Unintentional dreams

Hello dear reader, I realized it has been a long time since I wrote in this blog. (reader count:0) I guess this is a safe place to write. But this is the internet and nothing is safe in the internet haha. 

Anyway, there are so many things that happened from the last time I wrote in this blog. I met someone from the past and we went full circle with what happened. I finally was given the closure I needed from my first love. It was really not meant to be, not because I am not willing to make it work, but because we are two different people and I am not loved enough to make it last. 

I am also able to go up the career ladder, something that I was not able to achieve in my previous employment due to office politics. I must admit I doubted my self and my self work in my previous employment. That place made me feel like I am not capable. I am grateful I got into a better work place - I achieved milestones, sat in Boards like I used to, and won cases. 

I have moved. 

I moved residence now. It is supposed to last for a period of 2 years. I am also taking my post graduate studies. I am in a new place with people I have started to get to know, with limited new experience. There are times when I succumb to my fear of not having enough but the Lord has been faithful in providing for me despite my fears. 

I still don't have job in this new place to tide me over the monthly expenses of living here but I am positive that one day I will be having a remote job where I can do work and earn well while I balance my post graduate studies. 

I must admit that I did not intended to be here. I am happy and contented where I was. I have debts, a stressful work schedule, but I am happy with what I was doing. Now, I am in a new environment, my debts are still there, my stress is lesser because I have more time to myself and to my interests - I write regularly on LinkedIn on topics I was exploring for my  thesis - and I am hopeful about my options in this new place. I found myself in a new place, sometimes missing home, growing and experiencing growing pains but I have also learned to love what is happening to me. 

I admit that when I was younger, one of my what ifs is doing this. I did not take it seriously, but now I am here. 

And this a wonderful experience I am in right now. 

So yeah, despite everything, my feelings of unease, doubt, fear, longing for connection, and occasional hunger, this is the best that has happened to me. And I believe that more wonderful things are coming my way. 

Feeling myself

I have started to feel myself in the middle to latter part of 2021. The rest I had in 2020, meditation, good food, and sunlight helped me think things through. I grew.

I moved to a new job in 2021. I met new people. I was able to talk to someone from the past. It healed me. 

I love how I feel now. How I fall in love with myself as the days go by. I appreciate myself more. 

It is a process of falling into the dark labyrinth of darkness, of soul crushing, disregarding myself years without me noticing that it is happening. I guess it started in 2016. 6 years after, I am healed. I am grateful.

Mahabang kwento, I may post vids or do tiktoks on it. Oh yes, I also dance tiktoks now. I am starting to enjoy life. I love it.

Getting back my mojo

 These last 3 years has been the most challenging destinations in my life (journey). The challenges I faced challenged my beliefs in myself and in other people. Perhaps, middle life crisis means that one gets to look at oneself in all honesty and see the self. The scars, the good things, what works and what doesn't, the works. One also identifies boundaries and sets them. 

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So the other day, I decided to dress up. I dress up for work daily, I wear comfy clothes in going out. But the other day, I purposely decided that I will wear something that will make me feel great in my skin. There is a difference in energy for me that day. I enjoyed time with my husband more, I was less afraid of the drive through traffic. I let go of my anxieties, fears, and the pent up anger in me for a bit, I decided to do it. I felt great! 

That night, I looked for things that make me happy. I saw a pair of earrings in Lazada. I have several stuff in my cart and I decided to check out the earrings. I realized that one reason I feel sad, angry, and frustrated is because I have been delaying my own happiness to take care of other people. Then when I don't deliver like I used to, they judge me as a bad person. I was judged several times by people I love, and since I give them the power to hurt me, I became an anxious, angry person. The worst thing is I cannot show my anger, because doing so will lead to more judgments. The other day, as I checked out the earrings, I said to myself "F*** all, I'm going to be happy. 

So from then on, I make a deliberate effort to look at opportunities to love myself and enjoy life. I am still young. In the past, I will put it upon myself to achieve a certain income first, provide to other people first, take care of their needs first, then I will have a little bit of happiness that conforms to their idea of what makes me happy. In the past, when I felt happy and they did not approve, I let go of happiness.  Now, in my middle age, when all of them have left to mind their own lives and I am alone with people that matter to me, I can say f*** all that, I will live life and be happy. 

The toxic culture that I endured may still dominate the lives of other younger first born child, I hope like me they will be able to express their anger and love. Now I am thinking, at this age, I feel like a young empty nester. I am loving it. I love this freedom. I can be who I want to be and do what I want. 

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I am going to live free, to hell with all the maritess!

If you are reading this and wants to add happiness to your life, perhaps you can find something that can contribute to your happiness in LAZADA, click and check your cart out!

Move

 It has been a long time since I last wrote here. I must admit that being aware of data privacy and my former knack for oversharing has taken a toll on my blog writing. It used to be that people write their thoughts through blogs like this, then vlogging became the "in" thing, raking in millions for those who have lots of followers. 

