College Friends!

I would say I am blessed to have great friends from college. They were the ones I gathered support and strength while pulling an all-nighter or working on a research paper / defense, assignments and projects. My college life wouldn't be happy and fulfilling if it weren't for these people… they were the ones who made my day bright and even I was worrying if my parents would be able to afford my tuition. They made me feel that life in college is sure a breezy and fun one.

I wouldn't say their names because I value privacy and silence… anyway, here they are…

K - of all my college girlfriends, she's still the closest friend I had. We've been classmates since first semester of 2000. We shared a lot of common links, our love for poetry and short stories, cute guys and showbiz (haha :)). She had a talent in writing and I used to remember that she dreamed of becoming a journalist but ended up in the wonderful world of Information Technology (haha). Anyway, she is currently doing good in her career. Up to now, we are still meeting up for some girl talks over coffees, ice creams, pizza, pasta, salads and any foods we feel like eating at the moment. She's my constant shopping buddy and text mates when we're not busy at the office. Recently, we are on the same wavelength regarding on quarter life crisis. It was good because when we opened up we realized we are currently treading same wave of thoughts regarding our future.

There are so many memories of her and one of the most remarkable I guess was when we went together for some serious soul searching prayer at St. Claire chapel and of course her sweet letters reminding me that friends may come and go but true ones often stay in your heart and in your life.

M - Who would have thought this tough and best looking guy in school would be my life savior after college graduation? We became close because of our common denominator: my ex-boyfriend. He was my ex-boyfriend's best friend. He was the one who helped me see things that are not worth fighting for. When me and my college best friend and ex-bf fell apart, he was there as a friend willing to cheer me up and made me see that things happen for a reason. I would never forget the day when he confirmed to me the thing every girl doesn't want to hear from their ex-bf's bestfriend. He sided with me despite the risks of ruining his friendship with his bestfriend. Up to this day I am still grateful for him. Currently he is newly-married and a proud father to his 1-month old daughter.

Today, I was able to talk to him again in Yahoo Messenger. There was so many things left unsaid and I must say we both grew up. I was really happy for him because he seems contented and proud of his new status. Before I talked to him to cry my heart out in frustration and now we are laughing at our distant memories. He told me that whatever happened in the past has a reason. We both know it since we were being blessed with lovelives which is very far different from the past.

CJ - He was my college best friend. We met through common friends and we instantly clicked after we talked. He was very talented in drawing and programming. Too bad he wasn't able to land a career in those areas. He was my constant buddy during 1st sem of 2002 up to our graduation. Secretly, I had a crush on him (or should I say everyone in school knows it) but I was too afraid to risk everything for our friendship. He was very protective and very concerned with me. I really missed those times when we just had to hang out at their house talking endlessly and playing jokes on each other or just eating banana-que and drinking Coke in her aunt's sari-sari store. My favorite memory of him was when I got rejected applying for a known call center in Makati. This happened after our college graduation. I was bawling and crying like a kid in Greenbelt park. It was too embarrassing but I couldn't help but vent out my frustration and stress. He was there calmly speaking to me and cheering me up. He put his hand over my shoulder to stop me from crying. All the way from Makati to Laguna he didn't let go of my hand. Up to now, those memories still make me cry but I always thought God has better purpose for me since I landed a career in IT. Something I always wanted from the very start.

Recently, I was organizing my inbox messages in my cellphone, I was surprised when some of his previous messages are stored in my SIM card… here is one of the most memorable message he sent to me:

"You'll pass it! Tsaka ur always in my prayers naman e. Lam m, u've been through
a lot noh I've never met a stronger person than u kaya believe in urself, to u
its another challenge nalang d b? Pass yan, I know you can do it!"

It was dated August 09, 2004 around 12:03 in the morning… he sent me that message when I was applying for a job. I think it work, because I was hired after :).

Too bad our friendship didn't survive after this due to complicated situations but I will always be thankful that even we shared only two years of friendship, he would always still remain in my heart. It made me sad how our friendship fell apart. Honestly, I missed him and his constant companionship, but since he is married, I only wish the best for them and hoping he is happy wherever he is.

For now, these are the people who are quite remarkable in my college life. People who shared my thoughts, laughters and tears. People who made significant contributions and helped me in my current journey.

Next Planned Article: High School Friends!

Elementary Days

Although I am a member of social networking sites, I tried my best to be discreet (but I know I still lack discipline. haha). After all, I learned my lesson well enough to be careful of adding friends. Some may betray you or used your info on social networking sites to malign you. (I learned that lesson last year).

Anyways, what I love about Facebook is I was able to meet and contact my elementary classmates. At first, it was kind of awkward but later on, I was having a time of my life reminiscing with my elementary childhood friends. I realized how blessed I was during my childhood days. I got to enjoy the best of my life during those times. I was really happy seeing my old friends especially the ones I always played with. For me, life back in elementary is an easy task. You study and pass your subjects and later on, you will relax and have fun with your classmates by playing in the wide court and school playgrounds.

