Racquel Sarah A. Castro's Blog, page 4

Just A Matter of Seconds… A day at B-Braun Dialysis Center #hemodialysis #dialysis

Nurse Amer Hussein Pagadilan facilitated the first phase of dialysis session

 

You all know about my father as I shared to all of you that he is undergoing dialysis. I visited my dad in B-Braun Dialysis Center. It is located at the 2nd floor, Unihealth Southwoods Hospital and Medical Center.

Dad’s Journey:

Click on this link —> An Amazing God We Serve

Some of my observations:

There are some patients who are positive despite what he/she had been going through
There are patients who are not smiling at all. Maybe they were undergoing certain things on their minds…
The nurses . . . aside from their good looks (naks . . . mga kapatid ko kasi yan ahaha) they treated all of their patients as their extended family.
I talked to some of the dialysis patients and I can see how God is molding them to be strong like Dad’s disposition.

I want to make a shout out to those families undergoing dialysis treatment:

Accept: The first thing you need to do. Just like any other disability or ailment, we need to accept and embrace that sickness with open arms and know that we have a BIG GOD to help and overcome our fears, anxiety and pain.
Listen: Listen to the doctors… they know what they are doing. If they say to have a fistula, go for it!
Research: Get a book about dialysis and ask the doctor if possible.
Get Involve: We assure our Dad that we visit him or just check on him when he is scheduled having a dialysis. It will help the patients if they know that you care and love them
Pray for them: The weapon to every problem is a prayer. It is the most important task I guess and the most powerful one too.

Thank you to our friends and the dedicated nurses of B-Braun Dialysis Center namely:

Conrado C. Carvajal II “Ron”
Carlo Nino G. Cayco
Amer Hussein Pagadilan
Klarise Ann Paris
Marites Medina
Kevin Murillo
Irwin Paras
Christian Rotap
Charisse Frejas
Ma. Kassandra Venturosa “Casey”
Gerald Malabanan

Mga kapatid . . . salamat sa pagmamahal at sa weekly na pagligtas sa buhay ng madaming tao lalo na ang dad ko . . . Mahal ko kayong lahat!

(Bros and sissies . . . thank you for the love and for saving the lives of many people especially my dad . . . I love you all.. )

A Triumphant Detour Book Launch

2 weeks to go . . .

I will be releasing my autobiography here in the Philippines! Since my last contract expired last year, I planned to release it here. So, I wrote the newly elected council of our church, Jesus Christ Rules Bible Christian Church, to be the venue because I know it’s for free. Thank you for allowing me to launch my book in my beloved place, the church.

Aside from the place, the church gave me a book launch committee namely Tin Manalaysay, Lang Handayan, Kokai Leoncio, Mark Argota, Chesca Taino, and Omi Serrano. Thank you guys for the effort and time!

Here’s the FaceBook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1050619961749341/

The regular price of the paperback of A Triumphant Detour is PHP. 300.00 but you can save 20 pesos if you buy at the launch or pre-order at this link >>> http://bit.ly/ATD_PreOrder

For techie friends out there…

Pre-order your eBook at:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Triumphant-Detour-Racquel-Sarah-Castro-ebook/dp/B07467DRZS/

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/737433

You are invited . . . I know you can come . . . see you there!

Thanks to our sponsors: JMD Copy and Prints, Talecraft Publishing, Deli Bread, Yeyet Soriano and Jesus Christ Rules Bible Christian Church

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A Triumphant Detour: Cover Reveal and Save the Date for the Book Launch #ATDRacqui #ATriumphantDetour

A Triumphant Detour by Racquel Sarah A. Castro

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Be inspired. Be blessed. Be like Racqui who is experiencing God’s faithfulness her life.

Racqui, a woman living with cerebral palsy, challenges you to be like her in trusting God in tough times.

If Racqui can, you can. Anything is possible.

A Triumphant Detour

Racquel Sarah A. Castro

Coming this August 12, 2017!

#ATDRacqui #ATriumphantDetour

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(Image by: Cheska Taino)

What: A Triumphant Detour Book Launch

Author: Racquel Sarah A. Castro

When: August 12, 2017       Saturday, 1PM

Where: Jesus Christ Rules Bible Christian Church

Block 2 Lots 1 – 4 Juana 1 Complex, Brgy. San Francisco,  City of Binan, Laguna

Why do I have to be there?

