Synopsis:
Take a quick tour of the Philippines with six hometown love stories.
Visit Jimenez, Misamis Occidental where a priest might just set you up with a man whose dimples are to die for.
Visit Silay, Negros Occidental and get on a horse alongside hunky, hazel-eyed Negrense royalty.
Visit Kalibo, Aklan and find yourself in the arms of a cute drummer boy who just happens to be your kuya's BFF.
Visit Hagonoy, Bulacan and spend All Saint's Day next to a distracting boy who promises to write you a song.
Visit Vigan, Ilocos Sur and meet the hot man you used to bully when he was a shy, chubby boy.
Visit Pundaquit, Zambales and find love in a bronzed fisherman whose eyes hold depths you'll want to explore
I decided to classify the short stories into three categories: Overflowing ‘Kilig, Something Refreshing, and Sudden Kiss.
Here are the six authors with their stories and the provinces they represent:
~Overflowing ‘Kilig’~
*Only the Beginning by C.P. Santi*
Setting: Misamis Occidental
What I like about the story:
Hugot Girl meets Dimples. When I first read about these two, are they teenagers? Hell no, these two are young adults, but Andrea/Andy and Martin makes but they let me remembered my teenage days where I usually giggled and be ‘kilig’ like there was no tomorrow.
Martin’s Way of ‘Panliligaw’! I wanted to scream: ‘Uy, Martin pahingi rin ako ng donuts!’ I was jealous of Andy because Martin courted her unofficially through ‘pasalubongs’ and she had no idea! Who doesn’t like food, right? The way to a man’s heart is through the stomach, but for Andy, the way to her heart are the pasalubongs! Bowing my head to Martin!
Quotable Quotes:
“A pretty girl even accused me of wanting to use her. I’m still trying to convince her that I’m sincere.”- Ten points goes to Martin!
‘I’d almost forgotten what letting go felt like—to jump off a cliff and take a chance, hoping that my fairy wings would hold.’ –Super love this!
Verdict:
This is the second story that I read from Miss Caryn and I must say that you are one of the Filipino writers that I know that can really make my heart flutters upside down! I fell in love with your writing style when I read Dare to Love and in Only the Beginning, you let me deeply fall in love with your characters! Thank you for making me hungry with the pasalubongs. I want more donuts, I mean more Martin and Andy’s moments please!
*Once Upon A Bully by Georgette Gonzales*
Setting: Ilocos Sur
What I like about the story:
Ilocano Words and Vigan’s Delicacies… I’m biased here because I’m Ilocana! I relished every bit of translating Ilocano words to Tagalog and my eyes were very much full because of Ilocano dishes like bagnet, pakbet and longganisa. I miss my province which is near to Ilocos Sur and reading this story makes me feel home.
The Bully Girl and the Bullied Boy! I seldom read a girl bullying a boy. It is the other way around, come one! That’s why this short story has a very interesting plot. When Bridgette was still young, she savored being ‘popular’ and making fun of the shy and the chubby boy name Miguel aka Iggy. And after how many years, they saw each other again and they become neighbors! But, Bridgette cannot bully the oh so hot Miguel anymore. She can just drool by looking at his abs!
Verdict:
I’m a fan of the ending of this story! I like it to the moon and back! My huge smile was plastered from the beginning until the end. I couldn’t contain my happiness while reading this first short story of Miss Georgette and I couldn’t help thinking if there is something more between the confession and being in a couple of Bridgette and Miguel. Perhaps, a stand alone novel soon?
~ Something Refreshing ~
*Letters About A Boy by Ines Bautista-Yao*
Setting: Negros Occidental
What I like about the story:
Dear Annette… Tin-Tin has a penpal and she is her cousin, Annette, whom she confides everything including Nicolas, her long time crush. They have been exchanging letters since Tin-Tin first met Nicolas at the high school fair until the day that Nicolas had the courage to confess his feelings with Tin-Tin which is also in the form of a letter!
The Negranese Royalty and his Childhood Horse Rider! I knew Nicolas (kala mo we really met in person!) in When Sparks Fly and I hated him because he liked Regina. Yet, I was thrilled that he was given a chance to shine in this story. However, I almost give up on him when he still didn’t pay much attention to Tin-Tin. Like, what is going on with you Nicolas? Here is ‘Little Tin-Tin’ but you kept on looking to the other way!
