Lester Babiera is a freelance photographer and multimedia producer . He loves to travel , seeking new experiences and memorable adventures . Recent explorations include backpacking in Southeast Asia and India . He is currently setting his sights on exploring East Asia . What gives you courage ? The future .

Vida Cruz ’ s stories have been published or are forthcoming in Lontar : The Journal of Southeast Asian Speculative Fiction , Expanded Horizons , and various anthologies . A first place winner of the 2017 Writers of the Future contest , she also attended the 2014 Clarion Writers Workshop . She likes giraffes and the color purple . What gives you courage ? The thought that I can look back at this moment or experience and know that I will have no regrets .

Eldry John Infante is an architecture student from Pampanga , Philippines . He is a photography enthusiast , designer , illustrator and an avid fan of all things Japanese . What gives you courage ? To know the possibilities of life ; to know that there are people who appreciate you whatever you do , and to know that the universe can conspire to help you achieve your aspirations .

Timothy Percival is a London-based multidisciplinary artist . Earlier this year , he completed a solo exhibition of paintings in East London and will be releasing his latest book An Epitaph for Seven Years in Exile on shelves this summer . What gives you courage ? The idea that I ’ m responsible for my own actions . Wishing to be the best person I can be gives me great courage to truly act well .

Lawrence Carlos is currently an architectural writer for BluPrint , a Philippine title on architecture . Trained as an architect in the UK and Germany , his architectural photographs were featured in the RIBA London Awards and the Architects ’ Journal Small Projects Award . He is an avid vinyl record collector and has a penchant for film photography .

Mikhail Plata is a visual effects artist and animator based in Manila . He specializes in creating corporate videos , advertisements , and motion graphics videos . When not at work , he likes to spend his time running tabletop role-playing games , collecting board games , designing his own games , or playing wizard with special effects . What gives you courage ? The prospect of learning and growth . I feel courageous and more confident knowing that every pathway and roadblock I encounter will bring me somewhere , and that there is no possible decision or direction I could take that would not give me something new to learn about the world or myself .

Kara Gonzales is a designer , stylist , artist , mental health advocate and dog lover still figuring out what to do with her life . If you ’ re in a similar situation , she wants you to know that you ’ re not alone . She ’ s always up for coffee conversations ; hit her up if you need one . What gives you courage ? That would be a “ who .” Diane .

Mikhail Lecaros is the editor-inchief of pop culture hub Sabaw . PH , and a freelance movie writer who has a love-hate relationship with cold showers . What gives you courage ? Is there any catalyst for courage more metaphorically potent than a cold shower at the beginning of the day ? Standing there , barely awake and vulnerable , you are confronted with the harsh reality that even if you may not particularly enjoy what comes next , it is an obstacle that must nevertheless be overcome . And when those first arctic jolts rend the remnants of slumber into unwilling alertness , you may derive some satisfaction from the knowledge that , whatever the day brings , you ’ ll be more than ready for it . After all , you already cleared one hurdle before breakfast . Anything after that ’ s gonna be easy .

Celine Reyes is a wayfaring wordweaver whose stories have been featured in several notable publications . Her blog Celineism has been hailed as one of the Top 50 Blogs of the Philippines for 2017 . She ’ s obsessed with trees and natural landscapes , and dreams of planting her own forest . What gives you courage ? I draw courage from dreams and from people who share the same ideals as I do .

Miguel Llona is a freelance writer and the former managing editor of BluPrint magazine . If a genie grants him three wishes , he ’ ll ( stupidly ) wish for a healing ability , an adamantium-laced skeleton and retractable claws .