Got hitched…

first-time Dad!

Why just two when you can have all three? We’re expecting our third child sometime next month. According to the latest ultrasound results my wife will be due by Aug 24 hopefully she makes it to giving birth on that date as the doctor said she might give birth earlier due to some very early signs of labor pains that she was complaining about last week and a few days ago. The doc gave her a shot for the baby just in case he (ultrasound confirms it’s a boy!) gets wacky and decides to come out early. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Update: This is an old archived post on this site and is only kept online for my own archival purposes. The content and images on this post this might be outdated and incomplete. Please do not sue me if the Internet breaks because you read this. I am now the proud father of three beautiful and wonderful kids, Steven John, my third child, was born this August 9, 2007 at the Manila Doctor’s Hospital. Picture will be posted here as soon as my card reader is working again My post came late because I did not have time to sit and write about anything these past few weeks. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Update: This is an old archived post on this site and is only kept online for my own archival purposes. The content and images on this post this might be outdated and incomplete. Please do not sue me if the Internet breaks because you read this. I finally got myself into a weight management program. This decision was long overdue and was finally made into a workable three-month program. It is being run by the company I work for as part of their wellness program for employees and management. finally got myself into a weight management program. This decision was long overdue and was finally made into a workable three-month program. It is being run by the company I work for as part of their wellness program for employees and management. There is a tiny twist to the program as it will be run like a reality show similar to the show Biggest Loser. First weigh in will be on Tuesday (February 26, 2008).Right now I am more than 30 lbs. overweight my height is 6′ 2 1/2″ and I roughly weigh 245 lbs. My weight fluctuates anywhere from 230 – 245 lbs depending on the season. I should be somewhere between 190 – 210 lbs to be considered fit. It is a breakthrough for me to even sign up for the program. The past year had me put a lot of thought into managing my weight problem, even had a few complimentary gym memberships but never really made an effort to do something physically about my excess fat and weight. Reading the weight-loss blog of Saphrym also served as an inspiration. It helped me to finally decide to take part in the program which by coincidence is being launched next week. Archon Digital will eventually cover highlights of the program as well as feature those who will make significant progress in the coming weeks. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Update: This is an old archived post on this site and is only kept online for my own archival purposes. The content and images on this post this might be outdated and incomplete. Please do not sue me if the Internet breaks because you read this. Happy Birthday to Me! Today marks another year of learning and enjoying all the things that life has to offer. A perfect time to reflect on my present status, my faith and also reviewing my personal and career goals. God has been kind to me and has always been there to keep me strong and to occassionally bail me out whenever I f#@k things up. I’ve made no plans yet for tonight but let’s see maybe a simple dinner for two with my wife would be a nice way to spend my evening. Later today, I’m giving away 3,000 Entrecard credits to three lucky Entrecard members who drops on my site on the day of my birthday (October 8). They will receive their credits a week apart as Entrecard only allows credit transfers up to 1000ec. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

One of the first national governments around the world to adopt WordPress as a Content Management System.

Worked with counterparts in other agencies to get government to adopt a content policy and enforce corporate identity using a common modern website template. Worked on and drafted policy that lead to Administrative Order No. 39, s. 2013.

