6 days agoDear Anonymous Man Hiding in the ShadowsI bumped into you because I clicked on the YouTube link from the Twitter account of The Weekly Sillimanian, because the title of the video they were teasing intrigued me: “Tingog sa Kahilom: Silliman University During Martial Law.” [Link] I know all about voices in grim quiet — that is…14 min read14 min read
Aug 26What is the Silliman Spirit?A good friend of mine who’s been based in Dumaguete for years but has never studied at Silliman University playfully wondered out aloud during a meeting: “What is the Silliman Spirit?” Frankly, I don’t know. No one does. It beggars definition, but — it’s a feeling? A kind of zealous…3 min read3 min read
Aug 26How to Survive a High School ReunionFirst, before you go to the reunion — especially if it’s for your thirtieth year — take time to scan your old yearbook. Take a look at the…4 min read4 min read
Aug 19Birthday ReturnsAfter the ravages of the pandemic, I’ve now found myself back to teaching. It was a very long hiatus from that part of my life which had always defined me. When I took the leave without pay, it was essentially to take care of my spiraling mental health, but it…10 min read10 min read
Aug 4We Need a Tourism Reset for Negros OrientalOn the last day of July 2023, a Monday, all the roads in Dumaguete led to the Negros Oriental Provincial Capitol where — in the forecourt of the heritage building housing the office of the governor of the province — a tourism extravaganza was about to be unveiled. …8 min read8 min read
Jun 8Love is Paying AttentionThere is a dialogue at the beginning of Andre Aciman’s Find Me, his sequel to that tome of longing Call Me By Your Name, where we find Elio’s father on a train to Rome, and he’s having a conversation with a beautiful woman to whom he eventually confides: “It’s just…5 min read5 min read
Jun 2In Dumaguete, The Arts Flourish Part 14: Art in the Post-Pandemic — An EpilogueIn Shelter Gallery over in Tabuctubig, just as the month of May was easing into fruition, I stumbled on a show that was exhibiting works of such vitality, such strong presences, and such mindful meaningfulness that the apt response from any art lover might as well be worship. …11 min read11 min read
May 5At the 2023 Nick Joaquin Literary AwardsI’m back in Dumaguete after a brief visit to Manila, and everything still feels surreal. And wonderful. All at the same time. I know why. Please permit me in this space to celebrate a win. …5 min read5 min read
Apr 21A British Tea Shop in Coffee TownWhat is afternoon tea? We had to know. “Afternoon tea,” according to Elaine Lemm of The Spruce Eats, “is a British food tradition of sitting down for an afternoon treat of tea, sandwiches, scones, and cake. Afternoon tea is served around 4 p.m. When afternoon tea became fashionable in the…6 min read6 min read
Apr 21Catching Moments and Some WhimsyThe extraordinary thing sometimes about art we’ve come to love is to see them with completely fresh eyes. I have always loved Hersley-Ven Casero’s “Catch a Moment” photo series, ever since he started prowling the streets and byways of Dumaguete more than a decade ago to, well, “catch moments” with…8 min read8 min read
