There You'll Be- Valentine's Day 2016

I spent last weekend in Los Banos, Laguna following a sudden invite from a former classmate. We've been planning to meet up since last November but found it hard to sneak the date in our busy schedule. Last Saturday was different. I woke up at 5:30am (instead of the planned 4:30) and left Cubao at 6am. I was lucky to have arrived just as the bus was driving out of the terminal.

We chatted a lot as soon as we saw each other. Four years of just chatting on Facebook was not enough. I cooked curry noodles for her and then we went to UPLB for some yoghurt treat. In the afternoon, we went to Laguna Hotsprings to take a dip in one of Pansol's hotspring resorts. I wanted to submerge my body in the hot waters hoping for the complete healing of my knee which was slightly injured from my last waterfalls hike. But disappointingly, the water was not hot. But we were treated to a surprise fish spa when late in the afternoon, some janitorfish were biting off our dead skin cells. Cute. It was so relaxing I fell asleep. LOL.

While in the waters we talked a lot, catching up on each other's lives. It was comforting to know that I can ask even personal questions and get honest answers. Purely girl talk, plus more. ;)

We had a quick nap before we had dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant and I had their version of tom yum. The shrimps were overcooked but they were in fairly good size so I couldn't compain much. Then off we went to the UP Fair, my first ever. And we both laugh at how I had to travel far to experience UP Fair!

There were lots of people but I didn't mind because being with her is so much fun. Perhaps next year I will try to see for myself what UPD Fair is like. And maybe, just maybe, ask that guy out. (That guy with whom I became close to in Bacolod. He inspires me a lot, and it's pretty rare that guys inspire me this much.)

The following day, my friend and I took a long walk inside UPLB and had breakfast at IRRI canteen. I sneaked a peek at the museum and it's awesome!!! Since I have a bit of grudge at IRRI for not helping the local farmers, I asked that uncomfortable question to her and she clarified that that is PhilRice's job and that IRRI is an international organization. Well that explains things. We really cannot rely on our government to level the playing field and provide a bright future for everyone, which is why I never want to work under it despite the many offers.

It was super hot like the day before and I was afraid I might get dehydrated but we still walked, being pooritas that we are. We had lunch at a Thai resto where I got to eat awesome pad thai. My friend's order of beef noodle soup is also very delicious so I will be ordering that the next time I drop by.

I left Laguna around 2pm, fearing I might get stuck in heavy traffic if I go home late. It's Valentine's Day after all and I would also like to spend the day with my family. Turned out ny sisters went out and so I ended up attending mass with mom and bro.

At night, I finally was able to draw a younger version of my yaya and me as a baby. Hot tears fell but I hope this way I am able to honor her memory on this day of hearts. Because of all the people in the world, she was the one who loved me the most. And this week, falling into contemplation yet again, I thought about how I was able to go through the challenges of life because of her, and how, despite her passing, we seem to be closer than ever. Because I refuse to forget even though it hurts a lot, even though when thoughts of her pop in my mind, I am sure to get teary-eyed and lately it's been hard to control.

So I'm dedicating a drawing and the song "There You'll Be" to the Light of my life. Happy Valentine's Day, yaya. I miss you everyday. 

January 2016

The year opened without a message for myself as I was accustomed to do in the past. The tragedy that struck last year almost paralyzed me and 2016 seemed to be like conquering a new frontier without a compass. It is of course, no big problem for a drifter but having lost an important person whose support had been unwavering and highly encouraging can be devastating.

January is the start of a new chapter in my life. Ten years ago with wide-eyed innocence I stepped in UP Diliman with a big thirst and hunger for knowledge. My first two visits were with the Light. Now, as I embark on a three-year journey towards the fulfillment of a personal goal, I venture alone. I know I can make her proud in this new lease on academic life.

love walking on this road lined with tall trees in Mambukal Resort

solo time at the 7th falls

The first weekend was spent in Negros. It's been a dream to go around Visayas and I am happy that this early I was able to travel. Bacolod is a wonderful place with wonderful people. It's hard to fall in love at first because what greeted me when I entered the city was pollution and it felt as if I were in Metro Manila. But spending time in Mambukal Resort where I hiked up to the seventh falls to bathe with only a guide and then capping off my visit in the ofuro where I chatted with two nice ladies with whom I hitched a ride back to Bacolod, I was temporarily relieved of the depression. 

solo dinner at Mely's garden where I consumed a total of 500 g of seafood. Love the sinigang with batuan and the grilled stuffed squid is also heavenly.

Bacolod Capitol at night

Add to that my awesome stay at Danjugan Island where I got acquainted with bright botanists and where I made friends with some of them. I grew fond of a boy there who's still in his undergraduate studies and I can very well see that with his kindness and brightness he will surely succeed in life. I am also happy to have met cool people with whom I can be comfortable. I wouldn't have expected to share a room with two complete strangers but I did and I think it somehow created an unspoken alliance. Hopefully I get to join them in ethnobotany and other plant research.

honored to be with this wonderful group of botanists

lovely sunset at Danjugan Island which is too beautiful to make one sad

 My last day was spent in Silay but I didn't get to roam around much because I was still tired and sleepy. Nice to have talked to an owner of El Ideal who recommended to me more of Silay's attractions aside from their ancestral houses. We just visited two due to lack of time. I also was able to hear mass at the church but couldn't understand much because everything was in Hiligaynon.

El Ideal's version of pancit malabon: YUMMY!

To make the most of my time before I get busy starting the 3rd week of January, I joined a group of climbers for a hiking adventure. I have been telling my friends countless times that I want to hike up Mt. Manalmon and go on a sidetrip to San Miguel to see the ancestral houses there but everybody was too busy. This time, I didn't let the opportunity pass. We hiked up Mt. Gola first then Mt. Manalmon, both easy climbs. Then we did some caving in Bayucboc Cave. Really except there are some difficult parts there especially for a vertically challenged person like me. Last, we swam at Madlum River.

The following week, I found myself in Laguna. I was invited to an open birthday climb by a hiker who was celebrating his birthday. We became close when we were in Pulag in 2015. Anyway, this time we went falls trekking: Hulugan Falls, Talay Falls, and Hidden Falls. Talay Falls was where we set up rappelling equipment and of the non-experts I was the first to go so I suffered from minor slipping accidents twice. The slope was slippery and one time I slipped and fell into a pool. Thank God I was uninjured but it made my whole body sore for days after.

On the way home from Laguna to Cubao, we had the bad luck of having to stand for some 2 hours inside the bus. My legs were already tired and I badly wanted to sleep. Even so, I managed to take a hot bath at home before going to sweet sleep.

Also this January, I attended the UPFI showing of "Iisa", an indie film about how a typhoon disaster can bind together people regardless of whatever social groups. Bonus is having a groufie with the beautiful Maria Isabel Lopez who was very charming and game. She even taught me the correct angle for the photo! :D