June 14, 2026
When I still lived in Hanoi, we played guess the word game over food and alcohol. I was with my group of friends, the usual ones. I badly wanted our team to win. When it was about cities, I knew it was my turn to shine. They gave me the […]
June 13, 2026
New York City is a mesmerizing chaos, where dreams clash and thrive amidst towering skyscrapers and bustling streets. I personally think there’s no place like it—every corner offers a story, a flavor, a glimpse into the soul of humanity. From the gritty charm of the Lower East Side to the […]
June 13, 2026
Paris, like to many of us, first came to me as an idea. Its images conjured in my head were the ones fed by the literatis who lived in this city, from Victor Hugo to Simone de Beauvoir. Hmm, okay, I majored in literature. Before there is Emily in Paris, […]
June 13, 2026
I’m always partial for European destinations that have coastal lines. So when I learned that there is an Italian coast near Ljubljana, Slovenia, I did not really waste any time and booked a trip to this city. And I did not regret my decision at all. Trieste, may not have […]
June 13, 2026
You’ve probably heard the saying: “You can take the person out of the island, but you can’t take the island out of the person.” For me, born and raised in the tropics, this rings especially true. Since relocating to Munich, Germany, one of my greatest challenges as an island creature […]
June 13, 2026
Venice isn’t my ultimate European love story (Vienna already swept me off my feet), but it’s hard not to respect a city that wears age like a velvet cloak. Aside from a quick coastal flirtation with Trieste, Venice is the only Italian city I’ve spent real time in—so no, I […]
June 13, 2026
Vienna in winter is like stepping into a snow globe someone gave a good, loving shake—buildings dusted with powdered sugar, streets glowing like they’re lit from the inside out. For someone raised in the tropical hug of the Philippines like me, winter always sounded like a heavy coat I didn’t […]
June 13, 2026
Let’s not dance around it – my three-night fling with Vienna as a solo female traveler was pure magic. Even in winter, when the city wraps itself in extra scarves and the trees look like they’re wearing sheer gowns stitched from breath and frost. Honestly, Vienna in winter is just […]
June 12, 2026
As an expat teacher in Hanoi for four years, I can honestly say this city has a pulse unlike any other. From the bustling streets filled with the scent of street food to the vibrant markets teeming with life, Hanoi is a place that inspires. I came here as an […]
June 12, 2026
I personally believe Joan Didion, Jennifer Egan, Mia Alvar, Eula Biss, and Ada Limon capture the essence of New York. These writers embody the city’s literary spirit, and its independent bookstores are a testament to this legacy. New York City’s independent bookstores are hidden gems offering an intimate dive into […]
June 12, 2026
Often, Siargao Island is described as a tear drop-shaped island. But, meh, I don’t buy it. It is more like a rough diamond cut, which was really the case some years ago. Siargao Island, although many locals will say otherwise, is gradually taking the route most popular destinations take. In […]
June 12, 2026
I wrote a short story set in Malapascua. It failed as a story. Malapascua, located in northern Cebu, some four hours away from the city, was one of my favorite destinations in Cebu. Almost every month, I found myself aboard the Ceres bus bound to Maya. I made some good […]