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Wake Up, Dreamers!
What if...
a writer
an artist
a poet
a musician
a photographer
meet?
An unlikely group banded together for a film project, anything could happen—even the impossible. What kind of masterpiece they could create together?
College student Molly Lazuli’s dream is always to become a writer. But since her parents never supported that calling, she works towards an Engineering degree instead. When she winds up in a Humanities course, she is befriended by a fellow classmate, Cole Manzano, who convinces her to team up with him on creating a major project for the finals. Together, they recruit other members: John Garnet Sucgang, who also happens to be Molly’s secret crush who is also a painter; Jasper Tupas, a gay actor and a poet; and Alexa, a moody musician. Together the group embarks on a journey that not only has them creating a documentary of their lives’ triumphs and tragedies, but also makes them realize the true meaning of friendship, acceptance, and what it takes to make their dreams come true.
a writer
an artist
a poet
a musician
a photographer
meet?
An unlikely group banded together for a film project, anything could happen—even the impossible. What kind of masterpiece they could create together?
College student Molly Lazuli’s dream is always to become a writer. But since her parents never supported that calling, she works towards an Engineering degree instead. When she winds up in a Humanities course, she is befriended by a fellow classmate, Cole Manzano, who convinces her to team up with him on creating a major project for the finals. Together, they recruit other members: John Garnet Sucgang, who also happens to be Molly’s secret crush who is also a painter; Jasper Tupas, a gay actor and a poet; and Alexa, a moody musician. Together the group embarks on a journey that not only has them creating a documentary of their lives’ triumphs and tragedies, but also makes them realize the true meaning of friendship, acceptance, and what it takes to make their dreams come true.
202 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 26, 2019
11 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 3, 2023
This book is just wonderful.
I discovered AnakniRizal - Tales of Demi on YouTube because I was just curious to watch her videos on writing and storytelling tips and advices. I don't have any plans to become a writer, but part of being a filmmaker is to tell a story to the audience.
I love all the videos that I have watched from her, and I've always wanted to read one of her books. "Wake Up, Dreamers!" seems like the perfect first book for me to read from her, and I'm not wrong.
This book is one of the gifts I listed from my wishlist. The person who gave me is probably reading this right now (considering that she is frequently active in this platform), kaya I will use this opportunity para pasalamatin ko siya. Thank you dahil hindi ako na-bored sa two days na wala akong wifi. This book really inspired me kaya thank you for buying this book immediately hihi. Babawi ako sayo soon <33
Anyways, this is the first book review that I will be doing. Hopefully, I'll do well.
This book just speaks to me the same way that these characters speaks to them as to how important their dreams is. We only live one life which is why we make every minute worth while by doing what we love because we don't know when we will be gone. I'm usually sensitive to these topics about life and death, but I learned that you must accept and expect that life is short and that's how it is.
I'm currently a Grade 11 student who is still struggling to find his path. I have some ideas on what career path I should take, but it's still a plan that I continuously revise. At the end of the day, I just hope that I end up with a career that I love. Gusto ko lang maging masaya sa buhay ko.
Each character, you know where they came from which is what I love because I love diving deep with these characters. In short, I love character-driven stories. Each chapter, there is something for you to learn, and is an integral part to the story like there is no page that I felt unnecessary to the story. I like how the story is not straight-forward. Gets mo yung premise, pero it goes in a different direction that I did not expect, but it works beautifully. This book feels like pinagdaanan ito ng author because it feels so personal and real from the story to the decisions that these characters make and to the different perspectives and lenses of these characters.
A minor issue for me with this book is that there are some storylines that I wanted to know more from. I didn't really mind the grammatical errors in the book because those mistakes happen sometimes and they are very minimal in the book.
Overall, I recommend this book to almost everyone especially that all of us have dreams in our life or at least have gone through to those days where we reflect on what exactly do we want to do for a living and probably still figuring out until this day. I swear, this book is so good and relatable to the point that I am okay if this is a requiered book to read in school. I was just invested all throughout and I could easily finish it in one to two days. It definitely deserves all the awards that this book has been getting and it needs all the love that it deserves.
I discovered AnakniRizal - Tales of Demi on YouTube because I was just curious to watch her videos on writing and storytelling tips and advices. I don't have any plans to become a writer, but part of being a filmmaker is to tell a story to the audience.
I love all the videos that I have watched from her, and I've always wanted to read one of her books. "Wake Up, Dreamers!" seems like the perfect first book for me to read from her, and I'm not wrong.
