The Simple Life

While some people prefer the night trip for long-distance road travel, I, when alone, like traveling during the day. While comfortably seated by the window, I draw the curtains up the bus window and take in the view. The countryside has always had this calming effect on me. I see not skyscrapers but mountains. [...]

An afternoon with Chayen and Robin Padilla

My youngest sister Chayen is back in the house–at least for two days and two nights. With her husband Regie away for a planning in Baguio, she decided to sleep in her old bed and stay in her old room, pre-Mrs. Emperado days.
Part of our mid-morning conversation went like this:
Chayen: Pasok na lang kaya ako [...]

At Gloria Jean’s

On my way home from a publicity stint at a teachers’ seminar, I decide to stop by Gloria Jean’s. Partly to escape the house which feels more like an oven; mainly to use the borrowed PDA keyboard from my silly and serious techie friend Aleks. I figured, as long as it’s with me, I’m going [...]

Kiping Up with the Tagalogs

For a day, no rainbow appeared anywhere in the world. All rainbows were bottled, shipped to a small town in Quezon, mixed with ground rice, pressed against leaves then left to dry in the sun to make kiping! These kipings were then used to decorate houses, sold as food (Inihaw or fried kiping, anyone?) or [...]