I wrote this story to join the ABK Horror Nights Writing Competition/Challenge. This is my first time writing a full horror story in Tagalog, in first-person POV. I'll be honest, I didn't get to proofread it as much as I wanted to, because I kept creeping myself out every time I read it again and again. But I really did my best to keep each scene clear and easy to follow. Anyway, I'll leave the reading to you. Thank you so much, and I hope you enjoy it or get spooked-in a good way. Word Count: 1,489 Language: Tagalog Category: New Adult

This story is a reflection of what love truly means. I want everyone to understand that love is not merely about joy or laughter. True love walks hand in hand with pain, with sacrifice, and sometimes, with silence. If you find yourself in the same place as Clarissa, the woman at the heart of this story; please... be gentle with yourself. You are not alone in your ache. Let us believe that even in the midst of sorrow; everything we go through carries a purpose. Every tear, every pause, every heartbreak is shaping us into something deeper, stronger, and more whole. SHORT STORY Written in Taglish (Tagalog, English) Status: Complete Word Count: 2049

Sa panahon ng pamumuno ng mga Kastila sa Pilipinas noong huling bahagi ng ikalabing-siyam na siglo, isinilang ang isang kuwento ng pag-ibig na sinupil ng lahi, tungkulin, at kapangyarihan. Si Maria Isabel de la Peña, anak ng isang cabeza de barangay, ay isinailalim sa kasunduang kasal kay Don Alfonso Montero, isang mayamang Kastila. Subalit ang puso ni Isabel ay matagal nang nakatali kay Emilio, isang binatang anak ng magsasaka―na kaniyang lihim na minamahal. Sa gitna ng matinding pagbabawal, lihim nilang pinaglaban ang kanilang pagmamahalan sa lilim ng punong mangga―na nagsilbing kastilyo ng kanilang pag-iibigan. At sa mga pahina ng isang diyaryong sila lamang ang may alam. Ngunit sa pagbagsak ng mga kasinungalingan at pagbuking ng kanilang ugnayan, lumaganap ang kapahamakan. Hinuli si Emilio, ikinulong bilang insurrecto, habang si Isabel ay pilit na ipinasok sa isang kasal na hindi niya pinili. Sa araw ng kasal, isang rebolusyon ang sumiklab, at ang simbahan ng San Miguel ang naging entablado ng trahedya't kabayanihan. Sa huli, ang kanilang pag-ibig ay sinubok sa dugo, ngunit nanatiling buhay sa mga pahina ng aklat na nilathala.

Alexandra Trinidad Santiago, graduated from Harvard University. She is the top honor among four hundred sixty-two students specialized in criminal law, dealing with crimes and their punishments. The first case she handled was the death of her boyfriend, which was dismissed by the court because of a lack of sufficient evidence. While studying abroad, she gathered evidence to reopen Enzo's case―and that's when she learned that their best friend was involved in the crime. While Alex is drowning in grief, she meets Rafael Madrigal―a famous architect. Could Rafael be the one to bring her dead heart back to life? How could their fake agreement turn into real love? Is she ready to fall in love again, or will this love lead to heartbreak that shatters them both forever? Written in Taglish (Tagalog, English) Cover Art Illustration by Rea Reyes Draft Started: August 18, 2024

I wrote this short story to participate in the September Writing Challenge with ArtbyKarla. LANGUAGE: English STATUS: Short Story (completed) WORD COUNT: 865 words

I wrote this spooky short story to participate in ArtbyKarla's Halloween Writing Challenge. Writing horror isn't really my forte. However, I accepted the challenge because I wanted to overcome my fear of reading and creating scary stories. I joined to push myself as far as I could, and to measure my ability as a writer. If you see any typos or grammar errors, I apologize... it's hard to focus properly because writing this story scares me. WORD COUNT: 1459 words LANGUAGE: English STATUS: Completed (short story)

Misa de Gallo SHORT STORY Entry for December Writing Challenge with ArtbyKarla. LANGUAGE: English WORD COUNT: 797 words GENRE: Fantasy

