Love is…

I’m back! It’s been months and months since my last blog post. So, before February ends, I want to have an entry this month. With that being said, since February is a love month, I decided to write something related to it.

So here it goes.

“Love isn’t patient and kind and humble. Love is messy. And horrible and selfish and bold. It’s not finding your perfect half. It’s trying, reaching and failing. Love is willing to ruin your good painting for the chance at a great one.”

That quote is a line from the movie “The Half of It.” Do you agree with that love quote? Do you agree that love is messy? That it is horrible and bold? I totally agree with how Ellie Chu defines love in that movie.

Love is very complex. We all have our definition of love. But I would agree that it is messy. Love is not always rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes love is hurricanes and thorns. Love is accepting each other’s chaos and embracing it fully. Love is not always having someone to be happy with but it is also having someone to struggle with. It is having that person who can accept and embrace the total mess that you are.

Love is bold. It is, love is being bold. Being bold is being brave. Being brave is taking risks, taking that chance to love and be loved. Having the courage to trust the process and trust the person that he/she will never break your heart.

As for me, love is acceptance. Love is accepting each other’s flaws, imperfections, and shortcomings. No matter how chaotic that person is, you will choose him/her over any circumstances.

Life is a choice and so is love. We just want to be accepted and loved for who we are and for what we are. We are all craving someone who will never give up on us, who will see our worth and most of all who will choose us every day.

For you who are reading this, I hope you already found the love who sees you as a beautiful mess, and brave enough to withstand the world with you. May we all find the love that we deserve. Know that you are worthy. You deserved to be celebrated, to be accepted, and to be loved.

Happy love month, everyone! ❤️

Life Lately | 02

This should have been posted last August 01, 2020 around 8:50PM.

Whenever people ask me kung kumusta na ba ako, I always replied, “Okay lang.” “Okay lang naman ako.”

And someone asked me, “musta ka naman dyan?” And I replied, “Kumusta na nga ba ‘ko?”

That hits me. Kumusta na nga ba ako in the real sense of it.

So here’ s my life lately.

It’s almost half of 2020. August na. Maya-maya lang 30 years old na ‘ko. (OMG!)

So yeah, how’s my life at the start of the year? Or how’ s my 2020 so far? A lot happened! As in! Pandemic. Lockdown. New normal. New lifestyle. New life routine. Closure from the past. And everything else.

Start of the year is a blast. Why? Because someone important to us came back. Inay is so happy. Tatay is here. Finally! After 10 years I think of not being with us, andito na siya ulit. Bit awkward at first, kasi hindi ako sanay na he’s around. But as long as inay is happy, then I’m good. I know I’ll get used to it soon and I know I’ll get there.

Taal happened.

Then COVID-19 happened. Damn. I never imagined that I would get to experience this global pandemic. You know, lockdown. Minimal movements, a mask is a must. Mass gathering is a no-no. No leisure activities. No travel diaries this 2020, I guess. From ECQ to GCQ to MECQ and MGCQ, oh boy name it! This 2020 is crazy!

And then this someone from the past who got to say sorry and tell his reason why left back then. Though his reason is still quite vague to me, it’s fine. As long as he is sorry for what he’d done, it’s all good. I just want him to be happy.

And I’m starting to open up to other people. I can now somehow tell my stories to them bit by bit.

All in all, I would say that I’m doing totally fine. Though may mga changes sa life routine ko, like hindi ako everyday nakakauwi sa bahay dahil nga sa COVID-19 na ‘to, it’ s okay. Kahit na wala masyadong gala or wala talaga, okay lang. Kahit napostponed yung pagpunta ko sa concert ng Ben&Ben sa Clark, okay lang. Kahit na walang travel goals, okay lang. Kahit na wala pa rin akong jowa, okay lang. (HAHAHAHA) Kahit na mukhang dito ko sa apartment, magse-celebrate ng birthday ko, okay lang.