1. I want to be inspired by Racqui

2. I want to support Racqui on her advocacy on cerebral palsy awareness

3. I simply love Racqui so I have to be there…

Binan City’s First Paralympics 2017: Breaking Limitations #Paralympics #PWD #PutoLatikFestival

 

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

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I was so privileged to be one of the organizers for the First Paralympics 2017. Held last May 18, 2017 for the 7th Puto Latik Festival, the persons with disabilities of Biñan City rejoiced as they participated in the very first Paralympics 2017 at Alonte Sports Arena.

Highlighting their abilities, the PWDs of Biñan City broke their limits by engaging themselves into sports. “Abilidad at Kakayahan, Higit sa aking Kapansanan”, the theme boldly stood up as their voice became louder.

Photos from Gender and Development Office FB Page

With the support of the local government of Biñan City, its Gender and Development Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office, and Serbisyong Arman worked hand-in-hand with the Biñan City PWD Federation in establishing another first for the city of life; the first Paralympics 2017. It was made possible because of the partnership we had with Go Forward Biñan Foundation, University of Perpetual Help – College of Occupational Therapy, Pavilion Mall – Biñan, Isuzu Philippines, SM City Sta. Rosa, Globe Telecom, Laguna Waters, and Handyman.

The program started at eight in the morning with a parade of athletes and the tear-jerker torch run where every team had selected a representative. With the PWD focal person, Joeffy Salandanan, it ended with the lighting of the Olympic torch.

Aside from that, the athlete’s prayer and oath were delivered by two inspiring PWDs, Ate Che and me. I led the athlete’s prayer while Ate Che led the oath with sign language. Ate Che is completely deaf.

Ms. Olay, the CSWD head, welcomed the guests, the parents, and the stars of the day, the PWDs. Ms. Des Dimaguila, the GAD Office head, inspired the players with how we managed to pull off this event in just a short notice.

The most awaited event was the sportsmanship message and declaration that the games were open by Mayor Arman Dimaguila. He also announced the implementation of the city ordinances regarding PWDs.

After that, the sporting events such as Tug of War, Baton Relay, Obstacle, Basketball, Individual Blind Marathon, Wheelchair Bike Marathon, Standard Wheelchair Marathon and Rough Rider Marathon.

Mayor Arman Dimaguila, Ms. Des Dimaguila, and City Councilor Liza Cardeño engaged themselves in the games and inspiring the PWDs with inspiring messages. Vice Mayor Gel Alonte also delivered a very short but very powerful message for PWDs.

 

The champion team was the Blue team but I guess everyone enjoyed. Mayor Arman Dimaguila even said that the Paralympics would be happening twice a year.

The PWDs of Biñan City were so blessed to have the support of its local offficials.

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SUMMER FEELS Blog Tour[Giveaway+Review+Guest Post by Ella Banta]

Summer Feels:

A #romanceclass Anthology

Edited and compiled by Kate Sebastian

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 30, 2017

[image error]Blurb: Summer loving happens so fast, as you’ll find with Summer Feels, an anthology of 23 stories of love under the summer sun by #romanceclass authors. Savor the candied thrill of firsts—first loves, first kisses, first solo vacations—and the bittersweet triumph of second chances. Tour the Philippines as the stories take you to mountain retreats and island paradises. Let the magic of the hot sun, clear blue skies, and lots of love take you on a roller coaster ride of feels. With stories ranging from sweet to sexy, there’s sure to be something for any fan of romance.

 

Featuring stories by:

Elea Andrea Almazora • Erleen Alvarez • Ella Banta • Rachelle Belaro • H. Bentham • Halina Cabrera • Charlie Dio • Mina V. Esguerra • Elizabeth Galit • Georgette S. Gonzales • Ami Granada • Irene Jurado • Catherine Lo • Arlene Manocot • Bianca Mori • Eris Peñaluna • Farrah F. Polestico • Kit Salazar • Miel Salva • Fay Sebastian • Kate Sebastian • Yeyet Soriano • Marian Tee

Book Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y51NJ9H
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34817829-summer-feels
Print copy preorder links (Philippines only): http://bit.ly/summerfeels-pof

Giveaway

Prizes:

International: Amazon gift card worth $25
Philippines Only: Print books from some of the authors:

My Dutch Billionaire by Marian Tee
Kate, Finally by Yeyet Soriano
Old Enemies Make the Best Lovers by Kate Sebastian

Summer Feels Giveaway

Review:

4 stars!

