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Back to School ‘Feels’
Tomorrow begins another school year for many students in the Philippines. The other day, I went to a nearby book store and saw a couple of students shopping for school supplies parents and friends. Having seen such a scene, I could not help but reminisce the good old days. School was the most important thing to me as kid, perhaps because I was always number...
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Throwback: Pahiyas Festival 2015
Yesterday, while taking a look at some old photos saved in my computer, I came across a folder containing images from Pahiyas Festival in 2015. It was quite a memorable experience. Imagine, it was my first time to attend the festival, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Yet, I had to have presence of mind throughout the day trip, since I was...
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Sulok Cafe: My New Favorite Tambayan in Antipolo City
Before 2016 ended, I was able to meet Rod and Andy of Sulok Cafe in Antipolo City for a WhenInManila.com feature. I had a lot of fun that afternoon because the millenial couple was so cool. I learned that they were also in their 20s and both of them used to hold corporate jobs. Last year, they decided to quit their jobs to put...
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Where We’re All Heading To
I haven’t written a poem in a long time. Besides the fact that work has been draining my energy and creative juices for the past few months, my self-doubt has also been so strong that I always question myself and my ability to write. No wonder, I feel amazed whenever I find poems I wrote in the past. Usually written on pages of old notebooks...
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My Coffee Harvest Tour Experience
I joined Cordillera Green Network’s Coffee Harvest Tour last December 10, 2016 in Benguet. And yes, I could say that it was a life-changing experience. Since the tour was set to begin early, I decided to travel to Baguio the night before the event. I booked a room at TALA Share & Guest House, managed by the same NGO. I arrived at around 10pm on...
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Thank You, Camiguin!
I first learned about Camiguin during our intro to creative writing class back in college. That time, we were tasked to read a couple of creative nonfiction pieces, including a travel essay called “Camiguin”. Written by Clinton Palanca, the said piece employed a grumpy tone, implying that the persona didn’t really enjoy staying in the place. That piqued my curiosity, of course. Why would...
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Being Joyful and Giving Others the Gift of Joy
I ran away from home three days before the Christmas of 2013. Things were already getting worse then and even the holidays weren’t enough reason for me to stay any longer. While hurriedly carrying my stuff out of the house, I could not help but worry about spending Christmas alone for the very first time in my life. The idea killed me deep inside, since I had...
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Taste Cavite at Island Cove’s Fishing Village
The Province of Cavite has always been a familiar territory for me. I have always been aware of what can be found here, particularly tourist attractions. Unfortunately, this sense of familiarity doesn’t apply to cuisine. Whenever I get questions about which food to try in this province, I always end up lost for words. This is why I got really excited upon learning about...
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Your Memory Will Carry On
My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade album was released in 2006, the same year my father died. I first learned about the album weeks after his death. A close friend of mine made me listen to “Cancer” which, according to him, always reminded him of his mom who had died a long time ago. For obvious reasons, I liked the song a lot. I...
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In Photos: Pinto Art Museum
Since I grew up in Antipolo City, I always get asked about Pinto Art Museum. It was a shame, though, for I wasn’t able to visit the place until last summer. It was a hot Saturday morning. Eager to break free from my weekend routine, I decided to check out the museum many friends were talking about. I took a cab to Katipunan, then a jeepney...
