Hello

Well, hello there little blog that I've abandoned for too long! I apologize for the absence of activity, I wasn't in a writing mood for quite a while. I never seem to have found the energy to sit down and type. Perhaps uninspired? Not really. Lazy maybe. I'm really working on getting myself to write more these days. There is just so much to write about around me really but I can't seem to figure out why I have no words for them. Truly, discipline is everything. So, how do I begin to narrate the days when I decided to temporarily not exist in this tiny universe that I have created for my own?  Perhaps I’ll go with the proven and tested ‘a step at a time’. Yes, I’ll go by that.

I've recently moved back to Manila. Emphasizing on ‘back’ since it was my home before I moved to Cebu to continue my studies. I had a wonderful three years in Cebu. I was reunited with my old friends and I made new once too. The city was my comfort zone. I loved every bit of my stay and I am sure to visit it often. There is not day that I don’t miss it or think about it. But life has its way of letting us have the ‘growing up’ that we all need. Moving to the capital was tough decision. But I knew it was the right thing to do. I've been on a holiday for too long.

Life is so real here. Manila is not a shy city.  It’s very outspoken and straightforward. It is aware of its greatness and will never adjust for anyone. Very well identified and is sure of it itself. It has everything that the word ‘city’ seeks to define; bad traffic, skyscrapers, glamour, high rent, events, opportunities, poverty, pollution, etc. Not a trace of country life, just urbanization everywhere.  Above all, it is home to the most significant places and persons in my life. Most of who I am now was molded in this city. Cebu is special, but Manila is definitely my favorite.

I have a few stories to tell which will be featured on my future posts. I have a long list ahead of me. I will get on them one by one. Promise. I will include the explanation of the new look! haha

Let’s leave it here for now.

via Etsy

Reading: One Day

Image from the Web

I am a sucker for stories about friendship that lasts for years. When I watched the movie adaptation of this book of the same title, I was just drawn to it. I knew it was a must read. So without much chatter let me quote the text from the back cover of this book  for you:

YOU CAN LIVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE

NOT REALIZING THAT WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR

IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU

15TH JULY 1988. Emma and Dexter 

met on the night of their graduation.

Tomorrow they must go their separate ways.

So where will they be on 

this one day next year?

And the year after that?

And every year that follows?

So? What do you think?  Read on and have fun!

After a While 

 

BY VERONICA A. SHOFFSTALL

After a while you learn

the subtle difference between

holding a hand and chaining a soul.

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning

and company doesn’t always mean security.

And you begin to learn

that kisses aren’t contracts

and presents aren’t promises.

And you begin to accept your defeats

with your head up and your eyes ahead.

With the grace of a woman

not the grief of a child.

And you learn

to build all your roads on today

because tomorrow’s ground is

too uncertain for plans

and futures have a way

of falling down in mid flight.

After a while you learn

that even sunshine burns if you get too much.

So you plant your own garden

And decorate your own soul

instead of waiting

for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn

that you really can endure.

That you are really strong.

And you really do have worth.

And you learn and you learn

with every good bye you learn.

When I first read this poem, I instantly fell in love with it. I took it as if it was my own-- without reserve. To all the women out there. And to the men who understands women. Cheers!

 

Happy Valentine's Day ;)

Sinulog Diaries

Having lived in Cebu for almost three years now, I have adapted the tradition of celebrating the Sinulog. Tagged as the "Mother of all Festivals in the Philippines", Sinulog is more than just a party on the street or that day of the year when you can sport your henna tattoo or face paint. More than anything, the Sinulog is a celebration of faith. It is the time of the year that the Cebuanos picked in thanksgiving to its protector, the Sto. Nino (the Child Jesus) or simply known to them as Senyor. The Sinulog parade is known all over the country for it's grandeur and energy. It just gets better each year! But the Mass right after the Sinulog procession on the eve of the festival is one thing to watch out for. 

