About Me

Mabuhay! Kumusta?

I'm Gretchen. People also call me Butchie, Gretch, or Tita. I'm a writer born and raised in the Philippines, and I'm hopelessly in love with it for all its tropical, chaotic, third-world self.

I've lived many lives: fastfood server, pre-med student, call center agent, office clerk, nurse. But in 2015, I landed a writing gig for a travel magazine, and the rest, as they say, is history. Today, I work as a freelance travel writer and copy writer for print and digital publications. I also serve as Northbound Magazine's editor-in-chief. 

This blog is a repository of those dreams turned reality, some knee-jerk thoughts, and narratives about my explorations - alone or with my travel buddy and daughter, Lia. 

I hope to one day read more books, scale more mountains, and experience more of the world - if only Lia would cooperate.

Welcome to my lair. It's nice to meet you.

PS - You can also read about my dreams list here, writers I love here, or my writing portfolio here.