Espressos and Environmentalism
Some updates on the work, and the state of my inner garden.
My classes ended a while back, and since then I’ve been taking it easy. Now that I have just enough brain space, it’s a good time to reflect on what I have been doing, and what you can look forward to with regard to my work.
Doing the Work
During the last week of April, Jun Sabayton invited me to give a talk about the concept of “loob” (interiority) and how it relates to movie villains (kontrabida). Some of the artists gave their insights on the matter, and then I gave my own thoughts on how these psychological dichotomies—inside and outside (loob/labas), hero and villain (bida/kontrabida)—need each other to exist. We only know that something is “good” because we know what “bad” looks like—in very much the same way that I can only read the words on a page when the colors contrast, or hear a melody through its well-timed silences.1
For members of my Patreon, I’ve already released the May 2025 lecture on spiritual madness and transcendence. I’d also like to announce that I’m taking a break from regular lectures, mainly so that I can reflect on what how I’d like to continue discussing these concepts in a more embodied way. I’ll be back in July.
In the meantime, I’ll continue to share bonus content in the form of unreleased music, archived Instagram posts, and research notes on folklore.
From the Archive
My recent essay on Lifestyle Inquirer, published on May 24, is an affirmation of how folk psychology connects with environmentalism. Very early on in my studies I had already seen the connection. Here are other public materials you might enjoy:
A 20-minute online lecture I gave on how the animist worldview can be a useful guide to caring for nature.
An academic article I wrote and published in 2023 that connected Philippine animism with another relevant global environmental movement, Deep Ecology.
Care for the Inner Garden
I have noticed that I am being drawn to more and more “hipster” interests. 😅
You already know that I’ve always been into zines and thrift books. I also own maybe five tote bags (three of which are from bookstores). I recently bought a flimsy fishing jacket so that I can carry around my paperback readings.2 Lately, I’ve also been getting really into espresso coffee, and I have also bought my own stove-top coffee maker (“moka pot”). I’ve also bought my own turntable, and, god help me, Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act. I half-heartedly joke with my friends that the next steps for me are getting an ironic tattoo and starting a separate Instagram page for film photography (but I already have an app for that).
Here is me last Sunday, on an early morning walk around the city. That morning, I had a brewed coffee and two espresso shots.
Further Study
I’ve been reading Mellie Leandicho Lopez’ A Handbook of Philippine Folklore (2006)—my notes are available for all my Patreon subscribers. Aside from that, I recently bought Will and Ariel Durant’s The Lessons of History (1968) and Malidoma Patrice Somé’s Ritual: Power, Healing, and Community (1993).
Outside of my academic texts, I’ve been truly enjoying Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential (2000), which I’ve only started reading a few weeks ago.
Here I echo Taoist philosophy, by way of Alan Watts.
This was unironically inspired by couldbethemove’s recommendation, “paperback book in the back pocket.”