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What Is in a Name?

Many of us have names that represent legacies and traditions handed down from generations past. My mom named me after my grandfather’s brother who died when he was 11. I often think of him and wonder if I carried on the family name with pride. Would he have been…

Keeping It Real and Staying Inspired

The Philippines was in an extra festive mood over the Christmas season. Alongside the holiday parties, we were celebrating our country’s Miss Universe contender, Catriona Gray, who took home the crown. As a country, we tend to place high importance on events like this. To us, the Miss…

Our Greatest Masterpieces

Last year, I traveled to Chicago and saw the masterpiece “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte.” The artist, Georges Seurat, captured a beautiful scene utilizing a technique known as pointillism. Each dot contributes to the complete work of art. To leave anything out is to change…

My Wishes for the New Year

I often find myself thinking back to the advice my parents gave me over the years. Of course, I considered it “nagging” rather than advice at the time, but the older I get, the more I realize my parents were two of the smartest people I’ve ever known.

When I Have Nothing Left to Give

I’ve spent several nights in the hospital with my son, and I play tag with my wife. It is her turn to trade duties with me. I leave the medical center and head straight to the church, lead worship, eat a meal, and return to the hospital to…

Finding Meaning in Chronic Illness

I was born into this world with hemophilia. As a child, it was a reality I had to face, and I have no one to blame for my misfortune. Did I want to be born? Did my parents intend that I have a different life? No. It would be wrong…

Minimalism, Filipinos, and Disability

I’ve been pondering the minimalism movement a lot lately. This is because I recently found myself with more than a dozen boxes from my childhood home, and along with these came a sense of responsibility to organize the contents inside of them. As my husband and I unpacked the…