1. Maaari mo bang ibahagi sa amin ang kuwento sa likod ng iyong Wattpad username?

soulleal — ang ibig sabihin ng 'leal' ay "always be faithful and true," which is what I kept on applying to myself as a writer and as an individual. Kung isasama ang salitang 'soul', it would be "a soul that is always faithful and true."

2. Ano o sino ang nagsisilbing inspirasyon sa iyong pagsusulat?

The novels I read itself. Na-inspire akong gumawa, na baka pwede kong gamitin itong platform na ito para maipalabas ang mga ideya ko. Mula kasi noong grade 8 ako, noong nahasa na sa pagbabasa ay ginusto ko na ring isulat ang mga namumuong ideas sa utak ko.

Pero ngayon, maraming pwedeng maging inspirasyon. Inspirasyon kong may makakuha ng mensahe, inspirasyon para magpatuloy. Every person I meet and experiences in this lifetime will always serve as an inspiration.

3. Ano ang pinakamahirap na aspeto ng pagiging manunulat?

Bilang isang writer, mahirap kalaban ang sarili mo. Doon kasi nag-uumpisa ang lahat ng mayroon ka pero maraming sigaw na baka nga hanggang doon ka lang din. Parang dito ko nga ma-apply ang conflict na tao vs. sarili. Mahirap na sarili mo mismo ang nagdududa sa kakayahan mo.

This is still an ongoing struggle for me. Gusto kong magkasundo kami ng sarili ko, lalo na pareho naming gusto pero magkaiba ang pananaw namin dito. This will always be a struggle but my username would someday speak for it. Sulat lang!

4. May maipapayo ka ba sa mga bagong manunulat?

Your first draft will never be perfect. Revise, edit and revise again! At the end of the day, you'll get the satisfaction you'll need.

5. Ano ang mensahe mo sa iyong mga mambabasa?

To the ones who believed in my writing voice, I am grateful for having that faith in me. Sa taong nandito mula noong simula, o kahit nasa kalagitnaan, sana hanggang sa dulo kasama ko pa rin kayo. Maraming salamat po!

FIVE FUN FACTS / TRIVIA ABOUT YOU OR YOUR STORIES:

1. IT student here! Ayoko na po sa coding, ano pa kaya kapag thesis na? System na yung gagawin namin. :(

2. Hanggang chapter 17 lagi ang mga novels na hindi ko matapos-tapos.

3. Gusto ko magsulat ng series, like noong first time ko sa Wattpad bilang isang writer na. Until now, hindi ko pa nagagawa.

4. Ang mga story na nasusulat ko rati, whether it's already published here or unpublished na dahil sa maraming edits na gagawin, it's all based from experience talaga! Especially ghosting (ako yung ghosted), haha.

5. Sometimes my characters are only the fragments of the people I met. Hindi ko pa nakikilala ng tuluyan but they really want to be part of my stories, so they said na i-dedicate ko raw sa kanila.

THEME: Magsulat ng kuwento na may tatlong elemento na babanggitin: family secret, childhood friend, business.

"Two hours to go and you'll be presented as the new CEO of your family's business, Elisa."

Charissa helped me put up my black mermaid gown and silver heels. The party theme was black and red. While she was dressed up with a champagne red close, form-fitting from the bodice down to the skirt.

She looked extra today and I wasn't liking it.

She's my childhood friend. Her parents weren't with her, that was what she told me. While my Dad took her with us, out of pity.

"Are you excited?" She eyed me at the venue.

Ngumiti ako at inayos ang upo. "Of course, the inheritance will be mine."

"I'm proud of you. You worked hard for this, even if this wasn't your passion." She smiled lovingly.

Umiwas ako ng tingin. It bugged me during the whole program. She's right, it wasn't my dream but it was the family's decision to.

Nang tumayo si Daddy sa gitna ng stage ay sinulyapan niya ako saglit. I composed myself, with my chin up, I waited for his announcements. Nakikita ko na ang mga mata nila sa akin.

"I am happy to introduce the one who would control our family business, is my legal daughter... Charissa Guerra!"

Legal...

Charissa stood up, smiling sweetly, taking her gorgeous walk towards the stage to meet... Dad. I didn't know what reaction I showed, but one thing's for sure.

Betrayal exists in the family. I should've protected myself from those I share the same blood with.