Contemporary Philippines Arts From The Region

In a college world where every hallway is a battlefield of intellect, pride, and desire, Rival Hearts explores the thin line between hate and a love that burns hotter than anyone expects. When fiercely independent Harper Lawson, a chemistry major with a sharp tongue and a stubborn streak, collides with Emery Collins, a confident and ambitious literature student, sparks fly—literally. Their rivalry begins in classrooms and spills into dorms, cafeterias, and late-night campus corners. Harper thrives on rules and routine, while Emery lives for unpredictability and teasing chaos. Every insult, every sarcastic remark, every heated debate draws them closer to a truth neither is willing to admit: attraction doesn’t always ask permission. What begins as antagonism turns into stolen glances, secret touches, and nights filled with whispered confessions and passion that neither can deny. Their friends notice the chemistry, professors are oblivious, and both women struggle with pride, past heartbreaks, and the fear of being vulnerable. As the semester unfolds, Harper and Emery navigate parties, group projects, dorm-room secrets, and the intoxicating highs of desire and intimacy. Amid campus gossip, emotional upheavals, and raw, steamy encounters, Rival Hearts captures the journey of two women learning that love can come disguised as hate, that surrendering to desire can be terrifyingly exhilarating, and that the fiercest rivals often make the strongest partners. Full of witty banter, heart-pounding tension, and intimate romance, this novel is a slow-burning, passionate exploration of the chaos of first love and the unstoppable force of attraction.

Nathaniel Vhan was Arni's childhood crush. Sa tuwing naroon siya sa mansion ng pamilya Vhan ay hindi maaaring hindi niya ito tanawin mula sa malayo. She would often stare at him and watch him from afar, dreaming that someday, he would notice her and somehow, she would exist in his life. She was ready to devote herself to him, but Nathan left to study abroad. She was heartbroken, but she knew he would come back. A few years later, he came back. And the first time he saw her, he fell in love, right before he learned who she really was. Now that they're both in love with each other, everything seemed to be perfect. Pero hanggang saan kakayanin ng pagmamahalan nila ang mga pagsubok na haharapin nila? Lalo't kung ang pagtitiwala na siyang dapat na pinakamatibay na pundasyon sa pagmamahalan ay siyang unang natibag?

"Hell Gabby I'm such a douche." "I know." "I'm sorry." What defenses did she think of again? Were they even up in the first place? The dull pounding in her heart had better be the early stages of a heart attack. She moved then. Not to him, but away from the door. Seeing him in the flesh like something molded from her deepest desires and darkest fantasies, wearing a tapered black suit that practically worshipped his tall frame, an unbuttoned shirt that brought awareness to his hard chest and broad shoulders making her wonder how many buttons she had to open to see him in all his glory, she'd seen enough of him to compel her to not think. She was a healthy woman after all. Gabrielle Lot or Gabby as she loved to be called was one of the leading names in the Fashion industry, but she didn't do it in just one day she had to work and fight for it. Even if it meant disappointing her parent. Everything was going on well for her, with the success of her business waxing stronger and her name getting acknowledgment from different spheres of the fashion and business world. It changed when she met the one who broke her heart, Tan. Would she risk her heart being broken again or would she forget about the business proposition brought to her by Tan.

"You are mine," he said as his rough fingers met my lower lips and he was stroking my lips with his fingers. "Even if you like him or liked the way he talked with you, you are mine. Understood?" He asked making me flinch. "Tell me, do you like him?" He asked once again but I didn't reply. I was afraid by this side of him. I was leaving but he held my wrist and pushed me against the wall. "You are mine, Mrs. Naina Singhania," he whispered in my ears and even though I tried to control my tears, but it rolled down my cheek. "I hate you," I told him as he tried to wipe my tears with his fingers but I pushed him angrily. "Naina...I...I..." "I hate you," I shouted once again and ran from there before he could say anything. ***** Follow the journey of Mr. and Mrs. Singhania to see how they fight to get the happy ending with the person their heart craved for. *****

Elena Russo is a master thief and assassin, driven by revenge. Her mission is to infiltrate the life of mafia billionaire Lorenzo Salvatore, whom she believes is responsible for her father’s murder. Under the guise of an art dealer, Elena enters his world, but the lines between duty and desire blur as she uncovers hidden truths, including Lorenzo’s vulnerability and complex relations. When sparks fly between them, Elena finds herself caught between duty and desire. As she uncovers his deepest secrets, including a hidden child and a dangerous rival bent on his destruction, Elena realizes that her enemy is not the man she thought he was. Torn between her lingering feelings for Ethan, the FBI informant with his own dark agenda, and her undeniable attraction to Lorenzo, Elena must decide: can she risk her heart to get her revenge, or will she lose everything in the heist of her life? In a world of betrayals, lies, and shattered loyalties, love may be the deadliest game of all.

Blake is the kind of man people whisper about—ruthless on the road, fiercely loyal to his brothers, and carrying shadows of his own. He wasn’t looking for a woman to save, and Lucy wasn’t looking for a man to need. Yet something unspoken pulls them together, a slow-burn attraction edged with danger and longing. As the world of the Steel Vipers collides with the demons Lucy has tried to bury, trust becomes a weapon, and love a risk neither of them is sure they can afford. But when past and present threaten to destroy them both, Lucy and Blake will have to decide if they’re strong enough to fight not only for survival— but for each other.

❝we all have secrets that we keep, hidden away from the world❞She had always being a loner, content with the little bubble she created around herself, finding comfort between ink and pages until she met him. He shut off the whole world and buried himself with work after an event that changed his life until he met her. Love they say finds us in the most bizarre situations but could these two find theirs or will their issues come between them?

Isabella Moretti is known to be the best among the rest. A deadly rose amongst a field of daisies. A strong ripple in calm waters. A killer seeking revenge, finds two allies more than willing to lend her a hand. Will she trust them both? Or will she trust neither?

Traec is a living proof of his mother’s infidelity that’s why he hated his life and promised himself that his heart will never beat for anyone. He became ruthless to every woman who tried to conquer his heart. Not until he met Maddison, she took the risk despite of the gossips she knew about Traec. Will love be enough to tame his stoned heart?

Sunny Feliciano is a typical Asian guy. Upon coming out of the closet, his father changed and hate him for being Bi. Sunny did everything to make his father proud. He didn't mind all the bruises he got from his dad, physically and mentally, he just really want to be loved by him and hope everything would be back to normal. Then fate did something spectacular. Sunny would stumble upon a guy named Parker Wingston who is in the same shoes as him. Finally, someone to lean on in times of heartbreak and pain. They would find comfort in each other's presence. But the twist is about to happen. Fate wants to crumple their paper hearts. Let's join Sunny and Parker in their journey against the cruelty of this world.