Support our own. I’m guilty of that statement because I’m not very supportive with our own products, music and celebrities. I watched concerts, listened to talks and seminars and for the first time I was able to attend a book signing event.
When I saw at Facebook that one of the most popular PSI-COM and best selling writers, Marcelo Santos III has a new book and will launch it this February, I was excited.
I haven’t n read one of his two books: Para sa Hopeless Romantic and Para sa Broken-Hearted but I saw great reviews about it. The 3rd book: Mahal Mo Siya, Mahal Ka Ba? was launched last February 7 but because I had an early commitment, I wasn’t able to attend it on National Book Store in SM Manila.
There was a book signing at SM North Edsa which was nearer in my place but because of a conflict in the schedule, unfortunately, I hadn’t attend it as well. It was in SM Mall of Asia last February 22, 1:30 pm that I finally had the opportunity to be part of the event.
I didn’t know if I was ecstatic or I didn’t want to be late but somehow, I arrived at NBS MOA, 10:30 in the morning. I was just then informed that the registration would start by 12 noon and the actual meet and greet will happen by 1:30 pm. Boo! That means I have to wait for two hours!
Exactly 12 in the afternoon, I went to the registration table and I got the number 17!
Yes! I was not in the first 100.
When Marcelo went to the stage, I couldn’t contain my happiness. Okay this is my very first time to attend an event for a Filipino book and a guy writer will going to sign it! (If you are following my blog, you probably read that most of the book events that I attended were women novelists.) 🙂
Before the actual meet and greet, the lively host Mark of PSI-COM had a little bit of interview. Two girls asked for love advices while yours truly had the courage to inquire about this:
Me: “Do you have a new book coming? What is the concept of it?”
He answered: “Nice question. May dalawa akong iniisip at pinagpipilian ko pa rin kong anong ilalabas ko.” The crowd excitedly cheered. “Yung una #MoveOn, tungkol siya sa mg kuwento sa pagmo-move on parang compilation din siya. Yung isa, yung huling parte ng trilogy, Para sa True Love. Isa dun sa character ng Para sa Broken Hearted ang kinuha ko para maging bida ng Para sa True Love.”
Hmm sounds exhilirating right?
After the question and answer portion, Kuya Mark then requested for the audience to say messages to Marcelo.
Before the actual meet and greet of yours truly with her *new crush*! Hihi… Let me share to you my favorite parts and quotes from Mahal Mo Siya, Mahal Ka Ba?
- Dear Crush I exist
–Crush lang. No expectations. Crush lang yan, malayo yan sa bituka. - Ano ba talaga, mga ate at kuya?
-You only live once. Part talaga ng “Search for the One” ang masaktan at magbakasakali. - Sorry naman, tanga lang
-Sabi sa akin ng katrabaho ko noon, tatlong beses lang daw tayong pwedeng maging tanga sa pag-ibig kada taon. Una, yung magmamahal ka ng taong magaling lang sa salita pero iba na sa gawa. Pangalawa, yung papatawarin mo pa rin siya kahit ilang beses ka na niyang nasaktan. At pangatlo, yung umasa ka na namang magbabago siya kahit alam mo namang hindi na. - Bayani (My favorite book section!)
-Na-realize ko na ang buhok pala ni Jose Rizal ay parang love ng isang taong bayani sa pag-big, one sided. - Best seller sa katangahan
–Minsan may mga nangyayari sa libro ng buhay natin na pang-best seller sa katangahan. Pero darating ang araw na pagtatawanan na lang natin yung mga katangahang iyon at di na uulitin pa. - Siopao ka ba?
-That moment para kang siopao. Bino BOLA ka lang, Asadong-ASAdo ka naman. - Sales talk na May Hugot (Nice concept! Nakakaaliw!)
-Yung mga taong deserving maging owner ng puso mo. Kahit na second hand na lang yan, brand new pa rin yung turing niya sa yo. - Meeting with Kupido and Tadhana (Very touchy!)
Quotes:
“Walang lalaking masasabing paasa kung walang babaeng masyadong assumera. ”
“Minsan ka nang naging tanga. Huwag mo nang ulitin pa. Kotang-kota ka na.” (Well said!)
“Naniniwala ako na may schedule ang love life ng tao. Kaya siguro nagkahiwalay kami dahil may isang nakalaan sa akin na makikilala ko balang-araw.” (This one is perfect for me!)
When my number was called for the M & G, I was elated and I even stuttered when I asked a request from Marcelo. Thank goodness he was such a humble and very nice guy.
I was extremely happy after the book signing and I’m sharing it with you by a little give-away!
A signed Para Sa Hopeless Romantic book plus a beautiful and hand-crafted violet book mark from Julia’s Closet are up for grabs!
Photo from Julia’s Closet
Perfect to read it first before you watch the movie on March 11!
How to win?
Just follow all the tasks on the rafflecopter here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Perks-Be-With-You/316743821763572?sk=app_228910107186452
Terms and Conditions:
+ Open to Metro Manila residents only who can meet me on March 9 or 10 at Trinoma, North Edsa/Araneta Center Cubao/SM Megamall. Meet-up only no shipment because I want to give it to you personally and have photo op.
