Website

After managing a website through WordPress for years, I studied how to launch a basic Hugo site with very minimal programming knowledge. Initially, the experience was exciting and I realized how bloated WordPress was for my needs. I was inspired by Craig Mod, who was very knowledgeable of programming on top of writing and photography. I dreamt of becoming knowledgeable of full stack programming at least to build a fully customized website. When I started doing digital gardening, this desire to learn programming intensified as I wanted to build a website that was a digital garden at the same time. Because of lack of skill and time to develop them, I contented myself with using Quartz, which became my website for quite some time.

Currently, I've separated my digital garden from my main website, which is now running again through Hugo. My digital garden runs through an user-friendly plugin in Obsidian itself. Meanwhile, I'm doing most of my current online publishing via Substack, which has made the website quite silent. I couldn't update the theme to the latest version without destroying the current look of the site. This limitation and my lessened desire to study programming is leading me to considering using more user-friendly platforms to host my website.

Thoreau Translations & Kaliskis na Ulap

A website and project I have shelved is the translation of my favorite quotes from Thoreau's journal. After doing this in 2019–2021, I ran out of gas and wanted to move on from Thoreau to study other people and to focus on writing my own stuff. The website I built to house these translations is now gone and I don't have any plan to revive it. Meanwhile, my translations remain unfinished. They are in my talahardin and the least I could do is to fix them so they could be publicly accessible through my digital garden. However, I don't have any strong reason to return to this project and that is okay. I'm currently focused on my jiyū shūkyō.

Talahardin

I started digital gardening around late 2020 and have maintained one for more than five years now. I used Bear for a few months before moving to Craft. Then from Craft, which I used for more than a year, I transferred to Obsidian, which I've been using for more than four years now. What I like about Obsidian is that it uses markdown files primarily and it is easier to customize it to create a unique user experience. I still like the idea of publishing some of my notes, so I'm using the Digital Garden plugin to do so. I've also integrated a spaced repetition prompt practice into my talahardin, which I've maintained for more than a year now. Likewise, I've arrived at a setup that continues to support both my studies and my creative writing practice.

Newsletters

While I've kept newsletters for more than ten years now, I've really only explored their effectivity and my relationship with them since encountering CM's work.

Apps

I've tried all sorts of apps. In the past five years I ran a newsletter, I used Mailerlite, Sendy, Listmonk, and Substack. I'll be using Substack moving forward because it simplifies my newsletter life and increases my newsletter's visibility.

Lilim

I launched Lilim in 2021 to explore walking alongside philosophy. I made several iterations of it, moving from a pure essay to something like James Clear's 3-2-1 newsletter, before returning to the pure essay. It has been retired since 2022 and serves as an archive of my earliest walks in Los Baños and a predecessor of The Long Walk.

Uman

I launched Uman in 2022 to mimic CM's Roden by keeping track of the progress of my projects. It eventually changed its format as I felt it was unnecessary to report changes and progress in every area of my life. I later only focused on my intellectual and spiritual development. Finally, I also used it to practice creative and uncreative writing. I eventually retired it in early 2025 as I wanted to keep things simple and focus on one newsletter.

The Long Walk

I launched TLW in late 2022 as a replacement of Lilim. It started as an open diary that I published every week. However, I became exhausted with that format so it transitioned into becoming like a Ridgeline. I published occasional essays, mature evergreen notes, and announcements (including walk announcements) through this newsletter. It was the longest newsletter I kept, which captured the changes I was going through as I was converting into jiyū shūkyō.

I retired it in 2025 because I no longer resonated with its name and I felt like my original intention when I started it has changed.

Vince Imbat

To replace TLW, I started a newsletter which was simply under my name. I returned to Substack. I began publishing short forms weekly, including poems and word meditations ala David Whyte. I intend to continue using this new newsletter but will define what to populate it with.

Walking

Daily walks

Since I walk daily, I've incorporated creative intentions into it. I tried Thoreau's project but I can't sustain it. It feels off. Despite my deep admiration of it, it isn't my project.

What is working for me these days is to treat my daily walks naturally, as a form of rest and meditation, as a way to be out there with the world and with others without any intention to produce anything. I simply walk and try my best to keep my attention on the walk itself. If a thought or line of verse emerges naturally from the walk, I pause to catch the seed in my note-taking app. If an image calls for it to be photographed, I do so. If a haiku presents itself, I capture it. Otherwise, I just stay in the walk.

A walking nembutsu.

