Is This Love? (Part VI) - Her Version

"MISCHANCE"

It’s 11 o’clock in the evening

She pulled her memory stick

Her sister said “let’s go”

She answered “last two minutes”.

The older sister finished her biz

Then settled in one corner

Inserted a pair of earpiece

It’s Papa Jack’s love advice.

She looked at the clock

And revisited her FB account

Nothing seemed interesting

In news feed or pinned posts.

She turned to callout box

Clicked the message button

With a simple greeting

She sent to a strange guy.”

Upon opening the message box

She saw the word “typing…”

Paused for a moment

Eyes frozen on the screen.

In not less than a minute

The word “typing” disappeared

She was surprised to realize

There was no reply to a simple “Hi.” 

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Is This Love? - His Version (Part VI)

"MISCHANCE"

It’s 11 o’clock in the evening

The memory stick was pulled

His brother said “Thank you”

And just jumped into his bed.

The big brother was stunned

By long unproductive hours   

He laid on his single bed

Bored but without a choice.

He looked at the clock

And rushed to the screen

He saw a single numeral

Inside a small red callout.

He clicked the shoutout

And saw a girl’s name

Beneath it is a simple “Hi”

Waiting for his reply.

Without much thinking

He pressed the keyboard

Oblivious of the scarcity

Happening in his battery.

The multi-coloured monitor

Suddenly turned black

He was millisecond late

To respond with a short “Hello.”

To be continued...

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My Bucket List as of January 2016

Few years ago, I had entries about my personal dreams and goals. Some have already been ticked. Others are yet to be realized. A few ones are no longer thought-provoking. Inspired by Krissy’s Ultimate Bucket List 2016, I have decided to list down my dreams and goals once again. Procrastination has always been a major snag for me. This list, I believe, will help me stay focused and stimulated to pursue the desires of my heart. This is going to be a mixture of old and new dreams; a blend of attainable and ambitious; a combination of short-term and long-term goals.

(Drum Roll)

Business/Financial Goals:

Consistently follow my “Income Allocation System.”

Be Debt Free.

Expand existing business.

Learn stock market technical analysis.

Earn from blogging.

Attend business-related seminars.

Own a travel agency.

Invest more in FarmOn or Agricultural-related industry.

Invest in Insurance and Mutual Fund.

Operate a food park Filipino style.

Spiritual/Service Goals:

Read three chapters in the bible everyday

Watch inspirational videos daily.

Pray seriously upon waking up and before sleeping.

Attend mass more often with family.

Bring more people to “The Feast.”

Donate to various charitable institutions.

Send someone to school.

Constantly support church activities for construction of a new church.

Create more jobs with rewarding income.

Teach people basic but effective financial planning.

Give gifts to loved ones in all special occasions.

Visit an orphanage.

Organize a party for homeless people.

Join a pilgrimage to Holy Land.

Provide financial assistance to new mothers of Fabella Hospital.

Teach a kid basic skills or academic-related.

Promote Quezon Province as a tourist destination.

Support and promote Expos.

Promote volunteerism.

Relationship Goals:

Treat my mother monthly.

Massage my father every night.

More sundates with the whole family.

Have a monthly date with my cousins.

Have a regular communication with close friends.

Try new things with friends.

Have annual travel adventures with family and friends.

Spend more quality time with my godchildren.
Attend the Feast with family and friends.

Health/Fitness Goals:
Wake up at 5:15 am everyday.
Exercise daily for 10 minutes.
Limit coffee intake to only one cup a day.
Soda is allowed once a week.
Bike once a week.
Enjoy Zumba dancing at home every weekend.
Run on a treadmill once a month.
Eat more fruits and veggies.

Simple Activities/Extreme Adventure Goals:

Organize a retirement party for my father.

Organize 60th birthday of my mother.

Celebrate Chinese New Year in Binondo.

Renovate our house.

Have a cozy backyard.

Own a mini farm.
Try ride revolution.

Have full body massage.

Have hair treatment whenever necessary.

Win in a raffle promo.

Learn to play drums.

Color an adult coloring book.

Collect toys.

Have a photobook of all my travels.

Have a photobook of family pictures.
Compose a song.
Create a blog for my college friends.

Write an inspirational article in a broadsheet.

Finish story version of “The Last Man Standing.”

Complete poem version of “The Last Man Standing.”

Create a comic version of “The Last Man Standing.”

Make “The Last Man Standing” into a short film.

Write a book.

Have movie marathon inside a camping tent.

Watch at least 10 or more movies every year.

Watch at least 3 Filipino-made stage play every year.

Watch Eat Bulaga live.

Watch a concert near the stage.

