Art and Earth Science by Grass
With Christmas just around the corner, handmade gifts are the ultimate expression of thoughtfulness. You’re giving not just an item, but a moment, a creative spark, a personal touch, with the person in mind. This year, instead of heading to the mall, why not gift something crafted with love—whether it’s a scented candle, a watercolor… Continue reading Simple and Affordable Handmade Christmas Gifts Ideas
The past few weeks, I’ve been busy, but not in the usual way. I haven't been rushing around with meetings or checking off a long list. Instead, I’ve been focusing on slowing down. I've realized that it’s difficult to take a moment to be still in this fast-paced world! Lately I’ve been intentional with my… Continue reading A Different Kind of Busy
Whenever I think about giving a gift to my friends or family, I often wonder: would they really appreciate a painting made by me? After all, not everyone collects art, visits galleries, or even talks about paintings in their daily lives. But the more I reflect on it, the more I realize that a handmade artwork is… Continue reading Why I Often Choose to Give Away My Paintings as Gifts to Friends, Colleagues, and Family
From August 14 to 17, 2025, Phuket, Thailand transformed into a living canvas as hundreds of urban sketchers from across the Asia-Pacific region gathered for the Asia-Link Sketchwalk Phuket 2025. Over four vibrant days, the island’s streets, heritage buildings, and waterfronts became backdrops for artists who came together to share their passion for on-location sketching. Four… Continue reading Sinours Phuket Edition: A Watercolor Souvenir from Asia-Link Sketchwalk Thailand 2025
For the past few weeks, I’ve shifted from booking Grab rides to commuting via public utility jeepneys (PUJs). At first, it was purely a financial decision. But over time, I realized that this simple shift gave me not just savings, but also lessons, habits, and experiences worth keeping. 1. A Huge Difference in Cost A… Continue reading From Grab to Jeepney: How I Save ₱7,500 a Month and Gain More
Recently, I found myself in need of a dermatologist’s advice for my persistent, itchy skin rashes. I ended up visiting two different doctors — and the contrast between their approaches couldn’t have been more striking. The first dermatologist took a quick glance at my skin. She didn’t ask much about my medical history, lifestyle, or… Continue reading A Tale of Two Dermatologists: Why a Second Opinion Matters
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
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
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)
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
The Fabulous Scientist 