Looking for practical gift ideas for your commuter friends in the Philippines? From dumpling bags to mini fans and pocketable raincoats, here’s the ultimate survival kit for everyday jeepney riders that you can give during birthdays or the upcoming Christmas! Every day, thousands of us brave the wild world of public commuting. Jeepneys, buses, tricycles,… Continue reading Practical Gift Ideas for the Everyday Public Commuter
Tag: Travel
Why I Often Choose to Give Away My Paintings as Gifts to Friends, Colleagues, and Family
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 Grab to Jeepney: How I Save ₱7,500 a Month and Gain More
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
Balik Tanaw: Returning to Nature at UP Diliman
Hi everyone! I know I haven’t blogged here in a while—life has just been so busy these past two weeks! But I’m still here. As I’ve shared before, my kids and I have recently developed a love for nature walks, where we observe birds and try to identify different trees wherever we go. Luckily, the… Continue reading Balik Tanaw: Returning to Nature at UP Diliman
A Geologist’s Journey into the Red Zone
Working as a geologist in the industry has given me access to places in the Philippines that most people will never set foot in—areas classified as "red zones," off-limits to tourists, and often overlooked on maps. For nearly five years, I was stationed in Mindanao, where some of the most remote and geologically hazardous sites… Continue reading A Geologist’s Journey into the Red Zone
A Dry Volcanic Caldera in the Philippines? Yes, we have one!
A caldera is a large, basin-shaped depression. It forms when a volcano's magma chamber empties during a massive eruption. The overlying land then collapses into the void. It is different from a volcanic crater. A volcanic crater is a smaller, bowl-shaped depression. It typically forms by the explosive release of gases at the surface. The formation of a… Continue reading A Dry Volcanic Caldera in the Philippines? Yes, we have one!
Building Dioramas as Creative Expression and for My Son’s Art and Science Project
Whenever I feel anxious about recent events, uncertainties, or life in general, I retreat into my creative zone. Crafting with my hands has always been my sanctuary, my way to de-stress, and what I often call my personal zen mode. For my anxiety I have had a few triggers. The typhoons that devastated my country… Continue reading Building Dioramas as Creative Expression and for My Son’s Art and Science Project
Product Review: JisuLife Portable and Rechargeable Handheld Fan
Disclaimer: I don’t earn any commission from discussing the products mentioned in this article. The following reviews are my honest feedback based on over a month of using this model. With that in mind, please make your purchase decisions with discretion. If you’re a commuter in the Philippines, actually, if you live in the Philippines,… Continue reading Product Review: JisuLife Portable and Rechargeable Handheld Fan
Sketching with and Review of Vinta Inks’ A Holiday Feast Edition (Bibingka, Tsokolate, and Puto Bumbong)
The Christmas season has already arrived in the Philippines, and for many of us, that means company holiday parties, camaraderie, reunions, feasts, and, of course, raffles! Raffles are one of my favorite parts of the season because I’ve had a lucky streak—winning nearly every raffle draw at my previous company’s Christmas parties. I’ve also been… Continue reading Sketching with and Review of Vinta Inks’ A Holiday Feast Edition (Bibingka, Tsokolate, and Puto Bumbong)
Capturing Waterfalls: Inspired by Core Memories and the Geological Processes Behind Their Formation
For some inexplicable reason, waterfalls became my favorite subject this week. There's something undeniably captivating about them. As I reflected on why, I realized it ties back to a core childhood memory. I love the way rocks are often scattered at the waterfall's base, the lush greenery surrounding them, the soothing sound of water crashing… Continue reading Capturing Waterfalls: Inspired by Core Memories and the Geological Processes Behind Their Formation