You cannot imagine how happy we were when the sun decided to finally show up. This trip won't be complete without at least peeking into the island life, even for just a day. So after two days being stuck in the city, we went straight to Lakawon Island, a banana-shaped island located at the northern most part of Negros Occidental.

What do you do when it is Mother Nature who gets in the way of your travel plans? When weather won't just let you follow the itinerary you did weeks of planning? When you already set your mind to a sunny beach escape, but then the sky just kept on pouring? I say, you go on. You continue, and still find ways to enjoy.

This is the sunset right outside our home.

I am so good on doing nothing, wasting my time.

By the start of the year, I tried to tell myself that I will blog more often, create more ukulele covers to see how much I have improved, start a "real" journal, work out more, write more creatively. But I did not. I was afraid on committing myself into these things. Because part of me knows that I will just disappoint myself. Part of me knows that I would somehow fail. And I think, I did.

Now, we're on the third month of the year, my birth month, and nothing have really changed. I am still the best procrastinator that I am. Maybe writing this post would force me into actually achieving these goals, and put myself away from all the negative thinking. Maybe, or maybe not.

The first two months of 2018 were unquestionably eventful. I went back home for the New Year festivities for a week. After that, it was an immense load of work (even on weekends which left my mind on a haywire and so much stress). I told my friends, I need a big change in my life. I needed some diversion. I needed something new. Whilst transferring to a new house was not an option that time, I did something that I have been wanting to do for a long time: I cut my own hair into a full bangs. Yes. I have always been hesitant because I have a wavy hair. For me, as little as cutting my own hair was already a big change. It was like a metaphor of, you'll never know unless you try. And up until now, I have no regrets on doing it. I loved it. Although, maintaining it is a commitment itself. At least, I had something I committed myself into and succeeding, so far.

Bringing back my childhood hair do.

Early February, my Kuya went back home after being away  from family for two years. So I also went home for almost two weeks to spend time with them. (Although, I squeezed in a 3-day trip to Bacolod in between which I will write about soon, hopefully.) That vacation made me realised how lucky I am to be working in Singapore; to be working only 5-hours away from home; to be working in a place where/when I don't need to wait two years to be on a vacation. No, that's not right. Let me correct that. I am blessed. I am so blessed that I can go home at least twice a year.

But leaving home each time has never gotten any easier, it was at every turn, unfailingly heavy. In my mind, I have this idea of what if this is the last time I'm ever gonna see them; what if this is really good bye and not see you later. So I always prolong the time I have with them. And as much as possible, I see to it that I said good bye to them and ending it on a pleasant note. But, you see, that's the hardest part there is–saying good bye. I am always on the verge of crying, and I don't want them to see me like that. I don't want them to worry about me. I don't want them to see me in my vulnerability. So I cry alone, be brave, pray and look forward to the next time I'm seeing them.

We always say, "back to reality" after being away from a vacation. But isn't being on a vacation also a reality? Isn't being home the true reality? After months of hard work, for a time being, you got to ignore all your responsibilities and relax a bit. That overwhelming, satisfying feeling you get. I miss that.

But probably, I just miss home, very much so.



I like cities; I like discovering and exploring new places. But my heart, conceivably, would always belong to the province, to my little hometown to which not many people knows of; to that place where I grew up wanting to leave and grow old wanting to get back.

PS : I should really write more often.

After sharing our North Cebu trip and video few months back, a few people/friends were asking me how did we manage to hop from island to island in North Cebu. So I figured I should write a post about our itinerary. I know it's months too late, but it's better late than never, right?

(This post has been sitting on my drafts for more than half year already. :)

First thing that we had to figured out was on which island to go first. South Cebu (where the famous "swimming with the whale sharks" is) was already scrapped off from our list since we've all been there before. Since I have also been to Bantayan Island before (and I am the designated travel planner), we opted to go to Malapascua Island first.

