HemoWife - a Column by Allyx Formalejo

Lately, I’ve been thinking about what it means to be an expert. In my work as a virtual marketer and strategist, the word gets used all the time. People in my profession are expected to act like we know exactly what we’re doing. We’re told to speak with…

I recently stumbled across a passage on social media referring to relationships: “If you want a garden? Take care of it. You want love? Love them.” Something about those simple words struck a chord with me. Instinctively, I forwarded it to my husband, Jared. “This is exactly why I’ve been…

I’ve been writing about life with my husband, Jared, who has severe hemophilia B and epilepsy, for many years now. In doing so, I’d often refer to myself as a caregiver in passing. But here’s something that might surprise you: This column is the first time I’m openly…

Last weekend, our daughter graduated from kindergarten. As she proudly crossed the stage, I found myself reflecting on how far we’ve come — not just in terms of our child’s academics, but as a family living with hemophilia. As she received her diploma and later danced through musical numbers…

Sometimes I hear other women joke about their husbands being their “extra child,” and I can’t help but nod in understanding. Living with Jared, who has severe hemophilia B and a seizure disorder, means I occasionally slip into caregiver mode with him, too. But here’s what might surprise you:…

Life had been running smoothly for a while. No major bleeds, no medical scares — just the comforting rhythm of our daily routine. But as life with hemophilia goes, that peace was bound to be interrupted at some point. It came this time in the form of a…

Life when you’re married to someone with severe hemophilia B often feels unpredictable. One moment, everything seems fine, and the next, a spontaneous bleed or unexpected health concern throws everything into chaos. Over the years, I’ve learned to stay on high alert, always ready to shift gears at a…

I made it to the Manila Pen Show here in the Philippines, and I couldn’t be happier! There’s something deeply satisfying about being in a space filled with fellow enthusiasts, surrounded by exquisite writing instruments and vibrant bottles of ink. For me, collecting fountain pens is more than just a…

I’ve been a fan of collecting fountain pens since I was a teenager. As a writer, I’ve always believed that having the right tools — pens that glide effortlessly, inks that flow just right — makes the writing process more enjoyable. And for me, fountain pens have been…

While cleaning up recently, I found a physician-authored exercise guide from 2002 for Filipinos with hemophilia. It was fascinating to read, especially knowing that at the time, synthetic factor products were still scarce here in the Philippines. Treatment options were limited, and many people with hemophilia still relied…