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illumelation Travel tales. Human connections. Illuminations. ☀️ London gal chasing the sun in Southeast Asia. Experiences over things! ✈ It's been phenomenal.

http://www.illumelation.com/about/

Hello, wanderer. I’m Melissa, a twenty-something writer and wanderer of Filipino descent. I grew up in London, lived in Warsaw for two years, and am now based in Manila. I'm working life out as I go along, and so far? I love the era that we're living in. It's fluid, freeing, and holds nothing against us :)

Connect with me at !

🗻 7+ Mount Fuji Photo Spots 🇯🇵📌 save for your Japan trip! Mount Fuji is Japan’s most iconic peak, and one of the most i...
13/07/2026

🗻 7+ Mount Fuji Photo Spots 🇯🇵📌 save for your Japan trip!

Mount Fuji is Japan’s most iconic peak, and one of the most incredible places for photography in Japan. From Lake Kawaguchiko to Chureito Pagoda and Hoshinoya Fuji, I’m sharing my favourite Mount Fuji photo spots for you to check out (including one I found by accident!).

✨Comment “SPOTS” and I’ll DM you my complete Mount Fuji photography guide with photo spots, Google Maps pins and extra photography tips.

📍Lawson Fujikawaguchiko Town Hall

Strawberry sando with a mountain view, anyone? 🍓 this Lawson convenient store is one of the most famous Mount Fuji photo spots in Japan, iconic for its perfectly framed view of Fuji-san. There’s something so uniquely Japanese about seeing everyday konbini life set against one of the world’s most recognisable mountains.

I visited in the afternoon and it was PACKED with photographers and tour buses. I’d recommend arriving at sunrise or even at blue hour when glowing konbini lights help create an ethereal atmosphere.

📌 Comment SPOTS for my free Mount Fuji photography guide

📍Hoshinoya Fuji T-Cabin Room View

Some of the best Mount Fuji photographs can be taken from your very own hotel room. Waking up to this famed Hoshinoya Fuji hotel room view of Mount Fuji was a pinch-me moment.

Every morning we drew the curtains, sat on the terrace with a hot coffee, and watched Fuji-san emerge across the landscape. We were also blessed with clear weather which we’re still very happy about 🙏🏾

📌 Comment SPOTS for my full Mount Fuji photography guide

📍Omuro Sengen Shrine

Looking for a quieter Mount Fuji photo spot away from the crowds?

Omuro Sengen Shrine gives you a completely different perspective, with ancient cedar trees, traditional torii gates and a peaceful residential atmosphere surrounding Fuji-san. It’s one of the oldest shrines connected to Mount Fuji and feels worlds away from the more famous viewpoints.

One of my favourite spots to stumble upon Mount Fuji around the Fuji Five Lakes. Please do be respectful if you go to this area, as the shrine itself is a sacred place, and locals live in the surrounding roads.

📌 Comment SPOTS for my free Mount Fuj

08/06/2026

🐟 a day by the ocean with chef and surfer , who graciously let me shadow him from surf to kitchen as part of a documentary project series I’ve been developing. Between waves, laughs, brownouts, and truly excellent food, Sean’s daily life made clear what it means to be in community as an islander, and what it means to be Filipino.

All Sean’s relationships on the island begin in the water. Hearing him articulate the way water governs the island’s entire ecosystem – from relationships to food to the weather – was affirming and inspiring, and reminded me why protecting the ocean is inseparable from protecting its coastal communities. Everything begins and ends with the ocean.

We woke up at 4am and made our way to the reef with his partner Rona and sister Maddie. After a surf session we went to the local market, picked up fish and veggies, and Sean did his thing in the kitchen at - which, if you’re in Siargao, is an absolute must for incredible cocktails and dishes made with local fare.

I’ve been sleeping on these rushes for way too long - time to get them into edit! But in honour of World Ocean Day, a little preview. Thank you for the introductions, and to Sean and Rona for letting me tag along with my lens and ask a million and one questions. It means everything.

, , siargao island, filipino chef, community, surfing, filmmaking, filipino diaspora, the ocean, tortang talong recipe, food in siargao, oceans day, storytelling

So many of my mates (and clients!) are authors writing books, launching Substacks, or finally putting their work out int...
03/06/2026

So many of my mates (and clients!) are authors writing books, launching Substacks, or finally putting their work out into the world. Almost all of them ask me exact the same thing:

“How do I grow an audience on social media who are genuinely interested in what I write?”

“Like, ACTUALLY???”

So, no gatekeeping! These are my quick wins (as a social media strategist who’s built communities for global brands and works closely within the publishing and literary space) 👆🏽

If you want engaged readers, you need content formats that connect people to YOU, not just your book. Swipe to the end for:
• content formats that help your work get discovered
• simple ways to build real connection with readers
• the most underrated strategy for attracting readers organically.

Readers aren’t only buying books now: they’re following their fave authors too. They want to get to know you!

If you’re trying to grow your author visibility right now, I’m running a live session next Thursday 11th June: “How to Build An Author Brand: Social Media Marketing & Promoting Your Book”

We’ll cover:
• how to grow your audience online
• what to post consistently
• how to build a real reader community
• how to market your book without feeling salesy

💬 Comment “WRITE” and I’ll DM you the details if you fancy joining the session. It’ll be a good’un!

social media for authors | author marketing | book marketing strategy | grow your author platform | Instagram for authors | how to promote your book | build a reader community | writing community | book launch tips | self publishing marketing | author branding tips | grow as a writer online

21/04/2026

No talking allowed 🐒👀

Tarsiers are the world’s smallest primate and they are nocturnal, so visits at this ethical sanctuary in Bohol are done in complete silence with a guide.

One of the most unique wildlife experiences I’ve had.

Thanks Kuya Dodoy 🇵🇭

jungle asmr philippines bohol

03/04/2026

breathing deep in anilao 🤿

spent a gorgeous weekend scuba diving in a galaxy of batfish and anemones. this place is so special to me. anilao was like a second home in my early twenties when i was figuring things out (still am).

loved enjoyed reuniting with and hearing his stories after so many years. 🙏🏽

thanks to my dive buddies Alex and Zak for holding me down at 5m when my bcd started self-inflating. thanks Anne for your vibrant backwards roll.

shot on 35mm prime 📷

philippinesgram go.philippines travelreels travelblogger travelph scubadiving

03/04/2026

Photographed this fisherman at blue hour 😍🎣

📷 Sony A7III & FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM

📍Sampaloc Lake, San Pablo City, Laguna

travel photography, sony alpha, sunrise, lake, adobe lightroom, sony a7iii, 24-70mm, province, fishing boat, Luzon, pov

I’m so happy to share this...My story has just been selected to receive an Ocean Culture Storytelling Grant as part of t...
13/03/2026

I’m so happy to share this...

My story has just been selected to receive an Ocean Culture Storytelling Grant as part of the 2026 cohort of their Storytelling Grants programme.

This support means so much to me, as I’ve been wanting to tell this story for years. The ocean and its wellbeing is critical for us all. My aim is to advocate for communities who depend on the ocean for survival, amplify their challenges, and explore what’s at stake when that relationship is under threat.

Over the next several months, I’ll take you behind the scenes with my purpose-driven production house and share my learnings along the way, alongside 14 other incredible grantees. First look coming soon.

Good Form is proud to partner in bringing this story to life: a story rooted in the values that sit at the heart of everything we do: community, conservation, environmental stewardship, cultural heritage, and our connection to people and place.

To find out more about OCL and the programme: oceanculturelife.com

purpose-driven storytelling, environmental filmmaker, ethical storytelling, director of colour, ocean advocacy

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