Because a lot of who I am, and what I do, is because of Franklin Drilon. For the past six years or so I have tried to lessen my political postings. Once upon a time (about ten years ago) my blog was filled with my little opinion pieces on our government, development, and other social issues. […]
GK Growth Map, Rolling Out and Staying Put
In 2008, I decided it was time to go back to school. I was determined to pursue my degree in sociology, hone my skills in statistics and prove to myself that GK is sustainable, based on empirical data (and not just feel-good anecdotes that we all know are true also). I got sidetracked (or perhaps […]
Why Have a Postcard Project?
Why Postcards? 1. We love snail mail. Because of the internet, it has becomes so much easier, and faster (perhaps, even more reliable) to communicate with the world. Email and private (or even public) messages just take minutes to get to your inbox. Even bills and bank statements can be sent to your email address. […]
Farm Builds with Gawad Kalinga – Perspective of our French Volunteers
For more than a month, a group of young French students spent their time with Gawad Kalinga and the Spiral Sun team discovering parts of Bicol and the communities as well. Read about the adventures of Selma, Loure, Nicky, Baptiste and Simon as they joined farm builds, rode ATVs and ate their way around Naga and the […]
Philippine Travel Tips
Philippine Travel Tips Are you travelling to the Philippines? Whether you are coming for work, for leisure or for an adventure, these travel tips might be able to help you prepare for the trip. THINGS TO BRING (aside from nice, light, clothing, of course) 1. Insect Repellant There are all sorts of insects that you should watch […]
Tourism Advocate From Bicol Invited to Speak for Digital Influencers Marketing Summit DIMSummit 2014
Tourism Advocate From Bicol Invited to Speak for Digital Influencers Marketing Summit DIMSummit 2014 Apple Allison says, it’s a dream come true for a “probinsyana” like her. I first met Apple a few years ago. Tom and I were slowly putting together the Spiral Sun, and fixing our itineraries for fun and meaningful Bicol trips. […]
Nanay Needs: the SaYa Baby Carrier
We do a lot of moving around because of work (and because we love to go to new places and meet new people), but we are also hands-on parents. I breastfeed J and have not been separated from him longer than two hours. Fortunately (or unfortunately) for J, he gets to come along with us […]
The BOB Talks – Best of Bicol
The BoB Talks are a series of talks on the Best of Bicol – a movement encouraging entrepreneurship and bringing out the best that the region has to offer. Last week, we were asked if we could be part of the panel for the BoB Talks for their second run. The talks, a brainchild of […]
A is for Avenue Plaza Hotel
If there is a place other than our home where J is comfortable rolling around the bed and hiding under the covers, it is the Avenue Plaza Hotel. This four-star hotel sits in the heart of the lifestyle hub of Naga City. Being one of the classiest hotels in the metro, you can expect excellent […]
Dear J, Be Proud of Naga
These letters to our children are also reminders for us. That we remember how we want to raise them – to love God, country, neighbour. Here is our attempt at what Ate Anna W. calls “Patriotic Parenting”, and bringing up Faithful fellows. Here’s hoping J will always be proud of Naga City, his hometown. To Our […]