Ang Nawawalang Barangay

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Ang baklang paroloristang si Brigido o mas kilala ng kanyang mga ka-barangay bilang BREE ay suma-sideline sa barangay hall bilang receptionist kaya naman siya ang unang-unang naging punong abala sa paghahanap ng mga nawawala. Mukhang supernatural ang datingan ng mga pangyayari. Ang siste, bigla na lang nawawala ang mga tao na tila ba nage-evaporate gaya ng nangyari kay Sonia na isa sa mga nag-report kay Bree. Sinamahan niya ito sa bahay ng nawawala nilang ka-barangay na aktibista na si Corazon. Pagpasok sa bahay ay nakaramdam na lang si Bree ng ubod na lamig na tila ba naka-aircon at biglang sa isang iglap ay wala na si Sonia. Sa pagpapatuloy ng misteryo, magkukumpulan ang mga taga-Barangay Talong Punay sa kulto ni Baby Gerl, isang naulilang bata na lumaking may mga naririnig na boses na sa kanyang palagay ay galing sa mga anghel. Mahahanap pa kaya nila Bree ang mga nawawalang ka-barangay?

Touch Me Now

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The Dela Costa clan belongs to a socioeconomic elite that dictates what goes on in the Philippine political landscape. Marcelo is the only living son left to matriarch Conchita, whose devotion to Our Lady of Navire is equal to none. He occupies a post that gives him leeway for some societal engineering, micromanaging everything behind the scenes for those in power. His wife Josefina's only concern is getting her eight hours of sleep every night. Their older son Marcelito is active at university and is slowly but surely being drawn into the influence of his rallyist classmates. Younger son Joselito, on the other hand, is exploring his sexuality at an all-boys high school in Mandaluyong. Meanwhile, some family cousins run their own businesses: one, controlling what is published in print through the country's largest broadsheet which she owns; the other, being the proprietor of La Sirena, an underground den that attracts the rich and the powerful to secretly indulge in their carnal and narcotic desires.

Pan de Monio

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Payak lamang ang pamumuhay ng magkaibigang Aves at Teroy Peklat sa bayan ng Antipolo. Hindi man malaya dahil sa pamamahala ng mga Kastila ay nakapag-aaral naman ang dalawa at nangunguna pa nga sa kanilang paaralan pagdating sa katalinuhan. Isang araw ay may matutuklasang krokis si Teroy Peklat sa kanilang kubo na mabilis niyang ipakikita kay Aves. Ang krokis ay naglalaman ng isang uri ng pagsusulat na hindi nila kilala at parurusahan pa nga sila ng Fraile dahil ayon sa kanya ay galing sa mga kampon ng kasamaan na sinasamba ng mga sinaunang Pilipino ang mga ito. Isang araw ay isang uwak ang dadalaw kay Aves at magsisimulang dalhan siya ng mga burloloy na gawa sa ginto, pilak at hiyas. Ituturo rin nito sa kanya kinalaunan ang kinalalagyan ng matagal nang hinahanap na nawawalang bantayog ng Birheng Itim na Santa Patron ng Antipolo. Bukod dito ay may matutuklasan pa siya tungkol sa matagal nang nawawalang ama.

The Iron Heel

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A scholar from the year 2600 AD reviews the unfinished manuscript of Avis Everhard, the daughter of well-known academic John Cunningham. Father and daughter belong to the upper echelons of the wealthy, which is why she is quick to disagree with the socioeconomic and political views of socialist Ernest Everhard, her future husband. Oozing with charisma and gift of gab, Ernest becomes the poster boy of socialism, leaving his audience either in denial or enlightened. Among them are Bishop Morehouse, and Avis herself who decides to investigate the living conditions of factory workers and the unjust treatment of their employers. Ernest warns of the Iron Heel, a catchphrase referring to oligarchs and plutocrats who will eventually rule the country for the next three centuries. As father and daughter get ostracized for their socialist sympathies, Avis and Ernest get married and dive deep into a counter movement to defend the proletariat.

