I cannot rest from travel: I will drink
Life to the lees.
— Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Ulysses 

I'm a Manileña who grew up in the sweltering heat of the tropics, between the bustle of Manila and the slower rhythm of life at my father's plantation in Mindoro, where I rode atop carabaos, had the rowdiest mud fights with my brothers, and learned from the Mangyan people how to make toys out of coconut leaves. I later spent 20+ years in cosmopolitan, immaculately clean Singapore, where I finished school, began a career in market risk in the oil trading industry, and explored different parts of Asia, often with a scuba tank on my back. I moved to California in 2019 and, after rejoining the workforce in 2023, pivoted into risk analytics. All things considered, California has been tremendous to my soul.  

Outside work, I have myriad interests, which include movies, animal welfare, salsa, personal finance, classical music, the English language, Mediterranean cuisine, among many others. I may be a jack of some trades and a master of very few, but I have an appreciation for delectable, beautiful things and can sometimes talk about them at length. I like that very much about myself actually ✨  

I'd describe myself as grounded, observant, quick to laugh, and kind. My siblings would call me fiercely independent, sharp-tongued, and worldly. Friends and other people have described me as fun, direct, cultured, charming, and warm. I prefer my own adjectives — I know myself best 😏😈  

I have yet to populate this site with the ideas I've been thinking about for years. And there's no rush! Hopefully, when you come by next time, there'll be something. 

Regina G.