There are still a lot of things to be grateful for. Walang nagkakasakit sa family ko. I still have my job. I still able to pay my bills. Seriously, I’m happy and well.

So, for the question “Kumusta ka na nga ba?”, my answer is, though may mga moments na nadi-disappoint ako, napu-frustrate ako at times, umiiyak ako minsan, I’m doing well.

This twenty-something gal is still happy, still loved and still beyond grateful! 💛

P. S. This 2020, I also got my first tattoo. (on my next blog soon)

Our Masungi Adventure

At last, our Masungi escapade finally happened!

We’re actually been planning this Masungi trip since July however there’s a lot of uhmm should I say hindrances why it was not able to push through right away LOL. There’s the unpredictable weather, our contradicting schedules and unapproved leave. Haha

Since August 20 is my birthday, I filed a week leave ahead of time because I’m really planning to celebrate my birthday somewhere. My original plan was to go to Bicol, Baler or somewhere outside Batangas at least. Unfortunately, it is just two days that got approved and take note, both are inconsecutive days. So obviously, my original plan is ruined. I chatted with Auline right away and told her to have Masungi instead. And that’s when our Masungi adventure came to life. Haha

Masungi Georeserve is located in Baras, Rizal. You can actually log on to their website to book a tour in Masungi. They offered shared trail and night trail for Php 1,800 per pax. If you are on an exclusive tour, you must form a group of at least 7 pax. Since it is just me and Auline, we got the shared trail wherein we pay Php 1,500 each and there’s a snack included on that.

Masungi is also accessible. We rode a bus from SM Lipa Grand Terminal to Cubao. From there, we rode an FX to Cogeo wherein the jeepney route to Masungi was situated. It is around 30-45 minutes from Cogeo and you can reach Masungi.

You’ll need to walk for about 20-30 minutes before you can finally reach the main entrance of Masungi. From here, you can now see different limestone and rock formations. When we arrived, we were greeted by their friendly staff. They also have lockers where you can rent for Php 20 for your bags and other valuable things. Masungi also provides helmets for safety and string bags in which you can put essential things for hiking. And oh, if ever that you forgot your tumbler, you can also buy one from them for Php 50.

Masungi has this Legacy Tree Project wherein you will be given a certificate as proof that they will plant a tree under your name. It will be planted around the Sierra Madre range. As mentioned on the orientation, once the tree grows and bears fruits, you’ll be invited to see the tree that you donated. Amazing, right?

We started our trek at 10AM. Since the weather is kind of gloomy, they have raincoats ready for the hikers, because rain or shine, trekking goes on. LOL

Masungi has nine trail sites or stations namely Duyan, Kubo, the famous Sapot ni Ric, Tatay, Nanay, Kweba ni Ruben, Bayawak and Sawa. I can’t remember the last one though, apologies for that.

I really had a hard time on Bayawak because it is the eight-trail station and for you to get through this, you must cross a rope shaped like an alligator hence it was called bayawak. It’s like you’re doing rock climbing but there’s no rocks haha you know what I mean. And then, I got a little bit scared of Duyan because you are in the middle of the forest and then you have to walk through a huge swing. Fear of heights, dude. For Nanay and Tatay, you can see the whole view of Masungi.

I must say that it was an awesome experience. So much tiredness, but so worth it. I can now check Masungi in my bucket-list. Yaaay!

Mt. Manabu 2018

It’s been a year since my last hike, that was February 2017 in Mt. Maculot.

Since I was so fed up and stressed in my current job, I filed a 3-day vacation leave. I said to myself that I have to go somewhere to spend my 3 days’ vacation. And since my friend is also mending her broken heart, she decided to go on hiking so why not join her.

We agreed to climb Mt. Manabu in Sta. Cruz, Sto. Tomas, Batangas. One of our friends already climbed Mt. Manabu so we decided not to have a guide.

