Words by Samantha Radaza • June 30, 2026

Non-fiction • Interviews

Today’s Wattpaders are concerned with one thing: ang mga recent stories kay pare-pareho lang. They chase popular tropes, frustrating readers who want fresh reads. Then there’s ineryss, a rising author who writes to subvert trends.

A decade into her journey as a Wattpad author, the Bisaya writer from Davao has become one of the most compelling voices in online fiction, crafting narratives that go beyond kilig and into the uncomfortable, necessary truths of identity, love, and society. This Pride Month, her work does not just celebrate queerness, but interrogates the systems that continue to marginalize it, too.

“Excited kaayo ko,” she shares, smiling at the thought of her first magazine interview. But beneath the excitement lies something deeper. “As a Bisaya myself, it’s an honor… to represent my being Bisaya as an author.”

That sense of representation defines her work. Before she became known for her Boys’ Love (BL) stories, ineryss spent years exploring other genres, from straight romance to action. It wasn’t until 2023, with the release of what would later evolve into the Strawberries and Cigarettes (SAC) series, that her voice found its most powerful form.

Ironically, she entered the BL genre without being immersed in it. “Na-curious lang ko,” she admits. With no heavy influence from mainstream BL media, she leaned into what she knew best: her own storytelling instincts, humor, and observations of real life.

Yet somehow, her BL stories felt lived-in to its core. Her characters were individuals navigating family rejection, internal conflict, and societal expectations. Wala niya gilimitahan as lovers lang. Through them, she began weaving in themes often avoided in the genre: homophobia, gender identity, trauma, and the deeply rooted influence of religion in molding Filipino perspectives.

“Akong goal gyud kay dili siya basta romance lang,” she explains. “Importante para sa ako nga makita ang struggle.

That decision would define her impact. The SAC installment Behind the Blue Skies tackled the internalized homophobia of Rick, a sexual assault survivor; it marked a turning point not just in readership, but in cultural relevance. What she initially considered a “lowkey” project quickly gained traction, eventually being recognized by readers as one of the most well-written BL series on the platform.

Nailhan gani siya as best-selling author ani nga genre, aside from Cecelib. From there, the momentum became undeniable: offers for live adaptations, audiobook productions (naay available sa Spotify ug Serye FM nga pwede nimo paminawon), publishing deals, and webtoon opportunities followed. Yet despite the recognition, ineryss remains grounded… and, at times, overwhelmed.

“It still hasn’t fully sunk in,” she says.

But what has become clear is her purpose. Unlike many writers who focus solely on queer audiences, ineryss purposely writes for those outside the community. “Daghan misconceptions ang gagikan sa mga tawo nga dili gyud part sa community,” she shares. “So I wanted to educate through my stories.”

Her understanding did not come from textbooks or media tropes, but from lived proximity like friends within the LGBTQ+ community, personal observations, and a willingness to listen.

And still, she was questioned. As a woman writing BL, she faced accusations of queerbaiting and criticism over her authority to tell such stories. Her response is firm, yet measured: “Isn’t it enough that I’m using my platform to educate, as long as I do it with respect?”

For ineryss, intention matters but impact matters more. Among her readers are those who found the courage to come out, to embrace identities they once feared, and to feel seen in ways they never had before. “That’s what matters to me,” ingon siya.

Her stories, however, do not shy away from reality; and reality, she insists, is far from ideal.

“We’re still far from acceptance,” she says bluntly.

While BL has gained popularity in the Philippines, she observes that much of it remains surface-level: embraced for entertainment, but resisted in real life. She points to societal reactions to same-sex representation as evidence of this disconnect, emphasizing that tolerance is not the same as acceptance. Even sa atoang government, dili pa ing-ana ka open about ani nga topic; naa pud ko kaila nga gay who complained frustratedly about not being allowed to decide para sa iyang partner nga na-ospital. This awareness has influenced even her career decisions. Despite receiving offers for television adaptation, she turned some down, believing that the depth and complexity of her narratives might be compromised in a society not yet ready to fully engage with them.

