Member Profile: Brewed Coffee

I love coffee - hence, the pseudonym, Brewed Coffee. What can I say?  I’m just your ordinary gal, making a living from an 8-hr job (okay, 12 hrs, mostly) in an old company somewhere in Manila. I’m actually shy and reserved in person, but I’m most definitely talkative in writing. Which is probably why my online personality is more outspoken. Well, in the past few years, I may have already come out of my shell and I can also be talkative and gregarious with people I am comfortable with. Still, I would prefer to be on the side, people-watching, instead of being at the center stage. 

Member Profile - Donald a.k.a. Papaleng

A simple person with humble beginnings. I don’t intend to go beyond my yard but just being content tending my lawn. A funny man who go gaga for cute girls.

On Choosing to Write Online

Just to express my thoughts and hope it brings smiles to readers. 

Where Readers Can Find His Work

Amazing Animals
A Traveler’s Tales
Papaleng Thoughts - Unplugged

Regarding Works in Print

None at the moment, but have once been a campus newsletter contributor. 

What Makes Him Happy

Sharing God’s word and knowing a lost soul had been found.
Seeing my children getting involve in church ministries.
Savoring my wife’s yummy dishes.
Seeing someone flashes his/her smile.
Lots of sleep.

His Worst Pet Peeves

Arrogant mutant
Liar

His Goals

To be a wise father to my kids till death calls me.
To make myself an instrument of God’s grace.

Length of Time He Has Been Part of TFD

For as long as I can remember. LOL

Why He Likes TFD

People here are down-to-earth except for one! 

Suggestions for The Filipino Diaspora (TFD)

Primarily, the group vision is to share our Triond’s works. But how can it be when most of the members ‘abandoned’ the site? Nevertheless, one can still help the group gain ground by simply supporting others’ works. 

His Own Mission Statement as Part of the Group

Let everyone do his/her little part. 

Message to the Readers

Your positive criticism is much appreciated. 

Member Profile - EK Encarnacion

The online community knows me as EK Encarnacion, but to my family and friends I am called as Son and Ely respectively. Because I have this east meets west blood in me, I have reason to believe that I am the remaining descendant from a hybrid of polar and panda bears. But kidding aside, I am a licensed chemist and currently, a graduate student taking up MS in Environmental Science. However, despite my scientifically-inclined background, most people affirm that I should be in the arts and exploring my real passions: writing, cooking and acting.

On Choosing to Write Online

Before, when I didn’t have an offline job, I wrote online mainly to earn money. But then I realized that it really takes time to establish oneself as an online writer. It was then that I started focusing on readership rather than revenue. And now, with several people following my blog posts, I feel inspired to continue touching lives and making people feel that there is another person across cyberspace that most probably feels the same way as them.  

Where Readers Can Find His Work

Life and Laughter Blog: http://every-comedy-thing.tumblr.com/

Food and Dining Blog: http://culinary-coliseum.tumblr.com/

Travel and Leisure Blog: http://travelocities.tumblr.com/

What Makes Him Happy

Call me cheesy but I’m happy when my family’s needs and wants are answered. I am happy when I am able to spend time with my friends. I am happy when I am able to travel to new places and learn new things. I am happy when I am able to buy things for me and for people I care for. Thus, I am happy when I have money. Who isn’t? I am happy when I get to eat chocolates and peanuts. I am happy when I feel loved.

His Worst Pet Peeves

I am not a big fan of people who smoke within my vicinity, get permanent tattoos, pierce their bodies and drink too much alcohol. I also don’t like to be around people who are unreasonably quiet, unaccommodating and non-participative. I also am not a big fan of people who arrive late than the meeting time specified without valid reasons.   

His Goals

My ultimate goals are to be able to glorify God in everything that I do and to be able to inspire others so that they too may see the goodness of the Father above. In addition, my other personal goals include having businesses of my own that is able to generate income that is more than enough to supply the needs and answer the wants of my family. A beautiful house, a family of my own, an institution that can be of help to other individuals are just some of the things that follow. 

Length of Time He Has Been Part of TFD

I have been with TFD since the foundation of the group.

Why He Likes TFD

I love, not just like, the group because all the other members make me feel that I belong despite our distances plus the fact that we have not even seen each other since the founding of the group.

