Adventures of a Bibliophile: Manix Abrera Comic Book Signing 2015

September 17, 2015
Thursday
Book Club

So I joined our company's book club (yes, I have a regular job on weekdays, kind of technical bordering on geeky/nerdy). Going back, yes I joined our company's book club. Surprised? Well, it was expected. LOL. For the first book club grand meeting, we invited Manix Abrera for a comic book signing. 

Just a background on Manix (from goodreads):

MANUEL “MANIX” ABRERA is a graduate of Fine Arts in UP Diliman. He is the writer and artist of the Kikomachine comic strips found daily in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. He already has five compilations of his strips, and recently launched his first silent comics graphic novel “12”. He is currently finishing his 6th compilation due later this year, and continues to write and draw comics until he dies and goes to heaven.

He is basically a comic strip author doing strips for a local newspaper as well as a news site here in the Philippines.

This is him doing a talk which was so hilarious and enjoyable

Manix is signing books

Soon...its my turn

me and Manix

I had 5 comic books signed and this was one of those. He did all with different variations which as so cool.

Happy reading!

Adventures of a Bibliophile: Gayle Forman in Manila 2014

January 18, 2014

Saturday

National Bookstore Glorietta

This would be my fifth book signing event. Well third from an international author and I couldn't get anymore excited. Her books are unique since they come as a duet and not the normal trilogy or 4-part series.

Lookback: If I Stay, Where She Went, Just One Day, Just One Year

From my experience on having my books signed, readers would go before 10AM yes...that is before the venue even opens. In this case, I arrived at 11AM and as expected there was a long line and I got number 277 *freaks out* Oh well, serves me right for not being at the venue before 10AM.

What saddened me is since National Bookstore sponsored the event (I guess I should have expected that) they wouldn't allow books purchased other than National Bookstore and Powerbooks. And since...my books, Just One Year and Just One Day, were bought in Fully Booked they didn't allow it. Why the heck didn't I remove the price tag. See? I'm honest.

So here are my books and only 2 of them would be signed. *sad*

This is what's happening while I was waiting. National Bookstore swarmed by readers waiting for their turn to get their books signed.

This would be my only picture of Gayle Forman up close. Side story: I was 3 persons away from her and I decided to ready my phone for that mandatory photo-op. But my phone decided to die on that moment. That very moment. I was so devastated, why was this happening to me. Note to self: next time bring a powerbank. UGH.

my signed 'If I Stay' book. Can't wait for the movie on August

'Where She Went' book signed. Maybe she was tired from all the signing...it wasn't personalized. HAHAHAHAHA. Just like the Nicholas Sparks book.

She even gave everyone bookmarks with her books printed on them. Cool.

And she knows fangirlisms. Definitely cool.

As, always I loved the book signing. Though 2 of my books aren't signed and that I had no picture with her, I guess its still a wonderful experience.

Happy Reading!

Adventures of a Bibliophile: Margaret Stohl, Allyson Noel and Melissa Dela Cruz Manila 2013

September 14, 2013

Saturday

Podium

Being a bibliophile has its own weird habits...like not getting out of a bookstore without buying a book or collecting books (preferably hardbound versions or if there are no hardbound editions next in line would be the first edition paperbacks or lastly mass paper back editions if desperate) or like getting all excited in having your books signed. Well that's how it is for me. I may not be a fan (...yet) or haven't read any books by Allyson Noel and Melissa Dela Cruz, but having Margaret Stohl with them is good enough for me. I would've wanted Kami Garcia to be in the tour too but one-half of the authors of the beloved Beautiful Creatures series coming here is my go sign.

Since I've been to book signing events before, I went there just on time to be the 8th in line.. 10AM registration for a 4PM book signing.

...excited for what's in store

yep, in my backpack carrying the 4 hardcover editions of the Beautiful Creatures series

me with Margaret Stohl...she is such a charmer. It was obvious she loved the event.

finally got my books signed...unfortunately she got my name wrong on the three other books maybe she was overwhelmed with people who came to have their books signed.

I tweeted her about it and she replied (so its true...she said that authors do read their mentions at twitter) I hope next time Kami Garcia comes too :D

Happy Reading!

From the Shelf: The Best of Chico, Delamar, and Gino's The Morning Rush Top 10, Book 2

Title: The Best of Chico, Delamar, and Gino's The Morning Rush Top 10, Book 2

Author: Compilation from The Morning Rush

Genre: Filipino Humor, Top 10 entries

Date read: March 15, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

They're baaaack!

And they brought the whole barkada! Get ready fr another round of pee-in-your-pants LOLz wth 100 more of the crazy lists from Chico, Delamar, and Gino's The Morning Rush Top 10, from the award-winning hit radio show on RX 93.1.

This follow-up to the bestselling book, The Best of Chico and Delamar's The Morning Rush Top 10, includes lists like:

- Top 10 Beki Problems
- Top 10 Bromance Rules
- Top 10 Date Fails
- Top 10 Nicknames for Your Naughty Bits
- Top 10 Fun Menu Entries 

The Best of Chico, Delamar, and Gino's The Morning Rush Top 10, Book 2 also comes with a set of stickers that you can use to pimp the cover and accessorize the Kikay Barkada!