Topograpiya Ng Lumbay

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Isang lalaking nagngangalang Garcia Romualdez ang kukulitin ng tawag si Melody Aria. Sasagot lamang ang huli sa pangatlong tawag at dito siya aanyayahan siya ng lalaki na lumipad patungong Cebu upang samahan siya sa kasalukuyang kinalalagyan ng kanyang nawalay na inang si Ronaria. Hindi pa handa si Melody na harapin ang mga sugat ng nakaraan ngunit marahil ito na rin ang paraan upang makatakas siya sa pangungulila sa anak na sumama na sa ama nito upang mag-aral sa Boston. Isang manunulat naman na naghahangad ng bagong pagkakakitaan ang luluwas sa Tacloban. May mga ilang aklat na rin naman na nailimbag sa pangalan ni Ruis Quijano subalit hindi rin naman talaga siya sumikat. Hindi rin nakatulong ang pagkakalugi ng kayang hanapbuhay kaya ngayon ay nagtatangka siyang balikan ang pagsusulat. Ang hindi niya alam ay gagamitin lamang siya upang humabi ng paninira, isang bagay na pinagbantaan siyang buhay niya at ng dating asawa ang magiging kapalit kung hindi niya paninindigan. Magtatagpo ang landas ng tatlo sa paghahanap ng katotohanan sa isla ng Samar.

Isang Taong Resty

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Makalipas ang sampung taon ay mabibigyan tayo ng bagong kaalaman tungkol sa kasalukuyang buhay ni Resty. Ngayon ay dalawampu’t anim na taong gulang na ang binata at naninirahan sa pangunahing lungsod sa kanilang lalawigan kung saan siya iniwan ng kanyang inang si Aling Tonya. Mabibighani si Resty sa ganda ng kasamahan na nagngangalang Renata subalit mayroon na itong kasintahan at sila ay malapit nang mag-isang dibdib. Sa pag-alis ng dalaga upang lumipat sa Maynila ay magpapasya si Resty na lumuwas na rin upang makipagsapalaran kahit na hindi tugma ang pananaw ng kanyang ina at lola. Sa Maynila ay mararanasan ni Resty ang hirap ng buhay manggagawa pati na rin ang kasawian sa pag-ibig. Mamumulat naman din siya sa mga di pangkaraniwang pamamaraan upang kumita ng salapi habang nakikitira sa barong-barong ng kanyang amang si Mang Ador kasama ang kanyang kapatid na si Totoy at ang ina nitong si Aling Daisy.

A Dance with Dragons

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Across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys faces revolt as Meereen is racked by rebellion in the form of the Sons of the Harpy, who murder at least one of her soldiers every day, leading to suggestions of marrying a noble to tame the locals, all while facing the repercussions of her ever growing dragons. Tyrion finds himself in Essos as an exile, taken in by a strange group of boatmen who seem to be hiding a secret. Arya continues her training as a faceless assassin in Braavos. Meanwhile, in Westeros, Jon Snow deals with new challenges every day as Lord Commander of the wall, especially now that he is hosting Stannis’ men as well as his demanding queen, and the red priestess Melisandre, too. The Boltons regroup with northmen at Winterfell where Stannis directs his men after defeating the iron born at Deepwood Motte and taking Asha captive. Cersei confesses her sins and is ordered to do a walk of shame as atonement.

