The Weekend Pages

During my internship, I had the privilege of being mentored by Ms. Joje Ann Dolotina from Concentrix. One of the things I treasure most are our little morning chats when it was just the two of us in the office; no pressure, no noise, just honest conversations about life, purpose, and everything in between. Those moments felt like breathing space before the day officially started. She connected with me in a way that went beyond work. She reached me emotionally and spiritually, and I’ll always be grateful for that. She listened without judgment, guided with so much gentleness, and reminded me of who I could become. The next day, we received this message blast from her.  Everything that happens in your life carries a purpose.  Some moments come to fulfill you.  Some arrive to disrupt your plans.  Some exist only to reroute your path.  Some are here to teach you what you didn't know you needed.  You might not see the reason yet, but time has a way of revealing ...

Ah, Siquijor. How magical you are. I swear, every time I think about that island, my heart gets this quiet little ache, the good kind, the kind that makes you want to pack your bags and disappear for a weekend just to breathe softer again. Earlier this year, Pat and I went to Siquijor to celebrate our anniversary. It was our first trip together, so everything felt extra special, extra new, and extra us . Before we even got there, the planning stage already felt like an adventure. We spent weeks saving up, checking out accommodations, and hunting for the best deals we could find. I took charge of the itinerary — of course — and carefully mapped out the spots we'd visit, the beaches we'd see, and the hours we’d spend doing absolutely nothing. Something was grounding about planning a trip for two… it made me excited in a quiet, steady way. When the day finally came, we caught the earliest ferry to the island. The moment we arrived, it felt like the whole place whispered, “Slow do...

Sometimes, I feel like I fail as a friend, or maybe it’s better to say that I sometimes fail to show up the way I want to. Let me explain. There are days when I intentionally leave messages unopened because I just don’t have the mental space to take on anyone else’s load. It’s not that I don’t care; I actually care too much. But when I’m overwhelmed, it takes hours for me to feel okay again… and that means it also takes hours before I can respond. This shift started back in 2024. I’m not sure what changed, but I found myself shutting down more often than usual. Maybe it was the weight of everything I’d been holding in. Maybe I was just exhausted. Or maybe I simply reached a point where my mind and heart needed rest, even if I didn’t know how to ask for it. With this confession came a realization that I need to pour more love, care, and time into myself,  to recover, to reset, and to make space for what actually matters. I plan to keep my blog as much as possible since I've bee...

While waiting for my thesis adviser, I wandered around SM North EDSA, and eventually found myself inside Papemelroti, a store I’ve always associated with quiet reminders and little pieces of inspiration. There, I met Atty. (I wish I remembered his name). He mentioned that he teaches law at UP Diliman and that he’s originally from Iloilo. We talked about sacrifices. Mine came easily: sleepless nights, emotional strain, and financial challenges. His was simple but heavy — the long hours he spent reading thick law books back when he was still a student. I told him that back in high school, I once dreamed of becoming a lawyer. It took me a lot of detours and setbacks just to reach this phase of my undergraduate course. I also shared why I’m here in Manila, even though I live all the way back in Mindanao. He said he’s been in Manila ever since he started law school. I opened up about my hobbies: reading, painting, blogging, and hiking. He seemed fascinated. I mentioned how I keep souven...

To see beauty in everything is to live with open eyes and a grateful heart. From the sky that shifts its colors with each passing hour, to the quiet resilience of a flower blooming in the cracks of the pavement. Beauty isn’t always loud or grand, it often hides in the ordinary, waiting for us to notice. The sky teaches me patience. Its changing hues remind me that nothing stays the same forever, and that transitions— whether gentle or stormy— are part of life’s rhythm. The flower in the pavement reminds me of resilience, of how growth can happen even in the harshest conditions. And the crowded streets, with all their chaos and noise, remind me that there is harmony in diversity, a rhythm in the everyday rush. This was the view from my old place. After the heavy rain, there’s this calm that settles in. It feels like the world is exhaling, and I get to breathe with it. The gloomy sky takes me back to memories of times long gone, yet it also teaches me acceptance, to let go of what I cann...

Today, I didn't just watched the film,  I was ushered into God's embrace.  The animated adaptation of The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran wasn’t merely a viewing experience; it was a spiritual immersion. Gibran’s words felt like a soul encounter. They wrapped my heart in warmth and tenderness, like a quiet embrace from something eternal. Each phrase landed softly, as if the universe itself had paused to whisper wisdom into my ear. I didn’t just hear his teachings, I felt them.  They curled into the quiet corners of my heart, warming places I hadn’t realized were cold. There was a moment—many moments, really—when I cried. Not from sadness, but from recognition. Gibran’s poetry stirred something sacred and dormant within me. His reflections on love, freedom, pain, and joy weren’t just lessons, they were windows and echoes of lost voices. I haven’t finished the book yet, but I chose to watch the adaptation first and it was heartwarming. It was comforting.  For a mome...