• Tierra Alta Dumaguete: Why The Best Stories Are Written Without A Plan
    Travel

    Tierra Alta Dumaguete: Why The Best Stories Are Written Without A Plan

    I always believe that life’s best moments aren’t scripted or planned. They’re the unexpected turns, the uncharted paths, and the uncomfortable moments that turn into unforgettable stories. That’s why, when I travel, I rarely make detailed itineraries. Sometimes, I don’t even book accommodations in advance. And on my recent trip to Negros Island, this devil-may-care attitude led me to a nice little surprise: the postcard-worthy Tierra Alta Dumaguete. I’d seen countless photos of this Greek-inspired resort and knew it was originally included in our Dumaguete-Valencia day tour.  But since we made some random changes to our itinerary, the idea of skipping it crossed our minds. Plus, I wasn’t initially interested…

  • Punta Isla Lake Resort: Where I Discovered The Real Secret To Success
    Travel

    Punta Isla Lake Resort: Where I Discovered The Real Secret To Success

    What’s the price of success? Can success be called “success” if it costs you everything else? I always believed the cost of success was hard work, long hours, and relentless self-sacrifice. But one day, staring at my laptop surrounded by deadlines, I realized I was wrong. And for some bizarre reason, success felt like selling my soul to the Devil. Desperate to escape the madness, I quickly picked up my phone, scrolling aimlessly for a little inspiration. That’s when I discovered a place that seemed like the antidote to the chaos inside my head: Punta Isla Lake Resort, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. And Lake Sebu had been on my radar…

  • 10,000 Roses: How Fake Flowers Led Me To Life’s Real Treasures
    Travel

    10,000 Roses: How Fake Flowers Led Me To Life’s Real Treasures

    Where were you when 10,000 Roses took Cebu by storm in 2017? Did you rush to this cafe to witness its enchanting garden of LED-lit white roses come to life? Or were you content scrolling through the sea of dreamy posts flooding your Instagram feed?  I can still remember the buzz when 10,000 Roses became a sensation years ago.  Everyone was in awe, and it drew photographers, influencers, and curious wanderers from all over the island. And like most introverts, I didn’t jump into the frenzy. I waited patiently for the perfect time and moment to visit this garden cafe. While it did seem attractive, crowds tend to overwhelm me.…

  • Philosophy

    Rewind To BCBA 2018: A Heartfelt Note to My Younger Self

    Hey,  It’s me.  Your older, grumpier, and (hopefully) wiser self.  It’s 2024 now, and life’s been quite a wild ride. Life has thrown us curveballs, but we’ve hit a few home runs too. First off, I’m not writing to give you the winning numbers for the biggest lottery in the Philippines. And I’m definitely not sharing secrets to make you a billionaire. But trust me, the words I’m about to share are worth a fortune. Listen… I know you’re a little disappointed about not winning any major awards at the Best Cebu Blog Awards (BCBA) in 2018. You’re not a sore loser (you never have been) and you’ve always taken…