Watch a movie in Director’s Club Cinema and 4DX Cinema at UP Town Center

Watch Aliwan Festival.

Watch a fashion show.
Watch dance battle.

Witness various Philippine Festivals.

Witness a movie shoot.

Watch Cebu Dancing Inmates groove.
See Aurora Borealis

Experience Night Sky Cinema.

Experience Antipolo’s nightlife.

Staycation in a 5-star hotel.

Spend a night in a private resort on top of a mountain.

Laugh in a comedy bar.

Be part of the production team of an independent film.

Visit more museums.

Visit more old and historical churches.

Watch a volleyball finals match.

Witness Olympic games.

Get spa treatment.

Play in snow.

Ride a carabao.

Ride an elephant.

Ride extreme rides in an amusement park.

Try target shooting.

Experience archery.

Bike on air.

Ice Skate.

Solve a mystery challenge.

Join a fun run.

Go Kart Racing.

Have selfie in Edge Coaster

Zorb.

Ride Habal-Habal.

Walk in a hanging bridge DONE @ Masungi Georeserve 3.12.2017

Climb a mountain.

More zipline adventure.

Go mud karting.

Explore caves (1) Sumaguing Cave 

Bike on air (Anicycle)

Have a selfie in an edge coaster

Overcome Giant Swing.
Selfie at man-made spider web DONE @ Masungi Georeserve 3.12.2017

Glamping.
Paraglide.

Rappel.

Skywalk.

Wall climb.

Bungee Jump/Plunge.

Feel the breeze in Fly Fish.

Ride PNR train.

Ride Pasig river ferry.

Ride 4x4 ride to Mt. Pinatubo.

Tour Albay thru ATV.

Tour Batanes thru biking.

Day Tour Subic.

Day Tour Tagaytay

Trek Cavinti Falls.

Parasail.

Walk on sandbar.
Watch whale shark. 

Get wet in water tube.

Bathe in kawa.

Watch the sunset in Manila Bay cruise.

Watch dolphins.

Watch a fire dance on the sea shore.

Watch the sunrise in a beach.

Bathe in hot and cold spring.

Food Adventure Goals:

Food trip in Binondo

Food trip in Maginhawa Street

Food trip in Pasig Kapitolyo.

Food trip in Lilac St., Marikina

Food trip in Tagaytay

More Cebu lechon
Lechon Belly

Ripe mango of Guimaras

Ice cream from various ice cream parlors
Estrel's Caramel Cake

Palabok of Little Quiapo

Torta delos Reyes Sansrival of Aristocrat Bakeshop

Fresh cow’s milk
Lasagna of Bhest Lasagna

Tornado Peri-peri Chicken 
Cheesecake by Maria's Kitchen Manila

Authentic mang inasal of Iloilo

Dine in at Loboc river cruise

Dine in at Don Henrico’s

Dine in at 100 Revolving Restaurant

Dine in at Caffé Piansa 04.02.2017

Dine in at Chef Laudico Guevarra’s Buffet Restaurant

Dine in at Sky High Bar, Ace Hotel and Suites, Pasig

Dine in at Spiral, Sofitel Hotel, Manila

Dine in at Movie Stars Cafe

Travel Goals:

NCR:

Venice Piazza, Taguig - 03.21.2016

Circuit Makati

Solaire Resort and Casino, Pasay

The Henry Hotel Manila, Pasay

Robinson’s Magnolia

Rockwell, Makati

Art in Island, Cubao

Bamboo Organ in St. Joseph Parish Church, Las Piñas

Manila Ocean Park

Yexel’s Museum, Las Piñas

Mystery Manila, Libis

Future Park, Makati

Malabon Zoo

Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay

Music Museum/Teatrino, San Juan

Centerstage, MOA

Luzon:

Batanes Island

Callao Cave, Cagayan 
Palaui Island, Cagayan

Sagada, Mt. Province - DONE (April 21-24, 2016)

Puerto del Sol Resort, Bolinao, Pangasinan

Anawangin, Nagsasa Cove, Capones and Potipot Island, Zambales

Thunderbird Resort, La Union
Monasterio de Tarlac, Tarlac

Kart City, Tarlac
Sandbox, Porac, Pampanga

Corregidor, Bataan
San Rafael River Adventure, Bulacan

Philippine Arena, Bulacan

Pinto Museum, Antipolo 04.02.2017

Hinulugang Taktak, Antipolo
Masungi Georeserve, Tanay, Rizal 03.12.2017

Pililla Wind Farm, Rizal 03.12.2017

Ten Cents to Heaven, Tanay, Rizal

Calaruega, Batangas

Fortune Island, Batangas

Casita Ysabel, Batangas
Nuvali, Laguna

Mountain Peek Resort, Laguna

Rizal Shrine, Calamba, Laguna
Cavinti Falls, Laguna

Villa Escudero, Laguna
Puzzle Museum, Tagaytay
Taal Lake, Tagaytay, Cavite
Aguinaldo Shrine, Cavite
Caleruega, Nasugbu, Batangas
Balesin Island, Quezon

