How to Learn Science: More ‘Big Bang Theory’, Less Memorization

These past months have been tough. After the "precedented times" pre-2020, we've found ourselves getting hit by crisis after crisis. COVID-19. The lockdowns. Economic losses. Despite the world's heroic push for vaccination, we've still been hit by one variant after another. Delta. Omicron. In the Philippines, we've also faced super typhoons, and let's face it: … Continue reading How to Learn Science: More ‘Big Bang Theory’, Less Memorization →

Why You Need to Rest to Work Better

On ne règne sur les âmes que par le calme.One leads by calm.French maxim cited by Clementine Churchill to her husband I recently read The Splendid and The Vile by Erik Larson, a masterful story-telling of the The Blitz - the nearly year-long bombing of the United Kingdom by Nazi Germany during World War 2. … Continue reading Why You Need to Rest to Work Better →

Youth Leadership: Growing Slowly (and Compassionately) in a Pandemic

In the past months, I had the privilege of speaking in several youth leadership webinars. During these webinars, I usually talk about my experience leading a non-profit organization from when I was a teenager, the successes and failures I've had, and what I learned along the way. Lately, I noticed a trend. The most common … Continue reading Youth Leadership: Growing Slowly (and Compassionately) in a Pandemic →

Van Gogh, Dune, and Lessons for the 21st Century

Earlier this year, I wrote about seven books which became close companions amid the lonely days of quarantine in Manila. To close my 2020 literary journey, I'd like to share about three more books which took me on a roller coaster ride of insights, emotions, and internal debates overlaid onto a similarly tumultuous year. I … Continue reading Van Gogh, Dune, and Lessons for the 21st Century →

6 Make-or-Break Questions I Should’ve Asked Myself as a Student

"Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel." Socrates Schools will never be the same after COVID-19. For the first time, many educational institutions have to radically rethink the process of learning from the ground up. As we struggle with possibly extended periods of physical distancing and the inequalities in … Continue reading 6 Make-or-Break Questions I Should’ve Asked Myself as a Student →

Why Aren’t People Convinced By Facts and Reason?

As the war against COVID-19 wages in hospitals, government offices, and empty streets, a different battle is being played out in the news, on social media, and in our minds and hearts. Early insights show that citizens in the US differed in how they would personally act on COVID-19 based on their political leaning, with … Continue reading Why Aren’t People Convinced By Facts and Reason? →

A Tribute to Books in These Un-Book-Friendly Times

"Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light." Vera Nazarian It's not easy to read an actual book these days. Picture this: Wake up in the morning. Open book. Receive e-mail notification. Close book. Read e-mail. Respond. Open laptop. The work day starts. Break for … Continue reading A Tribute to Books in These Un-Book-Friendly Times →

Meditating with Marcus: Lessons from Stoicism

I've made a very good friend in the past year or so. Through my ups and downs, he's become a companion, a mentor. I consult him when I fail. When I succeed, he gives his input to show me what could be next. He's taught me the practical value of philosophy and, now, a big … Continue reading Meditating with Marcus: Lessons from Stoicism →

Work Hard, Speak Better: An Introduction to Good Public Speaking

At your age the best way you can improve yourself is to learn to communicate better. Your results in life will be magnified if you can communicate them better. The only diploma I hang in my office is the communications diploma I got from Dale Carnegie in 1952… Without good communication skills you won’t be … Continue reading Work Hard, Speak Better: An Introduction to Good Public Speaking →