All about food, travel, books, movies, TV shows that I have a personal opinion. Unfiltered reaction and review, comments and suggestions. In short, my rants in life :)
Monday, July 10, 2017
Monday Blues: Love is a Decision
This was written 20 years ago. It was true then, still true now.
I always believe that when you love someone, you should never ever be ashamed to tell that someone how you feel.
Love is not something that should be treasured deep in our hearts but something to be expressed, to be shared with someone.I haven't really been in love, so I am looking forward to experiencing it. I am apprehensive about the pain, and I am afraid. That's the truth but knowing that despite the risks of being hurt and being rejected I would still like to experience how it is to love. You know, having the little things like waking up each morning knowing that your loved and love in return. Cliches would be our reality... the sun is brighter, flowers more fragrant... *sigh* I look forward to seeing the moon rise and stargaze in the arms of someone I love,and wake up with his eyes lovingly looking into mine. Cooking together, walking in the park together...even arguing would be so much fun, specially the kiss and make-up part. But that would be in the future pa... when the person I am supposed to love will bump into me and the realization that we are meant for each other would dawn into our eyes, and knowing each other and discovering ourselves would be an adventure from that day forth...I cannot tell you if its wonderful, but deep in my heart, among all emotions, love must be the most profound, the most exquisite. I would like to discover why people make fools of themselves. Why I cannot blame a friend for being stupid - because that's love. I don't have the authority yet to judge because I haven't been in love, that's why I envy those people who experienced love.I would always maintain the belief that love, the idea and the emotion, is a decision. And I am looking forward to making that decision.
PS
I guess 20 years after, I made several decisions already :)
Friday, July 7, 2017
Friday Letter: Love Your Work
Dear Rob,
I am currently in-between jobs, in short, I'm a bum. I am already in my mid-30s and I feel that time is running out on me.
I started actively applying for a job this January after taking a very long vacation. Since I sent out my resume last January, I have been interviewed by at least five companies already. I know I am good at what I do. I speak well and I presented myself to the best of my ability.
Yesterday, I went to the sixth job interview. It went well I think. However, I am getting impatient. I mean, for some reason or another, I have yet to stay in a company for more than two years and yesterday, I was called out about it.
The interviewer questioned my loyalty about the companies I work before. For all the six companies I have worked before, there were reasons, valid reasons, why I left. In the long run, I never realized that these have tremendous effect on the perception of my future employers.
I am sharing this to you so that your readers may come to realize what I just realized now, to be forward thinking, to really think about the future.
I cannot really say that I regret my past decisions in life, but the thing is, I should have also considered the repercussions it would have in my future.
I know it is not too late for me and I am glad that I am still young enough to realize that I should love my work no matter what, and so the company I will be working for will be lucky because I would be loving it well beyond my retirement.
Best regards,
Anonymous
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Thursday Quotes: from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
My ex-friend and I are so very fond of "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coehlo.
Both of us believe in the Personal Legend.
On my part, I believe on the following quotes in the book:
It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting. (p11)
What's the world's greatest lie? It's this: that at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. (p18)
The boy didn't know what a person's "destiny" was. It's what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their destiny is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their destiny. (p22)
And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. (p23)
People learn early in their lives what is their reason for being. (p25)
When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision. (p71)
Intuition is really a sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life. (p77)
When you want something with all your heart, that's when you are closest to the Soul of the World. It's always a positive force. (p82)
The alchemists spent years in their laboratories, observing the fire that purified the metals. They spent so much time close to the fire that gradually they gave up the vanities of the world. They discovered that the purification of the metals had led to a purification of themselves (p85)
"I learned that the world has a soul, and that whoever understands that soul can also understand the language of things. I learned that many alchemists realized their destinies, and wound up discovering the Soul of the World, the Philosopher's Stone, and the Elixir of Life. But above all, I learned that these things are all so simple they could be written on the surface of an emerald." (p87)
I don't live in either my past or my future. I'm interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you'll be a happy man. Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we're living now. (p88/89)
Because people become fascinated with pictures and words, and wind up forgetting the Language of the World. (p91)
In his pursuit of the dream, he was being constantly subjected to tests of his persistence and courage. So he could not be hasty, nor impatient. If he pushed forward impulsively, he would fail to see the signs and omens left by God along his path. (p93)
When you are in love, things make even more sense, he thought. (p105)
Courage is the quality most essential to understanding the Language of the World. (p117)
Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure. You've got to find the treasure, so that everything you have learned along the way can make sense. (p122)
"There is only one way to learn," the alchemist answered. "It's through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey. (p132)
The wise men understood that this natural world is only an image and a copy of paradise. The existence of this world is simply a guarantee that there exists a world that is perfect. God created the world so that, through its visible objects, men could understand his spiritual teachings and the marvels of this wisdom. That's what I mean by action." (p133)
All you have to do is contemplate a simple grain of sand, and you will see in it all the marvels of creation. Listen to your heart. It knows all things, because it came from the Soul of the World, and it will one day return there. (p134)
People are afraid to pursue their most important dreams, because they feel that they don't deserve them, or that they'll be unable to achieve them. (p136)
Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity.
Everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits him. (p138)
Every search begins with beginners luck and ends with the victor's being severely tested. (p139)
The boy and his heart had become friends, and neither was capable now of betraying the other. (p141)
When you are loved, you can do anything in creation. When you are loved, there's no need at all to understand what's happening, because everything happens within you. (p155)
The last one is so really true, when you are loved, nothing else matter, nothing else need any explanation...
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Musings on a Wednesday
I Know Him So Well
Nothing is so good it lasts eternally
Perfect situations must go wrong
But this has never yet prevented me
Wanting far too much for far too long.
Looking back I could have played it differently
Won a few more moments who can tell
But it took time to understand the man
Now at least I know I know him well
There was never a closure, there was never really a goodbye. In every relationship, I always end up alone, pondering on what happened - where did I go wrong? Wasn't what I give enough? Oh no, this song is not for every man that left me. Yes, I knew them well after they left me, but this is really about me, how I know myself more after each relationship. Those relationships are never a failure nor are they successful but experiences that I learn from.
But yes, the lyrics of the song fits my love life. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't plunge into relationships. I would handle things differently.
Wasn't it good?
Wasn't he fine?
Isn't it madness
He can't be mine?
Oh so good
Oh so fine
He can't be mine?
But in the end he needs
A little bit more than me --
More security
He needs his fantasy
And freedom
I know him so well.
It was good while it lasted... but in the end, they do need their fantasy and freedom, so I have to let go...
No one in your life is with you constantly
No one is completely on your side
And though I move my world to be with him
Still the gap between us is too wide.
Ouch, in every relationship, I made them my world. That probably is a big mistake because however much attention and care and love I give, it would seem never enough.
Looking back I could
Have played things
Some other way
Looking back I could
Have played it
Differently
Learned about the man
Before I fell
I was just a little
Careless maybe
Maybe. But in a gay relationship, there is really no "courting" stage. You get to know about the man while you jump into the relationship...
But I was
Ever so much
Younger then
Now at least
Now at least
I know him well
I know I know him well
Wasn't it good?
Wasn't he fine?
Isn't it madness
It's a convenient excuse, I was young then...
Oh so good
Oh so fine
He won't be mine?
Didn't I know
How it would go?
If I knew from the start
Why am I falling apart?
Wasn't it good?
Wasn't he fine?
Isn't it madness
He won't be mine?
He won't be mine?
But in the end he needs a
Little bit more than me --
More security
He needs his
Fantasy and freedom
I know him so well
It took time to understand him
I know him so well
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
Tuesday Poetry
GAYA NG ULAN...
Sa bawat pagpatak ng ulan, may kasamang patak ng luha.
Iisipin mo na panaginip, ang lahat ng dumaan.
Ninais na magising, upang baguhin ang lumipas.
Wala ng magagawa, kundi lingunin ang nagdaan...
Umiling, sabihin sa sarili,
Magbabago din ang lahat...
Ngunit kapag ang puso ay pagod na pala
Kahit anong isip, o dikta ng isipan...
