My photo of Tianmen Mountain’s glass walkway in China is featured in a Japanese travel book called “WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL VIEWS”. Got my copy from the book’s author just now.
From Personal Life
10 Years, 1600 Miles
One lazy day in college, I was chillin’ at the Film lobby with batchmates when the College Secretary approached us. “I’m looking for volunteers,” she said. Apparently, exchange students from Korea had arrived way earlier than expected and so she could use some help. Bored af, I was first to raise a hand. Out of…
Tonet
If my friendship with Antoinette Jadaone were a movie, it would be a series of phone calls. The first time I felt we truly became friends was when I received a call from her one day in college. She was at a pizza place in Quezon City and she wanted me to come over. She…
Drive
TAGAYTAY, Philippines — When I woke up, I found her driving the car downhill. My friend Maxine and I came from another friend’s wedding, where I had too much to drink. On the way to the hotel, I passed out, leaving Max on her own, navigating around an unfamiliar territory at midnight. “Where are we…
OC
Moving on is tough. Especially if you’re me. Here’s the thing: I remember. That’s probably the one trait that has become both my muse and my warden — I don’t forget easily. When I meet with someone, I remember what they’re wearing even after months. I remember the music that was playing at a dinner…
Hello, Thirties
So I’ve entered new territory: the 30s. When I hit 20, I was just about to graduate college. Still, I couldn’t figure out who I wanted to be: a screenwriter, a diplomat, a geologist, a social media marketer, a traveler. And over the next decade, I tried to do a bit of everything until I…
Trust Issues
BATANGAS, Philippines — I am staying at the porch of our Batangas home and pondering life’s complexities when a family van pulls over. The window rolls down and reveals the matriarch in the passenger seat. “We’re going to Manila,” she says. “Should we go straight?” “No,” I reply. “If you’re Manila-bound, turn right.” With that,…
Godless Course
BATANGAS, Philippines — Every Friday she came to our school, a public school, and taught the Catholic ways to pupils whose families shared the same faith. The non-Catholic kids would then move out of the room and play outside. The catechist, as our teacher would call her, always began her lesson with a story. All…