Le Love's "I hereby" Haha!

I hereby stop thinking of boys. Stop thinking that "maybe there’s still someone out there for me", making up scenarios in my head about how I could meet someone, about how it would be to be with someone. I hereby stop falling in love with boys that do in fact exist, but which I give nonexistent fantastic personalities in my mind, without even knowing them. I will now stop doing all of this, thinking and dreaming about all of this. It’s only taking precious time that could be used in some other way. It’s only taking my energy and making me hope for things that cannot, and probably will not happen. These thoughts are like bubbles, hurting me when they break and when I realize that it was always only in my head and never for real. I hereby stop doing this. If I am to experience love, I want it to be for real. And if I’m not, well that sucks, but life goes on, and I like to believe that there’s more to it than falling in love. From now on, I’m going to stop making up all these dreams, and going to focus on the reality instead. Life can be so much more, and you have only one, so why waste it on this pointless dreaming. It may sound harsh, but I’m done with these dreams now. They give me nothing but a heartache.

I’m not giving up on love. And I know that dreams can be a wonderful way to escape reality. I just don’t want for them to take over. I don’t want to hold on to these dream-bubbles and make myself fly so high that I won’t survive the fall.

PSS Batchmates Get Together

Another reunion happened this month with my political science batchmates. It was amazing for we had dinner with some of my classmates after me and Carol had finished taking our exam on Secured Transactions which was quite a headache. Thank God my pss mates decided we go out for dinner so that I can relax my braincells. Hehe. After we had our dinner at Tita Fannies we then head on to Iliganon since Sportsbuck Karaoke was full during that night. We spent an hour or two singing and chatting with what's new in our lives. I am really happy I get to meet with them. I missed College days so much. I really had fun with Glenice, Carol, Bebang, Ian, Feb, JR and my sister in MKP, sis Zam. So sad the others couldn't make it but like I said, there will always be next times. I am pretty sure there will be part three, four, five and so on. I can't wait :D










As it is, "BIBOOOOOOO ANG POLSCI!" :)

Inspired by Le Love

I haven't fallen in love yet or maybe I did. I really don't know. I'm only twenty two, the baby of the family as being the youngest, but that doesn't stop me from wanting it so badly. 


As long as I can remember I've always been searching for "the one." Romance novels, disney fairytales, and Hollywood chick flicks have put images of white knights and prince charmings in my head that realistically don't exist. Alas the hopeless romantic, emphasis on hopeless, LOL! Not really that hopeless at all. I am just thinking can I ever meet the man that I would soon be spending the rest of my life with, when will it be and how? And more importantly in his heart, was choosing me the best choice he has ever made?  So many questions that I have set my eyes peeled in case one magically walked through a magic mirror into this world searching for me too.


I have a need. A need to write it down, to get my feelings on this paper so I have something that I can hold on to. Because I am confused, so very confused, wandering around a dark room not knowing why or how I ended up in it. Like a cliché. So many stories that I read are applicable to mine, but still I feel a need to write my own story down, a substitute is just not good enough.


I can’t get the hang of this. I’ve been typing and erasing and can’t decide how to write so I don’t know how it will turn out. My story is confusing, especially to me. You see, everything we’ve been through, it’s so baffling, intertwined and complexly stretched out that I can’t even put it into words.

As my first semester in my fourth year at law school comes around the corner, I cannot help but think "will he be in this room?", as I walk into new classes; a clean slate, they don't know me and I don't know them.

Believe it when it's said, I'm not desperate nor do I need a boyfriend. Believe it when it's said, I just want to know what it feels like, to have someone in which you can be 100% yourself, that will love all your flaws as you love his or hers.

You see I am a sucker for books, and sappy stories, though I do not like showing it sometimes. Both happy endings and tragic endings appeal to me because the characters in stories always feel something nonetheless. Dreaming is all I have ever known.

So I'm terrified that I'll be one of those girls who never falls in love because it hasn't happened yet. I don't exactly know if falling in love is the same with falling in like. It's quite a broad concept. I'm also terrified that I'll be one of those girls who falls for anyone just to see if love could be found there.

Who will love the girl who loves getting lost in a book, chasing those fantasies that only exist in her mind?

Who will love the girl who suddenly gets quiet because she got a bad vibe, so it ruins her whole day?

Who will love the girl who gets lost is her train of thoughts and will never be able to tell you why she got lost in the first place?

Who will love the girl who yearns for those midnight talks about life and what it has to bring?
Who will love the girl?

I know that I'm not the only one out there who feels this way. Younger, older, wiser: there are many of us. It's a scary concept, love, but I still want to feel it. 

Kiong Hee T'han Chi with FIF & my Family

In celebration of the Chinese New Year, my sisters from MKP Glenice & Zam had a sleepover in our house on 22 and planned to jog early on 23 in the City Plaza then off to the market to buy ingredients on making pink na biko. It was actually a dare and so we took the challenge seriously. LOL! It was the first time that we ate pink na biko with my family and it was just as tasty as the ordinary brown biko. My family was amazed and shocked for they too have eaten such biko for the first time.. pink! As in, pink kaayo! :D So here is our take on the "pagsure ba kay magpink ta ug biko ron!" Tadaaa!



