Pagbabalik-loob: Coming home to ourselves and each other when we gather
Reflecting on the past year of coming back to ourselves, our kapwa, and our love for country (in spite of and/or because of everything)
Hello, ka-Ugnayan. Jen here. 😊
This will be our last Liham ng Ugnayan for the year. While it’s tempting to use this newsletter primarily to push our holiday offers before we go on break, we’re taking this opportunity to reflect with you.
At this time of year, what’s most important for you?
Connection over confetti. It’s easy to get caught up with the frenzy of Christmas — the party-planning, the gift-giving, and all the work-cramming before the year ends. How might we slow down to infuse this season with more meaningful connection? Personally, I value taking a few moments to think about where I really want to show up, who I want to give my time to, and how I can connect more meaningfully in those gatherings.
Contribution and co-creation. I never want the logistics of gathering to cause anyone unnecessary stress, whether I’m a host or a guest. For me, the company is what is most important. And so I try to make it easier for myself when I host by inviting guests to contribute a dish, dessert or beverage — potluck style. And likewise, when I’m a guest, I’m also happy to contribute something to ease the work on the host. I’m a big fan of potlucks for that reason, and their contributions can also be a point of conversation and connection.
What has this past year meant for you?
Intention and creation. In 2025, we made an intentional decision to step back from organizing all the Ugnayan Tambayans we were organizing in 2024. This year, we took the time to root in intention and make space for creation.
My Ugnayan co-creator Kookie and I took our own journeys in our respective spaces — exploring our curiosities, uncovering different paths and tribes, and finding inspiration in the tangents and in-betweens. For me, it’s been about stepping more into my own facilitation practice with expressive arts and social arts, and learning more about women farmers through my side quests with @hapagugnayan. For Kookie, she’s stepped more into her own design practice, and capped off the year with @typefairph.
Creation of something new to offer to the community has been slower than anticipated. We finally soft launched our Bisaya edition deck last month, while our food deck is still fermenting in creative compost.
We trust that things will take the time they need to emerge, and we don’t want to be driven by the capitalist tendency to make something just to sell more and generate revenue. We trust that the time that we take can help mold our new creations with more meaning and intention.
Contribution and solidarity. Our experiences in the past couple of years have been making us think about how we want to provide more value for the community. The rampant corruption by politicians at the expense of our fellow Filipinos has also been fueling our collective rage and compelling us to do something, anything within our own strengths and capacities.
This has inspired the creation of our Luto Likha Linang Laban zine (a free, open-source tool to host more meaningful conversations around food in your own home or with your own friends). Print and share it for free here: tinyurl.com/lutolikhalinang-zine.
On top of that, this season, each direct purchase of Tagalog edition Ugnayan Cards from us will help us fund the direct sourcing of fresh produce from Good Food Community’s smallholder farmers to nourish 1 family in Payatas with a healthy meal through Food Today, Food Tomorrow.
The devastation brought by recent typhoons (and corrupt government officials), has also compelled us to support solidarity efforts of ANTHILL Fabric Gallery in Cebu, Youth for Climate Hope in Negros, and Angat Buhay in various provinces.
We appeal to your generosity to help fund these efforts, and we pledge to match your donation up to ₱300 (and you’re most welcome to contribute more than that).
As you wind down the year, we wish you connection, equanimity and gratitude to hold you steady amidst the Christmas chaos — that you remember that which gives your life meaning and ginhawa.
What is most important for you to remember and embody this season?
What does meaningful connection with yourself, your loved ones and your community mean for you this season?
As you wind down the year, what do you want to prioritize time and space for?
Weaving tapestries of meaning,
Jen Horn | @pagbubuo