The Day I Turned 45

I turned 45 last Tuesday and rewarded myself with a day off from work. Two weeks before my birthday, I booked a dinner cruise in Manila Bay in Sun Cruises for myself only which prompted my booking agent to ask why I chose to be alone on my birthday. Nosy, little prick isn’t she?

I started my day firing some shots at a firing range somewhere in Metro Manila courtesy of an influential friend of mine. I ate lunch at a small eatery near his office and had small talks with the carinderia owner, which ended up with her declaring that we are now friends. That’s one of my most admirable trait, I make friends easily. *insert laughter*

Back to my birthday celebration, I left my friend’s office at around 4PM since I had to be at the Esplanade Seaside Terminal in Mall of Asia by 5PM to register and get my ticket for the cruise. The boat that would circumnavigate me in Manila Bay is docked here. I made it at exactly 5PM and relieved that there was no long line. I got my ticket after a few minutes and paid a Terminal Fee of Php30.00 before going inside the pier area to wait until boarding time.








At exactly 6PM, we were allowed to board. There were a few groups of people going to the cruise with me. There were a group of Koreans and a group of Japanese with three men and a woman. Ahead in the line were a large group of office workers who I assume was there for a celebration of someone’s birthday or promotion. Looking around, I was the only solitary soul but I don’t mind. I am ecstatic that I am taking this cruise.



I was ushered to my table in the upper deck (Hooray! I’m in the upper deck). I kept looking left and right and sort of reminded me of a very excited child. And like a child rewarded with her favorite chocolate, I was jovial when the boat started to head out into the open sea. It was sunset and the colors of the sky were a varied shade of orange. It was so beautiful.




After the usual demonstration of how to use the life vest, I stood up from my table and walked towards the railing and took pictures.



It was so refreshing to feel the seawind even if it smelled a bit different. I felt like the water was siphoning all my stress for the past few months.



I went back to my table when they started serving dinner. The plated dinner, by the way, goes with the package that costs only Php550.00 on weekdays and slightly higher during weekends because they serve buffet dinner on weekends.





So here’s my assessment of their food: the soup would make you doubt your taste buds, the breaded chicken tasted bland, the beans were cooked in oil and not butter, but the beef was okay. By the way, the Shirley Temple didn’t come with the dinner package, I was charged separately for it.

I was still happy though because I didn’t come here for the food. I came here to de-stress and get away from everything. And the wind and the water were perfect for helping me get that relaxing time for myself.

It was already dark when we started to sail back. And what a sight it was when we were nearing the docking area.



I never regretted spending my birthday alone. It gave me a fresh, new insight on things but here’s what my mother said about that tiny adventure I had.

“You are crazy for taking that cruise alone.”

I wonder how she would react if she learned that I had some target shooting earlier in the morning.

A Letter To My Eldest

I was cleaning up my office drawer when I came upon this, a draft of the letter that I sent to my son as part of their school retreat when he was in his Senior Year in highschool. He is currently in his Senior Year in college. Yeah I know, it's too shocking to know that it was four years ago when I last cleaned my office drawer,
Anyway, here's what the letter says:

Hi Pao! :)

You know I don't write things like these because I'd rather tell these to you over a bottle of beer but hey, this is what retreats are for - to read your parents' rants and make rants of your own. :)

More than a decade ago, I had this small, temperamental boy who used to love my invented stories during bedtime and/or tantrums. He also loved eating under the table because he believed he was a puppy trapped in a human body. Well, now the boy is all grown up and I guess I am only left with memories (if only I had taken videos of those moments, hehe). Anyway, thank you son for sharing that life with me (and this life too, as if you have a choice, hehe). Seriously, you and your brothers served as my strength during those difficult times. Your faith in me never faltered and thank you for that. I could daresay you are a man now Dude! That's how much I believe in you. :)

You know I never say I love you often but when I do, I am saying so much more. I am telling you that I have never known love as unconditional. I have never seen anything as beautiful nor held anything as precious as you in my arms. I love you and I'm proud of you when you've accomplished something special. But you need to know that I love you with your flaws, your shortcomings, your imperfections - even those you keep to yourself.

Don't ever think, "Yeah she loves me now, but if she only knew --- she wouldn't be so proud" because I love every corner of your heart and mind - even the places that are dark and filled with shadows. That is how great my love for you is.