Manila Jai Alai building. Photo source: I took a photo of this from a collage of photos of old Manila on the wall of a Chinese restaurant and can’t find any credits on who originally took this picture. This is where Dad used to play during his pro pelotari days. An elegant Art Deco structure that has been part of Manila’s history for as long as I can remember. Its Sky Room was also once the playground of the elite back in the City’s glory days. The Manila Jai Alai building and its Sky Room got torn down along with some of our best childhood memories. I thought it was supposed to give way to a structure for either the City government or for the Judiciary and it would’ve been great for the city if that were the case and would have been a better compromise to losing it than this eyesore of a residential condo that would soon, had it not been for this online petition and the City council’s resolution, rise and be forever stain the background of Rizal monument. Grandma ran a restaurant in the parking area at the back of the Jai Alai and one of my aunts would tell us amusing stories of how Dad literally grew up in this building, learning how to play, breaking a few windows of the building as he learned the sport and eventually playing pro and becoming one of its most celebrated players during the 1970s up to the 80s. It must have been heartbreaking for him to see it being torn down. We used to spend quite a lot of time there as kids and I still have vague memories of the route we take when going there going through Ayala bridge or through Taft Avenue during the day when it was still closed to the public and also at night when its lights illuminated the sky behind Rizal park. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Today I turn 36, and I am writing this down on a markdown editor on my iPhone while lying on my side, bored and tethered to a hospital bed a few inches short for my height, where I’ve been stuck since yesterday after being diagnosed with dengue fever. I will probably post this late since I am not feeling well and the internet here is slow, but would just want to write down my thoughts since there is not much to do around here. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is pretty much everywhere this season, and I couldn’t think of any specific place where I could’ve been bit by that plagued mosquito. It could’ve been anywhere. The situation on this virus has escalated into sort of an epidemic in other parts the country as well as in the rest of South and Southeast Asia. Studies from several universities and the World Health Organization indicate that it could get worse by next year as the effects of El Niño goes into high gear. The Emergency Room I was in was 80% full of dengue cases, but we are fortunate here in Manila that our facilities are well-equipped to handle multiple cases of the virus. I’ve read that in other countries like India, they are having a harder time coping with the outbreak. Let’s just hope it doesn’t get any worse. Update: (October 10, 2015) I have since been discharged from the hospital and I am at home recovering from the effects of the virus. I took the liberty of editing this at lenght before posting to add some photos and links. × These two came and stayed until midnight. They also promised to “NOT” spread rumors that I underwent a certain “procedure” and was only using dengue as my cover story. Seriously, don’t believe them. Day one was Friday (October 2) which started with me waking up to what felt like the flu. October 2 is my late sister’s 38th birthday and the night before was my grandmother’s 88th where we were up late with our balikbayan relatives and the rest of the family. I was thinking I was probably just tired from the past two nights of family stuff going on on a weekday, on top of a busy schedule at work. It was that typical busy Friday where I had a string of meetings to attend to, one right before lunch and another two in the afternoon and evening. I opted to cancel the other two meetings since I was really starting to not feel well. We finished our meeting, I hitched a ride, got dropped off and barely made it home. I almost passed out in Cash n’ Carry where I got dropped off. It felt like I was heavily drugged or drunk and I was literally dragging myself to the taxi stand some 100 meters away like a prisoner of war being force-marched to a labor camp. And then my training kicked in, like Jason Bourne, who despite having two gunshot wounds on his back, manages to drift at sea and be rescued by Italian fishermen after a botched mission in the Mediterranean, all those years of getting home while being intoxicated drunk “chemically imbalanced” has paid off and so I was able to get a ride home. This is not the first time I got struck by this virus, the first time was back in college some fifteen or so years ago. Dengue has four strains which means I am now immune to the other two strains. This also made the virus much more difficult to handle this time around. The next few days (October 3-5) had me nursing the viral infection which I already suspected to be dengue. There was the high fever, the piercing head and back pain and then the rash (October 6). Rashes started to appear on my arms and legs on Tueday and it was what prompted me to get myself checked in at the hospital. The blood test confirmed what I already knew. It was scary but manageable, it was my second time so I knew the drill and how to work around to recovering from the virus. My platelet count went down to 29k which was just a hairline short of requiring a transfusion. I bled a little too, but not as worse as I expected. My mom and my brother “foraged” for tawa-tawa and turned it into tea and had me drink bottles of it, which, along with the IV fluids, kept me hydrated and helped me recover my platelet count. I also had a few shots of juiced Papaya leaves, they taste terrible BTW, but is equally effective. My platelet went up to 39k today. (Update: My platelet went up to 114k on my third day.) On the days leading to my hospitalization, I would have nightmares of me waking up in the night with blood flowing continiously from my eyes, nose and ears, like the ship crew who self-mutilated in a scene from Event Horizon (1997), that incorrect Latin recording scene, “Libera te tu temet ex inferis”. It was scary but I somehow found it hilarious despite it being so morbid. My initial reaction was in my dream was “Oh come on, Event Horizon is so 1997, can’t I come up with something more recent” (as a dream reference?), “Am I really that old?” It was my birthday anyway and I did just turn 36 today, so yeah, that makes me, old. Hospital (groufie/selfie/whatever) photo. From left to right: Bea, Chloe, Lyn, myself, Let and Charles. These guys from our Victory Group visited me and Let and celebrated with us. The others not on the photo are Doc and Ate Marianne. Our friends from our Victory Group came by and brought some cake and food, which I was only able to eat a few days after. We would have really had a great time if I weren’t chained to this hospital bed and if I had my appetite back. It was the only semblance of a celebration I had for my birthdaty but their efforts were well worth it and I really appreciated the gesture. My day ended well past midnight, well after these guys left, and after my wife went to sleep. I had for myself a few hours of being awake and alone, typing some of the contents of this entry while occassionally being checked on by a nurse. Being reminded of one’s mortality had me think and reflect on my outlook and priorities in life. I am really grateful that I am well and recovering and that I have my wife, kids, friends and family who are there to support me when I am in such a situation. There’s also a lot of work to do, to keep me on top of my health and to focus on the things that really matter. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

