Yeonyang Hansik at Madison Commons+ How to Make a Simple Bibimbap
Madison Commons, the newest #kapitolyo #foodiehub is now open! Madison Commons, the newest #kapitolyofoodiehub is now open! Madison Commons is the newest Food
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
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 didnβt 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 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
Recipes and other stories
Braised Beef Tendon Pares: A Slow-Cooked Delight
March 17, 2024
Embrace the art of slow cooking with this Braised Beef Tendon recipe, and savor the rich, gelatinous textures and flavors that make this dish a beloved comfort food across cultures.
The Perfect Duo of Pancit Lomi and Beef Pares =Beef Pares Lomi
March 16, 2024
As your friendly neighborhood foodie at Relax LangMom! I am always on the hunt for pairings that please both palate and pocket. My latest discovery? The match made in culinary heaven between those beloved budget bites, Pancit Lomi and Beef Pares. Indulge as I unpack this yummy powerhouse pairing! Let me tell you about these dishes. Pancit Lomi, with its
Find Simple Joys Perfecting Pandesal with a Baking Mix
March 13, 2024
#Finding Your Inner Bread with Pandesal Baking Mix Hello, bread enthusiasts! Are you ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will tingle your taste buds and satiate your cravings? The Magic of Pandesal Today, we venture into the world of pandesal, a much-loved Filipino bread famous for its pillow-like softness and soothing warmth. Amidst the ups and downs of
Asim Kilig: The Ultimate Guide to Filipino Vinegars
March 11, 2024
One of the most common observations, nay, even criticism, is that the Filipino Cuisine is too sour. While our neighboring countries have their hot and spicy food, we love our sour. We have a love story with our vinegars. Vinegars, with their sharp tang and pungent aroma, is as essential to the Filipino kitchen as the assorted spice lining up
Amore Alavar Pasta -Clara Ole’s Cream-Based Crab Sauce Ala Zamboanga Style!
February 26, 2024
Hey gentle readers! April here from RelaxLangMom to share my new favorite invention – Clara Ole Cream-Based Crab Sauce inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Zamboanga. As many of you know, Zamboanga City lays claim to developing what is considered the original Alavar Sauce. This cooking style has deep roots in the unique creole culture that emerged when the
The Ultimate Pinoy Comfort Food: How to Cook Batchoy Tagalog with Misua
February 16, 2024
Beyond La Paz: Exploring Batchoy Tagalog Hi mamshies! This is April from Relaxlangmom. If you’re looking for a classic Pinoy Comfort Food, you’ve come to the right place. Today, I’m sharing Batchoy Tagalog with Misua a comforting, heart-warming soup recipe that’s perfect for rainy days, chilly evenings, or when you’re simply craving something that feels like a hug in a
Maya Oven Toaster Butter Cake Mix x Hanabishi Air Fryer -A Match Made in Heaven
February 13, 2024
Well heWell hey there friends, April here with some thoughts on using a Hanabishi Hafeo air fryer to bake a Maya oven toaster butter cake mix! First things first β let me say I love any combo of words that start with all the letters M-A-Y-A. It rolls off the tongue like a dreamy mantra. But I digress! While air
DIY Binondo Food Tour -Exploring the Historical and Culinary Wonders of Binondo
February 6, 2024
Hello friends and fellow foodies! It’s your gal April from RelaxLangMom.com here to share an amazing adventure I recently had -a DIY Binondo Food Tour exploring the historic and delicious neighborhood of Binondo in Manila. If you’re a homeschooling mom looking for an activity for the kids or simply itching to swap your spatula for a pair of chopsticks and
Beef Tenderloin Tips Smothered in Sizzling Garlic-Chili Glaze
February 4, 2024
Hey everyone, April here from Relax Lang Mom! I hope you’re all doing well and staying warm with this unseasonally still cool weather we’ve been having. I wanted to share a new recipe I tried recently that became an instant family favorite – Beef Tenderloin Tips in Chili Garlic Sauce. It’s something like the Pork Salpicao only it doesn’t have