Beneath a broken mask lies the truth behind the façade, and while masks can conceal pain, they cannot mend wounds. In the end, no mask was worth the torture. However, to Midnight Velasquez, who was forced to wear a mask since he was young, the mask hiding his true face was a façade he was ready to keep for a lifetime. However, what occurs when the mask begins to break, revealing the dreadful things concealed beneath it? Would he have the courage to confront his true self reflected in the mirror, or would the remnants of his broken mask consume him and drag him into the depths of despair? With a broken mask, a battered body and a weary soul, Midnight couldn't help pondering... is this life worth living for? CECELIB | C.C. UPDATE SCHEDULE: No specific date as of now COVER: Astrid Jaydee

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.

(COMPLETED) Maria Elaine Garcia has been working as a maid at Hacienda Castellon for a long time. She's innocent, kind, and selfless that she didn't get to finish high school because she focused on working to provide for her family's financial needs. Her simple and ordinary life started to change when the eldest son of the Castellon family came back after many years. Elaine still remembers how he looked like back then... Zamir Luciferus Castellon used to be a timid but soft-hearted child. But when he came back, he's way different from Zamir that Elaine used to know... He has become a dangerous man. He has become too ferocious for her... and his fire has become too hot for her innocence.

(Yours Series # 4) Marian Eliana Nicolas just wanted to be left alone. She knew that she's not exactly the kindest person-definitely not the first person who'd come into mind if you get in trouble. She knew she's not likable. She made her peace with that. Gusto lang naman niyang magpinta at maka-graduate. Until she met Felix Chase Viste, iyong intern ng kuya niyang doctor. She was intrigued, to say the least. She almost thought that she was immune to catching feelings dahil sanay naman siyang maka-kita ng gwapo, pero wala naman siyang pakielam-until Chase. And because she doesn't like the word regret, sinubukan niyang makipagkilala kay Chase. She thought she'd find something not to like, but she was dead wrong. She liked everything she learned about him. But she was tired of figuring out kung ano ba sila. She wanted to ask what they were. Pero handa ba siyang malaman?

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

(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.

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

(Game Series # 4) Charisse Faith Viste believes in working hard. She does not believe in luck, only hard work. Bata pa lang siya, nasanay na siya na pinaghihirapan lahat ng meron siya. Being the only girl in a family full of guys, nasanay na siya na kung gusto niyang makuha, kailangan niyang pagtrabahuhan. And because of this, she grew up tough. She already accepted the fact that guys are just too intimidated to even give her a second glance. She'll always be too smart, too confident, too much for everyone. One day, she had this overwhelming feeling of sadness. She looked around and saw that everyone around her has someone by their side... Everyone has someone to embrace... Siya? Libro lang ang kayakap. She used to be fine with the idea of being alone... alone, not lonely. But not anymore. She needed someone to stop her from feeling so lonely.

"If tomorrow comes and I forget about this, and I forget about you, will you still love me?" Yesterday. Love. Nothing else matters to Lee Gabriel than Odyssey Lee. If love was a manifestation, iyon ay ang pag-ibig ni Lee. At unti-unti rin yong naramdaman ni Odyssey. Everything was perfect, until it wasn't. Today. Strangers. That's what they are. A few years after they broke up, Lee and Odyssey reunite at their high school reunion. It's awkward and weird pagkatapos ng lahat ng nangyari. But the feeling is still there. Everything is up in the air. Tomorrow. Loss. Slowly, the memory fades. Every moment feels like a ticking clock as Lee's health deteriorates. The heart remembers, but the mind forgets. Everything is uncertain. Language: Tagalog/English Date Started: June 24, 2019 Date Completed: January 11, 2020 Date Published in Paperback: December 2023