My Review: (also in goodreads)

Chico Garcia and Delamar Arias, hosts of 93.1 The Morning Rush, is the most sought out tandem in the 90's. They have surpassed the 15 year mark and they are doing it so well that you couldn't even feel that they've been on air for that long. I used to listen to them back in elementary but stopped when I was in high school. I was a silent Rusher (that's what they call their listeners) and I came back listening to them, surprised that there was the Chichi and Gigi show...I was thinking, were was Delamar? It turns out she was on maternity leave and when she came back...the Chico and Delamar love team became the kikay barkada with the addition of Gino Quillamor...the show was never the same again, it became more kikay and gay (?)..lotsa laughs...included and it renewed my love for the show. I even laugh when on the road and in my cube at work. This book is the compilation of Rushers most hilarious entries for the out of this world top 10 topics. The first book was to commemorate the duo's 15 years on radio and this sequel one year later is as funny as the first one. The DJs even wrote each other's about the author (well technically the Rushers are the authors and they should be called compilers (?) but oh well...) pages and it is downright funny; more like what is this person in their eyes. And the cartoons in those pages...hilarious!

me at the book signing

me and my friend Arian at the book signing

finally meeting C, D and G

yay~

me with C, D and G

Arian with C, D and G (she even made them do a kikay pose...daya~ *inggit much?* haha)

my TMR Top 10 books..book 2 even have stickers for you to design your book...cool~

finally got my books signed.

Till the next read...

Adventures of a Bibliophile: Lauren Oliver 2012 "Pandemonium" Book signing event

March 25, 2012

Sunday

Okay...to be honest, I've never read any of Lauren Oliver's books...but I always see them around the Powerbooks and Fully Booked branches. I wanted to try her books since I already heard that they are addicting but it has always put on hold since whenever I go to the bookstores I prioritize the books I came there for. 

Me and my sister went to Makati not to have the book signed but to watch "The Hunger Games" <- another book series I'm in love with (but that's another story) and to pass the time, we hang out in Powerbooks Greenbelt and saw the sign that today at 3PM for the launch of her book "Pandemonium" a sequel to "Delirium". 

I was hesitating a bit and in the end, I gave in and bought her new book to have it signed, although I must hurry up because our "Hunger Games" movie date would start at 5:10 PM

Here it is, her book signing event.

Well, she did the interview first. And told the audience that she came from a family who loved books so much. Well I can relate to that

Here is her book ^^

Me and my siblings: Marion and TJ. While waiting for my turn (I'm number 128) we read. Ah~ Forever geeks.

This is the view from where I was sitting. 

Finally, I got my book signed

My book signed...and personalized too!

Her advice to budding writers, never stop writing. She wrote and tried to finish her novel for 8 years, started out as 13 and ended at 21. Write everywhere and anywhere and don't lose hope. (She also was a fanfiction writer...to her fave books ^^)

I hope I become one just like her.

Authors are definitely heroes.

Adventures of a Bibliophile: Sparks fly in Manila with Nicholas 2011

Authors are my heroes. Writers are heroes. Being an amateur-ish writer myself (who dreams of being published) Those are the people I look up to. They are people who make wonderful alternate realities and take you in this roller coaster ride of emotions, while finishing off with a bang (and wanting more of course).
That's why when I heard the news, way months back, that Nicholas Sparks will be coming to Manila, I was happy..heck I was in cloud 9.

But, the only problem was...is these simple rules in how a fan could get a signing pass (c/o National Bookstore and Powerbooks):

1. All purchases of Nicholas Sparks’ new book “The Best of Me” from National Book Store or Powerbooks will come with a Lucky Draw Coupon. Note: The Lucky Draw Coupon in not a guaranteed Signing Pass.
2. A person may purchase as many copies as he/she wants and each purchase will come with a Lucky Draw Coupon.
3. The Lucky Draw Coupon shall entitle the bearer to one (1) attempt at a Lucky Draw on Friday, October 28, 2011 at the atrium of The Podium. Lucky Draw will start upon registration at 1:00 pm.
4. Every person who draws a marked winning stub shall be entitled to a signing pass to have one (1) book signed by Nicholas Sparks at the event.
5. There will be a minimum of six hundred fifty (650) winning stubs in the the Lucky Draw.
6. In addition, there will also be fifty (50) Early Birds. The first fifty (50) persons to arrive at the venue will be allowed to have their Lucky Draw Coupon automatically exchanged for a Signing Pass. Limit is one (1) signing pass per Early Bird.

I was really nervous. To get a signing pass, all you need to do is to surrender the lucky draw coupon (which was with the "Best of Me" purchase) and draw a paper which should have "YES" in it. Oh, Lady Luck be with me today.

 And yes, I was standing at the 5th floor. Imagine how long the line was? And the event was supposed to be at 5pm. Me and my best friend Dianne arrived at 10:30 AM. The mall opens at 10 AM, they said that there was a line as early as 2 AM. WUT? o_O

Closer to the lucky draw, and I can feel my heart beat. So stressed out~

Got my pass!! *jumps for joy while throwing confetti* For some reason the number 14 is such a great help to me. Sadly, Dianne got a NO. They got her book and the guy said that they will try to make it a signed copy as well. Hope so!

As the event draws near, more and more fans are anticipating to meet Nicholas.

And there he was! Too much screaming, like he is an idol or boy group. It was obvious that he was rattled. He didn't expect the warm welcome. Well, Filipinos are bookworms you know. ^^

My heart was thumping as I got closer to get my book signed. I really don't know what to say if I meet him face to face.

And there he was, the first thing he did was smile at me and say "Hi there~" Seriously, I was starstruck. I love him and his books. What I said was the simple "Hello~" and when he gave me the signed copy... "Thank you~" Which I regretted later on. I should've said something like: "Thanks for coming to the Philippines~ The fans love you" But NOOOOOOOOO~ I was speechless. Ugh. Regrets.

Well, I got my book signed and that's whats most important. It wasn't personalized with my name or anything (but was deeply yearning for it) due to time constraints and the amount of who people attended, and it was mind-blowing! I guess he was sort of touched on how he is loved here.

 

Happy. On Cloud 9.

Hope he comes back.

Hope other authors would come to the Philippines.

Writers are heroes.