These are some of my unforgettable memories with my elementary classmate and friends:

1. The PAGODA game. Our self-made game in our classroom platform. The highlight of our grade 5 days. What will you do is you stand on the platform and try your best not to fall or being picked by the "taya". Sometimes this cause minor accidents since you can trample your other classmates or hurt yourself in the process of avoiding the "taya". haha

2. Our grade 5 adviser Mrs. Elena Manalo. Who knows that the song "Friends" would make us cry buckets and buckets of tears (OMG, this is a giveaway, which section I belonged in Grade 5)

3. Our uber strict, old maid, owner of our school Ms. Limaco. She forbids students to stay after 5pm in the school grounds. Since we are bunch of makukulits (naughty), we love running around the school grounds near her office to piss her off. haha.

4. Our patintero, sipa, jackstone, chinese garter, 10/20, pick up sticks tournament. Who would have thought I mastered them all in elementary days? haha :D

5. My partner in crime Mike :D - We are always a team in teasing and bullying our classmates (sorry guys :D). This guy is one I missed during my elementary days. He is fun to be with and laughs like there is no tomorrow. Recently, we started keeping in touch again after I found him on Facebook.

6. My other childhood friend and "ka-service" Yani. She's one of the most quiet but the brainiest in our class. Currently, she is in Singapore working as a licensed Architect. We still keep in touch in Facebook and YM chat when she's available :)

7. Our English subject activity of book swapping with children books and kid-friendly pocketbooks during recess and English class. Half of the class became bookworms in their later lives (including me) because it became a habit. Thanks to Mrs. Manalo for helping us realize the joy and pleasure of reading.

8. Those hideous costumes during Foundation Day and how you look stupid wearing them, while our mothers is proudly taking pics of us looking like a trash can :P

9. Our escapades during class breaks and ghost hunting trips at our school grounds

10. Joining chorale competition singing "Bakya mo Neneng" and "Sa Dakong Sinilangan" which until now puzzles me about Neneng's bakya and its significance in my life as a student. haha

11. I remember that I hate going to school during our Grade 5 summer vacation. It was because my vacation trip in our province was cut short due to NEAT review. That time, it really sucks. But I think those reviews really helped me since majority in our batch passed the achievement test. I was too scared to fail since I won't be entering HS (which is really a shame in those days). :P

12. Film showings. I realized that movie watching is fun when done in the movie house, if its done on school classrooms, that is another story... It is too stuffy and hot inside the classroom since the windows and doors are all closed to copy the dark movie house. After the film showing, half of the class comes out like smelling like dirty socks because of the sweat. :P

13. Piatos chips that time is a luxury.

14. Collecting and swapping stationaries with my girl classmates :)

15. Eating lunch at Hana's house then shopping at their neighbor's store for Choknut, Mik-Mik Milk Powder, chichirya and other candies on display.

16. Minor accidents during and after classes: One classmate is attacked by asthma, someone got under the platform while cleaning the room, someone hit her head on the door while playing, someone cut her fingers while doing the cooking project in Home Economics, someone broke his nose, someone got a cast on her arm due to a rollerblades injury and someone accidentally hit her eyes with a pencil. (Ang dami ng blind items. haha)

17. Starting our summer vacation at Yani's old house inside Nissin Compound with an amazing swimming pool behind their house. Cool times!

18. The overpriced canteens in our school

19. Fishballs that are sold for 2 for 25cents. I miss this one!

20. Our school service and our driver Kuya Polly.

And to top everything up, Here is my favorite Elementary Pic :)

Two Weeks after the New Year....

Updates:

1. Finally, been able to reconcile to an old friend whom I had misunderstanding last year. It feels so good that we are able to pick up the pieces of our friendship and catch up for all the missed talks and moments.

2. Been sick again. When will be the time that I would be able to have a sick-free year??? Promise, this is not good. Middle of January hasn't started and I already caught the bugs of bad cough and cruel colds.

3. Been back to my old habit of spending a lot during sale. C'mon! Focus on your goal to save up for this year.

4. Talking on a new level of relationship is never been fun like this! I realized that trying to air out all the things you want to say (good and bad) will do wonders in your relationship.

5. I miss my Dad so much. I remember last year that January was the month my dad arrived from US. I was so excited back then. Now, I am counting few more months and days before he would finally arrive


And before I end my latest post, I just want to share this cool pic I found in Facebook:

The Great 2009 Escapades

Since graduating from college I always wanted to travel. Not only in the Philippines but in other countries as well. Until now I am still keeping my fingers crossed that 2010 would be the year for me to go out of the country and visit at least 2 countries (still a hopeful thinking because I am still saving up) :D. For now I did explore some places here in the Philippines old and new that always left a good memories and best shared with friends.