Her stories are meant to provoke thought, not be diluted. Now, as she continues to expand the SAC universe, ineryss finds herself at another pivotal moment. She is currently writing Amidst the Rain, the final BL installment of the series, a closing chapter for the narratives that first brought her widespread recognition.

But alongside it comes a new beginning: Where Roses Bloom, the first Girls’ Love (GL) installment in SAC.

The announcement, however, was met with mixed reactions.

For some readers, the shift was exciting. For others, it revealed a troubling truth: support for queer stories, it seemed, was not as inclusive as it claimed to be.

The backlash became a turning point for her.

In a deeply personal and candid statement, ineryss called out the selective support within the community, particularly the discomfort toward women-loving-women (WLW) narratives. “Hindi pwedeng naiintindihan mo ang struggle ng MLM couples pero nandidiri ka sa WLW,” she wrote.

It was no longer just about fiction. After years of keeping her identity private, ineryss made the decision to come out as pansexual, publicly sharing her two-year relationship with her girlfriend.

“May hangganan din ang pagtatago,” she confessed.

Misunderstandings, constant assumptions, and the emotional toll of staying silent eventually led her to reclaim her truth, not just as a writer, but as a member of the very community she represents.

Her coming out reframed everything. The stories she wrote, the advocacy she carried, the criticisms she endured were no longer seen as external efforts, but as extensions of her lived experience. And with that came a clearer message: the LGBTQ+ community is not hierarchical. No identity should be sidelined, minimized, or treated as less valid.

“Walang nakakaangat sa komunidad,” she emphasized. “Lahat kami pantay-pantay.”

My conversation with her actually reminded me of my Manobo-Chinese maternal grandmother’s story about the Babaylans. Before colonial rule reshaped the archipelago’s belief systems, pre-colonial Philippine societies held space for diverse gender identities through the Babaylans: spiritual leaders, healers, and intermediaries between the physical and spiritual worlds. Many of them were assigned male at birth but embodied femininity, occupying roles that were not only accepted but deeply respected. Their existence reflects a time when queerness was not marginalized, but woven into the cultural and spiritual fabric of the community. However, with the arrival of Spanish colonizers and the imposition of Catholic doctrine, these identities were systematically suppressed. The Babaylans were demonized, their practices erased, and rigid gender norms were enforced, planting the early seeds of homophobia that continue to echo in modern Filipino society.

Beyond queer representation, ineryss also continues to combat another deeply ingrained bias: regional discrimination.

As a proud Bisaya, she has faced ridicule simply for her identity. “Ginagamit siya as an insult,” she shares. But instead of retreating, she embeds Visayan and Mindanaoan culture into her work. Her stories expand the Filipino narrative beyond Manila-centric perspectives, dismantling stereotypes that reduce entire regions to conflict or underdevelopment.

“What’s wrong with being Bisaya?” she asks.

The answer is simple: nothing.

“Bisaya ko kay Bisaya ko! That’s what makes me Bisaya, there’s no other ways to explain it! My parents are both Bisaya so it is etched in my identity. It is who I am. I am who I am. There’s no shame in that. And sa mga Bisaya nga naga-look up sa ako, sige lang, padayon lang mo! Naa ra mo’y kapadulngan…”

Her identity is not something to defend but something to celebrate.

At the heart of her storytelling are characters that feel deeply human. Many are drawn from fragments of her own experiences, particularly Maverick, whom she describes as closest to herself. Others are inspired by observation, interaction, and empathy.

Together, they form a world where readers can see themselves: not as ideals, but as authentic individuals navigating the vicissitudes of life.

If one of her characters could speak directly to her readers, she says, it would be Brent who is bold and unapologetic.

“Embrace your true colors.” Mao kuno na ang iingon niya. It is a line that echoes beyond fiction.

Influenced by authors like Jonaxx and Taylor Jenkins Reid, ineryss has evolved from writing fleeting romance into crafting stories that leave a lasting imprint on readers. “I want my readers to question their environment,” she says.

This Pride Month, her journey reminds us that representation is not just about visibility. It is about honesty, courage, and the willingness to confront discomfort. As she closes one chapter with Amidst the Rain, another unfolds with Where Roses Bloom, in which ineryss challenges who gets to be seen, and how.

Happy Pride!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR