It's never easy, but I'd like to think I'm getting better at it.
Live
We are meant to explore, to discover, to move, to find what makes us live
There is wisdom in the words "a man unwilling to fight for what he wants deserves what he gets." Everyday we have to fight circumstances, our own fears, and bad timing. If we don't, we'll get nothing. And we'll deserve nothing. So I fought to be able to write. Everyday, I fight with a myriad … Continue reading We are meant to explore, to discover, to move, to find what makes us live
Thailand 2017
Temples, markets, and glorious street food.
The Bogeyman: A 20-day visit
Nothing. That's what's in my head the past 20 days. Three weeks of nothing. I rarely have visits from the Bogeyman for that long. The longest used to be 2 days. From 2 days to 3 weeks. Impressive performance, dear Bogeyman. For 20 days, I woke up every morning to a dark, suffocating cloud. I … Continue reading The Bogeyman: A 20-day visit
The Bogeyman: Caught between cannot and do not
One of the most disconcerting things I ever experienced is to face the Bogeyman every week and try to figure out how to get myself out of its hold. Oh, I know what caused it to appear. My head knows exactly why the Bogeyman is here and my overthinking, decidedly mutinous brain refuses to believe … Continue reading The Bogeyman: Caught between cannot and do not
31 for 31
Humans are neither truly good nor truly evil, but are many different combinations of both.
The Bogeyman: A Prologue
This has been in draft for nearly six months now. Everytime I try to sit and write about this, I just end up staring at my screen. See, I come from a country where this issue is quite a bit of a taboo. And while I love my family, they do have a dismissive attitude toward … Continue reading The Bogeyman: A Prologue
Fete dela Musique 2016 – Hoochie Coochie Mikkie
Fete dela Musique 2016 – Tukar Sinati
One life to the next. I never was a believer of just having one life. One existence, maybe. But within that single existence we live several lifetimes; son, daughter, father, mother, lover, friend, student - these aren't merely roles, these are lives.
Goodbye 2016, you hideous bitch goddess you
You weren't rubbish, but you weren't all that great, either. It's the year of missed chances and horrible timing, of making mistakes and believing in the wrong people, of second-guessing, of rude awakenings, of remnant heartaches, of new heartaches, and of wavering faith. But it's also the year when one in my circle married the … Continue reading Goodbye 2016, you hideous bitch goddess you
The Nile isn’t just a river in Egypt
The Nile is just a river in Egypt, you think. But... Your gut has not failed you before. So how come you're not following it now? Is it because you think that no, it's not really like that? You know what that monstrous thing is about. You've seen movies, read books, and heard stories about it. You've … Continue reading The Nile isn’t just a river in Egypt
4, 3, 2, 1
It was summer. It was fun. And for the first time after a long while I started feeling right again. Not like before, no. But not too wrong either.
Confession 3: Stages
Two things: First, Kubler-Ross is universal. It has been used so much in books and movies to describe the emotional stages of people as they go through things like death or break-ups. The Kubler-Ross model is like the Starbucks of emotions - everywhere you turn, it's there. I figured it might be a good place … Continue reading Confession 3: Stages
Absence
It's different for everyone. While it is mostly known to be about ragged breaths and violent flashbacks, it's not always the case. It is not always shaking or sweating or nausea. It's not always about the pounding heart and the roaring in the ears. It's not always that desire to self-destruct. It's not always loud. Sometimes, … Continue reading Absence
Like Glass
This post has been in draft for nearly a year. Ten months, to be exact. I wasn't sure if I wanted this out there. Publishing this now because, fuck it. Why the hell not. I detest vulnerability. I don't know when it started but as far as I can remember, I considered a show … Continue reading Like Glass
Life Lessons in Your Neighborhood Starbucks
Conversations. I always have conversations with strangers. Mainly in airports because, for some reason, my flights always gets delayed by more than 3 hours whenever I fly alone. I'm not sure why people talk to me. And here I was thinking that I'm successfully giving off the "fuck off" vibe.
Project Go 2016
To satisfy the need to escape and to avoid recurrence of emotional, uhm, episodes, I have decided to go somewhere or do something (an activity of some sort I wouldn't often do) every month of this year.
Universe unfolding, or, when I keep shaking up my life
Just when everything seems to be making sense, just when my life seems to be going along a great track, my heart l told me to go the opposite direction and I did the most human thing in the world. Overthink. For months.
