Pending Passions

To praise his work would be redundant, and although he definitely deserves to be written about (again) and his work complimented and taken in the highest regard, I will not be filling this post with what most people write about (I think) after they meet one very inspiring author. As some people know, Mitch Albom just visited the Philippines. On February 23, 2014 (that's today, as I write this down), he graced Ayala Center Cebu with his presence. We all know Mr. Mitch. We know his books and have read them, so like I said, I won't dwell on that. What I will talk about is the conversation that ran through my head during the, what, two- to three-hour wait. The question I had to answer was this: "What should I say to this author that would actually make an impact?" My musings went like this: Hi, Mr. Mitch. Hello, sir. Thank you so much for being a writer. Thank you so much for choosing to be a writer and being an awesome one. Hello, sir. Thank you for ch...

I'm getting married! Hah! I can't wait for you all to read this rather extensive discussion on  how it all happened. It’s weird and abrupt and totally something I would just make up. No. I’m just kidding. I’m not getting married (not yet, at least). But you have to admit, I caught your attention, right? J Picture from here There has been an onslaught of creative video proposals lately, and it’s been filling cyberspace to the rim. We see people singing and dancing, lip syncing and dancing, lip syncing and trying to dance, doing short films, renting out theaters and cafes and ice skating rinks and offices, all for that special event—that one moment when the future groom asks his future bride, “Will you marry me?” (Or for the truly romantic, “It would be an enormous privilege for me to spend the rest of my life loving you. Would you grant me the honor of being your husband? Will you marry me?) So I’m just going to lay this out here and now. I have nothing against al...

I've been thinking lately of a time when I actually become an author. An author who has published novels and chapter books and even children’s books. An author whose books can bring tears to readers’ eyes or make them laugh while in public transportation or give them something to think about days after they turn the final page of my book. An author remembered. But then I think, Do I actually want my name to be there? I guess it’s more preference than requirement. An author’s byline is the author’s choice, right? And this brings me to the deliberating mindset I have right now. Pseudonyms In a way, I like the idea of hiding behind a name. Knowing Lemony Snicket hid behind that name has kept him mysterious and loved (and I’ve only recently found out that his real name’s Daniel Handler and that he is, in fact, still . . . wait for it . . . alive!). Using another name can give me access to stories around me without having the people think that “Oh, she might use my words i...

Blinking cursors waiting for attention. Nodding heads fighting sleep. Restless feet seeking adventure. Aimless wandering to not really anywhere. Another day ended; a new one will soon begin. Yet the day's tiresome, mundane routine has exhausted the life out of the girl. She walked to nowhere, wanted nothing, and had no one. So she went home. The crowd was packed. Apparently, there was a celebrity. She didn't care. What happened to me?  she wondered. In a time long past, she would have been the first to have waited, the first to have showed up to that gathering. Now she walked alone to the authorized and designated PUV stop. Seriously, this jeep can fit five more people?  Her musings might have deafened her if the driver's voice was only a bit softer. She scooted to the side and let someone else sit properly on the jeep's too-narrow seat. "You can make yourself comfortable. I'll be getting off soon," she told the girl who had to walk with careful de...

Description from Amazon.com: " Somewhere in South America, at the home of the country's vice president, a lavish birthday party is being held in honor of Mr. Hosokawa, a powerful Japanese businessman. Roxanne Coss, opera's most revered soprano, has mesmerized the international guests with her singing. It is a perfect evening -- until a band of gun-wielding terrorists breaks in through the air-conditioning vents and takes the entire party hostage. But what begins as a panicked, life-threatening scenario slowly evolves into something quite different, as terrorists and hostages forge unexpected bonds and people from different countries and continents become compatriots.Friendship, compassion, and the chance for great love lead the characters to forget the real danger that has been set in motion and cannot be stopped." My take on the story: Bel Canto is one of those stories where you think you know what's going on but you just don't get it until you read i...

I read because an idle mind is a dangerous place. Put lots of words and imagination in it and you can get out of that dangerous place. -Myself

If you have just resigned from a 'real' job (meaning a job that you are actually paid for and interact with other people) and are now living with your parents (which is pretty normal from where I come from) and are looking for a job that gives you enough time to write stuff (stories, nonsense, daydreams, etc.) then...you must be me.

It's always summer in Singapore, or so we've been told. The instant we landed in the great Merlion city, the first thing we realized was the time. It was 7 in the evening. And yet it was still bright with no signs of night. The streets, as you may have noticed, run in the opposite direction. They're right side drivers. And guess what? For some time in our life, we may have entertained the thought of public utility vehicles accepting credit cards but then dismissing it as impossible, but in Singapore, lo and behold, they have credit card machines in their taxis! So let me take you along our trip and see the highlights of my summer vacation. Asian Festival of Children's Content This was the main reason for my trip to Singapore. The Asian Festival of Children's Content or AFCC is an annual gathering of writers, illustrators, media practitioners and educators. The conference speakers include published children's book authors, publishers, ...