• 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…

  • Casaroro Falls: Embracing The Unscripted And Unfiltered Moments
    Travel

    Casaroro Falls: Embracing The Unscripted And Unfiltered Moments

    The Universe sometimes feels like a mischievous child who constantly messes up your plans. You think you’ve everything figured out. You have polished your itinerary, charged all your batteries, and even prepared snacks for your trip. But then, in a strange poetic way, the Universe flips your script, turning a well-planned trip into something unexpected and uncomfortable. And that’s where the real adventure begins. And as we explored Casaroro Falls, I was reminded of how fascinatingly wild and unpredictable travel can be. Casaroro Falls was, by far, the highlight of our recent Dumaguete trip.  With its enchanting scenery and impressive size, Casaroro Falls in Valencia left me speechless and in…

  • Lake Sebu: A Journey Of Dreams, Detours, And Discoveries
    Travel

    Lake Sebu: A Journey Of Dreams, Detours, And Discoveries

    Ever had a dream that just won’t fade away? That kind of dream that sneaks into your thoughts out of nowhere, making you wonder if you’ll have the chance to live it? That was Lake Sebu, Philippines for me.  For years, I have daydreamed of exploring its stunning waterfalls, rolling hills, and mesmerizing lakes. I imagined wearing hand-woven T’boli clothing and soaking up its unique culture. Even though I’ve been to other places and conquered the tallest mountains in the Philippines, that dream never left. After several failed attempts and years of waiting, I finally made it to this heavenly and postcard-perfect municipality. Standing in front of the Lake Sebu…

  • Mount Napulak: Lessons In Resilience From A “Minor” Hike
    Travel

    Mount Napulak: Lessons In Resilience From A “Minor” Hike

    Have you ever had a fever that oddly felt like a sweet victory? That’s exactly how I felt, slumped in an airport, shivering as a fever slowly took over me. After weeks of stress, sleepless nights, and a grueling climb up Mount Napulak, my body finally gave in. That was the price I paid for pushing through. That was the cost of not slowing down, of pushing myself past the limit. But guess what? It was worth every shiver, every ache, and every twinge. And here’s the thing. Mount Napulak isn’t one of those enormous, towering 2,000-meter peaks in the Philippines. At just 1,239 meters above sea level, it doesn’t…