After a few months of reading a chapter or two during my ‘pockets of freetime,’ upon waking up, before sleeping or during lunch time at work, and during brief stops in my recent Ilocos trip, I finally finished reading last weekend the novel “Banana Heart Summer.” My heart reeled with emotions – joy, sadness, grief,…
Author: Emi_F
A diplomat, former educator, student of life, lover of nature, literature, art and music, believer of shared humanity
Battling the intense heat in the Philippines
It was almost 10pm when I went out for a jog/brisk walk last Saturday night to have a “me time,” clear my mind, and well, to burn some calories. I initially planned to go out earlier but errands, dinner time, and some “issues” hindered my schedule. Surprisingly (or unsurprisingly because it has been going on…
The Workers in our Midst/ Ang Mga Manggagawa sa ating Paligid
Isang inhinyerong sibil ang yumaong tatay ko. Matagal syang nagtrabaho sa Saudi, pero nagkaroon rin sya ng proyekto sa Ho Chi Minh sa Vietnam. Ang ilang proyekto naman nya ay dito sa Maynila. Naalala ko nga, nakapunta pa ako dati sa isang construction site dyan sa may Vito Cruz noong itinatayo pa lang ang pundasyon…
Pulse of Humanity
“I wanted to feel the pulse of humanity.” That’s what I replied to a colleague when she asked why I’m taking the jeepney after a particularly tiring day at work. Yeah, why not have a comfy ride, with cool temperature and soft music playing, and where you can recline your body and maybe doze off…
Agnosthesia
From “The Marginalian,” I learned today the word Agnosthesia and its meaning: AGNOSTHESIAn. the state of not knowing how you really feel about something, which forces you to sift through clues hidden in your own behavior, as if you were some other person — noticing a twist of acid in your voice, an obscene amount of…
Some Risks of Being a Woman
A man in the bank that I went to last Wednesday afternoon for a quick errand asked for my mobile number. In my mind, I said “What the heck?” but I just told him, “Sorry, I don’t give out my number.” He wasn’t impolite, nor was he creepy, but it was absurd. This incident brings…
Marie Veronica Expert – a multigenre Filipina visual artist
The beauty of the female visage and form, a lively splash of colors, and arresting visuals — these are just a few ways to describe Marie Veronica Expert’s works. Marie is one of the visual artists that I met in Paris during my foreign assignment there from 2018-2021, whose artistic genre is so varied. During…
Spectacular Sagada
It was my first time to visit Sagada in June 2023. I was with my former high school classmates some of whom I haven’t seen for years, so it was sort of a reunion as much as it was a nature adventure and culture trip. Cel, Claire & Bryan, and Irma flew from Albay; Joy…
Dee Apilado – An Epitome of an Empowered Filipina
I first met Dee in 2018 when I was posted in Paris as a Third Secretary and Vice Consul. Dee is a ray of sunshine; she always has a ready smile, a charming face, and a vivacious personality. Dee is currently working in UNESCO as a Project Assistant in the Education Sector. She is also…
Beyond Routes 