At 5:30AM, we’re at the registration point already. At 6AM, we arrived at the starting point. (Exciting!!) So nagsimula na kaming umakyat, sabi nila visible naman daw ang trail and kailangan lang namin sundan yun. Meron ding mga guide map so push! Narating namin ang Station 2 around 7AM. Nakakapagtaka lang na parang hindi naman paakyat yung dinadaanan namin. Good thing, may napagtanungan kami, yun pala naliligaw na kami. (yikes! lol) Sabi ni kuya, papunta na raw CALABARZON ang labas namin. Nakakaloka, sa halip na bundok ang mapuntahan, toll way ang mararating. (LOL)

Medyo mahabang lakarin ulit pabalik ng station 2 pero keri, pawis pa mooore! Nung nakabalik na kami sa station 2, tinandaan na namin ang sinabi nila na derecho lang ang daan.

Patarik na ng patarik ang dinadaanan namin kaya feeling namin tama na yung tinatahak namin. Thanks God, narating namin ang Station 5 o kung tawagin nila ay Kapihan ni Tatay Tino. Dito sa station na ‘to libre ang kape at take note, hindi basta kape ha, civet coffee lang naman ang iinumin mo- kape na galing sa poop ng alamid.

Nang makarating kami sa summit kung san nandun ang malaking krus medyo foggy pa kaya hindi pa masyadong kita ang view.

Honestly, I need more of this. Less worry, less stress. Yung happy lang, yung payapa lang ang nararamdaman mo. Panatag ang pagkatao mo.

At pag bumalik na tayo sa realidad ng buhay, mas handa na tayo. Meron na ulit tayong sapat ng lakas at determinasyon para harapin ang lahat.

Masasa Beach 2018

Okay, eto na nga, pagkatapos kong magresign sa UHG last July 2017, wala pa ulit akong matinong gala na as in masasabi ko na nakapag-relax ako. Kasi naman, ang dami kong issue. LOL Nag-apply ako sa Results na tumagal lang ako ng 3 months at nagresigned din, bukod kasi sa medyo hassle yung account, nakaka-stress din ang working environment. Sagaaaaad!! And then, nagbalik- loob ako sa Teletech, pero ibang account na. Dayshift. Mahirap yung account ko ngayon kaya naman talagang sabi ko kailangan ko naman ng break.

Kaya naman nung inaya ako ni Bea na pumunta sa Masasa Beach sa Tingloy, walang pag-aalinlangan, sama agad.

Super na-enjoy ko ang weekend getaway na ‘to. First time ko kasi dito sa Masasa. First time ko din na makasakay sa malakihang bangka na talagang pambyahe. Ang sarap sa feeling.

So pagdating namin, after kumain and all, punta na kagad sa dagat.

Sobrang ganda naman nga pala talaga ng Masasa Beach. Malinaw yung tubig, maputi at sobrang pino ng buhangin.

Kinabukasan, island hopping and snorkeling naman ang pinagkaabalahan namin. Pumunta kami sa Sepoc Island, Sombrero Island (yan lang ang natandaan ko) Hahahaha

Hindi na kami bumaba sa mismong Isla ng Sombrero kasi may bayad na Php 200. Eh ang pag-snorkeling, dun lang din naman sa paligid ng Sombrero Island.

First time ko ding magsnorkeling, ang saya lang. Naisip ko, siguro kung marunong akong lumangoy, mas maeenjoy ko pa lalo yung snorkeling. Ang linaw ng tubig, ang dami ng isda. Tapos may pawikan pa.

Unang getaway ngayon 2018 at sobrang ang saya sa pakiramdam. Parang feeling ko ang dami kong nagawa pero hindi ko ramdam yung pagod. Enjoy talaga.

maybe someday

maybe someday
we can bump to each other one last time
coffee on my right hand,
book on the other one.
maybe in another universe
you and I are not impossible.
maybe in another lifetime
I can call you mine and I am yours.
maybe someday
we can meet again
and when that day comes,
we will do it right
you got me and I got you babe.

