PinnedThe Power of “Kapangyarihan”Ben&Ben’s second album titled “Pebble House Vol 1. “Kuwaderno” was released a few days ago and among the different tunes, I have to admit my personal favourite is “Kapangyarihan”. Art is a medium that numerous people have taken to in order to decry the various afflictions perpetuated by our oppressors…Election4 min readElection4 min read
Aug 28, 2022Happiest birthday, Mart!The relationship I get to share with Martin is one that I treasure deeply. There are still days when I get so fascinated by the fact that I get to call him my “boyfriend”… But he is so much more than that. He is the person I prayed for and…Birthday3 min readBirthday3 min read
Jul 4, 2022Turning 25I always saw being 25 as a turning point, somewhat like a pitchfork in the road where I get to choose another direction in life. I had this image in my head that being 25 would be a defining moment, a transformative time for me—as if turning a year older…Birthday4 min readBirthday4 min read
Jun 5, 2022Sinking DeepWhen you get told that someone you love so dearly is sick, it can be a tough pill to swallow. So ever since Dad was diagnosed with cancer on 26 May 2022, I’ve been feeling disoriented and left in a daze. The past few days have been filled with moments…Goodness2 min readGoodness2 min read
Nov 14, 2021Blessed are the PoorAfter a nearly 4-month hiatus, my co-workers and I finally returned to conducting fieldwork. This means walking through narrow eskinitas littered with opened candy and shampoo wrappers, side-stepping horse dung trailing along the ground, and avoiding puddles of water from the nearby canal. …Goodness3 min readGoodness3 min read
Jul 27, 2021Collective Effervescence and the Filipino SpiritIf you, like me, watched Ms Hidilyn Diaz lift up a record-breaking 127kg barbell just yesterday, then you probably found yourself filled with pure euphoria. Pride overwhelmed me. And I, in all honesty, couldn’t help but shed a few tears at the sight of Ms Hidilyn herself be filled with…Olympics3 min readOlympics3 min read
Jul 2, 20214 Things I Learnt In My 23rd YearMy 23rd year was probably the best one yet. Goals that I planned for many years prior finally came to fruition. I spent the first six months of my 23rd year enjoying my last few moments in Melbourne. …Birthday4 min readBirthday4 min read
May 22, 2021Life… is a lot like baking.Life is a lot like baking. I often reflect on this thought whenever I find myself inspired to bake. I love how repetitive and cathartic it can be. It’s one of my favourite ways to destress. However, on some days it can get completely messy and can consume my day…Reflections5 min readReflections5 min read
May 10, 2021Finding Meaning in Meaningful WorkWhat does it mean to be a development worker? If you read this blog with the hope to have this question answered, I am sorry to say that I do not know the answer. Nor am I close to understanding the full meaning of this query. …Development Work3 min readDevelopment Work3 min read
Mar 20, 2021A love letter to MelbourneI have now lived in 3 countries. My family moved into different condominiums 6 times in Singapore over the span of our 8-year stay. I lived for 5 years in a rented apartment in the heart of Melbourne during my time in University. But prior to that, I resided in…Melbourne5 min readMelbourne5 min read
