A Humbling Letter to Thy Feast

Derailed by a plethora of vanishing mementos in our lives, never did I loose my grip to my faith that I will always return back to where I was. Nostalgic is the feeling when you’re almost hanging on an edge of a cliff or walking in solitude in the midst of the bright night lights of the metro walks. More often, I stumbled from the path I’m treading waiting for somebody to pull me up and save me from perilous disputes. Yet you were there.

You brought me back the things I thought were mislaid.

You counseled my path when I’ve gone astray.

You searched for me when I was lost in space.

Misplaced was my every possession for quite a while. Drenched in sweaty fears of bleak and hopeless temperament, I hold on to Thy faith that someday everything lost will come back around, at the right time I suppose.  For whatever missing puzzle will always reach its completion. For whatever emptiness in our lives will soon has its own substantial filling.

Oftentimes, our paths meet intertwined crossroads that we don’t know where to confidently disembark in the end. Cognizant of the usual bustles of everyday, we still tend to go astray and consequently land to unplumbed places, farther from the real world where we should suppose to be grounded. But in these times, you were there. Embraced by your genuine love for us, you escorted me to the safe haven where I could grow back again.

Adrift, there’s also comes a point where we are drifting by the seas, out from the shorelines of our quest to greatness. We sailed to reach the horizons of our dreams yet those waves taunted us to lose ourselves in the midst. Trembling, we often see the other world far from what we know that has innately existed in us. But you emerge in front of our sight, to have and to hold, to save us from being lost.

There is perhaps no more loved and admired saint in the Catholic Church than you, Saint Anthony of Padua. Happy Feast Day to you! And may you’ll continue to counsel us and bring back everything we have lost.

You brought me back the things I thought were mislaid.

You counseled my path when I’ve gone astray.

You searched for me when I was lost in space.

Wiping Out

Tainted by a surfeit of scorching slashes and irrepressible abrasive disposition, you wiped away those glinting pearls scuttling down from the feeble porthole-to-thy-soul. When that smoothly-woven fabric kisses thy cheeks, you engender such feeling of comfort like an infant gently caressed by his nursing mother. I snuffled to regain strength and flee from being enslaved by my current emotion.

Surreptitious of the unfortunate events that had happened; your embrace beguiles me to put back the vitality that was vanished for quite a while. Each strand of your being stitches the missing pieces of the stimulating puzzle I created. Each fiber dries up my lonesome tears and draws me back to the usual blissful stance I portray. Those living centuries past forestalled the concept that wrapping you as a present is taboo which will make someone weep in dreadful awe. But no. Cynically, I am opposing to what they believe and say.

For you alone can console my drooping spirit.
For you alone can install that beaming smile from my lips.
For in you alone I can shed and sob and then recuperate in the end.

Fetal-position can hardly cripple me; I can salvage all energies lost upon your softest touch. More often than not, you were the rope that saved me from drowning onto the cavernous craters of melancholic sea. You absorb all glumness gushing through my weary days. Something unfathomable as though binds us together as one, I believe. Nostalgia would conquer the scenes not having you every single sec of the day. I’ll long to that feeling of you stroking the inner recesses of my depressed core. Because in you I find the serenity I appeal, appeased from all the ennui and worries life bestows.

For just this morning, just like every day, I have realized your worth in me. As the sun’s heat never failed to seep through my skin and again trigger my glands to secrete relentlessly, I searched for you that might dry me up in comfort. But I got lost… lost in finding you.

Inconspicuously, there are little things which we have forgotten to put much value in our lives. There are those that were left trashed after ages of exploit, there are also those that were taken and used for granted in any way. You know, aside from being valuable to time and timepieces, I also won’t ever feel secured going outside the world without this simply hemmed square of thin fabric with me (or in my pocket). This plain piece of cloth signifies companionship whenever I am being secluded. An ever ready buddy that definitely placates when in need. My emotion-saver. My shock absorber. My sorrow-wiper. It is but the hanky panky.

