I miss you i.ph

March 1, 2011

It’s been months since my last post. I guess working and studying at the same time is taking up all my time now.

Come summer and I promise to catch up and write something here. Until then.

 

Wow Davao or Whoa Davao?

November 18, 2010

 We booked for this trip six months ago. CebuPac was on sale then and we felt  the luckiest after booking for two to MNL-DVO-MNL for only PhP317.00. So it’s like PhP 75 one way, per person (do the math for exact computation).

But since our vacay fell a week after the first sem finals, we didn’t have much time to plan for it. Actually, there were no plans at all which was kind of unusual for us since we always have everything laid out and planned when we travel.  

So we came to Davao with no definite plan on how to spend our three days there.

We arrived at the Davao International Airport at around 5:20am. We hailed a cab and went straight to Evergreen Hotel, the cheapest in downtown.  It was cheap but decent.  My only trouble was that our room was on the 4^th floor and there is no elevator.  Four plights of stairs for me is.. tiring. 

We slept and woke up in time for lunch. We had lunch at Glamour Resto where they had unlimited buffet (read: CRABS) for only PhP328/pax. I had about 4 halves of crabs and a plateful of leche flan, ube, and other native desserts which name I didn’t bother asking.  Roma had…wait, I lost count of how many crabs he ate. He was sure in heaven there.

 yummy yummy crabs *nomnomnom* 

   

Lolo vs. Roma

After which, we went to the Philippine Eagle Center and Malagos Garden Resort. These places, I highly recommend. They are very well kept and very interesting.

  

 at the Philippine Eagle Center

  

playing the part   

 

at Malagos Garden Resort 

 

Petting Time 

For dinner, we went to Jack’s Ridge. With its overlooking deck, it is almost comparable to Tagaytay. The place is perfect for gimmick. But don’t expect too much on the food (like we did) because there is nothing special on the menu.

Then, we went back to Evergreen. We officially capped our first night in Davao with three bottles of beer, chocolates, and a bag of Lays.

On the second day, I wore the beach dress I purchased in eBay. The night before, we figured to spend the day in Samal and Talikud islands but to my dismay, we had to postpone going there until the next day. So we went back to the hotel to change clothes.   

Back-up plan:  Ziplines. Davao is well known for a number of places offering zipline rides.  We decided to go to Outland Adventures since it boasts to be the longest zipline in Asia. Entrance fee is about PhP300. But unlike the usual ziplines, we first have to raft across the river and trek for about 20mins before we reach the jump off point.  

 

at Outland Adventure

 

  Zip On!

And it was FUN! It was tiring but the view above is all worth it.

Next stop:  Crocodile Farm, Butterfly House, Tribu K’Mindanawan. It costs PhP150pax to go to all these places. I felt like I am on a field trip going to there. I honestly thought that I will be bored since there will be no other activity except sight seeing.  

  

  Mating butterflies. And they say this could go on for hours. :)

  

Tanga moment. Roma love this pic so much that I had to post this.

Luckily for us, we went to the Crocodile Farm just in time for their “interactive show”.  It lasted for an hour and by the time it ended, both Roma and I were amazed like all the kids who were there.   

 

SCAAAAAAARY.  

 

The laziest of them all

 After, we went to Aldevinco’s to shop for pasalubong and strolled at the People’s Park. We had our dinner at Penong’s, home of DVO’s famous inihaw and unlimited rice.  

Our second night in Davao ended with two bottles of gilbey’s premium and toblerone.  Perfect!

On the third day, we went to a scuba diving shop for our island hopping. Initially, we felt lucky to be accommodated by the shop to join a group since renting our own boat would cost us too much. That morning, we were told that we’ll be with a group of scuba divers and you can only imagine how envious I was. Scuba diving, as a hobby, is very pricey. Roma and I, no matter how much we want to try it out, were not yet financially ready. So for the rest of the day, we had to endure them talking about how amazing it feels to be underwater and how easy it is to do scuba diving compared to snorkeling (which is what we did!)

 

Our third day in Davao was…

I thought (and I think Roma thought so too) that we will be dropped off to Samal or Talikud Island. I mean, I don’t mind if they dropped us there and fetch us in the afternoon. Much to our dismay, we were not been able to set foot on the islands (maybe because the scuba divers we’re with liked it underwater than on sand).  It sucks because we were stuck with the scuba divers all the time. Talk about feeling out of place without so much you can do about it. What sucks more is that we were only a kilometer away from the sand and the seashells (the phrase so near yet so far is applicable here).  If only I can swim my way to get ashore. *Sigh* I felt cheated… but enough of this!

After that unfortunate event, we went shopping for pasalubong. And yes, it somehow drove away all the negativity. Spending spree at the end of a day makes me happy everyday really works for me. Both of us bought durian, pomelo and marang as much as our baggage would allow (we even exceeded!).  

Then, we went to our hotel, packed our bags and leave.

Our Davao trip was not that bad. But it wasn’t good either.  LESSON LEARNED: plan the next trip. No more “bahala na kung anong mangyayari” because as experienced, what happened was that we spent too much time at the hotel and missed a lot of good places to go.  

