If you’re reading this, you’re already a step closer to New Zealand.Just let that sink in. You got shortlisted. That’s not small. That’s huge. That means your story, your dreams, and your application stood out. And now you’re one interview away from something life-changing. I remember when I got that email—I must have read it…
If you’re reading this blog, I am sure you are suffering, or one of your loved ones is suffering from anxiety or panic disorder. It can feel overwhelming and isolating, but you are not alone. Like you, I’ve faced the highs and lows of this condition, always looking for answers and remedies, yet hopelessness would…
It’s the time of the year when you’re wondering about doing something new, growing up, and considering an international scholarship. You might be interested in applying for the New Zealand Government Manaaki Scholarship. In this blog, I’ll tell you how I became a preferred candidate…twice! What is the Manaaki Scholarship? The Manaaki Scholarship is a…
‘Tis the season to be jolly. But what if we can’t feel the same jolly vibe that holidays are supposed to? Quite recently, I often hear people say “Christmas isn’t the same as it used to be,” reflecting on the nostalgia that the past celebrations have brought. But is this sentiment true? Has Christmas really…
A Truth I Can’t Undo I am a Christian. And I am gay. Those two things—simple to say on their own—become a battleground when held together. For many, these identities cancel each other out. But for people like me, they coexist in a constant tension we’re told shouldn’t be possible. I know the Scripture. I…
You can’t reach what’s in front of you until you let go of what’s behind you. Jessica Park Our lives have been moving at a pace so fast that days just go by in an instant. One week I was on vacation at Bantayan Island, savoring the pristine waters and breathtaking sunsets, a week later,…
I came across an indie song while listening to Spotify called Mr. Porcelain by Jude York. This song talks about the unattainable beauty of the person the singer longs to build a connection with. The narrator uses ‘Porcelain Doll’ as a metaphor for someone who is delicate but perfect and is hard to reach. It’s…
An utter nightmare. Up to this day, I still can’t believe 11 people perished in a bus bombing on the afternoon of December 9, 2014. It all happened in the blink of an eye right in front of Central Mindanao University’s main gate. What’s worse, one of the victims was my dear friend. The Bombing…
“What do you want to become when you grow up?”—this question reverberated in the thoughts of a young carefree boy as he was forced to picture an image of himself in the future. Without sheer confidence, he told the crowd of wanting to be an astronaut. At some point when he was older, his preference…