hmmm, I’m toying with the idea of switching my blog back to #WordPress from #Jekyll, just for kicks. #learningneverends Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Looking forward to not being too busy after June 30. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Never compromise, always strive for perfection, but never let it get in the way of accomplishing your tasks. One must learn to strike a balance between the two. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

…in a cab on my way to QC, driver playing gospel country tunes, I close my eyes & suddenly I’m on a Greyhound bound for Nashville, TN   Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Seven. Only seven more days to go. Looking forward to July 1, 2016. — Jon Cuevas (@archondigital) June 23, 2016 Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

https://twitter.com/50nerdsofgray/status/643108500428591105 Twitter will never die. As long as there are people who make accounts like this, Twitter will live forever. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Nope. Abe didn’t really say it. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

I haven't gotten around to restoring Lightroom on my laptop since losing 2-3 months of photos from a corrupted partition — Jon Cuevas (@archondigital) October 27, 2016 Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

This is Rubik, our new furry bundle of fleas and joy. He’s so far doing okay, loves to snuggle up to whoever is sleeping and is somewhat more clingy than our previous cat. Our first cat, Peabo died last August which broke the kids’ hearts and so I just had to get a new one. Even Fluffy went through some period of mourning and was clearly depressed after losing her playmate. But all that is fixed now. Fluffy has fully adjusted and the kids are all over Rubik, who is one hyper active kitten that keeps everyone alert and awake when he wakes up to play at wee hours of the night. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jon Cuevas (@archondigital) https://www.instagram.com/p/BLZDL4Nlaq-/ https://www.instagram.com/p/BLc75g1lSxd/   For the record, I was never a cat person. When I was a kid, I was very mean to cats. We only had dogs, lots of dogs, in fact, from what I recall, we had some sort of a breeding hive of mini pinschers and a kennel for several large dogs. I started warming up to cats when I was in high school, when I’d crash at our pastor’s digs when their cat, also named Peabo, would keep me company at night while I slept on a sleeping bag. But even then, I dreaded the idea of having to take a cat home as a pet. We got our first cat for the sole purpose of keeping rodents out of sight. We live in an old house were it came to a point when the mice thought they were friends with us, hence the cat. I just wanted a cat to keep the mice away, no attachments, no feelings, nothing. But things didn’t turn out as planned and we all fell in love with that orange ball of fur, and so when he died, we just had to get a new one. I’m still not entirely sure, but pretty soon I could call myself a cat person. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Change is scamming. Congress is railroading House Bill 4144 to undo the Sin Tax Reform Act#SintaxPH #Sintax https://t.co/nnYb7azVvD — Jon Cuevas (@archondigital) December 6, 2016 Change is scamming. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Uber is gone for now and I want to write something about the entire fiasco as it affects me and my family a great deal. But I will not write it without first waiting for my anger to subside. I want to fair; to Uber, to the LTFRB and to Taxi drivers and yes, even to Taxi operators. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

