They’re known as the home of “classics and twists, it is my go-to comfort food. The second the food hits the table, the background noise of the day just shuts off.

If you’ve ever seen their menu, there are dozens of incredible food to choose from, but I am completely a creature of habit. I don’t even bother looking at the menu anymore because my order is already the same . I always order the exact same three dishes – the House Crispy Sisig, Sinigang with pakwan at the Gising-gising..

My ride-or-die trio looks exactly like this every single time:

• House Crispy Sisig: It arrives at the table sizzling and loud, loaded with that perfect, addictive chicharon crunch. It’s smoky, savory, and hands-down the absolute gold standard for sisig.
• Sinigang with Pakwan: I know it sounds something on paper, but the way the sharp, sour broth balances out with the refreshing sweetness of the watermelon is pure genius. It feels like a warm hug on a rainy afternoon.
• Gising Gising: To round out the meal, these crisp, snappy greens swimming in a rich, velvety coconut cream are an absolute must. Plus, it has just enough subtle chili heat to give your palate the perfect little wake-up call.

Trying to eat at Manam without these three on the table just feels wrong. They are my ultimate culinary match.

There are many branch of Manam in Manila; I am happy that they have 1 branch in Cebu City, where I stay most of the time.

I promise you’ll love these 3.

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I see fancy little crochet hanging, inviting passerby to buy them. I stood there, utterly fascinated if she can somewhat personalize a design that I want, and thankfully, she said she can, and I was excited.

In the soft rush of our exchange, her name somehow slipped past me. Yet, a digital footprint remains—her social media space breathes under the title Mariya Handicrafts. Perhaps her name is Maria, or Mary, or truly Mariya. Names are just whispers; her true identity lives in the brilliant artistry of her craft. From that Sunday forward, she became my absolute favorite crochet maker in the city, the only pair of hands I will trust with the custom creations I wish to bring and wear, and also give away as gifts.

Should you wish to find a piece of this magic yourself, her temporary haven waits for you where the city’s devotion meets its daily rush.

Look for her art near Santo Niño, resting gently beside Chowking:

• The Days: From Friday’s dawn through Sunday’s dusk.
• The Hours: She gently unfolds her world as early as 10:00 AM, staying until the city lights glow at 8:00 PM.

As always, I remain a quiet guardian of the local spirit, here to support the independent artists who keep the old, beautiful ways alive in a hurried world. If your soul takes you downtown on a weekend stroll, let your eyes linger near the basilica. You might just find Mariya Handicrafts, waiting to weave a little warmth into your day.

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Naturally, I said yes.

That single “yes” launched one of the most exhilarating chapters of my young life. Every Monday, our dedicated youth section would hit the streets. It was a tight, impactful one-page feature, and it became my personal canvas. I was given the creative freedom to write about random, youth-related topics—diving into the trends, the struggles, the music, and the collective heartbeat of our generation.

Back then, newspaper boys were still a staple of the morning commute. I vividly remember the intoxicating rush of energy every Monday morning. I would jump out of bed, climb into the car, and wait with bated breath. Every single time the car stopped at an intersection and a newsboy approached the window, my heart would race. I’d eagerly buy a copy, flip it open, and search the page.

Seeing my byline in print for the first time—and every time after that—was an absolute thrill. For a young writer, seeing your name anchoring a published story is a profound validation. It felt like a massive milestone, a badge of honor, and a tangible achievement that made me hold my head a little higher.

Eventually, life pulled me toward bigger cities and different screens. I packed my bags, flew to Manila, and transitioned into the fast-paced world of television. Working as a TV Writer and Producer for ABS-CBN was an incredible adventure, but the demanding rhythm of television production meant that my print writing eventually had to take a backseat. I stopped writing articles, trading the printed page for scripts and broadcast monitors.

Yet, no matter how many years pass or how digital the world becomes, I deeply miss that raw, nostalgic experience of print journalism. To this day, I still keep my old SunStar newspaper clippings, preserved in pristine shape, as a reminder of where it all began.

Looking back, I am filled with immense gratitude. Thank you, SunStar newspaper, for giving a young, ambitious kid a voice, a platform, and a definitive purpose. You didn’t just publish my words; you helped me discover my passion for writing and journalism.

The post Writing for the Newspaper appeared first on kimocea.

Yes, a book for kids. Reading a controversial book “for kids” with an open mind in this conservative Catholic society.

To quote “Many people don’t follow a religion or believe in a god, but still lead ethical and meaningful lives. These people use reason, science and compassion to live fulfilling, moral lives…you can be a good person with morals and values without a religion.”

My thoughts: Religions say they preach LOVE, but it’s ironic how they argue that one or the other is the True Religion.

Say for example Christianity alone, we believe in Jesus, but Religion creates division.