Tiktok is what I like watching now, and perhaps one of these days I may have the courage to make a public tiktok. I am still not comfortable being silly in front of the camera, although i have been silly for most parts of life. I am just not comfortable having perpetual records of it (at least in the PH, since we haven't got the right to be forgotten legislated here).

There has been so much change in life these last few years. I have gotten wiser, and a bit more quiet, I guess. I have also cut off some people in my life, some have cut me off, it's ok no worries. 

Almost everything in this life is moving. Some at dizzying speed, some slower than others. 

What I am sure of is, I am making another move. The most significant moves I have done are getting back to school, getting my license to practice a profession, getting married, and now I am doing another move. 

I am both happy and terrified of this possibility, but life is all about moving. So I will move again. 

Perhaps I will make another blog entry once I have moved. I promise to post a picture. 

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I just remember, I made my first blog post in blogspot (predecessor of blogger) around 2004. I'm feeling nostalgic. So many things happened since. I am just thankful for people like you who may have read my nonsense in the past, and are reading another one of my nonsense now. 😅

Til my next blog. 

^_^

 What do I really want? 

I have been asking this question for several years now. When I was younger, the things I want are clear to me - finish school and have a job that pays well. Some of the material things, I have not achieved yet, but those essential things, those that make your life richer, I think somehow, I achieved. 

Now writing this makes me grateful. I realized that indeed, I have achieved some of the things that makes life richer. I have a loving husband, my extended family are doing well, I was able to achieve my academic and professional goals. I have visited places in my country and met some good people. I had my heartbreaks too and they made me better.  I have forgive and I have been forgiven. So what is it that makes me think of this question,  "What do I really want?" 

The question pops up whenever I feel tired doing things I am not as excited to do. Or when I do things, go to places, and deal with people I grew tired of working with.  I look inside me. Why do I feel stressed over this person? Why do I feel anxious going to these places? Why do I feel burdened by this task? When in the past I just plow on and move forward. I suddenly ask myself, is it because I am a bad person? Am I at fault that I feel this way? It is something that is not healthy. I realized that I become anxious because I do not like what I am doing. I do not want to deal with this person because I don't want to.  

It may be because I become more aware of the limited time I have. I am no longer a young 20 something who had the vision of conquering the world. I guess I have become the old person that wants to stay in quiet places, shun the noise of cities, and leave the stresses behind. I have become anxious in crowded and noisy places. I guess I have gotten more mature. While age is just a number, that number grows smaller by the day. I am burdened by the thought that I want to do so many things and have so little time and thus I achieve nothing. 

Perhaps, it is really time to look at all these things I am doing and just ask myself, what is it that I really want? 

I have been listening to others and spent time trying to gain affection, attention, and approval. 

I have broken people's expectations in the past and as a people pleaser, it was difficult and painful to be treated as if I have done something wrong just because I do not say yes to what people want me to do. 

I have learned that people, generally, regardless of religiosity, will treat you well if they need something from you. Sadly, as I grow older, people who come to me expect me to do things for them for free. Free time and effort. I don't like the idea of wasting time. Now that I know I am on limited time and I can't have wasted time back, I don't want to waste time for other people's concerns that will not benefit me. 

So I ask again, what do I really want? 

Well, what I want in this life is calm, happiness, health, and enjoyment. 

I want to be able to afford to live where there is peace and quiet, where food is healthy and abundant. I want to go and visit places when I want to. I want to spend most of my time with the ones I love and those who love me. 

My dream when I was younger was to be like the old woman who owned 2 apartment buildings in our street. Her property were spotless and she was able to provide for herself and her children. I met an old man who wore sando and shorts everyday and sat in front of his rental property, enjoying a cup of coffee in the mornings. When bills come, they don't sit near the fridge and ask themselves and God where they will get the money to pay. I want to be able to Honor God by living a happy life. I want to be able to praise and thank Him, more than ask Him "Are you still there?"

I want to be be on my hammock, enjoying fresh cold air, while I sip my tea. My husband will be there with me as we enjoy nature, music, and freedom.  I want laughter and happiness wherever I go. I want to be able make a house beautiful and pleasant.  I want to be able to say,  we have several houses, because I grew up staying in family owned house. I want to be able to go on vacation and sit on beaches not worrying about the next meal or the stresses of meeting people I don't want to deal with. I just want to be happy. Threading through life like a floating feather. I want to be someone who keeps her happiness and is surrounded by beauty and people and things she loves. I want to be that. 

Now that I have clarified what I want, I will just have to work on achieving that. This clarity is a good help to me. Thank you blogger for this exercise. 

Reblogged: How to prevent foreclosures

While browsing foreclosed property for sale by a bank, I chanced upon a condominium unit with a familiar unit number.  I checked my email and I found that the property being sold is the same property which was referred to me by its owner several years back, asking me if I could sell the unit within weeks. Since competition is tough in the area at that time with lots of development being sold, it was difficult to sell the property within the time frame provided by the client.