This book is one of the gifts I listed from my wishlist. The person who gave me is probably reading this right now (considering that she is frequently active in this platform), kaya I will use this opportunity para pasalamatin ko siya. Thank you dahil hindi ako na-bored sa two days na wala akong wifi. This book really inspired me kaya thank you for buying this book immediately hihi. Babawi ako sayo soon <33
Anyways, this is the first book review that I will be doing. Hopefully, I'll do well.
This book just speaks to me the same way that these characters speaks to them as to how important their dreams is. We only live one life which is why we make every minute worth while by doing what we love because we don't know when we will be gone. I'm usually sensitive to these topics about life and death, but I learned that you must accept and expect that life is short and that's how it is.
I'm currently a Grade 11 student who is still struggling to find his path. I have some ideas on what career path I should take, but it's still a plan that I continuously revise. At the end of the day, I just hope that I end up with a career that I love. Gusto ko lang maging masaya sa buhay ko.
Each character, you know where they came from which is what I love because I love diving deep with these characters. In short, I love character-driven stories. Each chapter, there is something for you to learn, and is an integral part to the story like there is no page that I felt unnecessary to the story. I like how the story is not straight-forward. Gets mo yung premise, pero it goes in a different direction that I did not expect, but it works beautifully. This book feels like pinagdaanan ito ng author because it feels so personal and real from the story to the decisions that these characters make and to the different perspectives and lenses of these characters.
A minor issue for me with this book is that there are some storylines that I wanted to know more from. I didn't really mind the grammatical errors in the book because those mistakes happen sometimes and they are very minimal in the book.
Overall, I recommend this book to almost everyone especially that all of us have dreams in our life or at least have gone through to those days where we reflect on what exactly do we want to do for a living and probably still figuring out until this day. I swear, this book is so good and relatable to the point that I am okay if this is a requiered book to read in school. I was just invested all throughout and I could easily finish it in one to two days. It definitely deserves all the awards that this book has been getting and it needs all the love that it deserves.
January 13, 2021
Do you know the reasons why I like Demi so much? Her knowledge to the craft. She isn't writing just to write, and with Wake Up Dreamers, she told use various characters which all have their colors and personalities, not caricatures but with actual real people. Wake Up Dreamers tells us to follow our dreams and to not hesitate. These kinds of books need to be read, unlike other books that focus on toxic relationships. What this book taught me was friendship and dreaming.
November 9, 2023
Wake Up Dreamers
: ̗̀➛ 3.5/5
As someone who still doesn't know what to do with my life, this is the right book to read. Just like them (the characters) I hope that I'll find what I want to do with my life.
ꕥ Some people are born just to be behind the camera, to see the world from a viewfinder and appreciate the world's beauty by just observing. There are people who are not in the scene but they are at the moment, witnessing all the flashes of memories. And I guess that's him.
And one more thing... He's smiling at his camera for the whole time. As if we're his art piece.
ꕥ Maybe he's just an illusion for us. Diverting attention from our monotonous lives to do some things that we're not used to doing.
It's like he's pushing us out of our comfort zone.
I realized that I'm tired of my life, doing the same thing every day.
ꕥ "Hindi tayo nabuhay sa mundo para gawin 'yung mga bagay na hindi natin gusto," at tumingin siya ulit sa akin.
"Don't you think so."
"Pero minsan wala naman tayong choice 'di ba?"
"Yeah, you're right. We don't have the choice because we're still kids," tumanaw ulit siya sa malayo.
"There's something in that guy that I don't have."
Si Cole the weirdo ba ang tinutukoy niya?
"A-ano 'yon?"
"Freedom," tumingala siya at napabuga ng hangin.
"I want to be free like him."
ꕥ "Did you know the secret of life, Molly?" I just stared to him. "In order to heal pain, forget the past. In order to avoid anxiety, don't worry about the future. And in order to be happy? Just live the present."
ꕥ "Lahat tayo may talent pero hindi lahat napipili, kasi hindi lahat special."
ꕥ 'Stop apologizing for being who you are. I think you're awesome and I admire your fearlessness. Embrace yourself, even if like a rose full of thorns, its beauty is still remarkable. Ad Astra per Aspera!'
Ad Astra per Aspera, it means 'to the stars through difficulties'.
ꕥ Is this what they call living the life to the fullest at the moment?
'Yung wala kayong pakialam sa kung anong mangyayari kinabukasan. You're laughing without the fear of being judged. You just live, by being you.
No wasted night.
It makes us alive. A fleeting moment, like an ecstasy, embracing the uncertainty, is this how we should truly live our lives?
ꕥ There are people who are not in the scene but they are at the moment, witnessing all the flashes of memories.
ꕥ I was taught to in order to be happy I just needed to live the moment. So I gave my best smile in every shot.
