THE POWER OF 10

October 28, 2013 | Tagaytay | Diamond 2008

Before anything else, this post would not be posted or even created if not by one of my closest friends, Faith. Hands down to one of the most beautiful and simplest girl I’ve ever known. Naks! Epekto ng libre! Hehehe. So Faith, thank you! 

The birthday girl! Photo grabbed from her IG account

The gang decided to celebrate Faith’s birthday in Tagaytay. Not too far and not too near from the chaotic city of Calamba. Tasting the best bulalo and the best coffee, and feeling the cold breeze of the city. Gaaaaad, this is such a happy place! But you guys might probably think that we’re not responsible citizens huh. We went to our respective voting precinct first before we headed to this trip. J

Representing the magic 10! Nona, Rochelle, Leomel, Krizia, Bernard, Julie, Oliver, Katrina, me, and of course, Faith!

Do you agree that the best part of any trip happens while you’re on transit? Say yes, please? These are the moments when you’re just too busy reminiscing good times and sharing good laughs instead of sitting and being bored waiting for you to arrive on your destination. These are the moments when you unexpectedly meet a person who will try to ruin your day, yet you find something funny and adventurous about him/her. These are the moments when you don’t care giving out your loudest laughter and your boldest opinion in a public vehicle without thinking that other people are starting to rolled their eyes on you. The moment when you almost get into a fight against an ill-tempered passenger. I.CAN.RELATE!!!!

Our first stop is Krizia’s most recommended bulaluhan. We got dismayed upon seeing the place, maybe because it’s not what we all imagined. Ngunit nagpakilala ang Bulalo! Served with rice and dilis, plus soda with free pineapples and bananas, I can see my tummy forming a smiling face! Hehehe. 

After our late lunch/early merienda, we, kids-at-heart, headed to Sky Ranch. Too bad they’re not able to experience the Ferris wheel which is said as the country’s largest observation wheel. We spent few hours there and headed to our next destination, Picnic Grove.

My girls: (L to R: Faith, Julie, Kathy, me, Krizia, Rochelle and Nona)

This girl must be very clingy. You think so?

The gang minus the photographer

The country's largest observation wheel. Too bad they weren't able to try this big thing. 

Okay. Let's call this the "buwis-buhay" group picture. Our photographer is literally in the middle of the hiway just to get this shot perfectly. 

Well, what I love about hanging out with these people is that, everything is not planned. We don’t settle and compromise on what’s ahead of us. We've decided to go to this place, then the moment we got there (ni hindi pa nakakapasok), change of plans agad. We always have options! Options, options, options! That’s actually what happened when we reached Picnic Grove. Tataas ng standards ng friends ko! Hahaha!

So after Sky Ranch, sige na nga, sa Picnic Grove, we, again, traveled few meters and reached Bag of Beans. Bag of Beans is a happy place for me. Aside from the breathtaking view and best coffee, what I love about the place is that I have lots of good memories in here. The first time I visited the place is when I’m with my fam during my birthday. The next is when I’m with Kevin, and now, hopefully not the last with this group of people really close to my heart. It’s like this place has a sentimental value and the memories made here were truly incomparable. 

By thanking Faith for gathering all 10 of us, we slightly surprised her with a birthday cake! Thanks to the staff of BOB! They even played a birthday song in the café just for Faith! Belated happy birthday! And thank you!

For keeps

Special thanks to our photographer, paparazzi and "the" photo enthusiast friend Oliver for the wonderful shots. 

I would like to end this post by sharing this not-so-new video of our batch, circa 2008. Before Final Cut Pro and any other video editing software became "IN", this is a proof that Windows Movie Maker existed! Hahaha!

 ** Photos were grabbed from: https://www.facebook.com/maefaith.ugates/media_set?set=a.682468358432427&type=1

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Not My Ordinary Selfie

Warning: This is a sentimental post. 

Do you know that the word ‘selfie’ is already in the dictionary?

The word ‘Selfie” has been added to Oxford Dictionaries Online. The dictionary's official definition of selfie is: “A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a Smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website."

So ano nga ba ang point ko?

