Dear Diary: It's Been a While

Dear Diary... It's been a while. How have you been? My writing, in its purest and most personal form, has taken the backseat for a few years. I didn't think the journey would be this long but it was. It came with so much introspection, unlearning, rediscovering and soul searching. There were no maps or signs. Not even any directions or a random stranger to ask help from. But I'm here now and while I'm not sure if this is home, it sure feels like it. I feel like myself more than I've ever been and isn't that comforting? Home? Home.

Romblon Travel Diary: Binucot Beach

When my grandma told me we'd go on a vacation in the middle of nowhere, the idea sounded straight out of a horror movie. Gladly, the islands of Romblon, Philippines proved otherwise. It was this untouched and beautiful paradise, far from the noise and pollution of the busy metropolis. There wasn't even any (consistent or strong) internet service! Social media detox anyone? But I digress. Romblon was the perfect escape and one day we decided to spend an afternoon at the Binucot Beach, frolicking by the shore and drinking/eating coconuts freshly plucked from the tree!

Instagram Story Templates: Getting to Know You (Part Two)

I don't know about you but my love affair with teal (and pastels mixed with warm metals) has been consistently strong for a while now. While I did skip on the gold and copper for these Instagram Story templates, I made sure to pack it with quite the decent amount of teal together with a few others that I think would complement it. What do you think?

Instagram Story Templates: Getting to Know You (Part One)

I've always had this itch to create. Be it a DIY project, a piece of poetry, a random doodle or a dish, there's always this intense craving to do something with my hands. It's almost addicting. So when I had to learn Adobe Illustrator for work this year, I decided I might as well give myself a project of sorts; hence, these Instagram Story templates!

Taking the Backseat

In the past year, I have come to realize that a person can have a lot of passions. They can be anything really, even out of this world. The thing with passion though is that it’s not something we’re born with. It’s something we come to discover on our own over time. What many (and I for a while) fail to understand is that they evolve. They have seasons and they come in different frequencies and timeframes. They arrive in numbers or slowly and every so often. Some of them we outgrow while others we have yet to discover. It’s normal and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Word Vomit: Don't Listen to Society

Writing this feels rebellious. As a kid who grew up wanting to always do what's expected of her, putting my thoughts into words is both liberating and treacherous. I say that because I've been known to always watch my words (and my heart). 

Best Friend

His heart was hammering in his rib cage like a shaken up soda wanting to burst out of its can. "I think I like you." He said. His voice trembled but not without the intensity that his courage could muster. 

Puerto Galera Travel Diary: Tamaraw Falls

In a country where it's almost always hot and humid and you can sweat buckets just by literally sitting down for a whole day, I've come to adore the relief that cool fresh water brings. And for a ₱30 entrance fee, you can enjoy this perfect respite alongside a majestic view of the Tamaraw Falls in Puerto Galera. Not bad huh?

Word Vomit: 25 and Perfectly Imperfect

I used to think that I'll have things figured out by adulthood. (Read 20's post-university.) Surprise! I don't. While 10 year old me would be disappointed and my 16 year old self would definitely panic, present Anne would be totes okay with it. Wow, I never thought I'd say that. Time apparently changes a lot of things. Even people. Even me.