My 2025 was a year of Divine Connection.
After a long time alone, I spent much of the year in what many might call a honeymoon phase. Not because everything was perfect—my partner and I had our fair share of challenges—but because after everything we had both been through emotionally and mentally, we made happiness a priority. Sometimes tacitly. For me, openly.
For my part, this meant choosing not to give in to some of my old tendencies to be critical or bossy. Instead, I focused on what was working. What surprised me was how that choice shifted everything. Almost magically, I no longer found myself with anything to be critical or bossy about. I felt that I had grown emotionally, that I was less reactive—but what truly surprised me was how easy it all felt.
In the whole year, I think we had three or four arguments at most, each lasting perhaps an hour. This was entirely new to me. And yet, it felt effortless.
When I look back at the moments that stand out, my daughter’s graduation feels especially significant. It marked not just her achievement, but the culmination of so many years of movement, decisions, and perseverance—for her, for me, and for her father, among others.
From my decision to put her in public school in Spanish Harlem (NYC) for kindergarten, to transferring her to the French Lycée the following year (where I had also studied), to her pleading with me at eleven not to switch schools again when we moved to Cebu in 2013—by then, she had already attended nine schools across three continents (including one in Baguio City). Then came our many struggles during her International Baccalaureate years, and later her decision to leave college in Europe and return to the Philippines. The list goes on.
In terms of challenges, living in Baguio while attending classes in Manila—about a five-hour drive away—stands out. What initially seemed manageable eventually took a toll on me, physically and mentally. And still, I wouldn’t have chosen differently. I will most likely face this challenge again next semester.
Many have described 2025 as a year of preparation, of shedding skin, and I would agree. As such, I’m looking toward 2026 as a year of building—creating something new from the inner work done and the challenges met. Building with a stronger foundation, so that the fruits of the coming year can be more far-reaching and nourishing for all.
Wishing you a gentle close to the year, and a powerful new beginning.
Baguio has long been a sanctuary for healing, rejuvenation, and spirituality; a place where people come to ‘forest bathe’ and breathe deeply among the pines. This January, that energy takes new form as Omfest 2026 comes to the Summer Capital for the first time.
I connected with Omfest founder Windy via Baguio’s Shared Table events, its its through that community Alam Mo Ba Baguio and Omfest aligned, Windy is a Reiki Master, energy healer and yoga instructor from the Gassho Center who started exploring meditation and spirituality as a teenager.
“I was first handed a book by Zen master Thich Nhat Han when I was 17 or 18 and so started exploring meditation and spirituality then, although my mother has always been a deeply spiritual person. But it was not until I took my first level of Reiki 2015 that things really started gaining momentum. I went on to the third level so I could teach, because demand was so high! Opening my wellness center also played a pivotal role since I invited a lot of teachers and got to also learn from them. It was a win-win for me and the growing spiritual community.’
Despite being born in Baguio, Windy’s wellness centre was located in Cebu, and in 2016 she noticed many of her students were traveling abroad to attend wellness festivals, which led to the establishment of the first Omfest“..I thought why don’t we just have our own here in Cebu?
When I first set out to start Omfest, I was hesitant because I thought it would be a very stressful process. As a matter of fact, I kept encouraging other people to do something similar. When no one else did, I decided to do it myself, but I promised myself that it would be fun, and not stressful. I am also taking the same approach to grad school. In both cases, it seems to be working!
Now on its fifth iteration (first in Baguio), Omfest has had so many facilitators, visitors and vendors, with each event unique and special in its own way. I think the venue also plays a big part, and am excited to be surrounded by pine trees for our upcoming event in January. “
Of course you cannot speak of Baguio without mentioning the pine trees, the mountains, the cool weather or the fog, and Windy opened up about the importance of the Summer Capital as the new host city of Omfest.
“As someone who was born in Baguio, it holds a very special place in my heart. The culture, the people, the land – all have so much meaning to me. I am excited to share this with some people from out of town who might not be familiar with it. For those who are, it’s an opportunity to celebrate this and also open up to new practices and teachers.”
