Wrapping up 2014 - A Lovely Journey

I had learned to value memories - may it be small or big as these are the reasons why I am what I am now. 2014 had been fairly one of the best year I ever had. It is time I reflect and look back to all the blissful events and some shortcomings that I had for this year.

Journey to Self-Discovery

After trekking Taal volcano in 2009, I summon my courage to hike Mt. Pico de Loro (trail difficulty: 4/10) which posed quite a challenge since I was not that fit. There were various times that I want my friends to leave me somewhere in the middle of the mountain for I cannot continue anymore. Reaching the last base camp before the summit was already an accomplishment for me.

No matter how steep and complicated the road might be, the endpoint will always be worth it. I may not be that brave to attack the summit nor climb the monolith, but being able to go out of my comfort zone by hiking Pico de Loro is something I will always be proud of.

Challenging myself did not stop. I knew that surfing could be a dangerous sport, but sometimes we really have to try things first so we could evaluate if we will enjoy and love them. Waves weren't that high during our visit so it's perfect for beginners. I learned that listening to the smallest details from my instructor played an important part why it was so easy to surf.

Beach Bumming will be 100 times happier and enjoyable when shared with your friends. I was very fortunate to have visited few of the best beaches in the country this year. My experience became a lot better because of the companies of great people.

Jump shot and Sunset view at Burot Beach in Calatagan, Batangas 

 By far the best KEM05 experience at Calaguas Virgin Beach in Camarines Norte

Finally some quality out of town trip in La Luz Beach Resort in Laiya, Batangas with my best college girl friends

Break from our stress in Boracay Beach. Such a calming view to keep our mind off work!

Journey to Nature and Cultural Appreciation

Maybe it comes with age that I have this fond of loving the beauty of mother Earth. I was so happy to be able to see the perfect cone of Mayon Volcano, to witness the wonders of the Chocolate Hills, to view the majestic Tumalog Falls, and to appreciate the habitat of Tarsiers in Bohol and Butanding in Oslob. Nature has its way of awing you in so many ways. 

Perfect cone of Mayon Volcano

Exploring Bohol's Chocolate Hills with BFF Popples

Awesome Tumalog Falls

A sleeping Tarsier in a Sactuary in Bohol

Amazing experience in Oslob, Cebu with the Butanding. Truly one of a kind.

Churches aside for being a sacred place is also a venue where you could appreciate the architectural style of a specific era. I was very fortunate to see the oldest Basilica at the Queen City of the South and the destructed ones in Bohol affected by the earthquake in 2013. Art is indeed everywhere to entertain and amaze us.

Aside from the churches, I was also fortunate enough to have visited some of the nicest architectural works.

Journey to Job Maturity

I came to realize that having a job is like loving someone, commitment is very important and you must be passionate about it. Politics won't be out of  the equation so I must be strong enough to be motivated to still give my best on what I do. With all the storms I had encountered this year, I am glad that it made become a better employee.

This year was also the time I took more responsibilities at work. Accountability and Integrity are the two values I always honor, and I am trying my best that I always practice that. I was blessed to be assigned to work outside the metro and the country. It is such an honor to be trusted to work on projects that have a vision to improve our technology at work.

Hainan, Sanya, China 

Boracay Island

Journey to Bringing out the kid at heart

I had the solo trip to Hong Kong back in July to visit the happiest place on Earth. I just felt that I should find the things that make me happy - the magical world of Disney. Even the toughest person, has her soft spot.  

Journey to Staying Fit

I realized that it's time I took care of my body. Health is Wealth. The best motivation to stay healthy is to think of the future. Would I be one of those people who struggle financially because of all the maintenance medicine needed to stay alive? Would I not want to witness how my children grow up?

Journey to Loving my Family More

I had always been close to my parents and siblings. Every day of our lives just keeps getting better. Yes, there are days that obstacles face us. That is how life is supposed to be - spices make it challenging. At the end of the day, what is important is we value each other more and more.

Journey to knowing who your Real Friends Are

Being a sociable person, I never find it difficult to befriend others. That's why I used to get thousands of heartaches from people. I tend to always see the best in everyone but sadly that's not how life works. People will not be always good - no matter how much your try to understand them. A few of those so called friends will be considered genuine - the one worth keeping. Those who will have the courage to say straight to your face that you suck at something and still be there to support you in your deepest fall. Distance will never be a hindrance to the friendship and even if it takes only once in a blue moon moment for meets up and catch ups, you know deep inside that they are your treasures.

