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The Search For Pangpang In Barili
I felt the surge of adrenaline and joy rushing through me. Amused by my company and charmed by the beauty of nature, I just found the opening to the seemingly endless maze of stress, sleepless nights and bills. After weeks of non-stop dancing to the frenzied rhythms of modern life, I finally had a healthy dose of optimism. And, I experienced this high while standing on a hill on our search for a pangpang (cliff in English) in Barili and Sibonga. Like most of our exploration adventures, this hill was such a pleasant surprise in a day full of ups and downs. As a matter of fact, we didn’t even…
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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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Gaas To Toledo: The Hunt For Insta-worthy Landscapes
The lush mountains of Gaas and Toledo are a sight that excites the senses. Picture-perfect and tantalizing, these landscapes offer a dose of optimism and an escape from the real world’s crashing depression. Every time I hit the trails of Toledo and Gaas, I always return home with a gallery of Instagrammable snaps. In fact, the pictures of these places in Cebu are a sure-fire bet, when it comes to upping your Instagram game. And, more importantly, it usually craves my wanderlust and sense of adventure. One of my fondest memories of these places in Cebu was the stunning sunset in Mount Tagaytay. With the striking shades of gold and…
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How The Mountains Are Secretly Teaching Us Stoicism
An overactive imagination can be both a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, my imagination can spin a thousand of beautiful scenarios and visualize infinite possibilities in mere seconds. Even when I’m isolated in a cold and dark room, there’s never a dull or boring moment with my playful imagination. While it often fills my mind with colors and positive energy, it can also pave the road to over thinking and anxiety. And, I had been dealing with anxiety, my entire life, creating conspiracies and imagining bloody scenarios. But, anxiety vanished slowly when I began traveling and hiking. Then, I learned the ultimate vaccine to anxiety: Stoicism. The…