Walking experiments

I have done several of these since 2021: LB walks, Quezon walks, LB-SP walks Baguio walks, Thailand walks. This is still CM's influence although I'm trying to make them my own. However, I couldn't do them with regularity because I'm trying to figure out how this fits correctly with my jiyū shūkyō.

What I know is that I still want to do this but in two contexts:

1. Walking with others and infusing literature, philosophy, and place in it.
2. Walking and using CM's model of really embedding myself into the lives of those living in the places along the way.

Walking facilitation

I facilitated two walking meditations in 2023 via the NLAI walks. I realized that while I enjoyed the activity it was also still difficult and challenging. I still feel hesitance to facilitate another. If I do, I will have to connect it with my jiyū shūkyō for it to really mean something. It could either use mythogeography or the derive as inspirations.

Photography

I started getting serious with photography around 2021, again through CM's influence. But I was just using my iPhone. I then bought a DSLR in 2023 and used it for the first time in my first walking experiment in LB. Later I learned better how to edit and manage an archive as well as use LrC better. Through Louise Far I also learned how to better use mindfulness in approaching photography.

I enjoy hunting for photographs especially when I'm focused on that and not also hunting for words. But I could still do the same. I also enjoy piecing together an essay with photos.

I still want to develop my photography, but my problem is that if I don't have a walking project, I'm not really using my camera. I need a regular photographic practice and a regular way to get my photos out there. Also, I need to consider whether using a method like Andrew's, one that doesn't rely on post-editing, is actually a better fit for me. It seems to be a photography of the moment and will save me money because I won't need LrC that much. In addition, I need to continue studying contemplative photography or how photography could also be an effective expression of my jiyū shūkyō.

Day job

For six years now, I've maintained a part-time online job that provides me the income of a full-time worker here in the Philippines. Between 2020 and 2022, that was Scribendi. Between 2022 until now (2026), I have Bookbright. This allows me to have enough time and mental space to explore the things I want to explore. But during the job loss of 2022 and the unstable job hunting of 2023, I also did website design and development, academic writing, and podcast show notes writing.

Based from all those experiences, here are my findings:

• I will no longer take on a website design and development client. I have no mental space for it, not enough skill to pull it off, and just involves too much work.
• I will no longer take on writing jobs from Filipino clients unless it will be great for my portfolio.
• I may or may not continue learning how to be a better editor.
• Although I now rely entirely on Bookbright, I want to establish more resilience by exploring some side hustles.

Writing

Poetry

Of course, I only took poetry seriously through my conversations with Rem a year or so before 2020, during 2020 when Tungko was most active, and ultimately after Rem died in 2022. Getting my poem published in TLDTD around 2022 (and being recognized by fellow Pangasinense writers for it) and most importantly becoming a poetry fellow of the PRS in 2024 were also strong influence in my commitment to continuing writing poems. This was further strengthened in 2025 when I did my own studies on poetry as I tried to build and articulate my poetics. Likewise, becoming a Mountain Beacon poet by sending weekly poems, reading an anthology every week, and being in conversation with poets that have been here for many years has further placed me at a position where continuing to write poetry is something I want to continue doing. I also found myself being part of a contemplative writing group (Nilay) where poetry is a central form we often use.

Moving forward, I want to continue deepening my poetry by following the threads below:

• Use poetry to explore my religious past and present ala Merton.
• Learn short Japanese forms like haiku, senryu, etc.
• Practice methods taught by Olson, Ginsberg, Trungpa, Levertov, etc.
• Focus on writing poetry in English and Pangasinan.

Pangasinan writing

I tried to ask for help from the Pangasinan community but I received no support. Because of a lack of support and enthusiasm from the Pangasinan community, I've decided to focus on my own Pangasinan writing and if I will collaborate with others for this, I will only be working on small manageable projects. If large institutions want to tap me to help them then the initiative must come from them, not me.

Forms

Right now, I want to focus on poetry and the essay as my main writing forms. My essays will attempt to be lyrical and have a bias toward shortness.

Writing workshops

Attended Saling Paniting in 2019, ANWW20 in 2023, and PRS17 in 2024. These workshops exposed me to the conventional literary scene, showed me alternative paths to my writing life, and most importantly connect me with writing friends. On top of that, they serve as signals one can use in formal applications or bios. However, it is extremely competitive to get in them and they could disrupt my natural writing life flow. Trying to get in them feels disconnected with the jiyū shūkyō writing life I'm trying to build for myself.

I've come to the resolution that in general I do not need workshops, because I am not trying to build a traditional writing career and my approach to writing is different.