Manhid na, pagod na, wala ng pakialam...
Sa mga nagdaang lumipas
Sa mga panahong naglaho
Ang mga yapak ng kahapon
Animo'y yapak sa buhangin sa dalampasigan...
Na pag dinaanan na ng tubig dagat
Sa isang iglap ay mabubura.
Sa pagtulog, may pahinga nga ba?
Sa paggising, may bago bang lakas?
Ang bukas ba ay puno ng pag-asa?
O katulad lamang ng mga nagdaan?
Sa isang pitsel na tubig, kalahati ang laman
Ito ba ay puno o kulang?
Ang bukangliwayway ba ay maganda
Kung sa dapithapon, ang araw ay magpapaalam din naman...
Oo nga at may buwan at bituin,
Marikit tingnan sa kalangitan
Ngunit kaylamig, katulad ng hangin sa gabi
Walang pakialam...
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Experience Palawan - Puerto Prinsesa City - 3D2N
Last March 23, 2015, I had the chance to experience Puerto Prinsesa as I really wanted to see the eight wonder of the world, the Underground River. Here's a brief rundown of my experience.
Day 1: City Tour
If you are looking for a budget place to stay but comfortable enough, check-in at the Plaawan Village Hotel. The hotel is very near the airport, you can just walk going there!
First stop in the city tour was a visit to Immaculate Conception Cathedral and right beside it, the Plaza Cuartel.
Then off to the Butterfly garden, and inside it ia a tribal village of the Pal'awan tribe.
The City Tour would not be complete without visiting the Wildlife and Rescue Conservation Center, a sort of mini-zoo but I mostly took pictures of the crocodiles :)
The last stop was Mitra's Rach and beside it, Baker's Hill.
The City Tour is a half-day exploration, so you can do this after lunch :)
Day 2: PPUR
Most of Day 2 will be consumed by travelling to the Puerto Prinsesa Underground River. This tour includes a buffet lunch.
I didn't upload pictures of inside the underground river as it is best experienced including the tour guide's narration while traversing the hour river cruise :)
Since there was still light after the PPUR tour, we opted to do souvenir shopping here where pearls are cheap :)
Day 3: Honday Bay Island Hopping
The island hopping also includes buffet lunch at Cowrie Island. Island 1 - Pandan Island is great for snorkeling while Island 2 - Cowrie for swimming and picture taking.
Puerto Prinsesa has lots of restaurants to choose from, we tried the Japanese and the other one Vietnamese restaurant for the dinner during Day 1 and 2.
All in all, the Puerto Prinsesa trip is an affordable trip since all tours are government regulated, meaning, you get to pay the standard fees in all the tours no matter which tour agency you choose :)
Hirayamanawi,
Rob
Friday, June 16, 2017
Bicol Adventures - Legazpi, Sorsogon and back again 4D3N trip
Here's a throwback of my Bicol Trip three years ago
Legazpi Trip - Day 1
Legazpi Trip - Day 1
October 2, 2014
Thursday, 6:40 am
Well, I was anticipating traffic so I left my apartment way early. I already checked-in online so I just need to be at the boarding gate at least 30 minutes. The fun part is, there was no traffic. So I have at least three hours to kill.
After taking some obligatory selfies, of course, I have nothing else to do but take a nap. I woke up at 4am so a couple of hours of sleep would help, but first, let me explore the Domestic Terminal and what it can offer to me.
Probably not a good first time:
- cancelled
- rescheduled
So it's already night when I touchdown so instead of exploring, I decided to go to sleep instead.
