3 on 3 Memories: PLACES

“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before “- Dalai Lama

Some of the memorable places I’ve been to, some were work related , nonetheless these are the trips I’ll treasure and add some more and more as time goes by.

1. Cawayan, Masbate

My mother’s hometown, also our first family trip together, too bad we ain’t got photos of it.  Should I get there again very soon, I’d like to explore the place, not just enjoy the sea foods like I did when I was young.

2. Ubay & Jagna, Bohol

Right after high school, I work as a babysitter and had the opportunity to travel Bohol with my bosses back then. Seafood was great, plus the UBE and Ubay Stock farm, also on my list of places to be revisited one day, specially I ain't got pany memorabilia. 

3.  Pampanga

I was an extra for this trip but it is one for the book to me as it was my first time to hop on a plane. I can still clearly recall how I was feeling back then, just like how I can't forget that first love and heartbreak, chos! It was also some sort of orientation to the business world.

4. Pasay City (One Esplanade)

A break  from work .It was an adventure, was among the few who were chosen to perform at a company event, plus factor was when I witness how a taping is done for a teleserye, not sure if it was so but had my feast with the celebrities I saw back then, #fangirl.

5. La Union

The farthest I’ve been so far and the longest land trip I had. We’ve traveled roughly 7 or 8 hours, too bad I wasn’t able to enjoy the scenery along the way due to motion sickness. Nevertheless, the destination didn’t disappoint good food, nice bed plus picturesque view! Wonder if I’ll ever get back there? Most likely not, coz I wanted to go as far as Vigan and Batanes one day!

6. Baguio

Never had I imagine that I’ll ever set my feet on this place, “ the Summer Capital of the Philippines” which I once read  in one of my textbooks back in grade school. It wasn’t as cold as I expected when I went there, but couldn’t ask for more. There are a lot of beautiful spots to visit that I did surely make the most of it.

7. Simala, Sibonga

I can't remember first time I ever visit this place but I always pass by this town going back and forth to my hometown and the city. Since the first time, this has been one of my healing places.

8. Moalboal

My first out of town trip after I get into the BPO industries had my first island hoping experience. Apart from the fun I had with my team mates whom I consider family, this place has a lot to offer, long stretch of white sand beach, the sardine sanctuary and a whole more!

9. Pandanon, Island

Another island hopping experience for the book, find the place so perfect for a beach wedding. Chos! It isn’t a fine white sand beach, but the clean and clear water did capture my heart. Kudos to the locals who maintained the place!

9 Capitancillo Island, Bogo

An amazing place I would like to get stranded even just for a night. I’m lost for words to describe the place, or better yet words are not enough to describe the beauty of this islet.

10. Boracay

One of the most famous beaches in the whole wide world and I made it there! Sunset was my favorite and the most memorable one.

11. Tabuelan ( Maravilla Beach Resort )

The most recent trip I had just before 2018 ends, a fun-filled day with the gang from work. I like how the vendors carries trash bag.

Cheers to more places and beaches to conquer and thanks to all the  people who made each of my trips memorable!

Back Home

As we find our way towards that space we've been dreaming of, our feet would bring us to a lot of picturesque places, however, there's always this one place we'd always long for no matter how far we've traveled...and that is Home.

It  just occurred to me that my twenties were spent working to meet ends that I somehow neglect going home to where all my dreams began, part of it was also because I was avoiding it for a time. The placed where I had my navel buried in, not until recently when I got the luxury to go home almost every other weekend.

Going back home to your roots, also serves as a great reminder as to why you are working so hard. Of course it's not always a joyous feeling, most of the time I actually get nostalgic, a lot has changed but those were good change. Back in the day, kerosene lamps lights most of the house. I went back to where our old house was...some are of the plants I grew up with are still there, but it's more like of a pocket forest now. Everything has changed, what remains are memories....

How simple life back then...just as how small things brings smile into face during those pink lollipop days. Below are some of the  things I would always miss and would always come back for.

1. Greens

- living in the city and being surrounded by high rise buildings, not to forget the city noise, looking at the scenic view and the greenery calms my heart & mind.

a view from my brother's little farm, where I used to wonder what could be behind those mountains, little did I know I'll be able to explore the other side of that mountain

this was where our house stand before , now... a mini pocket forest, used to be my playground and the very place I started dreaming.

 2. Fresh Air - Fog

- nothing beats the smell of a fresh air. felt like it cleanses my lungs, plus the " fog". Got me feeling being in another dimension ( now that's exaggeration over there! ).

morning view, specially during the months of November & December, our very own little Baguio

you'd be one lucky fellow if you're able to capture that elusive sunrise on a foggy morning

3. Old and familiar faces

- when you are living in the countryside...everybody else in the neighborhood is a relative. Of course you always get a smile from random people whom would always ask " Anak ka ni kuan day?" ( Are you the daughter of...?)

taken during a fiesta celebration, "the-never-gets-old King & Queen"

4. Freshly picked veggies

- utan bisaya tastes even more delicious when you got it in the countryside, which I admit I hated when I was young, maybe because it's a common side dish that is present on the table almost every meal along with broiled dried fish. 

5. having a feast on fruits where you ain't got to spend a dime

-most of the time, you can get to eat every fruit you would like in the city as long as you can afford to buy but in the countryside..you can get it and you can get as much as you want. If ain't yours, you can always asked for free.

so this is what they call as passion fruit, but to that little me back in the day this was orange juice or valencia

wild strawberry, locally called "tungaw-tungaw"

locally known as "tambis" best eaten when paired with salt

root cause of all the troubles I got while I was in grade school

These are just few of the things that kept me wanting going back home these. Above all that sense of belonging you wouldn't find anywhere else I should say specially at times where you feel at lost.