10/31/2026 ‒
Clingy

Now, I've just watched the new installment of Kababalaghan, solely because I actually miss seeing Nole de Castro on my screen, so that's very much coloring what I'm attempting to write right now.

There seemed to be a theme with the stories featured this year, of spirits clinging on to the things that they left behind. Like, one story was (partly) about a rocking chair owned by an old woman, which was moved - maybe disposed of - after her death decades ago. "She liked that chair," the surprisingly attractive medium said, suggesting that maybe what they did long ago was not a good idea.

Now, if I die, which of the things in this flat would I cling on to?

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10/30/2026 ‒
Impervious

Since I've been reminiscing about my two trips to Korea lately, here's another one that I, apparently, hadn't written about, though I'm certain I have and I just couldn't find it.

I was in a bus en route to Nami Island, where we had booked a day tour. I wasn't feeling as well as I should be. The signs were there the night before; probably the cold threatening to trigger an asthma attack, or at least, a persistent wheeze. I was trying to get some rest. I mean, I don't want to annoy people by being cranky, which I now know I tend to do when I'm sick.

Suddenly, our tour guide - I think her name is Vicky, I think - turned to me and offered me something.

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10/27/2026 ‒
Community not made

I should've brought my larger tote bag. It's always a struggle when all my groceries don't fit that one foldable bag that I bought from Hong Kong many years ago; more so with the knowledge that it happens every week and, therefore, I really should've brought my larger tote bag.

There was one other person in the elevator when I got in. She was also bringing a lot of things like me, but she had a push cart, so she looked much more relaxed.

It also meant that, as I hobbled into the elevator, I got a good look at what she was wearing: a black shirt with the logo of Kessoku Band.

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10/26/2026 ‒
Hope____

By the time I should be preparing for my annual trip to Hong Kong, but things have been pretty slow lately, that it felt like I was not going to get to fly at all.

To be honest, I only really remembered when flights to the city came up during a conversation. I checked. I knew they would be more expensive because of the higher fuel surcharge (thanks, Donald Trump!) but I was shocked to see that prices have pretty much doubled. Roughly thirty thousand bucks for the good flights I usually take. Can I even justify this? Will they even let me fly because it's too expensive, never mind that it's something we have to do?

It's a sign of the times, one that I have known, of course. Things have not been great this year, at least from an economic front. The excitement of my annual pay raise dissipated pretty quickly, and I watched as the price of everything started to go up. Just as I knew they would happen; just as I articulated for the day job, alongside the prerequisite "constructive criticism" that somehow gets you a free pass for having a dig at our leaders.

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9/30/2026 ‒
What if?

"You haven't answered my question yet!" Steph said.

"About what?" I answered, as I tried to find the way out of an unfamiliar basement parking garage.

"Since we're talking about TOTGA, ano 'yung pinakamalaki mong 'what if'?"

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