Mabuhay! Kumusta?
We are Gretchen and Lia, a mother-daughter duo from the Philippines. Our story began like your typical parent-child tale: Mother gives birth to a kid, becomes sleep-deprived and homebound, wishes to reclaim her autonomy, and in an attempt to do so, lugs her kid around to “micro adventures” (i.e. errands). It was those short trips with six-month old Lia that paved the way for bigger ones: an overnight escape to Magalawa Island, Lia’s first hike at 18 months old, a six-day backpacking trip in Mindanao, and, eventually, Asia.
But this site, our story, doesn’t revolve solely on travel. Much of our time is actually spent in stillness, trying to figure things out as individuals and as two people living together who are trying their best not to kill each other. We love our weekly movie nights at home and sitting side by side in silence as ardently as we do hikes and beaches.
Our World in Words is a tapestry of all those stories that are shaped on the road and at home, and roads and homes that stories shape – alone and with the most unlikely yet most unforgettable companion: a kid.
Welcome to our lair. It’s nice to meet you.
ABOUT GRETCHEN
Gretchen is a writer born and raised in the Philippines. She serves as Our World in Words’ only staff and is also behind the now-defunct Filipina Explorer (you can read the backstory and why it was discontinued after 12 years here).
In a past life, she was a fast food server, a pre-med student, call center agent, office clerk, and a nurse. But in 2015, she landed a writing assignment for a travel magazine and the rest, as they say, is history.
Currently, she serves as a content writer for a global tech company and sometimes moonlights as a consultant for brands that require snazzy copies, travel pieces, social media content, and editing work.
She writes poetry for fun – some appearing in the Philippines Free Press, Manila Bulletin, JAKE, phoebe, Anti-Heroin Chic Mag, Rejection Lit, Maudlin House, The Daily Drunk, petrichor, The Hooghly Review, Asam/Garam, Janus Literary, Rat World Magazine, and DED Poetry, ; forthcoming in Defunkt, Porch LitMag, BULLSHIT, and Door Is A Jar.
A couple of her poems are published in the paperback anthology of poetry and fiction, The Alien Buddha Gets Rejected: Part 2 (Alien Buddha Press, 2023). Another is a finalist for phoebe’s 2023 Spring Poetry Contest. Her essay, “Where the Gods Play”, was awarded second place in Navigator’s Around the World 2017 global travel writing contest.
She hopes to read the books she hoards, write forever, scale more mountains, and experience more worlds…if only Lia would cooperate.
ABOUT LIA
Lia is a water baby and anime and gaming aficionado with a deep passion for all things fried and meat (also: eats rice for snack like any proud Southeast Asian). She loves illustrating anime characters and editing photos and videos on her spare time, which her mother hopes will come in handy soon.
She likes hiking – as long as it’s only 30 minutes or less.
She is currently in fifth grade and still outeats most adults.
Check out her (not oft-updated) website, Lia Was Here, or follow her on Instagram: @liawashere.
FEATURES AND MEDIA MENTIONS
We are by no means travel experts or mountaineers, but simply two ladies who love a good walk, bus rides, memorable stories, and an occasional dash of randomness. There are times we tend to get too overzealous and get people into thinking otherwise.
Below are some print and digital works we were featured in.
Biyaheroes: True Story: Ang Magnanay Na Magkasamang Maglakbay
FEATURES IN DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS
- Adulting millennials answer: Are you ready, protected from life’s what ifs? The Philippine Star. November 4, 2022.
- How travel bloggers are coping with the pandemic. The Philippine Star. January 7, 2021.
- ECQ Stories: How Pinoy travel bloggers thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic. GMA Network. May 28, 2020.
- Why is ‘Full-Time Moms VS Working Moms’ a Futile Debate. Village Connect. 2020.
- Traveling with kids: 12 tips from moms. Rappler. May 13, 2018
- PTB Blog Carnival: Prosperous and Exciting Year of Travel. Pinoy Adventurista. January 2017.
- Perfect Philippine Summer Getaways According to Pinoy Travel Bloggers. Out of Town Blog. 2016.
- #FamiliesOutside: An Interview with Filipina Explorer. Hey, Miss Adventures. June 2015.
- 5 Fabulous Pinay Mom Travel Bloggers To Follow. Island Trotters. May 2014.
PRINT FEATURES
- Intersect. Rat World Magazine. March 3, 2023.
- Gandhi’s Words. Manila Bulletin. October 26, 2019.
- Are you happy with your work? Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 30, 2016.
- Gone With The Kid. Manila Bulletin. February 2015.
- Celebrating with biographers at the 12th My Favorite Book Awards. The Philippine Star. March 2013.
- Star, NBS, Globe announce winners of My Favorite Book 2012. The Philippine Star. March 10, 2013.
COLLABORATIONS
We are always open to partnerships and collaborations. Please send an email to [email protected], or use this contact form to get in touch with us.
Note: I do not accept proposals for SEO or website redesign. And no, I do not like your free article to be posted on my site.
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