Effective Date: October 20, 2025
Website: kwentongbuhay.com
Operator: “Kwentong Buhay” (“we”, “our”, “us”)
By accessing or using kwentongbuhay.com (the “Website”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree, please do not use the Website.
If you are submitting content, reading stories, or contacting us, please read these Terms carefully.
1. Use of the Website
1.1. You may use the Website for lawful purposes only.
1.2. You agree not to:
- Violate any applicable laws or regulations.
- Post or submit content that is defamatory, hateful, discriminatory, pornographic, or incites violence or self-harm.
- Harass, threaten, or abuse any person.
- Attempt to hack, disrupt, or interfere with the Website’s security or functionality.
- Use automated tools (bots, scrapers) without our prior written permission, except for standard search engine indexing.
We may, at our discretion, restrict or terminate access by users who violate these Terms.
2. User-Generated Content (Stories, Comments, Media)
2.1 Content you submit
“User Content” includes stories, narratives, essays, photos, audio, comments, or any material you submit to us via forms, email, or other channels.
By submitting User Content, you confirm that:
- The content is your own original work, or
- You have the necessary rights and permissions to share it, and
- Your submission does not infringe any third party’s rights (privacy, copyright, etc.).
If your story mentions identifiable individuals, you agree to:
- Obtain their consent or
- Anonymize details to reasonably protect their identity.
2.2 Ownership & license
- You retain ownership of your User Content.
- By submitting, you grant Kwentong Buhay a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, transferable, sublicensable license to:
- use, edit (lightly, for clarity/length/formatting), adapt, reproduce, publish, display, distribute, and promote your content
- on kwentongbuhay.com, our social media channels, newsletters, and related platforms.
- If we wish to make substantial edits or use your story in special projects (e.g., print anthology, podcast), we may contact you when possible.
You may request removal of your published story by emailing contactkwentongbuhay@gmail.com with the URL and details. We will review each request in good faith, considering legal, editorial, and technical factors.
3. Editorial Rights
We reserve the right to, at our discretion:
- Review, edit, format, or fact-check submissions.
- Decline to publish any content.
- Remove or modify published content for reasons including (but not limited to) privacy concerns, safety, legal risk, or violation of these Terms.
- Add content warnings where appropriate (e.g., topics involving trauma, abuse, self-harm).
No submission guarantees publication.
4. Privacy
Your use of the Website and submission of content is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and protect your information.
By using the Website or submitting content, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy.
5. Intellectual Property
5.1. Our content
All non-user content on the Website — including but not limited to the logo, site design, layout, graphics, and editorial content created by our team — is owned by or licensed to Kwentong Buhay and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws.
You may:
- Read, share links, and quote short excerpts with proper attribution.
You may not:
- Copy, reproduce, or redistribute substantial parts of the Website or its content without prior written permission.
5.2. Trademarks
“Kwentong Buhay” and associated branding may be claimed as trademarks/service marks. You may not use them in a way that misleads, confuses, or implies endorsement without our consent.
6. Prohibited Content
You agree not to submit or encourage content that:
- Contains hate speech or targets individuals/groups based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or similar characteristics.
- Promotes self-harm, suicide, or graphic violence.
- Is knowingly false, misleading, or malicious.
- Doxxes or exposes private personal information without consent.
- Infringes copyright, trademark, or other proprietary rights.
- Violates any law in your jurisdiction or the Republic of the Philippines.
We may remove such content and take appropriate action.
7. Disclaimers
- Stories on kwentongbuhay.com are often personal narratives and opinions. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Kwentong Buhay.
- Content may touch on sensitive topics. Reader discretion is advised.
- We do not provide professional medical, legal, or psychological advice. Any such information is general in nature and should not replace consultation with a qualified professional.
The Website is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis, without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to accuracy, reliability, or fitness for a particular purpose.
8. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law:
- Kwentong Buhay and its team shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of data, revenue, or reputation arising from:
- your use of, or inability to use, the Website;
- any content posted on the Website; or
- any unauthorized access to or use of our servers or your information.
If we are found liable notwithstanding the above, our total aggregate liability shall be limited to the amount (if any) you paid us in the past six (6) months, or a reasonable minimal amount allowed by applicable law.
9. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Kwentong Buhay, its team, and partners from any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:
- your use of the Website,
- your User Content,
- your violation of these Terms or any applicable law,
- your infringement of any third-party rights.
10. Third-Party Links & Services
The Website may contain links to third-party websites or embedded services (e.g., social media, audio players). We are not responsible for their content, policies, or practices. Your use of third-party sites is at your own risk and subject to their terms.
11. Termination
We may, at any time and without prior notice, suspend or terminate your access to the Website or remove your content if we reasonably believe you have violated these Terms or pose a risk to other users or the platform.
You may request removal of your content as stated in Section 2.2.
12. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, without regard to its conflict of law principles.
Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Website, where amicable resolution is not possible, shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the proper courts of [Insert city, e.g., Quezon City or Manila], Philippines.
13. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised Effective Date.
If changes materially affect your rights, we may provide additional notice (e.g., banner notice or email, when applicable). Your continued use of the Website after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.
14. Contact Us
For questions about these Terms, you may contact:
Kwentong Buhay
Email: contactkwentongbuhay@gmail.com