Posts

Our Generation Loves Performance

-
Image
I took a break from social media for a very long time because I think it has been heavily affecting my mind. Before I did, as I scrolled through it, I kept seeing posts regarding AI misuse, failing systems, LOTS of animal abuse, racism, ableism, and other problems that we are facing. Most of those posts came from the same people I know who use AI for things as simple as their Facebook post captions, receive money from politicians in exchange for their votes, and love making fun of these existing problems as part of their “dark humor.” I am currently graduating as a secondary education student, and during assistantship, I encountered a lot of future teachers who love making fun of people, especially children with special needs. I hate how these aspiring educators think that the stimming behaviors of a child with autism are funny. These are the same educators I heard discussing what inclusive and progressive education is. I heard strangers conversing about someone who went to a rally f...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Sip That Feels Like Home— Antahan Cafe

-
Image
     Happy Monday everyone! Today, I want to feature a place that’s close to my heart — a place that feels like home — Antahan Cafe . I’m one of their regulars, so this review might be a little biased. Last Saturday, I decided to switch things up and visited their main branch at Tugatog , instead of my usual spot at Longos. Unlike the second branch (Longos), the Tugatog branch doesn’t have an indoor area where you can lounge on a comfy sofa, enjoy the air conditioning, or hear the cheerful chatter of other customers (fondly called “Kapitbahays”). But that’s what makes it charming in its own way. At Tugatog, you get to feel the gentle touch of the afternoon breeze and the calm rhythm of the neighborhood. Customers usually drop by one at a time, often for take-out, so the space feels peaceful — a perfect spot for writing and reflection without distractions. That afternoon, I ordered an Iced White Mocha and paired it with a Sugar Trend Premium Donut (Strawberry flavor) . ...
Post a Comment
Location: 28 Pureza St, Malabon, 1470 Metro Manila, Philippines
Read more

A Cozy Corner Called Eskina

-
Image
       Hey everyone, it’s been a while! I’ve been caught up with personal stuff lately, so I finally had the chance to write again tonight. This blog will be a little different from my usual posts because I’ll be sharing a quick review of a coffee shop I visited yesterday.      Since face-to-face classes got suspended, I looked for a cozy and comfortable place where I could focus on my online classes—and I’m glad I found Eskina Coffee! This is actually my second visit, and I’ll definitely be coming back again. The place is small but very accommodating, and I love its minimalist interior.      During my first visit, I ordered their Hot Sikwate (Chocolate) and Tapa with Rice. The chocolate was perfect—balanced, not too sweet nor too bitter—and the Tapa didn’t disappoint either. The serving size was just right for what you pay for.      Yesterday, I tried their Kape Illustrado, Pure Matcha, and Croissant. I rarely drink co...
Post a Comment
Read more

Heart of the Storm: Why BPD is Considered the Most Painful Mental Illness

-
Image
  Everyone wants to be an advocate for mental health—until they actually live with someone who has a mental health condition. It’s easy to romanticize Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) when all you see are quirky TV characters like Harley Quinn or Rapunzel from Tangled—chaotic but charming, unpredictable yet lovable. On screen, they’re funny, authentic, and adorably “random.” But the truth is, the real people those characters are based on aren’t living in fiction. They’re living in the middle of a cyclone. They’re in pain. And most of that pain happens off-screen, where no one is laughing. What BPD Really Means According to the Cleveland Clinic, Borderline Personality Disorder is a mental health condition marked by extreme mood swings, impulsive behaviors, and unstable relationships. Marsha Linehan, a world-renowned psychologist and fellow borderline, once described those with BPD as “people with third-degree burns over 90% of their bodies. Lacking emotional skin, they feel a...
Post a Comment
Read more

No Picks and Favors

-
Image
According to the dictionary, favorite means “preferred before all others of the same kind.” It can even serve as a trademark. Despite being a personal choice, however, a favorite is never purely personal—it can be shaped by culture, nostalgia, and lived experiences. As children, we often get to know others by asking about their favorites: What’s your favorite color? What’s your favorite food? Who’s your favorite hero or cartoon character? It was a simple way to see if we had something in common, to know what gift might make them happy, or sometimes even to judge their personality. But as I grew older, I found it difficult to answer. Maybe I’m indecisive. Maybe I don’t fully know myself yet. To avoid explaining, I often just blurted out the first thing that came to mind. Favorites can be limiting. They tell us that one thing is better than another, when in truth, nothing is the “best” at everything. Teresa Kenny once wrote: “We’ve all suffered from it and we’ve all done it to some...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Start That Took Its Time

-
Image
     I   have always been drawn to words. They are the threads that connect us to God, the foundation of religions, the spark behind theories, and the anchor of laws. Some people may say that words are useless without action, but I believe it goes both ways. After all, actions without words are like movements without meaning. It is a noun without verb—present, but incomplete. To be understood, to be remembered, they need to be spoken, written, named.      I can say that I showed my interest in writing at a very young age. My home was filled with books long befor e I even learned how to read them. In first grade, I wrote my first short story. By second grade, I recited my first poem. By sixth, I had written my first script. I grew up loving both facts and fantasies, not knowing which one to devote myself to—fiction or nonfiction. But one thing was always clear: I would write. I would write and carve my place in history. Whether my words contribute to sc...
Post a Comment
Read more