The launch of a digital reading app by a romance pocketbook publisher was welcomed by readers who reminisced about indulging in their favorite paperbacks before the rise of social media.
Precious Pages Corp., one of the country’s leading publishers of Filipino novels, reportedly launched the CAT-HA, a digital reading app that offers free e-books, including titles from its iconic Precious Hearts Romances collection.
Formerly known as Precious Pages iReader, the app allows users to read romance novels and other titles on their mobile devices.
Its “Free to Read” collection features select titles that users can read at no cost.
Precious Pages Corp. President Segundo Matias Jr. said the app was inspired by his goal of making reading more accessible to Filipinos who may not have the means to purchase physical books.
“Alam naman natin ‘yung crisis na marami sa mga Filipino ang hindi nakakapagbasa. Minsan, nakakalungkot isipin na may mga taong hindi nakakabili ng books o walang access sa mga reading materials,” he said.
“‘Yun ‘yung ginagawan ko ng paraan sa publishing, na sana ‘yung mga walang kakayahang makapagbasa, magkaroon ng pagkakataon. Kaya ‘yung mga ganitong klaseng initiative, tulad ng app na libre, malaking bagay,” Matias added.
He also said that the titles available on the reading app were selected for their quality and appeal.
The app is available on the Google Play Store, Apple App Store and the Huawei AppGallery
Meanwhile, the announcement excited readers of the Precious Hearts Romances pocketbooks, which were particularly popular in the ’90s and early 2000’s.
“Just a Gen Z still in love with PH Romance’s books na minana pa sa mga ate and older cousins. My romcom heart is happy, huhu, yes, pleaseee,” a Facebook user commented.
“Binabasa ko ‘to during my high school days. Sabi ko pa naman sa asawa ko last month, gusto ko bumili ng mga [secondhand] pocketbooks online habang naka-maternity leave ako para [may] magawa ko during me time, kaso ‘di na makapag-me time kasi dami inaasikaso lagi sa bahay kaya ‘di na ako natuloy pagbili,” another said.
“Libangan ko ito nung dalaga pa ako kasi wala akong TV sa boarding house, wah, [download] ko ‘to,” a different Pinoy said.
“Kakatapos ko lang ng isang libro ngayon, ‘yung kilig ko nung high school, same pa din. OG PHR Readerrr,” another commented, with emojis.
“Me too! Hehe, gustong-gusto ko ‘yang mga series na ‘yan, talagang pinag-iipunan ko, makabili lang,” a different Pinoy commented.
Precious Hearts Romances pocketbooks are romance novels, written in Filipino, English, or Taglish (a mixture of Filipino and English), with stories centered on love, relationships and romance in local settings.
The pocketbooks are known for their colorful book covers, often featuring images of couples, or individual female or male characters.
Their stories are also known for happy endings, with love ultimately triumphing despite the challenges faced by the characters.
ALSO READ: ‘Naks, heartthrob’: Radio DJ’s likeness featured as romance pocketbook cover
