MIBF - THE AFTERMATH
I finally had a moment to sit down and digest everything that happened this past week.
I’m currently under medication because I’ve been dealing with a fever and a very angry throat, so my body is basically asking me to please stop moving. But even with all of that, none of it could take away the joy I felt seeing every single soul I met at the Manila International Book Fair.
MIBF.
Still typing that feels a little unreal.
The Manila International Book Fair is HUGE, and as a new author, I honestly never thought I would ever be part of it, especially this soon. I had never attended the fair before, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I didn’t know how many people would come. I didn’t know what it would feel like to have my own books sitting there.
But seeing everyone excited, curious, kind, and genuinely happy to talk about books? I was constantly on the verge of tears.
I don’t know what happened to me, but this whole experience made me incredibly emotional.
If you read my previous Dear Diary entry, you probably know that I wasn’t even sure if I was going to make it to MIBF. I applied for the sponsored booth and waited patiently, knowing that there were so many other authors and creators waiting for the same answer.
So I prayed… and God answered.
I GOT IT!
I remember receiving the email and literally screaming.
My husband immediately asked, “What happened?!” And I just shouted, “I GOT IT!”
Then we spun around and jumped, and he carried me like a little baby. Haha!
As dramatic as that sounds, that’s literally what happened.
I’m grateful for every opportunity I receive, big or small. But this one?
This was a BIG one.
A Lot Happened Before MIBF
Leading up to MIBF, we had a lot of opportunities come our way. We also had a few doors close.
One of them was my storytelling workshop.
The workshop had to be postponed because of unexpected circumstances on the organizer’s side. As the speaker, I was honestly a little taken aback because my face and voice had already been used to invite people, and there were people who had already confirmed that they were coming.
I felt bad for them. I felt sad too. But looking back now, I really believe God allows certain things to happen for a reason. Because, well…
I’m sick right now.
If the workshop had pushed through, I wouldn’t exactly be at my A-game while fighting a fever, flu, and whatever my throat is currently doing.
So maybe there really was a reason for it.
And for everyone who was still interested in attending, stay tuned. We’re cooking something for you. We’re currently looking into organizing the workshop ourselves instead of doing it as a collaboration with another entity.
So this isn’t goodbye to that idea yet. It’s just… not yet.
Read Pinoy, TomasinoWeb, and Some Really Cool Features
I was also invited by Read Pinoy, a local radio show that focuses on reading, books, and authors like me!
I got to talk about my work, Eyes See You, and what it’s like being an independent author.
I was so nervous.
Thankfully, Sir Lowell and Sir Gab were incredibly kind and understanding. We even got to hang out a little afterward and eat some street food at the cafeteria, which honestly helped me relax. 😂
You can watch the full episode here: LINK
I was also featured in an article by TomasinoWeb, which was another little pinch-me moment.
See the article here: LINK
And throughout all of this, Eyes See You was also being shared and recommended by local book enthusiasts.
Every feature means so much to me because I’m still learning how to navigate this world as an independent author. I’m just incredibly grateful that people are willing to give my story a chance.
I hope you enjoy it.
Two Weeks Before MIBF, I Was PANICKING
Now here’s the part nobody really sees behind the booth.
Two weeks before MIBF, I was scared.
Like, really scared. Why? Because I had just sold out at my previous event.
Which sounds like a wonderful problem to have, and it absolutely is, but it also meant that I had NO BOOKS TO SELL.
My preorder period had just started and was scheduled to end on September 30, which meant the books were originally supposed to be shipped in October.
Production usually happens during the preorder period.
But now… MIBF was coming.
So I had to rush everything.
And it wasn’t just the books. We had merch to produce too.
Events are expensive. Printing is expensive. Everything adds up very quickly when you’re an independent creator.
And, to be completely honest with you, my liquid funds were already gone.
So I had to make an arrangement with my print house.
I asked if they could accept a very small downpayment, with the promise that I would pay half on September 15 and the remaining half on October 15. My husband’s stable job pays around those dates, so that became our safety net.
I don’t like owing people. I really don’t. But this was one of those moments where I had to take a little leap of faith and say, “Okay, let’s do this.”
And thank God, they allowed it. So we went for it.
And somehow… I received the books ONE DAY BEFORE MIBF.
One day before.
I don’t think I have ever been that stressed and relieved at the same time.
But we made it. We were ready. And not just that…
I was able to pay back the money in full.
Five Days of MIBF
The entire festival lasted five days.
I’ve never done an event that long before.
And now that it’s over, I can confidently say…
I’m tired. Like, really tired.
And apparently my body decided to send me the bill afterward because now I’m sick.
But every interaction made it worth it.
Every person who stopped by. Every person who asked about the story. Every reader who brought their previous book. Every new reader who decided to take a chance on Eyes See You.
Every person who asked me to sign their book.
I was so honored.
I got to meet so many old readers and so many new ones, and that is something I don’t think I’ll ever take for granted.
I also got to meet new author friends, like Grace from The Treasure Journey!
She’s such a talented creator because she’s both the author and illustrator of her book.