The first time I attended the mass was last year when I came with my friends from CLM. It's been the movement's tradition to pray the Rosary at the Pilgrim Grounds while waiting for the procession to return. After the Mass, the Sinulog dance will start. Everyone will be a dancing to the Sinulog tune while raising their replicas of the image of the Sto. Nino. Prayers, raised up to the heavens. Shouting all together "Pit Senyor!" (Hail, O Lord!). I did the dance this year, along with some strangers. I had a lot to thank for and pray for this year. My friends from CLM was a at the Pilgrim Grounds while I stayed at the balcony area. I had a blast. I had goosebumps from time to time plus the fireworks was just amazing. Nowhere in the world will you experience prayer the way Cebuanos does it.  

Here's the video that I took with my phone after the Sinulog Mass :

My Sinulog in the past three years:

I partied on the streets with my girlfriends in 2010

Sinulog with my friends from CLM in 2011

The Sinulog in 2011 was the foundation of my friendship with  Clarrence, Jhanine, Manoy Vince, Vi-an, Mark, RJ and Nelson. It's been a year guys! Cheers! 

I joined the solemn procession and danced after the Mass  for Sinulog 2012

I catch up with the with the procession at Fuente Osmena

On our way back to the Basilica as the procession draws to it's end and the Mass would start.

I grew up in a Sto. Nino city just like Cebu. Back in Tacloban, my hometown,  the Sto. Nino also serves  as our patron and protector. I hope to be with Mom next year for Sinulog she always wanted to come but never found the perfect time to do it. I just hope she can catch up with the long walk and all. But I'm sure she'll love it. 'Till the next Sinulog in 2013 and onwards!

Welcome back to me, by the way.

I missed y'all! xoxo

Heads Up

Sorry for the absence of activity. As you may have figured out, I was busy with school. I was also busy preparing for my trip. So much have taken place that I never found the time to write about them. The past few weeks have been excruciating and demanding. I would leave home earlier than I used to and come home really late, not to mention the sleepless nights and the stress in complying with the final requirements. I'm lucky I survived those days, I seriously thought it would kill me. So much for that, I am just glad that it's all over right now. Just thinking of writing this post makes me wanna runaway. There is just so much information to be conveyed. This is the lazy me talking. That's why I am only going to write about the highlights, which is entirely about CLM and will drop the school stuff. They are just too toxic to write about. Before I lose them I'll just rumble down here.

Sodalites

We had guests at the CLM last month, they were here for an important mission and that is to educate the members of what it is to be truly part of the movement. Brother Mauricio Artieda and Brother Alan El Haj from the Sodalitium Cristianae Vitae (SCV) came all the way from Rome, Italy just  be with CLM Pilipinas and help us in terms of our knowledge about out missions and taking actions. They prepared a series of talks, a film forum and workshops for us so we can get a grasp of the spirituality and he apostolate. Like the CLM, SCV is also under the umbrella of the Sodalit Family and was founded by Luis Fernando Fegari. 

Alan in one of  the many talks he gave, with Sr. Keyla, Clarrence and Izzy, Bro. Rj listens to Alan.

Although brief, Mauricio and Alan's visit was worthwhile. For their final weekend with us, a gathering was organized to thank them. We had also shared our experiences with them and gave feedback and personal assessment on what their visit did for us. After the daily meetings and talks with them, we just couldn't help but miss the moments and the cool stuff that we learned from them.

Alan and Mauricio at the farewell gathering

Bonding

I had the chance to spend time with my friends at CLM after a long time. Alright, long time maybe a little bit exaggerating but people, I spent almost everyday of my life with these guys ever since I met them. So when we don't get to hang out for a week or when Saturday Rosary is the only time we get to meet, we are creatures deprived of time. I really missed them so when we finally had the chance we hit the road and roll again! After one of the talks we went to have a late dinner near my place. Regardless of how tired and sleepy we were we still went for it. Sobranng tagal na! It only took one dinner gathering to reclaim lost time.

Goodies from Spain

My friends are back from Spain after they attended the World Youth Day 2011 celebrations in Madrid. Sure they had a blast and the next one will be in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for WYD 2013. Being Filipinos, it's an inherent trait for them to bring some goodies for those who were left at home. Oh how I love receiving pasalubongs! No matter how small. Kahit na ballpen lang yan na libreng pamigay dun, sobrong saya ko na niyan! Because it's always the thought that counts. Madali akong kausap when it comes to pasalubong. So I was ecstatic when they handed me the goodies!


Sorry for the poor image quality. I used my webcam in taking these photos.

