• Travel

    Mount Apo Diaries: The Sublime Journey To The Top

    Every story has a hero. And, in my blog, I’m usually the fearless protagonist who conquers feats, experiences spellbinding outdoor pursuits, and learns timeless life lessons. But, on our journey to Mount Apo, I was a mere hapless fool saved from the clutches of death.  Everyone was in a festive mood after our 3-day Mount Apo hike via the Bansalan and Magpet trail.  And who wouldn’t be?  It was a memorable adventure with a plethora of challenges, from muddy pathways to blood-sucking parasitic worms. What’s more, our Mount Apo hike overflowed with exquisite and jaw-dropping sights, including mossy rainforests, boulders, jagged peaks, and verdant hills.   Smiles were plastered on their…

  • The Dying Summers: Not A BCBA Love Story
    Philosophy

    The Dying Summers: Not A BCBA Love Story

    Why do summers have to end? I mean. Life would be quite an exhilarating rollercoaster ride if summer was endless.  With carefree sunny days, idleness, and a festive feel, summer offers endless possibilities for fun and adventure.  And the entire world feels so alive, blissful, and colorful in summer.  Summers symbolize happiness, freedom, beauty, self-development, and idleness. In film, poetry, and books, positive times of love, adventure, and friendship are usually set in summer.  And summers also represent something we don’t want to end: youth and the prime of life.  June 2022: The last days of my summers  Blogging is like my childhood’s pleasant, breezy, lazy, and easy-going summers.  Every…

  • A Lost Star In The Odette Aftermath
    Philosophy

    A Lost Star In The Odette Aftermath

    Every time a star dies, it spews its contents into the vast and expanding universe, paving the way for the future generation. In the aftermath of Odette, the galaxy lost a star, creating an explosion that will forever change my life.  The night Odette ravaged Cebu At 9 o’clock on an ordinary night, the city of Cebu would be in its final act of the day.  The bustling streets, “Instagrammable” restaurants and places of entertainment would be crowded with people who are living their own stories. And, even with the on-going pandemic, the city is coming to life again.   But, tonight, the massive storm, Odette, is a counterweight to the…

  • Ngipon sa Ilaga and the Quest for Perfection
    Travel

    Ngipon sa Ilaga and the Quest for Perfection

    I’m a train wreck perched precariously in Ngipon sa Ilaga. Full of flaws and limitations, every inch of me is a mess and chaotic. I’m a short-tempered, careless, immature, clumsy, stubborn, and disorganized nonconformist. And I embrace every flaw and mistake I have made.  That’s why society hates me.  The modern world thinks I’m an outcast and a nutcase.  Yet, as I stand at the top of Ngipon sa Ilaga, I feel fabulous and free.  I don’t feel the pressure of being imperfect.  I don’t feel inadequate, exhausted, and frustrated with my messed-up life.  And I’m enjoying every second of this imperfect, unplanned, and spontaneous nature trip.  As I soak…