Train of Thoughts: 3 Local Gems discovered on Read With Me Night

I recently did a READ WITH ME live on Tiktok. What I did was read the three comics I got from the recently held Philippine International Comics Festival ( #PICOF2025 ).

Read with me!

Here’s what I read:

1. Bad Apple 

2. I Ship Everyone Except For Me 

3. Maha Magical Manananggal

Dropping my written review here but you can also watch it on my Tiktok!

Bad Apple

By Jobelle Rivera, illustrated by EM| Published by Precious Pages Corp (Black Ink imprint)

The story centers on Jhaze, a human adopted by Lady Annabelle to become a companion for her son, Ziggy.

This is a BL comic (Boys’ Love) ( ❀⃙⃕⃠⃝⃘⃚౪❀⃙⃕⃠⃝⃘⃚ ). For those new to BL, don’t worry — Bad Apple is super light and kilig! The story starts when Jhaze and Ziggy were still kids, and follows them as they grow up together.

If you’re new to BL or just want something sweet and heartwarming, I highly recommend this.

I Ship Everyone Except For Me

Art and story by chocnutsan

I actually bought this because of the catchy title! ٩(*•͈ ꇴ •͈*)و ̑̑❀ It follows Jaime, an incoming high school student who loves trying out different hobbies — though, according to his friends (and even his mom), he rarely finishes anything.

One day, after watching a touching movie with his sister, he gets inspired to write a love story. And where does he plan to get ideas? From the school romances of his classmates and schoolmates!

This volume mostly serves as an introduction, so it leaves you wanting more — bitin, in a fun way! Volume 2 is on its way!

Maha Magical Manananggal

By raykosen

If you know me, you probably guessed one of the reasons I picked this up: it’s pink! But aside from that, the main character is just too cute — even if, well… she’s literally in half!

Maha Magical Manananggal is about Maya, who discovers she comes from a line of “good” manananggals. Once she learns the truth, she begins her magical superhero journey.

Fun fact: The creator, Ray Magbanua, originally wrote this in Japanese, so you read it from right to left, just like a manga!

I hope you can join my next Read With Me session. We can silent-read together, chika about books and comics, and of course, you can drop your own recos too! 💖

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

Check out my reviews on my Instagram and Tiktok

Follow me on Facebook: Kawaiimemos 

For collaborations, contact me at kawaiimemos@zohomail.com

pre-order e-readers here: https://linktr.ee/kwmms

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