Some journeys begin with the first step. Mine started with the first word.
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| Oh what joy it is to go barefoot and feel the sand between the toes. (Coco Loco Palawan, Philippines) |
It all began with a diploma for a bachelor’s degree in computer science from De La Salle University. From there I ventured to write in C++ until about eight years ago when I discovered a more powerful language, the kind that moved people and not machines. While dabbling with fiction, I found my literary works published in the Reader’s Digest, The Philippines Free Press, The Philippine Graphic, and several short story collections and anthologies. As a feature writer (writing as Candy Villanueva), I took flight contributing for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Business Mirror, Cook Magazine, Mega Publications, Action and Fitness Magazine, and several other publications. I also explored the avenue of editing as I became editor for several publications including NoCurfew, Generation Pink, and MyTrabaho magazine.
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| When I went to the Marshall Islands, I took only one souvenir with me. His name is Timotheo Viajero. (Photo taken at San Carlos, Negros Occidental) |
Presently, I am Editor at Large of Rektikano Magazine, contributing editor for Speed Magazine, a regular contributor of 2.0 Magazine and Planet Philippines (news magazine distributed in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, London,
Melbourne, Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles)
From features to fiction, my writing path took an interesting turn to travel where I met my alter-ego Ana Viajera (Viajera means traveler in Spanish). As Ana Viajera, I re-educated myself deep in the jungles of Loboc and down to the ocean bed of Micronesia. My travelogues have been published in several travel magazines. I also used to maintain a weekly travel column called TravelOkcity in Oklahoma City's the Tribune.
In continuing my quest for education, I earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing at the De La Salle University. I am just a few pages away from publishing my first novel which earned me an outstanding thesis award in the same school. Still many roads lie before me, and to take up a new path, I have to leave others. So just recently I left my post as Editor in Chief of AsianTraveler Magazine to embark on perhaps what will be one of the greatest journeys of my life – parenthood.
From features to fiction, my writing path took an interesting turn to travel where I met my alter-ego Ana Viajera (Viajera means traveler in Spanish). As Ana Viajera, I re-educated myself deep in the jungles of Loboc and down to the ocean bed of Micronesia. My travelogues have been published in several travel magazines. I also used to maintain a weekly travel column called TravelOkcity in Oklahoma City's the Tribune.
Recently, I discovered the language of light, creating
metaphor through shadows and poetry through color and composition. View some of
my photography here.
In continuing my quest for education, I earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing at the De La Salle University. I am just a few pages away from publishing my first novel which earned me an outstanding thesis award in the same school. Still many roads lie before me, and to take up a new path, I have to leave others. So just recently I left my post as Editor in Chief of AsianTraveler Magazine to embark on perhaps what will be one of the greatest journeys of my life – parenthood.
And the road keeps on winding.
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| While on assignment at V-Villa, Hua Hin, Thailand |
Got itchy feet or a restless heart? You won't need a passport; just turn the page and go places with me.
