Mistakes and Life

Mistakes - they say is part of life. Not one person I know can tell anyone that they haven't done a single mistake in their lifetime. I've made loads of it. I'm turning 29 in a couple of days and I don't know the number of mistakes I've ever done. The beauty of making mistakes is learning from them. Through mistakes you learn, through mistakes you live. Ever heard of people committing the same mistake over and over again? I'd bet you did and I'm guilty for being one. That may have been the inspiration behind the saying "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me" But do we really learn from a single mistake? Is a single mistake ever enough to make you say no to doing it again? I am guilty of committing the same mistake over and over again. The mistake of believing that people can learn from their mistakes is too common. The world is a cruel place to live, It will lead you to commit the same mistake over and over till you learn your lesson the hard way. The wrong thing in making a mistake is when even the people around you gets affected by the stupidity you continuously choose to do. Why would you make mistakes for yourself and make people around you suffer the effects of your stupidity? Why would you subject people to the pain that you alone are entitled to? Why would you let people make your problem their problem? You commit mistakes and you learn from them, you live with the consequences of your action, you deal with problem that it cause, you suffer the effects. Sometimes, we subject ourselves to the pain created by the stupid mistakes others commit because of love, because of pity and because of loyalty or maybe because of some other things. For some reason we hold on the that feeling that saving someone from the effects of the mistakes he made is our way of helping him. But is it really? Aren't we just tolerating their stupidity? Aren't we leading them to commit the same mistake if they feel like we will be there to back them up? Aren't we teaching them to be dependent? Are we making them forget that in every action their should be a corresponding reaction? Aren't we leading them to believe that its ok to make mistakes and turn your back from its effects? You, have you been committing a mistake that keeps on hurting the people who you say matter to you? Or do they really matter? Because personally, I think if you love someone or some people, you won't subject them to the effects of your mistake. You will learn from a single mistake and move forward and try your very best to not let the mistake you made get in the way of your loved ones' happiness. Because if you love the people around you, you will never do something to hurt them. Mistakes will always be part of life, at least learn to face the consequences of your action and learn from every mistake. It makes life more interesting.

PUERTO PRINCESA - EL NIDO, PALAWAN

A few months ago, I had the chance to go to a place I have long been wanting to see. I have seen a lot of videos of the place in youtube and on tv. All I hear are great things about the place. I am a sucker for places with beautiful beaches or fun water activities, so I am pretty sure PALAWAN is among those I should travel to. 

We were in Palawan for 7 days and 5 out of those 7 days were spent touring around Puerto Princesa and El Nido. From Dapitan City, we took a flight to Manila then took another plane ride to Puerto Princesa. The next day, we rode a van going to Sabang, where we had the chance to see the underground river then head back to Puerto Princesa and roam around the City. The following day, we took a van for a five hour ride to El Nido. El Nido, oh El Nido. It's one heck of a place to see for beach lovers/mermaids. We did the Island Hopping for two days and it was the most worth it tour I've had by far. lol... You just have to see the place to appreciate it. There's a reason why some travel bloggers consider it as one of the best island, not just in the Philippines, but in the world. 

I do prefer El Nido over Puerto Princesa. Maybe because I had a lot of fun in El Nido than in Puerto Princesa. El Nido was more of like an underdeveloped place, and don't get me wrong, I love it that way. The place did not have have that much commercial buildings and it will make you feel closer to nature. I seriously fell in love with the place that I want to go back if I have the chance to. It's just difficult not to be amazed by the place. And it's even more difficult to not be thankful for being able to visit the place and experience what the place had to offer.

Philippines, like I always say, is a very beautiful country. We may not be the richest country but this country is abundant with a lot of graces from God, and that is something Filipinos should be thankful for.

One Weekend in Boracay!

A long overdue vacation. 

Our school's class schedule was changed to August-May so I was in school the whole summer. I had daily classes till Saturdays and I did not have much time to go on a trip or to the beach. People were enjoying the beach while we were burning candles to pass exams. I hated opening my social media account the whole summer because all I see were photos of people having a good time at beaches and girls who were looking good in their bikinis while I didn't have any trip to the beach nor a bikini body. I had to cancel my Laboracay trip for my weekend class, only to find out that my teachers weren't around. It was literally the best summer of my life, not! Whoever thought of changing the class schedule, God bless you.

