These UNCHR tents are a common sighting in Tacloban, a much-needed shelter for the Yolanda survivors. But wouldn't it be better if our fellowmen be provided better housing conditions by our government?
Category: A Day In The Life Of A
Hey London, I’m in love
A realisation came to me late last year; I’m one to easily fall in love. Bless this treacherous heart! Before you start with your assumptions, let me clarify. I would usually be smitten with the places I go to, but my business trip to London last year left me with a sense of attachment to a city I’ve only known for less than a week. It was love at first visit. (Thank you, Financial Times!)
No, I do not think it has something to do with my fascination for JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Well okay, maybe a little bit. Yes, I am a fan – no judgment please, I basically grew up with Harry Potter.
It’s about the city’s character and the old-meets-new charm it exudes. Don’t even get me started with their distinctive architecture. Those 17th -20th century churches and buildings have captured my old soul. I have also been seriously crushing on the modern skyscrapers: will you go out with me, Gherkin; marry me, Shard?
London weather is sometimes described as dreary, but surprisingly, I loved it. It was part of the London charm. Hopefully the next time I visit I won’t be stupid enough to bring the wrong set of clothes. The cold weather, plus cold rain, and throw in thin clothes in the mix equals death by freezing. Good thing, the newsroom was far warmer than the outdoors. But at one point, the liquor secretly stashed at the cubicle I was hot desking on was very tempting.
I didn’t really have the luxury of time outside the newsroom, so a colleague and I made sure to walk around before and after work. Amazingly, everything was walking distance from the office. The river Thames was visible from my desk’s window, an unhindered view of the London skyline can be seen a few minutes away, and the London bridge was not falling down. Haha Sorry, I couldn’t help it.
The day before we flew home, we made it a point to visit a few museums. The Tate Modern and the British Museum blew my mind. Unfortunately, we did not have enough time to thoroughly check each of them out. I asked my colleague if he can just leave me there. I promised to hide very well and I think the mummies at the Egypt section would be willing to share their spots.
They don’t really look comfy, but why complain if they’d provide a good hiding place, right?
A week was not enough to give me my London fix, but on hindsight, I think forever’s not enough for me to unlove London. Here’s to hoping this love is not unrequited, for a change. (Feelings! harhar)
More pictures here.
-Hx
What do you say to graduating high school kids?
I honestly don’t know.
This was a dilemma weeks back brought about by the invitation to speak during the 3rd commencement exercise of a public high school in Bago City, Negros Occidental. Since that school is not my alma mater, I do not know how I could possibly relate to the experiences of these young ones in their high school. But I figured (and with a little help from a few birdies in the sky that) high school experiences are relatively the same. So taking a few pointers from individuals who are more experienced and mature than I am, I started jotting down important points (a few hours before the actual event).
The next concern was, how can you get the message through? May the heavens forgive me, but I honestly can’t recall what our graduation speakers shared during the three graduations I have attended. They always felt distant, isolating. The challenge I gave myself was how to get the graduates’ attention, after all, that was my role. How to make these kids relate to me and give me at least 10 minutes of their time. I do not want to look smart nor greater than them, I do not want to look cool or sophisticated —I just want to get my message through. I want to see reactions on their faces, both good or bad, to give me a hint that they are taking in (even though just for a moment) the things that I’m saying.
So, I prepared my speech –a lengthy one quoting important people, sharing things I learned as I went through college and life in general. But as I was about to speak, I noticed how the kids were uneasy in their seats, how their attention was drawn away from the previous speakers —and that’s when I decided to ditch my prepared speech, and be MYSELF. (Paaaaaaaak! Patay na sa ‘be myself.’ Okay, not really MYSELF, MYSELF. But somehow-somewhat-somewhere MYSELF). I wasn’t Miss Hannah Dormido that was introduced to them as someone who works for a finance newspaper I doubt their community has ever heard of (they belong to a small farming community, most of the families do not own the land they till, rather they work for the haciendero), I was Manang Hannah, an older sister and a friend.
And here were a few reminders from me to myself:
And finally, the speech!
I think this experience needs a few more posts. For now, let me just say I am so grateful and honoured for such an opportunity. It was life changing.
Congrats, graduates! 🙂
-H