Padre Burgos, Quezon
Cresta de Gallo, Sibuyan Island, Romblon

Bellarocca, Marinduque

Maniwaya Island, Marinduque

Palawan Island

Mayon Volcano, Albay

Calaguas, Camarines Norte

Caramoan, Camarines Sur

Visayas:

Kawasan Falls, Badian, Cebu
Tumalog Falls, Oslob, Cebu

Chocolate Hills, Bohol
Mahogany Forest, Bohol

Loboc River, Bohol

Rolling Hills, Nagtipunan, Quirino
Calanggaman Island, Leyte
Sambawan Island, Leyte

Mac Arthur Landing National Park, Leyte

San Juanico Bridge, Samar/Leyte

The Ruins, Negros Occidental
Campuestohan Highalnd Resort, Negros Occidental
Manjuyod White Sandbar, Dumaguete City
Lakowon Island, Bacolod

Gigantes Island, Iloilo
Guimaras Island, Panay

Mindanao:

Camiguin Island
Enchanted River, Surigao del Sur

Tinuy-an Falls, Surigao del Sur

Siargao Island

Dahilayan, Bukidnon

Rivers of Cagayan de Oro

Camiguin Island
Aliwagwag Falls, Davao

Buenavista Island Resort, Davao City

Abroad:

Join a pilgrimage in Jerusalem

Be like a child in HongKong Disneyland
Witness Loy Krathong, Thailand

Skate on Ice in Korea

Experience Spring in Japan
Shiver in Formula Rossa, Dubai

Ride an elephant in Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Witness Dubai Fountain

Explore Santorini Greece

Selfie in St. Peter’s Cathedral, Russia

Set foot in Eiffel Tower

Hear mass at St. Peter Basilica, Rome

See Christ the Redeemer in Brazil up close
Slide at Kandersteg Alpine Slide, Switzerland

Pass by Golden Gate Bridge

See Grand Canyon, Arizona

Walk on Great Wall of China

Stay in Fairmont Hotel, Canada

Freeze in Niagara Falls, Canada
Pass by in Jasper Skywalk Canada
See Aurora Borealis, Canada/Norway

Hear mass at Sagrada Familia, Spain
Stroll at Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland, California

Things to Buy:

Folding bike
Hula hoop
Jigsaw puzzle

Handy camera

DVD

Toys

Washing Machine

Watch
Rashguard
Running shoes

Oven

Heavy duty mixer

Food processor

Personal car

More jeans and shirts

Flat screen tv

Watch

Aircondition

Play station

Hair dryer

Truck and jeep for business

Sala set
A bed designed by Woodstackph
Two Story house with backyard

The End (for now).

But dreams constantly occupying your thoughts are nothing without faith and action. I am aware that I have to supplement my bucket list with perseverance and hardwork. Strive to be an eager beaver. With God’s grace, I believe, these dreams will be fulfilled…in its own time…in God’s time…One step at a time. 

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This Blog is not Dead

This time last year, I shared an iota of the remarkable events that I experienced in 2014. Today, billions of people are actively engage in various social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to personal stuff and be updated with the hottest news in town. I’m no exception. But this crib is not dead.  After a lengthy hiatus, I’m going to speak once again with words supplemented with mixed emotions converted into a blog entry. 

Dissecting 2015

I splashed out money on major health issues. It was a lot and mostly severe cases. Normally, we look at the mirror to inspect our look and fix what needs to be fixed. Many times during my virus-infected days, I would look at the mirror to view the nasty transformation of my appearance. Sadly, there was no quick fix. Here are my top three worst health cases last year:

Stye. I had the most awful and excruciating stye that lasted for many weeks. My brother’s shades became my best buddy. Mind you, when the pain has started to spread almost all over my face, I consulted two different ophthalmologists from two different hospitals to be certain I got the right medication.

Infection. My middle finger underwent a minor operation. Because I was too coward; because I was too unmindful of my mother’s advice; because I didn’t want to seek doctor’s assistance; because I chose to follow my “not so wise prescription”… the pain I was enduring for several days became unbearable that only a minor operation can stop the infection from further damage. 

