My 2026 Manifesto

The Year of Living Deeply

As 2026 unfolds, I am not looking to reinvent myself into someone unrecognizable. Instead, I am refining the person I’ve always been—polishing the edges so I can shine without burning out. This is the year of the "Balanced Me."

Boundaried Kindness

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My core remains rooted in kindness, but this year, that kindness includes myself. I have learned that being "too kind" can sometimes be an invitation for others to overstep. In 2026, I will be a person of grace, but also a person of boundaries. I will give generously, but I will no longer allow my well to be pumped dry by those who do not respect the source. By protecting my peace, I ensure that the kindness I do give is sincere, not born of obligation.

Efficiency Over Exhaustion

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I have always valued hard work, but this year, I am redefining "efficiency." True efficiency isn't just about how much I can produce; it’s about how well I can sustain myself. I will work with focus and drive, but never at the expense of my health. Sleep, movement, and stillness are no longer "rewards" for finishing work—they are the fuel that makes the work possible.

The Return to Self

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For too long, I have put my passions on the shelf to make room for the needs of others. This is the year I pick those hobbies and collections back up. Whether it’s dusting off an old project or reorganizing a collection that once brought me joy, I am reclaiming the parts of my identity that have been sidelined. Caring for others is a virtue, but caring for "the self" is a necessity.

Stewardship and Legacy

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My gaze is also fixed on the horizon. I am saving—for my family’s comfort, for a secure future, and for the peace of mind that financial stability brings. But my responsibility extends beyond my front door. I commit to being "good for Mother Earth," making conscious choices that honor the environment. To be good for the world, I must first be good to the planet that sustains us all.

The Goal: To Truly Live

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I will hold fast to my core values—integrity, love, and resilience—but I will apply them with a new sense of vigor. 2026 is not about just surviving another calendar cycle or checking off a to-do list. It is about the radical act of living. I will breathe deeper, laugh harder, and exist with intention.

This is my year. And because I am taking care of the "me" at the center of it all, I will be better for my family, my community, and the world.

The Silent Choreography

Reflections on the Art of Environmental Management

To the uninitiated, "management" sounds like the language of cold offices and rigid ledgers. But for those who stand at the intersection of the built world and the wild one, management is the silent choreography of survival. For an environmental planner, to plan is not merely to organize; it is to engage in a profound dialogue with the future.

The Vision:

Planning as an Act of Hope

What is planning in management? In our field, it is the bridge built between a scarred present and a flourishing tomorrow. It is the refusal to let the landscape happen by accident. When we plan, we are asserting that the placement of a forest corridor or the density of a city block is an ethical choice. We are translating the chaotic needs of the present into a structured map of hope.

The Craft:

The Gentle Hand of Effective Planning

To plan effectively is to abandon the illusion of total control. Traditional management might demand a straight line, but the environmental planner knows that nature moves in cycles and curves. Effective planning is a balance of humility and precision. It is the "Adaptive Management" of a sailor—constantly adjusting the sails of policy and infrastructure to the shifting winds of climate and social demand. We do not impose our will upon the land; we negotiate with it. We listen to the soil, the water table, and the community, and we craft a strategy that allows both the eagle and the economy to find a home.

The Purpose:

Why We Manage

Why is this discipline so vital? Because without the framework of management, our environmental ideals are but ghosts—drifting without a body. Management gives our values gravity and form.

We plan

because resources are finite,

but human imagination is not.

We plan

because a river

cannot advocate for itself in a boardroom.

We plan

because the most beautiful landscape in the world

can be undone by a single decade

of thoughtless "progress."

In the end, you are not just learning to manage projects; you are learning to manage the delicate equilibrium of a planet. You are the architects of the "unbuilt," the guardians of the horizon, and the planners of a peace treaty between humanity and the Earth.

500-peso noche buena challenge

When the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) dared to put a price tag of 500 pesos on Noche Buena, the uproar was deafening. Politicians and ordinary citizens alike cried foul, branding it an insult to Filipino tradition. But beneath the surface of this outrage lies a deeper, more uncomfortable truth about our values, our economy, and our capacity for collective introspection.

The DTI, in its advisory, likely sought to establish a baseline—a minimum threshold for a Christmas Eve meal accessible to even the most financially strapped families. To twist this into an intentional affront is not only a misreading of the DTI's mandate but also a disservice to their role in navigating the complex intersection of commerce and consumer welfare.

Our visceral reaction speaks volumes about what we hold sacred. Noche Buena is not just a meal; it's a tapestry woven with threads of family, unity, and abundance. The mere suggestion that this cherished tradition could be distilled into a 500-peso package strikes at the heart of our cultural identity. It challenges the idyllic image we've carefully constructed, forcing us to confront a less palatable reality.

