Fr Glover and Former Students During his 95th Birthday

My Teacher, Fr. Glover

January 11, 2026

A Mentor and A Friend Let me tell you about an excellent mentor and friend —Fr. Francisco “Kiko” Glover, SJ. For years, right up until the COVID pandemic, I’d always make a point to go home to Davao every January, especially around the 11th. Why that date? It’s Fr. Glover’s birthday, and those of us who were Management Engineering (ME) students from Ateneo de Davao would gather for our annual get-together. Honestly, we picked the date because we all wanted to celebrate him—a mentor and a friend. For many of us, Fr. Glover was like our North Star. He had this way of bringing us together, no matter how busy we all got. Former ME students based in Davao would always coordinate with him, and

May 2026 be the Year our Hopes Catch Up with Reality

January 1, 2026

After the noise of Media Noche dies down and the plates are cleared, I find it helpful to pause and reflect on the year that was, and to define what I want 2026 to be. This reflection is vital to appreciate the why behind what we do. As we enter 2026, my wishes feel clearer, heavier, and more deliberate than before. On this blog, I spent much of the past year writing about things that frustrated me, worried me, and sometimes kept me up at night. I wrote because staying silent felt wrong. I wrote so future generations could live in a country that values accountability, true public service, and refuses to accept failure or corruption as normal. One can hope, and should hope,

Choosing Hope Together – A Short Christmas Message

December 23, 2025

As Christmas arrives, I find myself reflecting on 2025. It was a year that tested our patience, our trust in institutions, and sometimes, even our faith in each other as Filipinos. 2025 was a difficult year, marked by scandal after public scandal. The flood control issue, in particular, was painful to watch: billions allocated, yet communities remained submerged, lives disrupted, and livelihoods washed away—with thin explanations and even thinner accountability. This blatant and systemic corruption reminded us how deeply rooted our problems still are, and how costly they have become for ordinary families who simply want safety, dignity, and a fair chance. Yet even amid this turbulence, I found moments that reaffirmed why I write in this space. This blog is where I share what

Simbang Gabi

December 16, 2025

Today is the first day of the Simbang Gabi – a nine-day novena which starts December 16 and ends on December 24. It is celebrated at 4:30 in the morning. But in recent years, when masses are also regularly held in chapels and other places outside of the main church, simbang gabis are held during evenings – at 7:00, 8:00 or 9:00 depending on the availability of the priest celebrant. But the original practice is to hold it at dawn; at hours before the sun rises. It is common among former colonies of Spain. The friars convinced the catholic converts to prepare themselves for the celebration of the birth of the Saviour. And what more fitting preparation there is but to attend nine-day novena mass.

Walingwaling: from Bud to Full Bloom

November 26, 2025

Vanda sanderiana – that is what the folks at the Philippine Orchid Society and a lot of hobbyists call this orchid. But to people from Davao, Cotabato and Zamboanga, where this orchid is, we call it waling-waling.

Reflections on 50 Years: My Journey Since St. Michael’s School of Padada

October 29, 2025

Last October 18 and 19, St Michael School of Padada’s high school batch of 1975 had a get together to celebrate the 50th year since our graduation from the school. My batchmates requested me to give an inspirational talk focusing on my journey since we graduated from high school. Here is a copy of my speech: My dear batchmates of St. Michael’s School of Padada, MAAYONG GABII SA INYONG TANAN! When Eden reached out and invited me to speak at today’s reunion, I felt truly honored to be chosen to share my journey since graduating from SMSP. It has now been 50 years—half a century—since we walked away from those cherished school grounds. Yet, it hardly seems possible that so much time has passed.

Filipino Christmas Traditions

October 15, 2025

There is no Christmas like a Filipino Christmas. Every Filipino knows that the season officially starts during the “Ber Months”, making it the longest Christmas celebration in the world. It’s becoming a tradition that on September 1, you can expect the Jose Mari Chan memes to pop up on your feed, marking the start of the season. During this time, malls and other public spaces already start putting up Christmas decor, a full three months before December even starts. It’s funny, because nowhere in the world will you see Christmas decorations come up even before the Halloween decor – in some places, they even just put them up side by side. But beyond the decorations, the months-long celebration, and the memes, there is a rich

Promdi to the Big City

October 8, 2025

In 1975, after high school, I was awarded several college scholarships in Manila. However, I chose to study at Ateneo de Davao. My Alma Mater was one of three colleges run by the Society of Jesus (SJ) in three very strategic centers in Mindanao: Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga. It was the college of choice for most of the local elite – if they didn’t go to Manila for college, they went to Ateneo de Davao. I would miss my hometown of Padada, but Davao City was close enough. If I had transport money, I could always go home. Also, my elder sister was staying in Davao, so I planned to stay with her and her family to save on board and lodging costs.

A Homecoming Speech

October 1, 2025

On October 18 and 19, 2025, the St Michael’s College of Padada’s high school class of 1975 will celebrate its Golden Jubilee. I belong to this batch, and I look forward to the occasion — to meet my batchmates, some of whom I have not seen since graduation. In the meantime, let me share with you a speech I delivered during another Golden Jubilee celebration of teh foundign of our school — what used to be St Michael’s Academy when it was , then St Michael’s College and now, St Michael’s School of Padada. I share this speech in my earlier blog, Wednesdays with Nic (wednesdayswithnic.com) Here it is: Dear guests, former teachers, peers and fellow alumni of St. Michael School of Padada, MAAYONG HAPON

A Realization of a Long-standing Dream

September 10, 2025

For the longest time, one of the long-standing items in my bucket list is to set up a library-museum in my hometown of Padada, Davao del Sur. There are no museums in Padada. The only libraries are those that are in the two private schools in town. It’s very rare to find someone in Padada whose pastime is reading. Everyone has their phones anyway, and the instant gratification that social media brings is more accessible (and more addicting) than books. If they’re not on their phones, they’re just sitting around, gossiping, or drinking – what else is there to do? Nothing New, but Something Uncommon It might not be an extremely novel idea, as there are small libraries and museums in other towns. However,

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