Now I am seeing it foreclosed and on sale.

How can a person eyeing to buy a condo unit avoid foreclosures?

First, before you buy, determine your end goal. Envision your end goal in mind. Are you buying because you want to lease? Are you buying because you are using the unit? Are you buying using bank financing or are you paying in cash? If you are paying using bank financing, how much are you supposed to be earning at the turn over date in order to pay your bank obligations?

Second, set realistic and conservative figures.
Look at your numbers and try to make assumptions based on your current or lowest income for the year. In looking at your monthly amortization payments, assume that only 1/3 of the income shall be available to pay for your monthly payments for a condo. That should be your guide as to how much you can invest for a unit of choice.

Third, check out your condo costs. You will be paying transfer fees, move in fees, and the monthly dues. Include this in your budget for the condo purchase.

Fourth, check your motivation? Are you in for the long term? Some condos are selling now for use later. You may be well off now but are you sure you are of the same financial capacity in 4 or 5 years from now? Refer to the second step and keep your numbers conservative.

Fifth, be mindful of your risk appetite. All investments have their respective risks. Make sure that you are entering an investment with open heart and mind. Set your expectations and limit the risks you can take depending on your age, current status, projected conservative earnings, and financial capacity.

Sixth, if you have already bought a property and you are sensing that you will not be able to pay within the next several months, you may: talk to the developer/seller and ask for a restructure of payment even before you default. Do not wait for a default payment and a demand letter from the developer/seller before you approach them.  The same is true with the bank. Negotiate a restructure term that is beneficial to both yourself and your bank.

Seventh, if there is already foreclosure proceedings, get a lawyer and try to pay the amount of the loan within 1 year from the time of the foreclosure sale. Buy back your property. Negotiate for a possible structure of settlement, if the bank or developer/seller will allow.

https://conveyancingph.blogspot.com/2019/03/how-to-prevent-foreclosures.html

Singapore for the couch potato

Hi! Last year we were able to tour some parts of Singapore in 1 day. We were able to see the Merlion and the Marina Bay in a limited time we were able to visit.

This year, my fiance was planning to propose to me and thought why not do it in Singapore. Since he booked 7 days there, I anticipated that we will be visiting more places in Singapore than the usual touristy area.

Day1: Fly to Singapore via Cebu Pacific Air and Scoot.
He flew with a friend to SG via Cebu Pacific Air, I flew via Scoot. I loved how comfortable and easy boarding was with Scoot and how they were keen on flying on time. That day we flew in late because of air traffic in Manila.

We checked in at Moni Gallery Hostel. This hostel had a rating of 6.5 out of 10 starts in several booking sites. It was our first time staying in a hostel and so we were accustomed to sharing rooms. We had to move into a private room with higher costs but still lower than staying in hotels. Bathrooms are in need of scrubbing. Since we had a very limited budget, we decided to maximize our stay. Breakfast is free. You can use hair blower and iron for clothes. Drinking water is available and they have an al fresco dining area at the back. If you read about rats in other booking sites, yes there were rats in the street at the back of the hostel but not in the hostel itself or the bedrooms so you're safe. The hostel is near Boon Keng Station and is a short bus ride to the Singapore downtown trail. Use google maps to check which buses go to the downtown and walk your way around the heart of SG.

Day 2: Visit Chinatown and a friend.

We woke up late because we were able to sleep at 3 am. The guys fetched me from the airport at around 2.30am . (I flew in from Manila via Scoot at 10pm). We went to Chinatown to check on the most affordable souvenirs. We found keychains selling at 42pieces for 10 SGD. We promised to go back there before we leave SG.



My meat noodles is 5SGD

We got so tired walking around the Chinatown during midday that we decided to head back to the hostel and sleep first and meet with a friend in the evening.

6pm we met with a friend at the downtown area. Went around Bugis street where we found merchandises which sell a lot cheaper in Chinatown. Then we rod the bus and went to Ang mo kio. We went to a park and stayed some time there to chat. Thereafter we went to Kembangan via bus to eat at Mac's Hawkerant. Food is delish. I tried a rose petal juice served there. We took away our leftover food which we were able to consume until we were about to leave SG.

Day 3. We decided to take the double decker bus. It was an experience new to us. I felt a bit dizzy at first looking at the street from the upper deck. We visited the Immaculate Conception Parish near Hougang.


View from the double decker bus


You will be walking around a lot in SG so wear comfy clothes and shoes.

Thereafter we visited Fort Canning and saw their outdoor escalator at SMU. We also tried entering the Singapore museum but we forgot our passports. SGD Museum Entrance 15 SGD plus bring your passport.

We hopped on the bus again to go back to the hostel to sleep after being so tired due to afternoon heat.

By 6pm we are out again to see the Merlion and Marina Bay.



