Thoughts on being a better version of myself, helping people & organizations present better stories, and making the world a better place
I read an article many years ago that mentioned the stereotype of the Filipino maid in Singapore. The article started with, "One of Singapore's most popular comic characters happens to be a Filipino maid called Leticia Bongnino." I mulled this strange thought as I sat across the President of Singapore, Halimah Yacob, for dinner. If … Continue reading Perception, Reality and Cohesive Societies
I've always said that my feet step in two worlds. In one world, I inherited the Catholic heritage of my father, a native of Zamboanga, a former seminarian, and the person who had always reminded me to keep, in Chavacano, el temor de dios. Fear of God. In another world, I wear this hijab in … Continue reading Two Worlds: Growing Up Both Muslim and Catholic in the Philippines
Last night, I watched the last episode of the final season of Game of Thrones unfold. It was an end to war, an end to bickering, and an end to the game of thrones. No matter what your opinion is on the turn the series took, it was an important moment. I watched the first … Continue reading An End to the Game of Thrones
In a world invaded by smartphones and laptops and screens, face a book or a notebook for a few hours. It might take a while but, eventually, the thoughts will come pouring. This is you, without the sharp pings of notifications. This is you, without the endless cycle of one Netflix show after another. This … Continue reading The Harder it Gets to Find Silence, the More Necessary it Will Be
(This article was originally published in the Youngblood column of the Philippine Daily Inquirer). It always started with Instagram. Exactly one year ago, I would be most likely lying on my side, phone in hand, scrolling through an endless stream of glitzy images and videos of models, celebrities and little furry pets on Instagram. Then, … Continue reading Every day is Day One
When I was barely 20, '30 Under 30' lists inspired the heck out of me. They told me, "Hey, young people out there are achieving so many great things. If they can do it, so can I!" But today, as I approach my mid-20's, '30 Under 30' lists are starting to make me feel a … Continue reading A Word of Caution on ’30 Under 30′ Lists
"Genius too does nothing but learn first how to lay bricks then how to build, and continually seek for material and continually form itself around it. Every activity of man is amazingly complicated, not only that of the genius: but none is a 'miracle'." Friedrich Nietzsche Albert Einstein, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Leonardo da Vinci. We've … Continue reading A Guide to Mastery for the Average Human Being
(I had the privilege to join the Young Societal Leaders program of the Singapore Summit, where 22 young leaders from all over Asia spent 5 days in Singapore being mentored by government ministers, top CEO's in the Asia Pacific, heads of international NGO's and more. Here are some insights from that trip.) I sat at … Continue reading Singapore: The Merit of Meritocracy and What the Philippines Can Learn
(This was originally posted on my Facebook account and had so unexpectedly gone viral, with currently 34,000 likes, 15,000 shares and a surprising feature on Rappler. Sharing it here to spark more conversations on quality Philippine movies.) Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral was frustrating. But you HAVE to watch it and be frustrated too. Let me explain. … Continue reading Unmasking (and learning from) Heneral Goyo
Today, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). Well and good. Coming from a family with roots from Sulu and Zamboanga, I understand why Muslim Filipinos have long struggled for autonomy. I now hope - along with most others - that the BOL becomes a concrete step in attaining peace. With the involvement … Continue reading Why the Bangsamoro Organic Law Will Not Be Enough
