#batangas

Because the balisong originates from Batangas, specifically in the Taal region (which is mentioned in the Hi Nay episode "Noche Buena" as being where Mari's Lola [grandmother] settled and where she'd spend Christmases meeting nonhuman creatures), they're literally part of Mari's lineage through her Tatay.

(and now I need to draw her just wielding this knife when she decides that magic isn't enough 😂)

Quarry House, Laiya, San Juan, Batangas, Philippines,

𝓟𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓲𝓴𝓸 𝓰𝓲𝓻𝓵𝓼 🌺

THE MODE IS ON FOR WORK Time to make some money

As someone who often chooses his peace, I can get very selective when it comes to choosing which freelance job to take. I am not financially rich to be honest, at times I even experience tightening my belt. But my mental health is something I need to take care of, I can’t lose myself for money, and I can’t jeopardize my peace for a luxurious life. But for this May, I am glad to say that I have devoted it for work, and fortunately, I love the teams I got to work with.

In recent months, I am slowly penetrating the field of advertisement. I know that world could be stressful at times but the good thing is, the production houses that hire me are composed of some of the good people in the industry. I have started this month with a 3-day shoot and I was really happy with that one. The team was really chill yet productive, I love what I do, and the money’s really good in ads. I wish I get more jobs with these kinds of team more often. Then I have spent the next weeks of May shooting another Cinemalaya film titled Open Endings. After a long time, I got to be a part of a film production that I was really excited about — a really special one for it is an independent film about friendship and sapphic romance. I love doing something for the LGBTQIA+ Community for it feels like I am giving back to my community even in the littlest of ways — through the art of film making. It was truly a blessing that the cast and crew were so much fun to be with too, we did share a lot of laughs together, and we have created a safe space for everyone on set.

The only real rest day I was given this month was when my beautiful niece, Ammileigh, turned one on the 17th of May. Oh, how time flies so swiftly, our family’s little blessing is a year old now, and I really wish her the best and I also do hope I can be the best uncle she’ll ever have. Anyway, I was fortunate again to say that after I have finished all of my work commitments this month, I was able to spend the last few days of May resting and resetting my life — smoothly glided back into my daily routine at home, on my remote work, and in my own personal life. Looking back, this month was the busiest I have been this year, but I was also happy experiencing all of it. Perhaps because of the people I was with, perhaps it is also because of the tranquil state of mind I was in these previous months. There is peace, there is contentment, and oftentimes these two are the only things I truly need.

PS. Made me smile that I got to see the sea again this summertime, as one of our film’s locations.

“Circle of Life”

Shot in Anilao, Batangas, Philippines.

“I found this Favorinus tsuruganus, along with its eggs, on the egg ribbon of the Spanish dancer (Hexabranchus sanguineus). This image captures a stark contrast between nature’s beauty and its harsh realities. The bright colors and intricate designs of the nudibranchs are captivating, but they hide a harsh reality. The nudibranch in the foreground is feeding of the eggs of another of its kind: the ribbon of purple eggs laid by the Spanish dancer fell prey to the Favorinus tsuruganus, which also deposited its white eggs on top.

by Andrea Michelutti