Unlimited Roast Beef at Round Table in Kapitolyo ::Kapitolyo Restaurant Review
With all the gatherings and happenings last Christmas season this post got waylaid. The family was suddenly craving roast beef
Read List
Random Picks from the Archive
The internet shifts like the tide. One moment I am steering through its vast expanse, the next, I am caught in a riptide of information. Here are some pieces Iβve pulled from the archive, insights, stories, and ideas that make me pause, rethink, and see things differently.
Why Picking Your Battles Is Important
As a mom, we all find ourselves giving tons of bad news to our kids. Somebody has to tell them
One Domain to Rule Them All: Simplifying Your Online Presence in the Age of AI
The digital world is crowded, but I have found ways to carve out space and make it work. Hereβs how
Tortang Talong (Filipino Eggplant Omelet)
Growing up, tortang talong was a staple in my household. My father plants them and we sell the extra eggplants
About April
My name is April Pagaling, and Iβm a writer, poet, and creative AI writing expert. For the last 20 years, Iβve made a living as a writer across different fieldsβjournalism, copywriting, social media, ghostwriting, and creative writing. My work spans poetry, historical fiction, essays, and literary criticism, often exploring themes of memory, identity, and cultural inheritance.
This blog is my online journalβa space where everything comes together. From writing and creative insights to food, mom life, and everyday reflections, itβs a record of the stories I live and the ones I create.
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Latest Posts
NCMH. A Visit
A fragmented visit to the National Center for Mental Health. Forms, corridors, and forgotten names. This poem is a record of survival between boxes left unchecked.
The Artifice of Grief: When AI Mimics the Poetic
Explore the limitations of AI-generated creative writing through Sam Altman’s @sama “The Artifice of Grief,” examining how AI mimics emotional depth without true human experience. A critique rooted in storytelling authenticity and intentional human creativity.
Essays and Opinion
Why I Keep Writing Even When No One Is Reading
Every so often, I tell myself Iβm done with writing, that I should focus on something more practical, like
April Bewell
March 16, 2025
Writing Life
I Didnβt Know I Was Writing About Trauma When I Wrote My Book
When Writing Knows More Than We Do: How Trauma Shapes Our Stories I thought I was writing about something
April Bewell
March 14, 2025
Out and About
Marinduque Is in the Heart Joins the Philippine Book Festival 2025
Join Marinduque Is in the Heart at the Philippine Book Festival 2025, happening March 13-16 at Megatrade Hall, SM
April Bewell
March 4, 2025
Book Reviews & Recommended Reads
Book Recommendation: Night Sky with Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong
Reading:Night Sky with Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong If youβve ever wanted a poetry collection that punches you in
April Bewell
March 1, 2025
Recipes and other stories
A Fun and Delicious Filipino Dessert: Maja Blanca
June 15, 2024
Easy Filipino Dessert for Father’s Day! Greetings friends! I hope you’re all doing well on this lovely day. I’m excited to share with you a traditional Filipino delicacy that’s sure to delight your tastebuds – maja blanca (ma-ha blahn-ka). Translating to “coconut milk pudding”, this silky smooth coconut-corn concoction has been a staple delicacy in Filipino households and gatherings especially
Slow Cooker Spicy Pork Curry Recipe That’s a Breeze for Busy Moms
June 14, 2024
The Easiest Slow Cooker Spicy Pork Curry Your Family Will Love Craving something spicy but don’t know what to choose? Let me introduce you to Spicy Pork Curry Recipe! It’s cooked on my best cooking friend: the slow cooker, so no need to fuss over your dish. Can’t say this enough. The Slow Cooker is a mom’s dream come true
How to Make Omurice with Easy Pinoy Style Demi-Glace Sauce
June 13, 2024
I was watching Uncle Roger’s video on Omurice with the famed chef Motokichi Sensei who popularized Omurice in the western world. It was funny as hell and was really inspired to cook omurice again. This time, I was particularly struck by the demi-glace sauce he used. I realized that while I have a great Omurice recipe on the blog, this
Crispy Beef Tripe Recipe
June 7, 2024
This is how I fell in love with this beef tripe recipe. So picture this. I was out with friends on a cold December evening. We met in one of the posh restaurants in Cubao called A Mano restaurant, We hadn’t seen each other for the past 10 years and the pre-ordered food lay forgotten on the table. I absentmindedly
This Pinoy Dish is Truly to Die For – Here’s How to Make Pork Dinuguan (Pinoy Pork Blood Stew) The Right Way
June 6, 2024
A Delicious Taste of the Philippines: Cooking Dinuguan Ah, pork dinuguan β a savory and rich blood stew that’s a beloved staple in Filipino cuisine. Cooked this a few days back and just thinking about it makes my mouth water. Buckle up, moms, because this recipe is not for the faint of heart (or stomach!), but it’s oh-so-worth it. Let
Pressure Cooked Octopus in Tomatoes (Pugita with Kamatis): A Seafood Adventure for Your Taste Buds
May 31, 2024
When it comes to creating unique seafood recipes, you’ve got to think outside of the (cook)book. Pressure-cooking octopus in tomatoes is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters with its bold yet balanced flavors. From first bite to last, this dish will transport your taste buds on a saucy adventure they won’t soon forget. This recipe is born from
Slurp Up Comfort: This Chicken Sotanghon Noodles Soup is Hungry Family-Approved
May 27, 2024
SlurpingUpNoodles: Sotanghon Soup is the Ultimate Comfort Food! Chicken sotanghon noodles soup for the win! Moms are always on the hunt for easy, cozy meals to warm their bellies and souls on chilly evenings. As the chill in the air begins to deepen and the leaves change colors, nothing beats curling up with a big bowl of hot, homemade soup.
A Taste of Home: My Favorite Pork Menudo Recipe
May 9, 2024
As a mom and a writer, I often find myself drawn to dishes that not only nourish the body but also the soul. One such dish that holds a special place in my heart is the classic Filipino pork menudo. This hearty pork stew is a beloved staple in many households, and for good reason β it’s a comforting blend
Greenhills Shopping Center: A Hidden Gem for Maranaw Food Adventures!
May 7, 2024
Hey mommies! Have you been to Greenhills Shopping Center lately? Remember those trips for computers and printers? Forget the dusty image of just techie dads browsing for gadgets. Greenhills has totally transformed into a vibrant family adventure zone! Now you can also visit the place for something that is not tech-related. It turns out that Greenhills Shopping Center has a