Good Morning.

In 2024, I managed to finish 14 Filipino-written books; among them, I can recommend seven:

Lucia Dreaming by Lucia Asul—This is a dream diary written and illustrated by Lucia Asul. It has a very cool art style, and dreams range from creepy to horrific to cosmic. The smell of this book is also unbeatable, IMO. It's the best-smelling book I've ever read.

Isabela by Kaisa Aquino—I have a review for this one here. I hesitate to call this a novel; it reads like a short story collection featuring women and men with similar names, all surrounding armed resistance and agrarian strife in Isabela to Manila. Very literary in the way it was written.

The Three-Cornered Sun by Linda-Ty Casper—Another one that I've written a review on. This historical fiction chronicles the Philippine revolution and features a family who found themselves on different sides of the war. Many beautiful and existential passages as the war went on. This book also features some of my favorite passages on rivers.

Love Without a Heart (May Pagsinta'y Walang Puso) by Inigo Ed Regalado tr by Soledad Reyes—A romp. I had such a good time with this book. It's a romance novel written in 1921, and the melodrama is so fun to read. Nothing hits like this anymore, I swear.

Tiempo Muerto by Caroline Hau—Is yet another one I've written more about. This is set on the fictional island of Banwa but tells the history of Negros, in an ancestral Bahay Na Bato House, where the protagonist's mother was lost in the aftermath of a typhoon that hit the island. Has a gothic, haunted house vibe in places but is ultimately about agrarian strife and the connection of resistance with our mountains. A really great read.

Tao sa Prowa: Mga Tala, Mga Taon ni Allan Popa—This is a series of vignettes featuring mundane things, then the author's reflections springing from them. This is a beautiful, well-curated collection. A bit pricey for a zine, but whatever. There are plenty of nuggets of gold in here.

Manansala by Enrique Villasis—Speaking of beautiful collections, this poetry collection features, converses with, meditates, reacts to and reimagines some of the works of the legendary cubist Vicente Manansala. As a nature writing fan, I especially loved the nature-adjacent works, but what I love most is the concept of this poetry collection. Auto-buy author sakin si En Villasis after reading this.

There you have it, my recommended Filipino-written works! Tell me if you've read books from this list and what you thought about them!

@llondonfog @serenescribe @admiraltdevanto y'all, this is so sweet. If someone knows the original artist, please let me know

最好的师尊

sa pagsikat ng araw, nag-iiba ang aking mukha. minsa'y may eyeshadow at eyeliner na nakapalibot sa aking mga mata. kapag sinipagan, tiyaka na ako maglalagay ng foundation at concealer. minamadali ko pang ituyo ang aking buhok, kapag ito kasi'y natitikwas, pakiramdam ko na hindi ito ang tunay na 'ako.'

pagsapit ng hapon, ang utak ko'y litong-lito. ano nga ba ang tingin sa 'kin ng mga taong ito? kilala lang naman nila ako base kung ano ang nakikita nila sa akin: maitim ang buhok, magandang lagay ng eyeliner, ang mga matang 'di na masisilayan dahil sa mahabang bangs. nakikipagkuwentuhan pa rin ako sa kanila, para lamang may kasiglaan at kasabikan sa buhay kong walang-galaw.

nang bumangon na ang buwan, bumabalik ako sa tunay na 'ako' nais kong itanggi. nagpapakita na ang aking maiitim na bilog sa ilalim ng mga mata kong pagod, nawawalan ako ng paki para bigyang-pansin ang magulo kong buhok, ni hindi ko na nais mamuhay nang masigla. sa mata ng ibang tao, aakalain na ako'y gumagalaw na para bang isang manananggal — sumisipot lamang para pagsamantalahan ang mga taong namumuhay nang tahimik at mapayapa.

kahit mukhang gumagalaw ako gaya ng isang manananggal, wala naman akong kakayahan na mag-iba ng buong katawan kung kailan ko nais. sa paglalagay ng kung ano-ano pang pwede sa aking mukha, iyon pa rin ay tanging akin. hindi rin naman ako kumakain ng bilis ng isang buntis. kinakain ko kung ano kinakain ng tao (tulad ng kare-kare, hindi dugo). binubuo ko ang aking sarili. ang kapangitang nakaloob sa aking sarili ay siyang bumubuo rin sa 'kin. ako ay ako, kahit sirain ako mula balat hanggang buto. tanging paglipas ng panahon lamang ang sagot para matanggap ko ang sarili kong 'ako.'

one of my worst writing sins is abusing my power to create compound words. i cannot write the sentence "The sun shone as bright as honey that afternoon." no. that's boring. "The sun was honey-bright that afternoon" however? yes. that sentence is dope as fuck. i do not care if "honey-bright" is a word in the english dictionary. i do not care if the sentence is grammatically correct. i will not change. i will not correct my erred ways. the laws of the english language are mine.

They should invent a way to kill yourself that doesn’t disappoint anyone

miscellaneous mhyk doodles

Always wrecks me up that Meleanor is as forgotten as Knight of Dawn is, that even her son doesn't remember her.

Just like Silver, Lilia didn't inform him of his identity as a Silver Owl so that Silver can live without guilt of the atrocities his original kingdom did.

But, I think, in Malleus' case, Lilia and Maleficia (I think) didn't inform him too much about Meleanor's demise, not so much because they don't want to guilt Malleus about her sacrifice to him, that's a part of it, but I also think it was more so that his hatred for humans wouldn't go deeper. Especially since he was raised in the castle with only the Senates and pure faes who has limited interaction with humans, so naturally he grew disliking humans too (until he met Silver).

As we know, Malleus is very attached to his past, that's why in Book 7, he's having a hard time to let go. Even his interests mirrors his tight attachment to the past, i.e his fascination on history, ruins, antiques, abandoned places, etc.

