she's one of the most decorated archers of her time. She's a two-time defending champion for Archery World Cup and World Archery Championships for recurve and compound, and she's also a two-time Olympic gold medalist. But lately, some of the names she's being called are getting on her nerves. The NBSB, the frigid snob, the unlikable bitch, the passionless princess, the woman who'll end up marrying her arrow since it's the only "stick" that she will ever see in her life. The media and the people keep on branding her as an undesirable woman. It's infuriating but she doesn't care, however, her agent and her sponsors do. "Dear universe, ang unang lalaking lalapit sa akin ngayong gabi ay hahalikan ko." Alcohol and frustration is not a good combination. In a poor-lit bar, with drinks that are too many to count, she found herself challenging destiny. Just for one night of fun. But apparently the man that she just met is bound to cross her path again, because Trace Dawson has his own deal with the universe. "Dear universe, ang susunod na babaeng hahalikan ko ay si The One na."

Luna. Every day it's a different version of itself. Sometimes frail and pale, sometimes vigorous and lustrous. Will it ever overcome its uncertainties and finally be free from being alone or forever succumb in darkness with the light shining out of its soul? She whose name is from a loyal companion, lonely and cratered by imperfections, entered the other realm that she thought only exists in her imaginations. Part of her was always hidden away but just like the moon, she unwarily brings light to everyone around her. Will she survive the sudden shift of her life? Or will she drift apart from everyone and continue to go on her own accord? Status: COMPLETED CRESTOPIA TRILOGY #1 WRITTEN IN TAGLISH