Gruyéres - the misty mountains of Switzerland

When wonder | wander | women touched down in Switzerland for the very first time, it was the wettest, gloomiest day of the summer. Sometimes even storybook wishes can be granted in mysterious ways.

advancing its young artists locally in Dumangas, Iloilo

Home to a thriving new crop of artists, Magnet Gallery is an immersive experience in the local art, entertainment and environment of Dumangas. 

Magnet Gallery, Library & Cafe' - Dumangas, Iloilo

Located on Salas Street, Municipality of Dumangas, Province of Iloilo, in the Philippines — it is a home grown collaborative where art, nature, and wellbeing are actively supported and sustained in advocacy and community.

Try an art making workshop with their local artists collective, take a bike tour through the district, buy some of their locally propagated seedlings, or sit in for some poetry reading while sipping their local cafe brew.

Araut Visual Artists Collective - AVAC

Magnet is a community space conceived by artist and returned resident Rock Drilon, along with the Araut Visual Artists Collective — AVAC. A closeknit group of individual and collective art enthusiasts who collaborate to learn and process personal pieces and group projects that they exhibit and showcase for regulars and visitors to Dumangas.

This old village in the midwestern part of Panay Island is home to Iloilo’s State University of Fisheries’ Dumangas campus. It is a center of education, with several private and public schools and institutions of primary, secondary and higher education levels.

Dumangas, Iloilo on Expedia

Surrounded by tributaries and major rivers as well as beaches and coastlines, Dumangas is also well known for its wharf and port, its plentiful fresh and saltwater fish and shellfish, and its rich historical culture and heritage.

As a young native artist who has successfully navigated his own artistic career nationally and internationally, Rick Drilon has taken on the admirable work of helping other young local artists with their career choices as well. 

Rock Drilon, then & now

Sharing his personal life experience and professional career process through faith-based mentorship — providing a steady presence and keen oversight where it’s sought.

Spending time to collaborate in the community for the types of resources younger artists need in rural communities. For the most part, this means developing or identifying ways to find funding, sell their work, or learn new skills

Magnet Gallery, Library & Cafe' with resident ayam, Simeon

Diving below the surface and immediate needs as well. To develop what kind of unique resources might actually motivate young artists to create art in the first place, be connected to their community and stick around to provide the strong, innovative leadership that small towns need right now.

There are deeper issues to address. What are the conditions of creativity and talent development in a small town? How does this affect the larger question of rural conditions and opportunities? Why do our young people stay or go?

various Magnet Gallery events

It is a large boon to have some reliable guidance and mentorship along — a safe space and place in which to explore, discover, experiment — as they forge their way in these crucially formative years. By involving them in community service they are given options and presented with more diverse opportunities than when left on their own to work it out for themselves.

Would that our world could provide this for our youth in all areas — rural and urban, isolated or overcrowded, and any place in between. For all to realize what a contribution they possess — even while they have yet to find ways of expressing themselves.

Magnet's donated library for grown ups

It gives them a chance to tell their story in fresh and new ways. Their presence can affect change as well. The energy and dynamics of difficult and complex conversations about historic preservation issues in our community can affect how it is addressed and applied.

It can give other generations new blood and life — including influential people, city officials and government members, our commissioners and directors, even established artists and creatives — all of whom also have intimate experience and extensive history themselves.

Magnet children's library - starting them young

It is amazing to see these young artists stay after an event or workshop, talking and laughing for hours with other participants and viewers — to realize that we can do something very simple but powerful by creating a space for creative dialogue and the possibility for artists to meet and connect.

take a tour of the Magnet premises

This Dumangas artists circle keeps its provincial vibe while retaining its active commitment to fundamental community programs and innovative projects. Where the town’s economy centers predominantly on agriculture and livestock, it also plays host to the Haw-as Festival.

lush exterior at Magnet

Through the years the area has produced many residents that have excelled in art, law, medicine, government and education.

wonder | wander | women pray this tribe continues to thrive and spread their ripples of influence far and wide.

lift your head

The world that wonder | wander | women live in has been growing dark. There are times when a bone-deep weariness threatens to consume us, taking up all thought and energy. A thousand griefs come from all over the world, overwhelming us with our own close and personal grief.

View of St Paul and the Shard in London

feed our thirst & fill us up with heART

On a recent lakwatcha adventure to Iloilo wonder | wander | women spent our days exploring art studios, galleries and museums. Viewing the displays and exhibits fed our thirst for wonder and filled is with insight and inspiration - enough to tide us over until another visit. 

We were missing this sorely the past year - collections of art purposely displayed to enhance its beauty so it spills over to us - its viewers and appreciative audience. 

March 2026 line up at IloMOCA

Crammed into only a few days spared, all the visual overload and creative overstimulation overcame us in a fevered frenzy. Images flying by our flickering lids left us gasping and breathless. Filling our senses to overflowing - our proverbial cups running over in generous waves of delight and awe. 

signs of life

After months of darkness and rain, wonder | wander | women were relieved to finally see the sun out for a whole day! We've had weeks of false alarms and hints of spring, little signs that warmer days were coming.

Gardenias blooming early

solo travel | seeking sanctuary in solitude

It's great to be able to surprise yourself every so often - keeps you young and on your toes, in the best of ways. Since the mid 1990s it's been our practice to carve out time to go on regular retreats. 

In a past life, while fully immersed in a spiritual community, this was easy to attain. Back on home ground on our own, it's become a bit more challenging to achieve. 

they have carabaos here too

After a year in our island home, wonder wander women carved out some me-time and took a trip away from it all. We needed some time to recover and recoup after a long hard year of uncertainty and loss. 

waiting for spring

wonder | wander | women's word for the year so far is "deluge". Between grey or freezing weather, natural disasters, and the man-made disasters of our collective governments, the year has barely started and it already feels like we're being swept away.

Kalachuchi (Frangipani) in ballpoint and watercolour

Imbolc. Full Leo Snow Moon. Brigid.

For the Triple Goddess - Maiden, Mother, Crone - alive in every cycle of becoming. 

A celebration of returning light, Imbolc is a Gaelic festival that marks the beginning of spring. Also called Candlemas (Christian), New Year (Tibetan, Chinese, Iroquois), Tu Bi-Shevat (Jewish). 

maiden, mother, crone painting by Beryl Noyce

Goddess festival of Brigit, Brighid, Brigid (Celtic). It is our mid-winter celebration, prophecy, purification, initiation. Imbolc reminds us that even in the coldest season, the fire has already begun.

a season of regrowth

wonder | wander | women are oceans apart once again, but for the first time in years we were able to spend the holiday season together. This year was intensely emotional for both of us. We were so happy to be able to see out 2025 and greet 2026 together.

Twinning for Christmas!

new orbit, new outlook

The New Moon in Capricorn (18 January 2026) brings the first powerful reset of the year, inviting us to set grounded intentions, create a steady foundation, and commit to our long-term visions. 

This Capricorn New Moon is a time to redefine success, cut distractions, and build a life that feels aligned, meaningful, and sustainable. 

the human circadian rhythm ("biological clock")

If you’ve been feeling called to take yourself and your dreams more seriously, this New Moon is your sign to begin. One steady step at a time. 

2025 recap

This past holiday season has been the first time in over a decade that wonder | wander | women have spent together, back in our island home in the Philippines. 

Unfortunately, it was not a happy case of time flies when you're having fun. But more of an overload of challenging circumstances - both personal and global. 

holiday wreath

Same time last year, while our US half spent the holidays with our Spanish cousins in New York City, our UK half spent it with longtime friends turned family - amid the bright Christmas lights in Regent Street and holiday cheer of Piccadilly in London.