If you happen to be one of my friends, you would probably not be surprised if I posted random selfie photos on my Facebook and Instagram accounts on random days. You would not be surprised if you see more of my malapad na face on my phone’s gallery and oh, on your galleries too! But no, this is not going to be a selfie post or an #ootd #fashion post. So continue scrolling down, my friends! Hehehe J

So ano nga ba talaga ang point ko?

I may not share this to my friends, but I’m really not in good shape for the past 2 months – both physically and mentally. And sometimes, spiritually. The problem lies within myself. Gets nyo ba? It’s like I lost all my confidence and all my positive thoughts. I became weak and fragile. And I started to lose hope. I knew I needed a break.

Since I have a long weekend to rest, I’ve decided to give one of my rest days to myself. Just for myself. Call me selfish but yes, this is my own version of selfie!

I’m the dependent type of person. I’m usually accompanied by others when I’m going out to the mall or anywhere else. I’m really not the soloist type. That is a fact that my loved ones knew about me. So going out solo is really a challenge for me.

Yesterday, I went out and dated myself! I’m actually smiling while I’m typing this because I am so proud of this accomplishment. Hahaha! Ang babaw ko talaga! So just be patient while I’m story telling how that day went on.

I had my nails done before I head to the mall. Upon reaching the mall, I first checked the movie schedules. Luckily, I was just in time for the movie that I wanted to watch. I bought fries and hurriedly went on the cinema house. I watched a love story so I am literally surrounded by couples! Gaaaaad! The advantage of watching movie alone is that I was able to spot the best seat easily. Never mind the couples sitting right next to me, of course! The disadvantage of this is that I don’t have anyone to talk / cry / laugh with. Sa sobrang selfish ko nga, sarili ko na lang din ang kinakausap ko! Hahaha!

After the movie, I went to a coffee shop and ordered my favorite coffee best paired with my favorite cookie! Everything’s just so smooth! I went to the supermarket, and then I headed home after. And that’s it!

So eto na, ano nga ba talaga ang point ko?

I know other people can also do it. It may be easy and shallow for some, or for some it may be an ordinary thing. But I wanted to prove that a dependent person like me can also do that. Giving myself a break from everybody else can be refreshing at times. It’s fulfilling, actually. The feeling when you get to see yourself standing during the time you needed someone to stand beside you yet you see no one. Not even the person you’re expecting the most. That feeling when you feel like you proved that no one has the right to leave you hanging because you can stand on your own. Lord, I made it! Nang dahil sa solo date ko sa sarili ko! Haha!

I just got tired of thinking what went wrong in my life. How miserable I am, and how unworthy I am for everything that I have now. I got tired from crying and trying. I got tired from asking questions every night, and got no answers the next morning. I got tired from the feeling of not loved and not trusted. I got tired from defending myself against myself and everybody else. I just got tired.

Proving my worth is hard especially when you’re trying to prove it for somebody else. It’s important that you start proving it to yourself first. Know yourself. It can never be wrong to be needy, because I’m guilty as charged! I’m strong but I’m needy and I also need to be needed. 

This is just a start of reviving my self-esteem! Lord, help me with this!

STEPHEN TURNS ONE

October 20,2013 | Sunday | Golden Peak Resort

Photo grabbed from his mommy's Facebook account

This handsome baby is not a new face here in my blog. I blogged some of his milestones in which I am proud that I was able to witnessed, from the moment he was born ( CLICK HERE ) up to the moment he was welcomed in the Christian world ( CLICK HERE ). I am just proud that I have this cute baby boy as my Godson. Not just because he's cute, which is apparently true, but also a healthy and lovable baby. Wala e, mana sa mga ninong at ninang! Hehehe. And now that our angel turns 1, of course, present ang mga ninong at ninang!

Aside from Ipe, Clarence - his cousin also celebrated his birthday on the same day. Two cutie angels celebrating their birthdays! 

Joey will also celebrate her birthday on the 23rd. Let's all greet the lady with the violet hair a happy happy birthday!!!!

Photo grabbed from Jerome Satera's IG account

Souvenir

Happy birthday, Stephen! 

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