BAO the unbowed

Have you heard of The Blue Mind Theory ? It is the idea that being near water, or even just experiencing the sound of water and/or picturing it, can bring a person into a calmer state and boost their mood.  According to Dr. Nick Bach , a psychologist and CEO of Grace Psychological Services, “ The effect of water increases dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin levels while reducing cortisol. [T]he sound, color, and touch of water can lower the pulse rate and increase calmness. ”  Mambukal Resort As the heat of an El Nino summer builds in our tropical island, folks are taking to the water wherever they can get close to it. The Philippines is an archipelago in the Western Pacific Ocean made up of 7,641 islands, of which approximately 2,000 are inhabited - plenty to accommodate the overheated hordes. 

Palm trees with their towering trunks and feathery fronds are enduring symbols of life, resilience, and prosperity. Across millennia, they have inspired myths, religious rituals, and artistic works, deeply rooted in human culture. From ancient civilizations to modern cities, the palm tree transcends borders and generations of symbolism and significance. Few plants are more recognizable than the mighty palm. They rise triumphant, heedless of their surroundings, confident in their sturdy trunked foundation. idyllic island paradise  Humanity has revered palms throughout the ages. Date palms played a pivotal role in building and fueling early cultures. They were grown 5000 years ago for their shade, high-energy fruit, and construction materials. Across eons and cultures, palm leaves symbolize victory with integrity, a meaning reinforced when we look skyward to see the leaves catch the wind.

February is unique among all the months that comprise the year. In 2026 this stands out even more with so many holidays packed into it.  There is the Lunar New Year, a Ring of Fire solar eclipse, Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, the beginning of Ramadan and Lent as well.  In whatever way we choose to raise our spirit - whether we party in the streets or opt for fasting and abstinence in the privacy of our home - may we rejoice in the blessing and celebration to be had.  Over at our local Negros Museum, the second half of the month is host to the colorful exhibit of painter, printmaker and New York City artist  Charles Lahti .  Aptly titled,  FOR THE LOVE OF  is a non-profit art benefit and memorial tribute to residents and museum supporters, Gregorio and Isabel Urra. All the proceeds for this exhibition have been generously donated towards supporting the Negros Museum’s continuing cultural programs. 

January kicks off year-round fiestas and festivals in the Philippines - when folks from all over, take to the streets in festive celebration, dancing to the beat of wild drumming and sharp staccato whistle blasts.  Visiting the Philippines this time of the year has several advantages. The weather is ideal for sightseeing and island hopping.  Amihan , the northeast monsoon blows through the islands - bringing cooling breezes and bright sunny days. Cresting in the wake of a notoriously long holiday season - the merry making continues on as the new festival season unfolds.  Image provided by The Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu Philippines Provincialate Offices At the center of most January festivities is the  Santo Niño , the image of the Child Jesus - venerated by many folks the world over and popularly celebrated all over the Philippines. Grand processions with hundreds of opulently dressed images of the Christ child are paraded in the streets amid frenzied...

At their simultaneous launch, we celebrated the long-awaited return of two classic books on Filipino food culture. SARAP: Essays on Philippine Food and PALAYOK: Philippine Food Through Time, on Site, in the Pot. Conceived and created by two enduring voices in food literature - Doreen G. Fernandez and Edilberto N. Alegre. book launch at Terra Madre Asia & Pacific 2025 These books are in print once more and republished for the first time since Sarap was released in 1988, and Palayok in 2000. The two new editions mark the first foray of publishers Exploding Galaxies outside fiction and into food. event speakers & organizers - Mara Coson, Romy Dorotan, Reena Gamboa & Joycie Alegre Their launch yesterday at the Terra Madre Asia and Pacific 2025 in Bacolod celebrated the slip cover release of Sarap and Palayok. Hosted by Reena Gamboa, niece, godchild and namesake of Doreen, in collaboration with the rest of the Slow Food #TMAP2025 team

Happy Birthday, Millie Kilayko !  the birthday girl at her gift giving post For many in Negros Island and its outlying provinces this remains a place where life can be a terrifying gamble. Families left to fend for themselves with rarely much support; where calamity moves faster than hope; and too many children have their lives and dreams cut short too soon.  at a local carabao dairy farm  In these neighborhoods, what catches the attention as we look around is a chilling observation - it is safer to be a soldier in the trenches than an infant in our islands.