The Ocean of My Being

It's been exactly a week since I came back from Davao. I went there to participate in the 6th Philippine International Literary Festival , specifically and aptly entitled Lalang (a local word which means "creation") this year. The PILF, a landmark project of the National Book Development Board (NBDB) , aims to celebrate literature and promote best publishing practices through discourse on the issues of authorship and readership which shape the local book industry.  It's the first time that the PILF was brought outside of Manila and this year's theme was Writing in Place. Creating Your Place. And, I would say they picked the perfect place for such event because Davao's writing community is very much active and flourishing. This also made it easier for writers, readers, students, and lovers of Literature from all over Mindanao and Visayas to come and participate in the Festival. As with my Taboan experience , my Lalang experience was great! I felt

While editing something, I was listening to the News and there was this special report about this blogger who traveled around Southeast Asia for 100 days with only Philippine P100,000.00 (about US $2150.00) on him. That really got my attention and, almost automatically, I began to imagine myself doing the same thing. That would be so much fun! I immediately texted my friend, Tomas , and we decided we'll start saving. Right now! Haha! Seriously, though, I really want to travel around Southeast Asia, especially to the countries I haven't been to. I am fortunate to have been able to visit some Southeast Asian countries because of a few programs I participated in. That's six countries plus the Philippines, that makes seven Southeast Asian countries out of the eleven (including East Timor ) ASEAN-member nations. I also want to go back to the ones I've been to so I could visit my friends, do and try things I wasn't able to do and try, know the colorful cultures more,