Suggestions for The Filipino Diaspora (TFD)

I think if the group really wants to make impact, we should start making time and putting efforts in meeting beyond the computer screens. And I do know that I also fail in this aspect. I mean, I do believe that planning and brainstorming, but most importantly, putting time and effort into attending real-time meetings is the key in really catapulting TFD into becoming a recognized group not only online but also in the real setting; not only locally but also globally.

His Own Mission Statement as Part of the Group

I really want TFD to be able to create a monthly publication to which people from other places all over the world are willing to pay for and subscribe to. I am willing to write for a TFD magazine or whatsoever. With this group teeming with creative juice, I really find it impossible for us to capture people’s curiosity and attention.

Message to the Readers

Continue reading valuable articles. An individual whose mind has been sharpened by reading has an edge in this life full of competition.  

Member Profile – AJ Garcia

I am a quiet person, compassionate and generous.  I love dogs. I love reading and taking close-up shots of flowers and all things that I find interesting.  I love watching good movies at home and listening to good music.

I love ice cream, yogurt, grapes, pancakes, dark chocolates to name a few. I cannot do without a cup or two of brewed coffee in the morning, cups of green tea during the day and a mobile phone every day.

I most especially love bonding with my family on weekends. 

I view life and situations in a balanced way.  I want things simple and uncomplicated.

And I pray and keep God close.

On Choosing to Write Online

I have chosen to write online because I believe it is a great opportunity for me to communicate and share some essential and interesting things about life that I have read and learned myself, my own thoughts and views on some issues, poems, and beautiful photos. 

Where Readers Can Find Her Work

Stumbleupon, imogen7, facebook

Regarding Works in Print

Yes I have - in the very near future.  J

What Makes Her Happy

Having a happy and healthy family and a comfortable life makes me happy. 

Her Worst Pet Peeves

·                     Prejudice

·                     Loud noise

·                     Dishonesty

·                     Injustice

Length of Time She Has Been Part of TFD

Since it started – 1911

Why She Likes TFD

The group has a sense of being one big family, which is an innate trait of a Filipino.

Suggestions for The Filipino Diaspora (TFD)

Cooperation and time

Her Own Mission Statement as Part of the Group

I would publish a new article a month to add up to our growing number of interesting articles for our beloved readers’ enjoyment. 

Message to the Readers

Welcome to our cozy online writing home!

Take a tour and see the many wonderful and very interesting reads that are in store for you. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your visit.  See you again!

Member Profile - ImaVee

My friends in the online writing world know me as Ima Vee (shuffled from “I am Vee” or “I’m a Vee”). Some of them call me “bubuyog”. Maybe because of the Vee word but it’s actually just to indicate the first letter of my real surname. My father said they named me after a “a rose na may bee na nakalagay sa side table nang hospital bed nang mom ko when I was born…haha…” which makes me think na may justice din naman pala sa pagtawag ni NZ and Mach sa akin nang “bubuyog”.

I’m 21 and a fresh college graduate from MSU- Iligan Institute of Technology with a degree in Industrial Automation and Mechatronics. I’ve been writing since I was in grade school. I wrote my first poem entitled, “Ang Aking Guro” when I was in 4^th grade.

I joined the school paper in high school. I temporarily left writing when I entered college. I thought writing and engineering and technology was not a good pair but I can’t help it. I just simply love writing so I continued writing even if I’m just the only reader. I’ve been hiding lots of notebooks in my drawer. I call these notebooks “Blah Blah Blah Notebooks” and I keep them locked in there so no one can read them. I write about anything that interests me. Usually, these are poems, collection of quotes, lists, jokes, stories, even songs, etc.

Aside from writing, I also love reading, listening to music, drawing, watching movies and travelling.

I’m a bit boyish. I’m more of a t-shirt, jeans and sneakers kind of girl. In fact, I only started wearing skirts and dresses when I turned 20 and had to look girly during some church and school activities. Until now, I’m still trying to get used to it. At first impression, one would say that I’m the silent type, a loner or something like that because I really don’t speak much. But when you get to know me better, I’m actually talkative, funny, frank, and cheerful, but I tend to be insensitive at times.