Yearender: 2014 last-post-turned-2015-first post
I either usually post a rundown of the year or a list of things I'm grateful for. This year, allow me to do something a bit different. I've been reading (and watching) a lot and I come across so many quotes that validate some of the things I believe in.
Another Random Airport Conversation
I was sitting on the floor charging my phone when this tall guy sat beside me to charge his phone too. He struck up a conversation and asked about the Philippines in general and Iloilo in particular. He was a Kiwi, maybe around 30-35 years old, and works for a graphic design company.
Be Picky or, things I’d tell my 18-year-old self
Apart from the odd existential crisis moments, I actually like getting old. It makes me feel that I'm doing life correctly because I haven't died an embarrassing death.
Life is just random chaos…and then you die
There is no real order to life. We try to give it one. Actually, we try very hard. But just think about all the plans we made that didn't happen. Think of the many times life shook us up everytime we start thinking that we have things figured out.
Starting “The Short Stories Club” Challenge
At the start of the year, I decided to be proactive when it comes to writing. No more writing just when I felt like it - I decided to dedicate at least six hours every week to writing. Be it a blog post or a part in my Project Short Story that is turning into a Project Novella.
A Love Letter
Since it's February, let's keep up with the theme, shall we? I write a lot. And one of the things I like writing are letters. This month, I wrote a love letter that I decided to post here instead of sending by individual snail mail because I think it applies to every one, and not … Continue reading A Love Letter
About Globe’s Fair Usage Policy
I'm not a subscriber of Globe, but my family and friends are. Yesterday, we were talking about the Fair Usage Policy and one my friends made a very, very valid point. I'm copying it down here straight from our Viber conversation. It starts after we saw Globe's infographic. This came from my friend who has … Continue reading About Globe’s Fair Usage Policy
On Being Classy
Disclaimer: Yes, I am judgmental. If previous posts hadn't established that already, then I think this one will. And no, I don't care if you think I'm mean. As I was sitting at a cafe a couple of weeks ago, I observed two tables of girls of around the same age wearing almost the same … Continue reading On Being Classy
The Good Woman or, what to be before expecting a good man
Recently, I've been reading a lot of articles about finding "Mr. Right" or the characteristics of a "good man." While there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, I can't help but notice that the articles all say the same thing. I don't know if it's just me but, if you think about it, these articles kinda … Continue reading The Good Woman or, what to be before expecting a good man
How 2013 sorta changed my perspective in life
I thought about doing a sort of recap of my year. Then I thought of making a new year's resolution. But since so much happened this year that I don't know where to start said recap and since I think resolutions are a bit old, I decided that the best thing to do is list … Continue reading How 2013 sorta changed my perspective in life
Ways to Help Haiyan/Yolanda Victims
Last weekend, the Philippines was hit by what is said to be one of the strongest typhoons on record to make landfall. Millions are affected, thousands feared dead, and hundreds of families left helpless. But never hopeless. The Filipinos had always been resilient people. There is no doubt that we will rebuild. However, even … Continue reading Ways to Help Haiyan/Yolanda Victims
The Wonder of Doing Nothing
There are great blocks of time in our lives when we do nothing. Most of the time we think of these moments as bad moments - worst, unproductive ones. And we berate ourselves for the lost time, the lost moments. We start thinking along the lines of "if only I've started looking for a job … Continue reading The Wonder of Doing Nothing
27 Lessons
I decided to do away with my usual birthday gratitude post this year. It's not because I don't have anything to be grateful for. On the contrary, I am grateful for every single day of this year, even the most difficult ones. It's just that I want to share 27 nuggets of wisdom. These were … Continue reading 27 Lessons
Of Love, Survival, and Finding Comfort
Being that it's February and love is in the air, let me tell you a story. It's a love story, in a way, probably just not what’s expected. While I was having lunch early this week, I was sitting at a table beside a middle-aged woman, a guy who looked to be in his 20's, … Continue reading Of Love, Survival, and Finding Comfort
Parking in the Philippines
Don't you just loooooove this?
The Lovers
I just can't help but post this. Nice to know that the DOT is so in tune with all the best things about the Philippines and the Filipinos. It is indeed more fun in the Philippines.
