He is traditionally depicted as a Roman centurion crushing a crow that cries “Cras” (tomorrow) while holding a cross that reads “Hodie” (today). He teaches us never to procrastinate on our faith or our actions.

For 12 years now, I have been a devoted follower of St. Expedite, witnessing his swift grace in my life time and again.

Years ago, I shared a major milestone on this blog: purchasing a beautiful lot in Foressa, nestled in the scenic mountains of Balamban. At the time, I envisioned building a peaceful rest house. But as the years rolled by, my perspective shifted. I realized a mountain getaway wasn’t what I truly needed. I tried to sell the property, but finding the right buyer felt like an uphill battle.

Then came a moment of absolute clarity. One night while meditating, a sudden, powerful thought struck me: What if this land isn’t meant to be sold? What if it’s meant for something greater?

I decided right then to transform this lot into a veneration chapel dedicated to Saint Expedite.

Currently, there is no dedicated St. Expedite chapel in our city, let alone the entire Philippines. This project is my ultimate act of thanksgiving and a lifetime promise to him. I want to create a sanctuary in Balamban where long-time devotees and curious new believers alike can gather, find peace, and experience his swift intercession.

Of all my dreams, building this chapel has become my number one driver in life. It fuels my daily hustle and gives my ambitions a higher purpose. In God’s perfect time, this vision will become a reality.

St. Expedite, pray for us.

The post Finding Purpose in the Hills of Balamban: My dream of building a St. Expedite Chapel. appeared first on kimocea.

My love affair with this place began all the way back in 2013. A close friend brought me there one humid evening, promising a break from the sterile, cookie-cutter malls dominating the city. The moment we walked in, I was in love. It was a sensory overload in the best way possible: the faint scent of old paper, the warm glow of string lights overhead, and walls lined with vintage finds. From old thrift shops filled with pre-loved denim to quirky nooks bursting with retro toys, vinyl records, and antique cameras, I knew right away that I had found a sanctuary. It was a hipster paradise, but one that felt completely unpretentious and deeply authentic.

But as much as I fell for the old-school aesthetics, what truly stole my heart—and keeps me coming back all these years later—is the people. The crowd at Cubao Expo is entirely its own vibe. It is a beautiful, breathing tapestry of dreamers, artists, musicians, and souls who move at their own deliberate pace.

There is an effortless romance in just watching the people here. You see couples lost in conversation over cold craft beers, or sharing an authentic Italian dinner under the kitschy, frescoed ceilings of an Italian resto.

Cubao Expo doesn’t force a romantic mood; it simply provides the space for it to happen naturally.

It’s the kind of place where time stretches. You can spend an hour analyzing a single indie painting at a local gallery, or chatting up a shop owner about the history of a 1970s rotary phone. The noise of the outside world fades into a background hum, replaced by the clinking of glasses, faint laughter, and the soft scratching of a needle on a record player.

Years have passed since that first visit in 2013, and while shops have changed and the city outside has grown taller and louder, the soul of Cubao Expo remains stubbornly intact. It is a haven for the nostalgic and a sanctuary for anyone looking to connect—not just with the past, but with the person sitting right across from them. If you are looking for a place where love feels a little more classic, a little more grounded, and infinitely more poetic, you only need to look for the hidden alleyway in Cubao.

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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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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.

The post How do you live without a God? appeared first on kimocea.

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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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!

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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.

The post Looking beyond the surface of my faith – Folk Catholicism. appeared first on kimocea.

It was during the pandemic in 2020 when I decided to buy a lot at Foressa Mountain Town, a development of Aboitizland, at the mountains of Balamban. As we all know, almost everything went low, including this, so I took the opportunity to inquire and buy one.

One of the reasons why I pushed myself to invest on land is because my late father used to invest on land and properties as well. This is my first time to buy a piece of land, and I believe it’s worth the investment.

I’m curious as to how much it costs now that it’s 2023, so I chanced upon a property specialist just a few days ago, and to my surprise a sqm of land went up to 30% up from the rate I got it for. As they say, you’ll never go wrong with real estate. 

Looking at the development of Foressa, there is something to look forward as it said to be the future getaway at the Midwest of Cebu since aside from having houses, there will be commercial spaces and adventure activities to be offered.

I have also heared that sometime in the future, there are plans that the Cebu Provincial Capitol will be transferred to Balamban, and having a place in Foressa Mountain Town is an advantage for me if I, God willing, will go do business with the Cebu Provincial Capitol in the future.

Also, I chose this development is that I want to be closer to nature, and having a place near the mountains in a secured community such as Foressa Mountain Town is a good choice.

I was excited when my property specialist informed me that my lot is ready for turnover. So, here’s me together with my mama and my 2 younger sisters for the turn over. It was around 2 hour drive from the Cebu City proper, and it was all worth it.

I still have no plans yet if I will build a rest house here, or sell it in the future… For now, all I know is that I have a piece of land as an investment, and something I can call mine. 

Here’s to more small wins with you. 

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I drove from Manila City to Subic just to try the Discovery flight that was offered by Capt. Mich & Capt. Daryl.

It was 2pm when my younger sister, Kristiana, and I arrived at the Subic International Airport Gate 5. We first had a pre-flight briefing and then we started to do the basics of taxiing – and then we flew.

With us on the flight was Capt. Daryll, giving me the 1st officer seat for me to have a worthwhile pilot experience as I maneuver from taxi, take off, flight and landing – of course with his guidance and care.

Giggles – the perfect word that described what I felt during that flight, and still the feeling I have now while writing this story.

This experience was a perfect decision-maker for me – if I really wanted to do flight school or was it just a random interest. So, for those who want to try out flying school, you may experience this first, and decide after.

When we took off, it literally scared me to the bones, but after some time absorbing all the mechanics of the aircraft how many feet above and observing the outside environment, especially understanding the wind, my fear turned to cheers – I had an unforgettable experience.

Here’s a raw clip. Enjoy.

Fly with you soon!

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