A Feast for Crows

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Cersei Lannister assumes her role as Queen Regent to her son, newly-crowned King Tommen. A childhood prophecy from an eastern witch continues to hound her, however, that of dying in the hands of a younger sibling and being eclipsed by a younger and prettier queen. She believes the prophecy to be referring to Margaery, and so begins her schemes to get rid of her son’s queen. Meanwhile, Brienne leaves King’s Landing to keep her oath and find Lady Catelyn’s daughters: Sansa who is masquerading as Petyr Baelish’s bastard daughter Alayne at the Eyrie; and Arya, training to be a faceless assassin in Braavos on the other side of the Narrow Sea. Samwell accompanies a dying Aegon Targaryen and Gilly on a ship that will take them to Oldtown where they intend to seek refuge, but they encounter difficulties along the way. All this while the death of Balon Greyjoy embroils the Iron Islands in a succession crisis as Prince of Doran down south in Dorne deals with his own royal family squabbles.

A Storm of Swords

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Jon finds his way back to the Wall but is pursued by the Wildlings he has double crossed. The death of the Old Bear sparks a succession issue. As the Wall is about to fall, Stannis and his men come to the rescue. In the Riverlands, Robb attempts to repair House Stark’s relationship with the Freys after he reneges his commitment to marry one of Walder’s daughters. Catelyn accompanies her son to the Twins for Edmure’s wedding. Joffrey and Margaery are to wed in a grandiose feast while Tyrion is left with the problem of funding after being named Master of Coin. Daenerys double crosses the slavers of Astapor and upon acquiring the Unsullied, leads a campaign to free the cities of Essos, starting at Mereen. Brienne leads Jaime back to King’s Landing in an oath to bring back Sansa and Arya, but things don’t go according to plan.

A Clash of Kings

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The death of Robert Baratheon sparks a succession crisis in Westeros as various kings lay claim to the throne. Robb declares himself King of the North while Stannis and Renly duke it out: the former with a red sorceress from the east; and the latter, with the forces of the south backing him. Joffrey sits on the Iron Throne but it is really his uncle Tyrion who pulls the strings as his Hand. Arya is stuck in Harrenhal and gains the good graces of its new ruler after helping instigate a coup, while her brothers in Winterfell face an uncertain fate as Theon defects and takes his adoptive northern home hostage. As Catelyn travels south to wager an alliance, to no avail, she earns a new knight in her service in the person of Brienne of Tarth. Meanwhile, Daenerys impatiently waits for her trio of dragons to grow stronger as she tours the east searching for allies that could help her cross the Narrow Sea.

A Game of Thrones

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The game of thrones continues in the western landmass of Westeros, even more than a decade after the defeat of house Targaryen. The house of the dragon’s last remaining heirs with legitimate claim to the throne, Viserys and Daenerys, have fled to Essos and are forging alliances there to gain an army to reclaim their birthright. Meanwhile, Robert Baratheon, the usurper, sits on the iron throne and is in need of a new Hand of the King after Jon Arryn of the Vale is murdered. He takes his entire family, among them Cersei Lannister, his queen, north to Winterfell to convince his old friend Eddard Stark to serve the kingdom as his Hand. Eddard is apprehensive, but duty calls. He leaves behind his eldest son Robb to rule in his stead while taking his daughters Sansa and Arya to live at court. As for his bastard Jon Snow, he is sent to the wall in the north, where the threat of a long winter is looming.

Muling Nanghaharana ang Dapithapon

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Mag-uudyok ng iba’t-ibang kuru-kuro ang paglipat ng manunulat na si Mario Rafael de Polano sa bahay ng kanyang pinsan sa Imus. Matapos magpasya na talikuran na ang pagsusulat ay susunugin ng manunulat ang lahat ng kanyang mga akda, dahilan upang magkasundo ang mga kapitbahay na isa sa kanila ang dapat magtungo sa bahay ng manunulat at kausapin ito. Isa sa mga kapitbahay na babae, ina ng anak sa lalaking mayroon nang asawa, ang maaatasan na makipag-usap sa manunulat. Siya naman ay nangangarap na maging manunulat din ngunit naniniwalang ang kahinaan niya sa pagsusulat sa wikang Tagalog ay isang malaking hadlang upang maisakatuparan ito. Tatagal din ng ilang buwan ang pagkakaibigan ng dalawa ngunit isang araw ay bigla na lang maglalaho si Rafael sa Imus. Sa kanyang pagkawala ay matatagpuan ng babae sa pintuan ng kanyang bahay ang mga talaarawan at iba pang mga naisulat na ni Rafael, at dito makikilala ng lubos ng babae ang mailap na lalaki.