Quotable Quote:
“You might as well pick the girl who has been around all this time. Your consolation prize. Your first runner-up.” – My heart! Tin-Tin…
Verdict:
I commend Miss Ines with this story because she wrote it in the form of letters. There are only few dialogues and more narrative lines which are smart and cool. I definitely appreciate Nicolas and I admire Tin-Tin for not giving up. I’m still curious about Annette, though because I never heard her voice/part in the story. Hopefully, she also will be given a chance to have her own tale to remember.
*Back to the Stars by Agay Llanera*
Setting: Zambales
What I like about the story:
Hot Fisherman and his Botbot! Here is Wency, a hard working guy who is a surfing and swim board instructor, travel guide, boatman and most of all a fisherman! Leah aka Botbot is so lucky to have this guy. Haba ng hair mo!
Stargazing and Weaving of Dreams on the sky. I like the idea of two childhood friends who enjoy looking at the stars every night and dreaming of their future. It was a bit sad that somehow they did not connect so much that one chose to stay for the sake of the family and simple life while the other one went out to its comfort zone and soar high. Yet, at least in the end, they reconnect and lead to the right path for both of them.
Quotable Quotes:
Wency to Leah
“I don’t think it’s something that wants to be grabbed. I’ll have to wait for it to come to me.”
Leah to Wency
“Because you can’t move forward if you don’t let go. Don’t think about the past. Don’t hold on the things that are no longer around.”
Verdict:
Stories with stargazing always amaze me. I have fun reading them, including this first story that I read from Miss Agay. I can picture Wency on my mind, on what kind of guy he really is and Leah, who is passionate about climbing to the top, yet she still feels incomplete. While reading back to the Stars, I almost want to hug Wency. For sure if he is a real person, can I also have him?
~Sudden Kiss~
*Drummer Boy by Chris Mariano*
Setting: Aklan
What I like about the story:
Ati-Atihan and Band Audition... When I read the opening of the story, I immediately transported right in the middle of Ati-atihan. The description of the festivity captured my imagination in an instant. It was incredible! Another highlight was the band audition and how bad that it was timed with the festival where Ben was needed. The rain scene also makes it difficult, but at the same time, sweet for Reina.
Kuya’s BFF! A strict and protective Kuya like Dex is hard to please especially when you are secretly in love with her baby sister. So how are you Ben? He survived the punches and though his body is quite like a steel; his heart still beats for Reina. You go drummer boy!
Quotable Quote:
“But I guess you were the push I was waiting for.”
Verdict:
Reina is one of a kind woman with this huge spirit and persistence. I was shocked when she brought the drum and became a drummer girl. Wow! I salute you! Thank you for creating Reina and this lovely story, Miss Chris.
*One Certain Day by Jay E. Tria*
Setting: Bulacan
What I like about the story:
The Making of Call You Baby and November 1. I was surprised that all of the holidays, All Saint’s Day is Alice’s favorites. Kinda weird, but when I read the reason behind it, I was amused with her. My heart was jumping and very much alive when Alice and Son were creating Call Your Baby. These two are very compatible in song writing.
Alice and Son, Friends for… Now? The confession broke my soul after Alice had the courage to confess her feelings (Thanks to the ‘Liquid Courage’!) and even kissed Son! But why Son?! You made it complicated and I swear, I almost had tears in my eyes on the last page.
Quotable Quotes:
“It’s because of the blank space. When someone dies, they leave a space. A spot. A vacancy, if you will. The ones that remain hurry to fill it.” –Why so smart and mysterious Son?
“Nah, I like it here with you!” –Dumadamoves ka Son!
“It’s a terrible thing, being hit by the first waves of love like this…” –Aww, Alice…
“Sometimes you have to stop thinking and just take the leap.”
Verdict:
First of all, I’m heartbroken with the ending. I couldn’t move on until now. Yet, thank you that I felt it, Miss Jay. I totally would not forget Son and Alice. I ship them both and I still believe that they will be together at the right time.