All Blog Posts
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End of Facebook Deactivation and Some Questions That Baffle the Mind
Yesterday was Facebook reactivation day, and what a day it is to see the newsfeed again. Congress has voted to give the Commission on Human Rights Php1,000 or USD20 for its next year’s budget. Obviously this is because the CHR has been vocal against the extra-judicial killings of drug addicts, including so-called collateral damage, under […]
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The level of anxiety one derives from social media
Sometimes one has to disconnect from social media to regain trust on oneself in times when the erosion of trust on institutions such as journalistic organizations or the academe has been more palpable than before. These times are challenging. Self-doubt is a cousin of anxiety.
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Around this time last year
Around this time last year was a beautiful start to a year of travels literally around the world from Manila to Aarhus to Milan to Berkeley and back to Manila. If one is to choose a city to live, Manila would be a difficult choice right now given the levels of air pollution and the density […]
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When rice is life
Don’t even joke about it. Somebody must have said this to Senator Villar when she suggested, and later denied, the banning of unlimited rice promos in restaurants to curb diabetes in the Philippines. But the damage has been done. Within hours after news broke, the poor senator is now one of the most hated politicians […]
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America
A week before US President Donald Trump took over the White House in January, I arrived in America. I was flying from Milan with connecting flights in Lisbon and New York, and I just finished writing the 10-page exam that sealed my first semester at Aarhus University in Denmark. I remember, all I wanted to do when I landed in my […]
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Six Uncomfortable First-Time Travel Experiences
Travelling is an amazing opportunity – and one you shouldn’t turn down if you get the chance. You’ll make life-long memories and have once-in-a-lifetime experiences, although not all of them will be memorable for the right reasons. Without a doubt, when travelling, you’ll have some uncomfortable first-time experiences. But don’t worry – within no time, […]
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Surfing
Today I was looking at the Pacific Ocean from one of the corners of California coast. The spot was a three or four hour drive from Berkeley. The waves were strong and the wind wild. Surfing comes to mind. One waits for the right wave to ride when surfing. When the big one comes, the […]
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If you are inconvenienced, scream
When a guy grabbed my behind while I was inserting a train ticket into the machine station in Milano one night after the 2017 New Year’s Eve, I screamed like one does when watching horror films. It was a weekday and there weren’t many people in the station. I was wearing shorts underneath a mini skirt but […]
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That moment I was mistaken for a nanny in Singapore
Weeks ago, the viral “BBC Dad” interview brought to surface one of the tiredest stereotypes of Asian women – nanny. In my travels in Europe and short stay here in the U.S., my brown skin has never drawn any racist remark or other tasteless judgment so far. I’m thankful I haven’t and hopeful I never will. I had […]
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Wine tasting in Sonoma and Napa
Whatever was I thinking when I thought California is small like a province? It isn’t. In fact, the state is so big and rich in resources – from farm produce to brilliant talents – that it can survive on its own. It’s even bigger than the Philippines. One of the state’s gift is wine. Napa, located in […]
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