Ang Lahat ng Hayop sa Ating mga Yapak

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Sa taong 2013 ay yayanigin ang Pateros ng isang karumal-dumal na pangyayari: ang panggagahasa at pagpaslang sa isang dalagang nagngangalang Janina matapos itong maglasing at mahiwalay sa mga kaibigan. Ang pagbibintangan at makukulong ay ang tagapaghatid ng pagkain na si Eli Boy Bustalenya na siya namang igigiit sa mga kinauukulan na wala siyang kinalaman sa mga pangyayari. Sa kasamaang palad ay isang larawan na kuha ng mamamahayag na si Dexter de Dios ang makakasagap kay Eli Boy na siyang magdiriin dito. Lampas sampung taon din ang magdaraan at sa pag-uwi ng anak ni Dexter na si Andrew upang tumanggap ng parangal ng ama ay mauungkat ang nakalipas kasama ang mga bagong kaalaman na maaaring magpawalang-sala sa isang tao na baka sa kahuli-hulihan ay wala naman palang kinalaman sa mga pangyayari. Ang panibagong pag-uusisa ay maglalatag din ng mga mabubunyag na kaugnayan sa pagitan ng naturang pagkakasala at malawakang katiwalian sa pamahalaan.

Lahat Ng B

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Ilang dekada na ang lilipas pero tuloy pa rin ang pagsusulat ni Lucas ng mga novels at itutuloy nga niya ang mga naudlot na love story nila Irene, Sandra, Erica at Ester. Ang hindi talaga niya maituloy tuloy is yung love story nila ni Bessie. May time jump na ilang dekada at tumanda na ang mga characters. Nasa kaliwaan stage na sila Irene at Jordan. Si Sandra naman kukunin na ni Lupe after makalaya nung isa sa kulungan pero makokonsensya sila kasi paano na yung asawa niya na si Ruben? Si Erica pipiliing bumalik sa Maldiaga para hanapin si Jake kahit successful na ang career niya sa Manila. Si Ester at Sara nagkikita tuwing Friday pero hurdle pa rin nila yung asawang matanda na si Pio. Si Bessie naman iniwan na ni Brigs at may Alzheimer’s na kaya dinadalaw dalaw na lang ni Lucas sa nursing home.

Para Kay B

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Isang frustrated writer na nangngangalang Lucas ang nagsusulat ng una niyang nobela na gusto niyang tawagin sa pamagat na Para Kay B. Ang B na tinutukoy ay si Bessie, ang babaeng kanyang iniibig pero medyo mukhang di talaga sila itinadhana. Even then, sulat pa rin ng sulat si Lucas ng love stories, lima lahat. Yung isa ay yung sa kanila ni B habang yung iba naman e halo-halong may imbento lang and based naman on real people yung iba. For example, yung incestuous love story ni Sandra ay based sa kahera ng motel na tinutuluyan niya para magsulat. Bukod dun, meron din siyang entry about Ester na middle aged mother na may lesbo love affair. Si Erica na galing sa isang fictional island called Maldiaga kung saan wala silang concept ng pag-ibig. At siyempre yung unang kwento ng libro tungkol kay Irene at Jordan na pinaghiwalay ng panahon pero pagtatagpuing muli ng tadhana.

