May you be a bringer of light and peace. May you spread hope and cheer. Bring comfort to the downtrodden. Part the dark, thick curtains to allow passage of the sun’s rays. Offer words of inspiration and encouragement. Extend kindness in moments of despair. Make people seen and feel loved. But you do know that…
Mahika
Nababanaag ko ang sinag ng araw sa dulo ng iyong pilikmata Nararamdaman ang banayad na ihip ng hangin sa tuwing ika’y nakikita Napapangiti sa’yong bawat salita at kuwento Maaari bang patigilin saglit ang mundo para tumitig at makinig sa’yo? Mabilis ang ikot ng mapanghusgang lipunan at mundo Ngunit bahagyang tumitigil dahil sa’yo, oo, sa’yo, Saan…
These are a Few of my Favorite Things
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittensBright copper kettles and warm woolen mittensBrown paper packages tied up with stringsThese are a few of my favorite things I love this song. It warms the heart. And those things listed would really make most people smile. But, I have a different list, from various periods of my…
Banana Heart Summer
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,…
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…
Beyond Routes 