"May Trees" That's what I call the purple trees that bloom in May. Growing up, I admired the purple wonderland that blossomed along the center dividers and sidewalks. Back then, the May Trees signaled the promise of a boundless, fun-filled summer. Nowadays, their magic has fizzled into a bittersweet sense of nostalgia. Why? This year, the May Trees in my neighborhood began blooming in mid-April; their green leaves returned before the month of May even ended. A relative also told me the tree's...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
A New Phase Begins Panahon ng init in pre-colonial Tagalog. Translated as "the hot time" or "the hot season." Better known as April in English. In my SoCal city, this new phase in the year is marked by mid-70s temperatures and the mass sale of gardening goods (including citrus trees). For me, it's marked by a revamp in my email newsletter. Lunar Loop is now Tanong Ng Buwan, or a punny play on my pen name meaning "Question of the Month" in Tagalog. (Buwan means month or moon in Tagalog.) This...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Welcome to Lunar Loop! This edition marks the first newsletter I've ever launched.🎉 Noel's Note When I look back and think about it, writing has been a lifelong endeavor, skill, and art form I've been striving toward. Still, it was only until recently when I finally decided to dedicate myself to it. All in. I've been dancing around the idea of fully embracing writing as a career for much of my working life. Why? Money. I was surrounded by wonderful literature lovers and writers during my...
3 months ago • 4 min read