Personal Essays

Personal stories and reflections about life in the Philippines, including culture, travel experiences, everyday observations, relationships, and the moments that make the country memorable.

  • Gulliver’s Travels

    Gulliver’s Travels

    One of the most innovative inventions of human civilization is so called “novel”. It basically encourages us to tell lies under the euphemism of “imagination” and rewards us if we…

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  • “This Too Shall Pass”

    “This Too Shall Pass”

    “There is a quiet strength in knowing that nothing—neither joy nor suffering—lasts forever.” I used to think emotional struggles were something I should simply “get over.” But as I grew…

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  • Reflections on Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

    Reflections on Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

    As a Filipina living in the Philippines, traveling to South Korea as a tourist feels like a luxury. Beyond the excitement of planning the trip, there is also the reality…

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  • The beginning: sharing experiences of living in the Philippines

    The beginning: sharing experiences of living in the Philippines

    For decades, the No.1 tourists to the Philippines was South Koreans. Now, the title has been dethrowned by Americans. Why South Koreans are not coming to the Philippines anymore? What…

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