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If you're a fellow bookworm, this one's for you. Co-hosted by our Associate Producer, Grazziella Pillado, and our host, Michael Morales, this essay explores the life of an avid book reader and book-hoarder.

A self-confessed nerd, Christian, 28, is a college instructor of medical laboratory science at San Pedro College, Davao City. He is a registered medical technologist but he is also passionate about the arts and social sciences. When he is not working, he is content with reading books, watching films, and trying not to go insane in these anxious times.

About our partner: The University of the Philippines' Consulting Group (UPCG): Now in its second year, The Business Building Bootcamp (BBC) of the UP Consulting Group aims to educate small business owners on ways to take their business to the next level.

This week's featured essay is about the art of appreciating the mundane and making sense of the world around us. Co-hosted by our Content Manager, Joana Bartonico, and our host, Michael Morales, this episode tackles life's mysteries and gifts. As the featured writer says, "Some people are lucky to have overcome the mystery and gone on to discover the gift awaiting them."

David Hinolan is an avid fan of Asian shows, specifically Chinese drama and Chinese-pop. He is passionate about two things --- pharmacy and eating. During his free time, he plays Nintendo games.

About our partner: The University of the Philippines' Consulting Group (UPCG): Now in its second year, The Business Building Bootcamp (BBC) of the UP Consulting Group aims to educate small business owners on ways to take their business to the next level.

Resilience, the very concept that we were conditioned to love growing up, is not unique to us Filipinos. Anyone from any place on earth, if given a challenge, would adapt to it and bounce back. But what could be unique to us is the chronic negligence of those in power to prevent people from having to always rely on their resilience in the absence of anything else. And this negligence goes back generations, resulting in complicated problems that spawn even more complicated problems.

Hear more about what this week's featured writer has to say about resilience on this episode co-hosted by our Content Manager, Yvette Fria. | Jairus Cabajar, 28, likes to tweet. He used to work in the frontlines as an internist. He hopes, just like everyone else, that this pandemic ends soon.

About our partner: The University of the Philippines' Consulting Group (UPCG): Now in its second year, The Business Building Bootcamp (BBC) of the UP Consulting Group aims to educate small business owners on ways to take their business to the next level.

Growing up poor is difficult. This week's featured writer recalls the instances when his resilience was challenged because of poverty. There were days when all his family could eat was a mixture of rice, water, and coffee because they did not have money to buy food. Now a scholar at the Ateneo de Manila University, he is the second financial aid scholar in their family. He tells us more about his story on this episode.

Vincent Pajenago is currently a sophomore studying Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He recognizes that he still has a lot to learn to become the best version of himself. Each day, he struggles to become more loving.

About our partner: The University of the Philippines' Consulting Group (UPCG): Now in its second year, The Business Building Bootcamp (BBC) of the UP Consulting Group aims to educate small business owners on ways to take their business to the next level.

For this month's featured partner, we have the Ateneo Chemistry Society (ACheS). Founded in 1963, the Ateneo Chemistry Society, also known as ACheS, is the home organization of chemistry students and enthusiasts in the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU). As a projects-based organization, ACheS is able to transform this normally challenging discipline into a whole new dimension, serving as a launchpad for social change.

As a community that promotes social applications and appreciation of chemistry for social involvement towards progressive nation-building, this organization launches initiatives to promote camaraderie among its members, foster and cultivate excellence in chemistry and other fields, and stimulate scientific consciousness and thinking.

We'll be talking about ACheS' initiatives with their organization representative, Justine Clarisse Valdez. Justine loves learning and hopes to share that with other people through education and other avenues. She is currently a junior studying Chemistry and Materials Science Engineering at the Ateneo de Manila University. When she’s not studying, she likes to listen to music, play video games, and take photographs of the world around her.

About our partner: The University of the Philippines' Consulting Group (UPCG): Now in its second year, The Business Building Bootcamp (BBC) of the UP Consulting Group aims to educate small business owners on ways to take their business to the next level.

Co-hosted by our production manager Joan Basa and hosted by our host Joshua Onsay, this episode talks about how we dream big and be "someone" at a certain age. Graduate college at 20, be a multimillionaire at 25, retire at 30--that kind of stuff--all while having a perfect social and personal life.

In retrospect, the writer thinks that this mindset is wrong. What we need to do is just be ourselves and embrace the inevitable that comes our way, and make the most out of that. Andrea Rivera is a professional breakdown artist and the extra to her own biopic.

About our partner: The University of the Philippines' Consulting Group (UPCG): Now in its second year, The Business Building Bootcamp (BBC) of the UP Consulting Group aims to educate small business owners on ways to take their business to the next level.

For fellow sea lovers out there with sun-kissed skin and wavy beachy hair, this one's for you. Listen to Czareenah as she tells us the story of her childhood and how her community's perception of her inherent qualities have shaped her thoughts on what it means to be living with brown skin.

Czareenah Dagasdas is a Master student in International Economics. She is very interested in Social Development Goals. She was born and raised in Cavite.

About our partner: The University of the Philippines' Consulting Group (UPCG): Now in its second year, The Business Building Bootcamp (BBC) of the UP Consulting Group aims to educate small business owners on ways to take their business to the next level.

Ever had that one great plan that you knew would definitely work out but didn't? This week's featured writer had the same experience. Listen to Bernice's Plan B and hear what it's like to be a Fililino in Saudi Arabia--a place she never thought she'd live in.

Bernice Calupas graduated from the University of the Philippines – Diliman with a degree in journalism. She has, over the course of her working life, been a magazine editor, freelance writer, English teacher and an accountant.  When she’s not busy with her corporate job, she can be found reading on her Kindle, inflicting her culinary efforts upon her family or attempting a daily yoga practice.

About our partner: The University of the Philippines' Consulting Group (UPCG): Now in its second year, The Business Building Bootcamp (BBC) of the UP Consulting Group aims to educate small business owners on ways to take their business to the next level.

Published almost a decade ago, this piece still encapsulates what living in LB is like, less the political wars. Listen to this episode with an LB native and a prospective memoirist and see LB through his eyes.

Linus Van Plata is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Humanities, University of the Philippines Los Baños. He is currently a PhD student in creative writing at the University of the Philippines Diliman. An aspiring author of fiction and creative nonfiction, he has also dabbled in hosting, broadcasting, and acting.

About our partner: The University of the Philippines' Consulting Group (UPCG): Now in its second year, The Business Building Bootcamp (BBC) of the UP Consulting Group aims to educate small business owners on ways to take their business to the next level.

With us on our Sept. 1st special is Christopher Martillana Nocos. Christopher has been the The Commission Head of Commission on Youth since 2019. Commission on Youth is a church based Organization that handles 21 Barangay Youth Organizations and a Campus Youth Ministry. Their Goal is to empower the Youth Sector, by providing a leadership training which aims to develop and enhance the youth in their Municipality.

About our partner: The University of the Philippines' Consulting Group (UPCG): Now in its second year, The Business Building Bootcamp (BBC) of the UP Consulting Group aims to educate small business owners on ways to take their business to the next level.