Tamara Cee under Precious Hearts Romances

Noon, sabi ko sa sarili ko, isang manuscript lang ang ma-publish ko, okay na. Pero iba pala talaga 'yung 'high' kapag nakita mo 'yung sarili mong libro na naka-display sa shelves ng bookstores. And it's the same high I feel whenever I read comments about my novels especially when readers send me messages of appreciation. And that's why I'm still writing despite the difficulties. 

It was December 2014 when my first novel entitled Ang Boyfriend Kong Hindi was published by one of the most popular publishing companies in the Philippines, Precious Hearts Romances. Unang subok magpasa sa isang malaking pubhouse kaya iba ang feeling na mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang isang hindi kilalang manunulat tulad ko na makapasok sa PHR.

For the Love of Agnes (Chapter 3)

“OH my gosh. Choosy ka pa, bessy? That Amiel guy is the hottest I have ever seen in my entire existence, no exaggeration! Tapos, sasabihin mo lang na you’ll think about it kung ibo-boyfriend mo o hindi? Naku naku, Agnes! Gusto mo bang i-untog ko ang ulo mo sa pader para matauhan ka? 2090 na ngayon, baka nakakalimutan mo. Aba, isasabuhay mo ba talaga ‘yang Maria Clara peg mo?”

Kumunot ang noo niya dahil wala siyang ideya kung sino ang Maria Clara na sinasabi nito.

“Oh, I forgot. Hindi mo nga pala kilala si Maria Clara. Well, ‘lemme give you a quick Philippine history lesson. Si Maria Clara ang heroine ni Dr. Jose Rizal sa nobela niya na Noli Me Tangere noong 1887. Si girl lang naman ang epitome ng isang dalagang Pilipina noon - mahinhin, conservative, mayumi, submissive, hindi makabasag-pinggan. Parang inaasta mo, ngayon.”

Umiling siya at nagsalin ng wine sa kanyang baso. Kung hindi lamang siya pinilit ni Eve na pumunta sa bar na iyon pagkatapos ng trabaho. Pero marami na siyang utang na pangako sa kaibigan na hindi niya natutupad kaya iyon lamang ang pagkakataon para mabayaran niya ang lahat ng iyon. 

The bar was one of the newest in the city where the old meets the new. Neon lights mixed with the Japanese inspired interiors complete its aesthetic appeal. It’s already her favorite hangout place to date, she’s got to admit and if not for Eve’s connections, she wouldn’t be able to discover it.

Bukod sa malawak na dance floor ay mayroon din itong high-tech bar kung saan p’wedeng um-order sa isang robotic bartender na bukod sa mukhang totoong tao ay kaya ring makipag-usap na parang tao. Sabi nga ni Eve, it’s going to be the future - machines and artificial intelligence. Dahil ngayon, hindi lang doon sa Futurum mayroong AI employees kundi maging sa mga bangko, malls at ospital.

Artificial intelligence at workplace isn’t new. It has been around for almost a century but the emergence of the most advanced human-like AI robots had just started for about two decades ago.

Art on Mask by Craft with Cee

The pandemic has made our lives miserable and everyone was affected one way or another. We were forced to give up the things that we were used to do and that includes being physically close to our loved ones.

We were required to distance ourselves from our family and friends and put on face masks to keep us safe. It was a huge adjustment but it was something that we had to do. For most people, it was frustrating, and it still is, especially here in the Philippines where mask mandates are still on. Aside from the fact that wearing surgical mask all day makes it hard to breathe, it hides our beautiful faces and captivating smiles. 

And being someone who always wants to be different, I thought of a way to still have the chance to be fashionable and be able to show one's uniqueness. So Art on Mask Series by Craft with Cee was born. 

Here are some of my creations two years ago, most of which were commissioned by friends and clients.

For the Love of Agnes (Chapter 2)

“PLAN?” Hindi naituloy ni Agnes ang pag-inom ng orange juice. Nakaupo na ang lalaki sa harap niya, nakapalumbaba at nakatunghay lamang sa kanya. Wala pa rin itong damit pang-itaas at hindi niya alam kung ikatutuwa niya iyon o hindi. 

“Yes, plan. Ano ang gusto mong gawin natin ngayong araw?”

“Ahm…may trabaho ako ngayong araw…ikaw ba, wala?”

Umiling ito nang hindi inaalis ang napakagandang ngiti. “Fortunately, I don’t have to work because I’ve got everything I need. Especially now that I’ve met you.”

Alam niyang hindi dapat pero talaga namang kinilig ang mga internal organs niya sa narinig. Paano ba namang hindi samantalang ngayon lang siya nasabihan nang ganoon, ng isang napakaguwapong lalaki na para bang nabuhay mula sa isang Men’s magazine? Pero bago pa siya tuluyang mahulog sa nakakatunaw nitong mga titig ay ginising ni Agnes ang sarili sa katotohanan - na hindi niya kilala ang binata at wala siyang alam na ano pa man tungkol rito. 

“I’m sorry pero…ano nga pala uli ang pangalan mo at saan at paano tayo nagkakilala?”