Journey to aiming for Higher Knowledge

I was also fortunate enough to pursue my dream on getting a masters degree in Environmental Engineering. I was able to enroll my 1st sem in my beloved university - UP Diliman. Going back to college was quite challenging having a full time job. Luckily, I was able to surpass my first semester. This is me taking small steps to reach my career goal. Knowledge should be constantly updated so you could become a competent individual.

Journey to knowing what your heart desires

When it comes to the matter of the heart, I think it is still a working progress. I am at the phase that I don't wanna play games anymore. It is true that I am still enjoying my single status, but I know deep inside that it's time I commit to someone who will compliment my personality. Someone I could share my fondness of travelling and eating out, someone I could share the laughter and tears. Someone who will appreciate me as who I am. 


Journey to dreaming what the future may hold

It just never stops - the vision of the future, my future. I am a planner. I used to write everything down and  figure out the steps and methods to execute my plan and achieve my goals, but sometimes spontaneity is what we need for a perfect ending. 

This year had taught me a lot about myself. There is still a long road for me to take to truly discover my capabilities. There might be detours and road blocks along the way. It is with my faith in God, support with my family and friends that I could surpass the journey and reach the pit stops of life smoothly.

2014 had truly been one of the best! Thank you for being part of my journey. I could not make it without you. I am claiming that 2015 to be more awesome than ever. Happy New Year! :)

Blissful Escape: Calaguas 2014

My batchmates in college from my academic org decided that it is time we set for an out of town trip. The chosen destination was a virgin island in Camarines Norte -the spectacular Calaguas Island. So we packed our bags and headed to our destination with an awesome plan of having a photo-shoot session.

So upon arrival in Daet, Camarines Norte, we had a hard time chancing up locals who could bring us to the island as the waves are too high for us to cross. We thought of just going to Bagasbas for surfing then to CWC for some water activities. As we were about to abandon our original plan, a local confirmed that he could take us to the island and also provide service such as cooking our meals. We grabbed the chance and took the risk to go against the current and reach the beautiful Calaguas Island.

We have to travel at least an hour from Daet to Paracale Port. From the port, it took us 3 hours to reach the island. Everything - the dangerous waves, the long travel are all worth it.

From afar, the island stood out from the others. Magnificent view.

Upon dipping into the clear water of the island, I know I cannot do any justice to describe the beauty of the place.

The island is like ours. It's like my silent sanctuary. Words cannot come out how much I am blessed to have been able to visit the place.

It would be totally breath taking if we were able to see the sunset, but weather was not that cooperative. This was the best I could get.

There's always this part of me longing to have a simple life. Wishing, Hoping that someday I will be sharing these magnificent views with someone worthy of my time.

This place could take away the the negative vibes. It feels like stress has been suctioned out from my body just by looking at the view. I am blessed to have taken this trip even if it meant that I have to sleep in a tent and endure the makeshift CR. Even if the planned photo-shoot never happened because of the bad weather, we are still very thankful that we had a safe trip and we had a wonderful experience to just beach bummed.

Life is indeed full of surprises.

Lost in Paradise: Boracay 2014

To visit the most beautiful island in the world according to the 2012 international travel magazine, Travel + Leisure was definitely a dream come true. I was lucky enough to have visited it twice this year. I feel so blessed that the first time I stepped into the beautiful island was purely for leisure because the next visit was a business trip.

Even if I went there during the rainy season, the finest white sand beach of Boracay never ceased to awe me in so many ways.

During our visit, we were only able to try 1 water activity (Island hopping) because of the weather, so we just made sure that we try the best restaurants in the island.

First stop was the Mexican dish from Manana...



We then tried the shake in Jonah's for merienda.

For our dinner we tried the famous Hawaiian BBQ. The baby back ribs was so yummy!

Boracay nightlife was so awesome that we really have to bar hop to check out the infinite night life options. Too bad we did not try the pub crawl.

For our breakfast the following day, we tried Real Coffee...



We proceeded to the island hopping activity after our power breakfast. Weather was not cooperative, so we snorkle for an hour then we visited an island for lunch.

After the exhausting activity, we tried to beach bum. We were also able to attend mass before we head to Playa Asya for dinner.

What we had for dinner was also mouth watering and the view in the resort was also fantastic. Such a sweet escape from reality!

After a long day, we decided to still utilize the remaining time for a night life experience in the island. We tried to use shisha, which I find very difficult to understand. We had a couple of drinks before we called it a night and headed back to our hotel.

On my return in the island for a business trip, I managed to watch a fire dance. It was spectacular.

We were also fortunate to experience a dinner buffet with dancing chef on our last night of the business trip.

If ever I will return to Boracay, I will definitely wish that a special someone would join me. We will do all those exciting water activities. For the meantime, the 2 trips were a blessing to be able to experience the world renowned beauty of the island.