I maybe an unconventional mother but I assure you that I am giving you and your brothers all that I have got, and I love you more than a conventional mom can ever love her child. Whatever path you may choose, I will always be there to guide you. Remember what I said, I went through darkness to gain wisdom so I could light yours and your brothers' paths, so do not be afraid of straying, of making mistakes because I will always be there to catch you, and I will always understand.

I love you Kuya and welcome to a much adult life ahead of you! *fistbump*

Mom :)

The 13 Peaks of Mt. Batulao, A Mother and Son Bonding Experience

As a late birthday gift, I introduced my son to the art of mountain climbing (looking at it in a mountain climber's perspective, it is an art so no argument please hehe). It was his first time so I brought him along to one of those easy climbs, Mount Batulao or locally known as Mount Pangil ng Buwaya (translated as crocodile fang in English because of its 13 peaks appearing like crocodile fangs from below). It is located in Nasugbu, Batangas. It stands at 811+ meters above sea level. The climb may be easy but challenging for a first timer, an appropriate climb for my energetic eldest.

We had a group of climbing buddies with us and after a short prayer, we started our ascent at 7AM. This is the view from a few feet above

The view gets better as you climb

Intermittent rainshowers accompanied us during our climb so it is not surprising should a beautiful rainbow appeared

A view of Batangas from this spot

Here are some views as we passed by Peaks 5, 6, 7

Halfway through, we stopped to rest at this small area to eat halo-halo (the reason why I climbed today)

My son waiting for his halo-halo

This is us near Peak 7 or 8 I think...

This is us climbing through Peak 7 or 8 (whatever)

And this is my son happily posting after reaching the last peak!

It was actually a good climb. We took our lunch there and rested for an hour before starting our descent. Going down was a cinch. We reached lowland by 5PM, the exact time to have a few drinks before going home.

The best part of this climb of which both mother and son agreed was this

It was a really good mother and son bonding experience. I am looking forward to more of this soon!

Guiuan, A Surfer's Paradise and more

My first trip to Guiuan was a year after Yolanda wreak havoc in Eastern Visayas. The devastation was still evident, especially in the municipal building which was under construction at that time (Yolanda tore the whole building down). Even the church, Immaculate Concepcion Church which is one of the oldest in the country, wasn't spared

Another angle where you can see the bell tower evidently destroyed too

Guiuan is a quiet, old town located in Eastern Samar. It is a 3-hour trip from Tacloban City. On my first trip, we stayed there for two days, going around the small town. Unfamiliar, we had our meals at Andok's, the only fastfood place we could see located at the town's center. Although very laid-back, there are places in Guiuan with definitely splendid views. This one is a view of the Pacific Ocean from the top of the hill in Barangay Pagnamitan

Another view of the Pacific Ocean in the same place but from a different angle

This photo was taken at Barangay Sapao, one of Guiuan's 60 barangays. It's another Pacific Ocean shot

A year after, I went back to Guiuan. The construction of their municipal hall was almost finished. The town looked better than the first time I went there though there were road constructions that resulted to slow traffic. Luckily, I was only passing through the town since I would be staying in Calicoan Island. It was my first time in Calicoan Island and arriving there at night time, I wasn't able to see what it had to offer but darkness did not prevent me from spotting an Open-24-Hours Andok's establishment in the middle of nowhere. I assumed there were not much cars passing through that road so I couldn't help but wonder who eats at that joint.

I woke up in Banago Beach Resort, Calicoan Island the next morning and this was what I saw

The island in the distance is Homonhon Island, the place where Ferdinand Magellan landed in March 16, 1521

Calicoan Island is also known for its beautiful, giant waves because of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. It is considered as a Surfer's Paradise. Now daytime, while traversing the road connecting Calicoan Island and the main island of Guiuan, I could see a surfer or two trying to catch huge waves. Too bad I never got a photo of it, actually I had but because the car was mobile that time, the photos were not of good quality. Check out the Surf Camp in Calicoan Island and you would know what I am talking about.

Still, here are some photos I took while staying in Calicoan Island.

This photo was taken while I was having my morning coffee in Banago Beach Resort. The structure in the left houses one of the dining areas of Banago Beach Resort.

This is a clearer photo of one of the dining areas in Banago Beach Resort

A photo of the afternoon sun in Barangay Sulangan, another barangay in Guiuan which is at the tip of the Guiuan Peninsula. Here you can buy freshly caught fishes.