Day 4: Visit Sentosa

We took the MRT to Harbor Front and dropped off at Vivo City. Then we transferred to the Sentosa Express. Price: SGD 4. That is the cost of 2 way trip via express. We were not able to ride anything there due to our limited budget. But we just walked around and see parts of Sentosa. We went to the Palawan beach and reached the southernmost part of Continental Asia. We may have missed on the other attractions of Sentosa, but reaching that southernmost part of Continental Asia is a milestone for me. #TheBestThingsAreFREE.

We went back again to the hostel to sleep while waiting for our companion who rode the cable car and visited Madame Tussaud's in SG. When he got back to the hostel, we prepared to visit the Gardens by the Bay. But we were not able to go there because we met with a friend who invited us to eat at the Makasutra's at Gluttons Bay. We were able to catch a glimpse of another side of the Marina Bay.


Day 5: Proposal and shopping.

So the fiance was able to find several beautiful place to do his proposal but because he missed those opportunities he decided to bring me again to the Marina bay in the morning. It was terribly hot when he knelt and popped the question. I said yes. The ring was also of smaller size. This proposal project of my fiance had lots of challenges but at the end of the day, we still got engaged. I realized that even if there are several things pushing us away from this moment: super limited funds going here that I thought of not going, having to move to a private room with a significant fee in a hostel which is still expensive for us, and frustrations because of unmet expectations while travelling, when God wants to bring something to fruition, He sends help. We got engaged and our hearts are thankful for the people who helped us in SG whom God sent.


Thereafter we went to Singapore Expo to show our friend the venue of the 2016 SFC Icon. Then we rushed to our shopping in Chinatown because one of us has a flight to Manila in the evening. (I really would love to go back to Manila because it is so expensive to stay but my flight is in 3 days more so I had to make do with what is available and be thankful for the opportunity to stay longer.)

After sending our friend off in Changi, we decided to explore the world's number 1 airport. We have read that Changi has lots of photo worthy spots but they may be beyond the immigration counter. We content ourselves with those available at the airport. We rode the airport express, watched the water sculpture at terminal 1, and walked around the airports. A friend met with us and treated us to dinner. I had beef noodles which is a bit spicy. We also tried the toasted croissant dessert with green tea at Ya Kun Kaya Toast (SGD 2 each). My fiance tried the Slide at Terminal 3 twice. You can get a ticket to ride the slide for every 10 dollars single receipt purchase at Changi. Simply exchange your receipt with a ticket at the information booth. We stayed in the airport for more than 3 hours and we never got bored. We rode the train to go to Serangoon where we can catch the purple line. But when we arrived at Serangoon, the last train going to Harbor Front has departed and we had to ride the bus. Our batteries are no longer working and we had no way to go back to the hostel via bus. I had a brilliant idea of checking the bus routes of those going to our stop and saw a bus going to Boon Keng. We rode it and alighted at the station but it was never familiar to us. It is hard to recognize buildings in the evening haha. We walked several blocks until we crossed a bridge. When we turn left and go back to where we come from, we will be going to Boon Keng. When we turn right, we will be going to Upper Boon Keng. In the end we decided to take a taxi to bring us to our destination 2 kilometers away. It may only be 2 kilometers away but being out in SG at 1 am with our batteries drained and no clue as to where we should go, an 8SGD expense on the taxi is acceptable to our already struggling resources haha.

Day 6. We went back to Hougang to visit an office in the morning. We rode the buses and realized that it is more affordable and relax taking the bus instead of the train. We also walked some beautiful neighborhoods near Highland Road and visited the Immaculate Conception Church for the second time to give thanks.

In the late afternoon we went back to Marina Bay Sands Shoppes and finally found the access to Gardens by the bay. The first time I read the map available at the information counter at the ground floor of Shoppes, my mind was occupied with guessing where and when will my fiance pop the question (haha I guessed he had plans) that I was so distracted while looking for the bridgeway to the gardens. Finally today, we found it and stayed until the light show at 8pm.

Day 7. Whole day train trip.

We chose to top up our MRT Cards and went to the trains and visit other areas of Singapore which are not in the tourist catalogs. We want to be immersed in Singapore. We took the green line to Joo Koon and rode the train to Tuas Link. SG is a beautiful and organized city-state and whatever you see in the touristy areas, on how organized their living spaces and gardens are, it is the same in any other part of the city. We wanted to drop off at the Chinese Garden but because it was raining hard that day, we content ourselves with sightseeing from the train. We also saw the Singapore Polytechnic University at Dover Station, and the Nanyang Technological University Campuses.  From the green line we rode the red line to visit Woodlands, had our late lunch/dinner, and went grocery shopping at Fair Price. We realized then that the prices of the drinks and other knick knacks are much cheaper in Fair Price than in the stores near our hostel where my fiance bought some stuff we need. Since we still have time,we rode the purple line to Punggol and tried to ride the gray line LRT.

We went back to the hostel more than 12 hours from when we started our train trip. We enjoyed sitting at the open spaces near the Punggol MRT station and realized that there is a sense of uniformity and organization in all of SG.

