Siargao Alone

The world works on a very simple principle: I worked for it; I earned it; I deserve it.

A well deserved break, it is! So finally I got back to this beautiful island and well, for the first time, I went here alone. Yes, ALONE. It was just a spontaneous plan wherein I just booked my flight a week before the planned trip. When I just felt like I just needed to get away and be free from all the toxicity I’ve been through for the past months, I finally had the chance to give time for myself. Also, a birthmonth end trip I always wanted to experience ❤️

So why alone? I guess there is a certain point in a life of an adult wherein we just wanted to explore things and places on our own. When we don’t need to be with someone to make the trip fun. My goal is to just have a soul searching (yes I know its cliche but it literally is) and an opportunity for me to meet new friends as well. Of course my parents didn’t like the idea (alone travel) but I just assured them that I’ll be fine. After all, it’s my third time being in the island and I know I am safe.

Still a lot of people got curious about my “alone” in Siargao trip. Even my seatmate during the flight told “Yawaa sa trip nimo uy”. I know right? But I am confident it’ll be fun. And so it did. I made friends. I may have not been able to visit more tourist destinations than I did before, but finally then I was able to do surfing, which is actually my goal as well. Best thing about being in this kind of trip is being able to connect with different personalities of the different people I have met in this trip. I’ll be sharing the result of my soulsearching and #making friends.

The beautiful island gives you peace and contentment. I have met Clyde in the resort where I stayed and his 9months of stay in this island have taught him what peaceful life really is. Just imagine being away from traffic, pollution and noise. The island gives you a daily dose of beautiful sunrise and sunset, a calm sea in the resort, and the crazy waves at cloud 9. Laidback life is enough for people who can find happiness in simple things. When you decide to be in the island, drop all your worries away and I tell you, you’ll come back as a new person who care less about what awaits you back in the city. A fresh and more relaxed you. No wonder why more and more people from cities began to move in this island for good. Wanna know why? Try to experience it yourself.

There are certain people who are truly happy and doesn’t know how to worry and I wish one day I will be like them. Ben, whom I have met again in the island told me this. He has this certain aura that you could feel he is truly contented and happy with his life and whenever he encounters problems it seems like he can face it with ease and without worries. I am reminded that being human we are bound to encounter difficulties and struggles in our life. It just depends on us on how we face them. And I think Ben is doing such a good job. That shows how he still looks like he is just 20 even though his real age is 40.

When we feel overcome by the troubles of life, we can rest in the knowledge that God, our Lifeguard, sees our struggle and because of His delight in us, watches over and protects us. (Kirsten Holmberg)

And I guess this is what we should always think about. That there is someone up there who will guide and protect us thus we should be still, to continue to be happy and not to worry.

During this trip as well I have met these young adults who became my closest friends. Zeal, Kyra and Benni were in the same table in the bar when we met. I had an instant barkada and they were kind enough to accompany me during the land tour. I reminisce the days when I was their age and all I remember was I am at home who doesn’t go out frequently due to curfew. While here they are, having the time of their lives enjoying the sunshine in the day and the party at night. I envy them. But hell ye, pwede pa naman akong makijoin so why not? 😅 I have been truly blessed to get to know them. They are young, carefree and happy and with them, I felt the same. I have listened to some of their personal stories and shared mine too. When you are an adult and you are with younger people, you get to share wisdom. People of different age have different life experiences and its a blessing to get to know them. I have been able to appreciate the trip more because of them. Instant friends who became my constant friends.

Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

If there’s anything I noticed about the three of them is the love they have for each other. Their friendship is tested due to distance, and sometimes misunderstanding but at the end of the day, they love each other and they remain to be friends. Love is a trait of a good friend and a good friend will love you at all times and in any situation, good or bad.

Truly, my short stay in the island have been memorable. I wish I could’ve stayed longer but as they say, I can always come back.

Thank you Siargao, Thank you July. You have been truly wonderful. ❤️

Note to my 28year old self

Hi,

You are aging gracefully dearest. Know that you are loved and you deserve all the love in the world. You do not need to worry about the future because that’s for tomorrow, you have to live and enjoy life today and that’s how it should be everyday.

You may feel tired at times and it’s okay. You just need to rest. You’ve been hurt and broken a couple of times but hey, that’s okay. Because God is making you strong and saving you from the wrong. Keep your hopes up and always believe that true love still exists. He is just preparing you to be the best for the one who is the best for you too.

