Author: dakilanglaagan

Hi, I'm Marj, an online writer who furthers her learnings through travels, hikes, community service, and daily reflections. Dakilanglaagan contains my thoughts and sentiments about my travels, the people encounter, and many other experiences that allow me to ponder about life and its dwellings. This is my sacred space, a vent when no one seems to listen, and a mailbox of letters to myself. I don't know how you found me but I guess it's the universe that brought you here. I hope you'll find what you're looking for. See you on trails.

DIY South Korea Tour

Fate against me; Why I still haven’t traveled outside the Philippines

May 25, 2020

Right now, I should be happily strolling around Beijing and Shanghai – learning about our cultural differences, exploring cityscapes, and finally savoring the fruits of a year’s worth of workload.
But I’m not. Instead, here I am at home, writing all these predicaments. Corona virus pandemic has changed everything that we so long planned for this year. Everything. … More Fate against me; Why I still haven’t traveled outside the Philippines

6 Filipino Movies that will bring you to the mountains

6 Filipino Movies that will bring you to the Mountains

May 24, 2020

The Philippines is blessed with a number of mountains that provide verdant views at the top. Here are some of the Filipino movies that will help you trace back your personal experience with the mountains – the struggles, reflections, friendship fostered, and simple joys – and fuel your interest to climb once again. … More 6 Filipino Movies that will bring you to the Mountains

What are the highest mountains in the Philippines?

What are the Top 10 Highest Mountains in the Philippines?

May 23, 2020

The more mountains you climb in the Philippines, the more you are inspired to go higher and farther. How many times have we heard that ‘where to go next?’ praise after cursing the trails with regrets and bombarding the guide with ‘how many minutes more?’ Mountain climbing is addictive.

The Philippines is blessed, not only with beautiful beaches and tropical island destinations, but also with challenging mountain trails that is sure to provide a magnificent view at the summit – or learning experiences that will last for a lifetime. … More What are the Top 10 Highest Mountains in the Philippines?

Sirao Peak - Untold Story of how I was stood up by a friend

Sirao Peak – the Untold Story of How I was stood up by a Friend

May 22, 2020

We all have our fair share of stories of being stood up by friends who committed to join a trip then backs out the last minute. But what happens if the one who invited you does not show up on the day of the trip and you are already in the meet-up place? Would you push through with the plan or… go back home? … More Sirao Peak – the Untold Story of How I was stood up by a Friend

Miss hiking? Watch these documentaries about Philippine Mountains

May 20, 2020

We are truly missing the mountains extra these days – the breath of fresh air, bewitching view of sunrise, relaxing panorama of sunset behind those rolling hills, and spellbinding sea of clouds. But worry no more. Here are some of the epic hiking documentaries of the Philippine’s most renowned mountains destinations that we can binge-watch. … More Miss hiking? Watch these documentaries about Philippine Mountains

Itaewon Class - and Struggles of Second Leads

Itaewon Class – and the struggles of Second Lead

May 19, 2020

Itaewon Class is problematically titled. It’s not your regular high school teenage love story but a rather serious drama that portrays power struggle amidst diversity, prejudice, and discrimination. But what really troubled me all through its sixteen episodes is the battle for the leading lady role. At first glance, it’s easy to spot Cho Yi-seo as the main lead of Itaewon Class. However, there is an overlapping build-up of emotion towards her and Saeroyi’s first love, Soo Ah. Which gets me asking: who really is the second lead of this drama? … More Itaewon Class – and the struggles of Second Lead

Reflections and Learnings on The World of Married Couple

I guess I’ll never get married after watching ‘The World of Married Couple’

May 18, 2020

Once upon a time, my boss told me that I need an alpha to tame me so that I could get married. I believe otherwise. I don’t need an alpha. In a world of patriarchs, it’s difficult to be a woman. But this drama pointed out how a single woman could create ripples into others. To empower others to makes choices for themselves – to choose themselves first – denying society of what it wants to dictate. The World of Married Couple helps us reevaluate the women around us, the decisions that they have to make, and the struggles they silently battled with. … More I guess I’ll never get married after watching ‘The World of Married Couple’

Boredom led me to Haruki Murakami

May 16, 2020

Murakami’s Blind Willows, Sleeping Woman is a collection of 24 short stories randomly pieced together to make your head ache. Unlike the many short stories that we’ve grown with, each story does not give a resolution, rather, they would unexpectedly get off track when you’re almost at the end – leaving you with a knotted forehead and infinite list of questions that will never be answered. … More Boredom led me to Haruki Murakami

Ang Huling el Bimbo Musical - and the price of nostalgia

Huling El Bimbo The Musical – and the price of nostalgia

May 9, 2020

Ang Huling El Bimbo tells the timeless tragic story of the song itself made relevant with socio-political issues chronicled through the cleverly pieced together tunes of Eraserheads. It follows the joyful years of four friends – Joy, Hector, Anthony, and Emman – back in college and the ugly and unresolved issues they had over the years. … More Huling El Bimbo The Musical – and the price of nostalgia