RJMarmol.com

I Won A Blas Ople Book at FilipinoVoices.com "Philippine Issues Writing Project"

—


It brings me so much joy to win the “As We Remember Him” book – a collection of essays and writings of the late Sec. Blas Ople donated by no less than his youngest daughter, Ms. Susan “Toots” Ople. I won this at the FilipinoVoices.com “Philippine Issues Writing Project” of which I’ve also written a separate post here asking for other bloggers’ support. If you are curious as to how I have won, let me tell you right now that I didn’t win by merit of “best writing” — technical or otherwise, or “best topic” or any other “best” award. Of the 32 entries, I am fortunate to win the book (one of the exciting prizes) through a raffle. The Philippine Issues Writing Project is not a  writing “competition“. As you may have noticed, it is called a “project”  and aptly titled so since its goal is not to encourage competition rather to bring to light certain issues of our time. To write for the “project” meant to support a cause for bringing issues we feel need attention and addressing to a wider audience. Awareness and participation is the project’s main goal and I am both happy and proud to have been part of it. My official entry for the writing project, by the way, is “The Philippines’ Biggest Problem“. This post currently got the most page views (here in my site) not only from FilipinoVoices.com but also from search keywords in Google such as “philippines major problem” and “philippines biggest problem” and up until now is the number one post here in terms of hits.

It is not exactly an impressive article if you ask me. But even so, what’s important is that I was able to send the message — social transformation. All it takes is more views from searches or one little “stumble” here and there by a Filipino here or abroad and my job is done — at least, the “awareness” part of it. Of course, a lot remains to be done in order to achieve my dream of a new Philippines loved by a new breed of Filipinos and recognized the world over. Oh, yes — it won’t be done overnight, but we’ll get there. I’m that optimistic. I have that much faith in our country and our fellowmen.

If all goes well as planned, I might get the book next week. And hopefully I get to post a photo of the book with Ms. Toots *crossing my fingers*. I’m sure I will finish the book immediately as I’m a voracious reader. After which, I will write a book review. I only have good memories of the contributions of the late Sec. Blas Ople to the country and I have immense respect for him. It will be an honor and a privilege to receive a copy of his book from the hands of his daughter. I look forward to meeting Ms. Toots and I’m sure I will walk away from it refreshed with her thoughts and inspirational messages.

2 responses to “I Won A Blas Ople Book at FilipinoVoices.com "Philippine Issues Writing Project"”

  1. Susan Ople Avatar
    Susan Ople

    hey RJ! see you on Tuesday! enjoy your Sunday! – Toots

    Like

  2. rjmarmol Avatar
    rjmarmol

    omg, you are here! :) good morning ms. toots! will be happy to see you tuesday! you have a beautiful sunday too! :)

    Like

● About Me
Cecilia Regina Aquino Blanquera Marmol aka RJ Marmol profile picture

I’m RJ Marmol — writer, musician, and independent creator based in Manila.

I write songs, essays, and books about the messy overlap between money, overwhelm, creativity, identity, and rebuilding. Much of my work circles around what happens when life stops feeling manageable — and how we try to think clearly, make decisions, and keep moving anyway.

I’m also the author of Rebuilding Under Debt: Thinking Clearly When Everything Is a Blur, a nonfiction book published under Steady Hand Press. The paperback edition is listed under my full publishing name, Cecilia Regina Aquino Blanquera.

On the music side, I release work as HeyRJ. On the writing side, this site is where I gather my books, essays, notes, and whatever I’m building next.

Music

HeyRJ is my sonic soul project. I create raw, minimalist-style and deeply personal music interpretations that feel like a late-night conversation with your truest self.

By blending lo-fi acoustic textures with poetic honesty, my work explores love, loss, grief, healing, and the quiet in-betweens of life. Each song is a letter — a journal entry — a gentle companion for when the world feels too loud or too quiet.

While my catalogue began with intimate cover renditions, my work is increasingly being shaped by original writing, drawing from years of poems, lived questions, and emotional survival.

“Stuck Home Syndrome” released on March 20, 2026 is my first original 20-track album written during a period when time felt compressed and days began to blur into each other. The songs came from sitting with thoughts that had nowhere else to go — unfiltered, repetitive, and sometimes uncomfortable. It’s a concept album that isn’t built around singles or polish. It’s closer to a continuous inner monologue, recorded with minimal production and very little ornamentation and meant to be listened to as one cohesive body of work. The goal wasn’t to resolve anything, only to document how it felt while it was happening.

On May 29, 2026 I released new original singles – “Rapturous”, “Uh Huh”, “Look At You”, “All That” and “Blew Print”. I continue to release both original and cover songs and intend to so for as long as I can so check back every once in a while — you might. just find something you’ll like.

For business inquiries relating to music, email me at: heyrjmusic[at]gmail[dot]com or my personal email at: rjmarmol[at]gmail[dot]com.

Books

Rebuilding Under Debt: Thinking Clearly When Everything Is a Blur

A nonfiction book about what debt does to the mind — and how to begin functioning again when financial stress has made everything feel blurred, urgent, and overwhelming.

Rather than treating debt only as a financial math problem, the book explores the emotional and cognitive realities of financial distress: shame, decision fatigue, avoidance, panic, relationship strain, and the difficulty of making sound decisions while mentally depleted.

Published under Steady Hand Press. It’s available worldwide in ebook and paperback formats on Amazon. Bookstores and libraries can also be order it wholesale via Ingram.

Contact

For book-related inquiries, media requests, bookstore questions, or discussion-group invitations, you can reach me through the contact page on this site or send me an email to rjmarmol[at]gmail[dot]com or hello[at]steadyhandpress.com

● Recent Articles