Back in the day, when Holy Week was just around the corner, I’d always feel a bit uneasy. Not because of anything scary or religious — but because I knew it meant one thing: another long, “boring” week at home. As a 90s kid growing up in a typical Filipino household that wasn’t particularly religious or outgoing, Holy Week felt like being grounded for seven days straight.   There was no television. Stations would go off-air starting Maundy Thursday, and the only things you’d hear on the radio were mellow songs or church readings. Even the usual laughter and noise in the streets would quiet down. Kids like me weren’t allowed to play outside, and it felt like the entire neighborhood went on a strict “quiet mode.”   I still remember the eerie silence, only broken by the sound of the pabasa in a nearby house, or the occasional procession passing through our street. People in black sutanas (robes) would walk solemnly, and adults would warn us, "Ayan na ang mumu!" to mak...

  The Sorteo Festival is a unique triennial tradition in Carmona, Cavite, deeply rooted in the town's agricultural heritage. Established in 1861, just four years after Carmona—formerly known as Barrio Latag—became an independent municipality (formerly part of Silang, Cavite), the festival's name derives from the Spanish word " sorteo ," meaning raffle or lottery . Historically, this event served as a public lottery to allocate communal agricultural lands to deserving farmers, ensuring equitable land distribution among residents. Over the years, the Sorteo Festival has evolved to remain relevant to the community's needs. While the original practice focused on raffling agricultural lands, recent developments have expanded to include substantial cash prizes. For instance, the 2025 festival offered 450 prizes of ₱50,000 each, 50 prizes of ₱100,000 each, five prizes of ₱200,000 each, and five prizes of ₱300,000 each. This shift reflects the local government's comm...

Only in the Philippines will you hear about couples going to the barangay to enter in an agreement terminating their marriage and allowing each other to live with someone else—allegedly without violating any law. This long-standing practice has been an informal way for estranged spouses to part ways without going through legal proceedings. But is such an agreement valid? Does it have any legal effect on marriage? Since it’s the love month, let’s clarify the legal consequences of this arrangement and why it holds no weight under Philippine law. Marriage, as defined under Article 1 of the Family Code of the Philippines , is a special contract of permanent union between a man and a woman entered into in accordance with the law for the establishment of a conjugal and family life. It is the foundation of a basic and inviolable social institution whose nature, consequences, and incidents are governed by law and not subject to stipulations , except that marriage settlements may fix the prope...

Every Christmas , our family has a cherished tradition: gathering for a reunion to celebrate the holidays and commemorate the birth of our maternal grandmother, Nanay Dideng, in their ancestral home. Alongside honoring her memory, this occasion has always been intertwined with the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth. However, during the pandemic, restrictions on gatherings forced us to rethink our traditions to keep everyone safe. After the pandemic, our family decided to embrace a change by celebrating Christmas exclusively with our immediate family. This shift led us to Pine Suites in Tagaytay City, where we created new memories. Our family of four stayed in our cozy " crib ," while my siblings, mother, nephews, and nieces shared two-bedroom units rented from Shesam . Pine Suites has become our go-to spot for unwinding and enjoying relaxing staycations. Surrounded by pine trees, the property offers a serene, child-friendly atmosphere complete with a playground and a swimmin...

Christmas 2023 will forever hold a special place in our hearts. After scrimping and saving since January, our family embarked on our inaugural long travel to Baguio, the City of Pines. The excitement was palpable, especially since most of us were first-time visitors. Planning and Preparation Months of meticulous planning and budgeting paid off as we set off on our adventure. We secured a cozy rental property owned by a colleague (@Sophiya's Place), providing the perfect haven for our family. A reliable van rental service ensured a comfortable journey, allowing us to focus on making unforgettable memories. Each family contributed a delectable dish to the Noche Buena feast. Exploring Baguio's Wonders Our itinerary was packed with iconic destinations: 1. Strawberry Farm: We marveled at the lush fields and sampled the sweetest strawberries. 2. People's Park: The scenic views and tranquil atmosphere left us mesmerized. 3. Burnham Park: A leisurely stroll around the lagoon, garde...