Meet Chinggay Labrador | Freelance writer and tarot reader / deck creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chinggay Labrador and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chinggay, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I’ve noticed that I thrive when my work is related to something I’m interested in. My first job was in publishing (I worked editorial in magazines). It didn’t pay a lot, but I loved the field, made so many close friends in the industry, and found a way to make my budget work.

Over time, I took on other types of work… and after many years, I realized that every time I took on projects that were more for the money and less for the enjoyment it brought me (regardless of work difficulty or challenges), I either got physically sick, felt mentally and emotionally distraught, or had my relationships impacted in a negative way.

Because of these experiences, I’ve learned not to draw a distinct line between work and life—I believe they should complement each other. My life informs my work and my work informs my life. With this set-up, striking a “balance” between the two becomes less contrived and comes so much more naturally to me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My professional life doesn’t follow a linear path and is proof that a lot of wonderful things can unfold for you if you leave things open and not be so laser-focused on one path or goal.

I studied architecture in college and took continuing studies in graphic design. During my studies, I also worked as an intern in publishing and found myself really resonating with everything that went into creating and publishing magazines.

Years later, I also trained as a yoga instructor and meditation teacher.

While people might think that all these fields have nothing to do with each other, I believe I learned essential skills in everything I was into… all of which I use now as I run a small business as a tarot reader and deck creator.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Metro Manila is made up of smaller municipalities and cities, so I’d show a first-timer around different spots within the general Metro Manila area.

I haven’t been out and around since the pandemic started, so I’m not too sure how the city is now! Barring covid restrictions and any changes that have taken place while we’ve all been locked up, I would plan this itinerary:

Day 1 – Old Manila
Taking people to Intramuros (the walled city) is interesting because it shows our Spanish colonial past. Casa Manila is an old house turned museum that is an excellent example of how people lived before. Manila Cathedral is also one of the oldest churches, surviving wars and natural calamities. Sunsets in this area are also notable. I’d end the day with a dinner at one of the hotels in the area.

Day 2 – Quezon City
I’d take visitors to a little tour around my college campus at the University of the Philippines Diliman, which also has some an interesting museum and architecture, occasional art film screenings, lovely trees, and many hole in the wall eating places nearby.

Day 3 – Antipolo and Rizal
There are two spots that I think are worth visiting in the eastern part of Metro Manila. Masungi Georeserve in Rizal offers an easy hike that shows off one of some untouched and protected nature within the city.

Pinto Museum in Antipolo is also worth a look—I’ve never been myself so I’d love to see it too!

Day 4 – Makati
Metro Manila lacks parks and because it’s so hot in our part of the world, strolling around air-conditioned malls has become the pastime for many people who live here (this has severely diminished because of the pandemic). Makati plays host to the best shopping centers, some of which like Greenbelt in the CBD mix old parks with sprawling areas.

This is also where a lot of interesting restaurants, cafes, bars, and boutiques are so it’s worth spending an entire day in the area.

Day 5 – Bonifacio Global City
This is one of the rare spots in the city that was developed with open spaces in mind. You can walk from one end of BGC to the next without much trouble, and because this is Manila, you’ll be weaving in and out of shopping malls too. It’s a fun place to hang out, has venues for theater productions, and has interesting food spots too (at least it used to!).

I’d realistically spend the other two days of the week out of town, in areas like Tagaytay in the south (where weather is cooler, food is more indulgent and luxurious, and views of the world’s smallest volcano are easily accessible) or Bataan and Zambales in the north where we can hang by beautiful beaches.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I credit Elle North, a teacher I found online around 2013, who so beautifully merged the practice of yoga and tarot. Hers was the first tarot course I signed up for. Her lessons opened me up to a way of reading the tarot and practicing yoga that eventually paved the way for my practice / business today.

Website: www.practicalmagic.co

Instagram: @practical_magical

Twitter: super__fudge

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfxA57S-duWnI9ilXqrCXgQ

Image Credits
Styling and photography: IG @labteamph