unromantic girl

It’s that time of the year again! June is here, which means BTS’s anniversary is just around the corner, and the Festa celebrations are in full swing. I am so incredibly excited because on the 13th, my friends and I are coming together to watch the Festa concert. There is nothing quite like sharing that energy with fellow ARMYs. To get myself fully into the Festa spirit, I’ve been diving back…

If you told my high school self that I’d still be deeply invested in Japanese animation in my late thirties, I probably would have believed you—but I don’t think I realized how much these stories would mean to me as an adult. Lately, I’ve been watching a ton of anime, and honestly? I will never tire of rewatching my favorites. Despite nearing the big 4-0, I will absolutely, without hesitation,…

Want to dive into the rich world of Philippine Literature but don’t know where to start? The landscape of Filipino writing is vast, deeply emotional, and fiercely political. To help you take your first steps, here are three essential reads that perfectly capture the Filipino soul, spanning different eras, genres, and struggles. 1. “Noli Me Tangere” by Jose Rizal Published in 1887 during the…

The heat is on, and the ocean is calling! There is absolutely nothing like the feeling of the first warm summer breeze hitting your face as you head toward the water. Whether you’re a total beach bum who loves the feel of sand between your toes or a poolside lounger who prefers a refreshing dip in the blue, summer is the ultimate time to reset. I’ve been prepping for my own getaway, and I’ve…

It is officially summertime again, and it feels like everyone is packing their bags and heading straight for the waves! While the ocean is beautiful, I’ll let you in on a little secret: I’m not exactly the type to spend hours soaking in the water. For me, the perfect beach day happens under the cool comfort of a wide umbrella or a palm tree’s shadow. Books are an absolute essential for my…

Have you ever finished a book and just… stared at the wall for ten minutes because your brain didn’t know how to go back to reality? That’s exactly where I’ve been lately. These five stories hit me so hard that I’ve been dying to tell you about them. They aren’t exactly “light reads”, but they are the kind of stories that change how you look at the world, your relationships, and society as a…

I’ve been a book collector for as long as I can remember. There is something so special about the weight of a paperback and the smell of the pages, isn’t there? For years, I was that person who always had at least one or two books tucked into my bag every time I left the house. Whether I was commuting, waiting for friends to show up, or just chilling at a coffee shop, a book was my constant…

Living in the middle of a city jungle has its perks, but for our feline friends, being cooped up inside a condo can sometimes be a bit stressful. As a working professional, I’ll be the first to admit: when I get into the “zone” with my work, I tend to tune out everything around me—and sometimes, I feel so guilty because I even forget my little companion is right there waiting for a play…

There is something incredibly magical about the sound of rain tapping against the window while you’re curled up under a soft blanket with a warm drink. For me, rainy nights are for soul-searching and getting lost in stories that tug at your heartstrings. These three books on my shelf might not be my absolute “all-time” top favorites, but they are the ones I would recommend to anyone without…

Hey fellow cat parents! 🐾 If there’s one thing we all love, it’s our feline best friends (shoutout to my main man, Bepo!). But if there’s one thing we don’t love? It’s the dreaded “litter box smell” that can sometimes take over the house. I’ve always believed that being a cat owner doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your home’s aesthetic or fresh scent. Bepo is a king, and he deserves a throne…

We never really clicked as soon as we met. Rather, we ignored each other and barely acknowledged each other’s presence every time we see each other in the corridor. Yes, we smile and nod, but we never talk to each other when we’re alone. We always need the presence of our other friends for us to join in the conversation. “I think this is the first time I saw you being this quiet.” This is what…

I’m still sleepy, but you’re already dragging me out of bed. We had a long day yesterday and I’m still exhausted from all the walking that we did. Still, I stood up and groggily stand beside you as you are enjoying the sunrise. Absent-mindedly, you hand me the cup of coffee that you are holding. Seeing your happy face is enough to wake me up. I waited patiently beside you until the sun is way up…

It was the longest night of my life. I don’t know how long I’ve been swimming in this murky water. I don’t see any place that I can rest on. I’ve been calling on my human, but I can’t see him. I got separated from them last night. It was very dark. The water is not too deep yet. The whole family decided to leave the house when the rain and wind stopped. I thought we were going on a vacation. It’s…

I thank the stars that I met you.

Every night, I pray for this day to come. There are times that I imagine that we meet in a coffee shop. You, pulling up a chair at my table as if we have known each other already and me glaring at you because you invaded my privacy. Other times, I imagine us meeting in a bookstore. I will be browsing for a new book to read and then I would hear you arguing…

Sa gitna ng kadiliman, andyan ka

Lahat ng nilalang ng gabi ikaw ang hanap.

Matitinag kahit ang pinaka-magandang bulaklak.

Ang taglay mong liwanag ang siyang gabay,

Kinikilalang bantay at gabay ng nawawa sa

gitna ng kadiliman.

Ngayon, bukas, ikaw lang ang aming hinihintay.

Buhay ang bitbit sa mga anak ng gabi,

Waring taglay ay kalinawan sa mga naguguluhan at…

(Part 1)

“Are you the new girl?”

Out of nowhere, you popped out and invaded my privacy. Am I the– oh my gods, I’ve only been with the company for barely a month and for sure, I’m the new girl since it’s obvious that you know everyone. Of course I did not say that aloud. You don’t know me and you don’t know for sure the level of sarcasm that I have.

“Yes, I am,” is what I answered. “Is…

Aliptaptap, alitaptap

Ako’y nananabik sa iyong pagkukutitap

Taglay mong liwanag

Pagkabata ko sayo’y panatag.

Alitaptap, alitaptap

Ako’y napapangiti kapag ako’y nakatingala sa ulap

Taglay mong kinang

Sa mga mata ko’y nagbibigay linaw.

Alitaptap, alitaptap

Ako’y nag-aabang sa iyong muling pagtatanghal

Taglay mong kislap

Wari’y paputok dala mo sa…