My favorite stories are Yeyet Soriano’s Buddy System and Catherine 

Lo’s

Guest Post

What can you do to help in the community as a writer? by: Ella Banta

I was in a bookstore the other day checking if the books I was waiting for had come. While I was browsing through the titles, I noticed that a group of teenagers had crouched before the bookshelf beside me. The said shelf was holding books published from Wattpad. The teenagers consisted mostly of girls ranging from maybe eleven to thirteen. They didn’t take notice of me so I just observed from the corner of my eye.

Most of them were searching for a particular book, it was from a book series it seemed. She was lamenting that the store still didn’t have the book. Some  of her friends had grabbed one book or two and they were comparing the plots and the characters. They were giggling over who was better for whom and they got a bit loud so they earned some glares from older people around them. No, I wasn’t included.

What I saw was becoming more ordinary every day. Young people nowadays read. In fact, they read a lot more now than when I was young. That is to say, they have easier access to stories now compared to when I was their age. They can go online and read free stories, there are a lot of platforms that they can use to read the stories they liked online. And since there are lots of reading and writing apps online, they can not only read but also write the stories they want. Everything becomes a rich environment of words and the youth are devouring it.

Of course, all the information they needed and wanted was also very easy to get. They only have to turn on their mobile phones and they would have the latest of everything all over the world.

 

When I was young, the only way I could access information was if I went to the library and did some research. If I wanted to get information, I had to spend hours poring over books. For entertainment, I read books owned by my cousins and tita and they were a varied bunch. There were Tagalog pocketbooks, teenage romance books, encyclopedia, and my tita’s special collection of contemporary, suspense, and historical romances. I was glad I was able to read all of those when I was young. It was education for me.

 

When I compare my reading experience to the teenagers of today, I’d say they’re luckier. Everything is easy to get, so they can read everything they want. I didn’t have money to buy books then so I went to the libraries. I borrowed books from friends just so I could read the books I wanted.

 

As a reader, I’m jealous of these kids. But as a writer, I’m a bit concerned.

 

With the easier access to everything comes the problem with discernment. Kids will soak up everything they see, hear or read. If they know how to search for correct information that’s good, but a lot don’t so that’s when it gets dangerous. Because kids are kids, they need guidance still. I think this is where the writer comes in.

It is the responsibility of a writer to put out information or idea as accurately as they can. Actually, it’s the responsibility of adults to teach kids this but let’s focus on writers. There are of course, different writers as there are different readers. Writers put out different ideas for their target audience. But sometimes, the target audiences aren’t the only ones who get to read these ideas. If that happens, I would hope that the information in the books is true. For the readers’ sake.

With the proliferation of information, readers are bombarded with a lot of stuff. So it’s hard to weed out the truth from the lies. I think, as a writer, it is imperative that I give the reader the truth. It is a social responsibility. But of course, easier said than done.

Words are easily misconstrued, whether they are written or spoken. But more so if they are written because people can’t see the speaker. Interpretations would then come in, in varied forms. With different interpretations comes confusion. And in the midst of this confusion, a reader needs to discern the truth. Now if the reader lacks discernment, then the misunderstood information would stand as fact. And this ‘fact’ is now dangerous.

Writers have a very delicate job. One wrong word and their meaning could be taken as a lie or truth.

A reader needs to be careful; the writer needs to have a conscience and a sense of responsibility over words. That’s the only way we can help the readers learn. And writers are readers too, so it’s just a cycle.

 

We need to build a stronger cycle.

About the Stories:

 

“All About That Bass” by Fay Sebastian

Erika Torres is determined to join her university’s a cappella guild to pursue her passion and to discover what fate has in store for her broken heart.

All the times she’s crossed paths with the guild’s bass leader Liam Lorenzo have made her think about the possibility of falling in love again. But with the scars of the past and the guild captain making it difficult for her to spend time with Liam, Erika must decide if the blind jump off the cliff of love is a risk her heart can take.

 

“Alter Christus” by Catherine Lo

When you fall deeply and helplessly in love with a seminarian, it becomes the happiest and saddest moment of your life.

