City of Choice

Without a sense of place, a writer would have difficulty generating detail for the setting, which serves as the foundation of the entire story. As a result, the elements of the story, especially the characters would feel abstract, readers will find the story vague. They also can't truly immerse themselves in it, because without a well-defined place, the readers will struggle in understanding where a character should go or what obstacles they are facing. A sense of place is important, because it grounds the story in reality, making the events feel more comprehensive and immersive to the reader. It will not only provide a picture to the readers what the place looks like, but also how the culture and environment have fundamentally shaped the characters' lives, motivations, and conflicts.

Digos City is my personal "lugar lang". Though I spent the first few years of my childhood in Davao City, every defining step of my growth — finding my current circle of friends, truly growing up, and becoming an adult - happened right here. Digos is the city where my mom and I were given the chance to create a new life for ourselves. It is where I learned to embrace my own identity, and for that profound reason, Digos will always be the most personal place in my heart. As a writer, this deep connection is everything. Digos, for me, is rich with intimate knowledge and earned memories. When I write, I don't have to guess about the culture, the feel of the neighborhoods, or the rhythm of daily life; I know them because I actively built my life here. Digos is known to be the City of Choice

— it chose me and I will always choose Digos.