How to go to Malapascua Island from Mactan Int'l Airport

1. We hired a taxi from the airport going to Northern Bus Terminal. Ride was 20-25 minutes including the traffic.
2. From there, there are two choices going to Maya Port - via bus or shuttle vans. Look for the bus/vans with signs saying Maya Port. Do not be confuse as there are also buses going to Hagnaya Port (this is for those going to Bantayan Island). As we were all sleep deprived, we chose to ride a van instead. The trip was around 4 hours. Bus ride will take longer as it has pit stops along the way.
3. At Maya Port, we rode a small boat for 20-30 minutes going to Malapascua Island. From here, there are already people offering island tours. This is where my haggling skills were tested.

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Day 1		08-Apr-2017
2:30		Meetup at Airport - PAL Domestic Terminal 2
4:00		ETD Manila
5:10		ETA Cebu
6:30		Taxi to Northern Bus Terminal / Brekafast
7:00		ETD to Maya Port (Bus)
9:00		ETA to Maya Port
10:00		ETD Maya Port to Malapascua Island
11:00		ETA Malapascua
11:00	onwards	Explore Malapascua - Island hopping, or any activities
Day 2		09-Apr-2017
		Kalanggaman Island Whole Day Tour
Day 3		10-Apr-2017
7:00		ETD Malapascua via Boat
9:30		ETA Bantayan
10:00	onwards	Bantayan Island Tour
Day 4		11-Apr-2017
10:00		ETD Bantayan via Ferry
12:00		ETA Hagnaya Port
12:00	13:00	Lunch
13:00		ETD Hagnaya Port to Cebu
16:00		ETD Cebu City
16:30	21:00	Dinner/Meetup with friends/Pasalubong Buying
22:00		ETD Cebu City
23:15		ETA Manila

And here's our 4 day expenses excluding airfares. Note that we are three in the group. And I know, we ate too much. Haha

	Expense per person in Php
April 8-11, 2017
Taxi to Northern Bus Terminal / Breakfast	150
Van to Maya Port	200
Boat to Malapascua Island	80
Kalanggaman Island Day Tour (with lunch)	735
Boat ride from Malapascua to Bantayan Island
Blue Corals Beach Resort (2 nights Malapascua Is.)	1350
Bantayan Huts (1 night)	390
Bike Rental in Bantayan (24hours)	150
Bantayan Island Day Tour	500
Ferry Boat from Bantayan to Hagnaya Port	180
Ride to from Hagnaya Port to Cebu City	200
Food and other expenses	3500
Total	7435

Hope this helps!

I used to not understand why people like climbing mountains. Eh mapapagod ka lang naman? But I had a change of heart when I experienced a bit of hiking or trekking when I went to Sagada last January. After that, I started falling in love with the outdoors that is not a beach. I started to understand why. So I craved for more; I craved seeing the world from high ground.

My family is the type who prefers going to a mall for window-shopping or to a city for sight seeing rather than going to the beach and unwind. They say they don't want to stress themselves preparing food or whatsoever for an outing. (I wonder 'san ko nakuha yung pagiging lakwachera ko. Haha)

Anyway, since my Tita was scheduled for a vacation from Saudi, I urged her to treat us to a family day out. Surprisingly, she said yes on the condition na half kami sa expenses.  So before she could changed her mind, I quickly book  a ticket from SG going home. I told her "Dapat matuloy 'to or else sayang uwi ko." Hahaha 

So I tried to make something out of all the shaky videos we took in Cebu. I realized, this is not exactly a travel "vlog" as I don't like to hear my speaking voice. But nonetheless, I know it would still remind us of that fun trip we had in Cebu.



(More of the kwentos here and our budget itinerary here!)

This island is definitely to die for. Ang ganda mo, Pilipinas.

Circa 2006/7 - when we only had Friendster; when getting home by 6 or 7pm is already considered so late; when we had to wear our white and green skirt to school every weekdays; when we still need to ask our parents if we can go out on a weekend for a school project or just so we can sneak out; when we only have little to no money left for lakwacha or eating out; when we used to have a slam book where almost everyone's favorite quotation is "Love is like a rosary, it's full of mystery."; when our social media is outside.

"If it scares you, then you should probably do it."

And I'm glad I did.

During my two weeks of holiday at home back in PH, I didn't had any plans. All I wanted was to stay at home, rest and annoy my nephew and niece. But somehow, I realized I have to be somewhere else other than home. The problem is, I don't know where. I initially thought of La Union but something was not right. Then it just hit me. Ok, I will go to Sagada.