From Personal Life

Sunny Orange

When I was 7 years old, there was this toy boat that my mom would not buy me because we were short on cash. It wasn’t expensive at all, to be honest. But for a family who had almost nothing, even a cheap toy was regarded a luxury. I remember not getting upset about it.…

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Everywhere

My travel life began when I fell in love. I’m not talking about love for the road or love for travel. I’m talking about love love. Romantic love. I-will-go-anywhere-with-you kind of love. Before I met him, I never traveled anywhere. Neither did he, before he met me. I don’t know what happened or how, but…

The View

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.

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…