This is the church in Barangay Sulangan, San Antonio de Padua Church or The Miraculous Sulangan Church which was one of the buildings left standing after Typhoon Yolanda (the houses surrounding it were destroyed)

A pedicab/tricycle in Guiuan town

There is so much yet to discover in Guiuan and I hope I can have my third visit. You might want to explore Guiuan as well.

A Visit to Al Haj Murad and the Biggest Mosque in the Country Part 2

On our third day, we traveled again to Sultan Kudarat but this time our destination is a bit more dangerous. We went to Camp Darapanan, the main headquarters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to have an interview with MILF leader Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim. Again, we were escorted by Special Forces soldiers but we had to leave them in the main gate as an SOP response. So all of us civilians entered the camp without someone we can rely on for protection in case something happens. As we drove the road going to the headquarters, we could see hundreds of MILF soldiers lining the road, standing straight holding rifles. Our driver kept mumbling, "Salam Alaikum" which means "Peace unto you" while the soldiers answered back with the same "Salam". It was roughly a 5-minute drive from the main gate to the headquarters where Al Hajj Murad was. The whole length of the road was lined with MILF soldiers on both sides.

This is the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's main headquarters

Going inside the camp, we were again surrounded with a lot of MILF soldiers, here are some of them

What caught my attention once inside was the grandeur of the place. I felt like I was in a first class, private resort. In the middle, there was a long table where tea paraphernalia was served and the good thing was, it was for us! We were greeted by Al Hajj Murad's right hand man, I forgot his name but I wouldn't forget how good a cook his wife is. I could still savor those delicious pastries I had.

After the delicious tea, we were ushered into a room where we interviewed Al Hajj Murad

And of course, I wouldn't pass the chance to have a photo op with the Chairman himself

I enjoyed that visit at Camp Darapanan despite the fact that it was a bit dangerous.

Next day, we went to the Municipality of Pikit, North Cotabato. I do admire their Municipal Hall. It reminded me of a place of worship

But the most grandiose is their place of worship, the biggest mosque in the country which we visited on our last day. The Sultan Hajj Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid, aka the Grand Mosque of Cotabato in Barangay Kalanganan. This was funded by the Sultan of Brunei at a staggering cost of US$48 million. The Sultan used his own personal money to help the emerging Muslim population in the Philippines.

My stay in Cotabato City changed my perspective of the place. Yes, it is famous for bomb blasts, kidnapping, corruption, political strife but if you go deeper into the city and its people, you would understand that they are the same as other Filipinos, hoping and yearning for a better world to live in.

A Visit to Al Haj Murad and the Biggest Mosque in the Country Part 1

In the last week of September 2015, I spent a few days in Cotabato City with the TV Tokyo crew and JICA staff. It was my first time in Cotabato City and upon embarking from the plane, there were already a group of policemen and military aids waiting to pick us up. This gave me an impression that Cotabato City indeed is a dangerous place. From the airport, we proceeded to Alnor Hotel and Convention Center where we will be staying for five days. During the trip, the driver already tipped me off by saying that the owner of Alnor is an MILF commander. Ok, so what else should I be wary of?

The road was smooth, traffic was good, and the sights were no different than the view I see in other places I've been in the country, except there were a lot of Muslims, and mosques, and good-looking police escorts.

This is SInsuat Avenue near PC Hill, Rosary Heights 1, Cotabato City

This is PC Hill aka Pedro Colina Hill, a stone fort towering over the city with a height of 90 feet, housing the Cotabato City Internal Defense Command.

We spent our first day on meetings and R & R. The next day we went to Sultan Kudarat and visited a tilapia farm awarded by JICA to an MILF commander. Yes, we went to an MILF area and all the people surrounding us on that place were MILFs.

This is him, the MILF Commander, on which the name I forgot (sorry po). In fairness to him, he was very kind

The MILF commander toured us around the farm. This livelihood project was given by JICA to MILF to help its members in poverty alleviation.

Another photo of the tilapia farm

I also had a photo op with two elderly Muslim women, I had to ask an interpreter to help me request for a photo op with them

And this is the most unforgettable part of our day (besides me slipping and landing on my butt on our way to the farm)

We managed to make them shake hands, Hooraayyy! (although I wasn't able to capture that part because I was talking to our Special Forces escort)

Will be continuing Part 2 of my Cotabato City stay tomorrow.....