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Lao Taipei: A Delicious Food Trip Couple Date to Taiwan Hey mamas! Need a couple break from the usual lunch
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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 Iโve 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. Hereโs 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 Iโm a writer, poet, and creative AI writing expert. For the last 20 years, Iโve made a living as a writer across different fieldsโjournalism, 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 journalโa space where everything comes together. From writing and creative insights to food, mom life, and everyday reflections, itโs a record of the stories I live and the ones I create.
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Latest Posts
The Unexpected Ways Blogging Changed My Brain
Years ago, I started blogging with the vague idea that it would sharpen my writing. Make me more disciplined. Maybe even build an audience. But I didnโt expect it to rewire my brain. Blogging, as it turned out, isn’t just an act of putting words on a page. It’s an ongoing mental workout, a slow restructuring of the way I
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.
Writing Life
Philippine Book Festival 2025: A Celebration of Literature and Connection
My first Philippine Book Festival as an author was a resounding success, with my book completely selling out and
April Bewell
March 17, 2025
Essays and Opinion
Why I Keep Writing Even When No One Is Reading
Every so often, I tell myself Iโm done with writing, that I should focus on something more practical, like
April Bewell
March 16, 2025
Writing Life
I Didnโt 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
Recipes and other stories
A Taste of Summer in Every Bite: Homemade Pineapple Guava Jelly Recipe
April 25, 2024
Enjoy the Best of Tropical Seasons with This Easy Pineapple Guava Jelly Recipe Kamusta friends! It’s April from relaxlangmom.com coming at you with a sweet seasonal spread to celebrate the summer harvest. As the summer fruits flood grocery stores and farmer’s markets, I’m sharing my favorite way to capture the flavor of a homemade pineapple guava jelly recipe. There’s something
Mama’s Pressure Cooker Beef Pares
April 23, 2024
Transform Your Cooking Game with Filipino Beef Pares in Pressure Cooker There’s nothing like a steaming bowl of classic Filipino beef pares -a beloved comfort food in the Philippines to warm your soul on a frustrating day. This cult-favorite national dish is usually simmered for hours, but my pressure cooker hack cuts the cooking time way down so you can
Hawker Heaven in Banawe: Bugis Singapore Streetfood Adventure
April 20, 2024
Hey mamas! Ever craved a delicious adventure without leaving the city’s embrace? Well, tighten those straps because I recently went and ate at a hidden gem in Banawe that tickled both my wanderlust and my tastebuds โ Bugis Singapore Streetfood! I’ve been wanting to eat there for a long time but havent found the reason to go to the area.
Pinoy Crispy Fried Crabs
April 19, 2024
How to Fry Crabs So Good Your Squad Will Scrum to Get Their Pincers On Them Yโall! Have you ever tried your hand at frying up some fresh blue crabs? If not, let me give you the play by play on throwing down some finger lickinโ fried crab goodness that your whole squad will want seconds, thirds, and quarters of!
Broke the Code on Slow Cooker Curry: An Easy Indian Chicken Curry in the Crock-Pot
April 18, 2024
Spice Up Your Life: An Easy Indian Chicken Curry Recipe for Busy Moms Looking for a flavorful weeknight dinner recipe the whole family will love? Try this simple and easy Indian chicken curry on a crockpot – it’s full of warm, fragrant spices but doesn’t require a ton of hard-to-find ingredients. Curry is one of those magical meals that somehow
Shawarma Showdown: A Delicious Detour at Tri-Mo Shawarma Co.
April 15, 2024
Hey there, mamas! Sometimes, the mommy hustle takes us on unexpected adventures. This week, a simple errand in Quezon City turned into a delightful detour thanks to a long-time recommendation from my foodie friends: Tri-Mo Shawarma Co.! With hubby by my side, we decided to ditch the usual lunch routine and check out this hidden gem. Let me tell you,
Mayak Eggs: Korean Marinated “Drug Eggs” You Gotta Try (Filipino Foodie Edition!)
April 11, 2024
Forget boring hard-boiled eggs, try Korean Mayak Eggs! Korean dramas, am I right? They reel you in with the heart-fluttering romance, the intense plot twists, and then โ BAM! You’re hit with a wave of food envy so strong, your stomach starts grumbling. One dish that might’ve caught your eye (and stomach’s rumble) is Mayak Eggs, literally translating to “drug
Champorado Recipe: A Comforting Filipino Chocolate Rice Porridge (Plus Fun Variations!)
April 10, 2024
Craving a warm and comforting treat that’s bursting with chocolate flavor? Look no further than champorado, a beloved Filipino rice porridge! Hey there, mamas! Today, we’re taking a trip down memory lane (or maybe introducing you to a new favorite!) with a delicious Filipino classic: champorado ercipe -a chocolate rice porridge. This isn’t your average oatmeal, oh no. Champorado is
Easy Pinoy Style Cajun Shrimp
April 9, 2024
Kick Back and Kick Up Your Feet with Some Cajun Shrimp Tucked away on our island paradise, it’s easy to let the warm tropical breeze lull us into a state of perfect tranquility. But life with kids also means busy weekends and harried weeknights! As parents, we need ways to relax that are simple yet savory. Enter: delicious Cajun shrimp