Behind the masks of Bacolod City are genuine smiles. This small city has a calming ambience. As soon as we landed on its newly renovated airport, I quickly felt a feeling of comfort and serenity. I find everything organized, simple and clean. At night, we strolled around the city square and there was something about the crisp evening air that made me draw an invisible smile of contentment. Truly, smile is contagious. Continue reading »
Once in a while, a girl basking in the conveniences of modernity needs to travel back in time, figuratively, to find inner peace. Continue reading »
Alone Scared Doubtful Ashamed… …I am not since that night of ninth. Loneliness is not a physical absence Being scared is not simply running away In doubt does not mean you haven’t tried Ashamed is not avoiding pride Again, I was reminded who I am not and made to embrace who I am.
The isolation of this place makes me want to leave everything behind and live simply where I am closer to nature. The amazing clouds, the rustling leaves, the lonely boat, even the dirty path look like they came straight out of a painting where I want to blend with its hues. Continue reading »
I may be a master of words but I concede to the power of that I dare not define yet lifted my happy soul to the heights and vastness of that midnight sky. I conceded but I never felt this prouder. Continue reading »
Bohol is one of the very few places that look more beautiful in actual than in pictures. It is a paradise, and I am sure only one of the many, that makes the Philippines blessed with the many wonders of nature. I often prefer to explore beyond my country but Bohol made me realize that I need not go far to be in touch with nature and travel the best places on earth. Continue reading »
It is surprising that the small island of Bohol has so much to offer for curious travelers and adventure-seekers alike. It proves the cliché that “the best things come in small packages.” Continue reading »
It is a heavenly escape. White sand and blue waters are right in front of the resort. At night, only the lapping waves and puffing whales from afar chorus with the music of the shores’ tranquility. Continue reading »
I did make the best out of the visit; thankfully, the sunny weather cooperated and beautifully enhanced the silhouettes of torn walls and fallen structures. Continue reading »
The San Juanico Bridge in the Philippines may neither surpass the lengths of the longest bridges in the world nor exceed the pompousness of the most expensive ones, but it has its own story to tell worthy of miles of steel and immaterial wealth. Continue reading »
Part of my itinerary in India is to get a henna from a local henna artist in the most culturally-indulging possible way. I got mine from a group selling their artistic skills at a market in Mumbai. For almost an hour, I sat on a small wooden stool, getting used to the coldness of henna paste while watching people doing last-minute shopping of vegetables or hailing auto rickshaws to bring them home. It is the scenario I envisioned and it is in the perfect scenario to get something that is highly important in Indian culture. Continue reading »
I have never seen anything virtually perfect until I saw Mount Mayon…More than the perfection of Mayon, the spirit of hope and harmony with nature of its people are the more important perfections of Albay Continue reading »
Appreciating the wonders of our country gives us the responsibility to let those who will come after us appreciate these wonders the same way we did. The unselfish parading of our nature seeks not only our appreciation but our respect. It is easy and it can be done. Continue reading »
Then the magic happened. The light was blinding and when I adjusted my sight to the sudden brightness, I thought for a moment that I was magically moved to a place where snow found its abode and a time when moments slowed down to dance with the falling snowflakes. Continue reading »
She is no philosopher.
She is neither a rich materialist nor a wicked beauty.
She has never been considered a brave warrior and a calm leader.
But tonight and for the days ahead, she is the luckiest girl in the world for a reason social reality cannot defeat and philosophy cannot fathom. Continue reading »
The inevitable isolation that comes with winter paves the way for a familiarity of those closest to me, and most importantly, of me. Therefore, I am thankful to the “Snow Country” for teaching me that even though the season seemingly disowns me, I own myself the best possible way. Continue reading »
Tearing every roti with my bare hands, walking along the dusty path before sunrise, and welcoming the purple skies with prayer, I feel closer to this land where culture must extend its definition. Continue reading »
Rural scenes of Cambodia embrace the lone national highway. There are endless scenes of ricefields, water buffaloes, and small houses with ceramic bird figurines on their roofs. Few villages sit far apart from each other. Aside from the greenery, there are a lot of times that signs of life seem to be nowhere in sight. Greenery sprawls as far as the eyes can see. No buildings and few cars along the road; industrial mess has not yet tainted the pristine environment outside the city of Phnom Penh. Continue reading »
Only to return
From a long deep slumber
The proud sakura. Continue reading »
Everyone was in their formal winter kimono. Bandai-san looked radiant in her green ensemble. I greeted her and told in her in my broken Japanese that I love her kimono and my favorite color is green. She shyly thanked me and showed me the space where I can sit. She sat beside me and we were both facing a lady in a flattering pink kimono, stiff in her sitting position but with hands gentle as the water as she pours the first drop of hot tea in a ceramic cup. Continue reading »
There at the top-right corner is a pirate flag whose last visit was October 12, 1492!!! Continue reading »
For every fold of each beautifully patterned papers, the conversations, the sharing of secrets, the hearty laugh, the growing trust, even the tea and biscuits we shared — all of these folded into a non-visual but deeper form of human art — that of friendship. Continue reading »
Swadisht (स्वादिष्ट) is the Hindi word for “delicious.”
India is a gastronomic paradise! I haven’t been to many places but no doubt that India tops my palate list. It has the best I’ve tasted so far and, whether my friends believe me or not, it’s so easy to be vegetarian as long as you are eating Indian cuisine. Continue reading »
I had only 2 days in Singapore so I had to make a careful decision of which places to visit. One might think that it will be easy since Singapore is too small a state that you can visit it in one day. True, if you are merely passing by. But if you really want to “look”, then the decision will be difficult because Singapore has much more too offer than what meets the eye. Continue reading »