    All the goodies I got from my friends!

 These two were special requests. Filipinos (I know right?) are chocolate coated cookies. It also comes in white chocolate. It was first introduced to me by my friend, who brought me some during his visit to Madrid. It has become my favorite since then. I had five packs of Filipinos and two packs of peach juice or melocoton, as they call it in Spanish. They were all brought in by my friend, Nelson.

 I was also given these books that were distributed to all the delegates and they even gave extra so hakotan na talaga! The yellow book is YOUCAT or Youth Cathechism, its a personal gift from Pope Benedict XVI. It's a big help for the mission and in cultivating personal faith since it answers questions about the Catholic faith. The blue book is a Pilgrim Book, consist of prayers and meditations during the event.

The back of the Pilgrim Book bears the text MAGNIFICAT, the name of my Marian Group. That's just lovely!


Even though I didn't make it to the WYD in Madrid, I still got the chance to experience it up close through the things that my friends brought home and their stories. I am grateful to have such thoughtful friends, iba parin yung feeling ng naa-alala ka nila in the midst of an overwhelming experience like WYD. Kasi may mga kaibigan talagang sadyang nakakalimot. I'm grateful that I was spared from having such friends, if any, they are no longer in my life. Ha! So, many thanks for the goodies and the love!          






                  

Tacloban Weekend: Day One

As you may have figured out, I'm in Tacloban. A city situated right at the heart of Eastern Visayas, home to the  infamous San Juanico bridge and my hometown. The last time I came home was about two month ago just before school began, so when I figured from the school calendar that we would have a three-day weekend, I immediately booked a flight so I can spend time with Ma and the rest of the fambam. Plus, I was really looking forward to relaxing, which is hard to have when you are in the big city (unless you go to the spa). Though, Tacloban is a city in itself, it still has the countryside feel to it. New shops, clubs, restaurants and a mall opened in the recent years and the old ones also did a little upgrade. You can see development everywhere and what's good about it is that there is less traffic and we still have fresh air (thank God!).

Today (but, by the time I post this, it'll be the next day), I spent the entire morning at home, checked the whole house, played with the dogs and helped in the chores and all. I had a chat with my uncle (my mom's older brother) over lunch, it's our way of updating each other really. In the afternoon, I went for a trip to the mall which is a five-minute ride from home. Robinson's Place was the best thing that has ever happened to southerner's like me, since, most of the things have been happening in the northern part of the city (we call it downtown) for ages. 

   There was not too many shoppers so, the mall wasn't that crowded.

    The view from the 2nd level.

                      This girl is actually wearing the same school uniform that I wore back in high school.
                      Nostalgic!

                       Ma met up with me after work for some pizza. 

    My outfit was laid back and comfortable with flip flops, of course.


I'll head downtown for my Day Two, the place just screams authentic Tacloban culture. I'll write a post about it tomorrow so you'll see what I'm talking about.




Edit: I couldn't go out of the house for Day Two, it rained all day. SAD:(

Midnight Soundtrip

My computer clock reads 12:40 a. m. and yet here I am still wide awake. I can't sleep just yet, so much was going on during the day and I just need to cool things down. Being nocturnal allows me to keep up in times like this. I don't mind being up this late. I have music playing on the background to keep me company. This isn't one of those emotional nights so you can stop worrying, guys. I just need to take a pause and breathe it all in. I just wanna stop talking and take time to listen, just listen to the things around me, recall what happened during the day and assess myself if everything I did was worth it. Did I make good choices? Did I make sense? It's good to end the day with these questions and answer them with firm yeses. 

I can never exchange the solemn silence of midnight for any kind of silence there is in the world. Knowing that everyone is asleep and the place is quiet gives me so much peace. I don't have a schedule for doing this, I just do it when my mind tells me to. We need to be in a certain silence to communicate with ourselves and get our choice of music to keep us company, that way we don't have to feel that we are alone. It is always rewarding to reconnect. (Sigh) So much for tonight. I have to get myself to bed soon. I'll stay in this moment for a little while before I hit the sack. Meanwhile, I'll share with you the music that's keeping me company tonight. I must warn you the are quite old songs. Shoot me. You don't have to like them. :))

 How about you, what keeps you up at night, my friend?