The January 2026 line up of practitioners brings together movement, art, and indigenous spirituality, and here, community once again is the conduit to connection.
“All of the facilitators I know personally and have worked with either as students, teachers or peers. I am very particular when it comes to working with other teachers and most of all endorsing them to my audience. Energy is everything!”
And its not just modern or foreign techniques for meditation, healing and spirituality – Omfest 2026 also honours highland traditions and practices.
“I have invited a Cordilleran cultural group whose leader is a mumbaki friend. I met him through another mumbaki friend, who will be sharing his life’s work with us. Both are from Banaue, where I immersed myself for three months last 2024, learning about indigenous ways of spirituality and also finding some healing myself.”
Those students who have attended previous Omfest iterations have more than the cool baguio temperature to look forward to, with this year’s offerings differentiated by a few surprises.
“Aside from Rosan Cruz, who is my long-time Kundalini Yoga and Theta Healing teacher, all the other facilitators are new. I asked Rosan to share a Kundalini Yoga kirya (set of exercises) and end with a gong bath, as she did during the first Omfest in 2019. I am so grateful she agreed to come up with her giant gong!
I am excited about all the others, but I want to mention my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach because he is the first igorot black belt, and I know it’s unusual to have combat sports in these kinds of events where people are more used to yoga mats and flowy dresses but coach Gib has been an amazing mentor and important in a holistic approach to wellness that combines Yin or feminine elements like dance, and Yang or masculine elements like martial arts. I am really so grateful for all the facilitators, I’m energized just thinking about them!”
Omfest 2026 has a wellness bazaar, another method of how the festival supports community
“So far most of our vendors are local. I once again reached out to them personally. Two are actually my students. I am also happy to have a local tattoo artist – I’m a fan of tattoos!”
When asked about what attendees could expect – growth, empowerment, awakening- Windy again pointed to community.
“Like I mentioned, the connections are key. People meet at Omfest – participants and facilitators – and form meaningful bonds, helping each other navigate life through a spiritual lens…
… I am certain they will be transformed by the day, not only from the program but also from the connections made and the heart-opening energies. I have seen this happen countless times, not only at Omfest but during my workshops and retreats. It’s an indescribable feeling.”
With a wide range of facilitators, perspectives and classes, Omfest 2026 is certain to be an enlightening festival of healing and connection, and Windy is encouraging people who have yet to begin their spiritual journey to take the first step.
“Attend events like these. I don’t think people realise how special this is – getting these teachers together, and for a very reasonable price! Share it with your friends and family so you can also create your own community of healing.
I would love for it to keep growing, making it more accessible and allowing me to lower the ticket price ever further.”
Being a UNESCO Creative City, Baguio vibes with spirituality and energy healing in its own unique way.
“I think Healing and Arts go hand in hand. Art for most is a therapy – the artist needs to create to live. At the same time, there is much need for healing. Maybe art can also be a way to bridge that gap? Something to ponder in future Omfest events. “
Read the article on the Alam mo ba Baguio website here: https://alammobabaguio.com/omfest-2026-connection-in-the-city-of-pines/
Growing up in France, we were taught that the best water is full of natural minerals that the body needs to be healthy. In the Philippines, most people get water from refilling stations that overtreat water to the point that it is devoid of any benefits; it is pretty much dead water.
Do you ever feel thirsty after drinking a lot of water? Most likely the water you are drinking is not hydrating you. I’m so happy to have finally invested in my own source of healthy water, chock full of nutrients and electrolytes. The Kangen machine I bought is medical grade and made in Japan; it has many functions that I still have to discover. By adjusting the PH you can produce water for antiseptic use, for skin diseases, disinfection, etc.
“Kangen” means return to Origin, which is exactly what this card is about. Not all of us have access to healthy spring water filled with minerals and ions coming out of the mountain. My Kangen machine is the next best thing!
If you can’t go to the mountain… bring the mountain to you.