BUT it could have been worse. No matter how crappy our trip in Davao has been, I could not imagine going through it alone or with other people. Roma has been the perfect getaway companion. He has been really patient with me and for that I’m grateful. 

The taxi driver on our way to the airport asked us when we plan to go back. I don’t know about Roma, but me? I don’t mind if I never come back.  So, adieu Davao. 

October and November Birthdays

October 28, 2010

 

OCTOBER

5- Ikit Castillo

NOVEMEBER

4- Kuya Normil Lazaro

5- Ate Arem Jane Apostol

12- Josh Lazaro

14- Vittoria de Leon

23- May Anne Ramos, Hannah Remulla

24- Edzelle Pena

25- Asa Cabanez

27- ME! ME! ME!

30 -Peter Paul Alivio

 

Where to go next

When I was young I thought that quarter life crisis is just a lame excuse for young adults who are not doing any good in their lives. But here I am, 22 (23 in a month’s time), admitting that I may be currently experiencing THE quarter life crisis.  

These days I can’t help but doubt the soundness of some of my decisions.  

Sometimes I think that quitting my current job was made hastily. It’s funny looking back at how desperate I was to get this current job. I thought this is perfect considering the compensation and the office’s proximity to our house (just 20mins!). After submitting two hundred resumes and attending a dozen of interviews, I finally got in. This was my dream job. But after two months, here I am quitting. Apparently, I do not like it here. It turns out that the job I thought I would love is actually a job I loathe every second. 

Oh, and don’t start with me about grad school!!!  I mean, what cosmic powers urged me to sign up for it? Sure I love learning new things.  Plus I know that finishing a master’s degree is another oooooh point to add in my resume. This is for a brighter future right? I repeat the last sentence to myself everyday hoping it would make sense.  But do I really need this? (Can somebody please say yes?) 

And why is it that everyone my age (even younger!!!) is so excited about having his/her own family. There are weddings and baby showers everywhere!  Don’t get me wrong though. I mean, I am completely aware that I’m not yet ready to start my own. Maybe in three to five years, but not now. I’m just wondering what’s with all the rush and why am I not feeling it?   

SO WHAT NOW? 

 

I always make myself believe that I’m in for something great and fab. But now I feel that everything seemed so far fetched.  If only I can fast-forward to five years from today. I am crossing my fingers that by that time, I already have a job I love, finished my master’s degree, and have my own family. 

FOR NOW…

Hello there, quarter life crisis. I am embracing you with open arms today. But just today, deal?  Tomorrow, I want you out my door.      

 

 

 

 

PS. I will be starting to work again in Nov. 8.  It involves a lot of travel, they say. And that sounds promising.  :)

 

September Birthdays

September 8, 2010

    

May God shower you with blessings on your special day!  

3 – Amang Ben Ramos

9- Gemrico Mailum

12- Sophie Salosagcol

17-Judilyn Jacinto

19- Angelica delas Alas

21- Melliz Jae Raymundo

27- Nina Rafer

August Birthdays

August 17, 2010

  

Happy birthday everyone! Cheers!

1- Jefferson Mendoza

2- Joyce Ignacio

8- Mommy Eunice Aturba

 12- Aivan Aturba

17- Daddy Monching Ramos, Kevin Perez, Che de Guzman

19- Allen Aturba

21- Daniel Guevarra, Atom Apostol

22- Bianca Perez, Dustin Ibanez

On choices

Life is the Higher Being’s ultimate gift to all of us.  But what we do in our lives is entirely up to us. He did not make us good or bad by birth.  Nor did he prepare an instruction guide to tell us step by step what to do in our lives. What we are now is the upshot of the choices we made, big and small.

What you did this morning, how you treat your pet, your friends, the way you converse with other people, what you wear, the people you admire or hate, what you think—all of these define who you are. All of these are the choices you make on your own.

However, it is inevitable that you make bad choices once and a while. Sometimes, you spend more money on shoes than you can afford. That good friend you met in college is actually just a parasite feeding on your resources.  The officemate you’re befriending is badmouthing you.  And the list goes on.  

But that’s how life goes and it has a funny way of teaching us a lesson.   When you make a bad choice, you learn. Yes, it can be painful and it might scar you, but it will make you stronger, if not a better person.

Life will not always go the way you want it to be.  It is not and will never be perfect. Because if you think you’re life is perfect, then i pity you. You must be living an utterly predictable and boring life.   

Go figure.

July 23, 2010

Do you know how it feels to be out one night, drinking without limit, never really caring if you can still walk your way home?  It’s Friday and no one really cares if you piss on your pants or puke on your shirt because you’re too wasted. You have the weekend to nurse your hangover, right?

Then your phone rings. It’s your boss.

He says you have to cover an event tomorrow at 6am sharp. The one who is supposed to do it died (that’s what you heard!).Fuck, says you in your mind. But he is the boss and you are basically his slave, so you say “sure, no problem”.

Then you start to regret that you went out tonight. Why, of all the days, did you decide to party hard tonight? Life would have been easier if only you stayed at home watching  the telly.  

