In China, ‘Once the Villages Are Gone, the Culture Is Gone’ By IAN JOHNSON FEB. 1, 2014 BEIJING — Once or twice a week, a dozen amateur musicians meet under a highway overpass on the outskirts of Beijing, carting with them drums, cymbals and the collective memory of their destroyed village. They set up quickly,… Continue reading a beautifully written piece by Ian Johnson

I am writing from my detox and yoga retreat called Bahay Kalipay, in Palawan island. It’s a holistic wellbeing center, located in a densely wooded area, a few minutes’ walk away from the sea. The huts are simple but with rustic charm. The main sitting/yoga area is decorated with wooden masks and carvings and Tibetan… Continue reading from my semi-paradise in Philippines

I truly enjoyed my action-packed first day in Manila, during which time I felt I have poked my head into the society. It wasn’t my first trip. I first made my way here exactly 15 years ago, when I was heavily pregnant with my younger daughter Kirsty. I only did the touristy things back then.… Continue reading Manila – A city of Two Tales