+ I’ll be choosing the winner with the best answer on the blog post question so make sure to follow all the tasks and don’t skip the ‘leave a blog comment’ part or else your entry is going to be invalid!
+Contest starts February 28 and ends on March 7. I’m going to announce the winner on the morning of March 8. Winner must send me an email on or before 10 in the evening of March 8.
+ This is give-away is not sponsored by National Bookstore or Julia’s Closet.
Thank you and good luck!
perksbewithyou 
Mary Anne Viquiera Tapang
My favorite Filipino romantic book/novel is My Missing Puzzle Piece. Why? Because the writer of these book/novel is one of my partner’s best friend. I got to meet her and she was so nice she even lend me some of her personal copies, the ones I can’t find in the store. This one was my favorite among them, kinilig, tumawa at sumaya ako habang binabasa ko ito.
And here’s the most romantic line I’ve ever read,
“I don’t care about your imperfections. Sapat ka na para makompleto ang kaligayahan ko.”
Why because that line says it all, di naman natin kailangan ng perpektong tao agdating sa love ang mahalaga masaya at maligaya tayo.
Mary Anne Tapang
Pau Ramona
Nice one! May I know the author’s name? Is the book available? Thank you for sharing Miss Mary Anne. :)Good luck!
Mary Anne Viquiera Tapang
I can only share her pen name which is Bella Sabina. The books isn’t available, there were no more copies left that’s why I borrowed her personal copy 🙂
Maricel Fajardo
My favorite Filipino novel is Diary ng Panget, because is the story is funny, light and enchanting of typical insecure girl but pursue her education. A girl no one notices because of her ugliness but after you read it there’s a moral story that you get to realize that it isnt always what on the outside that matters
And once you read it makes you laugh and bring the butterflies in your stomach so kilig
Pau Ramona
I haven’t read the story but I’m familiar with it. Thank you for sharing Miss Maricel. Good luck! 🙂
Kj Biasong
PABORITO KONG NOBELA?
FILIPINO tayo eh syempre NOLI ME TANGERE
nung highschool ako tinapos ko ito kasi talagang gusto ko malaman kung paano nag karoon ng apoy sa puso ng mga pilipino nung dating panahon ng dahil sa nobelang ito
and napahanga ako ni rizal kasi pinong pino ang mga detalye ng pagkakasulat ng kanyang nobela , siguro nga kung meron pang modern rizal ngayon na hindi lang sa facebook comment matapang ay madaming magbabago sa ating bansa sabi nga ni rizal ang kabataan ang pag asa ng bayan kaya naniniwala ako na totoong madaming babangon na pinuno sa pilipinas gaya ng ginawa ni rizal sa pamamagitan ng pagsusulat ng nobela.
Best Line 🙂
“The people do not complain because they have no voice; do not move because they are lethargic, and you say that they do not suffer because you have not seen their hearts bleed.”
― José Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
Pau Ramona
I like Noli Me Tangere as well KJ. Thank you for sharing your insights about the book. I must say this has been my favorite book in High School. 🙂 Good luck!
eddielli
My favorite line and romantic book is from “Para Kay B” by Ricky Lee. The Line goes like this (medyo mahaba but I want to share it!):
“Dahil hindi mo pwedeng mahalin ang isang tao nang hindi mo mahal ang hilaga, silangan, timog at kanluran ng kanyang mga paniniwala. Kapag nagmahal ka’y dapat mong tanggapin bawat letra ng kanyang birth certificate. Kasama na doon ang kanyang libag, utot at bad breath. Pero me limit. Pantay-pantay ang ibinibigay na karapatan sa lahat ng tao upang lumigaya, o masaktan, o magpakagago, pero kapag sumara na ang mga pinto, nawasak na ang mga puso, nawala ang mga kaluluwa at ang bilang ay umabot na sa zero, goodbye na.”
Super relate na relate ako. I never had a bf since birth but that doesn’t mean na exempted ako masaktan sa love. Nangyari sa akin to sa tunay na buhay na kung saan naghintay ako ng naghintay. Nung panahon na nagkita kami parang nag-iba na yung pagtingin ko sa kanya. Sya na yung taong hindi ko na kayang mahalin pala. oh yeah sorry for the drama, LOL!
I would recommend this to you, PRAMIS maganda. If you would like to borrow, ok lang basta pahiram ng “Si” ni Bob Ong. 🙂 Thank you so much for this giveaway, Ms. Pau! 🙂
Pau Ramona
Hihi… I only read a few pages from Para Kay B. I heard it is a great book. Ha ha… Will think about your wonderful offer Miss Eddielli, million thanks! Good luck! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Dani
Just dropping in to say hi! Ako yung seatmate mo nung Blogopolis. 🙂 Nice to meet you!
Pau Ramona
Hi Dani!!! Yay! Nice meeting you too. See you again! 🙂