18/05/2026
Paraiso: A Pause Amid the Chaos
Given my love for singing, I have indeed engaged in several projects that centered around music. Together with likeminded individuals, I produced many years ago a musical charity concert in Bangkok, with proceeds going to Red Cross - Philippines and a Christian institution to help typhoon victims and their families, organized numerous musicals that starred my Drama students, and joined several choral performances, among others.
During these occasions, music served as the common thread.
In the midst of the many chaotic moments we find ourselves witnessing these days — from the troubling political climate in my home country to this quiet moment of remembrance for a former student who sadly figured in the recent train collision in Bangkok—I’d like to share this song titled “Paraiso.”
May it serve as a gentle reminder to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters: Compassion, justice, and peace amid the noise of the world.
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Paraiso 💚
#RyanCayabyab #SmokeyMountain #OPM
01/05/2026
Dignity in Every Labor
On this Labor Day, I stand not only for overseas Filipino educators and more equitable employment systems for them and other teachers of color, but for all overseas workers whose labor sustains lives across borders. The recent move of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to recognize OFWs’ years of experience through credentialing is a meaningful step that opens doors and affirms the value of our kababayans’ work.
As an educator, migrant, and advocate, I see this as part of a broader push toward equity: Recognizing lived experience as expertise, supporting mobility, and ensuring that dignity in labor is matched by access to opportunity, wherever Filipinos may be.
Read more: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1273950
Mabuhay ang lahat ng manggagawa!
In honor of all workers ❤️
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29/04/2026
I’m teaching this week from behind a screen, but the conversations, questions, and learning remain just as real. (Ok, I’ll be honest… it’s with a certain degree of stress, too, especially when your home WiFi goes off and, in the middle of your lecture, you get logged out.)
That’s why I’m happy to have found a co-working space at the Organic Village on Sukhumvit Road—yes, right at the ❤️ of Bangkok—as I also needed to be at the Embassy shortly after, which was actually just a stone’s throw away, so that was easy. I had the meeting room at the co-working space all to myself though. That was fun!
But be that as it may, teaching online is a quiet reminder that education adapts… but its purpose stays the same.
What about you? What workplace changes did you have to adapt to? How did you cope with it? Hope it went well!
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25/04/2026
As an overseas Filipino academic, just like many OFWs I believe, one of the things I always look forward to when going home is the chance to eat as much local food as possible. While eating in fancier restaurants is nice, overseas individuals typically yearn more for their own local dishes but which they have no or limited access to.
For me, eating local dishes prepped with a twist, by restaurants such as Mesa and Manam for example, is also exciting because it’s a new way to enjoy and reconnect with one’s culinary culture one more time.
Last time my family and I visited Manila, we tried Old Manila Walks’ Binondo Food Wok. It was fun as it included food tasting in the area, allowing us to try Chinese food in Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the world. The next time we visit Manila, we’ll try the Michelin-starred Linamnam. “Linamnam” alone already whets your appetite, pun intended, literally and figuratively. 😋
Meantime, as today’s Sunday, my family and I will try to look for a place in Bangkok first to temporarily satisfy the cravings.
Oh, yum! 😋 Happy Sunday!
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Where do Manila's best chefs eat when no one's watching?
First stop: Don Baldosano of Michelin-starred Linamnam takes me to the Chinese skewer spot in Makati he's been keeping to himself. We shot this after a full night of service and this whole series was filmed with the Samsung Galaxy S26.
Chasing stories doesn't stop when the sun goes down. I can still get crisp videos even in low light with Nightography Video on the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
#GalaxyS26Ultra #withgalaxy
24/04/2026
The past few days have been quietly full as our new academic term has begun. With it comes the familiar rhythm of preparation, teaching, and showing up. It’s the kind of busy that doesn’t always make it to social media, but one that grounds me in purpose.
So here’s me sharing a few in-between moments from the week, now that things are slowly settling into pace.
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16/04/2026
Good morning, everyone, from Bangkok!
After the massively attended Songkran celebrations in the city, it is now ready to go back to the grind.
Sharing with you views from our bedroom, giving credit as well to several individuals whose photos I’m resharing here.
Sawasdee kha! 🙏
25/04/2026
24/04/2026
16/04/2026
11/04/2026