Lucky to be alive
To those left behind by the ones they loved, this is for us. It was an ordinary Sunday for me,...
What remains of me
I began living on my own at 16, not fully, perhaps, but far enough from home to feel it. Senior...
Growing up means calling your mom first
At 16, I rolled my eyes. At 21, I text her everything. Five years ago, I was convinced I had...
Where are my two lines?
I did it again. I promised myself I wouldn’t take an ovulation test. But I couldn’t stop myself. I’m more...
Four-cornered love
There is a certain chokehold only “balikbayan” boxes have on me—a grip that starts the moment Mama calls and says,...
‘Carinderia’ memories with Tatay
One of my favorite parts of traveling with my late father for his sales job was our lunch breaks. Each...
Running and running away
Four years old This early memory is hazy, like the clouds of that windy day, when I had been wailing...
Fog
Trigger warning: Mention of suicidal ideations. If you were to ask me what my greatest failure in life is, it...
Raised by singles
Why are others’ daddies and mommies married? Why are Daddy and Mommy siblings?” That was a question I remember having...
No kids, no less
“When are you having kids?” It’s a question that used to roll off the tongues of “titas” and “titos” like...
