Regeneration Day in Atulayan Island

Less touristy is my default adjective whenever I describe my kind of go-to place for a weekend getaway or a random escape from the rush of the every day. That is particularly true whenever I am on vacation. I am blessed for having someone who has always been on a constant hunt for that kind…

Exploring the Great Outdoors of Stephen King-Like Days

Disclaimer: This was originally published (17 December 2020) in my workplace via its “Let’s Weekend series” with a title “Exploring the Great Outdoors” and it only comprised 497 words. This one here is the complete version, with almost 3,000 words. Traveling, let alone going outside, these days is a challenge because it entails exposing ourselves…

Riyadhizens, People of Saudi Arabia, Let’s Make it Green!

While digging the modern dossier earlier today, 29 March 2021, pertinent to the #LetsMakeItGreen campaign, I have come across a familiar name, who, apparently was the former CEO of the company I am working for. He was one of the many leaders in the workplace — with reputation. He had truly given the company’s ship…

Greenest, Lushest Park of Riyadh City

I am using this space to thank this profession called urban planning for bringing these very very old nature wonders to a desert jungle that is Riyadh. They are called trees, and, based on what I read, they have 350 million years of experience looking after our planet! We, humans, have an intrinsic emotional need to…

When the Usage of “Po/Opo” Becomes “Pabebe”

In Philippine culture, the usage of “Po” and “Opo” is a sign of respect. That is, respect when talking to elders and authority figures. We, Pinoy, pride ourselves in using those words. It shows how polite and respectful we are and it is is revered by foreigners. When I was in the academe and the…

The Senescent Arabian Wonder that is “Al Balad” and its True Owners

Two years before the launch of Saudi Vision 2030 in 2016, Al Balad Town was already declared a heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It was one of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s proactive efforts in realizing the first of the vision’s theme: A Vibrant Society. Diving into the…

Enchanted and Revived by the Red Sea in Jeddah Corniche

Visiting the second largest city in the Kingdom, Jeddah, has already crossed my mind a few years ago since I saw pictures of that UNESCO Word Heritage Site in Al Balad and the Corniche nestling in city. The site is a reminiscent of the “Ushaiger Heritage Village” in Najd region of Riyadh Province and “Calle…

The Doors, Windows, Lamps, and Mud-Built Structures Of Ushaiger Heritage Village

Facts of the past were my academic energizers back in the day. Memorizing names, dates, events, and anything akin to history interest me—still. When I was invited by a good friend to join his squad’s trip to Ushaiger Heritage Village, the wandering feet’s engine automatically zoomed off to say, “Yes!” A grant-in-aid for The Stories…

Beyond the Claddings of King Fahad National Library

It was a random winter day in 2012 when my optical organs got magnetized by those claddings that surround the King Fahad National Library while cruising over King Fahad Road in Olaya District. I’ve always been fascinated by the unique architectural design of the building. There wasn’t a time that I didn’t take a gander at…

Back to Basics with Indoor Plants in Riyadh

Our company had us worked from home last 16 March 2020. We got back in the office after five months or last August 17. During that period, it was inevitable to develop a face-off against a tsunami, a duel against the invisible. Coping with the inconveniences, anxiety, and stress this situation brought upon us was…

Riyadh’s White Canyon: A Home to Grand Gorge and Other Desert Wonders

The Hiker’s Maxim: “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time (J.K.).” When I received the internal communication regarding a big discount offers relative to the celebration of International Men’s Day on 19 November 2019, I immediately chose and registered in Hikemania Club’s hiking trip to the White Canyon in Nemar….

Hail: Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Attention Seeker

Recently, I visited Hail for work-related reasons. It was an accidental trip I may say as my position does not entail going on business trips. It took me a 45-minute plane ride from Riyadh and another hour and a half drive from the airport to get to the plant in the wee hours of the…