We drafted the framework for an Open Government Licensing Policy into our draft EO on the National Government Digital Service (Committee) back in the previous administration. Too bad it never got signed. But here is the jist of what an Open License is all about and why it is important. https://blog.okfn.org/2017/06/08/the-state-of-open-licensing-in-2017/ Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

So, it’s 2018 now. It’s February and this is the first time I’m posting in months. I’ve neglected this blog for quite some time and this space doesn’t deserve to be neglected as such. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Played GTAV when I had nothing to play to test on my livestreaming rig while prepping for a client event. just test streaming for an event later… what better way to test than to goof around in #GTAVPosted by Archon Digital on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Somewhere near Escolta in Sta. Cruz, Manila. “Got a lot on my mind/plate”, seemed to me as the usual excuse I give myself on why I just don’t go ahead and start writing again on this platform. Too much noise, too many distractions, real-life, actual work, etc… and the list goes on and on. These things I keep using as excuses to justify why I am not pursuing my objective on this website. And as I’ve done before, today I’m gonna promise myself, that I will start working on my own sh!t for once and do away with all the noise. I’m genuinely excited for this coming year. I’ve a lot going on, things to pursue and look forward to, all tied into making my new and the not-so-new objectives a reality. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

saw a friend’s post on FB about how @foodpandaPH guys not smiling compared to @grabph food peeps— Jon Cuevas (@archondigital) August 16, 2019 Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

It takes an awful lot of courage and faith to be able to say “Happy Easter, He has risen” in such trying times as this. Be thankful for your faith. Trust me, that void when one is without it can be taxing. I honestly admire those who remain steadfast and true (to their faith) in spite of what they see and hear around them. For days at a time, my mind would toil over the following thoughts; “What kind of benevolent being allows for countless to die under such painful circumstances?” “What kind of god allows for the masses to suffer from consequences resulting from choices made by the few who are in control?” “What kind of master treats its subjects as pawns, as dispensable playthings so one can play god?” “What kind of god allows for loved ones left behind to suffer the pain of not being able to say goodbye?” Me in my zombie-apocalypse #OOTD before going on a supply run. Yes, I am smiling in this photo. I’ve so many questions going on in my mind. A part of myself tells me that what is happening around the world is rooted in science, and that the suffering of so many is to be expected, and that it is simply nature at work. It is day 28 of the lockdown here in Manila and after so many days in isolation, even a person as anti-social as myself, is longing for the freedom to interact, to move around and to socialize. The lockdown changes you. It’s funny that from what used to be just eye contact followed by a quick nod of acknowledgement, I now actually find myself smiling at random people, but from one meter away and from behind my mask, of course, as social distancing dictates. And while buying food in the supermarket, you’ll hear this playlist of tunes seeking to calm and uplift the spirits of those listening. It’s as if someone ran a search on Spotify for the word “heal” or “healing” and made a playlist of everything they found, from Jamie Rivera to Michael Jackson, and yes, sometimes from even that one song from Marvin Gaye. Sometimes a vehicle would slowly go around the neighborhood, playing the more religious of those healing tunes accompanied by prayers. Most of the time these prayers would sound like Gregorian chants over monophonic music, as you can barely make out what is said from the muffled sound emanating from several semi-broken megaphones mounted on a moving vehicle. But all this is done to reassure the faithful that their God is with them and will help them make it through. The gesture is calming and reassuring for most and to a lot of people, besides the basic necessities, faith is all that matters. People choose to believe and that takes courage. From my own possibly distorted understanding, and from what I’ve been taught then as a young man, faith in the Christian context, taken from the Greek pistis, is understood as always a gift from God, and never something that can originate directly from people. Faith for the believer is “God’s divine persuasion” and is very much distinct from human belief, yet that belief plays a part in understanding it. On the other hand, Catholicism and Christianity in general in the country was used by our colonizers as a means to pacify us indios, who most colonizers dismissed as mere savages. The friars and preachers and later on the elite class during those dark times kept the natives as ignorantly faithful as possible, taking their land, their freedoms, all in the name of. Modern society despite its flaws allows us the freedom to seek our own path, to seek our own clarity. But then, this clarity is subjective. In blindly choosing to believe in God, and in putting your fate at the hands of something you cannot see, in spite of all this suffering, in spite of all the uncertainty, can one then conclude that ignorance is clarity? To be clear, I’m not mocking anyone’s faith, I am seriously asking myself these. Faith can be a lot of things to a lot of people. If it keeps them strong and able to face the hardships of life, and continue to have a positive outlook, then I have nothing terrible to say about it. It is what it is. The human spirit, collectively, appears hard to break. We have endured and recovered, over and over, through the different stages of our evolution as a race. Every time nature has chosen to take a breather, us humans are forced to reflect and take things slow. It’s hard and definitely painful for those who have lost loved ones, but life treads on, however difficult, life moves forward, and every time we all get a bit stronger. You suffer yet you choose to be faithful and that is truly admirable. Happy Easter, He is risen. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