I think in an alternate reality where he had knew about every detail that happened on Meleanor and Levan and the faes on Wild rose Castle basically, his view on humankind would be even more negative. He might even reject his invitation on NRC just like Gen. Lilia did. And, unlike Lilia, since Malleus always attaches to the past and not on the possible future, he might even never give chance that he can get along with humans.

I know its popular analysis that Meleanor and Malleus are different, but to me, they're fundamentally the same person, just raised in a different environment. Meleanor was never given a chance to see a good side of the humans, Malleus was like that for a bit, even in NRC, he still held his deep rooted belief that he really doesn't believe that humans would understand faes as Lilia hopes (Dorm Uniform Vignette). Malleus and Meleanor are the "same person" but Malleus just "had the chance to not know" the entire history of it, so that he can form his own opinion about it as he grows up.

Even if he grew up knowing it, it would be immature to stay on his hatred for humans for so long (I think Malleus would do this considering his trait of being attached to the past) and I think Lilia and Maleficia didnt want Malleus to grow up like that,, they must usher him to a better future yk.

Its just that its tragic that for Malleus to grow up and take a chance towards a better future, he has to forget major things about his mother and all the sacrifices that his family made, just so he wouldn't be "stuck with it. "

Maybe in a reality where Malleus does know every detail of his history, but just that, it would take a long time for him to let go of his guilt and hatred, that by the time he's ready to forgive humankind, Lilia might not be there to guide him anymore.

I think I read an analysis back then (or was it a legit line in game?? lol) that Malleus shouldve been in Briar Valley for just a bit longer instead of suddenly transferring to NRC where there'll be too many culture shock for him, he's just not entirely capable yet of balancing his feelings and power, but I think Maleficia/Lilia couldn't afford to have that much time to emotionally grow Malleus in Briar Valley, for the reason that by the time Malleus would be in control of his power and feelings, Lilia wouldn't be there anymore to guard him in NRC and guide him about human culture. (He says his magic weakens over the years)

I feel like Maleficia only agreed to take Malleus to NRC bcs Lilia will be there, he's the perfect guide for Malleus to have with in NRC, he's strong so he can physically protect him while also being a wise person that can teach Malleus about understanding humans while still upholding his fae values. Other guards wouldn't be suitable. Silver and Sebek are not fully trained, Baul is an advisor now not a soldier and he wouldn't be a great guide to have in human society lol So, she has to take that chance while Lilia is still here, even if Malleus is just "too young."

side note: what if thats also the reason why Maleficia let go of Meleanor to Wild Rose Castle alkfdklsd She trusted Lilia and Levan would protect her and they did yet even so.... 😭😭😭 I feel like its so tragic that everytime Maleficia let go of Meleanor/Malleus, they're always leading into a danger where she cannot reach and help them (on Meleanor's case, the communication on Black Scale and Wild Rose was disrupted bcs every envoy that Lilia and other soldiers sent to inform Maleficia that Wild Rose was besieged was all killed by the Silver Owls, so Maleficia knew too late. On Malleus' case, it would be too risky for her to just suddenly show up on Sage Island, it would leave Briar Valley in a very vulnerable state with no Draconia residing in their land, STYX is calling her to meet Malleus but I think many faes would disagree on their plan bcs that's exactly the type of situation that cornered Meleanor years ago, Levan/Malleus is lost and in danger so Meleanor/Maleficia has to save them, if you think about it in Briar Valley's view, it feels like a trap lol. It's not an easy decision to just let go of their only Draconia ruler to a human territory and on top of that, they're on the verge of losing one(Malleus). I wish they create a scene of the Briar Govt in the book, I'm sure the Senates are in ruins and regretting that Malleus went to that school or something, like its always STYX when its equally intriguing to know Maleficia and the Senates reaction to Malleus' overblot.

I find it really depressing that Malleus, like Silver, was born out of so much love from their family, yet they never knew the full scope of it (until now). 😭😭😭

🍧 icylancet's works

Masterlist

Return Home

Completed ☆

🦇 on the path carved from grief

FANDOM: Ensemble Stars

SUMMARY:

Hakaze Kaoru | My take on Kaoru's experience with grief and mourning throughout the years.

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🐉 even the painful moments are memories

FANDOM: Twisted Wonderland

SUMMARY:

(DIASOMNIA SPOILERS) Lilia Vanrouge & Silver | How Silver deals with the fake reality in front of his eyes.

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🐉 a recipe for outlandish chemistry!

FANDOM: Twisted Wonderland

SUMMARY:

Lilia Vanrouge & Silver | Lilia and Silver's oddly familial bond through the eyes of Night Raven College students. Outsider POV + 4+1 Things.

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🐦‍⬛ cast a blinding silhouette

FANDOM: Haikyuu!!

SUMMARY:

Hinata Shouyou/Kageyama Tobio | Five times Kageyama references Hinata in his interviews and the one time Hinata interviews him.

WIPs ☆

Hakaze Kaoru/Sakuma Rei | Silly soft and short reikao drabble that took place during Bride Light event story.

🦇 [Untitled]

FANDOM: Ensemble Stars

SUMMARY:

icylancet log

🎶 My thoughts on Starry Symphony Day 1

sharing paragraphs from (published) fics i wrote last year that i really enjoyed writing!!!! putting these side-by-side i'm starting to think that there's this evident recurring theme...

[image 1], [image 2], [image 3]

i have TONS of wips stored in my gdrive so hopefully. i get to free them from the box.. my goal for this year is to write lots of words. and being consistent with my writing. AND to stop underestimating my writing capabilities :D i have a superrrr long way to go + still not confident in my english skills when it comes to writing;;;;