“If God were good, He would wish to make His creatures perfectly happy, and if God were almighty He would be able to do what He wished. But the creatures are not happy, therefore God lacks either goodness, or power, or both. That is the problem of pain, in its simplest form.” With a remarkably vast comprehension of multiple disciplines, all of which he can speak … Continue reading When Tragedies on Earth Point Us to Heavenly Hope
When I woke up this morning, the first thing I did was access my Facebook Newsfeed, a bad habit I developed over the COVID-19 lockdown in Manila. To start the day with this is the worst thing I can do nowadays, for I’d be sending myself off an emotional roulette, not knowing what I’ll end up reading and how it would make me feel. I … Continue reading Three Things We Can Do to Deal With the Digital Chaos of COVID-19
I attended a business event in Beijing earlier this year, where about thirty real estate professionals from all over the world, donned in black suits, and women in body-hugging work dresses and high heels ruled. As I scanned through the room, it seemed to me I was the youngest one there. An old man in his eighties, who seemed too aged to be taking on … Continue reading When I Met Raymond (Beijing, April 2018)
The kids of Nowa Huta’s Schola 100 seemed years beyond their age, at least, coming from what I was used to. Each made an effort to carry their teachers’ burdens. During meal time, they take the initiative to clear the table and wash the dishes and even forbade me to help them (!!). The older kids, with a strong sense of responsibility, lead the younger … Continue reading How These Polish Kids Schooled Me
Last month, I went on a four-week trip to Eastern Europe, with Kraków, Poland as a base, and explored nearby countries during weekends. I was alone half the time, with the remaining half spent with either the primary school students I was assigned to teach (as volunteer of a project), or my dearest roommates (who are volunteers, as well). One of the lines of literature … Continue reading A Renaissance in Europe
Among the many riveting facets of this Polish city is the grievous history that took place on its grounds. Throughout the month that I’ve stayed, vignettes of its haunting past have slowly opened its doors, beckoning for me to enter, to explore and to understand the events that made up the most destructive war in history and the part this town has played and witnessed. … Continue reading The Holocaust History of Krakow, A Virtual Tour (May 2018)
After a month-long trip to Europe, having had plenty of time to reflect, a long car ride put me in an easy, pensive mood. In the Western world, the psyche seems to have a more objective understanding of one’s circumstances, and consequently, one’s responses to them. As such, I’ve endeavored to step further outside myself, as well. Which do you often listen to–your fears … Continue reading The Daily Dreaming 2: The Self, from a Vantage Point
So guys, my thoughts get constipated and, well, as if Twitter and Instagram and tolerant friends aren’t enough, I have to let it out somewhere. I totally forgot what I made a blog for in the first place. Wasn’t that what blogs were made for, to journal with? I try to excruciatingly organize my thoughts, pressure my writing and catch myself going, ‘but, you have … Continue reading The Daily Dreaming 1: on showers, consistency, and asking questions
It has been a year of discovery. It has been a year of building relationships. It has been a year of humble progress, quiet restoration, and most of all, clarity and understanding. Clarity and understanding of the self: its limitations, its mysteries, its inclinations. A reorientation, as well, toward the True North. The certainty of being in tune with myself, of being consistent in mind … Continue reading Twenty-four.
My youthful soul was in every bit giddy after learning about my favorite band’s intended visit to the Philippines. After almost a decade of longing (and voicing out that almost painful desire on Twitter), they finally decided to put an end to the shrugging and made Manila one of their stops in their AHFOD tour. I didn’t think twice about picking the closest area to … Continue reading A Head Full of Dreams (April 2017)
Heart light, mind bright 