Mt. Gulugod Baboy version 2.0

sometimes you just need a break, in a beautiful place, to figure everything out

I’ve been to Mt. Gulugod Baboy way back 2015 and last Sunday I got the chance to visit it again.

Around 4pm we were already in Mabini Town Proper and from there we took a tricycle to Gulugod. One of our colleagues is residing in Brgy. Ligaya wherein Gulugod Baboy is located, kaya plano ko na maligo muna bago umakyat.

Medyo maulap ang panahon kaya hindi mainit ang pag-akyat namin. May mga dala kaming baon sa taas para dun kumain. Ang saya na kumakain ka ng pasta, pichi-pichi at gelatin sa taas ng bundok- tanaw ang buong bayan ng Bauan, ang dagat ng Mabini, ang Sombrero Island, pati mata mo busog sa magandang tanawin. Nakakapanatag ng puso.

At maya- maya nga padilim na nang padilim ang kalangitan, parating na ang ulan. So pack-up muna at kailangang bumaba. Dapat hindi maabutan ng ulan at talagang basang-sisw pagkababa. Sige, takbo na parang may zombie apocalypse. HAHA

Medyo natagalan din bago tumila ang ulan. Yung planong manonood ng sunset, wala. Yung planong magtatayo ng tent sa bundok para dun matulog, wala.

Ang plano, kinabukasan maaga gigising para sa sunrise. Sunrise naman ang ilalaban natin bilang nabigo tayo sa sunset. HAHA Pero pag minamalas ka nga naman, wala ring sunrise na nasaksihan kasi umulan na ulit. Hindi naman kami aware na may bagyo pala nun bilang hindi kami nagcheck ng weather forecast. (urghh loser! lol)

Anyways, kahit na nasira lahat ng plano, okay lang. Kahit na walang sunset o sunrise na natunghayan, okay lang. At least nakalayo pansamantala sa gulo at ingay ng syudad (naks, parang Manila girl kung makasyudad haha) but kidding aside, what I mean is yung kahit ilang oras, nakawala sa realidad ng mundo. Yung wala kang ibang nakikita kundi yung magagandang ginawa ng Maylikha. Yung pag tumigil ka pansamantala, marerealized mo na maganda pa rin talaga ang buhay. Kahit may mga problema at pagsubok, masaya pa rin ang mabuhay. Sabi nga, kung may isandaan kang dahilan para malungkot at umiyak, humanap ka ng kahit isang dahilan para maging masaya, ngumiti at tumawa, dahil meron yan. Hindi ka mawawalan ng dahilan para sumaya at magpasalamat.

Kaya kung napapagod ka na sa buhay, pahinga lang ng konti, then laban ulit.

So, to my 27-year-old self, you got this, okay? *winks*

ad interim

I still can remember
That moment vividly
When your eyes meet mine,
And we hold our gaze instantly.
I want to smile at you
But embarrassment enveloped me.
I want to take a glance again
But I’m scared that you would caught me.
I don’t know you but I recognized this feeling
Yes, we’re strangers maybe
But I can feel our connection within
And I know deep inside Cupid hits me.
That was a fairytale-like
And how I wish I could turn back time
To that wondrous and magical scene of ours.
Take me back to that moment.
Take me back to that night.
Take me back.

Take me back.

Anonymous

Hindi ko alam kung anong meron sayo
Tila ba’ga napakamistersoyo mo.
Pag ako’y tumitingin sa mga mata mo
Parang ang lungkot-lungkot nito.
Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako ganito sayo
Gusto kong malaman ang nasa puso mo,
Marinig ang saloobin at hinanaing mo.
Gusto kong malaman kwento ng buhay mo.
Hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasabihin
Hindi ko alam kung paano ko ipaparating
Pero sana ay batid at ramdam mo rin
Na ako ay kaibigan mong maituturing.
Kaya kung kausap ay kailangan mo,
Wag mahiyang lumapit at andito lang ako
Handa akong makinig sa sasabihin mo
Kahit abutin tayo ng isang linggo.