Twenty-eight (28) out of Vermeer’s known thirty-four (34) masterpieces were exhibited at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum in 2023. My sisters & I immediately bought tickets as soon as they went for sale. In March 2023, we travelled to Amsterdam and the Rijksmuseum to see Vermeer’s paintings. Relatives and friends were amazed that we would go all theContinue reading “What Is Your Masterpiece?”
Author Archives: Ellery
Her Problem Was Worse Than Mine
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) employee told me to come back with several documents before the agency would give my business firm access to the forms on its electronic payment portal. I already submitted the application for the new forms via the BIR’s registration portal, I said. And it was already approved, I toldContinue reading “Her Problem Was Worse Than Mine”
Arguing for Adversity vis-à-vis Risk
The built-in artificial intelligence (AI) program on the word processing software advised me to replace the term, adversity, with risk. Risk, the AI app said, is a more familiar term than adversity. I didn’t agree and I kept writing ‘adversity’ into my essay. Risk is the likelihood an unfavourable event shall occur. Adversity is anContinue reading “Arguing for Adversity vis-à-vis Risk”
Another Year, Another Disruption
It’s March 2026, and just when I thought I could settle down and focus on my business after the usually gruelling annual routines of renewing permits and wrapping up the accounting records of the previous year, another disruption to my well-laid plans looms in the horizon. January of every year is predominantly about renewing permitsContinue reading “Another Year, Another Disruption”
My Health Routine is My Responsibility
It’s 5am, another Monday morning. I could use another hour of sleep, but I must get up if I were to make this day and the upcoming week productive. So-called experts (i.e., rich people who have more money & time to spend than I do) say people should get up early in the morning soContinue reading “My Health Routine is My Responsibility”
No Need to Learn a New Language
Relatives and friends tell me I should learn to speak Chinese. I am an ethnic Chinese who lives in the Philippines where I am fluent in the national language, Tagalog. I also am adept in English, which is my first & primary language. But I don’t speak Chinese; I never learned to. I agree fluencyContinue reading “No Need to Learn a New Language”
Challenging the 80/20 Rule
Smartphone manufacturers say that it’s best to charge cell phones up to a maximum of 80%. Not charging beyond 80% would ensure a longer battery life of the cell phone, the manufacturers say. Liquid petroleum gas suppliers fill cooking gas cylinders up to a maximum of 80% of design capacity. They say the remaining 20%Continue reading “Challenging the 80/20 Rule”
What Did They Say?
I was a staff industrial engineer in a multinational consumer goods corporation and I was in a meeting with two (2) senior accountants. We were discussing why the budget for operating expenses was going up for the department I was assigned to. Whenever I replied to questions about expenses, both accountants would huddle and talkContinue reading “What Did They Say?”
The Un-Ease of Doing Business
I hate January. Every January of every calendar year, enterprises must renew their business permits with the cities and towns they have their offices located at. On top of the hefty fees & taxes, the process of renewal is tedious. Every enterprise must submit numerous requirements such as but not limited to securing clearances forContinue reading “The Un-Ease of Doing Business”
The Pensées By Blaise Pascal
Pensées (pronounced pahn-sáy) was nothing more than Pascal’s collection of his notes and musings, for what academics believed was supposed to be for his unwritten book about Christianity. Yet, when the Pensées was published into a book in 1670, readers hailed it as a historical masterpiece. Students of science and religion have cited the PenséesContinue reading “The Pensées By Blaise Pascal”
Ellery's Essays 