Earlier in 2026, RomanceClass facilitated a class with Filipinos in Europe who wanted to write romance (RomanceClassHalo). This was done in partnership with Halo-Halo, a community of second generation Filipinos in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Classes organized by RomanceClass through the years have carried specific themes or challenges, meant to encourage writers to fill perceived gaps in the landscape of romance publishing. RomanceClassHalo specifically asked for short stories (with HEA/HFN), centering a Filipino (second gen, mixed, or immigrant) main character. Sixteen participants from Halo-Halo network countries, including writers from Belgium, Sweden, and the Netherlands, joined the class.
In August 2026, they launch their first ever anthology of short stories: Kilig and Liebe (Kilig and Love). Pre-order/purchase on Amazon.
RomanceClass is a community of Filipino authors and readers, but it also provides publishing support. The Kilig and Liebe cover features art by Lisa Ante Pangan, and lettering and cover design by Carla de Guzman.
This anthology was edited by RomanceClass founder Mina V. Esguerra, who also managed the collective publishing arrangement for this project. All authors retain copyright and all rights; those interested in translations and other offers may contact the authors directly or send inquiries to media@romanceclassbooks.com. This is, hopefully, just the first of the Kilig and Liebe anthologies, and other Kilig and Love projects across different communities.
About Kilig and Liebe:
Two teens from the same school and table tennis club run into each other at the bus stop. Just another YA meet-cute, but this time it’s German guy Max and Filipino-German girl Claire, and the big bag of groceries from the Asian food store that she has to bring home.
A veteran winter sports athlete returning after an injury has to deal with tense competition and the attention of an attractive teammate. Just another sports romance, but this time it’s about Filipino-Austrian freeskier Tina and the younger social-media star athlete Andy.
In an office building in Sweden, a woman runs into her ex-boyfriend, and starts to wonder if they can pick up right where they left off. Just another second chance romance, but this time it’s Filipino-Swedish Lianne knowing that it was her Filipino family dynamics that led to the breakup with Alexander, and that’s something she can’t easily change.
Romance stories we know, from perspectives we may not have noticed before. A reminder that we can share love and kilig all over the world.
Kindle edition releases August 21. Worldwide print edition available August 31.
About the Authors:
Jay E. Tria
Jay E. Tria has been writing and publishing romance since 2015, inspired by music, travel, and celebrities, such as her Playlist series, which features an indie Filipino rock band and their Japanese celebrity friend. Her contemporary novella You Out of Nowhere won the 2022 Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards for Romance in English, and has been acquired by Komiket’s imprint, Blush Books. She is a member of #RomanceClass, a community of Filipino authors of romance in English. She currently resides in Sweden. Visit her website at jayetria.com.
Marina Wetzlmaier
Marina Wetzlmaier is a journalist and writer based in a small town in Austria. Born to a Filipino mother and an Austrian father, she considers herself lucky to unite different cultural influences and values. In her writing, she wants to amplify migrant voices in a predominantly white society.
Mary Hense-Gottschalk
My name is Mary and I was born in the heat of dry season and under the shade of a tamarind tree in Lupao, Nueva Ecija, but mostly raised under the grey clouds of the Ruhr Area in Germany, with a three-year sun beam episode in the South of Spain, ironically in the same region where “Old” Écija is situated.
I am a Millennial Mom of three kids that were born in seasons when the sun shines bright and hot like in the Philippines, and when the trees leaves turn into the sunrise colors of turmeric, papaya, and chili.