Day 8. Move out, check in, and flight home.

We checked out of the hostel at 12nn, after having our breakfast. We rode the taxi to the airport and weighed our baggages first. We left our baggage at the airport for 20SGD. Thereafter we rode the bus from Changi to Pasir Ris to visit the Divine Mercy Catholic Church. We had lunch at their community food court before heading back to the airport to check in and fly. Scoot flew on time while Cebu Pacific got delayed for 2 hours.

Always on the Sunny Side

There are several advantages of living in these beautiful Islands, we have the opportunity to go to as many Islands, swim beaches til we drop, get our tan from anywhere in the country, and enjoy diversity within short travel distances.

Nacpan Beach, El Nido

I consider Palawan as my second home. I have been travelling yearly to the Island Paradise and I enjoy the warmth of the sun, the peace of the beaches, and the sense of family with its people. El Nido is very special to me. When I first went there I thought the beaches covered in the Island Hopping trips are the only beautiful beaches I will see. I was sooo wrong. 

The whole Island of Palawan contains lots of beaches to choose from. Including this one, Nacpan Beach. The crazy thing? There are lots for sale near the beaches! 

Beach for sale 1 hectare

The dream of having a place to retreat to, to bring your family and friends over to enjoy the night talking, makes me excited to go back to Palawan and see more beaches. 

Located near the El Nido airport, this property has great income potential for investors looking to invest in this Paradise.

Property area: 1 hectare (10,000 sqm)

Price: 

$2,615,000

Travels from 2013 to 2016

Time flies so fast and I never realized that I haven't posted any travel blog post here.
Much of my posts are now on facebook. But blogging is my first love and it has been a stress reliever when I was still in Law School and facebook was still a foreign concept.

For the last 3 years I've been in several places so I will just briefly mention them here with some tips and details.

Year 2013
Places Visited:
Subic, Olongapo City, Zambales
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

2014
Puerto Princesa and El Nido, Palawan
Boracay
Rizal
Laguna
Lasam and Aparri, Cagayan Valley
Cauayan City, Isabela Province
Infanta, Quezon Province
Cagayan De Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Mindanao

2015
Puerto Princesa and El Nido, Palawan
Batangas City, Batangas
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija

2016
Singapore
Boracay
Laoag, Ilocos Norte

I realized I've been through a lot within the last 3 years. So here are my top 5 destinations

5. Vigan


Where I stayed: None. We were bound to Laoag for a conference so we decided to drop by Vigan and have some breakfast after 10 hours of land travel. After the conference, the group decided to drop by Vigan for last minute shopping. Most from the group went back to Manila from Vigan, some of us decided to stay and go back to Laoag for more tours.

Where I dined:

We dined at the Cordillera Inn for Filipino breakfast. Location: Along Calle Crisologo. It opens at 6 am.

What I bought: Some Ilocos Vinegar
What I liked: Old houses
What I didn't like: Too many people. There are lots of people visiting when we went there because of the conference.


4 Boracay

Where I stayed: Isla Gecko at Station 2
Where I dined: Isla Gecko at Station 2
What I bought: Food mostly
What I liked: Isla Gecko is near the beach, not beachfront though. It is a decent accommodation. We were able to eat at the common dining area. We bought food from eateries in the residential area to save on cost. I initially thought they allow cooking, turns out what I read in other reviews are wrong. No cooking in this accommodation. I love that I was able to bring my granny to Boracay.

What I didn't like: Boracay is costly. Lots of fees to pay at the terminal before we can reach Boracay. I have my 83 year old granny with me. No senior discounts, no student discounts. Our fees paid to the terminal at Caticlan is higher than our total fare and more than the daily accommodation rate.

Tips:
Book at least a year in advance. I was able to bring 8 people in Boracay when I got a promo fare to Kalibo for only P2,800. Fare to Caticlan from Kalibo is only 100 pesos. Don't believe those who offer 250 or 200.

On my first visit in 2012, I paid 200 per person for aircon van. During my second visit in 2014, I paid 250 pesos to a person who said it will cover the boat and other fees; of course he tricked me, I got to shell out 400 pesos for the entire trip.

Now, 2016, on my third visit, I brought the group to the terminal going to Caticlan, I paid only 100 pesos per person for non-aircon van. When we went back, the van offered 150 per person, i agreed. When we reached Kalibo airport, we saw other passengers paying only 100 pesos. So we were again tricked into agreeing for a higher amount.

So be firm. Pay only 100. Trip is only 2 hours away. It is near, shouldn't be worth more than 200.
Also, Caticlan airport is going to open soon. So those drivers should lower their costs. Best for us visitors to go to the now bigger Caticlan airport.

3 Laoag, Ilocos Norte

Laoag Airport

Where I stayed: Isabel Suites



Isabel Suites where walk ins stay


Isabel Suites across the other Isabel Suites where those who booked online stay.

