We walk on paths with gravel and dirt,
Unmaintained roads, broken street lights.
Some say it’s noisy, a bit rough,
Uncivilized, maybe. But it’s where we started.

Formosa was a quick touch
A break,
A reality check.
The world felt wide, unburdened, free.

It reminded me:
We’re still far from where we should be.
How things can move so efficiently
Faster progress,
More space to explore,
More chances to move forward.

While being there...
and in the absence of a common language most of the time
a new kind of patience surfaced.
Body language filled in the blanks.
We adapted.
They extended patience and hospitality.

And somewhere in that quiet back-and-forth,
you realize
even with all the differences,
people can still find ways to coexist.


Traveling with the team

Traveling with people is tough.
Different tastes, expectations, and desires.
Sometimes one moves ahead,
or maybe it’s just organized chaos
sometimes just to prove a point.

But with this team, it’s different.
Time, patience, assurance, and care are felt.
Opinions and health matter.
You really feel they’re with you
even with everyone’s differences.

As I packed my bags and looked back,
those moments shared and explored
shifted something,
and it will be one of those “multo”
one will always want.

The things experienced there
are hoped to be experienced back in PH

Where dirt-painted shoes
will now be all-white sneakers,
working street lights,
wide pavements,
well-mannered, civilized people.

Formosa was one thing,
and above all,
it captured a part of my bucket list.

I thank God for the gift of grit, patience, and perseverance,
and above all, for the opportunity to make a difference
and be part of the Stash family.

To more travels and chaotic adventures
Short but life-changing,
Costly but worth it.