           

For me, writing is a unique way of turning your imagination into words. I just hope I’m doing it right even if I’m still struggling with my typos and grammatical errors. J

On Choosing to Write Online

I started writing online August 2010. At first, I wrote online to earn extra income. I worked as a ghostwriter for an employer.

Triond, on the other hand, was my first home. There, I published most of the things I wrote in my Blah Blah Blah notebooks.

Later on, I wasn’t writing to earn anymore, I was writing online because I enjoy it, and I want my works to be read by a huge audience. Internet helps in acquiring that goal.

Where Readers Can Find Her Work

I have 4 blogs:

The Blah Blah Notebook – http://theblahblahnotebook.blogspot.com

-          It’s my personal blog. I write my thoughts about random things. Just anything that interests me.

Giants and Elves         -           http://gigelves.blogspot.com

-          It’s my blog where I post chapters of the story that I’m still working on. The story is about a young boy’s adventure to the world of Giants and Elves.

Web Footprints           -           http://wbprints.blogspot.com

-          It’s a blog where I write about technology-related stuff, websites, reviews on books, movies and software, as well as online earning opportunities.

Fortress of Imba-ness  -           http://veer0s3.tumblr.com

-          It’s a blog where I post pictures, funny quotes. I only post short posts here: sayings, funny photos, humorous conversations and others.

Aside from Triond, I also write at Bukisa, Expertscolumn and Publish.Us

Regarding Works in Print

If articles on local school papers are included, then yes, I was a feature writer and a news contributor back in my high school days. It was in late 2010 when I wrote a romance manuscript entitled, “Sweetest Lie Ever Told”, which was then published by Bookware Publishing last May 2012 under the title, “The Hired Wife” with my byline, Rose Valencia.

What Makes Her Happy

I like people with a great sense of humor. I don’t like those who are judgmental and those who underestimate other’s capabilities. Mababaw lang akong tao. Waking up every morning makes me happy knowing that God loves me so much that He’s giving me another day to live and enjoy life with my family and friends.

Her Worst Pet Peeves

Being trapped in traffic sa loob nang punong-puno na jeepney.

Men who smoke inside a bus.

Her Goals

I want to have a stable job. I like to write and publish more stories. I want to serve my family at higit sa lahat, my goal is to serve God.

Length of Time She Has Been Part of TFD

I’ve been a part of the group ever since TFD was just a simple Sinong Kababayan Dito thread in Triond forum.

Why She Likes TFD

There are lots of awesome people in TFD.

Suggestions for The Filipino Diaspora (TFD)

           

The group needs a lot of communication and cooperation. I think kulang pa tayo no’n. Dahil dito, hindi pa masyadong nagiging stable ang site.

Her Own Mission Statement as Part of the Group

To be a passionate writer and member of The Filipino Diaspora by posting consistently at the site, suggesting ideas for the development of TFD, supporting and encouraging fellow members and inviting new writers in order to achieve TFD’s mission to become the number one Filipino Blog.

Message to the Readers

A thousand thanks to all our readers who've been supporting TFD from the very beginning. We encourage you all to continue reading our articles and be part of the TFD community.

Member Profile: SittieCates

I like my name spelled without a space to indicate oneness or completeness because these are two of the things that mean a lot to me.

One thing about me that I’ve adapted since childhood, and maintained up to now, is my strong fascination and enduring love for books.

Back then, I remembered that when my playmates would coax me into playing a game of Catch-Me-If-You-Can, there were lots of times when I opted out. I would rather curl up in our huge sofa with an opened book on my lap. I find more pleasure in that compared to screaming my lungs out and running around the neighborhood, and hoping no one would tag me to be the (so-called) ‘IT’ (who would then run around and chase the others). I guess, that’s when people started teasing me about having my own world. In a way, they’re right because as soon as I open a new book and flip through the pages, I see myself being welcomed into a brand new world, lovingly created by the author.

On Choosing to Write Online

I decided to write online to reach a wider audience and meet like-minded people.

Where Readers Can Find Her Work

I’ve got two blogs that I maintain. One is my personal blog, “The Musings of a Hopeful Pecunious Wordmith” at http://www.myownwritersnook.blogspot.com and the other one, my second blog, is “SittieCates Loves Stories” at http://www.sittecateslovestories.blogspot.com.