saying hello world, after such a long hiatus… Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Open up my head and let me out… argh! I can’t seem to shake this DMB tune off my head. I went silent from April of 2020 up to now. With the exception of a few posts on my IG and personal socmed accounts, I pretty much erased my presence digitally. At some point I even turned off this website for months at a time as it would trigger anxiety whenever I would see it. Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com The mere mention of my domain would cause me to argue with myself on whether I should post whatever drafts I’d already written during the lockdown period. Then I would tell myself I would rather not expose too much of what was the darkness that was eating up on me during that time. It was ugly, I can guarantee that much. I managed to keep busy during the entire lockdown and never lost much work. And I am extremely grateful for that, but still, the toll on being isolated from everyone else in my social circle took its toll. For someone like me who grew up introverted and anti-social, not having to meet people in person seemed like the perfect setup. The not-having-to-meet part almost seemed perfect, for the first few weeks of the lockdown at least… until it wasn’t. Being able to get out and move around was something I never really appreciated until that was taken from me. Spending much of this time not seeing other people in my social circle has not been too helpful to my state of mind. Imagine me, a pretty much anti-social person, now longing for human interaction outside of my immediate family. So here we are in 2023, and I feel much better now. Everything seems to fall into place and sometime late last year, I would for the first time, have a more positive outlook on what is to come. We also started to ease our own self-imposed restrictions and started venturing out more. The past lockdown changed a lot of things for everybody and the effects of this pandemic continue to disrupt our lives and would do so for years to come. I have a lot to say, but choosing what gets published is a form of self-censorship that takes a lot of restraint, a ton of self-control. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Sometime between December of 2021 and January of 2022 or roughly two years since the pandemic hit, I found myself outside shooting on the streets again. The pandemic changed so much of my routine and by this time I have eased into our new lifestyle. It was also how I got reacquainted with my neighborhood, “discovering” all its hidden gems, tiny restaurants, burger joints, Korean groceries, all the shops… This is Ana. She became friends with my wife along with all the people working in this eatery. We have grown quite close to the people here during the pandemic. Posted originally on my Instagram. No vaccine, no entry. Typical signage you would now see around these parts. Since it was such a chore to try to venture out far to do errands, I found myself frequenting the mini-groceries or the talipapa near our home to get basic necessities. That, combined with using GrabMart for getting the usual groceries, made going out to be such a waste of time. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Billions of dollars went into ChatGPT and this is one of the first things I decided to ask it… Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Sweet. #ChatGPT knows Bricks Builder for #WordPress!it did however leave out that the device pixel ratio for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro should be 2 pic.twitter.com/EfDU1WA3vF— Jon Cuevas (@archondigital) February 4, 2023 Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