Pressured? Don’t be. Our lives run differently. You just have to live yours. You do not need to be rich and famous, all you need is to be happy. Do not be pressured for not having enough savings compared to others, have not been to a lot places like others, have not been invested in material things like others. We all have our own time. Take it easy, just work hard and you’ll be where you want to be and what you really want to be.

Have faith. Keep that faith in you and the good heart and good soul. People will test you, people will hurt you and people will break you but because your faith and love is strong, you will still be the kindest and loving person that you are.

May you continue to be the person with bottomless patience and perseverance. You can go far for having that qualities. You just need to learn to make your own decisions, decide on your own and do not let others influence what you think and feel is right and what you heart desires.

Continue to be that person with a heart that loves and a heart that cares. When you do more, you live more. Continue to be an inspiration to all those who look up to you and adores you. Keep them because they will treasure you forever. Continue to spread that smile around. It brightens up your day, and theirs too.

Lastly, don’t settle for the instants in life when God is leading you to the blessings that will last. Wait patiently and you’ll have your time. Be thankful everyday. ❤️🙏🏻

Kelan ka mag-aasawa?

I know right? Sa title palang. But isn’t it fitting to first ask, kelan ka magkaka jowa? LOL

One toxic Filipino Culture every men and women aging 25-30 are facing is being asked by their relatives with the very familiar question: “Kelan ka Mag-aasawa?”. Yes, I know right? Same feels. Worst is if you’re a woman and they believed your reproductive system has its expiration date. They have this common belief that women should get married before 30 to be able to conceive and have children enough to create a whole basketball team including those at the bench. (Okay, that was a joke. But ye, why not. LOL)

I’ve been repeatedly asked by this question lately since I’ll be turning 28 this year and somehow, I felt the pressure. Most of my friends are married and some, their kids are already in school. Three of my friends just got engaged and will be married this year. My friend who married her best friend 3 years ago is now trying to conceive for them to have their first baby. And as for me, I’m here lying and writing this blog about them. In fact,  I am still single as of the moment. I felt like I have to hurry or else, mapag iiwanan ako ng panahon as what they say. But, is this what I should feel? Do I really need to get married before 30?

Years ago, I was able to have a great conversation with my sisters in our organization who are already in their 50s. Most of them got married at 20-24 years old and during those times, they consider those age as the “marrying age”. During those years then, getting married was not that expensive and extravagant. Having a child was not hard after all and mothers are more expected to stay at home and take care of the needs of their children while the father will earn for a living. They would tell me it was not easy for them but they were able to overcome it. They sacrificed and they succeeded in life and love. But in today’s generation, do we still need to consider this?

In today’s time where the demands, needs and wants of the people have greatly increased. We began to thrive in a world of competition. Our careers became our ultimate focus to earn as much as we could to sustain not just our personal needs but our miscellaneous wants. We even sacrifice friendships and relationships for our work and that sometimes leaves us into marrying our careers. I guess that’s the first reason why some adults of my age doesn’t have anymore time for love or at least to take an effort to find it. Some people believed that life satisfaction is about getting the highest position in the office to earn enough. But then is that what we really want? Truth be told, we cannot dictate the lives of others. They have their own goals, dreams and aspirations and if for them career comes first than having a family, then who are we to question? That is still love for them. If marrying their careers could satisfy their lives, could ultimately make them happy, then, why not?

But then I suddenly read this bible verse:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Living a life alone is okay, but living a life with someone is way better. Imagine being with someone who could give you warm hugs anytime of the day, a kiss on the forehead when you wake up, someone who would prepare you breakfast when you just back from night shift work, or just someone who could make your worst day into best day. Sounds perfect right? We all still need someone to be by our side and I think, this would complete our lives.

So ang tanong na nga uli, kelan?

Well, I really don’t know too. It may take awhile, or maybe soon, but only time can tell. While I’m trying to be the best version of me, God is preparing someone for me who is also trying to be the best version of himself. Para perfect na daw kaming dalawa. 😂 We don’t need to rush things.

“Perfect time, perfect place, perfect moment, perfect person.” They say nobody’s perfect, but God is and He can make things and people perfect for us. Just trust. “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:13

Have faith that love will come, hope that He will give him the one and love whoever he is and what he will become ❤️

So, Hi, pressured one. Take your time, you only live once. Live your life to the fullest. Explore, love your work, love yourself and love will come when you least expect it but God gave it because He believes “it’s time”. If there’s one thing I learned from my previous relationships is that : Never, ever settle. Just be patient and don’t rush things, anything worth having is worth waiting for.