Nobody knows this better than I do. For years, it’s always been Peter at the center of my heart, and we might have had a happily-ever-after if his higher calling weren’t there, stubbornly squeezing itself between us.

Now, in the summer of our last year in college, as feelings are shared involving an overly symbolic piece of rock, will Peter finally decide to choose me, or will I lose him forever to a life in robes and vestments?

 

“Fall for Me” by Miel Salva

 

Sixteen-year-old Yasmin San Carlos grew up basking in the admiration and respect of everyone around her. Except for Karlos Iñigo Vicente, who seems to be unaffected by her pleasing personality. Finding this an aberration to the natural order of her world and a telltale sign of failing her mother, Yas is determined to befriend Igo in hopes of making him fall for her.

 

But the plan is easier said than done.

 

 

“The Game of Twenty Questions” by Elizabeth Galit

 

Charlemagne Villegas hasn’t gotten over her breakup with Dave. But it has been three years since the breakup happened. Everybody (maybe except for her) has moved on. And so there’s nothing wrong in going to the beach with Dave and their old friends, right?

 

But what if Charlie discovers otherwise? What if like her, someone else hasn’t gotten over what happened three years ago? Would it be another heartache? Or a second once-in-a-lifetime chance?

 

 

“The Summer You Said Hello” by Ami Granada

 

Edward and Camille have been childhood friends since forever. Edward secretly loves her. They lost touch after graduation. By chance, they meet again, but Edward seems aloof. Seeing him again, Camille is sure of one thing—she is in love with him.

 

Camille calls him at the radio station where he works as a DJ. She pretends to be someone else by using another name. However, Edward knows her voice, clear as a silver morning.

 

 

“At the Bermuda Triangle” by Elea Andrea Almazora

 

There’s no way Messi Potenciano’s letting her problems ruin the wedding of her two closest friends. She’ll just get through the beach side ceremony and not get entangled in anything dumb.

 

Steve Caballero has no intention of staying for his clients’ wedding. He just wants to deliver the clothes he designed and get off the island resort.

 

Their sudden and staggering attraction and surprising connection are not part of the plan. But what else would you expect at a resort called the Bermuda Triangle?

 

 

“Beachin’ Summer” by Arlene Manocot

 

Childhood friends Summer and Jesse head to the beach after a traumatic incident leaves Jesse in need of a little rest and relaxation. He’s looking forward to catching up on his reading, and while she isn’t as avid a reader, she can’t help but be drawn in by his enthusiasm. When he shares his love of indie-published romance with her, she can’t help but wonder if he might be inspired to turn fictional love into something real.

 

 

“Buddy System” by Yeyet Soriano

 

Smarting from a recent breakup, Kit Estaquio decides to let loose during her company’s overnight summer outing. She enlists the help of her officemate and best friend, Carlo Manlapat, and they agree to set up a buddy system where Carlo will make sure Kit won’t do anything she would regret.

 

But when office babe Tanya de Leon sets her sights on Carlo and office player Javier Perez makes it known he has his eye on Kit, the lines between being friends and buddies blur until Kit and Carlo realize they may not be the best buddies for each other.

 

 

“Busy out of the Friendzone” by Charlie Dio

 

A summer beach wedding in a tropical paradise, a white button-up shirt with neon pink hibiscus prints, a handful of meddling relatives, and two friends at the crossroads of their relationship dynamics—what could possibly go wrong between Aidan and Gillian? Turns out, everything! Then again, there’s also a kiss, a hickey, and a man on a mission, so maybe things could turn right after all.

 

 

“Flying with You” by Rachelle Belaro

 

All that Arci ever wanted was to visit Lake Sebu with her friends. When they backed out at the last minute, she was forced to continue her trip alone. Then she met Blue Shirt Guy, and she kept bumping into him. He became her impromptu travel buddy . . . and maybe a summer fling.

 

Will the way he holds her hand tight be enough to turn this something into a real relationship? Or is it just a fleeting summer encounter?

 

 

“Guide for a Day” by H. Bentham

 

Delivery boy Jun meets vacationer Ricky at his hometown’s only hotel. It was an instant attraction for Jun, and when the city boy offers to hire him as a tour guide for a day, the provincial lad agrees. They go around town together, discovering more than just the town’s history, but each other’s as well.