Devil's Heir Book 2 Part Two of the Series Only Axe remained convinced that one day Aeryn would return, despite seeing her lifeless body. One day, he woke up to find his hunches were correct: she had return, and he would see her again. However, their reunion brought with it questions and confusion, as she did not remember him, and her name was no longer Aeryn. How far would love to take him? How could he convince himself that the woman he once loved was truly gone? Was it true that he felt Aeryn and the woman who looked like her were one and the same? Or was he just following his heart, believing what it wanted to believe? WARNING! This is barely a first draft, and no editing has happened whatsoever, so I apologize for any possible typos and grammatical errors. If I have extra time, I will gradually edit this.

WARNING! This is barely a first draft, and no editing has happened whatsoever, so I apologize for any possible typos and grammatical errors. If I have extra time, I will gradually edit this. Cover Design by Karla Marie Gaudier a.k.a. ArtbyKarla ****** Nang mamatay ang haligi ng kanilang tahana'y si Czarina ang tumayong ama't ina sa nakababata niyang kapatid. Iniwan sila ng kanilang ina sa pangangalaga ng kanilang Lola, ngunit nauwi lamang iyon sa pagmamaltrato ng matanda sa magkapatid. Sa paglipas ng panahon ay nagtanim ng sama ng loob si Czarina sa kanilang ina, sapagkat tila ba nakalimutan na nito ang obligasyon sa kanila. Sa murang isipa'y namulat si Czarina sa hirap ng buhay. Natuto siyang magbanat ng buto, upang may mailaman sa kumakalam nilang sikmura. Kung anu-anong kakanin ang inilalako nya sa kaniyang mga kaklase at guro, mairaos lamang ang kaniyang pag-aaral. Sa kaniyang pagtitiyaga at determinasyon ay nakatapos sya sa elementarya-na puno ng parangal at paghanga. Gustuhin man niyang ipagpatuloy ang kaniyang pag-aaral ay batid niyang hanggang doon na lamang ang kaniyang makakaya. Tanging pagluha na lamang ang kaniyang kaagapay nang malaman niyang ipinagkasundo siya nang kanilang Lola, upang mamasukan sa Maynila. Sa hindi inaasahang pangyayari ay nagkaroon ng pagkakataon si Czarina, upang makalayo sa malupit nilang Lola. Isinama niya ang kaniyang kapatid sa Lungsod, magkasama nilang hinarap ang panibagong yugto ng kanilang kapalaran. Sa pagdating ni Czarina sa mansion ng mga Alonzo, ano nga ba ang naghihintay na pagsubok doon para sa kanya? Anong lihim ang kaniyang matutuklasan tungkol sa tunay niyang pagkatao? Maisasalba kaya sya nang una niyang pag-ibig? O lalo lamang siyang malulugmok sa madilim niyang nakaraan. START: June 14, 2024 FINISH: August 1, 2024

WARNING! This is barely a first draft, and no editing has happened whatsoever, so I apologize for any possible typos and grammatical errors. If I have extra time, I will gradually edit this. ****** This book is inspired by a true story. While certain elements have been altered to add a unique twist and reflect the author's personal style, all names have been changed to protect the privacy and identities of those involved. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is purely coincidental. ****** Hope was born into a cheerful home and a respected family in Luzon. From a young age, she was full of dreams-not just for herself, but for her entire family. Though she grew up in a middle-class household, she quickly became aware of life's realities and was determined not to rely on her family's status. She preferred to build her own path and establish her independence. Admired for her intelligence, strength, and independence, Hope is a scholar who consistently excels in her studies. Her teachers and peers hold her in high regard, recognizing both her talent and dedication. As she entered her teenage years, she set her sights on a single goal: achieving top grades to secure an opportunity to study abroad. Her love for Korean telenovelas only deepened her ambition, fueling her dream of exploring new horizons. However, just as her journey begins, challenges arise-particularly when she meets a man who unexpectedly captures her attention. What role will this foreigner play in her life? Will she stay on course and achieve the success she has always chased, or will one man change everything? Note: Story on hold.