Instead of saying Kong Hei Fat Choi which is Happy Chinese New Year for Thai's, but the Chinese would say Kiong Hee T'han Chi. Just so you know.. I have Chinese blood, or so I thought :D

The Brown Box

Went through my old notes from a brown box I carefully tucked in my room. I had it since fourth year high school and almost 8 years after, I found it and had enough time going through those dusty notes, stuff toys and other memorabilia. Opening this box spawns lots of colorful and painful memories that taught me a lot of things. I became a student of life and the experiences I had were carefully documented and hidden in this box. Looking at a few poem compositions, it made me smile. I wrote this poem on December 20, 2004 and I really don't or maybe I lost track of time that I forgot to whom this was for or perhaps I just loved to write something about it. So here's just some of the poem that I've written. This one's quite an emo-ish! :D



I Love Him (But I'm Just A Friend)

I can feel my heart beats faster;
Whenever I hear his name.
I looked for him everywhere;
When I can't find him myself I blame.

I've fallen so inquisitive;
Although I need a lot of help.
I have fallen in - love so deeply,
I can't concentrate thinking of him constantly.

From all the feelings I hide,
I can't let them out of my heart.
For I fear that he might go away,
It would make me go crazy.

With all my heart I care for him,
But our chances are so dim.
I love him and I just can't pretend,
But to him.. I am just a friend.

I  may have altered a few stanzas to perfectly fit the emotion per line and with its rhyme as well. I loved how at the age of 15 I got acquainted with poetry. I hope to awaken this poetic heart. I just need time and enough inspiration to do it someday soon..  =)


Hoping..

Haha. I bought my planner for this year just last week when my dearest mom told me to go to the grocery and buy goods to be displayed to our mini-store at home. Then I saw a nearby Chinese store those nice-looking planners. I had to buy one and eventually I had my first ever planner in my entire existence. 


I had to have it to somehow organize my kinda-messy-busy lifestyle which I like. Haha. I just hope this ain't gonna be the last planner I'll ever have for the Mayan's predict that this year is their calculated doomsday of the human race. Take note: doomsday happens on my best-friend's natal day, Glenice, on December 21. LOL! What a birthday! 

Nahh.. we can never tell when's that day gonna happen for sure. It could be that it might occur in advance or a bit late. Only God knows our fate on that. He has the sole power to demand that very day to happen unceremoniously. But whether it'll be this year or next, we should all be ready. It's still not too late to pray and forgive those who have sinned on you. We still have enough time to change and come closer to God. I know each of us are afraid of what lies before us for fear in itself is a sign of humanity. We fear the unknown. 


Last year's events made me realize tons of things. I forgave and let go of a deep seated anger. I am now at peace with myself. I think I did enough good deeds in contrary to my bad deeds. For I myself is a firm believer that when we share and do good things, good karma will be a repercussion into our lives. 

Still I am praying that this planner won't be the last planner I'll ever have. I still need to graduate from law school, take the bar, be an attorney soon, help my family and be of good use to the society, be found by my very own MR. RIGHT and fall deeply, insanely and endlessly in love with him and be blessed to see our kids grow in love and faith in God. 

I hope God won't take that opportunity away from me. Please not now. Not yet. I hope my mission here on earth is still on going. I hope..  =)

College Get Together

Last week, January 14 to be exact, me and my College classmates had a get together after a month or year of not seeing each other. Though there were only four of us but it was great to have communicated with them once again. We talked far and wide not just about lovelife, work but more particularly on the current events such as the impeachment trial on CJ Corona and Sendong event of which the four of us shared the same sentiments of hating the YELLOW administration. We are also in cahoots with each other on despising what our local government has done with regards to improperly allocating the food, money and other resources for the victims of Sendong.

Our girls night out was all about fun and intelligent discussions on the government and how will we be able to help especially so in preventing to have a sequel of Sendong. Oh well, it was a blast! Totally I had a great time with the leap year girls Gemma and Cyril as well as with best bud Glenice. Although we may have drifted apart for years but we haven't forgotten each other. Now that we're reunited, there are really tons of things to catch up and I am glad to be with them once again. Here are a few pictures I took to reminisce the moments we had at Iliganon's private karaoke room and at Zoey Cafe.









Biboooooooo ang polsci. Sikhai! (Nazi salute style) Hehe. I can never forget those cheers during CASS days thanks to JR's creativity. LOL! I do miss my other college classmates. I do hope they are okay and that soon enough, hindi lang apat kundi the entire class shall have a reunion. It'll be exciting! We might not be complete when we had this unplanned get together but I hope more of my classmates will join especially this coming Feb. 29. The leap year girls big day. Waa!! I haven't gone to the beach for months maybe because of the Sendong tragedy but the girls are planning to celebrate their birthday at the beach. It's been three years already and look how time flies by. I am just overwhelmed and lucky that our paths have merged and created something beautiful - FRIENDSHIP.   =)


Pizza Lovin'

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I am a foodie and I love pizzas especially when I spend my time eating with my the people I love - my FAMILY! So when my mom, me and my niece Alliah went to church and afterwards go on snack-hoppin'. LOL! I told mama we will be snacking in a new place and so we decided to try Nostre Amores and thank God I did not made the wrong decision for their food was totally delish! Here's what we ate:

While waiting for thE foods :D

I love their organic iced tea.

