Blue del Rio stories

08/12/2024

The Arguelles-Jalandoni mansion, aka Agatona1927 Museum Cafe, in Jaro, Iloilo City, is one of several ancestral homes mentioned in Houses that Sugar Built.

The Arguelles-Jalandoni mansion in Jaro, Iloilo City, is one of several ancestral homes mentioned in Houses that Sugar Built.

04/12/2024

Poetry has a unique ability to express feelings that can be difficult to articulate in everyday language, and this piece is a snapshot of my younger self’s thoughts and heartache. Recently, I revisited the poem and decided to share it, along with a GenAI review that explores its themes and structure....

Poetry has a unique ability to express feelings that can be difficult to articulate in everyday language, and this piece is a snapshot of my younger self’s thoughts and heartache. Recently, I revis…

30/11/2024

Casa Mariquit is a 19th-century home in Jaro constructed in 1803. This bahay na bato (stone house) reflects the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage and Spanish colonial architectural influence.

From the lovely book Houses that Sugar Built

Casa Mariquit is a 19th-century home in Jaro constructed in 1803. This bahay na bato (stone house) reflects the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage and Spanish colonial architectural influence.

25/11/2024

Once again, I wrote a poem and asked ChatGPT to act like a doctoral student of poetry and review my work, a poem about wanting to write lyrics for a song. Man, it “chewed it up.” I also don’t disagree with it, but I chose to ignore its advice this time because I think I’d like to keep it in the pop genre.

Once again, I wrote a poem and asked ChatGPT to act like a doctoral student of poetry and review my work. Man, it “chewed it up.” I also don’t disagree with it, but I chose to ignore its advice thi…

22/11/2024

I’m a working mom, so I’m a little late — but I wanted to make sure I acknowledged Transgender Awareness Week, which was observed November 13 to November 19 and culminated on November 20’s Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). A solemn day, TDOR honors and remembers the lives of transgender individuals lost to acts of anti-transgender violence. I’m looking forward to the day this will no longer be an issue.

I know a lot of people find it really hard to understand, accept and love. But our world needs more LOVE, and that’s the only fact everyone needs to agree on. I hope my family’s story can be an inspiration. Some ideas, like things in nature, need to die so new life can begin.

https://bluedelrio.home.blog/2020/06/22/the-life-and-death-of-a-name/

When the unico hijo (only son) of the family becomes a transgender woman, there’s a story about a deadname

16/11/2024

Houses that Sugar Built - An Intimate Portrait of Philippine Ancestral Homes explores the largely unknown architectural legacy to be found in the ancestral houses of Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Pampanga – the three main sugar-producing provinces of the Philippines. These grand residences have yet to receive international exposure. Beautifully photographed, with over 200 pages of interiors that have rarely been seen by the public and layered with intimate stories and individual house texts that transport us back to a time when these residences were in their heyday. The book won first prize in the Sony World Photography Awards 2024 Architecture and Design category....

Houses that Sugar Built – An Intimate Portrait of Philippine Ancestral Homes explores the largely unknown architectural legacy to be found in the ancestral houses of Iloilo, Negros Occidental…

12/11/2024

This poem was inspired by the most famous lines from the poem “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus...

This poem was inspired by the most famous lines from the poem “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus

10/11/2024

When in the Philippines, to avoid disturbing an enchanted area during a hike in an uncharted path, be polite and say “tabi tabi” to invisible folk by asking for permission to pass.

When in the Philippines, to avoid disturbing an enchanted area during a hike in an uncharted path, be polite and say “tabi tabi” to invisible folk by asking for permission to pass.

19/10/2024

Going on a hike in the Philippines can be a [super]natural experience

on “Filipino supernatural beliefs” 👆

19/10/2024

I wrote a poem to capture the feeling of waking up. I asked ChatGPT to act like a doctoral student of poetry and assess my work. It wasn’t just an interesting collaboration; it was a great exercise in using generative AI to help elevate my craft. Check it out.

I wrote a poem to capture the feeling of waking up. I asked ChatGPT to act like a doctoral student of poetry and assess my work. It wasn’t just an interesting collaboration; it was a great exercise…

11/10/2024

Philippine road signs

11/10/2024

Drive slow. Mari-it. Means a place is enchanted. Accidents likely.

Drive slow. Mari-it. Means a place is enchanted. Accidents likely.

08/10/2024

Curious about the supernatural or fascinated by Tyler Henry, the Hollywood medium? In this latest blog post, inspired by his Netflix show, I share some personal stories of ghostly encounters and Filipino folklore that have shaped my belief in life after death. Are you a skeptic or a believer? 👻✨

Tyler Henry’s new Netflix show Tyler Henry, the famous Hollywood medium, currently has a new show on Netflix called Live from the Other Side with Tyler Henry, and I’ve already set a reminder to tun…

02/10/2024

In the joy of others lies our own

26/09/2024

Haiku: What if God was one of us?

It may be an ongoing cycle

22/09/2024

Last month, we visited the breathtaking BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, NJ—the largest Hindu mandir in the U.S. and a true marvel of art and spirituality. 🙏

The experience was more than just sightseeing. It made me reflect deeply on the concept of God and the common threads that connect us all, regardless of faith. Whether you're seeking a cultural experience or moment of peace, this place has something profound to offer. I highly recommend a visit.

Discovering the Mandir: The stunning architecture and experience inside We visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey, last month and were blown away. It’s the largest Hin…

11/09/2024

This world needs more love, less hate, please

11/09/2024

Haiku: This world needs more love, less hate, please