Some notes on my accommodation:
Ellis Ecotel is a budget friendly hotel. It looks and feels like a pension house than a hotel. The reception and hotel itself is located at the 3F of Embarcadero de Legazpi. I didn't take pictures as I was underwhelmed. Indeed, their website is deceiving in a way. Or the pictures used there were taken when the place was new. Anyway, so far I have stepped on two German cockroaches, ants were crawling at the sink and pieces of hair at the bathroom. I knew the hair wasn't mine because I have shaved hair. And for my 5 nights 6 days stay, I have paid a down-payment when I booked it. When I registered at the reception, the receptionist is already asking for the full payment. Is that really the policy? I mean, usually full payment upon check-out right? And then inside, there's no closet or safe deposit box so I really need to bring with me my valuables. The only amenity? One piece of generic soap, one sachet of shampoo, one bath towel and one hand towel. No complimentary slippers, toothbrush etc., but then again, I might have been accustomed to the hotels I stay in whenever I have big events. The room I'm in is P900/night. There's a P450/night but no aircon and fan only. I think I could have settled with that if I have only known. The weather is quite cool so a fan would be okay. But since I don't really plan on staying outdoors much, as according to the tourist official I get to talk to yesterday at the airport, it would only take me one day to tour Legazpi, which I'll do on Saturday on my birthday with my bestfriend.
Going back to Ellis Ecotel, good thing there's a Puregold Supermarket at the ground floor so it's convenient to buy some stuff like shampoo, soap etc.
Day 2 - October 3, 2014
My accommodation in Ellis Ecotel includes a complimentary breakfast at the Seaside Restaurant. Buffet breakfast is made up of pancit palabok, sausages, omelet, rice and coffee. Their coffee tastes quite good, caramel but not too sweet or strong.
So I took a picture of Mayon from the seaside. If you see two lines at the top, that's the zip line. Maybe I'll try that before I leave.
For today, I will just chill at a mall, watch a movie perhaps, have facial or massage and buy some alcoholic drinks as I make salubong my birthday tonight. Hmmm, these are the same things I could have done in Manila, but still, I was here to see Mayon haha and I'll do the tourist things tomorrow :)
So, the first thing I did was visit the nearest church - San Rafael the Archangel Church. Mass is daily at 6, 12 and 5. I arrived around 10. The Church is peaceful and quiet.
From the Church, I went to Legazpi City's biggest mall, the Pacific Mall by Metro Gaisano. Since it's too early to have lunch and try the sili ice cream, I decided to watch a movie instead. The Maze Runner was showing so I watched it. I'll make seperate review for this but in a nutshell, it's like The Lost Boys and the Hunger Games rolled into one. I am the first ticket buyer, go figure.
Then I went to have lunch at the Colonial Grill to take a taste of the sili ice cream. There are two levels of hotness, so of course I took Level 1.
On the way back to embarcadero, I got lost. I didn't get off where I am supposed to go, I saw Aquinas University. I got off at a Mariners school at Rawis. So I went back. I got off at LCC Mall and walked along Legazpi Blvd. back to the hotel.
Will go to church later, not sure if at San Rafael or here at St. Pio chapel.
Day 3: Cagsagwa Ruins
This is Irosin, Sorsogon, my first stop:
Balay Buhay sa Uma Bee Farm in Bulusan, Sorsogon:
Bulusan, Sorsogon:
Rizal Beach, Sorsogon:
Barcelona, Sorsogon:
Gubat, Sorsogon
Day 3: Cagsagwa Ruins
Day Four: This is what happened when I toured Sorsogon.
I started my journey at Embarcadero de Legaspi. Then I took a jeepney ride to the terminal to ride a van going to Sorsogon City. One way trip is only Php85.00
This is Irosin, Sorsogon, my first stop:
Balay Buhay sa Uma Bee Farm in Bulusan, Sorsogon:
Bulusan, Sorsogon:
Rizal Beach, Sorsogon:
Barcelona, Sorsogon:
Gubat, Sorsogon
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From 2018 to 2021
Wow, the last post I had was almost three years ago. January 22, 2018. I was still in-between jobs but in that span of time lots of things ...
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My ex-friend and I are so very fond of "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coehlo. Both of us believe in the Personal Legend. On my p...
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One of my surprisingly different experience in Hong Kong is eating chicken without any fork. As mentioned in my previous posts, ...





































































































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