Nomnom!


Really love to it this over and over again! :D


Burp!  =)

Baby Ruth's and Lotsa Positivity!

Too much paper work, readings and worries. At times I lose much of my focus and that positive radiance. But whenever I envision my future to be and glancing at the url address of my blog account. THINK OF HAPPY THOUGHTS.. that, my love, get's me going through turbulent times! =) 

Prayers. Smiles. Hugs. Laughter. Music. Meditate. Happy Thoughts and Chocolates solves it all. I'ma munch baby ruth's right now. Nomnom. Chocolates' are heaven sent for they act as an aphrodisiac to my stressed body. Scientists say that chocolate contains henylephylamine which causes more happy neurons in our body to suppress pain and stress thus making the human body cured and energized. This same hormone is the same one that our brain triggers when we fall in-love. Although I am not in-love these days but I feel like I am every time I eat chocolates most especially in times where I am so fussed about work, school and the council. 

Chocolates are my savior for they not only come to my rescue when I feel weak but it is also because when I eat it, it lowers my cholesterol level and reduces any kind of heart disease due to the pressure and exhaustion from worrying a lot. 

However, ones happiness and hope of solving problems is not just based on chocolates alone. But being positive in everything you do, the good vibes is all in all, what makes a part of living a life of contentment. So instead of complaining and cursing like a drunken sailor because of piles of  work to do and stress is killing me making me look old, ugly and bitter. Then I might as well try to change my perspective and rather be grateful in whatever situation I am. Being grateful even at bad times is what makes you strong. Smiling at it and making a way to solve a problem  should be practiced more often. For there is no fashion statement or an accessory that shines better than a positive and radiant self. 

Cursing is a sin and if we keep on getting bitter of the tiresome job we do on a mundane basis, papangit na nga tayo tapos nakapagsala pa tayo sa kaka-curse natin at ang ending, walang output para masolve ang problema making your day very unproductive. Living a life with an attitude of gratitude is a life worth living. Thinking positive is always the best thing to do and choosing to be happy is sexy. It looks good on anyone. Choosing to be positive would eventually save my future in jeopardy. Kaya, tawanan na lang ang problema at magmove-on! Get back to living and the cycle goes on.

Hurray to whoever discovered the chocolate. You are a genius!  =)

Uso pa ba ang harana?

Are you familiar of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" or Disney's "Rapunzel" or how about the Philippines "Florante at Laura" by Balagtas?

For me, all these stories depict one thing which is that the main characters expressed adoration for each other. So, how does a guy courts a girl these days as compared before? Well, here in the Philippine setting, during the time when we were colonized by Spain, t'was during this period that we have this so-called "Harana" which is just one of the many old Filipino courtship tradition. It is our very own tradition with such strong influences from the Spanish culture. Although some historians believe that harana already existed even before the Spaniards landed in the Philippine shores. The word "harana" in Filipino dialect is to serenade. If Spain has a very feisty and seductive tempo, harana in Philippines is quite a romantic and slow song rendered to a woman by a man who wants to court her through singing, through the love of music.

Therefore, men during those days are fond of serenading the women they desire by visiting the woman's house at night time, dressed handsomely and perhaps tugging along a bouquet of flowers. Then he along with a group of friends plays music with the accompaniment of a guitar and sing their hearts out with the most touching and romantic love songs they offer to the "dalagang Filipina" (Filipina Maiden).The usual scenario for a harana to happen is that, the guy stands in front of the house, near the window of the lady, call out for her name and if she opens the window for the guy then it means she is interested to hear him sing for her and the gentleman does his very best through singing so that he will eventually win her heart and become his woman. You have to do it right in public, even if it means that passerby are to stop, stare and listen as well. It's like a public confession of how you truly admire the lady, the apple of your eye. 

Most of the harana's were actually done in rural areas and small towns in the Philippines a long time ago. Maybe during my grandparent's time because when I asked my mom about it if she'd ever experienced being serenaded, she told me she was but not that kind of thing that would definitely define what "harana" really is in the past. But she told me that my grandmother experienced it and most famous harana's she has heard were "Bituing Marikit" (Beautiful Star), "O, Ilaw" (O, Light) and "Alaala Ka" (Remembering You). All of these songs are intricately designed to capture the woman's attention and heart as if every lyric describes her beauty and how the man was captivated of it which I find really passionate and sweet. 