Here are some of the snapshots of my escapade last year:

Puerto Princesa, Palawan - January 24-26, 2009
This is an unexpected trip. Me and my HS friends agreed that on our first out of town travel we choose Hongkong and Macau (one of my dream destination). Unfortunately budget issues arise during our booking, airfares and hotel accomodations. It is way over our budget and one of our friend is having doubts on splurging a lot since their company is on recession. Good thing, my friend suggest that we travel locally. They have a resthouse in Palawan and she wholeheartedly offered a place to stay in Palawan. She assure us that we will enjoy our stay. True enough, we did have a blast and unexpectedly fall in love with Palawan. The friendly people, pristine beaches, the nature trips and delicious foods entices me to go back to Palawan once more. Best of all, I get to share this with my best pals from HS.

Our trip to Crocodile farm

The View from my friend's resthouse

Going to the Underground river - beautiful formation of rocks

Inside the Underground River

Going back to the Sabang Beach

Sabang Beach

Iwahig Penal Colony

Iloilo, Philippines - April 4 - 12, 2009
One of my favorite places in Earth. I know some people would think there's nothing to see in Iloilo. Iloilo is special to me because this is where my parents grew up and most of our relatives came from Iloilo. I still remember when I was a little girl, going to Iloilo excites me because either we were riding in plane or ship I get to see my grandparents and go to places I don't usually see in Laguna or Manila. My last trip to Iloilo was in 2006 and I didn't get to enjoy it that much because it was only four days trip. This year I get to appreciate more of Iloilo and visited places I know exist in Iloilo but never went before. Holy week is a nice time to go and visit Iloilo since you get to see diffrent Spanish-old churches and ancient mansions. Not to mention the "taltal" (penitence) in Guimaras Island. For almost 25 years I've been visiting Iloilo, this is the first time I truly appreciate and enjoy our province. I am still looking forward in going and bringing friends here in the future.

View from our town in Sta. Barbara Iloilo

My Cousins playing around

At the back of my Lolo's house

Our Holy Wednesday "taltal" in Guimaras and enjoying the nice view in the top of Balaan Bukid

The View from Top - from Balaan Bukid's summit

The 15 minutes boatride from Iloilo

Snapshots our Visita Iglesia in Iloilo during Maundy Thursday:
Miag-Ao Church - One of the best! I always read and watch Miag-ao church on lifestyle / travel magazines and even on Discovery and National Geographic Channel, but I never expected to be amazed on the old architecture and design of the church. Some people says that the Miag-ao Church resembles the Paoay church in Ilocos (which I have to see first) but for whatever reason Miag-ao Church got my full attention. From the intricate design in the front facade, the long stretch of aisle where you get to walk up the altar and the secret passages that were created during the Spanish times.





St. Anne Church in Molo Iloilo - Known as one of the Spanish era church that our National Hero Jose Rizal visited on his way to Dapitan. I personally liked this church since it showcases all church pillars with female saints. I also liked the interior of this church because of the three domes in the altar and the old pulpit located near the altar. If ever I get to marry and choose a church of my own whim I would either choose Miag-Ao Church or the St. Anne Church in Molo. It brings special feelings to old world.








Jaro Cathedral and Bellfry in Jaro Iloilo
I always see this church when going to Iloilo city but I never went inside this before. If the St. Anne Church in Molo is the feminist church this one is the male dominant saint church. Too bad I wasn't able to see the saints since its a holy week and all saints are wrapped in a velvet cloths. I give thanks to Nuestra Senora Candelaria and baby Jesus or called there as "Our Lady of Candles" (which said to be growing and growing each passing day). The Jaro Cathedral was blessed by Pope John Paul II during his papal visit in 1980's.





Then the Traditional "Prusisyon" (Procession of Saints during Good Friday)









Guimaras Philippines - May 1 - 3, 2009
2009 was a lucky year for me because I was able to visit Iloilo and Guimaras twice. This time with my BF and his college friends. I already went to Guimaras a couple of times in the past but I never experienced exploring the island and stay there for a couple of days. We went to do island hopping and swimming in the cool water and lounge in the white sands in Raymen Resort in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. Though the weather is kind of upredictable because it's sunny when we get there then the next few hours are raining. We get to visit the turtle sanctuary, snorkeling / swimming and do photoshoots on the islets.

Some of the snapshots of the adventure!

The Ave Maria Islet

Guimaras Port

The Turtle Sanctuary in Guimaras

Subic - The Treetop Adventure August 2009

Last time I went to Subic was almost 10 years ago during our HS fieldtrip! It was nice to know that there are few changes and improvements around Subic. I am not a thrill seeker but we did enjoy the Subic Treetop Adventure. You get to be a Spiderman and Superman for a few minutes. For those like me who are afraid of heights, this activity will really test your boundaries. In fairness, I get to enjoy the treetop activities and once again explore Subic :)

Me - taking my most feared activity...

The View from cable car

Notes: Some of the pictures in this blog are collected from my friends who's always my frequent travel buddies :).