WORKS IN PROGRESS
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
(August 3 - xxx, 2024) Sapiens has been a runaway bestseller in the NY Times and launched Yuval Noah Harari as one of the world's most sought-after provocative thinkers. When I first stumbled into Yuval Harari's presentation about man creating fiction from thin air and then lives his life according to the dictates of that fiction, I was hooked. Finally, I get to read his book...more »»
Taking a Free Online A.I. Course
(May 18, 2024) I was having lunch with Kat when she deliberated on the many ways AI is more relevant and compelling - including having AI be the 'teacher' for home-schooled kids. I was blown away. I thought I was already proficient with AI, but now I realized I had to level-up my game. Where to start? From the bottom - what is AI?...more »»
Yoga Upanishad
(December 12, 2023) The Yoga Upanishad is a collection of ancient philosophical Hindu text that talks about the principles and practice of yoga - meditation, breath control, and subtle energy channels...more »»
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
(November 30, 2023) Benjamin Franklin became a recurring name thrown at me. First, while watching an interview of billionaire Charlie Munger, he said he kept 2 busts in his home of 2 people he admired the most - Benjamin Franklin and Lee Kuan Yew. On a '19 Recommended Books to Read in your Lifetime', I saw Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography. And while watching the American Revolution, Benjamin loomed larger than life. While watching an interview of celebrated author Walter Isaacson who was promoting his recent book about Elon Musk, I learned that he also authored a Benjamin Franklin biography! In my world-view of a benevolent universe blazing a path for me, this is a strong statement that I should roll up my sleeves and get to know Benjamin Franklin in an intimate way - by reading his autobiography...more »»
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
(Aug 8-???, 2023) The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali have been the classic reference and standard in the practice of Raja Yoga - yoga of the mind. Beyond asana, this book underscores the importance of ethics/morality (Yama/Niyama) and meditation. In this book, Sri Swami Satchidananda gives his commentary...more »»
The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga by Srivatsa Ramaswami
(datedate) Srivatsa Ramaswami was a direct one-on-one student of the legendary Tirumalai Krishnamacharya for 33 years. His experience with the Master encompassed yogic elements of asana, breathing, mindfulness, and therapy. With so many neo-yoga versions by self-styled revisionists nowadays, this practice takes us back to the source. A true gem!....more »»
2024: A Year in Review
(Dec 31, 2024) 2024 started out with me wanting to leave Siquijor for interaction and stimulation in a small city (Cebu? Dumaguete? Bacolod? Iloilo?) - one year in an isolated island living a monk's life was enough.....more »»
Survivor Philippines: The Audition
(May 21 - June 2, 2008) Survivor Philippines is the Philippine franchise of the hugely successful US reality tv series, Survivor. When they opened up an audition for the castaways, I was convinced by my friends to try it out. The timing was uncanny, so I relented. I didn't know it at that time, but there were 40,000 who auditioned for the part, and they were only getting 18. I was lucky to be one of that magic number...more »»
Stairway to Heaven Appears from Nowhere
(September 9, 2023 Tagbilaran, Bohol Island, Philippines) Glitch in the Matrix? Ha-ha, a stage staircase blends seamlessly into the airport runway.
Carrot Juicing
(September 16, 2023 Tagbilaran, Bohol Island, Philippines) My vision has been challenged for many years now but I still defy using prescription glasses. I do just about everything to optimize my eyes - daily trataka cleansing, eye exercises, and now carrot juicing. I tried carrot juicing decades ago and my eyes reverted back to 20/20 - even my eye doctor was astonished. Westinghouse had a 20% discount on its juicer. It was my long awaited chance. 3 big carrots fill up my 500ml cup. Local carrots, no matter how fresh off the farm, don't taste as sweet as the imported variety. But I'm not sure if that is also a measure of the beta carotene nutrition it has. Still, carrot juice in pure form is very refreshing...and healthy!