Where I dined: La Preciosa. I visited more than thrice during my entire stay.


A dining table at La Preciosa. Delicious Ilocos food served at your table.


La Preciosa Menu


Explored the market and found this work of art. Made of mangosteen skin and corn husks. I asked the maker what this is for, she said they are selling this for funerals. Funeral wake is from 9 days to a month here so the funeral "flowers" should be able to last longer.


Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, now easily accessible from the main road than when I first visited in 2011.

What I liked: The food. The people. The Beach. The sites.
What I didn't like:  I was not able to stay on the Blue lagoon beach for lack of time.

Tips:
There are 2 sand dunes in Laoag - Paoay San Dunes and La Paz Sand Dunes. Bring sunblock and dark glasses. It hurts the eyes looking at the horizon. The sunlight is reflected by the sand.

If you have a van, tour Pagudpud, Laoag, and Vigan. Pagudpud can be explored in half a day, spend the afternoon til the evening on the beach in Blue Lagoon. Hannah's is expanding in Pagudpud but there are still afforable beach front accommodations in the area. Stay for a few days. This is much more quiet than Boracay.

If you want to go on a trike tour, contact Mang Amor at 09195712905. He is trustworthy.

Bugnay wine is the best tasting wine in the north. Ours in the Southern Tagalog (Lambanog) is bitter. Theirs in the north is sweet. Ask Mang Amor to buy you some when you visit. Cost is much less than buying it in Vigan.


2 Palawan, Puerto Princesa

1. Palawan, El Nido

Matinloc, El Nido



El Nido

Where I stayed:
In El Nido, I stayed at Smile Lodge. 09984952384 | 09063771599
In Puerto Princesa, I usually stay at EJ Pension House 09175532900 (I go here almost yearly)

Both accommodations allow cooking. To save on cost in El Nido, buy your food in Puerto Princesa and cook it in El Nido. Don't worry about your food in the tours, food is included and the islander chef are great at pleasing the palate.

For El Nido tour, I recommend Islanen Tours (https://www.facebook.com/IslanenOutdoors). Their group is ever mindful of safety and enjoyment of their customers.

Where I dined: Kinabuch  In Puerto Princesa, Chao Long restaurants at the back of the Capitol,

What I liked: Palawan has become familiar to me. I made friends and toured El Nido twice. I now look forward to going to Coron.

What I didn't like: As with all other places, there are times when you will meet people who are dishonest.

How to move on and stay young

Thoughts of a Happy Almost 30 year old Lady with no plans of Dying in Vain

Just got back to Manila from a weekend of praise and worship with CFC-Youth for Christ.  Nope, I am not a YFC alumni, neither am I a part of a dynamic team of couple coordinator duo; neither an overstaying YFC.

I am a Singles for Christ who happens to be with a partner who loves his CFC Community so much. He grew in the community from YFC and moved on to SFC.  Now he aspires to be a CFC Couple Coordinator for YFC when the time comes for us to move to CFC.

The YFC experience is awesome. I felt God's loving presence there. I saw how much joy the Couple Coordinators have in sharing, loving, and taking care of the teenage and no longer teenage YFCs. I thought, I would like to be sharing the same love to YFCs when and if we will be called to serve there. I observed, there are people who are having a hard time moving on to SFC because they fell deeply in love with their YFC family.  For my YFC brothers and sisters and to those who, at one point, had a hard time moving on with life, here are my 5 points on how to move on and stay young.

1.  Be happy where you are
It sounds simple. But it is not. It takes acceptance of one's fate, and the outcome of the decisions made in the past to make peace with everything that has happened and is happening in one's life.  Being happy where you are does not mean that you remain in one place where you felt loved and happy, it means that as you go along the path of life, you get to be happy as you move along.

2. Look back but do not stay back
The past may be filled with happy memories and it may look so much better back in the day when all your concerns focus on studies, crushes and your college to do list.  I had an organization in college that I go back to every once in a while.  It feels great to be back and to reminisce the memories, but I will never be that college girl again.  So I look back and help out the organization, but I do not stay back.  We must understand that staying back is somehow an act of selfishness.  We must be able to grow so that we can go and help back, that is selflessness.  We look back while we grow, serve back, but never stay back.

3.  Love God, love your neighbor, love yourself.
It is lovely to serve God and others, but if you do not take care of yourself what can you give to glorify God's Kingdom.  Perhaps getting sick may give a lesson to others and that would amount to service, but isn't it better to serve God and others with a healthy mind, body and soul?  To love oneself is to see yourself beyond what is comfortable.  To love oneself is to make sacrifices so you will grow into a better person. How do you give Glory to God? First you love yourself and become a better person, then share the love you have to other people.  Glorify God with what you have become and with the good works you do.

4.  Learn to accept Love so you can give it.

To love is to give and to let yourself accept Love. As God's children, God loves us everyday, every moment of our lives.  We accept God's love daily even if we are not aware of it.  We will be able to joyfully give love when we acknowledge that we are loved greatly, enough for a God to leave His God nature to become a man and die on the Cross.