Catholic VS Born-agains VS Iglesia Ni Cristo VS Dating Daan VS Pastor Quiboloy’s. All pray to Jesus with love, but argue and divide each other with hate. Sad reality religion creates.

Continue to believe what you believe. As they say, to each his own, respect each other and continue that faith.

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Looking back, I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. From the moment we stepped into the professional kitchen, the experience was an absolute whirlwind of excitement.

I had so much fun learning the mechanics behind the culinary arts—from mastering precision knife cuts to understanding the delicate science of balancing flavors under pressure. The energy in the kitchen was infectious, turning tough, fast-paced challenges into moments of pure joy.

The hard work paid off in a big way. After months of intense training, sweat, and dedication, I was proud to share that I passed the TESDA Cookery NC2 assessment somehow. Holding that certification feels amazing, but as validating as it is, the greatest lessons I took home weren’t printed on paper.

While ISCAHM taught me world-class techniques and technical standards, the real education began when I looked beyond the classroom discussions.

I’ve come to realize that being a truly effective cook isn’t just about memorizing a recipe. It demands active, continuous practice. It’s about getting your hands dirty, refining your instinctual muscle memory, and building the confidence that only comes from spending time at the stove.

Most importantly, this journey taught me the ultimate truth about food: cooking is only ever truly tasteful if it is cooked from the heart and from experience. You can follow a recipe to the exact gram, but without genuine passion, intention, and love poured into the pan, a dish is just food. The most unforgettable meals are seasoned with our own stories, our memories, and our mistakes. ISCAHM gave me the tools and the foundation, but life and love will always be the ultimate ingredients.

Here’s to the next dish, practicing every day, and always cooking with heart!

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We grow up and become what we envisioned ourselves to be–doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, artists, et cetera. And there are also those who rebel and do the opposite of what’s expected of them–they do this, they do that, they do a little bit of everything. Often they are called the “Jack of all trades.”

There is no doubt that it feels good every time people compliment us for being good at everything. “Wow! You’re so multi-skilled!” “How can I be like you?” It feels great every time we are seen as somebody who can do a lot of things and knows a lot of things. But most of the time, it comes with a price.

We can’t avoid it. There are some people who look down on the well-rounded. To them, we’re known as the “Jack of all trades but a master of none,” implying that we’re not good at doing a specialized task. We then doubt and question ourselves: “Am I really good enough?” Yes, you are good enough. Being multi-skilled is a gift, and never doubt that. It will be overwhelming at first, but as you continue the journey to self-discovery and finally know what you want, then being a Jack of all trades is absolutely fine. We can’t blame these people for looking down on us, so in a way it is also constructive feedback for us to assess what we really want to accomplish in life.

Growing up, I always wanted to become a national athlete. That’s all I ever wanted to do. I was part of the school’s track and field varsity that competed in local and national competitions. That was my dream. But when I had my appendectomy and was not allowed to run for some time, I was forced to withdraw from the varsity team. I felt bad thinking I would never achieve my dream of representing the country. So I had to do something else.

I explored my other interests and was brought to the arts. Since then, I have dabbled in anything–theater, TV, film, creative writing and other artistic endeavors as I bid goodbye to my dream of becoming a national athlete. I was left with no choice but to take another direction. When I graduated from college, I worked as a writer despite my doubts if I was really good at writing. There were so many things going on in my head that my close friend (who was also my devil’s advocate) had to ask: “So, what is it that you really want to do? You’re good at things, but where is your focus? You’re such a scatterbrain.” I felt really bad at that point in my life.

In my journey to rediscovering myself years ago, I met a lot of Jack of all trades. Some are still in the process of discovering themselves, and there are some who are already successful individuals. I have a friend who is good at a lot of things, too, from table set-up to dress making, cooking and interior design. She also told me that she was clinically diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Then she found her love for chocolates, focused on it and started a business with it. Now, she is known for her chocolates and continues to do things she loves.

One day, over hot chocolate, she told me: “You’re a good communicator and a likeable guy, so why not start your own PR & Events team?” I was hesitant at first, doubting (again) if I could ever pull it off, even if my friends think highly of my public relations and events management skills more than my writing. Then it hit me. Maybe the reason I can’t move forward is that I am not doing what I am designed to do.

So I took a leap of faith and started my humble PR & Events team. At first, it was daunting to run a client-based business, but it went well with God’s grace and everything has been okay for three years now. I have a team both in Cebu and Davao handling marketing and events projects where I still get to practice my other interests in the arts. It feels really good to do the things I love. And being the Jack of all trades that I am, I recently enrolled in a culinary program so I can learn to cook. As they say, life is a continuous learning process.

