Judith takes on life in a positive perspective after getting the diagnosis. By Judith Labial-Amido On September of 2020, I noticed that I that I could not urinate normally anymore. I had to press my tummy hard expecting my bladder to react but it could only give a few drips. I panicked but I thought it was part of the menopausal process since I’m in my 50s now. But I noticed that whenever I would wipe with a tissue after urinating, it felt numb and sore. I limited my water intake in fear of edema, I developed hemorrhoids and I felt it started to swell. That numbness and swelling got worse. S ..read more

On top of the world. The Akagera Rhino Lodge cottages with their wide verandas overlook the stunning, often fog-covered, Lake Ihema. “Akagera is among the most scenic of savannah reserves, with its sumptuous forest fringed-lakes, tall mountains and constantly changing vegetation” – Bradt Guides Rwanda by Phillip Briggs and Janice Booth The most exciting part of a solo adventure is when you do not really know what awaits you. Not so sure many wanted this kind of a surprise but there are few crazy ones who will agree with me. Sometimes we win, finding the best, and sometimes we lose, getting t ..read more

Traveling during the time of the coronavirus: A different kind of experience #WearAMask: You may venture to travel but this is not the time to lower your guard. Wear a mask not just for yourself but also for people you come in contact with. Photo taken at Pepponi Living Spaces in Kigali, Rwanda. After being stuck and missing my much-needed work break in Juba, South Sudan after six months, choosing a place to go and unwind while Covid-19 is still a threat around East Africa and many parts of the world was a tough decision. Working as a humanitarian working in fragile contexts, I know fully we ..read more

Dionisia Sira-Chiu’s life story is the story of every woman. Rising, falling and rising again. She has the courage to challenge the status quo of her time and led the way how things can be done by women if they have persistence. Now she tells us her story heading Maya Angelou’s call, ““There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” “Even before you were born, the community is already waiting for you to do something” – Chiu Bun Gim A woman inspiring fellow women In her time, women’s struggle to be empowered took roots rising from motherhood to inspiring the family’s thri ..read more

The Morrocans have a beautiful way of doing and selling things. Every product display is a work of art. It seemed like nothing was spared to make them appealing to the eyes. “And if travel is like love, it is, in the end, mostly because it’s a heightened state of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, in dimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed. That is why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end.” ― Pico Iyer As I packed a small suitcase for my Morocco trip, I resolved not to shop but to have more time to enjoy without thinking of things to ca ..read more

If you want to soak in vibrant colors and hues, go to Marrakesh. Every plate, wall, sign – even horse carts – are magnet to the eyes. “Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.” – Jack Kerouac Marrakesh (or Marrakech), a former imperial city in western Morocco, is a major economic center and home to mosques, palaces and gardens. The medina is a densely packed, walled medieval city dating to the Berber Empire, with mazelike alleys where thriving souks (marketplaces) sell traditional textiles, pottery and j ..read more

The Sahara Desert experience was one of my best unforgettable adventures. The sunrise was amazing! There is indeed no limit to God’s fantastic creation. Below is our desert camp accommodation. “I believe that Marrakech ought to be earned as a destination. The journey is the preparation for the experience. Reaching it too fast derides it, makes it a little less easy to understand.” – Tahir Shah, In Arabian Nights: A Caravan of Moroccan Dreams I learned something new on this trip: When it is your birthday treat to yourself, it better be different. My 16 years on the road made that a ..read more

By Diana Marie Laguardia-Paquingan Maddie goes island-hopping! Siargao is one of the best places you can introduce your precociously cute toddlers to the beauty of nature. Just one headache, they will not leave. Siargao Island, Philippines – I long wanted to visit this rising island paradise but the over 12 hours of travel from Davao City with a baby in tow kept me from going. As soon as Philippine Airlines announced its direct flight from Davao City to Siargao earlier this year, I grabbed the opportunity and booked us a flight instantly. “Siargao is a tear-drop shaped island ..read more

By Mario Taguinod Talosig, currently an OFW in Oman Jhungien and Mario on her healthier times. This young couple has big dreams and are working their way to achieve them. Until cancer came and challenged their journey. “The first time I was told, I was devastated and unable to speak”, Mario said. The date June 10, 2018 would be one of the most unforgettable dates in my life. It was the day my wife Jhungien Bernardino Talosig was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), in short – cancer. Nobody will be able to explain that feeling when you hear that a loved one is afflicted with one of t ..read more

Kim runs her toughest marathon with the prestigious Milo Marathon. If you can dare it, you can achieve it. I started running in 2013 just for exercise. My husband Loi played lawn tennis in the nearby court and I went with him when I wanted to. The idea of joining marathons never even occurred to me. I never thought it to be a serious activity much less join competitions. My curiosity got boosted by my friend Cecil’s Instagram and Facebook feeds while running. On the same year, I joined the Sunday Joggers Club composed of my college friends. One of them encouraged me to take it to t ..read more