5.  Move on to the next level, and never forget you are God's Beloved.
You move on with life, get old, and remain young.  Because you know you are loved by God, you should never be afraid to become old.  Getting older, being able to do more things, meeting new people, and being given the opportunity to love more show that God has been faithful to you. You are loved, and nothing can separate you from the Love of God.

So move on with life, say goodbye and thank you to your past and create new memories as you enjoy the present.  It could be a new job, a new lovelife, move on to the SFC of CFC Community, transferring to another school, whatever moving on means to you, do not forget that you are Loved. And because we know we are loved, all fears of moving on and getting old is driven away by that Love.

Move on na mga kapatid. Tapos na ang YFCICon. Kung 21 years old and up ka na, move on ka na sa SFC naman. Grow in God's love. Happy Lent!

Thoughts on happiness, negatrons, and 30

Life is short. At almost 30, whenever I think of death, I count the years I have left.  Assuming I have until 80 years old, I still have 50.  But if I will be looking at the average life span that ends at 60, I have only 30.

So what will I do with the remaining 30-50 years of my life. My first 30 years are characterized by the continuous need to be appreciated by people around me.  I almost always ask myself whenever faced with a decision "What will my mom/other people/friends say if I do this or that?"  It clouds my judgement specially on things that make me happy. 

Where do I find happiness:

I find happiness in travelling; in serving my clients; in sitting on an ultra comfy sofa while cuddling Iya; or touching a dog's head while I read a good book. Children's laughter. The successes of those I love. Service to my brethren in God's kingdom. Sunrises and sunsets on the beach. Holding hands. Hugs. Love. The bits of happiness in my life. Fleeting bits that I treasure.

Our life is symbolized by the small dash in between our date of birth and date of death on our tombstone.  It is short, plain, and straight. In reality it is not, for us it is not. It is marked with happiness and tears, triumph and disappointments, heartbreaks and forgiveness.  It is one great journey with lots of friends and events.  But at the end of the day, all of it will end.


Life, like death, cannot be postponed. So while we still have time, enjoy Life. Do what makes you happy in accordance to God's plan. Love and serve the Lord. And cherish the life you have.

So for all the negatrons in life who keep themselves busy criticizing and poring over other people's happy lives, GO GET YOURSELF A LIFE.  Start by acknowledging that you cannot be happy without God. Have faith that the way to fulfillment will be shown to you.


For me, I will just keep away from those who try to snatch my happiness with their negatron effects.

--------------------------------------------
Get to know Jesus Christ who Loves you so much in the these Christian Life Programs for Singles for Christ WestB5C (Loreto Parish and St Jude)

Schedule:

Our Lady of Loreto Parish, Legarda-Bustillos Manila, every Fridays, 7pm to 10pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Contact
Ace: 09497117065
Eliza: 09178717724

The National Shrine of St Jude Thaddeus, Malacanang Complex, Manila, every Saturdays, 7pm to 10pm

Contact:
Berl:  09983023403
Laarni:  09165237275

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan: The City of the Living God

Note: This trip was made as Yolanda (Typhoon Haiyan) slammed on the Eastern Visayas and made its way to Coron, Palawan.

Going places during typhoons do not really terrify me, that is if the typhoon is heading south while I am heading north as was the case when a friend and I went to Ilocos in 2011. However, the thought that a super typhoon is headed towards Visayas made me uncomfortable.  Yes, Palawan is not part of the Visayas in terms of regional numbering, but it is in the path of any typhoon going through the region.

My brother and her girlfriend went to Puerto Princesa (hereinafter referred to as: PPC) some 2 weeks before our trip, when the skies are clear and the sun is generous with sunshine.  Believing that Palawan is a safe place in Typhoons as mentioned by those they met during their trip, he advised that whatever I plan to do, to go or not, is my call.

Days before the trip, I was closely monitoring Air Asia Zest's announcement whether the flight would be cancelled.  It was not. And with a frightened heart, I went with my beau onto that plane that would challenge the edge of Yoland's clouds.


We were the only passengers to fly from Terminal 4 that day

It started to rain as we start to take off from Terminal 4

It was a bumpy on the air, and the Air Asia pilot did a great job safely bringing us to Palawan. When we left, PPC is under signal number 1. When we arrived, it was already under signal no. 3.  We were the only passengers that day, ours is the lone plane. Coron (Extreme northern Palawan) was greatly battered by Haiyan the next day. After our flight, all flights for Palawan were cancelled for 2 days.

First order of the day is get a room. We went to EJ Pension house.  The beau kept in touch with its owner to check on the weather in PPC.  We got our supplies from Robinsons Mall to last us the rest of our stay in PPC.  For those going, you can buy your supplies from the market and cook it at EJ.  Cooking your food is free; if you request them to cook for you, you will provide the food and pay Php 75 for cooking. Room is at 1,600 for 2 nights. It is near the airport, around 2 minutes via tricycle.  Also a short drive to the Capitol, the market, the mall. If you are going to Robinsons from EJ, ride the trike going to the jeepney stop and ride going to Lourdes. It rained heavy on our 1st and 2nd day. But we were able to tour the city even on the rainy day.