As of the current civilization, naks! Haha. I haven't for my 22 years of existence have seen an actual harana. But I somehow experienced being serenaded by a guy not personally but through the cellphone. Well, I guess, welcome to the dawn of the digital age my dear :P

However, the harana experience I got was not the typical kind of harana where a guy is deeply interested in you but this was just a friendly harana. I admit, I was jumpy to have received that call from a former crush that I might scream to the heavens. Muhaha! He's a good friend of mine but it was quite awkward because we haven't communicated nor seen each other for a long time and all of a sudden he called me up like beyond 12 midnight and asked me if I'd accept a harana from him? LOL! That was sweet but it was just a friendly approach since he is in a relationship and of course, I only see him as a good friend too. 

Oh well, he did have a nice voice. Husky, manly and totally desirable to hear at. He sang to me more or less 6 songs I suppose. That was the first time I've experienced a harana from him. I consider him a friend but in truth, we've never really spoken in person before. It's weird that we're getting closer via texts, calls and virtually online. I don't find it wrong rather I find it interesting since I've get to befriend a soon to be brother in MKP and get to share to him my interest too in music. I just thought that we have quite the same interests when it comes to music, the songs and the artists. I am happy to have heard him sing for free. LOL! And I am grateful too that I get to encourage him to step beyond his comfort zone and upsized his confidence because he does have a breath-taking voice.It's rare for people to have a beautiful voice and I believe it's one of his calidad humana (human quality) that I find interesting.

Quite a number of firsts happened in 2011 for me and I hope to have the same experience too but way more fun, exciting and sensational for this year. Truly, the emergence of the internet gave a new venue for the traditional harana or even courtship. That modern harana I got was the first time. It was special and in kilig in a way. Of course, who wouldn't naman, diba? Like, first time to have heard it and have that experience..like duh! Magtatalon ka talaga sa kilig. =)

And as for the question if "uso pa ba ang harana?" (Does serenading still exist?) I believe it still is but the concept has been a lil bit revamped pero ang importante doon is the intention. Whether the "harana" is done modernly or traditionally, live or not, it's the thought and feeling that counts yah know. Every girl gets so kilig at that. Sariling diskarte lang basta't you are true to your heart. Swak na yon'. Other's may call you baduy  or corny if you have the balls to try the traditional harana, but there's no harm in trying naman. Kahit madalang na ang gumagawa niyan, it still is effective lalo pa at mahal mong talaga ang babae. Yon ang importante, above all dapat ang purpose is to persuade the girl and to win her heart.   =)

Maka-pasta po ako!

Yup! Pasta is the name. Haha. Totoo. I am addicted to pastas, any kind of it. Even if punta kami ng mall, ayoko sa McDo, Chowking not even sa Jollibee although I admit mahal ko ang iba kaso mas mahal ko ang Greenwich. Ang sarap sarap ng pasta nila doon, pizza at french fries and of course, ang favorite ko na four seasons. Nang dahil sa mga fast food chains na to especially Greenwich, ito ang rason kung bakit ako tumaba starting last year nong time na nagwowork pa ako as a writer in an online job. Haay.. those were the days. 

But wait, ano ba meron sa pasta at ang sarap nito?

Sabi ni pareng Google, pasta daw has a long and noble history. I also saw in the TV sa channel ng Lifestyle Network yong show ng dalawang Italyano na chef na favorite ni mama panoorin. I learned na ang pasta daw ay  pagkain ng mga poor sa Italya. It was invented daw ng isang mahirap na Italyano preferrably sa Naples with the intention na this food can be stored up for years for the poor to have enough to eat three times a day. It was indeed, the pride and glory of Italy. And isa sa mga royal blood ng Italy, si Queen Margarita came to the community of the poor and nakikain sa tinaguriang "pagkain ng mga mahihirap" at dahil doon mas na-appreciate ito ng kanyang mga nasasakupan at mas napamahal siya rito. 

And because of that also, ginawan ng mga chef sa Naples ang Reyna ng pizza at pasta na ipinangalan sa kanya. So if you like to travel to Italy then better yet order their famous pasta or pizza Margarita. Ang hindi ko lang alam if saan talaga nag-originate ang pasta kase apart from Italy, ang bansang China din is claiming that they have been making pasta since at least 3000 B.C. It was even thought of that Marco Polo was the first navigator to have introduced pasta in Europe and the other countries as well. But either way, masarap talaga ang pasta! L'amore!  =)

France, here I come!

I'll be at France to stay there and journey the best that the City of Love has to offer for 13 months. I can't believe I'd get a free ticket with free accommodations too. It's the best thing so far that's happened in my life since I've never had a trip, internationally! Plus, it might sound scary to travel alone yet this amazing experience will truly teach me a lot of lessons. My female friends too have been offered of the same thing and others have traveled to other continents of the world. Others go to the Dominican Republic, New York, Miami etc. This is such a beautiful thing that has happened as the year 2012 starts.. BUT.. oops!! Sahrey! It's just a spoof! Remember the time when women world wide had caught the attention of netizens all over the globe about the color of the bra thingy trending on Facebook, where to put the bag, what food we've been craving for days.. Those were done in honor of the annual celebration of the internationally recognized awareness campaign for breast cancer. It's been going on for years and is celebrated on October. People who support this movement usually not only do stuffs to gain awareness via various social networking sites but others have done running marathons and the likes while wearing anything that is colored pink. 

