“Yes. The energy level is beyond the ceiling. 🤩 Amazing performance!” That was my first reply to a work colleague’s and friend’s message as I went home at past 11 p.m. after the Moscow Gala Concert featuring the Moscow academic dance theatre, “GZHEL”, held at the Aliw Theatre (Elizalde Hall) on 30 January 2023. She…
Author: Emi_F
A diplomat, former educator, student of life, lover of nature, literature, art and music, believer of shared humanity
Labor Day 2023
This post is three days late. But the thoughts expressed here were those on the 1st of May, yet I didn’t find the time to write them down. On May 1st, I felt great when I woke up, because, well, it’s a free day, a reason to celebrate! Moreover, a major diplomatic event that I…
The joy of being with plants
It was in Grade 4 (I was about 10) when I first became responsible for planting vegetables on a small patch of land. It was a school assignment to plant some vegetables or crops in a small corner of the yard. The task wasn’t difficult; I just cleared a rectangular piece of land, got camote…
My Lola – A Tribute
I write this as a way of remembering my grandma who joined our Creator on this day, 16 years ago. She is Gavina Bellen Bañez. She’s my mom’s mother. Both of her parents hailed from Bacacay, Albay. My lola was petite, with smooth kayumanggi skin, a small cute face, and waist-length straight black hair, which…
Weekend Thoughts on People’s Behavior
It’s a generally-held idea that the only thing you can control is your mind and your reaction to situations and circumstances; that there is no use worrying over something that is beyond your control. And recognizing that, therefore, it is of no use to be affected negatively by external factors. That may be true, but…
Magpatuloy Ka Lamang
Makulimlim ang langit ‘Di tumitigil ang buhos ng ulan Pahinto-hinto ang mga sasakyan Umuusad ang orasan. Malamig na ang kapeng naiwan mo sa mesa Buti’t naubos naman ang pandesal na may mantikilya Walang oras magkwento sa hapag-kainan Lahat nagmamadali; Bakit? para ba ‘di maiwanan? Napapagod ka na ba? Nais mong saglit magpahinga? Maaari naman–tumigil saglit,…
Weaving Words
A fellow participant in a recent training for ASEAN diplomats asked me how long it took me to draft the “Thank You” message of the batch, which I delivered that afternoon during the closing ceremonies of our diplomatic training. I said, “15-20 minutes, around that time.” She was amazed and asked how I did it….
Paggunita sa Ika-37 Anibersaryo ng EDSA People Power Revolution
Bilang paggunita sa #EDSA37, nais kong ibahagi ang impromptu poem na ito na naisulat ko sa loob ng lima hanggang sampung minuto, dahil sa isang kaganapan noong ika-walo ng Nobyembre, pitong taon na ang nakakalipas. Naalala ko na nalungkot talaga ako noong araw na ‘yon dahil sa mga pangyayari at sa pagbalewala sa kasaysayan ng…
My Bangkok Trip (Jan. 2023)
I was in Bangkok for 5 days in January 2023. I felt that I needed some time off from work to rest my mind and just spend my days walking around the city where no one (except for two friends and colleagues from the Embassy) knows me. Here are my observations/notes: Bangkok Streetfood The streetfood…
Beyond Routes 