Never say NO

“No”, very close-ended yet I have known, it must be your best scorned word.

“No, I don’t like this.”

“I’m afraid not.”

“I guess it won’t work out, so no for now.”

NO. How’d you like hearing it? It seems that this very word paints a thousand pictures of senseless, dissatisfying rebuttals to almost every argumentative situation. Why does it stick on my thought and scare me as if I’m Atlas carrying the burdens of the planet?  Why does it bring a cementing feeling of being static for one moment making you in complete desolation and dormancy?

“No” is your worst nightmare. It is my nightmare. When these two letters combine and produce a sound as one, it resembles a world defunct, demised and devastated. This stretches out into something we never imagined to foresee, reserved on very rare occasions where we can be of no choice but to mouth it out.

Why are we too frightened to be thrown back with such kind of precarious syllable?  I have quite understood it lately when my three-year old cousin never tires to reply no in all instances. Usually I will wake up early in the morning with that as my alarm as she yells such despicable word whenever she’s invited to take a bite or something.

Nobody likes the word no, especially children and adolescents. “No” means disappointment, “no” means not getting what you desire, and that’s exasperating and disappointing for everyone. It is a powerful word, quick on the lips, easy to say.

I thought back that time when you were with me. I just came back from somewhere after months of hibernation. We were enjoying the night cruising together our dreams at the same sea, typical moment where we press those pads waiting for our phones to illuminate back with your name after a reply from the other. And somewhere in the midst of the usual sweet texts, I stumbled from my seat to where I was, not expecting what that was becoming.

“Yeah, I care for you dearly and value you, but I guess..” and as the clear words played kaleidoscopically in front of me, it paralyzes me, “…No… I don’t love you anymore.”

For one second it paralyzes you, and then another and so on. It paralyzes you from those dreams you’ve built together with someone, from promises that you can’t keep and relationships you think and would want to end. This two-letter word gradually cripples your veins that carry the deoxygenated blood from your body going back to your heart making you frail enough to struggle for your life. You slowly hunger for air as inch by inch that word blocks your brain’s respiratory centers, squeezing you tightly to losing your breath until you become despondent. That crippling moment collapses your entirety and assures significant echoes of rejection, resounding and reverberating to every corner of your ears. Yes, it’s all because of this…NO.

Sometimes, I patiently waited for a response. Desperate, I constantly never surrendered in making pleas asking for second chances which could be possible any moment then. With images of your smiles and laughter along with the memories we’ve created, I filled my mind with bliss to divert the pessimism it generates. I carefully waited for that single beep, but it still implies that “NO” conquered the scenes. Everything that entails saying the word connotes disappointment, a ravaging imminent rejection that can hardly be opposed. Once you said it, it ends the world.. your world.. our world.

“Would you like to go out or something?”

“No” is like an ends without the means in times when you ask questions like this. In other words, telling it places you in the oceans of disempowerment, confusion, and fear without any rational and respectful explanation. Oftentimes it may mean TO STOP, but that’s only to impede any forthcoming perplexity somehow. More likely it will always bring you to a halt in all issues, a lifeless signal that reminds you not to add up some more. It must be understood as it is said because usually it doesn’t come along with further reasons. It is profound, direct and undisputed. And to quote again, it coasts you to a world defunct, demised and devastated.

Your nightmare might have saved you from deep sleep.

Mine geared me to a complete comatose, paralysis.

Now what is it about ‘NO’ why I despise it the most? Maybe it is the depiction of reality that it can be modified no more. Maybe it’s about the culmination of those foreseen visions where you suppose to paint colorful dreams especially with the one closest to your heart.

Or worst, just maybe, it‘s about something absconded that will never be yours again.

Oh no! <facepalm>

Enkindled Lights of Peace and Victory

One doesn’t need to travel light years away on space to feel that awesome, galactic serenity.

Amidst the enigmatic states we are currently facing today not to mention the hubbubs and mayhem setting in brought about by the disharmonious relationships from nation to nations, there is now that emergent resounding need to call for World Peace.

It may sound too unattainable even to foresee but behind our conscious minds, we are blinded by that simple mantra that everything starts “within”, hence World Peace is through Inner Peace for that matter. Exactly. To some religious faithfuls who promote meditation and self-awareness, it is imperative to note that starting with oneself and obtaining inner peace is the key to let it spread and bring peace as well to others and the entire humankind.

Everyone ardently desires to achieve serenity and create a tranquil world especially today. And by the fact that it is never impossible to attain, I am proud on what my fellow Ilonggos initiated and realized just few days ago (May 24, 2013) which conquered the national scenes as far as defeating the usual appalling news and bad vibes in the air for that very moment.

A Wish of Peace for the World

The vast, dark night sky in Miag-ao, Iloilo, Philippines turned into an amazing free-flowing galaxy of lights when a sea of illuminating paper sky lanterns of about 15,185 pieces set aloft bringing harmony across the worlds.

Dubbed as “Inaugural Light of Peace Event in the Philippines: World Peace through Inner Peace,” and organized by the Middle Way Meditation Institute (MMI)-Philippines and its Thailand-based main organization which promotes meditation, the divine endeavor has not only successfully reverberated the message it aims but as well as brought a great feat in besting the past world record of Romania (12,740 lanterns on June 2012) thus hailed by the prestigious Guinness as the most-numbered fly lanterns launched simultaneously at once.

The Thai-manufactured sky lanterns were made of rice paper with bamboo frames which ecologically brought an essential environmental impact “much less than that of fireworks and rubber balloons.” Add up to that, the lanterns did not use fuel oil but tissue paper dipped in wax making it as safe and nurturing to Mother Earth.

Shine bright like lanterns in the sky

In our own simple ways, we can make INFLUENCE a significant deed in inspiring and making others live harmoniously in peace. More than the material things, we need sense of calmness, of direction despite what we are hurdling through our lives at this point of time. Just like those sky lanterns sparkling in the blunt sky, we too can make someone else’s life more than dazzling and fueled with peace.

It may be a simple act, but that thoughtful endeavor touched the hearts of many. Those flying lighted lamps carry different moving dreams. Those little sparkling lanterns promise a better future for the world. Truly it shows that when everyone unites, ONE DREAM may turn to REALITY in no time.

I could’ve been there. I could have experienced that amazing moment and be part of history. But I know… more than that, I can still help making that cause a reality. It’s just a matter of inner peace, indeed. Gain it. Feel it.

Shine and make others shine in peace as well.

Be #KEVinspired.

(Photos are grabbed from Google and a friend, Pauleene. Credits to you, folks!)

Pagpapahalagang Sintamis ng Candy Crush

Game requests ba kamo? Yung tipong akala mo andaming nakaalala sa’yo tapos nung kinlick mo na ang notifications icon eh binaha ka lang pala ng invites sa iba’t ibang laro.

BADTRIP. For more than weeks of being a couch potato, siyempre sabik ka na buksan ang mukhang- librong social networking site mo. Partida pa kapag hindi ka pala-kaibigan sa totoong buhay, laking galak ang hatid nun sa’yo kapag makakabasa ka ng mga pagkakamusta sa ilang mga FB friends. Feeling mo naman napakahalaga ka sa kanila. Pero minsan hanggang feeling lang din pala.

Ika nga ng marami, ang buhay ay parang isang laro. Minsan ika’y natataya, may parehong pagkakataong mananalo ka o matatalo, kadalasan nama’y di rin maiiwasan ang mga panahong lalansihin ka hanggang sa mawalan ka ng pag-asang magpatuloy at kitilin na lang ang buhay mo sa huli.

Kasalukuyang nagiging abala ngayon ang buhay ko sa maraming bagay kaya’t bihira na lang akong nakakanakaw ng oras upang maupo ng buong araw kasabay ang pagpindot sa aking cellphone at maglaro.

Madali kasi akong mabagot. Nauso ang mga apps ngayong henerasyon kung kaya para hindi ka mahuhuli sa kung anuman ang patok eh makiki-join ka na rin. Ibuhos ang oras para sa wantusawang panagangalikot ng keyboard o touchscreen? Hindi ko hilig iyon, mas nanaisin ko pang ilaan ang oras sa kama yakap-yakap ang paborito kong hotdog pillow.

Ayun nga, dumating ang nauusong mga laro. Ilang buwan pa lamang eh pumatok si Candy Crush. Walang pinalalampas, paslit ka mang wala pang ka-muwang-muwang sa mundo, matandang uugod-ugod na o artistang konyo sa bigscreen, lahat tila nahibang sa simpleng larong ito. Adik nga eh, nung minsang sumakay ako ng bus o mrt basta kahit saan ito ang naging karamay ng marami sa mahaba-habang pagbabaybay (o minsan a stone’s throw away lang pala ang bababaan).

Kapag may usong laro, tendency tinatry ko kaagad. Hanggang sa malulustay ko na ang oras ko dito. Maliban sa nakakaaliw itong laruin, kapag nasubukan mo e parang gagayumahin ka nitong ituloy-tuloy hanggang sa huli. Nguni’t maliban sa sayang hatid nito ay may ilan din akong mga bagay na natutunan sa Candy Crush. Simpleng mechanics lamang ang kelangan nito pero it seems that Candy Crush hit our worlds by storm. Bakit? May ilang mga aral lang naman itong itinuturo sa atin higit pa sa kalibangang handog nito:

1. Ang buhay ay halu-halong timpla ng pag-asa at pagkabigo.
Sa kahit anumang laro nariyan talaga ang oras na ika’y matatalo. Minsan di natin alintanang yaong mga bagay na sa unang tingin saya ang hatid ay siya rin palang magbibigay sa atin ng biglaang lugmok at lumbay. Magaan sa pakiramdam kapag una mong makita ang makukulay na kendi na para bang good vibes at “hooray for today” ang dating, pero pag maglao’y ang bawat kulay na nagbabanat ng iyong labi para ngumiti ay siya ring mag-uudyok sayo upang ngumuso kapag ika’y nagagapi. Pero huwag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa, iilang tsokolate man at jellies ang papalibot sa atin, nariyan lagi ang buslo ng liwanag na siyang magpapaalalang “kaya natin iyan”.

2. “Life is not always fair” ika nga.
Sanay naman tayo sa pasuwerte-swerte sa lahat ng bagay. Tulad ng sa Candy Crush, di natin hawak ang mga lalabas na piyesa. Madalas ang galaw natin ay limitado kelangan ng kaukulang tantya upang sumakto sa inaasam na pag-alpas sa isang lebel. Anuman ang board na ilalatag sa harapan natin, marunong dapat tayong makipagsapalaran sa mga panahong walang mintis na darating. Balaksila ma’y matapang nating daigin, suungin lahat na unos at harapin anumang pagsubok dahil nabubuhay tayo sa daigdig na animo’y mapanlinlang na bolang kristal: minsan sapul, pero madalas plangak!, hindi nahuhulaan, petiks lang. May mga bagay lang kasing hindi patas kahit bali-baliktarin man ang mundo ganunpaman, Go lang nang Go pa rin dapat ang mantra for life.

3. Minsan, may pagkakataon talagang hindi mo na naiintindihan ang mga pangyayari.
Ang gulo noh? Pero ganito naman lagi eh, yung bigla na lang may susulpot na icing o prutas o bagong kendi tapos hindi mo alam kung para saan gagamitin. Walang katiyakan ang buhay. Alinsunod sa mga pagbabagong nararansan natin sa kasalukuyan gaya ng pabugsu-bugsong ulan sa tag-init o masakit na hampas ng init-araw sa tag-ulan, yung mga di inaasahang pagngangalit ng mga bulkan at pagkapanalo ng isang anino sa senado, marami rin ang mga pangyayaring basta-basta na lang lilitaw at siyang hahamon ng ating diskarte at katatagan. Sa lahat ng iyong mga pagpupunyagi, nararapat lamang na may pokus ka at direksiyon gaano man ang linggatong sa kapaligiran.

4. Pagbibigayan ang susi ng magandang samahan. Sabi nga eh “Give and take.”
Sino ang takbuhan mo kapag ika’y nagigipit? Sino ang kasangga mo tuwing ang buhay ay kaypait? Hindi ba’t sila ang matatalik mong kaibigan? Wala kang ibang mapagsasabihan ng iyong problema maliban sa yaong andiyan handang tumulong sayo simula’t sapul. Subali’t sa mga oras na ika’y walang-wala, minsan dito mo malalaman kung sino talaga ang handang sumaklolo sa mumunti mong suliranin. Hindi sa lahat ng oras ang nakaugalian mong kasa-kasama ay nandiyan lagi sa tabi mo. Hindi man inaasahan, magugulat ka kung sino ang tunay na nagmamalasakit sa’yo. Kung ika’y nagbibigay, tiyak ikaw rin ay bibiyayaan. Literal man kasi o hindi, ang pagbibigay ng buhay ay nakakadagdag ng tiwala at pagpapahalaga sa mga taong maaalahanin. Buhay na hindi lamang tutulong sayong malampasan ang mga lebel sa Candy Crush ngunit higit pa ro’n ay yaong sarili ang iaalay, sa oras man ng pighati o kaluguran, bitbit ang pangakong walang hanggang samahan.

5. Walang mahirap na gawa ‘pag dinaan sa tiyaga.
Kahit saan naman iisa lamang ang susi sa pagtatagumpay: PAGTITIYAGA. Anumang pangarap ay sadyang maglalaho kung walang kaukulang pagsisipag. Walang mangyayari kung hindi ka marunong mamaluktot kapag maiksi ang kumot. Kumbaga, tiis-tiis din pag may time. Malalampasan mo rin lahat na mga balakid sa iyong paglalakbay kapag pursigido kang makamit ang iyong mga mithiin. Walang “it’s too late” sa ganitong pagkakataon, may oras na nakalaan sa lahat na bagay at ang dapat lamang gawin ay ang maghintay kung kailan iyon itinakda para sa’yo. Sa huli kapag alam mong patakbuhin ang iyong landasin kaakibat ang mga mahahalagang sangkap na ito, mag-antay ka at maririnig mo rin ang matatamis na sambiting: Sweet! Tasty! Sugar Crush! Divine!

Ang sarap pakinggan noh? Yung akala mong kabadtripan lang eh kinapupulutan rin pala ng mga pagpapahalagang pwede nating maging sandigan sa pakikipagbuno sa mga laro ng buhay. Simpleng larong sumasalamin ng kumukulong pag-aasam na magtagumpay. Karaniwang larong hatid ay pakiramdam ng sariling kaganapan at kadakilaan.

“Hey, you’re falling behind! I passed you….” – Op! Huwag mong intindihin ang mga ganitong pagmamataas. Sa halip, mas lalo kang magsumikap, magtiyaga. Ito ang tunay na boosters. Ituloy mo ang laban. Manigasig kang balang araw lahat ay iyo ring malalampasan..

Yun oh!

I’ve Fallen into (your) Ice

If there is one thing I hate the most, it is falling.

In this circle of life, you might encounter different scenarios wherein you’re in the verge of a perilous fall, or almost. Might that be on an edge of a cliff, under an ongoing construction site of a skyscraper, biking on that serrated road or even into the arms of someone you get obsessed with. Crazy, but these sometimes bring us into consternation.

On a serious note, I have fears on driving myself into those situations (especially on the latter piece) where actually there is always that inevitable leeway of getting HURT. No band-aids can heal the wounds marked by trippin’ over from such occasions. I personally despise being lacerated by the reality that we are all prone to all kinds of falling debris brought about by this insidious world.  Getting bruised or dumped however often leads us to several realizations which seemed forsaken. Each fall creates not a trench of desolation but deep craters of learning experiences that enliven up our weaknesses towards achieving a valiant heart enough to face this tricky hole called life.