Aside from these, some of my works have also been published at Triond, Writing101, Kuro-Kuro and others. I’ve also ghostwritten and edited some articles at other sites.

Regarding Works in Print

Before venturing online, I’ve worked at a publishing company and an advertising company. For the former, I had the pleasure of working on tabloids and magazines. There were times when we gathered stories out in the field, and other times we were cooped up in the office, doing research. For the latter, I was part of the Editorial group, and we worked on the firm’s magazine, which was mostly distributed to members and clients of the company.

Prior to that, I’ve had a handful of poems and articles published when I was part of the Editorial Board of our school newspaper in college. I also became a member of CEGP (College Editors Guild of the Ph) during that time. Aside from that, other works of mine have been published at another university as guest articles.

I’ve also had two children’s stories and other works published at some magazines. And I have had the opportunity, too, of editing some works of others (both online and offline).

While writing and editing are really part of my passion, I’ve also held other professions in different fields.

Currently, I’m back at the publishing industry - having a great (and often hectic) time. ;-)

What Makes Her Happy

Having books to read (of course!), sunsets and sunrise and twilight times, gazing at the stars (from my window) while pondering on what to write next, wind in my hair, the delicious scent of pine and wild flowers, dancing snowflakes (that sometimes landed on my nose), cooling raindrops, receiving a loving embrace, a sincere smile, goofing around and being silly with friends and family…

Hmm… What else?

I also love coffee - chilled (and topped with whipped cream, please!) or steaming hot.

Aside from that, I’m happy that I’m still breathing. That I still have time. That I can still think, read, communicate, listen to things, run, walk, and see everything around me in its vibrant colors. I celebrate that fact every single moment. You see, there are some people in my circle who had passed away. Their memory had served as an inspiration that’s why I value life, and I’m happy and truly grateful that I’m still here.

Her Worst Pet Peeves

People who poke fun at the expense of others. Folks who walk around with a bloated ego. And those who pretend that they are willing to do something, but end up doing nothing at all.

Her Goals

To have more works (articles, short stories or novels) published. To live longer with those I love and make my life the best life ever!

Length of Time She Has Been Part of TFD

I’ve seen the group and have read their chats at a Triond chatroom that has been named (during that time) as SKD (Sinong Kababayan Dito). Since then, I’ve long followed their thread, but it was only after a few months since they started when I gathered the guts to join them (after having been burned from a not-so-accommodating virtual group).

Why She Likes TFD

TFD is more than just a group. It’s a family. Most of them are fun-loving and funny, friendly and accommodating.

Suggestions for The Filipino Diaspora (TFD)

I hope the rest would realize that it’s a group effort - with each member having a special role to fulfill.

It’s a group blog. So, the participation of members is crucial.

Just like a family, we all have our own distinct personalities. And that may or may not serve us well in the long run. So far, though, the ones who are still helping out in keeping everything intact - no matter how few - manage to keep things well (albeit with a bit of struggle juggling work, family and online stuff). If more people would make the effort to pitch in, I think things will be a lot easier and the group can reach most of the goals for the site in a quicker manner.

Her Own Mission Statement as Part of the Group

While I’m still with the group, I’ll help support TFD by doing my part as a member and as part of the admin/consultants (as long as I'm not up to my neck handling some things). When I leave my post, rest assured, things will be endorsed properly to the next batch of admins.

It’s been truly wonderful, people. Thank you, TFD! J

Message to the Readers

To the loyal followers, frequent visitors and occasional readers, thank you so much for the support that you have given to the whole group, to our online family.

To stay in touch with the group and learn more about TFD, you can post at the forum or LIKE the group page at facebook.

Member Profile: Likha Kho

I use the pen name “Likha” for my online writing activities. I’m married and I have two girls. I specialize in early childhood development and education.

By nature, I am soft-spoken and quiet but I speak my mind when necessary. When I was a child, my grandpa thought there was no one in the house because I could go on all day without talking.  Sometimes I wonder how I got married to a talkative man. I guess there’s truth to the saying that opposites attract.

I can be kind and patient—sometimes, too kind and patient. But when I get fed up, I blow my top without warning. Bihira akong magalit pero masama akong magalit.