Oh shit! How are you going to get home now?

It’s too late for remorse dear. You are all wasted and drunk as hell. I bet you are thinking that this is your worst night ever. And tomorrow?

Well…tomorrow, you will wake up and have the worst hangover in your life.

So, congratulations. Job well done.

In Full Bloom

July 8, 2010

When you give her flowers, you can (at the very least) expect to see her smile. And you will never be disappointed.

Most men probably think that flowers are just a waste of money. They are cliché. They are expensive. They don’t do anything. You put them in a vase and they wilt in a few days.

But why do women love them (most especially if it is delivered as a surprise)?

I do not understand how receiving flowers can evoke such positive reactions among women.  It does not really matter if it is a single stem or a dozen of them.  Every time a woman receives flowers, I’m pretty sure she is flattered, if not ecstatic.  Maybe it’s the flowers themselves. They smell good and they are so pretty!  Or maybe not. Maybe it’s the thought behind receiving them.

I don’t know the magic behind those flowers, but they sure makes a woman feel that she is loved and that she is beautiful.

PS. Thank you for the flowers, Roma. I love them soooo much! :-) 

Ameer Raffael

July 6, 2010

You are so adorable! I love you to bits!

Finding Romeo

June 27, 2010

Fairy tales! Who didn’t grow up reading stories of Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, and Ariel? When I was young, my mom reads them to me all the time. Each story ending in “happily ever after” made me hopeful that one day I will find my own prince… the one who will sweep me off my feet , ready to give me the world.

But NO, I didn’t find him. There were a couple of frogs but there was no prince… not even a knight. 

You know who I found? This guy.

People around us were not very optimistic about this relationship. We’re too different they say. He is such a geek. He is too simple, which is one thing I will never be. He loves the outdoors and I love malls above all places. Our food choices do not match. He is a healthy eater, I don’t even eat vegetables.  Oh yeah. We don’t have much in common.

But it’s been a year. And so far, I have nothing to complain.

He is hands down the most intellectual person I know. Even his random snippets of wisdom leave me awe-inspired every time. He is very patient and understanding.  He is such a sweet soul. Sometimes, I have to check if my teeth are falling off because of too much cavities. He’s very spontaneous.  He never ran out of ideas on where to go and what to do. I really enjoy each conversation, no matter how silly. He makes sure I’m always happy. And I am. Full-stop.

Okay, tama ng pambobola, lumalaki na ulo ni Roma.

This is just the beginning of the rest of our lives together.  Are you ready babe?

(No) Father’s Day

June 21, 2010

I spent the day trying to keep myself busy. All I want is for this day to just come and go like any ordinary day. But no matter how hard I try, I still can’t shrug off the uneasiness and the anxiety I feel.  Today is Father’s Day. For most people, this day is to honor their fathers and celebrate paternal bonds.  In my case, this day is like a slap in the face, painfully reminding me that I never had one.  

When people ask the whereabouts of my father, I feel awfully defenseless. I used to pity myself because I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t have the slightest idea where he is. I didn’t know the story. My mom didn’t tell me about him. And I never had the courage to ask her. 

 As a kid, I made up what I thought my father looked like just to make it easy for me to imagine him in my little daydreams. There were times when I imagined him coming back to us and staying to live with us. Sometimes, I imagined a confrontation between us which will end up in reconciliation. It was silly and pathetic because those never happened in real life.

When my mom finally told me about it, I was surprised. All along my father was disguising as the godfather I meet once or twice a year.   I felt cheated and manipulated.   I was angry. More than the deception, I was mad at my father because the thought of the three of us living together as a family became impossible. Why? Because he already has his own family.  And one can never have two.

It broke my heart.

But cliché as it may sounds, time heals all wounds. As I grow old, I get used to the idea that I can never be with my father. Whatever loathing I felt towards my father is gone. The wound is still there but it doesn’t hurt (that much) anymore.   

Most days, the memories are distant. It seems that everything has been forgotten. But this day… this is one of those days where I lapse.  I used to hate every time I feel this way. But now, I am embracing it with arms wide open.  I don’t care how painful and bitter are the memories for these are the only things I have now. Wherever he is, I wish him and his family well.  

Are you thinking of me too right now, Papa?

Until we meet again.   

*posted a day late

Cheers to My New Baby!

June 18, 2010

A man is never satisfied.

True enough, even though I already have numerous online accounts, I still signed up for i.ph. Why? I have no idea. It’s not as if facebook, twitter, and multiply are not enough! I just want is to chronicle very bits of my oh-lala life ala Olsen twins.  I just hope I will be able to keep this up despite the million things I have to do.  

Here is a little trivia about the blog title. Full monty is a British phrase dating back to the 1980’s that means “the whole thing,” or “completely nude”.  *Side note: I love trivia, so I’ll be dropping one or two every now and then. Seriously!*

This blog will be everything about what I like and I don’t, what I do, where I go,  who I love or loath, my fears, my advocacies, and my dreams. Bottom line: all about me.

Love me or hate me.