Category Archives: Writings

Trying to Exist Without Shrinking

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Lately, I’ve been carrying around this feeling that things just aren’t going the way I want them to. I know that’s not unusual—life rarely follows a straight line, and I’ve made my peace with that, at least intellectually. I understand that setbacks happen, plans shift, and sometimes you just have to sit with discomfort until it passes.

But what’s been harder to accept is where that discomfort is coming from.

The people who are supposed to support me—the ones who should feel like solid ground—sometimes feel like the very ones pulling me down. Instead of lifting me up, I feel trapped in a space I don’t recognize or want to be in. It’s exhausting to feel like you’re constantly pushing forward while the people around you are quietly—or not so quietly—holding you back.

Most of the time, I feel alone. Even when I’m surrounded by people. Even when the room is full and the conversations are loud, there’s this persistent emptiness, this sense that I’m standing on the outside looking in. It feels like, at the end of the day, I only have myself. No real support system. No safe place to land when things get heavy. Continue reading →

The Water Teaches You Twice: From Competition to Connection

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I used to be a fast swimmer—competitive, powerful, and always racing the clock. Back then, everything was about speed, about shaving off seconds, about proving how far and how fast I could go. There was a thrill in it, an almost electric rush that came with the sound of the whistle, the push off the wall, and the relentless pursuit of the finish line.

These days, my pace is different. I move slower in the water, not because I’ve lost my love for swimming, but because my relationship with it has changed. Ever since I discovered freediving and shifted my focus to breath-hold and efficiency, I’ve learned that swimming isn’t only about power—it’s also about presence.

I won’t lie: sometimes I do miss the adrenaline of competition, the structure of training programs, and the satisfaction of measurable progress. But freediving gave me something I didn’t know I was missing. It showed me the beauty of silence, of slowing down, of letting the water hold me instead of constantly pushing against it.

Swimming in a pool and swimming in the ocean are two completely different experiences. A pool is measured, predictable, neatly divided by lanes and time. The ocean, on the other hand, is vast and alive—always shifting, never the same twice. Both test you, but freediving has taught me a deeper kind of discipline: to be still, to listen closely, to surrender control, and trust the water in a way I never did before.

It’s no longer about racing against the clock—it’s about finding calm in the depths, about moving in harmony with something greater than myself. And in that stillness, I’ve found a freedom I never felt, even at my fastest.

Jiufen: A Spirited Stroll

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Jiufen, Taiwan ~ I truly enjoyed the ambiance of this little mountain town. Now I completely understand why people always say that Jiufen gives off Studio Ghibli vibes—because it genuinely does! Wandering through its narrow, winding alleys felt like stepping into a whimsical, animated world. The red lanterns swaying in the breeze, the old tea houses perched on the hillside, and the mist rolling in from the mountains all create a dreamy, almost otherworldly atmosphere. Continue reading →

🔖 A Bookmark in Beitou

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One of the highlights of our visit to Taiwan was spending time at the Taipei Public Library in Beitou District. It was another surreal moment for me, as I used to only see it in photos—and now I can say that I’ve seen it in person and can attest to its beautiful architecture. Nestled in the heart of Beitou Park, this stunning eco-friendly library is often praised as one of the greenest buildings in Taiwan—and stepping inside, it’s easy to see why it’s so beloved by locals and travelers alike.

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Finding My Voice Again: Writing with More Heart

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You might have noticed a shift in my writing style lately—and it’s very much intentional. I’ve been trying to write with more depth and genuine passion, letting my words carry more of what I truly feel and see. Looking back at some of my older posts, especially about our travels, I realized how much they lacked the heart and honesty I wanted them to have. Many of them felt rushed, a bit messy, and honestly, I rarely took the time to proofread. I used to just hit “publish” without a second thought, eager to share but not really caring how my words came across.

I’ve come to understand that writing, like any other craft, needs time, patience, and care. I don’t want my creative writing skills to become rusty or forgotten, especially when writing has always been such an important part of who I am. So I’m making it a point to slow down—to practice more, to revisit what I’ve learned from my past courses and certifications, and to simply enjoy the process again.

These days, I find myself paying more attention to the small details: the way a place made me feel, the fleeting moments that deserve to be remembered, the words that can bring a memory back to life. It’s not about writing something perfect—it’s about capturing something real, something that feels true to me.

In many ways, this change feels like coming home to myself. It’s a promise to keep nurturing this side of me, to write not just for the sake of sharing but also for the joy of creating. I hope you feel that shift when you read my posts now—more thoughtful, a bit more raw, and hopefully a lot more me.

𝗗𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁 & 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

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Dumaguete has long been a haven for art, literature, and culture, drawing creatives from all over the Philippines and beyond. There’s just something about the city’s laid-back vibe, rich history, and strong academic presence that makes it the perfect place for artistic expression to thrive.

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𝗟𝗮𝘇𝗶 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 & 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁

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Lazi Church, officially known as San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, is one of Siquijor’s most well-known historical landmarks. Built in 1884 during the Spanish colonial period, it was constructed using coral stones and hardwood, which gives it that classic old-world charm. The church has a simple yet striking neoclassical facade, and stepping inside, you’ll find a beautifully preserved wooden interior that still carries the echoes of the past.

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The Girl Who Reads

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I like being known as “the girl who reads”.

I like that when people see a book, they think of me. That when someone stumbles across a cozy bookstore or a bookish meme, they send it my way. That when they need a recommendation, they ask me.

I love when people notice my heavily tabbed books and ask, “What do all the colors mean?” I love when someone gives me a book because they know it’s the best gift I could ever receive. I love when a friend picks up something I raved about and messages me in all caps because they finally understand why I was so obsessed.

Being known as the girl who reads means being known for curiosity, for wandering into different worlds, for getting a little too attached to fictional characters. It means being the person who always has a book on hand, who will absolutely ignore reality for a good story, who disappears into books and comes back just a little changed every time.

Some people are known for their sense of humor, their aesthetic, their passions. I’m known for my love of stories. And if that makes me seem boring to some people, that’s fine. My whole personality might revolve around books and reading, but honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

A Life Shaped by Pages

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I honestly can’t remember a time when books weren’t a part of my life. Some of my earliest memories involve flipping through pages, completely absorbed in stories that felt more vivid than reality. It started with fairy tales—talking animals, lost princesses, enchanted forests—and over time, my taste shifted, but the love for reading never faded.

As a child, I didn’t quite understand the gravity of reading. It was simply a way to pass the time when I wasn’t playing or watching TV. But looking back, I can pinpoint numerous moments where books influenced me, and I realized that reading has been one of the most constant threads in my personal development. They’ve taught me patience, perspective, and how to sit with uncertainty. They’ve kept me company through different phases of life, whether I was completely overwhelmed or just needed an escape. Through books, I’ve traveled to places I’ve never been, slipped into the minds of people who see the world differently, and experienced emotions I might not have encountered otherwise.

I’ve always been drawn to stories that make me feel something—romance that tugs at my heart, thrillers that keep me on edge, horror that unsettles me just enough, and fantasy that demands full attention. Some books stick with me long after I finish them, while others are just quick distractions. Either way, every book I’ve read has added something, even if it’s just the memory of how it made me feel at the time.

And while I don’t always have the time or headspace for heavy reads, I know I’ll always come back to them. Reading isn’t just a hobby—it’s one of the few constants in my life. Even when I take a break, I always find my way back.