I’m Apple, a serial creative from Manila, Philippines. I compulsively make things that I think don’t exist yet but should—and sometimes it’s because some of my obsessions just need to merge. This blog is an example.
The Miss Mansanas blog started out as a personal diary of sadness and heartbreak but has since grown into a chronicle of recovery, magic and the things that help. Here you’ll find meditations on my my mental health, mind-dumps of new ideas, or snippets of my spiritual digging.
I write, create and consult especially for sensitive creatives who feel cornered in this loud and overcrowded web, when we are all just trying to make others see us and understand. I hope that through this blog you feel a little less alone and you find a little magic in your hands.
As a creative, I…
…write copy and content for brands and people, specializing in content marketing.
…hold Writing Room sessions, classes on creative and technical writing.
…collaborate with other creators to add more insightful, compassion projects to the world.
Hire me as a writer, editor, teacher, or project collaborator.
As an intuitive, I…
…practice energy healing, with certifications and attunements in Reiki Level I & II.
…offer tarot and crystal readings as professional services.
…study astrology, spirit work and spellcasting to further my path as a contemporary witch.
As an advocate, I…
…speak at youth-focused events about my experiences with depression.
…represent mental health in cross-advocacy gatherings and campaigns.
…run this blog, with the hope that it will help someone feel even just a little bit better.
Invite me as a speaker, consultant, or project collaborator.
Press
Featured in:
10 Youth Ambassadors Navigate Early Careers in Male-Dominated Fields, Investing in Women Asia 2019
#FutureOfYoungPinays Mental Health Advocate Apple Nocom, Karr Katigbak, Edukasyon.ph 2019
Here’s What This Mental Health Advocate Wants You To Know About Depression, Mylene Mendoza, Candymag 2018
Edukasyon.ph is investing in the future of young girls, Kleona Amoyo, Young Star 2018
Why we’re obsessed with astrology and the occult, Belle Mapa, Scoutmag 2018
5 Filipina Writers To Follow on Instagram, Sofia Cope, Native Province 2017
Art went hand in hand with mental health awareness in this creativity fair, Gaby Gloria, Young Star 2017
For those with mental illness, happiness is not a choice, Chang Casal, CNN Life 2017
True Stories: Six women on coping with depression, Gett Baladad, Project Vanity 2017
Silakbo’s Featured Advocate for June, Rissa Coronel, Silakbo.ph 2017
Youth For Mental Health advocacy video, Office of Sen. Risa Hontiveros
Projects
Luna: Light in Darkness, 2017. A mental health awareness fair created by me and co-hosted with Mira Arguelles. The full-day event featured creative workshops with a mental wellness approach, an art market partly featuring sellers with mental health conditions, and a performance night featuring speakers and musicians with advocacy stories.
Adjourn, 2017. An end-of-the-year journaling challenge created by Sofia Cope and co-hosted with me. We designed five prompts for our combined followers to reflect on, one for each of the last five days of 2017. Participants were encouraged to post on their blogs or Instagram pages with the hashtag #Adjourn2017.
Word Chat, 2017. A poetry-writing group existing purely on Facebook chat. A word-prompt was randomly decided every Sunday, and participants would compose a poem (shared within a Google Document) before the next Sunday. The casual project lasted nine weeks and involved over 20 people from all writing levels.