15 August 2024 THANK YOU FOR THE LEARNING, LESSONS & MEMORIES By Duoi Ampilan Since 01 August 2024, I officially ended my deployment in Ukraine. Though short (4 months), my deployment was among the toughest, most challenging and most difficult. The last 45 days were among the things I would never wish for. Ukraine was my 14th country of deployment and the 24th country I traveled to. After all the twists, turns, trials, tensions and torments, I am feeling tired. Being a Humanitarian Worker is said to be among the Most Dangerous Jobs because of the associated risks and uncertainties aside from the daily stress & tensions. Where there are calamities and crises from disease outbreaks to earthquakes, displacements to war and devastation, humanitarian workers are there. We offer our services, our time, talents and for some our lives! We also have the fair share of the things that make us love our work - the opportunities of reaching many places of historical im...
Borrowed from Andra Exclusive 24 April 2025 Celia Diaz Laurel: "Surprise! Let’s begin with this. As confirmed by Ms. Lotlot de Leon, this piece was painted by none other than Cocoy Laurel. Starting from Celia Diaz Laurel, making portraits or paintings has always been the family’s love language. Just imagine the effort poured into a painting like this—pure love and affection captured on canvas. And imagine receiving such a gift? This is actually just one of two paintings Cocoy lovingly made for Guy. “This one,” Cocoy said, “is dedicated to her National Artist award. The other is for her being the Superstar, MY Superstar.” (Trust us when we say that the story behind the “Superstar” painting is just as powerful.) When you speak to Cocoy, you hardly need to ask questions. Just a few prompts, and the stories flow freely from his heart. “Were you able to show this to her personally?” we asked. His shoulders dropped. “No,” he answered softly. According to Ms. Miriam Castillo,...
9 November 2019 lifted from the writing of Melany Amante Mabao Maguindanao too irresistible not to share. How beautifully crafted by your magic pen. The description is beyond dreaming. A vision of a paradise! - Leah C Dancel, 9 November 2024 Deep inside the woods, the thick foliage draped over the wide clearing within.It hung gloriously from the mighty branches of the towering trees around. A spellbinding beauty of green leafy canopy that shades you from the heat and glare of the sunlight. Standing in the middle of several massive wood trunks...I'm savouring with delight, the beauty of nature. I am drowning in the freshness of the natural woody scents coming from the tree barks, combined with the smell of the mossy earth. The abundance of light green moss carpeted the ground and seemed to have crawled and covered several large protruding roots. The temperature here is much cooler than the outside and it permeated through the pores of my skin.I inhaled long...