Dengue. Just when a huge financial crisis started to haunt us, I had skin allergy, UTI and a severe case of dengue all happened in almost two weeks. While consulting a doctor  and undergoing blood testing for two consecutive days, I was also continuously rejecting medical professionals' recommendation to have myself admitted in the hospital. I thought I was superman that only kryptonite can take my life. And then, boom! On one Thursday night, flat red rashes occupied my whole skin. The itchiness of the rashes was complemented with on and off high fever. I had the most bothering sleepless evening ever. And after five days of cheating myself, my doctor’s trembling voice on our second meeting finally convinced me to have serious monitoring and treatment in the hospital. 

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 I had a lot of travel plans that went pear-shaped including a birthday getaway in Tarlac, Tanay or Tagaytay. I wanted to experience kart racing in Tarlac, feel the rush and gratify my need for speed; or walk on mountains and see the world on top of it. If I only I knew what others were thinking, I should have followed my collective plans. Admittedly, I have not overcome this bitterness even up to this day. Para akong nanakawan pero hindi ko pwedeng ireport sa pulis. Ganon! Pak! But I will move on and forget this eventually.

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I was my mother’s right hand; a shoulder to cry on; her support system. In the 4^th quarter of 2015, financial crisis were left and right. Though not a personal problem, I couldn’t take away myself from it. But with the help of God even in the worst of times I was able to put on a brave face. I guess, through the years I've become more patient and resilient. Sometimes ‘the not so good events’ in our lives are blessings in disguise.

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In my Novena to God’s Love, I wrote: I want to send someone to school. It is still unclear if God has already answered my prayer in the person of a twenty year old high school graduate who wanted to take up a vocational course. Last year, while my mother was desperately juggling our finances, I was using a part of our income from our micro business to help support this young man in finding a job. He wanted to take the opportunity to work and earn while enrollment is still far. I supported him to the best of my ability. It was not only physically draining but financially challenging as well. Two months later, he was able to find a job. The whole process was a test of character. I refuse to stop there. I pray that the Lord will continue to give us patience and strength so we can guide him in his journey towards the achievement of his ultimate dream - to give his own family a better life. 

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In 2015, I realized that my connection with my closest friends has started to narrow. Our eagerness to see each other was no longer as high as compared to the days when most of us were still single and ready to mingle. Sometime in August, an older sister of a dear friend died of cancer. The night before my birthday, some of us had a mini reunion in a wake. Ironically, this sad event made us gather. Fast forward, we met again last December 30 just to catch up and simply chillax. We had dinner, watched an MMFF entry and spent the night in our living room. We were only three but our voices were equivalent to eight. Lol! I also made it a point to see some of my college friends and a former colleague before 2015 ends. Just so our bond will not be completely broken. Ganun yata talaga kapag tumatanda na…tapos may FB pa. :(   

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On a happier note, in April 2015, together with some relatives and a couple of high school friends, I stepped on the grounds of Ilocos. It was the longest road trip I ever had in my entire life. Yes, it’s a long travel and a very tiring one but it’s worth it. The 4x4 Adventure and Sandboarding at La Paz Sand Dunes awaken the thrill-seeker in me. It was pure adrenaline rush. Nonetheless, my most favorite. It was like riding a roller coaster without any protective device. Just hold on tight and call all angels in heaven to protect you. Lol! Kidding aside, Ilocos is a place that offers buffet of things you can do in Ilocos – from exhilarating adventures to historical sites to nature trip. This travel vacation was made extra special for me because I had relatives and friends all in high spirit in one frame. I was the happiest, indeed.

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Of course, my year wouldn’t be complete without attending “The Feast” with my cousins. Nothing beats the feeling of praying and worshiping the Lord beside a loved one. After The Feast, we would eat together and stroll together and take selfies until the sun goes down. Unfortunately, our Sundates were fewer last year. Hope 2016, will be different.  

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To sum it up, 2015 had legion of thorny issues. In the middle of my post, I mentioned bitterness. Honestly, I feel guilty for not allowing myself to completely forgive and forget. This 2016, I hope and pray that I will overcome. The truth is, I have a lot of things to be thankful for in 2015. I've learned to see Christ in different people specially in times of difficulty. In the scripture Matthew 11:28 it says “ Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” God was physically present in every moment I was in pain. I felt God’s presence in my mother’s loving arms when I was hospitalized and at my weakest point. I felt God’s presence in my doctor's genuine compassion to help me get well and lighten our hospital expenses. I felt God’s presence in all medical professionals I met when there was something unusual happening in my system. I felt God’s presence when I have peace of mind under any circumstances. I was never alone in my battle that's why it's perfectly fine to rest. God is good all the time. Kudos 2015!

Cheers to more peaceful, healthier and happier 2016!

To God be the Glory!

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