This is not just about playing games or just to post a status on your Facebook account but this is an event where we help spread the awareness about the disease, learning from it, how to prevent it and to help others who have been suffering from it. Breast cancer is not just for women, it is for men too. Everyone must be cautious about what breast cancer really is so that as early as now, we can help save lives and help raise funds for research on a solution for it. The power of the word of mouth and in the virtual world by posting breast cancer awareness campaign is very important to educate others about the event. It's not just about raising money to help cancer patients but it is to remind others about breast cancer awareness and then tell the others about what you know and how you can put a halt to this kind of illness. It may be too early to celebrate it since we still have 9 months to wait, still, happy breast cancer awareness ahead to y'all!

Oh well, a trip to Paris will just be a dream then. A dream I so wanna make it a reality. But nothing to worry about having it as a beautiful dream for dreaming alone is for free. Just be hopeful, you'll never know what lies ahead. You might one day travel to the City of Love alone or with someone you adore. In time..
For now, adieu! Catch ya later..  =)

Mr. Unpredictable

The most awaited moment after the New Year celebration is to be with my closest girlfriends on the first day of class and have dinner with them at Jollibee and chika just about everything with them all. Yet, out of the three gal pals I've been so closed with, only one came with me but no worries. I still loved the company of a true friend like Richie. I know the others are quite busy with work and stuffs but we'll all be reunited for sure.

Well, to start off, Richie and I were definitely giggly about updates from our lives, Sendong, school and especially matters of the love department. It was such a joy sharing with her of the things I so wanna share with my sisters but couldn't do so because they might not approve of it and it felt quite awkward to have it talk out with them. What is even weird is I feel more comfortable being with my non-biological sisters when the topic shifts to talking about boys and the likes. Haha! 

And the moment when we were kind of talking about our lovelife, I felt so happy for my girlfriend since she's starting to move on with her last relationship. She now finds another love interest and she hopes just like any girl is praying for that this one she is crazy about might be the right one for her. 

Then all of a sudden, during our ever so-loud laughter and bruhahas, we kind of babbled about reciprocal love for she and I have such similar situations. I asked her about her opinion on my recent "kilig" and she thinks there's a special thing going on between me and the guy, let's just call him, Mr. Unpredictable. :) 

The fact that both of me and that dude felt something special for each other even after so many years has passed by, Richie and I are certain that there is indeed a "compromise of reciprocal concessions" between Mr. Unpredictable and me. Haha! Inspired by Secured Transactions class, I guess SO. 

I really hope that Mr. Unpredictable will still sweep me off of my feet and stay true to his feelings for me. It wouldn't take a scientist to know what's actually going on between us for even a 6 year old kid knows that when you looked me in the eye, there were sparks in it and that for me,  it is undeniable that for years, that same feeling I get from the very first time I fell for you is the one that gets me everytime I look into those eyes. 

This was the feeling that is the hardest to deny. Your smile, everything about you even the thought of your name alone creates a sudden upsurge of different emotions, the fast beat of my heart and no matter how I try not to still feel that same feeling for almost eight years now can not be controlled. YOU are still the one. I still feel you the way I felt when I was just 15 years old.

I don't know if you are reading this right now, but I am pretty sure if you do and if you still feel the same way for me after all those years, I will just be here waiting for you to come back and let's see where destiny takes us.You are still my very heart and life. Always. But recently, you have been missing in action and it's kinda bothering me at times. Hmn.. the last moment we chat was amazing but why the sudden disappearance? Hey, Mr. Unpredictable, are you still there?  =)

Boongon for a bitchy mouth sore!

Last week and up to now, I still have gum/mouth sores and it's very painful to talk and even to eat. Whenever I get this, I feel so weak and feverish. I feel bitchy too! Huh! It's like getting PMS! Waa! I don't feel like being pretty and in a good mood. I don't feel like studying and I feel like I am uncomfortable going out. I just wanna hibernate at home until such time that these sores are healed. I dunno what's wrong with my health because so far, I believe I am healthy it's just that I just don't understand why I often get mouth sores when in fact I do take a bath everyday, I regularly brush my teeth and I eat healthy foods. Then my sister told me that maybe I lack vitamin C or that I am not eating a lot of fruits or vegetables too. Well, I beg to disagree coz I am a foodie and I love eating fruits such as banana's and this one, boongon.

But either way, I decided to bombard my meal and snacks with lotsa fruits on the table. I've been eating tons of citrus fruits and taking my medicine, a chewable ascorbic acid. I decided to buy a dozen pack of poten cees and drink it up three times a day after taking my meal. 

So as you can see, I am trying my very best to keep fit and healthy. During in between studies, instead of eating junk foods I am firm in wanting to eat fruits. As a proof, I have this picture on the left side. Haha! 