Yoga $10 Pay-Videos 
First Contact (2016)
(October 13, 2024) I've first stumbled upon Bashar before this film so I knew what to expect. This film is essentially a summary of what he had been saying all along through the years Darryl Anka has been channeling Bashar. Again, it doesn't matter to me who is talking but what the message is. And the message is always spot on given my life experience, and when the message is not verifiable, it still make sense to an open mind....more »»
US Presidential Election
(October 8, 2024) Lately, I had been listening to podcasts by great personalities and brilliant minds that have captured the public domain. With the US presidential elections less than 2 months away, their talks have all been funneled on the 'where we are' and 'what ifs' of the outcome. It seems like this is no ordinary election - more like existential Showdown at OK Corral where not only the US, geopolitics, the world and lives hang in the balance. Some even claim that this could be the last democratic election that is to take place in the US - freedom vs tyranny...more »»
Lexicon for the New Zeitgeist
(October 4, 2024) While listening to popular podcasts, I keep stumbling upon new words that describe this polarized Zeitgeist. Finally, I had to ask ChatGPT all these new words that have gained traction in this tumultous social order (given the forthcoming US presidential election)....more »»
Say What?
(October 2, 2024) Every once in a while, I come across a podcast between 2 intellectuals whose conversation I do not comprehend. It simply goes over my head. But it doesn't matter. Like opera or a Gregorian chant, you don't understand what's being said, but it's still music to your ears....more »»
Sunrise Yoga at Bantawan, Old Airport
(September 2024) On my 4 am alarm, I do Trataka before leaving the house. When I can help it, I begin my practice at the Bantawan Old Airport at 5 am - this gives me more time until the sun begins to hurt. More cardio than before with rope skipping. After the practice, I listen to noteworthy podcasts. September has been a month of intense learning...more »»
Initial Public Offering (IPO)
(September 29, 2024) I have long read books about mergers and acquisitions. The last 2 books I've read, Elon Musk and Steve Jobs (both authored by Walter Isaacson), also talked about buying, selling or merging companies. In all these, the topic of IPO hovers over the corporate landscape. I know what an IPO is, but nothing beyond surface level. With AI, I can now dive deep....more »»
Neurons
(September 27, 2024) I have long used the word 'neurons' to describe cognitive abilites. I would say something like, 'the neurons connect with other neurons'. Sometimes, I would interchange the words 'neurons' with 'dendrites'. It just dawned on me to ask, 'What exacty is a neuron?'. Of course, now that we have AI, I asked. Boy, was I in for a rude awakening....more »»
September Snapshots: Hair
(September 1-31, 2024) With September, the 'ber' months are upon us. Department stores started displaying Christmas decors and the weather is a little cooler. This month also ended the 2-month Sandugo Festival....more »»
Pad Thai
(September 26, 2024) After my Tom Yum Soup, next Thai food is equally famous on the global stage - Pad Thai, again, using Real-Thai pad-thai paste. Looking at the ingredients, they can all be locally obtained. Next time, I'll do it the DIY way. For a change, I'm using shrimps....more »»
Steve Jobs
(Aug 6 - Sep 26, 2024) The book was released Jan 1, 2011 and became a bestseller. 10 months later, Steve Jobs was dead. The book became iconic and Walter Isaacson became the biographical guru of the age. I'm not exactly a Jobs fan, but I wanted to read this book by my favorite author....more »»
If You Spot It, You Got It
(September 6, 2024) Listening to a podcast with Robert Edward Grant after doing yoga on the old airport, he said something that hit a cord, 'If you spot it, you got it'. I had to ponder long and hard about this recurring truth....more »»
She Sat Beside Me
(August 31, 2024) Seated at the Sandugo Festival enjoying live music and a coldie, I noticed this young, sexy and beautiful lady pass by my table. 'Sexy and beatiful' do not happen very readily here in Tagbilaran, so of course, I noticed but didn't give a double take. A few minutes later, someone sat on the table next to me - it was her! If I didn't make a move, I knew I couldn't forgive myself in the many years to come...more »» ARCHIVE:
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