-
Mount Kitanglad In One Day: That Thing Called Adventure
Can you hike Mount Kitanglad in one day? That question kept playing in my mind like a catchy tune, days before I faced this behemoth in Bukidnon. With an elevation of 2,899 meters above sea level, the 4th highest mountain in the Philippines is not an easy day hike. Sure, there have been many brave souls and strong hikers who climbed Mount Kitanglad in just one day. And truthfully, the trail isn’t as technically challenging as some of the tallest mountains in the Philippines. But can I do it? Can a restless insomniac and a not-so-young man with a lot of emotional baggage, injuries, and limited preparation, climb this mountain…
-
Mt. Makiling And The Rare Rafflesias Most People Will Never See
The graveyard of dreams isn’t filled with people who failed. It’s filled with people who didn’t show up. They are the people who waited for the right time, the right energy, and the right mood. I almost joined them on a Sunday when my body was wrecked from a book signing and an unexpected pitch meeting. Netflix was loaded and the cozy hotel bed was ready. But I dragged myself to Mt. Makiling anyway. So, I hiked for over 20 kilometers on dead legs, running on sleepless nights after a 40-hour work week. And guess what? I saw rafflesias, one of the rarest flowers on earth, blooming for the stubborn…
-
Buko Buko Sa Anay, Bohol: The Truth About Chasing Success
The most dangerous lie I ever believed was that I’d be happy when I got “there”. The problem is, “there” doesn’t exist. It keeps moving. I kept chasing goals, milestones, mountains, and books. Always the next thing. And the whole time, Buko Buko Sa Anay, one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever done, was sitting on the island right next to mine. I found out about it the way I find out about most things these days. A random post on Facebook. Someone shared photos of a hike in Duero, Bohol, and I thought, where the hell is that? So I joined the group hike with no research and…
-
Bauko 7 Peaks: The Truth About Illusions And Limits
How many times can you question your life choices in a single morning? I counted seven in the first hour of my Bauko 7 Peaks hike. Question one came when I realized I hadn’t slept well in two weeks and my body was demanding payment. Question seven came when my left calf suddenly tightened and screamed hijo de puta in Tagalog. Yet even with the hiccups and the voices screaming to turn back, quitting wasn’t an option. Throughout my life, I’ve learned how to bend reality and shift stubbornness into fuel. Seven peaks meant seven chances to be wrong about my limits. The mountain was real. The pain was real.…
For anyone who’s felt a little lost or tired.
101 Letters to Juliet
I wrote this book for you.
101 Letters to Juliet is a philosophy book disguised as a love story — shaped by places, distance, and slow days on the road.