Writer Joseph Anthony Montecillo is celebrating the release of his debut collection of short
fiction, In the Blood and Other Stories. A launch event marking the occasion is set to be held at
Palm Tree Abbey, November 24, from 4-7 PM. The launch will include a program with first
come, first served limited seating, followed by a book signing open to all attendees. Copies of
the book will also be available to purchase at the venue at a discounted rate.
Published by the University of the Philippines Press, the collection collates fourteen of
Montecillo’s short stories released over a decade of writing. This is the first time the stories have
been collected into a single volume. All the stories had previously been published in anthologies
such as the Philippine Speculative Fiction series or magazines such as Philippines Graphic or
The Sunday Times Magazine.
Included in the collection are the titular story, “In the Blood,” about a mother trying to keep her
sons from following in the steps of their serial killer father. In “Pressure and Release,” the stress
of an EDSA traffic jam finally overwhelms an everyday bus driver. In “The Forgotten Bones,” a
man who lives in a cemetery has an unexpected experience between the rows of tombs.
“I’ve been fascinated by horror for as long as I can remember,” said Montecillo. “It’s always
appealed to me and it’s no shock that my work moved in that direction through the years. I hope
that this collection makes for an exciting addition to the long tradition of horror here in the
Philippines.”
Joseph Anthony Montecillo made his first professional fiction sale at the age of 12. In the time
since, he has published over 20 short stories, many of which feature dark or macabre subject
matter. Outside of his writing ventures though, he regularly performs as a stand-up comedian
around Metro Manila.
For Montecillo, the connection between the two is natural. “I’m far from the first comedian to
work in the horror field,” he said. “Both deal in instant feedback and the goal of leaving an
intense and immediate sensation upon the audience. They go hand in hand in a lot of ways, and
sometimes that comes across in a few stories in the collection.”
In the Blood and Other Stories is now available for purchase from UP Press’ on campus and
online stores, as well as their stores on Shopee and Lazada.
On February 1 and 2, 2025, Filipino rock band Aegis is set to stage their pre-Valentine concert Halik sa Ulan, a highly anticipated event for their fans. However, this year’s performances will carry a bittersweet note as the band mourns the loss of one of their lead vocalists, Mercy Sunot, whose powerful voice was integral to their identity.
Mercy passed away on November 17, 2024, at Stanford Hospital and Clinics in San Francisco, California, after battling cancer. Her death at just 48 years old left the music community and Aegis fans worldwide in shock and sadness. The band announced her passing through an emotional post on their official Facebook page, stating:
"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Mercy, one of the beloved vocalists of Aegis. She bravely fought her battle with cancer but has now found peace and rest. Mercy’s voice wasn’t just a part of Aegis—it was a voice that brought comfort, joy, and strength to so many."
This heartfelt message was accompanied by tributes from bandmate and sister Juliet Sunot, who expressed the immense grief of losing a sibling and partner in music. In her post, Juliet wrote:
"The hardest thing I’ve ever done, I wear a mask from day to day and try to cope in my own way. I’ll miss you ‘til we meet again and long for you each day ‘til then. There’s now a hole no one can fill within my heart."
In the weeks leading to her passing, Mercy had openly shared her struggles through social media. On November 16, she posted a video from her hospital bed, where she asked for prayers as she underwent lung surgery. In the video, she described her challenges and expressed her determination to overcome them. Sadly, her condition worsened, and she was moved to the ICU before her passing.
Her final birthday, celebrated on November 6, was marked with reflection and longing. In another video, Mercy spoke candidly about the isolation of undergoing treatment in the United States, far from her loved ones. She shared:
"It’s my birthday today kaya maaga akong nagsimba... Mahirap sa ibang bansa, nag-iisa ka lang. Yung gusto kong gawin, hindi ko magawa. Iba talaga kapag nasa ibang bansa ka. Solo flight ako. Sana gumaling ako ng mas mabilis para makauwi ako ng Pilipinas."
