‘Pugon’
Perhaps one of the most ironic things I always heard from my mama when I was a child was, “Huwag...
The art of disappearing after graduation
I want to disappear after graduation. Not in a tragic way. Not in a dramatic, burning-bridges kind of exit. I...
License
Life used to be a comfortable car ride: Dad behind the wheel, directing the path; Mom in the front seat,...
Living on potatoes
This story originally appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on December 13, 2005. Cooking corned beef is fairly easy. You...
In shallow, stagnant waters
A slight drizzle washes through Katipunan. The sidewalks of a highly urban space are not particularly suited for late-night/early-hour strolls:...
Becoming in Korea
This student exchange program in South Korea feels like a lifeline for my 22-year-old self. I’ve grappled with persistent unease,...
What’s the plan?
I’m on the last roll of my 20s. Hell yes, I am scared. I grew up in a small town....
Fleeting friendships, lasting solitude
I often worry about the prospect of being alone—not the fleeting, temporary sense of the word, but rather, its more...
As the sakura trees bloom
When I came to Japan, I thought I was supposed to feel ecstatic. Who wouldn’t be? It was the end...
No more dishes left to wash
I’m not usually the type who finds doing household chores calming or relaxing. As disgusting as it may sound, I...