My 2012 in Review
I know this is pretty late but, what the hell, I was busy. A lot of people have already made a review of their year; some based it on achievements, some on places visited, some on number of items crossed off their bucket lists. To each his own. The year 2012 was the year I … Continue reading My 2012 in Review
Travel to the Philippines in 2013
"For travellers willing to go the extra thousand miles for a deserted beach, thePhilippines has around 7,000 of the most heavenly islands in the world. It's still not the most obvious beach-holiday destination, but it soon will be." So begins the short but sweet article of Conde Nast Travellers, naming the Philippines one of the top … Continue reading Travel to the Philippines in 2013
Personal Makeup Lessons from Kris Bacani
Last September, I attended a personal make-up class offered at Trade School (yes, it was that long ago and I'm only writing about it now. Please forgive me). It is no secret that I love make-up and rely on it to hide some late nights or look just a little bit more presentable for meetings … Continue reading Personal Makeup Lessons from Kris Bacani
Visiting Home
I graduated from the University of the Philippines five years ago. Back when I was in college, I spent approximately 15 hours a day, 5-6 days a week for four years in and around the campus. It's no wonder, really, that it will always feel like home. "Coming home" to U.P. has always filled me … Continue reading Visiting Home
Choose Philippines
Perfectly captures the wonder that is the Philippines. And the humor of the Filipinos. It really is more fun here.
Benchmarking (or, the 5 Authors I Wish to Be When I Grow Up)
I am a fan of reading. Okay, that's kinda obvious so I really didn't need to say that. Anyway, I choose books the way I choose shoes: I buy them if I like them. But unlike shoes, I seem to not be able to hold out on buying books. I usually browse around, pick a … Continue reading Benchmarking (or, the 5 Authors I Wish to Be When I Grow Up)
Of Letters, September, and Dolores
My grandmother, Dolores Lira, was born September 22, 1912. Lole, as she was called, was born in a time when some of the great milestones of the Philippine development and government are achieved. She was born at a time when people relied on the land for their living. My lola (Filipino term for grandmother) lived … Continue reading Of Letters, September, and Dolores
Loving the [Gay]Pride
I have been wanting to do this post for a long time now but for some reason never really got to it. Lately, though, this has been a regular topic in my friends and mine's conversations, I see it often in the news, and I very recently saw pictures and videos of the gay pride … Continue reading Loving the [Gay]Pride
Sister K’s Birthday Gift
It was over a month ago when my sister celebrated her 29th birthday. Since it's her last birthday in her 20s and as a single lady, I decided to sabotage, erm, surprise, yes, surprise, her with this. Just look at those baby pictures. Cheeks! *Bear with me, it's my first time to do something like … Continue reading Sister K’s Birthday Gift
Reclaiming Creativity
I've had several epiphanies the past few weeks; epiphanies that are overwhelming (both in a good and bad way) at first. Well, to be honest, they're a bit overwhelming even until now. But as with almost every big thing that comes my way, I have decided to tackle it piece by piece. So, in preparation … Continue reading Reclaiming Creativity
Christmas 2011
We suck at making plans. But, apparently, we do well with impromptu outings. Instead of our traditional Christmas dinner, the plan was to have a Christmas brunch. We ended up spending a little over 12 hours together. In Pampanga. First things first. Christmas brunch: Mom & Tina's along C5. What can I say about brunch? … Continue reading Christmas 2011
Manila Appreciation Day plus Php 500.00 Challenge
After a day out with friends, I finally had the time to write about what we called the Manila Appreciation Day. Okay, so we did this more than 2 months ago but I only had time to write now. Sue me. So, what is Manila Appreciation Day? It's basically us, touring Manila specifically, Binondo, Intramuros, … Continue reading Manila Appreciation Day plus Php 500.00 Challenge
Airport Characters
Once again, I found myself at the airport, waiting for a flight. I have ridden airplanes since I was a little kid; we always went home to Iloilo at least once a year. We had been blessed with airline perks because Tatay worked at PAL so flying has been a normal thing for us. From … Continue reading Airport Characters
Superficial Happiness
What makes a person happy? Knowing that the happy horse is real and not just a figment of one's imagination. Also, having proof that contrary to what one's friends say, the existence of the happy horse is not just the result of too much alcohol intake. See? Happiness. =)
