asst prof @ the University of the Philippines Diliman | stories in Apex, Fantasy, Cast of Wonders & more | Nick Joaquin Lit Award '18 & '19 | Clarion '24 Sense of Wonder Scholar | World Fantasy Award '25
https://sydneypaigeguerrero.wordpress.com/
Sydney Paige Guerrero (she/her)
Anyway, I'm very glad I saw the call from OTHERSIDE when I did. My stories very rarely get accepted by the first place I submit to, but this felt like the exact right fit. Many thanks to OTHERSIDE's amazing editorial team, and thanks to anyone who gives this a read! The whole issue is amazing. 💖
I always liked how it sounded, and so it became Kapulinan, "kapuluan ng ilan" (archipelago of many small communities), tweaked just slightly to echo "katipunan" (no translation here, non-Filipino frens--you'll have to Google that one!) I think it's a world I'd like to return to someday.
Speaking of stories that make me cry! I cannot get through this one without choking up, no matter how many times I reread it. So, so beautiful.
such a gorgeous story it made me want to lay on the ground and curl into a ball!!
So I wanted to take something I wasnt interested in & make it compelling to me. I realized I cared more about the aftermath. Im still v proud that during the workshop, Alyssa said the story made them cry & it was so tender, it was the "wagyu of emotion" A quote I want on a shirt & maybe my headstone
my story about gender and past lives is now online in @othersidespec.bsky.social and YOUU can read it!!! i love this story and i am so happy to see it in a magazine that i adore 🧡🐅
othersidespec.com/pieces/we-wh...
some thoughts on this piece in the thread !
The story is mostly set in Meycauayan (my province), but the name of my secondary world, Kapulinan, takes inspiration from another part of Bulacan--Pulilan. Supposedly, it gets its name from the phrase "pulo ng ilan" (island of many small communities).