I keep trying to find a way to go back and be near you. This love-hate thing we have going has me longing for your cool breeze, your laid back vibe that makes lazy afternoons strolling up and down Session Road good exercise, and to the everyday Baguio things such as having fried rice with egg for breakfast in Cathy’s (sa may sakayan ng PNR jeepney) or having coffee then randomly running into parents of your kalaro playing mahjong in an obscure back room on the second floor of Rumours, playing darts with friends in the old 50’s Diner along Abanao, or cutting class to watch movies in Session Theater while hiding from patrolling cops, or playing SNES in an illegal video game arcade hidden under a steel trap door somewhere along Gen. Luna Road, to drink beer while watching metal band concerts on VHS at Benedict’s (or sa Chicken House pag low budget), or having Sinanglaw at 4:00am to wash off after hanging out with friends in some shady corner of the City. That was all just high school. I’m still not keen on writing about what I did in my limited time in college in Baguio. Busy tourists walking along Session Road during the Panagbenga. Session Theatre in the background. But all that is enough for me to keep looking back and wanting to live back in the Summer Capital. For a brief period as a young couple with my wife, I did try to etch out a living in Baguio. But plans change and I got into corporate, then worked overseas, then worked in government, then worked again in private. Since then, the cool breeze and icy cold showers were just a thing of the past. Getting to find the same type and amount of work that I do, supported by the infrastructure that I need was the main hindering factor for not coming back. At least that was the reason for the past decade or so, but not now. I’ve recently rekindled this longing to move back. Reading and watching about Starlink working pretty well in the mountains, friends telling me there is also decent PLDT fiber now. And having the same post-pandemic work-from-home gigs that has Gen Zs working while living in surf spots near Elyu have, I mean, I can afford to go back, right? Midjourney AI-generated image of a modern minimalist Scandinavian semi A – frame, two storey home. I have this visual I had generated in Midjourney which closely resembles what I envision of putting up as a my own semi-offgrid, solar-powered home in the outskirts of the city, where it is still filled with greenery and not so much tourists. Land values in and around the city is getting very expensive, so for now, I will park this image in my suntok-sa-buwan-hindi-bawal-ang-mangarap file. Nostalgia na lang muna tayo. My history with Baguio goes further back than just high school. Large chunks of my childhood from the 80s were filled with regular trips to Baguio as a family. Dad would drive north, away from our home in Sunvalley, we lived in Marigold Street then, and sometimes would alternate between Hundred Islands in Pangasinan and Baguio, but mostly just Baguio. We would stay in decent American-styled cottages for several days, I can’t even remember where. Those fond memories led us as a family to settle there in the 90s when my brother got accepted into UP, much to his dismay, his not-so-clever escape plan to live solo as studying/partying freshman was foiled. Going back to trying to settle back in the mountains, I am really giving it a serious think now. I’m currently at 40% willing to move, 60% still holding on to what I see as the negatives. Who knows, maybe I do eventually decide to pack up ang go. Living in Baguio is still an idea stuck in my head. I keep looking over my shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of the Baguio that I miss. As always there is no point to this post. I just wanted to babble about it and put the idea out there so when I see this in a few months time, I just might end up making a decision… or not. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

My grandmother died almost two weeks ago. She was 96. Also my aunt, our dear Tita Malu, died a few months before my grandma. Dealing with loss is something I have been really terrible with. I feel the loss; I feel pain; I feel the grief; I feel all of these things and experience them as I should. But I can’t seem to put myself through what other’s around me can. Express that feeling. All of these things I feel are stuck under the surface, like a dormant vent of steam of a geiser waiting to let out a burst. I could easily go down this rabbit hole of regret, telling myself what I could’ve done better to prevent all this, but then I also try my best to rationalize keep it together, and accept that that is their fate. Me, the wife, and the kids performed and played live music in one of the services during my grandma’s wake. It was the first time in years (roughly a decade) that I actually did a set and played with my children in front of a crowd. It felt good as we played music that my grandmother loved. That was the best tribute I could give her and I wished we did those more frequently when she was still alive. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

on my 2nd day today of not having any rice or bread, still putting a little sugar in my coffee Let’s see how long I can last before going for a double quarter pounder… #medyohealthy Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

that’s it, 2 days off rice and bread is done, got served with a bowl of champorado by the wife Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp