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Binibining Teresita
Not yet published
Expected 16 Nov 26Hindi mahilig si Therese Sanchez sa pagbabasa ng mga nobela. Most especially sa mga Filipino novels na nag se-set sa historical Philippines. Aside sa hindi siya ganoon kagaling mag-tagalog, she's much more inclined to read books about her profession which was a stringent one.
Ang pagbabasa as far as she was concerned was a hobby of her best friend - whom sinusuportahan naman niya every single time na nag-aaya itong pumunta sa mga book signing.
Ngunit isang araw, by fate or by magic, nakapasok siya sa librong napupusuan ng kaibigan niya. Hindi naman siya nag-iisa sapagkat may mga kasama siyang nakapasok din.
Ngunit paano ba makaka-survive si Therese? Hindi nga niya kabisado ang estorya and to make matters worse, her archnemesis, Daniel was pulled in with her.
What can a girl do in this situation?
Ang pagbabasa as far as she was concerned was a hobby of her best friend - whom sinusuportahan naman niya every single time na nag-aaya itong pumunta sa mga book signing.
Ngunit isang araw, by fate or by magic, nakapasok siya sa librong napupusuan ng kaibigan niya. Hindi naman siya nag-iisa sapagkat may mga kasama siyang nakapasok din.
Ngunit paano ba makaka-survive si Therese? Hindi nga niya kabisado ang estorya and to make matters worse, her archnemesis, Daniel was pulled in with her.
What can a girl do in this situation?
323 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 16, 2026
About the author
M.J.M. Seco
1 book2 followersMJM Seco is a Certified Public Accountant and a lover of the written word ever since nine years old.
She mostly writes on the historical, fantasy & romance genre, and sometimes writes other genres depending on her mood.
She lives in the Philippines with her parents, and pets.
She mostly writes on the historical, fantasy & romance genre, and sometimes writes other genres depending on her mood.
She lives in the Philippines with her parents, and pets.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is my first full-length Taglish novel, and I'm honored to be given an advance reader copy of MJM’s debut!
I’ve always been a fan of historical fiction, but we rarely get magic-realism stories, let alone ones set in the Spanish-era Philippines. “Binibining Teresita” is all that and more!
The story follows four friends who are transported into the book they’re reading. But instead of becoming background characters who stick out like a sore thumb, they’re woven into the story itself and become its main characters. It’s an interesting take on the usual “isekai” premise, reminiscent of GMA’s “Maria Clara at Ibarra,” but with a stronger focus on family dynasties and the plight of women in colonial Philippines.
And as expected from a story set during a time when patriarchy and gender inequality were deeply entrenched, there are several harrowing storylines involving the female leads, particularly s3xual assault and harassment. However, the author did a great job providing content warnings, and each sensitive topic was handled with care.
I especially appreciated the mental health representation here and how the characters responded to one another with genuine compassion and support. It showed what it truly means to be there for a friend who is struggling.
Another thing I appreciated was the sheer amount of research that went into this book. From the world-building to the little historical details, MJM portrayed the period vividly and integrated those details into the story so naturally. It felt like a history lesson in fiction form—and the whole book played like a movie in my head!
The “magic” system behind the isekai mechanism was also well laid out, and I honestly sacrificed sleep more than once just because I had to know what would happen next. It was that gripping! The plot was well structured and paced, and all the little details and pieces of foreshadowing woven throughout the story made the whole experience even richer.
I also loved the portrayal of both healthy and unhealthy family dynamics. I love the Cruzes and the Guerreros, and my heart ached for the Valledors. As for the Mercados . . . to hell with them. 😂
The friendship between the three female leads was also quite endearing. And although there were initial tensions that gave me the impression that one of them might betray the others, the author did a great job introducing a “twist” that was subtly foreshadowed all along!
And then there’s the End Game Couple—AAAAAH, I love them so much!
I loved how naturally their banter and friendship flowed throughout the story, and how their “intimacy” slowly blossomed as the story progressed. I really appreciated the way they showed up for each other during difficult (and life-threatening) moments.
They knew when to give each other space, when to step in, and, most importantly, how to hold space for each other. Their relationship felt like something that grew organically from genuine friendship and mutual respect—and I was absolutely here for it.
Overall, MJM Seco did an incredible and impressive job, and I’m excited for the sequels! :)
If you enjoy historical fiction, magical realism, Filipino stories, found family, friendship, romance, and a good dose of drama and family intrigue, “Binibining Teresita” is definitely worth checking out!
I’ve always been a fan of historical fiction, but we rarely get magic-realism stories, let alone ones set in the Spanish-era Philippines. “Binibining Teresita” is all that and more!
The story follows four friends who are transported into the book they’re reading. But instead of becoming background characters who stick out like a sore thumb, they’re woven into the story itself and become its main characters. It’s an interesting take on the usual “isekai” premise, reminiscent of GMA’s “Maria Clara at Ibarra,” but with a stronger focus on family dynasties and the plight of women in colonial Philippines.
And as expected from a story set during a time when patriarchy and gender inequality were deeply entrenched, there are several harrowing storylines involving the female leads, particularly s3xual assault and harassment. However, the author did a great job providing content warnings, and each sensitive topic was handled with care.
I especially appreciated the mental health representation here and how the characters responded to one another with genuine compassion and support. It showed what it truly means to be there for a friend who is struggling.
Another thing I appreciated was the sheer amount of research that went into this book. From the world-building to the little historical details, MJM portrayed the period vividly and integrated those details into the story so naturally. It felt like a history lesson in fiction form—and the whole book played like a movie in my head!
The “magic” system behind the isekai mechanism was also well laid out, and I honestly sacrificed sleep more than once just because I had to know what would happen next. It was that gripping! The plot was well structured and paced, and all the little details and pieces of foreshadowing woven throughout the story made the whole experience even richer.