 

 

“Ready to Run” by Kit Salazar

 

Chris Hastings was pretty happy with his life. He had a nice beachside apartment, good friends, and a job he enjoyed. He didn’t think he wanted anything more, until Lauren Ditas came into his life. She was outgoing, athletic, beautiful, and everything he thought he couldn’t have. Chris opened himself up to her, but then he realized that she wasn’t doing the same with him. Could they make things work if there were secrets between them?

 

 

“Secondhand Wanderlust” by Erleen Alvarez

 

Twenty-four-year-old April De Guzman has never traveled alone and for good reason. Until she finds her sister’s travel diary and impulsively books a two-day tour package to Calaguas Island. She doesn’t know how she will survive the boat ride, much less live in a tent. But charming tour guide slash photographer Leo proves a welcome distraction from her overthinking mind.

 

With a bag full of summer essentials and her sister’s diary in hand, April will go on a journey to find that missing piece inside her and discover that traveling alone isn’t as lonely as it sounds.

 

 

“The Search for the Kissing Monster” by Ella Banta

 

Vincent and his friends are excited for their summer vacation this year, especially because one of his friends will be getting married. Congratulations and drinking are in order. Only, Vincent can’t drink. Weird things happen when he drinks. Then his friends mention something about him and a kissing monster. Who—or what—is it? What does it have to do with Vincent?

 

 

“Anything Can Happen” by Marian Tee

 

Charlotte “Charlie” Perez is what people think as the “serious” type. Or at least that’s how her family has been describing Charlie her entire life, and so it must be true. But everything she knows or thought was true about herself is challenged one fine day in Boracay when she meets the gorgeous, mysterious Alexio . . .

 

 

“Four Basic Principles” by Bianca Mori

 

Everybody makes mistakes in college, but one night’s carelessness turned former friends, Cass and Gelo, into strangers. Seven years later, they are thrown together in scenic Moalboal, Cebu. The trip has them wondering: are people doomed to repeat the same mistakes, or can time thaw the ice between two former friends?

 

 

“Love after Summer” by Irene Jurado

 

Seine Vargas met a dashing groomsman one summer day in Boracay. She was appointed as a substitute photographer for a wedding photoshoot by her best friend.

 

There’s a sizzling connection between her and the groomsman, but can this summer fling turn into an all-year romance knowing they just spent only a day with each other in an island?

 

 

 

“Lucky in Paradise” by Farrah F. Polestico

 

After getting out of a failed relationship, Lucy books a weeklong stay at Villa del Carmel, a little corner of paradise where she can bask in the summer sun and forget about all her problems. Dean, the resident chef, catches her eye, but she doesn’t want anything serious. And Dean seems to want the same thing. So they take it one day at a time, reveling in the now.

 

But what if her heart starts asking for more than what Dean can give? Will it get what it wants, or is she in for another heartbreak?

 

 

“The Swimming Instructor” by Eris Peñaluna

 

Bound together by a scheming little girl, Jandro and Ariel try to come to terms with their mutual attraction for each other through lots of gauging and attack tactics, mostly from Ariel, much to Jandro’s chagrin.

 

In which Jandro learns to swim and Ariel learns how to take a plunge again.

 

 

“Wedding Night Stand” by Mina V. Esguerra

 

Andrea Crisostomo is no longer your Ms. Right Now, thank you very much. She’s had enough of guys who like her “free spirit” but then break up with her before things get serious.

 

Damon Esquibel enjoys the slow and steady chase, and it looks like his two-year pursuit of Geraldine is about to pay off. He’s at his friend Anton’s destination wedding only because of her. But then he meets the sister of the bride, who doesn’t seem to want to be there, and it’s enough to question his plans for the evening—and the rest of the weekend.

 

 

“An Overdue Adventure” by Kate Sebastian

 

Hilary Santos is pretty much the poster girl for a sedentary lifestyle, but this week, she’s out to fulfill her father’s last wish—that she go on a no-holds-barred adventure. Travel guide and family friend Roman Villaflor is determined to make sure she doesn’t chicken out on the adrenaline rush Cebu has to offer. But Hilary soon finds that the thrill of jumping off cliffs and swimming with sharks can’t compare to the one she feels in his arms. Dare she take the biggest leap of all?

 

 

“Buttered Sunset” by Halina Cabrera

 

Marisol thinks it might be too late for love. Her life has been the resort she runs together with her sister at Moalboal, Cebu. However, when Joe Bassett walks up to the reception desk to flirt with her while looking for lunch, she changes her mind. Maybe it’s time for her to work up an appetite for change. But does she have the courage to just say yes?

 

 

“Then Derrick Was Back” by Georgette S. Gonzales

 

Nadia and Derrick had the kind of relationship that was both hot and promising. But then Derrick had to leave and inasmuch as they worked hard to keep things normal between them, distance and uncertainty got in the way and she called it quits. Over a couple of years later, Derrick surprised her by coming back on the scene. Is Nadia prepared to pick up where they left off? Or will she remain indifferent considering the pain he made her go through when they were apart?

 

 

About #romanceclass:

 

#romanceclass is a community of authors who attended various writing workshops organized by Mina V. Esguerra, readers of books by those authors, and readers of English-language romance books by Filipino authors. Visit romanceclassbooks.com to see the full catalog of books!

 

 

About the Authors:

 

Elea Andrea Almazora

 

Elea Andrea Almazora typically writes poetry and speculative fiction and has a weakness for funny romance stories. She currently works as a contributor to Playboy magazine’s Advisor column.

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Visit her blog, readinginbetween.com

Follow her on Twitter @ealmazora

Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/ealmazora

Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/eleaalmazora

 

 

 

Erleen Alvarez

 

When she’s not running errands or making monthly reports, Erleen Alvarez escapes the real world by reading books and writing stories about love of all kinds. She lives in a small town in Camarines Norte, where she’s trying to complete at least one publishable novel.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Visit her blog, bookforya.blogspot.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @BooksforYA

Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/author.erleen.alvarez

Follow her on Amazon at amzn.to/2py994M

Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2oDRpr6

 

 

Ella Banta

 

Ella Banta is a purple-loving, egg pie-eating 30-something woman. Writing has always been a dream for her since she was little. And writing for a #romanceclass book is a dream come true. After this, she plans to write more and hopefully meet more awesome egg pie-eating peeps.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Visit her blog, gabrielleluna.wordpress.com

Follow her on Twitter @gabbie_ellaine

Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/ellabantawriting

Follow her on Amazon at amzn.to/2pwjLEj

Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2pyi9XU

 

 

Rachelle Belaro

 

Rachelle is a published author of Pop Fiction, an imprint of Summit Books. She chooses watching Kdramas over writing stories, which makes it difficult for her to finish a chapter. If daydreaming were a profession, she could have made a great career in it.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Visit her blog, rachellebelaro.wordpress.com

Follow her on Twitter @areysieyts

Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/rachbelaro

Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/rachellebelaro

Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2o45RYx

 

Bentham

 

Bentham was born and raised in the Philippines, but now resides 1,487 miles away from home. He battles homesickness with his various hobbies and (mostly) by procrastinating on the internet. When he’s done being bored, he writes stories and, when he’s feeling particularly profound, poems. He adores turtles and bettas, enjoying the slow, quiet companionship they provide.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Follow him on Twitter @bentchbites

Like his Facebook page, facebook.com/Mr.H.Bentham

Follow him on Amazon at amzn.to/2nZO6eo

Follow him on Goodreads at bit.ly/2oIysCK

 

 

Halina Cabrera

 

Halina Cabrera writes steamy romance, among other things, while she’s on break. She’s a breakfast person (that’s not the same as being a morning person). And she loves serif fonts. She’ll keep writing until she keels over.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Follow her on Twitter @cabrerahalina

Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/HalinaCabrera

Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2nKWytT

 

Charlie Dio

 

Charlio Dio is a jack of all trades hailing from the Philippines. She loves reading, writing, watching anime, and taking long walks with her two dogs. An office employee by day and an internet ninja by night, she spends the majority of her waking hours talking to people in her head and putting their stories into written words.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Follow her on Twitter @chardiosaurus

Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/Charlie-Dio-622595757951587/

 

 

Mina V. Esguerra

 

Mina V. Esguerra writes contemporary romance. She blogs about her writing and publishing adventures at minavesguerra.com.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Sign up for her mailing list at bit.ly/list-minavesguerra

Visit her website, minavesguerra.com

Follow her on Twitter @minavesguerra

Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/minavesguerra

Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/minavesguerra

Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2p1YcaQ

 

