The Time Capsule

by J.D. Ruiz, Greenwriter

Ride through rough roads
Mount a carabao
Spend a night in a prison cell
Hitch a ride on a sugarcane truck
Get trapped on a tree... twice

Bratty, city chic Stephanie Sy never expects she'll go through all of these—and more—when she ventures to an unfamiliar place for her grandmother's wake and funeral where she discovers the woman's old diary and a supposed upcoming meeting with a man from her past.

Never knowing her grandmother, Stephanie decides to visit the places Corazon went to and meet Antonio, the first man to break her grandmother's heart. What follows is a spontaneous adventure Stephanie sets for herself. Joining her is Erik, a man with the heart of a child and a few secrets of his own. Entangled in a series of unfortunate events, Steph will have her own journey of self-discovery and love.

Genres: Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Marureviere · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fact that I'd already visited the places that they went to is making me feel all kinds of nostalgic and melancholic. As someone who's lived in the province all her life, this also made me feel validated. Iba talaga sa probinsya 💛

[booknerdmechi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to tell you that the first statement I said after finishing and closing the book is "Fck, I want more." I'm still in my happy bubble, remembering all my favorite parts in the story, broken hearted because I can't accept that it has to end like what stories are supposed to. It's that kind of book.

It's one of those stories that will make you realize what you're missing out in life, makes me want to jump on a truck and go on a road trip too. I think this is what I like in I'm-looking-for-something-let's-go-on-a-roadtrip kind of stories, medyo cliché sa part na magroroadtrip sila and you already knew that the characters will eventually find what they are looking for cuz that's how usually it is in this kind of stories but what makes it "di nakakasawa" is every story is another adventure. Each stories na may parehong nangyari (going on a roadtrip and such) but nagkakaiba sila sa mga places na pinupuntahan, meeting different people in the story and showing their own cultures. That's the case for The Time Capsule.

I love adventures (certified adrenaline junkie and gala here 🤣) and reading this one made me feel like I'm in Bacolod too! I was able to witness the culture in that province and visited and experienced all places at the same time while I'm sitting comfortably in my bed. And it's a fun journey reading this book.

I also love how it talks about life, love and heartbreaks. While reading, I was able to view life in different way, rearranging my thoughts and beliefs. I cried, laughed and I can't even tell you how many times I felt that secondhand embarrassment for Steph hahaha! I love Erik too, he's the kind of guy that reminds me why I have such high standards in life, lol, he's not perfect but if you'll read the story, you'll understand why.

I honestly can't tell what I don't like in this book, well aside from the few typos and wrong punctuation marks in the book, all in all this is so good! It's perfect and I just have to say that if you love adventures mixed with tamang kilig and all, then this book is for you! I am thanking the author for sharing Steph and Erik's adventure with me because I really love it.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love knows no age, gender or race, Stephanie. But it knows time. It's about perfect timing. And I think the perfect timing is anytime of the day that you feel love. So every time you feel it, show it and say it.

You see, the best thing about being open to reading online is that you just might discover stories that you end up loving and enjoying reading even more than you had with the most hyped-about books in the bookish community that even have their own movie adaptations already. I've been reading on wattpad for quite a long time already, but never it those years did I imagine finding a story like this. I never, ever would have expected myself reading something so perfect.

Picture this: a rich, well-accomplished woman who lives a busy life in the city, suddenly winds up in the most rural of areas, in a completely different group of islands due to the death of her grandmother who not she never even met in her entire life. She's your typical city woman: snobbish, snotty, rich, resentful towards all the difficult stuff she had to put up with during her time in the province. But then she finds her grandmother's diary, and her supposedly short stay lasted for months in a journey of love and adventure—trying to discover the story of a woman she lost without ever getting the opportunity to lay yer eyes on. On this magical ride, she finds herself getting in the most misfortunate situations—riding on the pickup truck despite such unpredictable weather, riding a carabao, hitching a ride on a sugar cane truck, completely falling and sinking into mud, climbing trees, camping, hiking, eating primitive food, and many more. With no one else but the most adorable guy ever, who I clearly need in my life when I get older.

A well-written, adorable, contemporary read that takes place in the Philippines whilst being written in flawless english? One that has a solid plot, realistic yet swoon-worthy characters, spot-on gradual character development and unbelievably well-developed romance to die for? One that takes you places that you had actually been to before, yet still leaves you stricken in such a breathtaking way, that it even feels like it was your first time to witness such splendor? One that doesn't fail to showcase such rich culture, one unlike any other, whilst not having to strip down the story's modern setting? I NEVER EVEN FATHOMED THAT SUCH A THING EXISTED.

Listen here, boys and girls. If you're a Filipino and you want to read a magnificent tale taking place in our country, the read this story. Wether you are open about reading books online or are not, it doesn't matter. JUST READ IT. GIVE IT A TRY.

You won't get disappointed.

P.S. Jhing Bautista, my friend, I LOVE YOU ALREADY. Thanks for your recommendation!

[santicakeroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

the time capsule by greenwriter ;

- took me to places 🤍🇵🇭
- the premise is so nostalgic < 3
- character study ! everyone was multidimensional + i really enjoyed reading steph’s character dev as the journey goes 🥹 !
- very adventurous LOVE THAT < 3

❕what i didnt like / enjoy :

- erik when he victim blamed steph BOO 🍅 !
- steph & her discriminatory judgements to the rural population in the first leg of the book (addressed)
- physically published version has a lot of typographical & formatting errors :c

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Drae · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is my first time reading a book with this kind of story and it feels like I'm watching a 2000's filipino movie and it brings so much nostalgia! Reading this book was so much fun and it made me miss traveling so much. Because of the pandemic I am not able to escape the stress here in Manila amd be on the country side but this book made it possible. The breathe taking view and feel of Bacolod is well written and well incorporated in the plot. I love the writing style of the author because even if it is kinda meant to be understood by international audience it still has that filipino vibe to it. What made me give it only 4 stars is that there could be more depth to Erik's character especially about his past though Steph's character was really well-written. And also, the typos in this boos is really noticable and there were more than a couple of them. But all in all this is a great fluffy light read that makes you reminisce being in the province and finding your true self.

[Kacey Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I laughed, I cried, I fought, I loved...and now I surrender."

Another wattpad story by a Filipino author that is worth to read. I laughed and cried the whole time reading this. Aside from the moments that the characters shared, the places they went, and the sceneries that they've seen is wonderful.

This book really emphasizes how to live in the moment in a very wonderful yet simple way.

Will highly recommend this book to people who wants to travel, especially now that we're in this kind of situation.

This story is written in English. Hope you guys have fun reading this ☺

[CJ Pecson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over a decade had passed since my last Wattpad adventure. A few days ago, this group shared a recommendation, and I'm elated I jumped into it sooner – couldn't put it down. Can you believe it was written in 2013? What was I doing all this time?

After emerging from a reading slump filled with somber books, this one is a breath of fresh air. The writing style is far from cringey, and I adore how the story unfolds. The setting in Negros is delightful; it makes me want to pack my bags and embark on a road trip! Passing the exact road in Bago City where Eric and Steph first traveled felt nostalgic – I could almost hear their banters, only to remind myself they're not real. Oops.

This discovery is an absolute gem, and I'm thrilled I came across it. I've promised myself more JD reads soon! Also, Wattpad has a premium subscription now – quite a change from its free days back in our time. Nevertheless, it's worth it, and I'm even contemplating getting a hard copy.

[mei carlizle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I shuddered at this book as if I was going back to the past because of her grandmother's story, I also seemed to be immersed in the culture of the negros in the oriental especially in the part of the guy who is very simple and the type of Filipino man who is elegant and of a provincial gentleman and the leading lady who is socially rich from a rich family and has a class the typical couple you always see in movies and the idea of ​​the time capsule is a very good concept where in one place you put the letters you want to send to someone but a few more years before it was seen. and I want us to do this to be the one that got me away in case there is any hahaha but still, I was thrilled and very nostalgic about it to me and this is the first book that I really followed to read to the end. Only 4 rates because it was a bit too late in the last part because no wedding took place!

[lou (taylor's version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝟯.𝟴 🌟


A kind of book that I will bring when traveling. I started reading this yesterday and I love how fast-paced the book is, every chapter is not boring, love how the love interest appeared in less than 5 chapters. How light the story is and how pure Erik and Steph's love is. How this book thought me tremendous of things not just in love but also in life. Lastly, how Miss Ruiz shows the beauty of Bacolod City with her writing.


I would recommend this book if you just finished reading a high fantasy or Greek mythology-related book or when traveling. This book is a great way to respite your mind with a lot of terms (especially high fantasy and greek books).

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

despite the errors — like a forgotten space in some sentences and a random page that suddenly became double-spaced — this book still offers a story close to my heart. this is my third time reading it, now from a different perspective and age in my life, and i must say: the lines and adventures of steph, as she goes through her wawa's diary, and erik are etched in my brain. no matter how much time passes, even if i forget the minuscule details of this book, it never fails to give me warmth. the laughter, the cries, the sympathy, and the hope i felt are things i’m nostalgic for and grateful enough to relive again.

[Yuki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I randomly found this book on social media and I am glad I was able to discover this Filipina author. I was struggling to move on from a novel that pierced my heart but this one kept me smile - and I read this in one sitting. I can easily visualize the story and it definitely brings me back at home and go on a road trip. This brought me so much butterflies and with that, I bought another book from the same author.

[ARIN · Rating 4 out of 5]

this would be soooo much more better if it was written in taglish!! and there's a lot of unnecessary scenes that could've made it in one chapter. also, i was expecting a peek from her Wawa's letter 😣 nonetheless, i enjoyed steph and erik's story shdh pls the karaoke and esp waterfall scene is just 🦋🦋 HOW DOES IT FEEL TO LIVE MY DREAM, STEPHANIE SY 😩

[clemphony · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first ever read this January 2025! I bet when it comes to reading I'm still an infant; venturing around things that I am often unfamiliar. Yet The Time Capsule is a warm hug welcoming me to delve deeply into the unknown. What captured my heart the most is the endless journey where we can discover where we truly reside. Anytime, anyplace, and anyhow—we find love.