I will only send submissions to workshops if:

• Calls match existing writing that I know I want to improve.
• I want to use them as deadlines to make progress in existing writing projects. The goal is not to get in but to finish work.
• Workshops are not connected with scandals or are aligned with my values.

Writing contests

I have joined these contests and won. Moving forward I would like my writing to be uncompetitive and so it is best not to join these contests and avoid them as much as I could. The only contest I'll be opening myself into will be Palanca or poetry in GBL. But beyond these two, I'll avoid contests.

Writing for publications

I have published in TLDTD, Katipunan, Mountain Beacon, Northern Dispatch, and Rappler. These submissions are call-based and competitive. If one wants to get published in such calls, one should leave one's own projects and write on subjects that don't inspire one. I no longer want to chase publications this way.

Moving forward, I will only send works I'm proud to send about subjects I'm passionate about. Furthermore, I will prioritize publishing in my own newsletter and website. Mountain Beacon, of which I am now an integral part of, will be the main publication where I will send my work because its editorial principle allows for more flexibility on topics.

Zine-making

I coauthored swmm/a with J. The most instructive part of the process is printing, delivering, collecting money, and attending BLTX to meet potential readers and friends who will read the zine. Selling my work was instructive. I experienced first hand what it felt like to be a producer of literature.

I will do zine-making again for my own works. But I need to further study the poetics behind it and look for other techniques I could employ on my next zine venture.

Exhibits

My writing and photographs were exhibited in the Tuloy-Daloy Exhibit in Angono, Rizal; the Ili Likhaan exhibit in Los Baños, Laguna; and the Kalooban exhibit in Imus, Cavite. I didn't intentionally join these exhibits, but it was great to have my works displayed and have more people see them.

Moving forward, I'm unsure whether to intentionally apply for them. For example, for my photographs. I will wait for when it feel right to do so.

Book writing

I've been telling myself I will be writing a book but haven't. There are many ideas on what book or books to write. The following are just a few:

• A book about LB written in Filipino and signifying my creation of my jiyū shūkyō.
• A book about Baguio written in English, recounting my life as a JW minister.
• A book about Pangasinan written in Pangasinan, with a goal more secular (actually still unsure).
• A book of poems formatted as a liturgy.
• Beautiful non-fiction books with photographs that combine personal narratives, philosophical thinking, cultural references, and historical descriptions all situated in a specific geographical location.

Now, the reason of why I never got to really focus on writing a book is clear. My writing is too young for such an endeavor. And my writing has to go through the tension of my religious life. Today, I will not put this pressure to write a book on myself. I will focus on my jiyū shūkyō and trust in the Great Life. The book will have to follow naturally.

My jiyū shūkyō

My philosophical exploits which began around 2017 where converted into religious exploits in late 2023 onwards after my encounter with jiyū shūkyō. The change came after a clear admission that my primary work and interest is religion. This started when I asked what kind of philosophy I want to practice, which led me to lyrical philosophy via the work of Henry Bugbee and his student Ed Mooney. These two people led me to Andrew James Brown. Brown's work led me to the clearest admission that my religious calling is my primary commitment in 2025, after facing tension between my writing life and my religious calling.

Seiza

I have transitioned from zen to seiza since late 2023. I have missed very few online English seiza session during Saturdays and have joined the Wednesday morning Japanese seiza sessions. Miki has visited the Philippines and practiced seiza with me (correcting my posture and providing feedback).

Moving forward, I want to deepen my practice by instituting strictly the 30-minute seiza practice in the morning and evening. I also want to read seiza books and materials and continue corresponding with fellow practitioners.

Religious communities

In late 2023, I became part of a seiza community. In 2024, I became part of Kiitsu Kyōkai. In 2025, I became part of a Jōdo Shinshū study group. In addition to this, I launched a contemplative writing group inspired by AWA and jiyū shūkyō. I also have informal "communities" with individuals I correspond in person and via email. My biggest lesson from this is that I thrive in the "right" religious communities. I could no longer not have a religious community.

Moving forward, I intend to continue being an active participant in these communities. I will do my best to be present in all future meetings and will volunteer to lead whenever the opportunity strikes. I will contribute in creating a space where others feel free in their practice of their faith.

Personal projects

Since encountering jiyū shūkyō in late 2023, I've redefined faith for myself, articulated what God means to me, tried reconnecting with the Bible, started reencountering Jesus, explored jiyū shūkyō resources from Filipino spirituality, and studied Jōdo Shinshū.

I want to continue with my studies and put this at the center of my life. I want this exploration to combine a return to my religious past and the creation of my current religiosity. Also, I want to share this journey through writing and other media.