I like to keep things simple and natural. I leave the house without make-up and jewelry, spend less and save more and try gaining more friends than enemies as much as I can. The only time things get complicated is when my values are compromised.

Friends find me funny pero iyakin din ako. Iniiyakan ko ang mga teleserye at tribute sa TV. Minsan pinipindot ng asawa ko ang ilong ko para tumigil na ko kaiiyak. That’s the mark of Cancerians. We are quite emotional.

I love the arts but there’s still a lot I have to learn. I play the guitar, sketch and paint. I have also tried my hand in composing songs, writing scripts for theater and directing plays.

What’s weird about me? Nothing really.  I just have a penchant for nice teeth. I can get stranded in an island but not without my toothpaste, toothbrush and dental floss. 

On Choosing to Write Online

Someone tapped me to come up with a magazine for a government agency. He liked my work and encouraged me to write more. So I thought of expanding my work online to reach a larger audience.

Where Readers Can Find Her Work

Knoji, Expertscolumn, Ezinearticles. These are the sites where I use my pen name “Likha.”

Regarding Works in Print

Yes, I have works in print using my real name.

What Makes Her Happy

Being with my hubby and kids; seeing my loved ones well and happy; eating Pringles, veggie pizza, star apple and chocnut.

Her Worst Pet Peeves

A messy house

Narrow-minded and bossy people

Braggarts

Dirty toenails

When TFD queries are ignored

Her Goals

To raise successful, happy and God-fearing children

To live a well-lived life

To improve my health by gaining weight

To write a book on parenting

To die happy

Length of Time She Has Been Part of TFD

Since it started— about year and half.

Why She Likes TFD

I have good friends here. I’m a very private person so I don’t easily open up. But in TFD, I found a few good friends with whom I have maintained a certain level of trust and openness. 

Suggestions for The Filipino Diaspora (TFD)

The group needs to simplify and focus.

    I understand TFD was created to drive traffic back to our Triond articles and other sites. That was the come-on to the members. That’s why our vision now is to up our rankings and be number one because higher rankings could translate into higher views for our sites. There was a time a good number of my Triond views came from TFD. I may be wrong but I now get the impression that we’d like to dip our hands into other things for TFD. We really have cool ideas but let’s guard against spreading ourselves too thinly for it can set us off course unnecessarily.

Aggressive marketing strategies

    I think we have featured the members enough. Now it’s time for the members to look beyond themselves, invite visitors and promote, promote, promote. Kelangan tayong gumawa ng ingay sa labas, hindi sa loob. We have great plans but we have to invite more visitors to the site. Our old friends still use the old link so that’s one problem we overlooked.

    We need brilliant ideas on how to market the blog from our SEO and blog experts. But everyone has to move in sync.. hindi lang isa, hindi dalawa, kundi LAHAT.  Sana hindi tayo makontento sa tayo-tayo. At some point, we have to move out of the “family” mentality and open ourselves to the world. That’s what I learned from mpa. We were so comfy with our SKD group that he urged us to move out of our comfort zones. There’s still so much of cyberspace we haven’t reached.

·         Translate this profiler page into feature articles on TFD members and guests for publication on Triond and other sites.

·         Move out of our comfort zones by using the forum at the site more often than the TFD-FB page for TFD-related matters. We have to re-create that culture if we’re serious about moving up.

·         Go back to our “best practices” when TFD moved up to the top 10 blogs. I think the highest we reached was Top 6. What strategies proved effective for us? Sniping blogs, indexing articles, visiting the forum, welcoming guests, commenting on articles posted at the site, directly inviting friends to post their sites in the forum, writing articles on TFD, linking TFD to our sites etc.

·         Looks like our ranking meter is not activated. We’ve been nailed to No. 42 for quite some time. That’s one of the measures to check if we are making headway to our vision.

Morale boosters

We need morale boosters. The members’ involvement has declined considerably. Now, we’re a bit lethargic. We want to belong to TFD yet we hesitate to get involved. I don’t quite get that.

I think the problem is not so much that the members are busy but that group morale is low. We were all busy back then when MPA was creating the blog but everyone wanted to get involved. Group morale was high. Why was that?

Since mpa left, the challenge for TFD has always been to move the site along and up our rankings through member participation.

