I live on a farm in the hills of Aklan. It’s not silent. There’s always a dog barking, a motorcycle on the road, someone’s music thumping in the distance. It could be quieter, honestly.

I wanted space, and I got space. But space also means separation. Sometimes what I miss is conversation – the kind where words connect instead of just filling the air.

Out here, it’s rare to find people who can meet me in English deeply enough for that. So I write – to reach across the distance, to record what feels real, and maybe to offer something of value in return.