The Catcher in the Rye

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16-year-old Holden Caulfield is kicked out of school, the third he has transferred to so far in the last few years. He has flunked all of his subjects except English, which he believes to be his strongest suit. He gets a bloody nose after getting in a fight with his roommate Ward Stradlater as he pesters him regarding the details of his date with a girl he once knew. He then decides to pack his bags and leave for New York but keeps it a secret from his parents who are not expecting him until Wednesday. Luckily, he has some cash to spare which he uses to pay for a hotel room, a prostitute, and drinks after calling some acquaintances in the city to accompany him for a few nights. A few days later, he sneaks into their house to visit his little sister Phoebe to say goodbye to her for good because he is thinking of running away.

Rich People Problems

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A heart attack leaves family matriarch Shang Su Yi bedridden. As she fights for survival while on life support, members of the clan acknowledge that the time is near. Knowing that his cousin Nick, heir apparent to Tyersall Park, is still banned from the estate, Eddie flies his entire family on a private jet from Hong Kong to jockey for position, while Astrid is busy in India entertaining a marriage proposal from Charlie Wu in the midst of her divorce proceedings with Michael Teo. Encouraged by his wife Rachel, Nick eventually flies back to Singapore to find the family in complete disarray. Meanwhile, Kitty still finds herself shut out from Singapore high society despite her husband’s billions at her disposal. To make matters worse, her stepdaughter Colette, now married to a titled aristocrat in England, is moving back to Asia for their environmental activism, eclipsing her stepmother at every society get together.

China Rich Girlfriend

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A few years after the debacle in Singapore, Nick and Rachel are in California preparing for their wedding, the only invitees from his family being his cousins Astrid and Alistair. Eleanor Young exhausts all of her resources to find out about the venue and the schedule not because she wants to stop the wedding. In fact, she has something important to tell Rachel. While on a shopping spree in London with her friends, Eleanor runs into Eddie whose filthy rich mainland client Bao Shaoyen is worrying about her problem child Carlton, who is the striking image of Rachel. Inviting the family to Singapore, she gets to meet Bao Gaoliang, a top Beijing politician whom she later proves to be Rachel’s biological father. Soon, Nick and Rachel find themselves in Shanghai meeting a brother she never knew she had and a father she’s been trying to find in vain in the last few years.

Crazy Rich Asians

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NYU Economics professor Rachel Chu is happy with her life so far. She is tenured and lives a life of romantic bliss with her boyfriend Nick Young, who is teaching at the History department. He comes up with a suggestion one boring day, asking her if she wants to go with him for summer vacation back to his native Singapore. Apparently, his best friend is getting married and he will be the best man. Rachel reluctantly agrees and is in for a rude awakening. It turns out that her boyfriend, who almost never talks about his family, is not just rich, but rather crazy rich. The ancestral home he grew up in looks like a palace and his grandmother has Gurkhas as personal bodyguards. Nick’s arrival with Rachel in tow results in gossip overdrive from almost everyone in his social circles, his girlfriend being tagged as a gold digger left and right. How is he supposed to propose to her now?

Bata, Bata... Pa'no Ka Ginawa?

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Si Lea Bustamante ay isang ina. Ina ng dalawang anak na magkaiba ang ama. Ang kanyang panganay na si Ojie ay anak niya sa asawang si Raffy na nananatiling kasal sa kanya kahit sila ay magkahiwalay na. Iniwan siya nito upang magtrabaho sa probinsya kung saan kasama sana siya subalit umayaw siya dahil ayaw niyang iwan ang trabaho niya. Si Maya naman ay anak niyang bunso sa kanyang kinakasama na si Ding. Mama’s boy si Ding at bihira magpakita sa bahay nila dahil lagi itong nasa poder ng kanyang ina. Madalas magkaroon ng mga hindi pagkakaunawaan sa eskwela ng mga bata dahil sa kanilang magkaibang apelyido kahit na iisa lang naman ang kanilang nanay. Madalas nga ay napipika na si Lea sa mga patutsada at tanong na paulit ulit niyang sinasagot kahit wala naman siyang obligasyon na gawin iyon. Isang araw ay biglang magbabalik si Raffy at maghahangad ng puwang sa buhay ng anak.