We ought to exist for love.

[Hazel Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventure that inspires you. The journey that brings you to beautiful places. The diary that reaches your hidden pains and the story that makes one believe in taking chances and facing risks. The masterpiece that makes you yearn for the beauty of simple things in life.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

One word: Adventure.

[rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Triz456 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love everything in this book! My only problem is that in the published version, there are a few typos. But everything was okay! The narrations, dialogues, plot, scenes, everything!

[Precious Ira · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book of the year. Filipino love stories are torture to me

[Maria Tupas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book to the bones. 😭🥰

[riri · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best book i've ever read! i feel like i wasted years for not reading this book earlier.

been on reading slump for two years and this book knock my senses back.

[Veron · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Sometimes, what we wish for is something we just have to do on our own."

The plot is exactly as the blurb describes. Stephanie Sy attends the funeral of her enigmatic grandmother at Negros where she discovers the old woman's diary, a chance to finally truly know her, and a supposed meeting with a man in her past. She decides to go to that meeting, but before the scheduled date, she travels with Eric, a chill, laid-back driver with secrets of his own, to the places mentioned in the diary.

The plot doesn't focus on the diary or the time capsule on which the book gets its title from. Instead, it focuses on the Stephanie and Eric's journey. The places they go to, the random people they encounter, the experiences they have, and most of all, Stephanie's realizations about life as she embarks a journey of her own.

The dialogues are translated from Tagalog or Hiligaynon to English so some of them sounds awkward. Like, people don't really speak like that in real life. There are forgettable parts too, especially in the middle, that tempted me to skim it. It's a longer book than I expected with it's mass market size because of the small font size.

Steph is annoying at first but liked her more as the story progressed. Eric is the kind of love interest that's an all around great guy. And I loved how he moved on from events of his past to become his current self. The romance is admittedly predictable but I'm glad on how it ended up.

Overall, a fun and enjoyable read perfect if you're looking for a trip to Negros of if you need to take a short break from books with heavy themes. The book captures the vibe of the simple province ambience plus manages to show the usual but meaningful life lessons without being too pretentious or philosophical.

[TheWelshbird · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Filipino story on Wattpad. There were some minor translation issues and I can’t comment on the plausibility of some of the cultural or geographical aspects of their journey, but I really enjoyed reading a story set in a non-western culture. Its difference (to me at least) was a strength.

I found the character development of Steph to be excellent. She is on a journey, both physically and emotionally. It is to the writer’s credit Steph doesn’t do a complete personality change, which would be implausible. Layer by layer, she relaxes and learns to enjoy the simple things in life. As she develops a fresh perspective she starts to drop what she thinks are ‘cool’ – the clothes, the shoes, the posh restaurants and cool music. Yet she still retains an element of brattiness.

Erik, on the other hand, has a much quieter emotional journey as he falls in love with Steph. Initially it is difficult to see what he sees in the insufferable woman, but he seems amused by her.

The main weakness of the novel is the story development. It is a meandering collection of hang outs draped over an overarching purpose – to find the time capsule Antonio buried and deliver her grandmother’s letter to him on the date they agreed 60 years ago. These hang outs amount to lots and lots of descriptions of food shopping and meal times. With a little more thought this journey could have been more purposeful and wrapped more tightly around her grandmother’s first love affair.

Nevertheless it was a fun, character-led, romance from an unpublished author which held my attention to the end.

[Ayce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, light-hearted book. Perfect when you're craving that vacation you really needed.

This is the first book I've read from the author, and I'm ecstatic to check out more of her works.

I was hoping to find a peaceful distraction from my messy school deadlines, and this gave me that, and more. I didn't expect to cry really, but there were parts where it was so sad, and then there were parts when it gives you fluff, you also cry.

Hoping for the day that I can also go on an adventure, with or without an 'Erik' by my side hehe!

[Cj Espiritu]

.. one of my old time favorites!!!
hoe the journey start and ends..
how a 60 years old love letter unfold the stories of the past..
and how it help to souls to meet and find the meaning of one true love...

[Donna Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been my favorite book of Janelle Ruiz so far. I love the girl's attitude and how she learned a lot of things in life on her visit. Her grandmother's journal is also something worth reading, I kinda wish it has a separate book.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the journey of the story! Twists and turns, I am in awe reading this story!

[S.A. M. Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO WATTPAD IF YOU'VE NEVER READ THIS BOOK.

I MEAN, COME ONNNNNNN!!!

[Yhanie Dela Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rate this 4.5. I truly love this story, it made me reminisce memories of my childhood, first love and hearbreaks.

[bluestocking · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