I came across an op-ed piece by Filipino career diplomat Hendrik Garcia. With the title “The case for climate change education”, it was published on September 15, 2021 in one of the Philippines’ major newspapers Philippine Daily Inquirer. A part of this well-written and informative piece is featured below: “Many countries, including the Philippines, have…
Adieu
Yesterday, I was still wrapping my head around the death of a colleague when another sad news came–my uncle suddenly passed away from a heart attack. That time, I had not even written a condolence message for my colleague–a fashionable, ebullient, and high-spirited educator loved by students–because I could not put into words what I…
Seasons’ Highs and Lows
In many countries in the world, the Christmas season is highly anticipated. In the Philippines, this enthusiasm is heightened. In fact, from the month of September, people are already gearing up for the Yuletide season, playfully greeting their friends and families with “Merry Christmas.” Memes with the lines of Jose Mari Chan’s song “Christmas in…
Araw ng mga Bayani (National Heroes Day)
Ngayong araw, ika-30 ng Agosto ay ipinagdiriwang ang Araw ng mga Bayani. Ito ay ang araw na inilaan upang gunitain ang mga mamamayang Pilipino na nagsumikap at kumilos para makamit ang minimithing pagbabago sa lipunan, pag-unlad ng kabuhayan ng mga Pilipino, at kalayaan laban sa mapaniil na mga mananakop. Kalimitan, ang pagiging bayani ay iniuugnay…
Pista (Fiesta)
Ngayon ay bisperas ng pista sa aming lugar sa Albay. Sigurado, marami na naman ang abala sa paghahanda ng mga pagkain para sa pamilya at para sa bisita. Marami rin ang naglilinis ng bahay at bakuran para handa sa pagdating ng okasyon. Tuwing pista ay ipinagdiriwang ang santa o santong patron ng isang lugar sa…
Rain
Paris, 24 July 2021 at 8PM Ten minutes ago, it rained so hard. But like the way the rain came, now it stopped although there’s still a drizzle and occasional distant thunderstorms. I’m not used to heavy rains in Paris, so that was a surprise. The weather is usually calm here with just varying levels…
Before They’re Gone
One of the things that the COVID-19 pandemic made more conspicuous was our mortality. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, there were news of people getting infected with the virus and dying a few days or weeks after, causing anxiety to many. At certain points, it did enter my mind that I could…
What “My Octopus Teacher” Made Me Feel
I never thought documentaries about animals or nature would make me cry–not until I watched My Octopus Teacher. At one point, I had to pause watching just to cry my eyes out. As someone who is not good in swimming and does not have any experience in diving, and as such, has not seen nor…
Home
A colleague moved to a new apartment this week and relayed to me that although her new place is comfy and spacious, she was unable to sleep during the first night. That brought to mind my first night here at my place in Paris, about three years ago, when, exhausted from a day’s work, from…
