What Is Polaroid Film? Polaroid film, or instant film, is a type of film that develops a picture within minutes after it's taken. It has layers with light-sensitive chemicals. When you take a photo, light exposes the film like in traditional photography. As the photo comes out, rollers apply a chemical that develops the image.… Continue reading Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo (Brown Body) — My July Project’s New Star
Month: July 2025
How Sponge Cities Can Mitigate Metro Manila’s Flood Issues
Earlier this month, a fellow MS in Geology graduate who now works with the UP Resilience Institute and I discussed a bold, forward-looking idea: what if Metro Manila could reimagine itself not as a flood-prone metropolis struggling to cope with yearly inundations, but as a “sponge city", an urban landscape designed to live with water rather than fight… Continue reading How Sponge Cities Can Mitigate Metro Manila’s Flood Issues
Walking Among the Sunflowers and A Quiet and Victorious End to My Graduate Study (for now)
Earlier this week, I found myself walking alone among the sunflowers lining University Avenue in UP Diliman—my alma mater, my academic home. On an ordinary summer day, the late afternoon sun might have cast a golden light over everything. But it’s already the rainy season, and the skies that day were anything but clear. The… Continue reading Walking Among the Sunflowers and A Quiet and Victorious End to My Graduate Study (for now)
Teamwork, Avocados & a Surprise Win at the Master Chef Contest in the Office
Yesterday was no ordinary day at work. Instead of reports and meetings, my colleague and I rolled up our sleeves, tied on aprons, and stepped into the makeshift office kitchen spotlight to represent our department in this year’s Master Chef Challenge—and guess what? We won! The task sounded simple (but wasn’t): prepare healthy snacks in under 30 minutes using a surprise… Continue reading Teamwork, Avocados & a Surprise Win at the Master Chef Contest in the Office
A Surprise Gift from UMAE & Ladybug – A Taiwan-based Art Company
Photo of the "toys" from UMAE & Ladybug the day they arrived in the mail. A few months ago, I shared a blog post reviewing the UMAE & Ladybug watercolor paper block—a product that had genuinely impressed me with its quality. I included a few of my paintings done on the paper, thinking nothing more… Continue reading A Surprise Gift from UMAE & Ladybug – A Taiwan-based Art Company
Fountain Pen Review: Jinhao 58 Fountain Pen (EF Nib, Spring-Inspired Colorway)
Disclaimer: This review is based entirely on my personal experience after several hours of using the pen. I purchased the Jinhao 58 with my own money and do not receive any form of commission or sponsorship from the brand. All opinions shared here are my own. Please make purchase decisions at your own discretion. Hi, everyone!… Continue reading Fountain Pen Review: Jinhao 58 Fountain Pen (EF Nib, Spring-Inspired Colorway)