ꕥ Don't be afraid of dying, because death is where real freedom lies. He wants us to be happy for him because he knows that he'll go to a better place.
: ̗̀➛ 3.5/5
As someone who still doesn't know what to do with my life, this is the right book to read. Just like them (the characters) I hope that I'll find what I want to do with my life.
ꕥ Some people are born just to be behind the camera, to see the world from a viewfinder and appreciate the world's beauty by just observing. There are people who are not in the scene but they are at the moment, witnessing all the flashes of memories. And I guess that's him.
And one more thing... He's smiling at his camera for the whole time. As if we're his art piece.
ꕥ Maybe he's just an illusion for us. Diverting attention from our monotonous lives to do some things that we're not used to doing.
It's like he's pushing us out of our comfort zone.
I realized that I'm tired of my life, doing the same thing every day.
ꕥ "Hindi tayo nabuhay sa mundo para gawin 'yung mga bagay na hindi natin gusto," at tumingin siya ulit sa akin.
"Don't you think so."
"Pero minsan wala naman tayong choice 'di ba?"
"Yeah, you're right. We don't have the choice because we're still kids," tumanaw ulit siya sa malayo.
"There's something in that guy that I don't have."
Si Cole the weirdo ba ang tinutukoy niya?
"A-ano 'yon?"
"Freedom," tumingala siya at napabuga ng hangin.
"I want to be free like him."
ꕥ "Did you know the secret of life, Molly?" I just stared to him. "In order to heal pain, forget the past. In order to avoid anxiety, don't worry about the future. And in order to be happy? Just live the present."
ꕥ "Lahat tayo may talent pero hindi lahat napipili, kasi hindi lahat special."
ꕥ 'Stop apologizing for being who you are. I think you're awesome and I admire your fearlessness. Embrace yourself, even if like a rose full of thorns, its beauty is still remarkable. Ad Astra per Aspera!'
Ad Astra per Aspera, it means 'to the stars through difficulties'.
ꕥ Is this what they call living the life to the fullest at the moment?
'Yung wala kayong pakialam sa kung anong mangyayari kinabukasan. You're laughing without the fear of being judged. You just live, by being you.
No wasted night.
It makes us alive. A fleeting moment, like an ecstasy, embracing the uncertainty, is this how we should truly live our lives?
ꕥ There are people who are not in the scene but they are at the moment, witnessing all the flashes of memories.
ꕥ I was taught to in order to be happy I just needed to live the moment. So I gave my best smile in every shot.
ꕥ Don't be afraid of dying, because death is where real freedom lies. He wants us to be happy for him because he knows that he'll go to a better place.
December 28, 2024
You just need someone to push and encourage you to believe in yourself, that your dream is not dead, your dream will not be forever just a dream but can be a reality.
September 18, 2023
I read this book years ago. I remember reading this to bed and crying my heart out. I remember dm-ing the author on Instagram and telling her how much I love her book and all my realizations after reading the book. I even bought two merch shirts of this book and wore it for my profile pic. No one can ever imagine how much I am fond of this book.
This book allowed me to find a new me. A better version of me. And this is what made this book super special to me. WAKE UP, DREAMERS!
This book allowed me to find a new me. A better version of me. And this is what made this book super special to me. WAKE UP, DREAMERS!
January 24, 2024
3.9
"Life is short. We don't wait for the so-called right time. So, run wild, and catch your greatest dream. Don't afraid to say it. Don't be afraid to unleash your greatest potential." - Cole
Actually, I find this book fast faced and nahulaan ko na agad ang plot. I admit that at first I find it" corny" or hindi lang ako sanay sa writing style ng author. But overall, I enjoyed the bittersweet story. Simple yet there's wisdom in this book. 💓
"Life is short. We don't wait for the so-called right time. So, run wild, and catch your greatest dream. Don't afraid to say it. Don't be afraid to unleash your greatest potential." - Cole
Actually, I find this book fast faced and nahulaan ko na agad ang plot. I admit that at first I find it" corny" or hindi lang ako sanay sa writing style ng author. But overall, I enjoyed the bittersweet story. Simple yet there's wisdom in this book. 💓
September 6, 2021
2.5
The characters were too cartoon-ish for me. The plot was predictable, and not that remarkable. The somewhat romance element felt like unnecessary. Thought I would really like it, but it turns out "not my cup of tea".
The characters were too cartoon-ish for me. The plot was predictable, and not that remarkable. The somewhat romance element felt like unnecessary. Thought I would really like it, but it turns out "not my cup of tea".
April 29, 2021
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒇 𝒂 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕, 𝒂 𝒑𝒐𝒆𝒕, 𝒂 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕?
