The only thing constant in the world is change. How many times have we heard this quote by the Greek philosopher Heraclitus? I suppose, several times. Did this thought comfort you during the adjustment phase when you tried to change an aspect of your life? Did it make you feel guilty for choosing not to…
World Mental Health Day
Today, October 10, is World Mental Health Day. Today, let us take a few minutes to pause from our daily routines or our busy schedules and take a closer look at ourselves. How do you feel right now? Are you happy with the way things are in your life? Is there something that has been…
Slide over the Rainbow
I remembered a conversation I had with a dear friend one time. I asked why people have to make their lives so complicated when deep down, what most want is a simple life unburdened with so many concerns and unshackled with material things. I shared that I missed the time as a little girl playing…
Caring for the Earth
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…
Beyond Routes 