#049: The wins, big or small, we must celebrate
Returning, rebuilding, reconnecting, and more tiny yet precious life moments
Hey, there! OK to BE is a Sunday newsletter about reading, writing stories, creating art, collaborating, and being human. If you want to see more of my creative work, visit my page, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and support me on Patreon. Thanks for reading! ^_^
I just wanted to celebrate a win with you: After years of putting in the work—trying to be as real and honest as I could—something finally clicked this year. Seriously, God came through on that tracking number—hallelujah! I’m finally doing the creative work I’ve always wanted to do, right here in Davao—the place I was born, grew up in for 15 years, and where my story really began.
Finding my footing again here hasn’t been easy. It’s not that people aren’t kind or supportive—they are! But if you’ve ever moved back to a place that feels familiar but also different, you know what I mean. Breaking into tight-knit communities is like showing up to a book club where everyone already knows the story, and you’re stuck on chapter one. Being born somewhere doesn’t automatically mean you belong.
And as for me? I wasn’t a nepo baby or an heiress. I didn’t have any backups or connections. Sure, I knew some people from my younger years here and from all those times I bounced back and forth between Davao and Luzon, where my other side of the family lives. But differences in values and principles made it difficult to keep some of those connections. People drift apart, and that’s just how it goes.
Still, I kept showing up. Even if it was just for me sometimes. Exploring. Learning. Connecting. Collaborating. Waiting. Hoping. Praying. All the -ings I could do.
At People’s Park Davao
And sometimes, all that effort actually pays off *actual tears* I’m really grateful for that. Today, sitting in church, I prayed extra hard for my creative journey—for clarity, endurance, and humility. For kind people to keep showing up. For protection from all the messy stuff—illness, negativity, bad vibes. And for the grace to be kinder to myself and others, especially on the tough days.
If you’ve been following me here on Substack (or even longer, elsewhere), you’re part of this, too. Thanks for cheering me on and sticking with me—even from miles away :) I’ll keep doing my best, not just for myself, but for all the communities I belong to, inside and outside of Davao.
The communities I belong to, as featured on:
The Scoop Asia
Good Fellas
I was also lucky enough to attend the Culture, Arts, and Heritage Summit 2025 last Friday, September 26, and join the conversations about opportunities for the local literary arts scene.
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Congratulations, KB! Praying for more success for you in Davao! 🌸🌸🌸