Attending PICOF 2025 Was a Genuine Act of Self-Care

I took a MoveIt ride despite the threat of heavy rain to get to Megamall for PICOF (Philippine International Comics Festival).

It was totally worth it because I ticked off everything on my to-do list. (True ENTJ here…)

A week ago, the National Book Development Board (NBDB) of the Philippines emailed me that my application to be a certified author was approved, so hooray! NBDB-certified na ang lola mo!

Clockwise from top: me with Charles Llanto, Glenn of Wolfe Studios, Tobie Abad, and Jen the Reading Lion.

PICOF was where I finally met my previously online-only friend in person: Tobie Abad — incredibly talented, tall, and gwapo. Thank you for your time, Tobie! And for the freebie too. I gifted him with the book Group by Christie Tate, just because I felt like it. (Just a hunch. Also, I keep a minimalist cupboard bookshelf.)

At PICOF, I also took a photo of my web designer. He is someone I forgot to credit earlier for helping with my website: Glenn of Wolfe Studios. Since I was at his group Pulsar Press’ table, I also snapped a pic with Charles Llanto, and we exchanged books as agreed.

While at Pulsar, I spotted Just Villanueva, author of the bestseller D.I.E. with the unforgettable book cover. Of course, I had to take another picture.

Lastly, by chance, I finally met Jen the Reading Lion, who reviewed my book on Booksta, as well as another (painfully shy Booksta), Ceej.

I left Megamall hurriedly because rain was threatening again, but I enjoyed this little jaunt. A bit of an escape from my clinical work and mom life.

Every time I do something writerly, my heart jogs like a horse and makes me feel intensely alive.

Note to self: more moments like this, Melany. Because you’re worth it.

I acknowledge that artist in me must be fed.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

spot_imgspot_img

Latest

Getting my COVID-19 vaccine booster shot

The community center was filled with terrified people like me that day, willing to risk the relative safety of their homes for the COVID-19...

Losing my author v-card and learning about Bookstagram

At my first book launch, I sat beside the much-adored Beatrice Pobre. Booksta darling. Five-star magnet. She sold literally five times the books I...

Successfully a work-at-home mom

I don’t believe in miracles because I don’t believe in God. But I do believe in people. Consider this: I haven’t worked for ten years apart...

Cultivating a gratitude practice to fight negative bias

Have you ever heard of the term negative bias? According to behaviorists and psychologists, we tend to focus on negative rather than positive things, even...

Healing from ghosting with gratitude

Last week, I suffered a minor setback writing my book. One of my friends backed out, he outright ghosted me, and I was left...