I am currently eating a Filipino fruit which we call "boongon". It's sweet and sour but I just love the taste of it. It's quite cheap to buy and yet it's so rich in vitamin c. That's why all the more, I love this fruit! I am planning to make a smoothie based on this fruit. I just hope it'll taste delish! I loved eating it for it's soft to eat making it less painful for me to munch at.

Haaay.. I  really  do hope this will help me gain back my utter freedom of talking and eating more foods. Muhaha! Still crossing my fingers for positive results. Help me pray for my health. Thanks a bunch! Xoxo.. =)

Order me this when we go to Jollibee..

Haha! It's been a fun day with mom after we went to the Church and prayed fervently. I just love being with my mother. I love her soooo much! I just can't imagine myself if she's not with me. I might be at a loss for anything. Having these cordial dates with my mom is one of the best past times for me. Talking to her, praying with her and giggling with her. Aaah.. mi mama mi amore! 

After we had finished praying that Sunday evening, we then took our dinner at Jollibee. It is one of our common favorite fast food chains. She told me to order her her favorite C2 and asked for any soup available. I then introduced her to one of my food cravings from Jollibee. Their macaroni soup although I still miss their tuna pie. 

So whoever among my close friends who have read this, if you want to treat me.. just so you know, I love JB's macaroni soup. Just sayin'  =)

Lady Finger (Bro-as)

That sweet cookie taste. Bro-as. Others call it lady finger but the kind of bro-as I am so addicted at the moment is that tiny-meany circle that tastes so delicious for merienda or after a break from studying. My mom bought this as a paninda but I end up sneaking and getting it from our mini-store. Ssh... :P

First taste it already made me fall in love with it. And since then I've been day-dreaming about it on and on. LOL! Such a foodie, don't you think? Hehe. Now I am looking for more. I thought I'd be going gaga finding which grocery in Iligan aI'll be buying it from but fortunately for me I''ve had to buy these snacks from a mini-grocery  just a walking distance away from our house. Love it! If our Lagermania oven is back to baking, I'll nevertheless learn cooking all sorts of foods especially this one. The smell of it fresh from the oven and paired with buttercream is making me salivating. Uh-owm!  =)


Puto Maya On A Gloomy Saturday

It's raining again. Can't help myself but become traumatic that that Sendong event might occur anytime again soon. Rain-Phobia. There are still evacuees here in a school nearby and it's sad that up to now they have not been relocated to houses that are supposed to be managed by the local officials here in Iligan. I hope things will be better for them soon as well as for my sisters who have also been victims of said calamity.

So today, my family had an early chika (talk) while taking our breakfast eating puto maya (another form of rice cake/kakanin) and a cup of hot coco. This is the best food on a rainy morning while they are sharing their experiences of TS Sendong meantime I've been munching the delicious puto maya. Hehe.

Unlike suman (see previous post), puto maya is another kind of the classic Filipino rice cake of which the rice is in color violet. And just like suman, it has the same process of cooking and taste as delicious as the former. It's one of my favorite ultimate comfort foods especially in this kind of weather. Look it! #LetsEatFilipinoFoods  =)



#ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines

I am a self-confessed foodie and today I was alone at home while trying to arrange stuffs in our little mini-grocery/tindahan. I was the "tindera" for the day since my Mom went to the City to manage the documents for this year's tax payment on our house, store and our car. Since I've been quite hungry after tending our store and cleaning the house, I treated myself with another Philippine street food. Look it!


Other favorite street food includes kwek-kwek (orange egg), balut, tempura and squid ball. There are more things I have yet to discover for in my beloved country that's why the title says it all, twitter trending inspired. Haha! Indulging my taste buds on some streefoods is just one of the main reason why truly it is more "bibo" (fun) in the Philippines. And. I. LOVE. IT! Masarap na fishball,anyone? Hehe. Until next street food discovery! Xoxo.. =)

I can see clearly now..

Yepey! I finally got my new pair of eyeglasses. It's an early birthday present from my dearest mother. It's like 4 months in advance. Haha! Now out of the blue, I've been humming the song from Bob Marley. Definitely, I can see clearly now. It's a 50/50 healthy vision for me and my mom too. She's also had her new glasses. Now she won't be feeling that darn headache anymore. 



It's a great way to start the year right. It's gonna be a bright, bright, sun shiny day!  =)

New Year: Spic and Span House

A new year is new start. To welcome 2012 with an open heart is to have a place to live that's clean and healthy. I've had my bandana,cleaning gloves and gadgets on for this week. I started cleaning the entire kitchen the other day and next day I'll be cleaning the sala, the comfort room as well as my mini-library upstairs. It'll be busy week. After all those cleaning going on, I've gotta rest and fuel up. Eat some pizza, I say. We ordered pizza from Alberto's and it's amazing as always. Here's what I'ma talk about:


Eye Care

Eye care is to I care. 
YES! I care for my body as much as I care for the people I love. And when it comes to looking after my health I need to go to my ophthalmologist with my mom today. It was quite a rainy afternoon but it settled down awhile after me and my beloved mother had a heart to heart talk while taking our lunch at Merry Muffet. (Haha!) Awkward to have that talk for the first time with her but it was a great feeling after you have divulged your secrets when it comes to matters of the heart. I mean, I am never open to my mom about it but I guess this is the right time to tell her just about everything now that she gave me the permission to be in a relationship already. Waa! Pressured. But. I think. I am not yet ready. :D But having that talk with her was overwhelming especially so that I now know she's cool with me having a special someone soon. It definitely made my day since I am already 22 and I already have the freedom to have a paramour. LOL! Talking about a very strict family when it comes to lovelife. Indeed, it was a relief. I have yet to find the one though. I hope he'll hurry up. Haha!