Decentralize

Assign an officer for the month among TFD admins to ensure that someone oversees TFD activities on a rotation basis. We need to decentralize so that we don’t just depend on one and the same person to call the shots. Nung nawala si mpa, nawala din ang gana nating kumilos. Pano, nakasandal tayo lahat kay mpa. We don’t want that to happen again. Ideally, our VMG should be our driving force and not “personalities.” Our VMG should propel us to action whether the leader is with us or not, whether we love or hate the people we’re with. It’s also one way of professionalizing the blog especially since TFD is a group blog, hindi maiiwasan ang cliques.

Her Own Mission Statement as Part of the Group

Given my limited time online, I can help promote the blog through concrete marketing strategies agreed upon by the group. We need systematic steps on what to do. And of course, I will continue to write, write and write. 

Message to the Readers

Thanks for visiting. You are most welcome to be guest bloggers.

Member Profile: EC

I am a girl who dreams high. A girl who was once afraid to take risks, a girl who loves her family and a girl who’s gained confidence to live life to its fullest.

On Choosing to Write Online

I decided to write online for two reasons: (One) To practice my English and (two) to practice my writing skills.

Where Readers Can Find Her Work

Well, most of the time, I write on my blogs and some websites. (www.marieclara.info & marienternal.blogspot.com)

Regarding Works in Print

Still working on that.

What Makes Her Happy

What makes me happy? Being so busy, I guess. Oh, there’s one more thing that makes me happy. Seeing the things that I’ve accomplished - my websites!

Her Worst Pet Peeves

Making me WAIT! I’m so impatient!

Her Goals

My goals would be, of course, having my very own office and a publishing house that will be named after my late grandfather because he is such an inspiration to me.

Length of Time She Has Been Part of TFD

Since it started.

Why She Likes TFD

Because the members are friendly, and TFD feels just like a family.

Suggestions for The Filipino Diaspora (TFD)

The group needs more cooperation and it needs to be more alive, more into things.

Her Own Mission Statement as Part of the Group

In my own opinion, every member of TFD should have a daily routine. All of us are busy with our own lives, of course. But, we should not forget that we have a responsibility to this group since we agreed to be part of it.

I am guilty as charged because, I, myself have been “dead” to the group for a while. But now, I have made it a daily routine already, and I added TFD as one of my “Must-Do” things every day.

Message to the Readers

First, I would like to thank every single one of them for sticking with us this long. The group has been through a lot. And I’m proud to say we’re still here… planning everything out to make the outcome of TFD a much better one than before. And second, I hope you will still stick with us while TFD exists and support us in everything we’re up to. We’re so looking forward for your support! ♥

What Does “Being in Love” Mean to Me?

Copyright 2012. http://www.myownwritersnook.blogspot.com

While I was playing with water… uh, I mean, while I was doing the laundry earlier, ;-) random images filled up my brain - making me smile and hum melodies that I’ve never heard on the radio. It was then when I realized… Gosh, I’m in love! J

Read the rest of the article HERE: "The Musings of a Hopeful Pecunious Wordsmith-SittieCates"

Stay

(Photo Credit Link)

During one of my walks, I saw a man, sitting on a bench, patting the head of a huge, brown dog. Then the man placed its leash down on the ground and walked away from his pet - without losing eye contact. The dog didn’t move a muscle. It just stayed there - looking at its master. The man later crouched on the ground, and hollered, “Come!” to his pet, and his dog immediately run towards him.

I guess, to most, this situation is one of the most common things to see. So, just like the rest of the people running or walking at the park, I tried to ignore that situation, and chose to continue walking around the park. My legs followed my desire, but I couldn’t shake off that image from my head.

Read the rest of the article at: http://myownwritersnook.blogspot.com/2012/09/stay.html

Flood in Luzon Philippines - Luzon, Hope You'll be OK

Dearest Reader,

If you've followed TFD, you've known that we usually link one of our articles. But, for today, allow us to link to some news articles (written by other writers) from other sites regarding the recent flood in the Philippines.

(Photo Courtesy of Manila Bulletin, KJ Rosales)

Our hearts go out to those who have been affected. 

Everyone can help in their own little way.

May prayers and help continue to come.

