I decided to update my blog as a symbol of war against artificial intelligence. I always applaud people who blatantly admit they have never used AI in their work or studies especially in 2026. For instance, Ateneo de Manila Gradeschool is one institution I look up to that upholds academic integrity and traditional pedagogy despite the changing digital affordances.
This is not to say the school is behind. Instead, they have mindfully preserved the thinking system of their students, at least within official school events and activities. I once decided between AGS and another school for my child’s education. I chose AGS because they still taught the students how to handle cash in the canteen vs. tap-tap in another school. If we skip the skill of waiting for change as children, they might miss out on the basic concept of money and exchanges.
Having worked with creatives all my life, I applaud self-made digital and creatives agency “Eight.” Last I talked with them they have not used AI in the production of their videos from storyboard to the actual product. This team has worked with our company for amazing video content at a young age and they have grown now and have been blessed with talent and clients to continue their great impact.
These are just examples of how we can resist the AI-threat. Working in a huge organization today, I can definitely attest to the fact that communication is needed now more than ever—especially with AI looming over us. More people cannot distinguish fake from truth.
UP Diliman College of Media and Communication fights AI by establishing clear rules on how to use it. Human thinking and intervention is still prioritized, while AI tools are seen as secondary help. Members of the faculty are vocal about the use of AI for class submissions and strictly communicates the risks including a possibility of suspension, failing marks or civil cases.
Having used a Large Language Model (LLM) like ChatGPT, I can definitely say that it teaches one to become highly dependent on generated content to a point where thinking seems to be too difficult without it . Studies even attest to this observation (Kosmyna, 2025).
I used to truly enjoy writing as my brain tries to connect one concept from the other based on my experiences and interactions. I did not plan to become a “writer,” but my raw outputs have attracted praise from colleagues, managers, and bosses because of the grammar I’ve worked hard to improve, including my reading habits and book preferences. My media consumption and lived experience fortify my words that establish relevance and even deep connection with select readers.
Perhaps even before “blogging” became a commodity, I was one of the firsts to have established a journal without thinking if anybody ever “like” my content. I was just being raw, which worked because people say I write well.
The point here is, I’ve had this blog as long as I can remember yet it sits on the Internet without any update because I’ve been overcome by people’s standards of great content. Can’t I just write? Can AI stop lifting words, writing style, and ideas from humans and just let us live?
From now on, I’ll just write. My goal is not to build an audience but to exercise my thinking and writing skills that gets threatened when I rely on automation too much. Back to basics is what they say. So here I am. Being basically awesome. HAHAHHA.
My prayer group leader started barraging our GCs with follow-up of proof of our daily quiet time. She does this because she realized almost all members say this to be their struggle. At first I was tempted to argue, “didn’t you know my mornings are already full. I have to cook, do my make up, send off my son to school, etc.” But I humbled myself and just listened. I am doing my quiet time anyway and currently been reading the book of Psalm. I started publishing my devo via my Instagram just this month as well and I figured why not just publish it here on the blog anyway?
Sometimes when we write and step back, we’d be surprised that our souls have written such good pieces you almost didn’t believe the insights you have formed came from you. hehe.
Briefly, SOAP is just a framework to help us with our quiet time. Where S means the scripture that stood out to you the most, O is an observation of the setting, the character, the context around that scripture, A for application (what must I change, obey, or believe?) and finally, P is our prayer based on this scripture.
It is my prayer that by sharing my devo, you too will allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you and apply the scripture to your own experiences. Share your thoughts with me, friends? 🙂
July 16, 2025
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 4:7 Fill my heart with joy
when their grain and new wine abound.
OBSERVATION
David is crying out to God at a time of distress, when his enemies are out to get him.
APPLICATION
We are gifted with various settings of distress: the home, the streets, our workplace. Questions to ask: are you in distress? While I was going to work this morning via Angkas (I get to think a lot through traffic), I realized the reason for my distress is the expectation that everything should work out smoothly and not have any problems. “If only there is this system,” or “if only these people knew how to..” These are constant causes of stress in my life.
But the Holy Spirit impressed on me that to think of life in the world as smooth sailing, despite our spotless plans and impressive achievements, is futile. It will never be perfect. Things don’t just magically appear or disappear, and people don’t always think the way you do. Sometimes, we even measure people’s contributions and question their gains compared with ours.”