There are so many of us in this world–so many of us searching for what we really want to do with our lives. We may be judged for being “lost” and doing a lot of things and mastering none, but don’t feel bad. We are all designed differently, and in this ever changing world, being a Jack (or a Jill) of all trades is perfectly fine.

Note: This is one of my articles for the Youth Page of SunStar Newspaper published in 2018; My 1-pager essays were published every Mondays.

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Looking back at the milestones, the late nights, and the continuous process of creating, I realize how much of my foundation was built on the wisdom, discipline, and generosity of these legendary mentors. It was an absolute honor to be trained by the very best:

Michael Williams (One of the original casts of Miss Saigon) for teaching me the fundamentals during the “Basic Theater Workshop” under Little Boy Productions. He taught me the discipline it takes to command a space.

Gabe Mercado (of SPIT) for opening my mind to Improv Theater at PETA. He showed me how to think on my feet, trust my instincts, and find magic in the unexpected.

Pinky Amador, whose Acting Masterclass pushed my boundaries and taught me what it truly means to dig deep and commit to a character and a vision.

Tatang Ricky Lee, for the masterclasses in storytelling during his Creative Writing Workshop. He didn’t just teach me how to write; he taught me how to see the human condition and give it a voice.

Julie Ann Fran from Star Magic Philippines, for the brief voice lessons, even for a very short stint! I miss you, teacher!

Every “Action!”, every script written and every creative risk taken carries a piece of their mentorship. To be shaped by their brilliance is a gift that keeps on giving.

To my mentors: Thank you for passing on the torch.

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I poured my days like water into stone,
To find a well where they could freely drink,
I carried weights they could not lift alone,
And pulled them back when standing on the brink.

I watched them rise, I watched their world expand,
They wore the armor that my patience made,
But once they stood securely on the land,
The memory of who helped began to fade.

They treat your kindness as a debt they won,
A casual right they somehow were decreed,
And rewrite history when the work is done,
To prove they never really were in need.

It hurts to watch the feathers that you gave
Be used to fly away and block the sun,
To know you broke yourself so they could save
The very lives that now leave you undone.

But let them go, with all they took away,
The bitter truth is theirs alone to keep:
A house built on the things they can’t repay
Is just a shallow place where shadows sleep.

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Stepping back onto a bustling set holding an actual script was an incredible rush. Knowing my voice would be live changed everything.

The absolute highlight was trading dialogue directly with the main cast. I shared the frame with the phenomenal Kim Chiu, whose on-set energy is infectious. I also got to deliver lines alongside Elle Villanueva—who plays the fierce Atty. Vanessa in GMA’s intense drama Apoy sa Dugo.

Watching them switch instantly from casual banter to raw dramatic focus when the director shouted “Action!” was a masterclass. Delivering my lines smoothly alongside them and hearing “Cut, good take!” was incredibly validating.

This experience reminded me that passions never really leave you. It was a fun, exhilarating return that reaffirmed my love for the screen. I am officially back, and I can’t wait for the next role!

The post Back to TV acting – after how many years. appeared first on kimocea.

Think of it in terms of the human body. An ordinary person looks at the body and understands its basic functions: it breathes, it moves, it digests, and it performs its daily duties. That knowledge is perfectly sufficient for survival. But a doctor sees the body entirely differently. Where the ordinary eye sees smooth skin, a doctor visualizes the complex network of nerves, the cellular regeneration, the microscopic electrical impulses, and the intricate anatomical systems keeping the person alive. The doctor knows there is infinitely more to the body than what meets the eye.

That is how I have come to view Christianity. There is a deeper spiritual anatomy to this faith that the ordinary mind rarely encounters. Beneath the structured dogmas and Sunday obligations lies an expansive, esoteric side to spiritual practice—a landscape of mysticism that only a few truly explore. This isn’t a rejection of my Catholic identity; rather, it is an evolution of it. It is the belief that our faith holds keys to unseen dimensions that go far beyond basic catechism.

This realization has completely reshaped my personal practice. I don’t just pray for the sake of repetition; I engage with the living, breathing spiritual ecosystem that surrounds us. My daily walk with faith involves actively working with spirits and communicating with angels—the celestial messengers and guardians that scripture mentions, but whom we rarely teach people to truly interact with. I have developed a personal language of prayer, utilizing intentions and spiritual alignments that feel authentic to the deeper truths I have come to understand.

Living and practicing faith on this level can feel solitary, as it moves away from the conventional path trodden by the crowd. But just like the doctor who finds wonder in the hidden complexities of the human form, I find an overwhelming sense of peace and purpose in exploring the deeper layers of the divine.

Christianity is not a flat, two-dimensional set of rules. It is a multi-dimensional spiritual reality, filled with mysteries waiting for those who are willing to look past the surface and seek the deeper architecture of the soul.

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