After we had that talk, we did went to Salang Optical Clinic and remade a new frame and pair of lenses for my eye glasses. 


Tomorrow will be getting me and my moms glasses. Can't wait  =)

Year End Countdown for 2011: First Times & Freedom

KASAMA Team!
Last year was such a joyride. The ups and downs. You name it! I have to say it has been a very busy, fun, liberating, shocking and absolutely one helluva scary ride. I say busy 'coz I've won the position as treasurer in the College of Law's Student Council last February but sad because I've to give up my online job because I have not been active on it especially during campaigning time. Thus, I was jobless for a moment but not for long.

More so to in February, my MKP family held a first ever sportsfest and it was also the first time I have played bowling. It was great! Also, we did a feeding and outreach program to some communities in Iligan. We went to some schools and in Bantay Bata to cheer up and give goodies to female kids who have been victims of rape. It was something I've always wanted to do which is to help other people in their ordeals in life. It was a gratifying feeling to have helped them & made them smile because of our lil efforts to make their day special.


Precious, Zam, Jehan, Glen and Me :)
By March my batch, the so-called "Fortiores in Fide" is now, for one year, a certified member of Mu Kappa Phi. And in the same month, I have concluded my second semester at law school - FINISHED. I may be an irregular student and surely I will  not be able to graduate on time but it doesn't matter so long as I will be diligent in my studies and be optimistic still. Like what my friend told me, IT ISN'T A RACE. Just do good at school and aim for the top :)


The creative Taurean/Earth Snake that I am and like I said, I will not be jobless for long. I have been hired as a legal researcher/secretary at Gandamra Law Office in the month of May. But then again, I realized the work was kinda stressful and I had to be more focused on my studies for next semester therefore leaving me jobless again. It would have been a pretty awesome job knowing that I am a law student and the experience would have been grand. It would have helped me honed my skills in the said profession very soon especially making docus on memorandum, pleadings and the likes. It was actually a great working place the fact that my bosses are my fraternal brod and sis in Mu Kappa Phi and I feel comfortable but sadly it wasn't good for me to work there for full time and I am concerned about the fact that I might have lots of absences at work due to my being an officer in the student council too.

My take on the pixie-look. Haha! Me with the beautiful ladies
Monique, Joyce and Niel at Malibu House,
Malaybalay, Bukidnon. :)
Still, in the month of May, my being so busy has now commenced in full throttle. Such as talking about traveling and a few contests to attend to such as the ALSP event at Bukidnon with brod Nader and ate Joyce. It was a great experience and again, I met new faces and traveled alone without any family member to escort me there, FOR THE FIRST TIME.

After that said event, I felt a bit freed from having to stay in Iligan for years now. It is time for a new adventure! It was like breaking monotony. I've indeed, started to put my best foot forward on this year.



And so back to reality, before the start of the class on June, I thought I was jobless but that was just for a few months since I got back to teaching at MTIM. They called me on the phone and hired me again after teaching for second semester last January. I never knew I'd be teaching now in MTIM for a year and a half already and it feels so good. I just hope they will offer me more units to teach not just the English subject but my forte per se, which is political science. During this year's event I've met  so many faces and became close to them such as Safa and Seddik, who through, partly my influence, has become instructors also of the same College.

DK, Vienne, Joyce and Me at Manila Gateway.
Then on June to July, I together with some professors and law students, I went to Manila for the first time to attend the PBIEL Seminar. It was quite exciting for again, it was another first time for me to travel the capital city of the country. It was my first time to ride on an LRT/MRT. It was quite fun but dangerous at the same time since alot of people are on the train and I think it's where most snatchers are looming to steal anything they could get taking advantage of the scenario. Oh well, new experience begets new friendship. I got really acquainted with the other law students and learned something from the seminar as well. Again, freedom is here to stay! Plus, it was also the time when my mother bought me a netbook for the sake of this seminar. It was pure heaven! Haha! :)) 

Ate GM with my MKP buddies Glen, Zam and Raffy :)
On September, I met my sister in-law, Ate Gay Marie (GM). She's the wife of my brother Junjun. A true blue Davaoinian. She's also sabay like my Kuya (big bro). Though for her short stay here in Iligan, I've already learned to like her. We strolled her to some of the nice spots in Iligan with some of my closest friends. My family loved her for she reminds us of my elder brother. Soon enough will meet each other again with their lil angel. Hehe. It'll be another addition to our already big family. I can't wait! ;)

