We grow up believing that impact has to be loud to be real. That stories only matter if they’re big, urgent, and world-changing. But over time, I learned that some of the most meaningful films don’t try to fix everything — they focus on one truth and let it breathe. This is a reflection on small stories, quiet leadership, and why that’s enough.

"In your 20s, you will be tempted to prove to everyone that you’re doing well in life. It’s important you resist putting on a performance for an audience that isn’t yourself." As the year ends, I keep asking a quiet question: am I allowed to call myself this yet? This piece sits with that discomfort, learning to accept who I am, without your approval, and realizing the present version of myself doesn’t need validation to exist.

The holidays have a way of making stories feel heavier and more necessary. This is the season when we catch up with friends, remember the past with family, speak to those who have passed, and call the ones who are far away. In these moments, stories become more than memories — they become our way of staying connected.

Christmas in the Philippines doesn’t arrive all at once — it slowly settles in. From church songs at dawn and parols lining the streets to station IDs and holiday films we replay every year, stories have always been how we gather, remember, and feel seen. This piece reflects on how film became part of our Christmas tradition — and why representation and shared stories matter most during Pasko.

The first step rarely feels right. It feels uncertain, awkward, and heavy with doubt. You question your timing, your ability, and whether you’re even meant to be here at all. But beginnings aren’t supposed to feel confident. They’re supposed to feel unfamiliar. And sometimes, the only way to understand where you’re going is to take the step that feels wrong and trust that clarity will follow.

Starting your first film is scary. Fear, doubts, and imperfect tools can make you freeze before you even press “record.” But every messy, awkward, “cringe-worthy” attempt is a step toward discovering your voice as a filmmaker. Your story deserves to be told — so take the leap. Make it anyway.

You heard that right, nobody cares about your life story, your struggles, your wins, or even your biggest heartbreak. The world already has so much going on that people don’t always have the time or emotional capacity to pause and truly listen. Especially today, in a society and generation where our country is plagued with corruption and lack of accountability, why would we want to watch something that does nothing but confront you with the harsh reality? Well, you see — that