What’s good is that we can be assured that such situations are not new. Even the bible outlines ancient people’s distress like this verse. If we look at others and see that they seem to be getting ahead by gaining new things or being happy with their achievements, we should know that
a. We only see the ending but not their hardships. People worked so hard to get what they prayed for and
b. Our relationship with God should be the measure of our true joy and not physical circumstances.
Is it always easy to have this mindset? Of course not. It’s impossible. Unless we lift up all our hearts’ desires and plans to the Lord, we will never find joy.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for filling my heart with joy despite the uncontrollable events around us. Even when it seems other people are getting ahead or are achieving more, Your words comfort us and ground us. As we wait, we avail of Your love and peace. My prayer is for my son to grow up wise so that he may be able to live this blessed life with joy in his heart. I pray that my husband gets to see you and follow you as well so that he too can enjoy your promises. I pray for my dgroup leader, church leaders, and members, that we may always stay in the light and be a blessing to the Philippines and the world. I pray for the person reading this, may they be blessed.
There are many stressful things. But help us remember that we don’t need any other thing but You. You are our light and salvation. You are our provider and healer. Thank You for everything You have bestowed upon us. Thank You for not forsaking us. We love you because You first loved us. Help us to be Christian through and through–not just in words but also in how we work, in our thoughts, and our actions.
Now you can book a unique, clean, and beautiful geodesic dome tent at this new glamping site at the boundary of Santa Maria Laguna and Infanta Quezon. Bask in the healing powers of nature while keeping the bees out so you can enjoy both the rawness of real camping and the luxuries of a bed and hot shower.
A deeper connection with family and nature.
This off-grid, private family mountain resort, Juan’s Place, offers a premium glamping (glamorous camping) experience as low as P6,000 a night. For a day, my family and I reveled in the relaxing nature sounds and the healing effects of the cool mountain breeze that the vicinity is famous for.
CLEAN, ENJOYABLE FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES
But aside from that, we also got to use other facilities like the reflexology pools, clean grills in the outdoor kitchen, and activities for kids like a mini-golf, a playground with swings, and bonfire at night.
Pocket pools
Zach and Kayla
Reflexology pools
Saying hi through the window
Cousins on the swing
There was an available mini golf session during our stay
Kids can play field games like footsal
Posing by the bonfire area
The generous space in Juan’s Place is an instant magnet for child-led play. My son and niece, ages 7 and 4, considered it a chance to play a good round of tag.
Zach runs on Juan’s Place’s field.
It was also an excellent avenue for a football game or volleyball.
Trick or treat? 😀
Right at the quiet corner of this open field is a cabin-in-the-forest type of house available for bigger families who wish to use the resort exclusively.
The Main House Front View at Night.
The Main House Back View
I can imagine bringing my friends to this Place for that well-earned bonding experience.
What’s cool about this house is this sizable stage, ready to host the incoming series of parties once this pandemic ends!
Ready for your gig!
Whether it’s a band performance, open poetry nights, or simply hosting duties, this deck would be perfect for spicing up both big and intimate events!
At the edge, we can sit casually and hang our legs over the lake-inspired koi pond.
The activities within the resort were already enough during our stay. But Santa Maria Laguna is also famous for cool dining places. So we decided to eat breakfast the next day at Paseo Rizal, an easy 20m walk from the resort, though there is an option for food deliveries.
GLAMPING AT JUAN’S PLACE
The Shinrin-yoku.
But the real star of this stay is the new, unique, clean geodesic dome tents with a unique landscaped window overlooking the big leaves and trees from the forest where it’s sitting.
Zachwinks from the tent interiors
Jerald entering the dome tent
It allowed me to feel super connected with the nature that I needed but safe enough from the elements of rain and insect bites.
My father smiling
Tent amid nature
Basking in the lush forest.
Our dome is cleverly named “Shinrinyoku,” which was coined by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in 1982 and can be defined as “making contact with and taking in the atmosphere of the forest.” (Source Linked)
Sitting on the wooden platform
Standing by the tent
Reveling nature
Listening to the creek
Our tent’s expansive, cantilevered wooden deck is true to the dome’s name, leading us to the edge beside a flowing stream. The sound of the trickling waters added to the nature experience and is genuinely a mood-elevating factor.
You can choose from other domes in Juan’s Place, each ranging in sizes and amenities. The largest accommodation is the Wabi-sabi, an “enclosed compound, with a geodesic tent sitting atop the open-design living area.”
Front Left Wabi-Sabi, Back Right Shinrin-Yoku
This living area offers exclusive access to a kitchen with cooking amenities – perfect for bigger groups.