Religious talks

The talk in ANWW20 was the first time I talked about my religious status. I received mixed reactions, but I treasured those reactions that really came from a place of depth and resonance. It wasn't until 2025, though, when Argel invited me to talk in GNRC and his class that I really felt the potential of talks first hand as an avenue to speak about matters important to me. What I really like about doing talks is that they allow me to immediately see the reactions of people to my thoughts. It feels encouraging even if only a few people connect. What I don't like about it is that it takes up a lot of time and mental space, especially because of my anxiety. I might still do them in measured frequency. Two talks is a good amount. More than this is too much.

Leaves of Morning

Leaves of Morning is a project I instituted in 2025 to infuse contemplation into my daily religious writing and studies. I've added recitations, a prayer, candle lighting, and a singing bowl in its current iteration. I intend to continue to practice it daily and change it whenever necessary.

Writing as jiyū shūkyō

When I left organized religion in 2012 and gave up on student politics and other attempts to replace the void religion left in me, I naturally got into writing. Writing helped me be more mindful of my emotions. Writing helped me document both the good and the bad happening in my life. Writing gave me purpose and hope through the blogosphere. Then when it became apparent that I was still spiritual, writing also helped me express it. It is embedded into the entire journey even if it isn't really the main thing.

When I encountered jiyū shūkyō in 2023, I started having an itch on how I might transform writing into a ministry. I studied how writing became a tool for transcendentalists in deepening their faith and expressing the creative genius they believe reside within every human being. Then I discovered Pat Schneider and her AWA method and thought about how I might use it in writing with others and writing alone.

I experimented with Lea on writing based on a religious prompt during a walk. I also wrote one-on-one with Uwa. These experiences helped provide the directness of feedback I once experienced as a minister and which was lost in solitary writing.

However, as I began thinking more about writing as an integral expression of my jiyū shūkyō, I began seeing how doing so contradicted the existing conventional models of what a writing life should be.

Here are current resolutions on what I know to be true about my writing:

• I will still be writing.
• However, writing will take a secondary and new role in relation to my jiyū shūkyō, which is now the central gravity of my life.
• I will prioritize building a community around my writing, and producing works that inspire and educate that community. Building a community around my writing and writing life encourages me to move away from the more ego-driven model of writing that emphasizes workshops, contests, and publications (WOP). Being published, winning in contests, or being workshopped are no longer as important as being part of a community. My goal moving forward is to make my writing kyokai-focused where it becomes a way to serve a sangha by teaching or inspiring. My writing life now is in the service of the whole—not of my self.
• I wanted to be more intentional in the art I release. If it isn't lyrical philosophy in the jiyū shūkyō tradition or if it isn't spiritual writing, I won't release it. This means I won't be sending works to publication calls if they don't fit right.
• I will focus on my religious studies, contemplation, and application and content myself with the writing that flows naturally from these primary activities. I have to focus on this process and let go of anything that will disturb it.
• Since I will be focusing on my religious studies, contemplation, and application, I will focus on private forms of writing like journaling, note-taking, and poetry.
• My public writing should flow out naturally from my studies, contemplation, and daily application.
• I could no longer waste my time responding on other people's calls. I will focus on my religious calling and my own writing projects that flow from that calling.
• Moving forward, I will continue to use writing to resolve my religious past and to construct my religious present. There is so much material in both.
• I want to produce lyrical philosophy—beautifully crafted pieces of writing that inspires or educates one to provoke them to think about the Great Life and their place in it.
• Given that I want writing to be a tool to experience life more fully and experience community more fully, I will be as open and welcoming as possible to the writings of others, especially those part of my community. My goal is to immerse myself in a forest of moments.

Collaborations

Within 2021 to 2025, I collaborated with J, Louise, Maui, and Argel. Only those with Argel would be considered perfectly a success. Most of my collaborations were problematic because I entered them without setting boundaries, especially as I worked with the wrong people.

Moving forward, I need to be selective about collaborations. I will focus on those that will enrich my jiyū shūkyō. Furthermore, they will only be with the right people–those who respect me and understand fully the strengths I bring to the table. I need to articulate my principles and boundaries on collaboration before I jump into one again.

Insights

• WHAT I WANT IS MY RETURN TO READING, CONTEMPLATING, AND THEN WHEN NECESSARY WRITING. BUT I NEED TO RETURN TO THAT THINKING ABOUT BIG THINGS MODE.
• Establish a natural progression from studies, contemplation, etc. to journaling to newsletter.
• What to produce: Honest and earnest autobiographical writing, similar style but poems