Still on September, it was also the month where Ate Anne got hitched with her long time boyfriend Kuya Gerald. Ate GM, my brother and I were invited but the lovers weren't here in the Philippines for they're still at Saudi so I had to act as their representative per se. Their motif was the color red - LOVE! I am with her other STAR-CM friends Ate Rose & Clint, Ate Jonalyn and the others of whom I forgot the name. Hehe. :)



Now here comes the month of October where I've been so preoccupied at law school. The horrors of Atty. Lanto's subject on partnership. Having to deal with assholes y' diablo disguised as human beings the moment I decided to run for school politics. Deym! May Lord God grant them forgiveness of whatever scornful things they've than and may they change for the better. This enriching experience have definitely warned me who to trust and who to stay away from. Poker-faced syndrome is a must and I have somehow managed to learn the art of it.

Also, to stray away from law books for awhile, I have decided to buy and to collect John Grisham books. It was another avenue to motivate me at law school. It was yet another influence to make me love more what I will soon become. At least I've had something to add in my very own bookshelves in my mini-library upstairs.

To continue the privilege of freedom given to me by my beloved mother, in the month of November, I have now joined the bar operations committee. Again. For. The First Time!!! Haha! I was with great people and being surrounded by them motivated me to push forward with life. I was again back in Manila and this was another great experience to treasure. It has helped me loved my soon to be profession, THAT MUCH. For I have quite figured out the small details about law school and those sorts of stuffs. It made me appreciate what I'll be doing soon as an administrator of justice, as a lawyer, of course.

Then all of a sudden, Sendong hits Iligan City on December. Just like that! The scary journey I had being an officer is that same feeling which drastically haunted me when alot of people died and many houses were damaged at dawn on December 17. It's was unbelievable. We never thought Iligan could experience such tragedy. It was the first ever that tons of casualties and properties have been juggernaut. Even my sisters who lived in Orchids Subdivision and in Lambaguhon have been victims of this tropical storm. I am just grateful to the Lord that they've survived this calamity. We could not imagine the things they have experience on that day the fact that seeing the aftermath of the flood was way beyond our expectations. It was an instant ghost town. Totally wiped out! We were hoping we could have celebrated my Dad's birthday on that day but what was to happen next was astonishing. Lives were taken and things that were in the way of Sendong were all destroyed in a blink of an eye. Dreams were crushed and hearts were crying. 

But on a lighter note, "UNITY AMIDST DIVERSITY" occurred out of this unforgettable battle, whether due to Mother Natures wrath or be it a man-made calamity in itself. Iliganons and those from CDO received help and various donations from different parts in the country. We've witnessed the spirit of bayanihan irregardless of the fact that you are rich or poor, a Christian or a Muslim. There were no boundaries. Everyone even those who have been victims too have helped other victims. Therefore, making each of them a catalyst for positive change in the aforementioned cities.

Truly it is painful to see those people who have lost everything, whether material or losing a loved one. Others are up to now, still haven't found the missing bodies of their family members. I am just thankful that out of this unimaginable experience, my family is in good hands. And that a positive thing has happened because of this event. I've in the process, matured into another level. I have come into good terms with my sisters whom I haven't been in total contact with for the past months/years. The hatred inside my heart was also totally wiped off. That deep seated anger finally subsided. It felt like that burden I have carried for a long haul has now finally been unloaded. 

Indeed, blood is thicker than water. I can say I now have peace of mind especially so that beginning today I am starting to rebuild the damaged relationship I had with them. Each of us may have our faults with each other but, if God can forgive the sinners then who am I not to forgive my own blood. 

Sendong's wrath taught me a lot of lessons. I forgave. I loved. I cared. I was able to extend a helping hand to the victims by doing relief operations be it in my individual efforts or with the help of my colleagues at law school. It was my way of thanking God for saving my family through that raging storm. It feels like everything is renewed inside my heart. It felt like we just landed on a new territory while on board on Noah's ark. A new beginning awaits as we welcome the year 2012.

When Sendong left Philippines, the hatred I've felt begins to vanish into oblivion and the secrets I've carefully concealed for years have now been let out of the bag. I've managed to open my secrets to my mother when it comes to matters of the heart. It felt great. I felt light. I felt so open. I felt so safe. It was freedom. It was amazing to have shared my emotions with my mother now that she gave me the permission to be in a relationship for my 22 years of existence. Haha! I am a bit pressured but I'll just go with the flow. Only God knows what my fate will be. I lay it all in His Glory. 

And ow, since we're talking a lil about my lovelife here, then maybe an old flame can be possibly rekindled? Haha. THAT I have yet to discover as 2012 unfolds. Question is, "Will this year of the water dragon be in favor of my soon to be blossoming lovelife? Or will it stop me from  a terrible heartache?" It remains to be unknown. I am scared but again, together, let's find out. Hang on tight, you! It'll be another roller-coaster ride for us. Hehe.  =)

By the way, Happy New Year! Happy New You! :)