Anyway, since summer isn’t over yet, I’ve found ways to escape this archipelagic oven again. Back to my younger years, I always wished to snow during summer season to battle the despicable warmth it conveys. Add up to that, I also yearned to set inside a rink and glide my way freely as if I’m the happiest in the world.

And so goes Ice Skating. Having been situated near the equator consequently destined to experience summer season as this hot, Philippines has innovated its way to cool down those hot-tempers and brought the ice for real for years already.

Very unlikely to have it at first to a tropical country like the Philippines, it really did come to life when the first 849 sq. meter ice skating rink in the country opened up on September 4, 1992 inside one of the largest malls in Asia then. For years, it has become one of the unusual but well-liked recreational activities of Filipinos, kids and young-at-heart alike, which subsequently turned out to a fun sport everyone loves.

To date, the latest and largest is widely present in SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City with the other one located at SM Southmall in Las Piñas City.

Realizing that dream to skates, I made my way out for a day to enjoy the UNLIMITED Skating SM MOA Ice Skating offers.

First up, secure a P390.00 fee for an admission pass. Prices vary and cost higher during weekends by the way. That’s enough already to submit yourself for one heck of a gliding day. For children who need their adult aides, a companion pass of P100.00 will be charged.  First time to wear those boots? Wanna indulge into the cool breeze but scared of getting hurt? No biggies to that as they also offer an Assist Program at P150.00 where you will be given a 30-minute tutorial on the basics of getting through it. If you happened to bring a lot of stuffs and plan to overspend the day, you might rent a locker for P30.00 and voila, no worries for your precious possessions!

Upon securing all dues, heads up now for the entrance! Skaters will be given an identification wrist tag which is barcoded to ensure every customer’s entries and exits. This one’s pretty cool, but be sure to follow the instructions on how to keep it effective. There are crews that would reach help once customers overcrowd the gates anyway.

Getting there means fitting your boot size then. Just after the gates you will see boot sizes to fit in for you to gauge what should be the right thing for you. Have these reminders be accomplished subsequently.

Once preferred comfortable size is confirmed, you must head on next to the booth rental station. Here you have to file up and wait for your turn. Booth designs may be different for you from the others but it doesn’t matter anyway.

Immediately after receiving your respective boots, find your place on the benches available and don your snow boots. Be careful of its base edges, you might hurt someone next to you.

TIP: Tie your boots securely and may round the lace on your lower legs to fasten more. Let the knots be shorter to avoid any slips during the glide.  

You’re now ready to hit the ice!

But before that, consider reading the house rules to keep the game on the safer zone. If you have reserved a locker, it’s then time to let your baggage be stored.

TIP: As much as possible, never accessorize. Falls are foreseeable; body accessories will cause further harm. Leave whatever gadgets as well to avoid possible breakage.

All set and there you go! Skating is fun and challenging, but gradually it can be learned. Once on ice, always keep that confidence, no shakes, just relax and expect getting drooped.

 

TIP: For first-timers, you can do the penguin stunt to walk on ice. That’s putting your ankles together and spreading your toes apart and doing small, fine steps inside the rink. When losing balance, bend slightly and hold onto your knees to recover the equilibrium.

I have fallen into the ice. But as it is said, it is on rising each time you fall where you learn to gain strength and scream to the world that you can.

At one moment you may lose your stance wherever you keep grounded. For another you may get hurt in a countless ways. The chances of getting fallen might de-motivate you in pursuing your every goal and aspiration, but remember we are not into the safe zone  all the time. Roads intertwine along our way, some may go steep and some may be flawlessly ironed yet we should not always make those falls hinder our long seen visions.

When you will get bumped and stumble, make it an opportunity for you to heighten your confidence and enthusiasm. As Walt E. Disney said, “All our dreams come true if we have the COURAGE to pursue them.” Just like in skating, you will never learn to glide if you will not experience falling into the ice. So let those muscles get relaxed, seize the moment and let every fall be your boosting vitality to rise up and reach your dreams.

Be #KEVinspired in one way or another.

P.S. You can collect some mementos as well through their photo packages:

SM MALL OF ASIA

Address: Main Mall, Ground Level, Ocean Drive Side, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City 1300

Telephone: 556-0469 to 71

Operating Hours: 10:00am to 10:00pm

SM SOUTHMALL

Address: Second Level (beside SM Foodcourt), Sm Southmall, Las Piñas City 1740

Telephone: 800-0426

Operating Hours: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

OTHER RATES & PACKAGES: 

Service	Weekday	Weekend/Holidays
Open Skating/Unlimited	P300	P390
Locker	P30	P30
Assist Program	P150/30 minutes	P150/30 minutes
Hockey Games	P500/game	P500/game
Xtreme Gaming“PS3 Gaming with the coolest games in town”	P100/hour (single player)P150/hour (two-player)	P100/hour (single player)P150/hour (two-player)
Battle Seat Simulator“Drift for Speed”	P50/3-6 minutes	P50/3-6 minutes
Sled Ride“Experience that Cool Breeze”	P100/15-20 minutes	P100/15-20 minutes
Hockey Gear Rentals“Play the Game Easier”	P400/1 hour (walk-ins)P100/30 minutes (enrolled)	P400/1 hour (walk-ins)P100/30 minutes (enrolled)
Massage Corner“Chill on Ice”	P20/5 minutes	P20/5 minutes

Or visit their website at: http://smiceskating.com/ for more details.

Sighs on Travels and Majayjay

I got stinky, I got dirty, but see, I learned.

I remembered one time when a kid said this in one of the TV milk commercials.  And so goes when you venture beyond traveling.

For years, I am jailed into the scene where all I have to do was to perform best in all endeavors and excel, where you are being looked up for making everyone proud of your accomplishments. Thinking of such lost chances frustrates me, and it really sucks! I envy those who wore smiles and were feeling content. Now, I wanna indulge myself into some sheer adventure and of course, lots and lotsa TRAVELS.

Traveling has been one of the experiences I have learned to give up back then.  A lot of opportunities knock my way which could supposedly fly me into places I never put my feet grounded, yet I sacrificed and paid no attention to it. Later then I realized that being great is not only measured on how you strained your neck by those golden achievements, it is more on HOW FAR you have gone through and explored the world barefooted.

You know, it’s late when I thought of how lucky we are to be stewards of the creation the heavens bequeathed us to live and nurture. But I know likewise that it isn’t late yet to give in to these adventures the world can offer. Coincidentally, it was few days ago also when I came to pass across Jeff Goins, a blogger from Nashville whom I see as my inspiration starting today because of his moving insights and knack in writing and speaking.  He proposed traveling while one is young to Experience the world for all its worth. And there I am struck and hit by far.

Certainly, with life’s transient presence here on earth, we are liberated to do whatever we want while we are young. We live in a world of uncertainty. We may never know how soon will come for us to be six feet below the ground. When time grows weary, we can inevitably lose sight of what’s important. Let’s not wait for it to happen. Travel young bud. Grab all opportunities for you to grow. Explore.

For me, I will never let more chances get out from my very palms again!

Subsequently, I started tripping over an adventure to recover my past wounds. Here’s where I’ve been to just last week. That’s a double treat: pre-celebrating Earth Day with nature’s wonders as well as having my pre-birthday getaway with some blogger friends.

Knowingly, Philippines, having its archipelagic doctrine, beholds plenty of bodies of water and scenic natural formations which some are left untracked.  In order to escape from that scorching heat summer brings, I dove into the idea of abandoning the metro even just for a couple of days after confirming an invite from some of my blogger troops.

It started from the Gil Puyat Station where we chose our rendezvous to be. Be sure to come prepared with all your stuffs and gears to avoid being dumped, unlike me who just came from a provincial work and as ever arrived late again.