Elizabeth Galit

 

Elizabeth Galit’s friends call her Beth. She is a book hoarder, romance writer, a chocolate sucker, a coffee addict and a hopeless romantic.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Visit her website, bethgstories.com

Follow her on Twitter @bethgstories

Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/bethgstories

Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/elizabethgalit

Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2oaLzwR

 

Georgette S. Gonzales

 

Georgette S. Gonzales is an author of romance in Filipino (as Edith Joaquin of My Special Valentine) and in English. She’s also written crime fiction novella Classified. Gette is a milrom junkie; she cooks but does not bake, loves to travel, and prides herself on being a singer, poet, and friend.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Visit her website, pinaynobelista.com

Follow her on Twitter @Gette_aka_EJmsv

Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/georgette.pinaynobelista

Follow her on Amazon at amzn.to/2oJa3Li

Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2oDwHaR

 

Ami Granada

 

Ami Granada writes romances, travel stories, and poetry. She has written one romance novel in English (Unspoken), romance novels in Tagalog, and short stories that have been published in local magazines and newspapers. The only time she feels really free is when she travels and when she writes.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Visit her blog, amidemanila.blogspot.com

Follow her on Twitter @amidemanila

Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/amidemanila

Like her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2o06KCQ

 

 

Irene Jurado

 

Irene is a full-time mom in the morning and full-time employee by night. Once she puts everything in order, she becomes a romance reader, writes short stories, opens her bag full of watercolors, and drinks her milk tea.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Follow her on Twitter @I_reign_

Follow her on Amazon at amzn.to/2peizWo

 

 

 

Catherine Lo

 

Catherine Dellosa Lo is a freelance writer by day and a geek by night, with works published in SuperHeroStuff, Vibal’s POC, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and more. She hopes to soar the skies as a superhero someday, but for now, she believes in saving lives through fiction. For fun, her personal blog recounts rookie misadventures as a noob wife.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Visit her blog, quirkylifeofthenoobwife.blogspot.com

Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/TheNoobWife

Follow her on Amazon at amzn.to/2nZN3uP

Follow her on Goodreads at goodreads.com/TheNoobWife

 

 

Arlene Manocot

 

Arlene Manocot writes in English and Filipino. Her words dwell in the realms of fantasy, suspense and romance. Aside from writing fiction, she also weaves poems from the endless thread of life. Daydreaming is an expensive hobby she’d like to preserve, and putting her thoughts into writing keeps her sane in this world of insanity.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Visit her blog, writingandlovinit.blogspot.com

Follow her on Twitter @arlenemanocot

Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/manocot.arlene

Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/arlenemanocot

Follow her on Goodreads at goodreads.com/arlenemanocot

 

Bianca Mori

 

Bianca Mori is the author of One Night at the Palace Hotel, Tame the Kitten, and the Takedown Trilogy. She is interested in exploring power in romance and enjoys reading about demimondaines, pin-up girls and Jazz Age personalities and hopes to reinterpret these in her stories. She lives with her family and a hyperactive pug.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Follow her on Twitter @thebiancamori

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Eris Peñaluna

 

The author is a graduate of the University of the Philippines. This is her first romance short story, though she plans to publish a novel in the near future. During her spare time, she practices yoga, runs and tries to learn as many languages as she can.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Follow her on Twitter @ErisPenaluna

Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/erispenaluna

Like her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2nZZ5EN

 

 

Farrah F. Polestico

 

Farrah F. Polestico wanted to be a lot of things in life—an engineer, a nurse, an astrophysicist. But it wasn’t until she was thirteen that she knew she was going to be a published writer. When she’s not up all night writing her next book, you can find her reading anything and everything, from Charles Dickens novels to old grocery receipts.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Visit her blog, bookskeepmesane.wordpress.com

Follow her on Twitter @bookskeepmesane

Follow her on Amazon at amzn.to/2oJlZwO

Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2oaCvYK

 

Kit Salazar

 

Kit has always known what she wanted in life, but only recently took courage to go after it. She’s back to doing things things that she loves, including writing and illustrating, while juggling a side job that helps fuel her creativity.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Follow her on Twitter @KitSalazarAuthor

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Miel Salva

 

