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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…
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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…
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Pink Mosque: A Spark Of Hope In A Divided World
Sometimes, being an unconventional thinker feels more like a curse than a blessing. My mind is always filled with ideas that seem bizarre and even blasphemous to some people. One of those so-called unusual ideas is about religion. While I was religious at several points in my life, I always thought it created more walls than bridges. How many wars in history have been caused because we cling too tightly to our beliefs? Isn’t faith meant to guide and inspire? Why, then, has something meant to unite people sometimes led to suffering and division between communities and countries? But on my recent trip to Mindanao, I found a glimpse of…
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The Grand Mosque of Cotabato: My Escape From Life’s Relentless Chaos
Is the world spinning so fast that you can hardly keep up? Ever wish the world would slow down even just for a day? Some days, I wonder if we’re in a lucid dream or a simulated reality that started when the world ended in 2012. I mean. With life’s relentless pace and constant noise, the world sometimes doesn’t seem real to me. I often feel like a video game character, a zombie, or a cyborg who works endlessly and restlessly. But I’m not a freaking video game character that survives through energy packs and first aid kits. I’m a breathing human who craves knowledge, wisdom, and new experiences. I’m…