Mercy’s passing leaves a deep void not only within Aegis but also in the hearts of countless fans who grew up listening to her renditions of iconic songs such as "Luha," "Halik," "Sinta," and "Basang-basa sa Ulan." Known for her raw vocal power and emotional delivery, she became a voice for many Filipinos navigating their own struggles and triumphs.
Tributes poured in from friends, colleagues, and fans. Radio station Love Radio Manila honored her memory, saying:
"Paalam at maraming salamat sa pagbabahagi ng musika at talento sa bawat Pilipino. Rest in peace, Mercy Sunot ng Aegis!"
The band has assured fans that Halik sa Ulan will push through, transforming their concert into a celebration of Mercy’s life and legacy. While the loss is immense, her voice and contributions to music will forever resonate in the hearts of her bandmates and fans, ensuring her legacy endures for generations to come.
Christmas is truly a one-of-a-kind celebration in the Philippines. As the special day approaches, Filipinos pour their hearts into making the season more joyful and memorable for their loved ones. From festive reunions to thoughtful gifts, everything about Christmas in the Philippines is “all-out”.
And when it comes to gatherings, no Filipino celebration is complete without the best food that brings everyone together. At the center of countless Filipino tables is none other than Jollibee Chickenjoy—the perfect dish for an all-out Christmas celebration! Known for its crispylicious skin and juicylicious meat, Chickenjoy has been a part of Filipino families’ Christmas celebrations for generations, bringing not only the best in taste but also the best in joy.
Jollibee conveys this message in their new Christmas campaign with the tagline “Para Pasko-est, Chickenjoyest!” To make Christmas truly “Pasko-est”—the most joyful and memorable it can be—there’s no addition quite like Jollibee’s Chickenjoy.
The campaign showcases Jollibee’s latest TV commercial featuring Anne Curtis, who joins a lively celebration made even more joyful by Chickenjoy. With Chickenjoy adding a special touch to every gathering, the celebration comes alive with gift-giving, dancing, singing, and sharing lighthearted moments that truly capture the spirit of Christmas.
“Chickenjoy isn’t just the best in taste, it’s also the best in joy that can elevate every celebration. We want our customers to have an all-out, joy-filled holiday season, and they can always count on Chickenjoy to make their moments with loved ones even more special,” said Luis Berba, Jollibee Philippines Marketing Director for Masterbrand, Chickenjoy and Beverages.
So this Christmas season, head to your nearest Jollibee and go all-out with the one and only Chickenjoy, available via dine-in, take-out, or drive-thru. You can also have it delivered via the Jollibee App, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000, GrabFood, and Foodpanda!
For all the latest updates, like Jollibee on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on X, Instagram, and TikTok.
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About Jollibee
Jollibee is the largest fast food chain brand in the Philippines, operating a network of more than 1,600 stores in 17 countries. A dominant market leader in the Philippines, Jollibee enjoys the lion’s share of the local market that is more than all the other multinational fast food brands in PH combined. With a strict adherence to the highest standards of food quality, service and cleanliness, Jollibee serves great-tasting, high-quality and affordable food products to include its superior-tasting Chickenjoy, mouth-watering Yumburger, and deliciously satisfying Jolly Spaghetti among other delicious products.
Jollibee has embarked on an aggressive international expansion plan, with more than 270 international branches in the United States, Canada, China (Hong Kong & Macau), Brunei, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Italy, Spain, and in the United Kingdom.
In response to the devastating impact of Typhoon Kristine, BingoPlus Foundation, the social development arm of DigiPlus Interactive, formally distributed ₱37 million in financial aid to families affected by Typhoon Kristine. In the wake of 148 confirmed casualties nationwide, at least ₱250,000 was committed to each bereaved family, as a symbol of compassion and support for their journey to recovery. The initiative started with 39 bereaved families during a turnover ceremony on November 10, at Talisay New Municipal Grounds in Batangas and will continue in several parts of the country. This pledge will continue to support affected families in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.