A geodesic dome tent makes glamping more enjoyable than the traditional A-shaped tent because its extra poles make it more robust against harsh outdoor conditions.
Spacious tent
Toilet and Bath
Relaxing design
It also has a great design with roomy interiors and open windows, so you will not feel deprived. This type of tent also has space for a reasonably-sized bathroom with a toilet and bath, a hand basin, soap dispensers, tissue and holder, and the most important of all, a bidet sprayer.
Not only is this geodesic dome-style sturdy. I realized it also complements the natural bowing shape of the tall leaves that surrounds it. It feels like nature is telling us that it’s here to cover and heal us from any stress and anxieties we may have felt for so long.
THE VACATION WE NEED
At first, I was determined not to take “unnecessary” vacations for fear of dear life in this pandemic. But when I learned that this new family mountain resort is off-grid, private, and secluded — accepting only minimal guests on a reservation basis, I knew that this is the kind of vacation we need.
Kids smiling
And I never knew I needed it this much until we went there!
KIDS ENJOY JUAN’S PLACE
Even my 7-year old son Zach, who has been online learning for two straight years now, has found the excitement and relaxation he didn’t know could be possible!
“I love this place, mom!” he kept saying almost every second of us being there.
Just a quick backstory, since Zach grew up speaking in English, he’d often ask us if he could live in America, where the language is naturally spoken. But a night after this trip, just before he fell asleep in our bedroom, he said, “I don’t want to go to America anymore. Because Juan’s Place is in the Philippines. I like Juan’s Place.”
Child-led playing
Captivating warm lights
Kids on the hill
Children playing
SENIORS ENJOY JUAN’S PLACE
My father, 68 years old, had a month-long battle with an illness at a hospital abroad. Due to low blood sugar, he fainted and woke up in the ICU, unable to walk. But, by God’s amazing grace, he recovered and came home to us to enjoy retirement in the Philippines.
At first, he needed help with the first few steps of the resort. But he was able to do it. He stood by our tent’s platform whenever he could to breathe in the fresh air, which he claims has healing components and can cleanse all kinds of illnesses.
Who would have imagined that months after a scary experience, he is strong enough to be enjoying this beautiful Place with us? Only God can allow that.
I asked his opinion on the title of this blog, and he replied, “Most people are searching for a cure in their suffering from the current pandemic and its consequences. The title suggests a conducive forested place to relax within the tent with amenities and be healed by serene nature amid flora and fauna.”
Mukhang sa kaniya ako nagmana ng inglisan.
VLOGGER MOMS ENJOY JUAN’S PLACE
When I asked my siblings to join us, it was fortunate that my niece was on semestral break so they tagged along.
Pretty Kayla
My sister recently adopted a vlogging hobby to document their family’s travels. Juan’s Place figured a great addition to their portfolio of videos on Youtube! Watch our Juan’s Place video HERE.
PREVIEW SCREENSHOT ONLY.
WORKING HUSBANDS ENJOY JUAN’S PLACE
Sitting comfortably under cool weather
Although I won’t personally recommend it, since I was genuinely after the off-grid, disconnected experience, I find it convenient, especially for my companions, to have the OPTION to connect to the Internet via a simple (but I think is very cool) ‘Piso-Net’ machine from the nearby store.
Attending online class on a coin-based Internet connection
You can insert coins to enjoy the fast Internet if you need to, so you can respond to an urgent happening back in the city. We even managed to have Zach still appear in his online classes in the morning too!
SATISFACTION IN NATURE
Since we intended to take a vacation without the risk of catching any virus, I’m happy to share that we have achieved this goal.
Juan’s Place is indeed a place where you could confidently remove your masks for a while and trust in the protection and healing that God’s natural gifts of family, plants, and trees provide.
How to Get to Juan’s Place
Juan’s Place is a unique mountain family resort at Santa Maria Laguna and Infanta Quezon boundary. If you’re coming from Katipunan, Quezon City, simply take Marcos Highway, through Cogeo, and straight up the Marikina-Infanta Road, past the municipalities in Rizal like Boso-boso, Baras, and Tanay.
Taking a stop at the Santa Maria Laguna Signage
To Quezon City
Map
To Sta. Maria Laguna
The owners of this Place intended to create a nature-rich paradise exclusively for their growing-up kids to enjoy. But now, they are generously opening their doors to share the healing effects of glamping in nature with more families in need of a vacation.
Because the Place is new, slots get filled out fast. I strongly recommend that you claim your priority booking reservation when you message through their website today!
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