SIS (Social Issue Series) #5: Victim Blaming Why is talking about sex a taboo? What's wrong with sex? Sex is normal. Sex is fine. As long as it is consensual then all else is good. But someone being sexually open does not and will never equate to providing license for slut shaming or sexual harassment. Iris Everleigh is an all-around social media influencer. She isn't your typical dalagang Filipina. Her audacity and exceptionality are what set her apart from the rest. She enjoys things without giving a single fuck to whatever people has to say. Ace Frederick is the complete opposite. A primitive and vigilant guy. Never in his wildest dreams would he want to involve himself to someone who would just make his life complicated. His vision was simple: Be successful enough, get a decent woman to get married to, and start a family of his own. So what could happen if they stumble upon each other? A club probably? Where Ace was just supposed to attend his friend's bachelor party? But ended up crossing paths with the irresistible and drunk Iris? Will he be able to stand by his principles? Or would it be impossible to?

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?

(Yours Series # 1) Nileen Riviera thought that after getting her degree in medicine, she'd easily check off the next thing on her list-to have a boyfriend. Ang kaso, walang lumalapit sa kanya. It's either intimidated sila dahil topnotcher siya sa boards o kaya naman ay baka pangit lang talaga siya. She was close to getting royally pissed at the universe until she met Marcus-the guy who got her demoted into the second place in the boards. She was pissed at the guy dahil ito ang dahilan kung bakit disappointed ang nanay niya sa kanya. Niles was determined to just ignore his existence, but it seemed like the universe had a mind of its own.

"When you fall in love with an atypical guy who does not love you back and you try to move on, but no matter how much try, you just can't, will you do everything to make him love you back or will you do everything to forget him? I don't ever want to force someone to love me back, but I can't forget him either. He's not a bad boy. No way. Not in any way. He's just... a little bit awkward." - Tyrese Janelle Hao Dela Cruz

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

The lethal and the pure. The black and white. Opposite sides burning each other's souls. Parvana Naia Bukhari and Zeus Vincenticus Ferrer. When she first stepped into his life, he knew she was nothing but trouble. Sweet smiles and prayers doesn't fit with his rock n roll soul. As fast as they catch the burning flame of attraction, it spiraled down into nothing but specks of dust. What the fuck is love when religion, beliefs, and their entire lives contradicts each other? This is how we started. And this is how we end.

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

[PUBLISHED under LIB] #1. "If pleading guilty means protecting you, I will."

SIS (Social Issue Series) #3: Gender Inequality Men and women in the 21st Century still aren't able to totally get free from the socially defined roles. They are expected to act in certain ways just because they are male and female. Lalake ka raw kaya hindi ka pwede sa ganito. Babae ka raw kaya hanggang dito ka lang. Ellie Madeline have always dreamed of becoming a pilot. She believes that she was born to fly. Despite the disapproval of the people around her, she was able to take one step closer to her goal. Little did she know that her entrance in the best Aviation Academy in town is just the beginning of her struggle against discrimination. Spencer Donovan is her number one rival. He wants to be the best in this field just as much as she wants. As they pit against each other, Ellie found herself falling for Spencer's unforeseen charms. But her bold advances to win his heart just backfires all the time. That's when Zaiden Pierce decided to join the picture and offer her some help. Who is he? Well, he's just nothing more than Spencer's bestfriend. Or... could there actually be more to that? Started: May 1, 2020 Completed: May 18, 2020

Berry Lacsamana had given up on life. But when she one day wakes up in a strange bed with someone calling her his wife, her life begins to take a different path. ****** When Berry Lacsamana wakes up in a room she doesn't recognize, hooked up to medical machines, confusion and anxiety consume her. Deepening Berry's fear is the presence of Cadmus Valcarcel who treats her coldly and and looks at her with resentment. "Finally," he said with coldness in his voice that made her shiver, frightening her. "My infamous wife is awake." Berry isn't anyone's wife, lest she is married to Cadmus. However, when she sees a photo of Cherry, a woman who looks like her from every angle, Berry begins to have some suspicions. She knew she was Berry, not Cherry... wasn't she? DISCLAIMER: This is a Filipino language story. WORD COUNT: 194,647 COVER: ASTRID JAYDEE WARNING: DON'T READ THIS STORY IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE DEPRESSING SCENES, SENSITIVE TOPICS OR MATURE CONTENT.