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Our World in Words

Our World in Words

About

 
 
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 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, Anti-Heroin Chic Mag, Maudlin House, The Daily Drunk, and DED Poetry; forthcoming in Rejection Lit, The Alien Buddha, petrichor, The Hooghly Review, and Asam/ Garam.
 
She hopes to read the books she hoards, write forever, scale more mountains, and experience more worlds…if only Lia would cooperate.

 

Say hi to her on Instagram or on Twitter.

 
 

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

  • 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.

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This is the sweetest! In November we did a birthda This is the sweetest! In November we did a birthday hike in Benguet. I didn't know my niece, @themaiaimperial, was taking candid videos and planning to make a video as a present for me (thought she was just taking photos of us and the landscape - and she does commissioned work btw). And she used one of my favorite songs: Mt. Joy's Evergreen! 💖

Should also prolly tell you: Don't wear sneakers, like I did, in Mt. Yangbew. Trail is muddy and slippery. Only wore a pair and that tita outfit because we were eating out after, and am too lazy to bring hiking shoes and dry-fit clothes.
Wrote this exactly on New Year - perhaps my heart Wrote this exactly on New Year - perhaps my heart trying to reawaken to light after a soul-shattering 2022.

I thought of people who arrived and left my life as the verses shaped themselves. I whispered a little thank you and some loving kindness, that 2023 finds them in peace despite the goodbyes we exchanged.
Being on the road fills one with so many good memo Being on the road fills one with so many good memories. A kind of pilgrimage to one’s old self and the small joys that growing up and heartbreak threaten to diminish.

I close my eyes and breathe, knowing my breath is a prayer sent out to the Universe. May I regain my footing out there, I whisper. May I be healed in your embrace as always. Rediscover happiness, and self-forgiveness for having a hand in breaking my own heart.

Read the rest on my website (new post, yes! 🙂). Link in bio.
Eight years ago, Lia and I took a bus to Sisiman, Eight years ago, Lia and I took a bus to Sisiman, a small coastal town in Mariveles. Last Sunday, we returned and took our photos in the same spots. How the town has changed - so has Lia. It seemed just like yesterday. Time flies indeed. Don't blink. 
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#ThenAndNow
#thenandnowchallenge 
#motheranddaughtergoals 
#travelwithkids
#Throwback
#Mariveles
#Sisiman
#travelphilippines
I am writing letters and essays on the website aga I am writing letters and essays on the website again (link in bio). The past months I felt like I abandoned them; that I no longer know how to write anything that is not a poem. God, the tears putting it all in words. So poignant (and sappy, like always😆). Feels like a return home. I hope to return home every week. 💖
This is how nauseatingly sappy I can get😆 Writt This is how nauseatingly sappy I can get😆 Written many moons ago. 

My friends: Who do you think you are? Jesus? 🤣

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