This uproar also serves as a stark reminder of the economic anxieties that plague our nation. In an era of relentless inflation and stagnant wages, the specter of a meager Noche Buena looms large, casting a shadow on our collective aspirations. The DTI, in this context, becomes a convenient scapegoat—a lightning rod for our pent-up frustrations and economic insecurities.

But what if, instead of succumbing to knee-jerk outrage, we chose to channel our emotions into meaningful action? What if we demanded bold economic reforms that address the root causes of income inequality? What if we rallied behind local businesses and sustainable food initiatives that offer affordable alternatives?

The DTI's announcement, however clumsy or ill-timed, was not an act of malice. It was a mirror reflecting the economic disparities that continue to divide our nation. Let us not allow our emotions to blind us, but rather use them as fuel to ignite a movement for lasting change. Let us transform our outrage into a call for a more just and equitable society, where every Filipino family can celebrate Noche Buena with dignity and abundance.

flashback 2010: locos por el cine

unlike the japanese, french and european film fests- spanish filmfest wasn't shown for free
(but it was given at a price a third of the usual in the posh greenbelt cinema 3)

with my usual filmfest buddy ate irene, we tried catching one movie after attending the sunday mass...
as we waited for the screening we saw the oh-still-so-pretty-former-ms-universe-gloria diaz
with her (i guess) siblings waiting for the screening too :)

tickets! (@ 65 pesoses each, that's about a dollar and a half)

and this is a glimpse of the main character...
the movie - Los Condenados (The Condemned).
It somewhat explores history--- an exiled Argentinean returns home after living in Spain for
 many years to help a friend find the remains of a political activist who
disappeared during the Junta dictatorship...
[AMP! INTRIGUINGLY BROUGHT BACK WEIRD MEMORIES]

ECON 101. Happiness by Curly Tops.

The Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility Simplified.

The first curly tops I ate (after weeks of fasting from it) is good. 

On a scale of ten, I'd give it a 10. 

Then, "my happiness by curly tops" has been somewhat tamed, 

but they gave me another, so I took it.

Since I already had one, my "happiness" rates at a 6.5 at best. 

Maybe others will stop before utility ("happiness") drops even more, 

I wanted to stop too, 

but they gave me a third (let's just say it scored to 2.5). 

If I keep getting and eating, eventually, 

I'd reach a point at which my eating more would make me puke/sick, 

providing dissatisfaction, or dis-utility or, "unhappiness". 

Yes, at some point, 

I have reached the saturation, 

the "saturation point". 

ENOUGH.

NOT JUST ABOUT JOB; IT IS ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY

Ever borrow a friend's awesome camera? 

You don't pay them a salary, right? 

You borrow it with the understanding you'll treat it with care, 

take amazing photos, and return it safe and sound. 
Our elected officials are similar.
We "lend" them the power of their office – a powerful tool –
with the expectation they'll use it responsibly
for the benefit
of everyone.
It's not just about checking off boxes on a to-do list;
it's about making the community thrive. 
Sometimes that means making tough decisions,
even unpopular ones. 
So, let's secondthink saying, "Do your job!" and start asking,
"Are you using the power we've entrusted you
with to create a better community for all of us?" 
It's about more than just a job; it's about responsibility.

Discourse, Facts, Emotions, and Governance: Time to Level Up - 040225

 When we talk about politics, especially something as heated as the Duterte-Aquino ICC issue, we need to think more deeply. It's easy to get caught up in the drama, like when people say Aquino "trapped" Duterte. That story, full of strong feelings and accusations, needs a closer look. Sure, Aquino couldn't have known exactly what Duterte would do, but big political moves always have long-term effects. Joining the ICC set the stage for future problems. It's fair to look back and see how past choices affect today, even if it wasn't planned. People change their minds in politics, like how Roque did, and that makes you wonder about their honesty. Plus, even if those Hong Kong money stories seem random, they can make people suspicious about what's really going on. We have to ask why people do what they do, and if they're being consistent. 

Also, remember, emotions are a big part of politics. 

They show how people truly feel. When someone says "poetic justice," they're expressing real hurt. All political words carry weight, and we need to figure out what's behind them.

To really understand what's happening, we can't just stick to simple stories. The drug war was messy, and the ICC situation is confusing. Yes, Duterte's tough approach appealed to people who felt unsafe, but we can't ignore the terrible harm it caused. We also need to admit that past governments didn't solve the drug problem, which made people angry. The ICC rules are complex, and politicians can use that to their advantage. Even though the Philippines left the ICC, there's still a chance Duterte could face legal trouble. The rules are tricky, and that's important to understand. 

In the end, we need to think more carefully about politics. We need to look at the facts, understand the emotions, and see how it all affects how our country is run. We need to learn to think critically, not just believe what we hear.