Vail in October is basically the mountains flirting with you. Golden everywhere, cold enough for a jacket, warm enough for a patio. I get why people come for winter… but fall is the secret. 🍂
MAHIYA NAMAN KAYO | Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. responded to a note from the Chinese side during the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) 2026 in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
#DNDPHL#DiKaPasisiil#SDD2026
“Maybe for someone like Iga who has won so many slams … or maybe someone like Serena or Venus this achievement may seem small, but for someone who grew up in the Philippines. … for her this is everything.”
Alexandra Eala after her win ❤️
Hiya is such a Filipino thing. It’s that instinct to stay quiet even when you’re not okay, mostly because you don't want to be a burden.
I had dinner with a friend last night and we were comparing notes on how we survive the rough patches of depression. We kept circling back to how hard it is to reach out. You know your friends love you, you know they’ll be there, but there’s still that nagging voice saying, "Makakaabala ka lang. May buhay din sila. May pinagdadaanan din sila."
So I told him about a code I have with my closest friends. Instead of sending a long explanation, I just text: “Do you have five minutes?”
That’s it.
Five minutes to say what I can’t carry alone. Five minutes to hear another voice. Five minutes to remind myself I’m not isolated.
Most of the time they tell me they can stay longer, but I still try to keep it short. It’s usually enough to break the spiral and catch my breath, without feeling like I’m pulling them down with me or asking for more than I should.
It takes the shame out of reaching out.
Because the most dangerous place isn’t being alone. It’s being alone and convinced you’re not allowed to ask for help.
I made a real effort this year to stay close to my friends. I cherish every one of those moments and the memories we made. Here’s to a brighter, even more connected 2026 for all of us.
2025 was a rollercoaster, to say the least, but we made it through! Between settling into a new home and navigating the year's ups and downs, the true highlight was the deep, authentic connections I’ve nurtured. Life is far too short to stay distant; even when we were miles apart