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The Pursuit Of Happiness Is Overrated AF
In my younger days, I always thought that pursuing happiness is the key to a fulfilling life. Starry-eyed and vaguely cheerful, I thought the world would be a better place if everyone chases their happy pill. When people seek my advice, I would always share a barrage of positive, optimistic and uplifting ideas. Having a burnout? Need an escape from your endless parade of bills and workload? I’d often say travel, and find your happiness. Unhappy with your boss or at work? Go find greener pastures elsewhere, just like what I did in my 20s. But, today, as I’m standing on the summit of San Carlos Heights in Quiot, Cebu,…
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How Nature Prepared Me For Coronavirus
I’m an eternal optimist. With a stoic mindset and an unwavering sunny disposition, I always find a ray of light in every dark tunnel. And, even as coronavirus continues to inflict its own brand of terror, I remain calm, lighthearted, forward-looking and at peace. In the age of uncertainty and anxiety, my optimistic outlook is, no doubt, my best and only hope for survival in the dystopian reality created by the global pandemic. And, I had developed this skill thanks to the world’s greatest teacher: Mother Nature When news of the pandemic broke out, I knew I had an edge over this bizarre and contagious virus. Mother Nature, after all,…
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Tuburan Cebu: Love In The Time Of Crisis
A shiver of excitement ran down my spine. Standing on the edge of a cliff in Tuburan Cebu, I had been whisked away to an oasis of natural beauty. Even though I was still on earth, I felt like I was a billion light-years away from a world eclipsed by forest fires, volcanic eruptions, and a virus outbreak. Gazing at the lush, emerald landscapes of North Cebu, thoughts of an endless series of possibilities and adventures soon flooded through me. It was a moment of bliss and a refreshing break from a rough start to 2020. What’s more, it was just the start of a day-long exploration of some of…
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The Eternal Pursuit Of Wonder In San Fernando, Cebu
The eternal pursuit of wonder… began on a hill. It began the day when we saw a thick blanket of fog rolling over the mountainside of San Fernando, Cebu. As the crisp cool breeze brushed past me, I could hear Mother Nature herself whispering gently words to my ears. “A chain of adventures is coming”, she said. And, even with the dark grey skies and rain showers, I sensed an extraordinary and eye-opening escapade coming our way. With our happy hormones released and adrenaline running in our veins, we went on a strangely wonderful journey that turned into an endless chase of wonder. More than a year later, we arrived…
