Jan and I absolutely love Japan. The first time we went there, we stayed for 8 days. And let me tell you, 8 days in Japan is like getting one sushi roll when you want the whole platter. We tried to cram everything in— ramen in Tokyo, temples in Kyoto, USJ in Osaka, deer in Nara, beef burg…

We kicked off 2024 at Haven's Dew Resort in Kapatagan, Digos City for the incredibly important reason that...

And, we did it again ! SarWrites has been recognized as  Best Personal Blog at the Davao Blog Awards 2024 , and I’m over here grinning from ear to ear! 😊 When I first started this little corner of the internet, it was a hodgepodge of random musings, over-shared opinions, and self refle…

The past few months have kept me busy with a number of blogging events, leaving me to rummage through my shoe collection in search of something to wear.  It was a fashion crisis of epic proportions. I only wanted to wear one specific pair of shoes. The thing is, I don't even have it. …

A few weeks ago, Jan and I were in Thailand. And while writing about our experience at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, it dawned on me—I never wrote about our trip to Singapore last July 2023. How could I have missed that? We've been to Singapore twice before, and the third trip was espe…

I love watching watching documentaries about ancient cities—their mysteries, their cultures, and the stories they tell through the remnants of their architecture. So when I had the opportunity to visit Bangkok, I couldn't let the chance to actually stand in the ruins of a city that on…

Since having kids, Jan and I have struggled to find time for just the two of us. Our best moments alone often consist of quick meals in a parking lot. As much as we wanted to travel as frequently as before, it wasn’t in our cards to travel this year because, as I mentioned in my previous …

Did you know that Cebu Pacific now flies direct from Davao to Thailand?  Yes, you read that right. You can now enjoy flights to Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) 3x weekly!  I never really thought I’d be traveling to another country this year, especially since Jan and I have already …

I remember I was in 2nd grade, around 1993, when our class adviser called the top students in front and handed each one of us what seemed like a certificate. It turned out to be a ticket to the Royal London Circus, something I had never heard of before. Fast forward two years, another cir…

Payakap naman guys, resbak ako agad. A friend posted this on Facebook.  Out of concern, I reacted to the post with a "care" emoji and asked if he's okay—which was met with a "haha" reaction followed by an "OK kaayo!"

While  my first tattoo  (a compass) was and still is significant to me because I love to travel , I told myself that if ever I will get another one, it has to be drawn and designed by me. You see, I used to work as an illustrator and a graphic/web/software/UIUX designer. I designed all ou…

In 1977, a vision grew from a newly founded gravel and sand company, laying the foundation for what would become a leading force in the national building sector.   As the enterprise expanded into construction and property development, it became clear that its ultimate mission was to enab…

I should stop lying to myself .

I was unable to blog about our 5th wedding anniversary, which also marked our 10th year together—something  I do every year —because I was too busy writing another piece. I thought I could go back to blogging once I finish my long-ass essay.  But 19 pages later, I try to avoid anything th…

I was thinking of blogging about something because I wanted to take a break from the long-ass essay that I have been writing. I thought I could pull off what my favorite author, Brandon Sanderson, can do. He writes something different if he's feeling burned out. He takes a break from …

Dry patches, dark spots, visible fine lines, blemishes, and an overall lack of glow that screams "I haven't slept in the last three years"—that's what you get when you're into the thick of motherhood. With two little humans and a teen to take care of, pressing chores…

We finally got to see Jack Johnson live!  And he did not disappoint!  OMGAEOFIJASFJHGVOAHIJROARLOJSDFJAF!!! Allow me to share with you all a story of our greatest weekend in 2024 yet.  *deep breath* Here goes...  Jan and I didn't know about the Wanderland Music Festival until we saw o…

I love online shopping and traveling, that's why it is imperative that I return to work to continue funding my hobbies. So I looked into the job market, and I was mildly horrified. The last time I had a job interview was in 2016. That was eight freaking years ago. Plus, in my line of …

I would have turned this into a parenting blog—where I may never have to run out of things to write and, therefore, make a living out of it—but it will only reveal the sh*t mom that I am. You would probably read nothing but parenting fails. I would be shamed for being the kind of mother w…

It was in the early 2000s when I learned how to craft byte-sized narratives (a.k.a. blog) and I have been suffering from verbal diarrhea ever since. To those who know me, it's not a surprise that when I have something to say, I don't hold back.  And when I say I have something to …

For this year's year-end post, Jan takes the center stage. Again. -------- It was around January this year when I noticed one of my fingers started swelling. I thought it was just a simple case of a sprained finger. But one inflamed finger led to another, until I could not twist open …

A few Sundays ago, I decided to hit the road to fetch Jan in General Santos City. Honestly, with the cost of fuel consistently going up where a 500-peso worth of gas won't get you anywhere, I could have just let him commute because that would have been obviously waaaay cheaper.  But a…

You are probably here because you wanted to hear about the tale of a murder mystery that unfolded on the night of December 2nd.  While the scent of frustration and betrayal still linger around some of the sorry victims, allow me to recount the story of this seemingly innocent lady, who ca…