It all started when five irregular students meet and became classmates in Art Appreciation class.
This novel is packed with life experiences and realizations. It talks about family, passion, dreams, courage, support system, life and above all, friendship.
Each of the five protagonists is a representation of people who have big dreams but are facing a lot of barriers and hesitations whether to pursue what their heart screams for or just go with the flow and let the life's waves take them.
It is indeed true that best people come when we least expect it and I relate so much with this because the set of people I have encountered during senior high school has made so much impact on my life.
Moreover, it also promotes awareness to be kind. People have their own silent battles, we never know, yet some still manage to be strong and make others happy, inspire others and make a positive change to their lives.
But what this novel taught me the most is to never stop dreaming no matter of the number of people who believe in you. Be it four, three, or even only one. We have to listen to the dreamers inside us. Never will we lose believers. Out there, someone is cheering for us.
And remember:
❝𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.❞
𝙒𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙪𝙥, 𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙨! 𝙔𝙊𝙐𝙍 𝘿𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙈 𝙄𝙎 𝙉𝙊𝙏 𝘿𝙀𝘼𝘿.
Highly recommended to those who feel lost; those who want to be inspired; and of course, to the dreamers. ✨
It all started when five irregular students meet and became classmates in Art Appreciation class.
This novel is packed with life experiences and realizations. It talks about family, passion, dreams, courage, support system, life and above all, friendship.
Each of the five protagonists is a representation of people who have big dreams but are facing a lot of barriers and hesitations whether to pursue what their heart screams for or just go with the flow and let the life's waves take them.
It is indeed true that best people come when we least expect it and I relate so much with this because the set of people I have encountered during senior high school has made so much impact on my life.
Moreover, it also promotes awareness to be kind. People have their own silent battles, we never know, yet some still manage to be strong and make others happy, inspire others and make a positive change to their lives.
But what this novel taught me the most is to never stop dreaming no matter of the number of people who believe in you. Be it four, three, or even only one. We have to listen to the dreamers inside us. Never will we lose believers. Out there, someone is cheering for us.
And remember:
❝𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.❞
𝙒𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙪𝙥, 𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙨! 𝙔𝙊𝙐𝙍 𝘿𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙈 𝙄𝙎 𝙉𝙊𝙏 𝘿𝙀𝘼𝘿.
Highly recommended to those who feel lost; those who want to be inspired; and of course, to the dreamers. ✨
May 4, 2025
"Wake Up, Dreamers" is not just a story, it’s an experience. Ang daming beses na parang ako mismo ang mga characters sa sobrang relatable ng mga experiences. AnakNiRizal really knows how to touch your heart with raw emotions and relatable struggles. Na-appreciate ko kung paano binalanse ng author ang creative energies ng bawat character, and how their bond made them grow as individuals and as a team.
Yes, may parts na medyo dragging, lalo na ‘yung maraming explanation scenes. And some plot points could’ve been explored deeper. Pero kahit ganun, hindi nabawasan ang impact ng story.
Honestly, this book made me cry. Like, iyak na may halong pag-asa. Dahil sa bawat pahina, naaalala ko ‘yung sarili kong pangarap—yung mga minsan ko nang binitawan at pilit na binuhay ulit.
This story is for anyone na nangangarap. Promise, it might not just touch your heart, baka baguhin pa nito ang pananaw mo sa buhay.
PS. I cried a lot in this book. Like, a lot.
"Your dreams are not dead? Yes. Our dreams will never die."
Yes, may parts na medyo dragging, lalo na ‘yung maraming explanation scenes. And some plot points could’ve been explored deeper. Pero kahit ganun, hindi nabawasan ang impact ng story.
Honestly, this book made me cry. Like, iyak na may halong pag-asa. Dahil sa bawat pahina, naaalala ko ‘yung sarili kong pangarap—yung mga minsan ko nang binitawan at pilit na binuhay ulit.
This story is for anyone na nangangarap. Promise, it might not just touch your heart, baka baguhin pa nito ang pananaw mo sa buhay.
PS. I cried a lot in this book. Like, a lot.
"Your dreams are not dead? Yes. Our dreams will never die."
December 20, 2025
It's my third time reading this book, yet ngayong ko lang narealise that I don't have a dream in my life. Yes, I do want to graduate, to study, and to have diplomas and licences. But those things are not actually my dreams nor part of them. It's something I desire to have.
This book can make you realise what you want and make you realise to cherish and value every moment, every time, every day, and every memory you have, not just with yourself but also with your friends and families. It's a good book to gift to your friends so that every time they see the cover, they read the content... It can lift their hopes when they're down, and it can tell them to never stop chasing their dreams and make them realise what their dreams are. Just like how this story unfolds, no matter the circumstances you face, never stop dreaming.
I hope for those of you reading this, just like what the character said, "You have to wake up and stop dreaming, you have to act and get what you want."
This book can make you realise what you want and make you realise to cherish and value every moment, every time, every day, and every memory you have, not just with yourself but also with your friends and families. It's a good book to gift to your friends so that every time they see the cover, they read the content... It can lift their hopes when they're down, and it can tell them to never stop chasing their dreams and make them realise what their dreams are. Just like how this story unfolds, no matter the circumstances you face, never stop dreaming.
I hope for those of you reading this, just like what the character said, "You have to wake up and stop dreaming, you have to act and get what you want."
January 9, 2026
2.5 STARS
Slightly better than Something Spectacular. It’s a bit more complex and nuanced, and the characters are more memorable and have stronger personalities than in the former.
That said, I couldn’t get past the glaring similarity between the two books.
They’re essentially the same story from beginning to end. The only real difference is that one leans more heavily into the romance, while this one focuses more on the actual theme of the book, which is achieving your dreams.
I also felt more for , but some scenes were still cringey and out of place.
Slightly better than Something Spectacular. It’s a bit more complex and nuanced, and the characters are more memorable and have stronger personalities than in the former.
That said, I couldn’t get past the glaring similarity between the two books.
They’re essentially the same story from beginning to end. The only real difference is that one leans more heavily into the romance, while this one focuses more on the actual theme of the book, which is achieving your dreams.
I also felt more for , but some scenes were still cringey and out of place.
February 3, 2023
A very inspirational and motivational book to read. Some parts are cliché but to be fair, but the plot itself was very spectacular. Light read and madali siyang basahin since napakarealistic and relatable ng characters. You can read this story if you’re having a hard time navigating your goals in life. Again, kudos to you AnakniRizal!
July 17, 2021
2 star
Eow author is this your life written out? 😆 Just kidding LMAO (pls don't kill me) I love it. This coming-of-an-age novel is perfect for those ppl who are figuring out themselves, their passion and those who dare to dream. Panotice po author MWEHEHEHE 😆👉👈
Eow author is this your life written out? 😆 Just kidding LMAO (pls don't kill me) I love it. This coming-of-an-age novel is perfect for those ppl who are figuring out themselves, their passion and those who dare to dream. Panotice po author MWEHEHEHE 😆👉👈
August 24, 2021
3.5
I'm really glad that I picked up this book for a readathon. It's a fun and light read, but it still has the heartwrenching emotional aspect. Gusto ko 'yung balance. Nakaka-inspire lang na basahin 'to, especially at this point of my life.
I'm really glad that I picked up this book for a readathon. It's a fun and light read, but it still has the heartwrenching emotional aspect. Gusto ko 'yung balance. Nakaka-inspire lang na basahin 'to, especially at this point of my life.
August 2, 2021
"Your dream is not dead."
November 6, 2022
*adds to 2022 favorites* (this is a call to action, guys. really.)
August 7, 2023
This Story is very eye opening, i learned a lot from this story. Thanks Ate Demi! 💗
December 3, 2023
Perfect, i love it! I think this is my favourite book now.
July 7, 2023
This book beautifully captures the hardships of chasing your dreams, especially in a filipino/asian point if view. The way that friendship is also captured in this book is truly beautiful. This book is just so beautiful. 💖
October 2, 2025
finished reading it back aug 2023 when my phone got broken and I read my books that was piled up in my room for a long time and read them straight for a week
wake up, dreamers SUCH A CATCHY TITLE FOR SOMEONE who's slowly losing a grip to their dreams and goals. i remember bawling my eyes out to this because it resonates us too much. almost adulting yet we had a lot of things going in our minds. to pursue and find out what we really want and who do we want to be. i cried because they're just teens finding the answers and finding themselves. tied up with friendship and bond. i cannot put a spoilers but it really hurts me up until nowww :((((
wake up, dreamers SUCH A CATCHY TITLE FOR SOMEONE who's slowly losing a grip to their dreams and goals. i remember bawling my eyes out to this because it resonates us too much. almost adulting yet we had a lot of things going in our minds. to pursue and find out what we really want and who do we want to be. i cried because they're just teens finding the answers and finding themselves. tied up with friendship and bond. i cannot put a spoilers but it really hurts me up until nowww :((((
November 5, 2021
i love this story i can relate to the characters, it's inspiring and vulnerable. You could really see that Cole helped his friends to reached their dreams, explore and be themselves.
March 22, 2023
The ending is quite sad.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews