Tipid Trip in Tanay Rizal

Need an easy get away from Manila?

My friends and I went to Tanay Rizal last February 23.
We met at MRT- Cubao Station at around 6:00 am. We rode a jeepney going to Junction, then from Junction we rode another jeepney to Tanay market. Finally, we rode a tricycle to take us to our destination.

Our first destination is Calinawan Cave. It is an easy trail but for adventure seekers, watch out this month as level 3 to 5 is about to open.

From there, kuya driver led us to a dirt road, which is a short cut to our Lady of Rawang. He actually saved us from climbing 200+ steps uphill.

Next, we took a plunge at Daranak Falls. If you plan to take a dip, I strongly suggest to get in there during weekdays. It is super crowded on weekends.

We proceeded to Batlag Falls, which is a private property. It is smaller than Daranak Falls but you can swim as there are only few people staying here.

We also went to Church and finally to Parola.

Expenses
MRT = 11
Lunch (Jollibee) = 150
Jeepney Fare(Cubao to Ever) = 8
Jeepney Fare(Ever to Junction = 14
Jeepney Fare(Junction to Rizal) = 45
Tricycle Tour (700/3 pax) = 233
Calinawan Entrance = 40
Tour Guide (100/3 pax) = 33.33
Daranak Falls Entrance = 50
Batlag Falls Entrance = 100
Liempo (for lunch) = 50
Fx Fare from Tanay to Starmall = 75

Total = 809.33

The tour is not as awesome as my other trips but for 800 pesos, this is something!

Got my Free Hug Today!

Since my "the feast" buddies aren't available, I decided to attend alone this weekly prayer gathering of the Light of Jesus family. I chose the vacant area at the back so I do not have to deal with uncomfortable stares of my seatmates when asked to greet/speak to each other.

The topic is about detoxifying ill feelings. Obviously, this is something I really need to hear right now. During the prayer meeting, just when I decided it's time to start letting go of the expired anger and pain in my heart(by the way, "ex" is going to Dubai and such idea made me sick), Bro. Bo asked to hug somebody beside us and to tell that person he/she is amazing! I just bowed my head since chairs on both sides were empty. When I opened my eyes, a lady standing 4 seats from where I stood approached me, smiled at me and whispered "I think you also need a hug".

She embraced me tightly and I hugged her back. We did not get to tell the words. But even without it, the lady's generosity for hugs made me feel really amazing!

Could this be an affirmation from God that today is the best time to release all the overdue aches in my heart?

Perhaps,it is! And to that wonderful lady, thank you for hugging that tiny little girl wearing pink and faded blue jeans. Thank you so much!

Hope You Realize that...

Letter to 32-Year Old Me

You are now 32. Yey!

You have at least 3 out of the country trips and have completed 30 points in the Top 38 Tourist Attraction in the Philippines, a Must See before You Die
You have taken your parents to Boracay for vacation.
You have reached your 6-digit salary goal.
You have 300K in your bank account.
You have a feasibility study of your future business.

If you ever miss one of these, or miss all of these, remember it is okay. Do not be hard on yourself. I know you are close to achieving these. But there are other things I would like to see in you 3 years from now.

I hope time has taught you to forgive yourself and those who wronged you. I hope 3 years have been enough for you to learn how to let go. I hope you have found in your heart the importance of loving and respecting yourself first. I hope you have summoned all your courage to share your love to someone special. I know you have so much love to give so do not be afraid. Or if he hasn't arrived yet, I hope you are now ready to give and receive love. Just be patient.

I hope your smile is no longer forced. It is now genuine. Your eyes is no longer weary. It is now radiant. Your heart is no longer bleeding. It is now loving.

And if there is one thing I pray time has not changed you, it is your belief in love. No matter what happens, I am very proud of you. I love you.

From 29-Year Old Me

Sand, Surf, Baler = FUN!

I and two of my friends went to Genesis Cubao Station at around 4:00 am. Unluckily, we needed to transfer to another bus. We got there at around 2:00 pm just in time for us to check in at Aliyah Surf Camp. After a long ride, it was so refreshing to hear the crashing sound of the waves.

Aliyah Surf Camp at Night

Kuya Leo, our tricycle driver who drove us to Aliyah Surf Camp offered us a tour the next day for 800 pesos, which is the standard rate.

Among the spots he drove us to were:

Century Old Balete Tree
You can climb the tree up to about 40 ft high. But since I am acrophobic, I then decided to stay on the ground while my two friends climb.

Mother Falls
It was a 20-minute trek going to Mother Falls. But the trail was really easy.

The water was freezing cold, but we still took a plunge!

Kuya Leo was helpful enough to assist us in transferring all our stuff from Aliyah Surf Camp to Bay's Inn, then we continued with the tour. Next stop was an "eat-all you can" lunch for only 185 pesos at Gerry Shan's Place. I love their sisig!

Diguisit Rock Formation
Tried the water and it was pretty warm.

We also dropped by Diguisit Falls, Ermita Hill, Baler Church, Dona Aurora Quezon House and Baler Museum.

On our third day, we braved the big waves.

After all the effort to balance myself on top of the board as it glides along the splashing waves, the times I immersed and drunk salt water, and share of scratches and wounds, being able to stand on my surfboard for a very brief moment made it all worth it!

Been a Year and I will be Awesome!

I haven't updated my blog since May. Just to breeze thru how the 2nd half of 2013 went, here it goes:

June: If tears can be sold, I will be a certified big time millionaire!

July: I agreed to meet him because he needs his bag. I was a fool to assume he misses me and getting the bag I borrowed from him was just an alibi to see me. Crazy me. He sent a few text messages though. However, if “Im really sorry” or “Can I see you and talk?” or “How can I make it up to you?” or “Let me explain” or “Lets work things out” were the messages I was hoping to receive, then everything else did not matter. I cannot press the Send button and pretend I am doing just fine.

August: Worked my ass out. The tiniest bit of time I could spare for myself was only spent dreaming/crying about him.

September: Went to Camiguin-Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon and Iligan. Wondering if I remembered him before, during and after the trip - Big YES! Days before the trip, I even asked him if he wanted to come. Guess I am getting used to being rejected all the time.

At Mantigue Island, Camiguin

At Dahilayan Forest Park, Bukidnon

White Water Rafting, Cagayan de Oro

At Maria Cristina Falls, Iligan

October: Attended a wedding and felt crushed upon realizing it would never happen to me.

November: Texted him to remember rainday. He ignored it. I went to Boracay and was stranded due to typhoon Yolanda. Had fun but a part of me longs for a simple sms message from him checking if I am alright. Well, you know the answer.

December: Finally, he invited me to catch a movie. I said yes! He never followed up. I waited 3 weeks. I should have known it was only an empty invitation. He managed to greet me on Christmas, one of those messages that you forward to all.

January: No text for New Year. He greeted me a day before my birthday, not the day itself. I realized he did this not because he wanted to show he remembers, but only to ask how to get those airfare promos.

It’s been a year. You know the pain when he is just around the area and he never paid you a visit? Should a 1 minute call be that expensive to show a person how much you care? Should “hi, can we talk because you deserve an explanation” make you less of a man?
All year round I was praying for such moment when he can make me fully understand what happened to us.

I used to think I will never give up on him, on us. But then maybe a minute call or a simple conversation is too much for a person who no longer cares. His friend told me he has completely moved on. It sucks because I haven’t. 2013 was a tough year for me. I have deprived myself from being happy because I was too busy torturing my heart and sabotaging my career for someone who would never love me back.

I cannot afford to lose another year for him. So now I declare - 2014 will be great! I want to be that girl who is confident, independent, free-spirited, driven, happy go lucky and who doesn’t give a damn to all men -that same girl before we become a couple. I will be that awesome girl again! Step by step. One at a time. I will be that girl!

One Last Try

I wanted to meet him. I insisted. He came.Yeah, he came.
But I saw the disgust in his eyes when he saw me.
I am no longer his special girl.
We didn't talk. He left immediately.

I asked his bestfriend if he could make ex change his mind about me.
So he told ex that I wasn't okay and was always crying.
No, ex did'nt text or check me.

My friend told me ex was completely okay.
He's with a girl I often tell ex he can't flirt with.
He often hang around with his friends.
He's okay, more than okay actually.

I asked again his bestfriend if there's a chance we will be back again.
He said NONE.

My sister told me she's going to show me something.
But it will surely hurt me.
I said NO.

Today I sent him the video I was supposed to give him on his birthday.
I have sent him my last straw.
My last attempt to win him back.
My last hope.