I'm going to school again July 09, 2026

I'm going to school again. Not as a student, not as a teacher, but as a guardian to two naughty twin kindergarten boys.

Every day, I take them to school. After dropping them off, I wait outside their classroom and join the other parents and guardians for the daily gossip. We stay there in case the teacher calls us.

It's funny that I'm going to the same school I attended during my daycare and kindergarten years. What's even funnier is that I'm seeing familiar faces again. They're my childhood friends and classmates who, like me, wait for their own children until class ends.

What would you talk about if someone were actually listening to you? October 12, 2025

Honestly, I grew up not telling or sharing stories about my life with others. That’s because I didn’t have anyone to talk to. I was raised well; my grandmother and parents took good care of me. But I didn’t grow up in an environment where I was encouraged to share or open up about my feelings. So, I’ve carried this with me until now.

I didn’t have any real friends in elementary or high school. Sure, I had people to hang out with, but I saw them as just ordinary friends or acquaintances. There was no deep understanding between us that would allow us to share our thoughts and feelings with each other. Even now, when I have what I can consider my circle of friends, I still find it hard to open up to them. I don’t even know why. I guess I’m just not used to it.

When you didn't land the job you wanted October 28, 2022

Earlier today, I received an e-mail informing me that my application for a popular graphic design platform is no longer being considered. Although I am currently enjoying my "jobless era", the company offered this part-time position that suits my skills, and so I decided to give it a try. 

Of course, getting rejected can be frustrating, especially when it's from a company you admire the most and aspire to work with. I've applied to many companies before and got rejected so many times. But hey, it's not the end of the world. You can use rejection to your advantage, bounce back and maybe even land an even better position than the one you initially applied for. Remember these simple tips as they may help you in the future.

Decluttering is hard but satisfying. I'll tell you why. October 05, 2021

Decluttering can be a headache. It takes time and careful planning to discard the things we own, especially ones that hold value to us. And once you’re done, the next challenge is maintaining the orderliness of your home.

My desire to declutter and organize my apartment started 3 years ago but I only did it last month. Not that I was too lazy (but I admit it’s one of the factors), but I didn’t have enough time to do it. Since I work in rural communities, I am always out of town. Fieldwork usually takes a few days to a week, and when I get home, I’d take a rest so I can work again the next day. I also work during weekends. I usually have rest during weekdays but most of the time it only takes a day and I’d spend it doing paper works. When Coronavirus came, I had to stay and work at home like most workers in our country. The first 6 months were awful. I craved the internet like an addict as I was without any electronics to connect with my friends. When I started reading books, I realized that I need to reflect and re-evaluate my life. It was also the right time to declutter my home.

The unconventional guide to living alone June 27, 2020

 What are some of your ‘unconventional’ guides to living alone? This was a question I posted on Quora a few days ago. There have been different misconceptions about this kind of lifestyle. Some say living alone is lonely and that the longer you live this way, the more you become miserable. Some say it’s fun and exciting and even intend to do it long-term.

According to an article by Claire Lower, living alone can be awkward at first. This is true, especially when you’re so used to having people around you. For younger folks, it could be when they are moving away to go to college. For adults, when they’re calling a long-term relationship quits. For older people, it could be when their life partner passes away. But it could the best thing after giving yourself time to adjust.

From countryside to the city: A guide to living alone in an urban environment October 17, 2018

In this day and age, where the unemployment rate is high, people are taking risks to find work away from their families and outside their communities. Some go to countries to find the “greener pasture” while some migrate to cities to seek better opportunities.

Growing up in a country where labor is exported, this setup is not new to me. I grew up seeing my uncles and aunts visit us for a couple of days only to go back to the city (or abroad) for work. I remember asking my grandmother about my aunt and why she needs to go back to Manila when she can live in our town. She said there are more jobs available for my aunt outside our province. I was 7 years old then.