PinnedWhat I Write: A ShortlistI’m a beach mom, a chef’s spouse, a literature academic, and parent to a wonderful autistic child. These four facets of my life inform my essays, lyrical prose, and occasional poetry. My Pandemic Writing Story Bio about my writing on Medium My Medium Referral Link Join Medium for unlimited reads and to support my writing with a portion…Index3 min read
Published in Un-Niched·6 days agoMember-onlyThe Fading Away of a Former LifeMy own great resignation from academia — The fading away began when the last of my former students — former, because it had been months since I last taught — turned in their belated essays at the beginning of 2022. Fireworks were setting off for the third pandemic year, hopefully the last. In the Philippines, we were…Education4 min read
Published in Autism and Us·Jul 3Member-onlyLiving with Prosopagnosia (Face Blindness)Experience of an NT mom to an autistic child — Autism tends to run in families. However, in our families (mine and my husband’s), before our son Joaquin came along, there were no autistics. At the least, no one who self-diagnosed, was clinically diagnosed, or was suspected to be autistic. Our three-year-old son was diagnosed three months ago. I’ve begun…Health5 min read
Published in Un-Niched·Jun 18Member-onlyWhy I Wear My Grandmother’s ClothesShe’s very frail at age 88. But she still sees us. Can talk to us. Can tell stories from her youth. She likes sitting before the TV every day, watching the people in it move and talk, but without understanding the plot or whatever the show was about. …Family5 min read
Jun 11Member-onlyAbout Me and What I WriteUpdated bio — The decision to join Medium as a writer in April 2020 turned out to be life-saving to my creative and mental health. This, during a time of unexpected but inevitable transition. The pandemic unexpectedly hastened the inevitable for me. The pandemic, in crumbling down pseudo-defenses and excuses, in bringing front…About Me9 min read
Published in The Lyrical Beach·Jun 2Member-onlyBeneath a Beach Umbrella, A CoupleOn a couple of lounge beds A couple A woman — lying on one bed, face down, and A man — on the other bed, Sitting up with a book. One hand, his left, is holding up the book His fingers on its spine While the other hand, his right, Is scratching the…Beach1 min read
Published in Autism and Us·May 23Member-onlyThe Gift of Extended TimeMy baby’s prolonged babyhood — When my children were little, I liked it the most when they were 1 year old. No longer a baby who just lies there and coos. But a bigger, mobile, and responsive baby — yet a baby, still! Toddling around the house with unbridled curiosity. Babbling back to you. Returning…Autism2 min read
Published in Autism and Us·May 23Member-onlyMultiple Paths to Understanding AutismBeginning the journey to knowledge — “Do you have questions?” The neuro-developmental pediatrician asked me after explaining the clinical abstract she prepared. My son Joaquin, after an evaluation of more than an hour, was biting a piece off the loaf of bread I brought for his snack. At three years old, he could eat bread and…Disability5 min read
May 18Member-onlyRe-Entering the DarkOn finding my way through grief in a dark political time — I’m deep in grief. My country, the Philippines, has elected as president the unapologetic heir of a murderous and plundering dictator we’d ousted in a dramatic show of people power almost 40 years ago. Months prior to election day, many of us turned to the streets again and again in…Politics5 min read
Published in Autism and Us·May 17Member-onlyDislodging the PhoneOn creativity and neurodivergence — Yesterday, I found my three-year-old Joaquin picking up the phone, punching on the numbers, and talking like someone’s on the other end of the line. No, he didn’t call someone. I teared up a bit because, finally, he was role playing. I can’t tell whether it was because of the…Disability4 min read