Robinsons Puerto Princesa

Day 2: City walking tour

I love doing the city tour walking. It rained hard that day but we kept moving. EJ Pension provided us with umbrellas we can use.

From the EJ, we took a trike to the Capitol which was open on a Saturday. Personnel were busy packing goods to be sent to Coron.











The relief operations at the Capitol

Thereafter, we walked towards the Palawan Museum. Entrance fee: Php 50 per person

It is a 2 storey museum in an old structure. Electric fans abound the area. There are information on the native medicinal practices, animals found in Palawan, and dialects.










Jewelry made of shells


Walking further, we reached the Immaculat Concepcion Cathedral.



A beautiful structure dedicated to our Lady of the Immaculate Concepcion. I feel at home with the Blessed Mother in this wonderful city.







I like the detail of the ceiling, carved roses for the Lady.


Nearby is the Port. From there, we walked towards the Baywalk.

It rained as Yolanda is still passing through Palawan.





I am enjoying sitting here as I see the clouds caress the mountains.


The mountains as seen from the Baywalk



It started to rain so the mountains are hidden from rain clouds. In the mean time, here is the Puerto Princesa symbol: The Peacock as the clouds hide the mountains behind it.





From the Baywalk, we visited the local market and bought some longganisa. Then we took the trike ride to EJ Pension.

It rained hard that night.

Day 3: Honda Bay


How to go to Honda Bay without paying lots to the Trike if you are travelling alone or with a companion?

From EJ Pension, ride the trike to multicab terminal: Php 8 pesos per person
Take multicab going to Lourdes (Honday Bay): Php 28 per person; 30 minutes travel time



The rates can be divided into the number of guests per boat.
We were able to to with a family of 4 to the islands thus less cost. We visited Starfish, Luli and Cowrie Islands. The price does not include the environment fee and terminal fee. You will have to pay the entrance fee on the islands.

The boat at Honda Bay







STARFISH ISLAND

• Lots of starfish
• Only 1 shed to hide from the sun.
• Picturesque
• Php 50 pesos entrance fee per person
• Starfish can be seen from above water. lots of sea gulls too.

The starfish in warm water

Next Stop: LULI ISLAND

• Entrance fee: 60 pesos

Swim area: Lifevest required

White sand

The boatmen said that during the storm they were able to go to the islands. This is taken a day after Yolanda passed by North Palawan.

Last stop: COWRIE ISLAND

You should be on the Island before 1pm for the buffet lunch. We arrived by 2pm, thus no lunch for us. Good thing we had bananas on board the boat. We content ourselves with bananas and water. The Island, the beach, and the water are so pleasant we forget about lunch.

You can order from the Cowrie restos. The Island closes at 5pm. Entrance fee is 100 php (?).  I forgot.

Shower areas

Dining area

The sea

I am so tired after, we tried going to the Baywalk to have some night biking but I really want to go back home. The family who went with us on this Honday Bay trip went to catch the firefly watching. Will do that when I get back in April. 

Day 4: 

The next day, we woke up to resume getting to know the City. There are still other areas we have not reached and we are eager to go. Also, I am visiting a friend. 

That morning, we cooked breakfast and ate with gusto at the EJ Pension house Kubo Dining area. 

Across this is the kitchen.

The kitchen has a stove for cooking, utensils, plates, cups, and a refrigerator.  That day, some personnel are busy trimming the mango tree (right side).  They are just above the roof, cutting some branches.

EJ Provides for hangers for your clothes. Ours we hanged just outside our door. Good Job EJ for taking care of guests like family. Arman and I give you 5stars! We will be back there on April 2014.

From EJ, we took the trike to the Multi cab terminal and boarded one going to Sta Monica.  It is near Sta Monica where Puerto Princesa City Hall and Palawan state University is located. I was keen on seeing the butterfly garden but PSU personnel said there is no such garden. My googlemap failed on this one. 

Near PSU is Mitra Sports Complex. 

Peaceful walk at PSU sides towards Mitra Sports

From RVM Sports, we walked uphill towards the City Hall

The City hall sits on top of a hill. Landscape garden will greet the weary traveller.

After staying for some time in the City Hall, we took a trike to bring us to Sta Monica Ranch a.k.a Mitra's Ranch.  The ranch closes at 6pm. 

From the ranch, we walked the evening to Baker's Hill where we got some hopia.  It is a great date place of landscaped gardens, lush greens, and a view of Puerto Princesa city.

Afterwards, dinner at Kinabuchs and nightlife at TIKI Bar near the Capitol.

 The next day, fly to Manila

Until next year Puerto Princesa City. ^_^