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!!!

Today, My Little Sister is Getting Married

Dear Magee,

TODAY, your life takes on a different path, a new journey, a new chapter. Call it destiny, serendipity or whirlwind romance...whatever it is, I want you to know that I am happy for you and Jhun. I know it wasn't an easy decision to make and I admire your strength for leaving everything behind here in the Philippines and find your luck in a strange country. You did not only chase after your dreams, our dreams but you were there to finally meet the man destined for you. 

Until now, I still find it surreal that my little sister is finally getting hitched. I still see you as my little sister. But most importantly, you are my bestfriend. I love that we socialize together, know each other's friends and even hang-out with the same circle. You were my ukay-ukay shopping buddy and my ultimate videoke adversary (including Mary Ann). We were each other's cheerleaders and staunch supporters. And despite the 4-year gap,we speak the same language and you are the only person who understands the real me. To watch you grow into the person that you are now, I take pride in knowing that I may have done something good  somehow being your second parent. 

I wish we could be there to witness and celebrate this important milestone in your life. I know it's never the same without us, your immediate family in the picture. However, don't make a big fuss about it and just enjoy this moment. There's still that big wedding we're looking forward to this side of the world. By then, the puzzle will be complete. Oh, I'm quite excited of the beach wedding reception. 

And to my new brother-in-law, I wish you will take care my little sister. We're giving her to you now to love and to hold until forever. 

Congratulations Little Sister...Welcome to Jungle!!! (joke)

I love you and I'm going to miss you more but I also feel assured in the knowledge that you're in good hands now. May this be the beginning of an amazing life together and hopefully some little de Torres who speaks straight Italian soon. 

Cheers!!!

All my love,

Ate Lou

All Roads Lead to Boracay

The succeeding posts will be a blow by blow account of our ultimate travel this year --- our anniversary escape to the island paradise of Boracay. I'm sharing our experience in this blog in the hope that other travelers may also learn from it.

We boarded Cebu Pacific Air bound for Iloilo. As mentioned in the previous post, sometime March I was able to score a piso fare deal and only paid a total of Php1550. This is already good for two passengers round trip. Since we'll be in Boracay for four days, we were bringing a luggage that's already beyond the allocated allowance. I got a tip from some friends that it's better to purchase in advance luggage upgrade coz it's cheaper compared to just paying it at the airport. We paid the luggage upgrade a day before our trip and only paid only Php150 per way instead of Php300 if paid at the airport. 

Anyway, after less than an hour, we were already in Iloilo City. The last time I was in Iloilo City was more than 8 years ago and I am amazed at how big and modern their airport is. It's even better compared to Mactan Airport. 

From Iloilo airport, we rode a van to SM Iloilo and paid Php50 each. From SM Iloilo, we took a cab to Ceres Terminal and paid the taxi driver Php150 (amount in the meter is only about Php120 but the taxi driver was so nice we gave him extra). We immediately boarded the next bus that will bring us Caticlan. Bus fare is Php336 per passenger. 

After almost 6 hours, we finally reached Caticlan. We were dropped off at Jetty Port only to be directed by security to Tabon Port for some reason. We boarded again another tricycle paying the regular fare of Php25 per pax. At Tabon Port, there were 3 counters that you need to approach to be able to board a boat that will bring you to Boracay. We paid the following fees per person:

Terminal Fees: Php50 

Environmental Fees: Php75 

Fare: Php20

Boat ride from Tabon Port to Boracay Port only takes 15 - 20 minutes so we were already in Boracay in no time. From Boracay Port, we took a tricycle that will bring us to D'Mall. Since we already made initial research, we made sure that we only paid the regular fare of Php25 per person. 

After walking a few meters in the sea of tourists, I finally got a glimpse of the beach to my dismay. The beach was totally deserted and waves were really huge. The resorts built these windbreakers and sand screens at the beachfront. It's feels like were isolated from something. But of course, I didn't allow that sight to ruin our vacation. We're finally in Boracay and there's no turning back.

NEXT POST: Our home for the next 3 days

DAY 17: WHAT'S SOMETHING YOU WISH YOU COULD SAY TO SOMEONE?

Dear YOU,

 What happened?

Love, 

ME

Photo Credit: random tumblr post

DAY 13: Have you ever had your heart broken? Have you ever broken a heart?

I'm so back...I hope I can keep up with this challenge I put upon myself and this blog several months ago. Despite the interruptions, I always go back to what I really love doing --- BLOGGING! So, here I am still up for the challenge...again!

HAVE YOU EVER HAD YOUR HEART BROKEN? HAVE YOU EVER BROKEN A HEART?

I've only had two relationships - the first one with my first boyfriend and the second one is with my husband. My first relationship lasted for almost three years. He was a childhood friend. Being in a relationship for the first time, I was all positive and was in for the long haul but he had other plans and he left me hanging. He was my first heartbreak but I've moved on after that.

My relationship with my husband wasn't perfect. We had our share of ups and downs before we tied the knot. At some point, he also broke my heart a couple of times. But I guess, being brokenhearted isn't really the end of the world. And I believe that hearts really don't break...it only gets a little piercing here and there but it will return to its proper shape and will beat again.

As to the next question...yes, I think I broke my father's heart when I married early. He had bigger dreams for me but I fail him big time. I tried to mend his broken heart by proving to him that I made the right decision. I think, it has totally healed seeing what I have achieved and just seeing his grandchildren.

Loving Myself Everyday

It's Valentines Day today!!!

I've long accepted the fact that my husband and I don't really celebrate the so-called love day as a couple. We never did and we never will. Well, I personally find this day too overrated, too commercialized and too cheesy.

But on the love department, I think I need to rekindle that love with my greatest lover - MYSELF. There came a point when I hated myself... heck I couldn't even accept myself for various reasons! Such a shame come to think of it. But lately, I realized that I need to embrace myself and showered it with so much love and affection. Nobody will ever love me like I do! People may not like me nor accept me but at least I have myself to love and like. I hope I made sense...but yeah, this post is about LOVING MYSELF not only on Valentines Day but EVERYDAY!

Here's a shameless photo of the most beautiful person in this world --- ME!

DAY 6: A Song That Makes You Cry (or Nearly)

I easily tear up whenever I hear songs that reminds me of people and events. It brings back both happy and sad memories whenever I hear these songs. But I have what I consider as my ultimate favorite song. I like the original  version though and hate the awful versions especially that of Nina hhhmmmpp...here you go!

LOVE MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS

by Julia Fordham

Who'd have thought
This is how the pieces fit?
You and I
Shouldn't even try making sense of it

I forgot
How we ever came this far
I believe we had reasons
but I don't know what they are
So blame it on my heart, oh

Love moves in mysterious ways
It's always so surprising
When love appears over the horizon
I'll love you for the rest of my days
But still, it's a mystery
How you ever came to me
Which only proves
Love moves in mysterious ways

Heaven knows
Love is just a chance we take
We make plans
But then love demands a leap of faith

So hold me close
And never let me go
'Cause even though we think we know
which way the river flows
That's not the way love goes, no

Love moves in mysterious ways
It's always so surprising
When love appears over the horizon
I'll love you for the rest of my days
But still, it's a mystery
How you ever came to me
Which only proves
Love moves in mysterious ways

Like the ticking of the clock
two hearts beat as one
But I'll never understand
the ways it's done

Love moves in mysterious ways
It's always so surprising
When love appears over the horizon
I'll love you for the rest of my days
But still, it's a mystery
How you ever came to me
Which only proves
Love moves in mysterious ways
Love moves in mysterious ways