Miel Salva is a Filipino HR consultant by day and a romance writer/reader by heart. She enjoys watching movies, documentaries and TV series and going out to eat with friends or with her fiancé. She reads and writes stories about love and its many different facets because she believes that even in this world filled with hate, love still prevails.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Visit her blog, mielsalva.wordpress.com

Follow her on Twitter @Miel_Salva

Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/pg/MielSalva.Author

Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/mielsalva

Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2pec7Pf

 

 

Fay Sebastian

 

Fay is a speech communication student who writes even on the busiest of days because writing prevents her from turning into a college zombie. Why she holds writing instruments in an odd way will always be a mystery to the world.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Visit her blog, faysebastian.wordpress.com

Follow her on Twitter @mileventwelve

Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/Mileventwelve

Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/faysebastian

Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2oJDblO

 

Kate Sebastian

 

Kate Sebastian has been crafting stories since she was tiny. She spent her childhood reimagining classic fairy tales and inventing new ones. She earns a good living writing articles and editing manuscripts, but decided to try her hand at writing romance (the steamy kind) since she reads so much of it.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Visit her website, katesebastian.com

Follow her on Twitter @ImKateSebastian

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Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/katesebastian

Follow her on Goodreads at goodreads.com/KateSebastian

 

Yeyet Soriano

 

Yeyet Soriano is an Asia Pacific IT manager by day, writer by night, and a wife and mother of three all throughout. Turning Points, In My Dreams, The Retreat, and Kate, Finally are her self-published novels. Romance is not her core genre, but all her stories, no matter how dark or twisted, have romantic elements embedded in them.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Visit her website, ysrealm.com

Follow her on Twitter @ysrealm

Like her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Yeyetsorianowrites

Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/yeyetsoriano

Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2nbyOmv

 

Marian Tee

 

Marian Tee is the author of The Art of Catching a Greek Billionaire, which is part of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Billionaire Bad Boys of Romance.

 

To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please

Visit her website, authormariantee.com

Follow her on Twitter @authormariantee

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Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/mariantee

Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2oaFHDO

 

Stop The Power of Stigma #GreenRibbonCampaign #cerebralpalsy

I was moved by what we are… PWD? Disabled? A girl living with cerebral palsy rode on a jeep. The passengers judged her that she could not understand everything. The innocent looks at her eyes were looking at them; one of them laughed, others were questioning through their eyes, but a man helped her. The girl spoke to her mom. Her mom and grandma were just ignoring the stigma of a cruel society we are all in.

#REALTALK That girl is obviously me

Title Reveal: #ATDRacqui

My life is full of redirection . . .  Be inspired! If I can do it, you can do it better!

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Coming this August!

#ATDRacqui

[image error]About Racquel

Racquel Sarah A. Castro is living with cerebral palsy. She wrote When Fate Speaks Big Time, Second Sight to Forever, Encyclopedia Mystique, The Real Me: An Autobiography, Stockholm Syndrome, Chasing an ATM Schemer and Styling Serendipity. Her first story, When Fate Speaks Big Time was nominated in Virtue Christian Book Awards.

Contact the Author

Email:  racquelcastro2884@gmail.com

Blog: https://racquelsarah.wordpress.com/

Twitter: @rsacastro017

Facebook page: Racquel Sarah A. Castro

Wattpad: RacquelSarahCastro

Challenge Accepted! #PWD

I accepted the challenge to lead the PWD Association of Brgy. San Francisco Halang. I might be busy with leading them but it is a humbling experience to be appointed to lead the people who needs me. Please pray for me. As I face a big responsibility, I know that God will guide me; He puts me to where my heart desires to be.

Help me by:

Praying for me
Volunteering to my initiatives (Like workshops, general assemblies, and the like)
Donate if possible? ahaha

Thank you!

Yours Truly,

Racquel Sarah A. Castro

PWD President – Brgy. San Francisco (Halang) Binan City, Laguna

Persistent Prayer by Ptr. Rewell S. Castro #healed #Jesus #preach

The LORD nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health.

-Psalm 41:3 NLT

The Lord is faithful to His promises! Praise God!

I love my work #GoForwardBinanFoundation

It had been a surprise seeing me working in a real office with real office mates. It was surreal but I enjoyed the pressure of capturing the smiles of those people. Go Forward Biñan Foundation is a non-profit organization that catered the needs of every Biñanense.

I enjoyed the company of new friends too. I hope I could encourage them in every way I can. I considered them  family.