Her story talks about her own journey and was deeply inspired by her father, who passed away during the pandemic. I went through grief too, and if there’s one thing I know, it really does change you. I’m so happy that art became an outlet for Grace and that she found her purpose in creating children’s books. I feel so blessed to have met her and to hear a little bit of her story. Follow here here: @thetreasurejourney.ph
And of course, I could never forget Hunghang Flashbacks! We actually met back in Clark, Pampanga when I did an event there in 2025. We were seatmates, and at that time, I didn’t even have a physical book to sell yet, just the eBook! He listened to my pitch anyway and found the story interesting.
Fast forward to now, and look at us! We both have books to sell, and we even SOLD OUT! It made me so happy to see him again and realize how far we’ve both come since that day. What a beautiful little full-circle moment! Follow his works here: Hunghang Flashbacks
But what made this extra special was seeing some of my old college friends too! I haven’t seen them in ages, so running into them at this event was such a happy surprise. Maybe somewhere in their heads they’re thinking, “Ahhh, so THIS is why Christine was like that back in school.”
My Mama
One of the most special parts of MIBF was having my mom with me.
My mama was kind enough to assist me for four days, even while juggling bible school. She’s taking Theology.
And honestly, we bonded so much.
After getting married, I don’t get to see my mama as often as I used to. But whenever she’s around, I suddenly feel like a little girl again.
She cooked lunch and dinner for me.
She helped take care of the merch.
She talked to readers and customers.
She helped me survive the booth.
So if you came to my booth and talked to someone who wasn’t me…
That’s my mama.
Mama, thank you for supporting me in everything I do. Thank you for always showing up for me.
I love you so much.
And Then There’s My Husband
My artist husband also signed some books and manga during the event.
Although, if you know him, you know he’s very much a hider.
He doesn’t like being seen too much because he thinks he intimidates people.
I keep telling him that’s not true. I actually think people would LOVE to meet the person behind the artwork.
But he’s an introvert, and I respect his personal space.
Still, I want everyone to know how much he does behind the scenes.
For every errand. Every heavy box. Every trip. Every little thing I need help with.
He’s there.
He may not always be flashy about how he supports me, but he never fails to give his best to all of us.
And honestly, Juni, Red, and Mr. Clean wouldn’t have faces without him.
So yes, my husband is technically responsible for making some of your favorite characters handsome. (You’re welcome.) But to me, he’s my forever person, and I’ll never get tired of thanking him for everything he’s done for me. I love you Honey.
And Then I Met Someone I Never Expected to Meet
One of the craziest interactions I had during MIBF was meeting the president of a very well-known publishing company.
I’m not sure if I’m allowed to share their name directly, so I’ll just say this:
They’ve published Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Goosebumps.
Yeah. That happened.
I don’t even know how to properly explain what it felt like to have that interaction as a new independent author.
And I’m so glad my mom was there to witness it because otherwise I probably would’ve just stood there afterward thinking,
“Did that actually happen?”
AND WE SOLD OUT AGAIN!
After five days of meeting everyone, talking to readers, signing books, laughing, sweating, panicking, and trying to keep everything together…
We sold out. AGAIN. Our merch was completely sold out.
I genuinely don’t know how to properly express how grateful I am.
Our next shop update will happen on October 30, but don’t worry if you weren’t able to get something this time.
For our next event, Komiket QC on September 26–27, we’ll be restocking some of our bestsellers, including our most-loved keychains and more.
We’ll post the full catalog during the week before the event, so keep an eye out!
As for the books, regular shipping will begin on October 1. But for those seeing us at Komiket, we’ll be prioritizing event buyers.
And… We also released our newest Mr. Clean edition for the Red Letter Mail Club!
Mr. Clean is our September issue, and you can now register and have him sent straight to your doorstep.
I Probably Forgot Something…
The past week honestly feels like a blur.
There are probably so many little moments, conversations, hugs, laughs, and kind words that I forgot to include here.
But if there’s one thing I want to remember from all of this, it’s this:
Dreams really do come true.
And you are all part of mine.
I don’t say that lightly.
Every person who bought a book, recommended Eyes See You to a friend, stopped at my booth, listened to me talk about my characters, asked me questions, supported me, even quietly from afar.
You are part of this.
I started Eyes See You because I had a story I desperately wanted to tell.
I never knew how far that story would travel.
I never imagined I’d be sitting at the Manila International Book Fair, signing copies of a book that my husband and I made together, talking to people who actually knew Juni, Red, Mr. Clean, and the rest of them.
Sometimes I still look at everything happening and think,
“Wait… this is actually my life?”
And then I remember where it all started.
A story.
A little hope.
A lot of work and fear.
And a whole lot of God.
So from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Thank you for making this dream feel real.
I hope Eyes See You gives you something to carry with you. I hope the characters make you laugh, scare you a little, maybe make you cry, and hopefully make you feel something good inside.
And if my story can make even one person feel seen, inspired, or reminded that good things can still happen…
Then everything I’ve gone through to get here is worth it.
Thank you for being part of my dream.
I’m grateful for you.
Always.
♡