News Article Courtesy of Manila Bulletin 

Massive Clean-Up Begins  

News Article Courtesy of Yahoo! News

Philippine flood deaths climb to 60

News Article Courtesy of CNN 

No respite from rain, floods in Philippines 

News Article Courtesy of BBC News

Philippines ramps up flood relief efforts

New Article Courtesy of Inquirer News

Philippine floods a man-made disaster—experts

Seeing the World as Forever New

(Photo Credit Link)

To a reader, the world is forever new.

As stated in one of the books I’ve read before, “… a new book is one he or she has not read before - even though the author may be long dead.”¹ I’ve read that line countless of times when I was studying the book, Writing for Children and Teenagers, by Lee Wyndham and Arnold Madison, which was part of the materials I’ve got for my course at The Institute of Children’s Literature in Connecticut a few years back.

Read the rest of the article here: "Seeing the World as Forever New"

Join Us!

Hello! 

We have an exciting announcement to make. 

The Filipino Diaspora is opening its doors to readers and followers

who would like to join any of the groups below:

PhotoVid Group

Objective/Aim: To work on photography-video projects

Cartoonists

Objective/Aim: To post drawings/illustrations/comic strip

Advice Columnists

Objective/Aim: To focus on dispensing advice

PROFILErs

Objective/Aim: To focus on member profiles

For further inquiries, you may get in touch with us through our official facebook fanpage.

Thank you!

Handling Financial Problems: Oh No! Where Did ALL My Money Go?

(Photo Credit Link)

Oh no! Where did all my money go?

If you're saying this to yourself, that only means one thing: The way you handle funds have gone way out of control.

Amusing as that remark may be, I believe that it's not something that you would like to happen over and over in your life.

Read the rest of the article here: "Handling Financial Problems: Oh No! Where Did ALL My Money Go?"

The Way to Reach Your Goals: How Many Dreams Have You Put on Hold

(Photo Credit: Idea go)

Just like me and everyone else, there would come a time when you would find yourself contemplating on the way to reach your goals.  What road should you take?

Let's review things.

People start out in life with countless desires of the heart. If you would look back at your childhood days, you'd probably remember that once upon a time you had a lot of dreams.

Being a child, these dreams seemed attainable because in your mind you were so invincible then and life seemed so easy.

If you were like me before, the word impossible may not have been in your vocabulary. You probably knew - or may have plotted out - the easiest way to attain those dreams even if it may not be the best way for others. No adult intervention can ever put you down and discourage you or make you doubt your abilities. You just KNEW you would get it. You won't stop trying until you discover the way to reach your goals.

That's how most kids are.

Read the rest of the article here: "The Way to Reach Your Goals: How Many Dreams Have You Put On Hold"

Pitter Patter and Blessings of Life

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Hi everyone!

It's such a refreshing Saturday with raindrops gloriously falling from the skies every now and then since I woke up this morning. And I feel wonderful and excited as if I'm totally in love with someone special. ;-)

Perhaps it has something to do with the change of weather since all those negative ions brought by the rain never fails to give me that pleasant feeling of bliss and contentment. 

It really just makes me feel sooooo excited even though I can't put a finger on what I'm so jazzed up about. Kinda weird? Perhaps.

But this is how I feel. And I love it! ;-)

 ==> Read the rest of the article HERE.

Understanding Your Present to Influence Your Future

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I walked for almost two hours yesterday and today while contemplating on so many things. I usually use moments like these to either let my mind rest or allow my brain to engage in a serendipitous think-writing process for what I'm working on. I usually walk (or run) for just an hour. But I stretched the time a bit since I was contemplating on certain projects.

During my walk awhile ago, while going through the motions of how I'll start and continue some manuscripts, I remembered one of the videos of Celestina Chua (Celes). It's like a how-to on living your life to the fullest by understanding your current situation by taking a visual representation of it, and taking steps towards slowly carving and influencing your future.

Read the rest of the article and see the video by clicking HERE. 

Publish Your Work: Master the Art of Writing and Earn More

(Credit Link: Brightmeadow)

As I usually say, a writer needs readers. A serious wordsmith thrives from this loyal support. Typically, an audience for a particular genre of writing would hang on to every word and relish the essence of the ideas skillfully crafted by the literary artist.

Read the rest of the article here: "Publish Your Work: Master the Art of Writing and Earn More"