I’ve been writing and editing for a living (mostly for magazines, newspapers, and online brands) since 2009, but in late 2022, I decided to take the plunge from nonfiction to fiction writing.
In November 2023, Jacaranda Literary Agency decided to represent me and my novella, Cache ‘22. Since then, I’ve been unstoppable.
Recently, I self-published my serial novel, the coming-of-age (young adult) speculative Intrinsic: A Novel—Book 1 of The Intrinsic Trilogy. I’m working on Book 2, in time for its release in 2026. Meantime, here’s the cover of Book 1:
I’m here on Substack to stay connected with readers and fellow creatives—whether they want updates on my fiction or simply want to read about interesting things I find every day.
Why The Obsœlite?
Something about me that you should know: I have a penchant for old things.
For one, and maybe this is coincidental—my career in writing started at a time when modern print media was still strong. Then social media happened…
Even to this day, I would still choose reading a physical book over a digital one.
When I was five or six, I discovered the music of The Beatles and late last year (that’s 35 years later), I finally got to see the only two living Beatles live in concert—Ringo in Niagara Falls and Paul in London.
I have their vinyls, btw. (Like I said: old things.)
In 2020, while the entire world was grappling with the pandemic and people were isolating themselves, I started my affair with typewriters. This is a photo of me in my most peaceful state with a Hermes Baby:
I guess you can consider it true love since typewriters became my inspiration for Cache ‘22, but that’s for another story.
There’s something about old things or old ways that trigger a special kind of emotion in me.
Some say it’s nostalgia—the longing for the bygone days—but I think it’s because what people used to do in the past taps into our five senses much stronger and the sensations last longer.
The more we see, smell, hear, touch, and taste, the more human we are.
And it’s damn hard to just be these days.
Realizing this shook me to my core.
The bottom line is: If I want to keep writing, I need to live more.
I need to slow down. Disconnect. Touch grass.
The Obsœlite is a personal creative project that hopes to document my journey to staying human and maybe inspire others to do the same.
It may involve some paper folding, doodling, scrapbooking, collaging, and typewriting.
The only instruction: take an hour outside a day to walk and be offline.
Sounds all too antiquated?
Exactly the point, human.
Table of Contents:
HOME
Where everything is—personal essays on creativity in the 21st century, philosophy on slow media, old-fashioned creative outlets such as zines, and updates on my fiction writing and commissioned works.
MAIN SECTIONS
Serial • Intrinsic
A political awakening story (paperback version now available) about a dead politician’s daughter, exploring the fine line between dynasty and destiny.
Serial • On the Front Cover
A neo-noir mystery/spy/detective serial set in a skewed present-day Manila, Philippines.
Fiction Shorts
Flash fiction and short stories, to be read in a single sitting, either on the train to work or on the veranda over a hot 3-in-1 Kopiko Black.
People On the Platform (Nonfiction)
Real conversations with artists, writers, podcasters, editors, and content creators on human topics, from finding their footing to their worst fears and biggest fulfillment.
This series is for people who watch, read, scroll, and wonder: What’s really going on behind the scenes of the creative life?
Zines (Nonfiction)
It’s slow media in action—each The Obsœlite zine issue shares my take on creativity, using more stripped down, sustainable practices of zine-making: collaging, handwriting, typewriting, and taking thermal paper photos.
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