Bound to Majayjay, Laguna which is 120 kilometers south of Manila, you have to take RIDES before you can get there. First stop, ride into a bus going to Calamba, Laguna. That would cost you P78.00 at least under an air-conditioned DLTB Co. ride. It’s one heck of a cozy journey for two hours (depending on the traffic situation), enough to view the green meadows from the windows and spend some chit-chatting along the way.

Upon arriving at Calamba, you can head on to the SM mall for the UV express van ride going to Majayjay at P120.00. Terminals are usually found at either back or side of it and for Majayjay goers, that’s located just across SM Starbucks for that matter.

TIP: It’s perfect to drop by then for some groceries to consume for a couple of days. Majayjay is an abode close to nature situated by the woods and access to commercial stands might be hard. You can enjoy the readily available fruits and veggies around the backyards though while you’re there.  

After almost an hour of cruising by the woods, you can perfectly appreciate all the greens and pastures we luckily have. Just hold on because you’ll be travelling zig zags and a lot of curves just like you’re trekking into the Kennon roads of Baguio. Don’t miss the fun ride and you’ll sure to meet the end with a sigh.

Trivia: Yes sigh, because Majayjay came from the Filipino word “maraming haay”, which in English means, “plenty of sighs” as it indeed deserves countless sighs of appreciation and admiration from tourists and alike after getting in touch into its creations.

Once you get there, you will come across a block going to the falls. That’s one tricycle ride getting there. A P20.00 DENR fee will be paid as sort of entrance charge, not bad, which will be used for maintaining the site as well.

TIP: You can also stay overnight in the nearby rooms available just before the FALLS if you wanna spend the night jiving with nature. YOU MIGHT AS WELL CONSIDER BRINGING YOUR TENTS AS MOST TOURISTS SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER WITH THE NATURAL AMBIANCE.

Taddah! You will be now trailing by foot down to the nature’s wonder.

Also known as Taytay or Imelda Falls, Majayjay falls has been one of the most kept treasures of Laguna and an attraction to both local and foreign tourists. Found along the Mt. Banahaw outskirts, it is truly a breathtaking experience reuniting with Mother Nature. Beaming at same height as of a two-storey edifice, the falls perfectly embraces you with coolness deep within. It’s a kind of hidden Paradise after the trail where you can see a splendid ambiance brought about by all green creations and the crystal clear waters.

While going imminent to the awesome sight, you will be feeling the cold seeping through your bodies giving you an overall good feeling. Wading into the ice-cold gushing waters will wake up all your senses where you can even turn a warm drink you bring into a refrigerated one. COOL! Even sitting atop the rocks, one could already experience the escalating feeling of positivism and good vibes.

Of course having just a dip into the pristine waters will forfeit your purpose of having that superb experience. Since it’s my first time as well to see a falls right in front of my very eye, I never let this chance to pass out for any instance. Soaking into its coolness provides you with a different kind of satisfaction just perfect to fight out the summer heat indeed.

Before wrapping up, it’s best then to capture every memento with some friends and grab photo ops with the natural dramatic backgrounds. 

From now, let every travel be a profound witness of our existence. When something knocks at our doors and invites us to some adventure, let no “but’s” and “should have been’s” allow us to be cowards at all. They are pernicious. They may sound like we have the best of intentions when really we are just too scared to do what we should. There are a lot of things to explore in this dainty world. You may get stinky from all the mudpacks along the trails. You may get dirt and wounded from aggressively climbing those steeps. But nevertheless, soon you’ll see and appreciate what learning it could give.

Don’t squander time. Travel the world for all it’s worth. No excuses, just GO. (Sigh)

Credits to my companions for the photos. You may follow them too as you wish:

http://otep.wordpress.com/

http://kwentokopoito.wordpress.com/

http://tontongpotato.blogspot.com/

http://rojan88.wordpress.com/

http://cn21.wordpress.com/