Turning 37

Week before my birthday, my husband and I had a fight and was on cold war the entire week leading to my birthday. It was a petty thing but pride and unnecessary anger get in the way as always. I really didn't have any grand plans for my birthday except to escape the city for a bit while nursing a broken heart (*insert Whitney Houston song "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?") hehe. 

A day before my birthday, I raised the white flag and said sorry. I don't want to be brokenhearted forever, you know. Still, he failed to greet me on the morning of my birthday and even went out for a long ride with his bike. Again, my heart broke and proceed with the plan of escaping the city. 

With my daughters Alex and Zabbie, sisters Anne and Matet and nephew Leon in tow, we went for our greatest adventure and roadtrip so far. We took a v-hire from Mactan and another v-hire to our first stop. 

my adventure crew

First Stop: Simala

I've lived in Cebu for 20 years now and I haven't been to Simala ever. Entering Simala is like entering a different country or world. You'll be met with castle-like structure. Thousands of tourists and pilgrims flock to Simala to pay homage and offer petitions to the miraculous Virgin of Simala. It was a perfect opportunity for me to offer my gratitude to the Virgin Mary for another year in my life and for the blessings received all these years. I also raised my personal petition of letting me patch up differences with my husband.

Simala

Simala

Second Stop: Tingko Beach, Alcoy

Since we've been on an adventure mode, we decided to head further down south to Tingko Beach in Alcoy. Despite being very accessible and just along the highway, I haven't been to this beach as well. Tingko Beach boasts of powdery sand and crystal clear blue waters. The weather was cooperating as it was really bright and sunny. While there are a lot of locals and tourists hanging out by the beach, we still enjoyed the beach nonetheless. The kids had a blast playing in the sand and was even complaining why we have to leave early like two hours after. 

quick dip

having a blast

At around 4pm, we decided to end our adventure and waited for the next ride back home. If not for the almost 3-hour traffic in San Fernando on our way back, it would have been really an awesome roadtrip. We reached home past 10pm and celebrated what's left of my birthday with my parents. 

My husband? He had other plans on my birthday and celebrated on his own. Duh!

Happy 37th Self!!! Here's to more roadtrips and adventures!!!

Tribute to the Supporters

I really missed this space. There are days when you feel that facebook and instagram have become too mainstream and you feel the need to go back to your roots, to your original sounding board, to that space where only quite a few really take a peek. Today is one of those days and I never felt so guilty to have foresaken this space.

So now, I am making a comeback with a vengeance haha. I've been keeping promises I couldn't really keep like writing in this journal from time to time. I always fail miserably. This is my humble attempt to keep that fire burning. Here we go...

The Cobra Ironman 70.3 happened more than a week ago and it still feels surreal that finally my husband conquered it and had it off his bucket list. The stage wife that I am couldn't be more proud of this achievement. The road to ironman is not an easy feat not only for the triathletes but also to their so-called supporters - wives, partners, girlfriends, children or probably the next door neighbor. In this post, I will not be speaking on the triathlete's perspective but on a supporter's point of view. It may look easy to just cheer on the sidelines but I tell you, we also had our share of "laspag" moments.

We have to endure extreme weather conditions - staying under the heat of the sun or under a drizzle during races just to take good photos of our triathlete. We also get our share of dehydration, tan lines and sunburn (yes, in that order). Our muscles also ache when we are made to carry stuff, a sportsbag perhaps with the triathlete's essentials - water, extra clothes, running shoes, cleats, helmet, bike pump or extra tires. We also get those jitters at the start of the race. We mentally recite the Holy Rosary and call on all the saints to give our triathlete a safe race. Our sigh of relief may not be as loud as our cheer but yes, everytime our triathlete gets out of those rough waters or arrive at the transition area, we give out a huge sigh of relief and thank the heavens above. At the end of every race, we are often the designated driver as our triathlete is way too beat up to even hold that steering wheel. These and more are the many sacrifices that supporters do.

We do this out of sheer love and dedication to our triathlete. We do this because we want them to have a good race and to finish strong. Afterall, they've worked their muscles out just to finish their race of a lifetime. We don't really mind the lost family time during practice and simulations. We can't complain about the heat or how heavy (and expensive) your stuff is on our shoulders. We're not even close to freaking out everytime you get grumpy or stressed prior to race day.

To our dear triathletes, we are your unsung heroes, your staunch supporters, your PA, your prayer warriors, your benefactors (your expensive gears are taking a toll in our grocery budget), your no. 1 fan and WE'RE LOVING EVERY BIT OF IT. We will be behind you every race because accept it, no one else will. Someday, please learn to also return the favor as what Sen. Pia Cayetano once said. We really don't mind a quiet dinner at some fancy resto or a shopping spree if we get lucky or as simple as a kiss and hug after every race. We're not really that hard to please. Cheerio!!! 😃

Hello Summer

Summer 2013 has come in full swing what with the scorching heat of the sun. But I'm not complaining. I love summer and everything that goes with it...the beach, tan lines, summer breeze, island hopping, pool parties and summer outfits to match. 

So far, we've been having a blast since the end of March. We've enjoyed spur of the moment summer escape to Borbon last Holy Thursday. It was a long drive up northern Cebu and though we reached the place when the tides are low, the kids still enjoyed seeing fishes of different colors. 

new discovery... white sand beach in Borbon

Then we stayed overnight at Cordova Nature Park Resort for a very affordable rate courtesy of a friend who manages the resort. We had the enormous swimming pool all to ourselves. The kids swam to their heart's content and until their skin turned dark because of the summer heat. Hubby also did some lapping to prep up for his next race. We checked out on Easter Sunday really contented and happy after that short family bonding. 

enormous pool in Cordova Nature Park Resort

The following weekend, some friends in the company also planned out an adventure for a day at Sumilon Bluewaters. Since the husband has a triathlon race the following day, he booted himself out so it was just me and Alex. We left the city as early as 4am and traveled down south for almost 3 hours. We then took a 15-minute cruise via motorized boat in reaching the island. Sumilon has its own charm although it's not really as impressive as I thought it to be. We still had a blast snorkeling and saying hello to beautiful underwater creatures. I loved that part when we explored the sand bar on the other side of the island. Aaaahhh, it was like paradise! Of course, the camwhoring was endless. 

the sand bar --- my favorite part of the island...that's me and my daughter by the way!

went kayaking at the Sumilon's famous lagoon

We left the island ahead of the pack as I still have to travel again up north to support my husband's race in Alegre. I have to drop off Alex in SM for her yaya to pick her up and bring her home. I arrived at our pension house in Catmon almost 11pm and was too beat-up from our Sumilon adventure and more than 5 hours of bus ride from Oslob. It was still worth it as I was again worshipping the sun, sea and sand in Alegre Beach Resort who made us use their facilities after the race. 

I know my summer adventures doesn't end here as we're planning up again another adventure to Camotes Island. Well, if I have lots of moolah, I would definitely go all out exploring the country's best beaches and resorts. I am still eyeing big time on Kalanggaman Island.