These Little Wonders

So it's 2018! Happy New Year everyone!!! 🎆 I'm writing this while waiting for the flight back to Manila. As usual, Cebu Pacific apologizes for the delayed flight, which served as the inspiration for this post.  DELAYS ARE NOT DENIALS.  How many times have we heard/read this line? Well, for the nth time, I'm sharing this because as I wait here for the delayed flight, I can't help but remember the delays in my life, the moments of waiting, which either led me to beautiful encounters or meaningful experiences; delays which turned out to be blessings in disguise.  Let's not go farther.  I was able to spend the New Year with my family because of a delayed flight back in October. Our original flight was cancelled due to the incident that happened on the same night that I arrived here in Iloilo. Thank God there were no casualties. And thank God I wasn't on that flight.  Our flight back to Manila was rerouted to Roxas, Capiz. And it was still ...

Hooray! I'm back!  And I welcomed July in Sagada. For the second time! I don't think I was able to write about my first visit there. But this time, I won't miss the chance to share my great adventure up in the mountains of northern Luzon. :) Hello, Mountain Province! :) I was Paolo's plus one. (Yay! Nakaka-kilig sabihin yun. Haha.) It's also my second time to go on a trip with his friends (the first one is in Cebu , but this is another group - Pioneer badminton people).  We took the direct trip to Sagada via Banaue on the night of June 30 aboard a Coda Lines bus. Around 6AM of July 1, we arrived in Banaue, and for the first time in my 30 long years of existence, I was finally able to see up close and personal the famous Banaue Rice Terraces ! It was so surreal. Yung feeling na dati sa libro mo lang siya nakikita, ngayon, actual na! Totoo ngang nakakamangha! At ang saya lang kasi huminto talaga yung bus sa view deck and we were given enough time t...

Wise men say, "only fools rush in" But I can't help falling in love with you A young priest once said, "we can't help falling in love." In the words of Donna Cruz, "kapag tumibok ang puso, wala ka ng magagawa kundi sundin ito." Exactly a week ago, I had an awesome experience in Cebu. I finally got to tick off the first item on my BDJ's travel checklist. Yay! Kawasan: CHECK! ♥ As I look at the photos and try to relive the memories of that great adventure, I came to realize that what we did - canyoneering/canyoning - was actually  a lot like love . You fall hard and you're dead. LOL.  Seriously, what I have gone through in canyoneering (and I believe my companions would also agree) can be pretty much likened to the  stages of falling in love. Let me begin. Looking fresh. :D It all starts with EXCITEMENT . That giddy feeling you get when there's something new! Months before our scheduled trip to Cebu, I...

So I won invites to the premiere night of Sakaling Hindi Makarating . And I'm just so thankful to SM Cinema for helping me tick this off my list. Since it was released last year, I've been wanting to see it. Aside from the good reviews, I was also looking forward to the movie locations.  I had great expectations, and I'm so glad they were met. :) Bonus pa that I got to see Pepe Herrera and Alex De Rossi up close and personal.  Hindi na lang ako nagpa-picture kasi may kasama na rin akong celebrity at sa kanya pa lang, sobrang na-starstruck na ako. (I'm talking of Paolo Santos, of course! ♥) Anyway, the movie will make you fall in love with the Philippines. There's really so much beauty in this little archipelago. The movie will inspire you to explore the hidden gems of our beloved country. I love that it also featured the local culture. May trivia bawat lugar. And I assure you, mapapasabi ka talaga ng "it's more fun in the Philip...

Over the Christmas break, I accompanied my brother, his girlfriend, and two other friends in paradise, a beautiful island called Guimaras. :)  I'm still no expert but since it has been my third time to visit the place, I have at least learned where to go, what to do, and what to eat. So for those who are interested, here's a list of my recommended sites and activities:  Smallest Plaza (Jordan) St. John the Baptist Church - this church on a hill is just a few steps away from the Smallest Plaza :) Holy Family Hills (Brgy. Tamborong, San Lorenzo, Guimaras) - a very good alternative to Balaan Bukid. In fact, this is a better pilgrimage site if you have kids in your group. The Grillers - they serve delicious meals with Guimaras' world-famous mango! You must try the Mango Bulalo, Mango Pizza, Bangus Sisig, and the refreshingly healthy Guimaras Blend.  Guimaras Capitol Complex and Museum - The Manggahan Festival is held at the Capitol Complex Gro...

One of the blessings of mission is the opportunity to explore and be awestruck at the beauty that the place has to offer. On our last day in Maasin, our generous host brought us to a holy place called Monte Cueva , officially known as the Diocesan Shrine of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus and Our Lady of Assumption .  Entrance is free as it is maintained by the Diocese of Maasin but you have to pay a minimal fee for the use of the toilet. (Sorry, I was not able to ask how much.)  Monte Cueva is truly a sanctuary of prayer. By the time you enter its gate, you know you are standing on holy ground. We did not count but we were told that we are to climb 400 steps up to the peak of the sacred mountain. To me it seemed like the stairway to heaven because with every step, I truly felt closer and closer to the Father. The way up was both a physical and spiritual exercise. Aside from the stations of the cross, there are beautiful reminders posted around the mountain....

Last week we went to Southern Leyte for a special mission: to conduct Knights Tale and Princess Diaries Weekend Retreat. But since there's no direct flight from Manila to Maasin (venue of the retreat), we took the Manila-Tacloban route.  As we all know, Leyte was greatly hit by Yolanda last year. And we were witnesses to how the province is still struggling to get back on their feet a year later. From Tacloban, we traveled four hours to Maasin, passing through Palo and other municipalities that were badly affected. While there are already several structures that were restored, there are still a lot that needs to be rehabilitated.  I am grateful for the overwhelming help that the global community, and the local NGOs and foundations has extended to our brethren in Leyte. I am well aware that not everything will be back to their original state. The lives that were lost will only remain a memory, the terror of that fateful day will continue to haunt them, but with our st...