“How do you know what you’re supposed to do with your life? Do you follow your passion, or what’s practical?” asked a senior high school student from my alma mater. I was part of a panel talking about my experience graduating from a prestigious university (UP Manila!) and the kids wanted to know how to figure out what to do after high school.

I love going to bazaars all over the world and exploring what each stall has inside. I can spend HOURS just turning over every trinket, and particularly enjoy hauling home my favorites so I can wear them ASAP. It’s the kind of place where you can find something truly unique, especially from small business that don’t have as much capital to be in retail full-time, but still have a lot to offer!

When I was a kid, I remember that my mom would lend me her gold jewelry every time there was a school event. If there’s a recognition day, graduation, communion, prom, foundation day, whatever it is, I would be wearing something extra special even though I just have a school uniform on. She would always caution me before leaving, “Wag mo iwawala yan!” (“Don’t lose it!”) as if I needed a reminder. But then I really didn’t understand what gold was worth before anyway. If I knew, I suppose I would have been more nervous about wearing my mom’s things!