Of course people knew there was drought and the news even said that it might last till September or October. I know it was bad to be glad about drought but I thought summer would be extended and I thought being in school the whole summer was not so bad since I will have the taste of the sun, beach, and sand on school break. Luckily, we saw a cheap Boracay package last May and with the thought that summer weather was here to stay till the 'ber months, we grabbed it. Then here comes June and days became rainy and drought was said to have ended earlier. I was not disappointed coz I badly wanted the rain for scheduled daily brownout to be over as well, but I was constantly praying for the weather to be fine when our trip comes. But boy, the weather wasn't too cooperative, Butchoy entered PH area of responsibility and I thought my weekend will be ruined. The day we left for Cebu, Butchoy never failed to make its presence felt. Thank God for positive friends, who was dying to escape stress, the trip pushed through. Boracay was windy and rainy but it did not stop the nightlife and the fun the island had to offer. We had to buy those 50-peso raincoats so we could go around the island on rainy nights and continue with our journey to have fun and relieve the stresses we got from reality. It was cold and windy and rainy. Mr. Sun came out only during our last full day in the island. Just in time to do some activities during day time.

The reason why I love Boracay is that it gives you fun away from reality. I won't mention the cons of the island coz I came there for the beach and it really has the best beach I've been to so far. And it is much more fun when you have a crazy bunch of friends to enjoy it with.

COURAGE: Something You Should Have!

When I was younger, I wasn't too reluctant to try just about anything. That is because my father was mostly there to back me up. There's that certain faith in me like how a child usually is when they trust someone older. For some reason, I often thought like my parents or older siblings would always have my back. I was the youngest in the family and everyone was a bit protective at the same time motivating me to be better. I did jump off a bridge one time, even though I did not know how to swim, without a lifejacket or anything that'll help me float. What I had was faith, faith that my father would rescue me and would never let me drown. I jumped and just as he promised, he was there grabbing my hand when I was already underwater. That's when i thought, swimming is more fun when you actually know how to swim. That's when I had the courage to learn how to swim and that was that jump that led me to love the sea and that jump provided me with the confidence to take on a couple of diving sesh and made me realize that i can if i have the courage to try.

Laboracay Weekend 2015

Years of wanting and planning and a number of cancelled trips and finally, this year we did it. We made it to Boracay just in time for Labor day weekend. For someone who have lived and have actually been coming back every now and then in a place that's just 4 to 5 hours away from Boracay, I can say I have been pretty lame all my life. Why have we not visited this island before? Its a pure beauty. The place may have been too commercialized and all, but this place is no doubt a paradise we Filipino must always be proud of.

So from where I live (Dapitan City) we had to get on a ship to Cebu. We reached Cebu around 7:00 am, had breakfast then off we go to Mactan airport to board the plane to Kalibo, Aklan and knowing the people I'm with, they will make something up to make our tambay in the airport a bit less boring.

We haven't had arrangements for our transfer to the island but luckily cebu pacific has partnered with Southwest Tours Boracay. They sold coupons at the plane that costs Php500 that included transfer from Kalibo to Caticlan, terminal fees, environmental fees, boat ride and a van transfer from jetty port to our accommodation. It was pretty much a good deal.

We finally reached Boracay at around 2:30 pm. Sadly my camera's purpose was only up to jetty port coz i was too lazy to bring it around (stupid, I know), and I wasn't even that much of a picture taker during this whole trip and that I was glad enough to see photos of myself in my friends' camera phones. 

One thing that motivated everybody I was with in this trip to come to Boracay was the possible party and fun to go along with the trip. It was after all LaBoracay weekend. The raver in us was unleashed in this island. For pete's sake, I don't remember having a very lengthy sleep while I was in this island. One thing that made me wanna come in this place though was the beach itself. I know I was a mermaid in my past life. Lol. I love how the water in Bora was crystal clear. Even the lumot won't stop me from getting into the water. I did not actually care if the sun was striking hot. I know I am a beachbum and sad how I haven't gone much to beautiful beaches in this country as time, budget and circumstances won't permit. But given the chance, I would rather be in beaches or rivers of wherever i'll have the chance to practice my ala Michael Phelps skills in swimming. 

Bora made me see how a paradise and a (medyo) commercial district could co-exist. Boracay's commercial district would beat the heck out of many cities including ours. I love how people have choices of choosing between army navy and mcdonalds, fastfood and lutong bahay and 3 in one coffee vs starbuck. Boracay offers variety that's fit your budget. :)

It's a place that you won't get bored during night time. Events here and there, and you will never run out of reason to have fun. You may forget what happened the night before so  always have a friend to remind you of everything. I tell you, it'll be pure laughter when you guys have your lunch the next day talking about the crazy things you did the night before. 

I finally get to see and understand why people love coming back. There's more to love in this island. 

As for me and my friends, we promised to visit when we can and we will explore more of the island. This place is one of the many reasons why Philippines is definitely a beautiful country. :)