I also loved the portrayal of both healthy and unhealthy family dynamics. I love the Cruzes and the Guerreros, and my heart ached for the Valledors. As for the Mercados . . . to hell with them. 😂
The friendship between the three female leads was also quite endearing. And although there were initial tensions that gave me the impression that one of them might betray the others, the author did a great job introducing a “twist” that was subtly foreshadowed all along!
And then there’s the End Game Couple—AAAAAH, I love them so much!
I loved how naturally their banter and friendship flowed throughout the story, and how their “intimacy” slowly blossomed as the story progressed. I really appreciated the way they showed up for each other during difficult (and life-threatening) moments.
They knew when to give each other space, when to step in, and, most importantly, how to hold space for each other. Their relationship felt like something that grew organically from genuine friendship and mutual respect—and I was absolutely here for it.
Overall, MJM Seco did an incredible and impressive job, and I’m excited for the sequels! :)
If you enjoy historical fiction, magical realism, Filipino stories, found family, friendship, romance, and a good dose of drama and family intrigue, “Binibining Teresita” is definitely worth checking out!
Review of advance copy received from Author
i love that the novel is a self aware subversion of the actual plot of pagamutan sa veneracion, and i find therese's characterization an interesting foil to the original teresita. however, there were a lot of round-about sentences and redundant phrasing that i would have appreciated to be written with more clarity. i also felt like the colonial setting could have provided a richer background and setting to the narration, along with more period-specific filipino terms to help with consistency.
then, i also think there was so much potential for social commentary, particularly when it came to class difference, colonialism, and the consequences of gendered social expectations. while i appreciate that this novel tackles these issues at all, there are instances where the social commentary feels secondary to moving the plot forward or highlighting therese's goodness. i wanted the novel to spend more time developing these ideas that were introduced instead of moving away immediately after they fulfilled their purpose as a plot device. i feel especially cheated at the mention of rebels in veneracion, only for them to never be mentioned again :(
on the other hand, i found myself more invested in heather and ricardo than the main characters. i really want to read more of them so i kind of need that book 2 right now. (i keep thinking of their romance developing from meeting in the kitchen, passing each other in the corridors, teaching her spanish, and him saving her from imprisonment from the dorms!)
i find it quite sad that the characters, once they returned to their real world, disregarded the people in the book as simply "characters" and we aren't given a conclusion of the events within the book.
but the meddlesome author and the even more meddlesome god was also very interesting! i enjoyed reading about them, i just ultimately wish a deeper integration of historical details and social commentary to give the novel the depth it deserves.
thank you, ate mj seco for an arc of the book!
then, i also think there was so much potential for social commentary, particularly when it came to class difference, colonialism, and the consequences of gendered social expectations. while i appreciate that this novel tackles these issues at all, there are instances where the social commentary feels secondary to moving the plot forward or highlighting therese's goodness. i wanted the novel to spend more time developing these ideas that were introduced instead of moving away immediately after they fulfilled their purpose as a plot device. i feel especially cheated at the mention of rebels in veneracion, only for them to never be mentioned again :(
on the other hand, i found myself more invested in heather and ricardo than the main characters. i really want to read more of them so i kind of need that book 2 right now. (i keep thinking of their romance developing from meeting in the kitchen, passing each other in the corridors, teaching her spanish, and him saving her from imprisonment from the dorms!)
i find it quite sad that the characters, once they returned to their real world, disregarded the people in the book as simply "characters" and we aren't given a conclusion of the events within the book.
but the meddlesome author and the even more meddlesome god was also very interesting! i enjoyed reading about them, i just ultimately wish a deeper integration of historical details and social commentary to give the novel the depth it deserves.
thank you, ate mj seco for an arc of the book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The premise is intriguing, but what makes this book special is how it grows into something much more than a tale about getting transported into a fictional world. Following Therese as she navigates life as Teresita, a character destined to become the villainess of a historical romance, was an engaging experience. It blends humor, romance, and the chaos of being trapped inside a book with heavier themes involving power, consent, abuse, and the choices people make when their lives seem to have already been written for them.
I especially loved Therese and Daniel’s relationship. Their banter and gradual change in how they see each other make their romance enjoyable, but the emotional heart of the book goes beyond the central couple. The found-family element, the friendships, and the bonds Therese forms with people she initially knows only as fictional characters give her journey a deeper meaning.
For me, Binibining Teresita is a memorable and emotional read. It has romance and humor, but it also explores how love, friendship, and the freedom to choose one’s own ending can come at a cost.
I especially loved Therese and Daniel’s relationship. Their banter and gradual change in how they see each other make their romance enjoyable, but the emotional heart of the book goes beyond the central couple. The found-family element, the friendships, and the bonds Therese forms with people she initially knows only as fictional characters give her journey a deeper meaning.
For me, Binibining Teresita is a memorable and emotional read. It has romance and humor, but it also explores how love, friendship, and the freedom to choose one’s own ending can come at a cost.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First, thank you to the author for letting me read this book in advance. My expectations for historical fiction were boring: lots of character names to remember and endless info-dumping. Now, this one is different. It was a unique story premise (characters time-traveled to a historical romance book). Important themes were also highlighted in the book, such as mental health, domestic violence, consent, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and more. Characters were also relatable to modern readers who had similar life concerns that each character had to deal with in the book. Settings were also familiar and nostalgic, so readers could easily picture and follow through most of the iconic chapters.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. Perfect for those readers who want a less intimidating, easy-to-read, fun, magical and lovable historical fiction book set in the Filipino-Spanish regime.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. Perfect for those readers who want a less intimidating, easy-to-read, fun, magical and lovable historical fiction book set in the Filipino-Spanish regime.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews