50 - Loss

In a twist of fate, I was recently asked to share about the experience of loss. The topic instantly took me back to 2015 — the year Mommy died. There were no warnings, no long goodbyes, no time to prepare our hearts. One moment we were living our ordinary lives, and the next, the world turned upside down. The three days we spent in the hospital felt like a blur. Before I could even fully process what had happened, I found myself arranging funeral details, coordinating with relatives, and dealing with estate taxes. Grief had no space to breathe. Responsibility came first. Survival mode took over.

Loss did not hit me in one dramatic moment. Instead, it arrived quietly — in waves, even years later in the most unexpected ways. Sometimes in the middle of laughter during random conversations, a thought would suddenly cross my mind: "Mommy would have loved this moment". And just like that, the joy would be mixed with a deep ache.

I realized that grief does not follow a timeline. It does not ask for permission. It lingers in memories, in milestones, in ordinary days that suddenly feel incomplete. The pain never fully disappears — it simply changes its form. Over time, it becomes softer, more familiar, like a scar you learn to live with. Cliché as it may sound, I have come to believe that everything happens for a reason. Not the kind of reason that is immediately clear or comforting. Often, it makes no sense in the moment. It feels unfair. It feels abrupt. It leaves questions that may never be fully answered. But what felt like an ending back then, brought lessons and realizations later on.

Amidst all this, I found comfort in faith. I hold on to the quiet assurance that Mommy is home with the Lord — whole, healed, and at peace. This belief does not erase the longing, but it gives meaning to the emptiness. It reminds me that love does not end with death. It continues in memories, in lessons she left behind, and in the person I am still becoming because of her.

Loss changes us. It reshapes our priorities, our timeline, and even how we understand love. I used to think loss is such a bad thing, but somewhere in between then and now, my perspective has changed. I would never say loss is easy, but it taught me to hold people closer, to value ordinary moments, and to trust that even in heartbreak, His grace is present. 

49 - Before The World Wakes Up

 

Savor the hush of wind's embrace

As it blows across your face

Breathe in the peace it gently restores

While waves are crashing on the shores.

Take pleasure in the calm

Empty your mind of the noise

All that once was has gone

And all that is yet to be is unknown.

Oh gentle, restless soul

Delight in moonlight as it fades

While dawn breaks soft and slow

And the world begins to wake.

48 - Beartime Stories

 

Do you believe in fate? I do.

You see, there were a lot of times when we could’ve met before we actually did, but did not. If our story is a soap opera, these are the times when the boy passes by the street and a few seconds after, the girl arrives. All building up to the scene when they finally, finally meet. I want to believe our meet-up story is years in the making, that God has prepared us by letting us grow on our own and when we were ready, He allowed us to cross paths - all in His perfect time.

And it was indeed the perfect time - 

We met each other when we were both not looking. We met each other when we were both already content with just ourselves and by ourselves - or so we thought. There’s happiness and solace in being alone - one a person experiences as he grows to love oneself. But there’s also happiness in loving someone apart from oneself, and being loved in return - one that I have found in us.

I still sometimes can’t believe and would sigh (in a good way). Oh what a beautiful, rare thing it is - to fall so effortlessly and naturally in love.

06.15.2022

47 - To all the dogs I've loved before

It's been a while since I last wrote anything of value. What prompted this journal entry is a random thought while I was trying to go to sleep a few nights back. Coco (my baby Beaglet) was sleeping soundly beside me, while I was caressing his tummy and I suddenly remembered Candy, and then Chiqui, and then Choco, and then Casper and then Coffee, and then thought of Cloud & Cotton & Chuckie & Champy (who are still with us until now), and realized how a dog's role in ones life changes over time, as we grow older. 

Bestfriend

Candy was the first dog in our household that I can remember. I was told by my siblings that they had dogs prior Candy, but when I started to walk and talk, it was Candy who was there. Candy was my constant companion at home. My parents were workers - they were not home most of the time as they work incessantly Mon-Sat. My siblings on the other hand are 10 and 8 years older than me, and already have their own barkadas/group of friends that they hang out with. They were teens in highschool when I was in Kindergarten. So it was either Kuya Sanny (my yayo) or Candy who would play with me. We live in what seemed then as a faraway subdivision from where my cousins live. Candy was really my best friend. I even remember promising her we'll leave this world together when we get old. I didn't know then how limited the years of a dog was. 

A printed photo of Candy, found in my HS Scrapbook,
taken at our childhood house in Pines City

Sibling

When I was in 5th grade, we had both Chiqui & Choco. So a year later when we changed residences to a three-story commercial/residential building at the heart of Antipolo, we had three three dogs in tow. The move I'd assumed stressed Candy the most. She was a big dog, and the house that we lived in didn't have greens and grass and enough space to run around. My parents decided it would be best for Candy to be given away, and asked one of my Titas to take care of her. It was sad and heartbreaking, but inevitable. I would visit her some times and would feel guilty about it but I was just a gradeschooler and no amount of tantrums can reverse this decision. Candy later died of old age. 

It is to note that four years later, we've  transferred (again) to our now current house (my Daddy suffered from a heart attack and was half paralyzed; living in a house with stairs would be challenging,  they decided to move to a bungalow. This is important because we again have a space for MORE MORE dogs :))))) ) It was around this time when we had Coffee, our official bunso. He was my parents' delight. My parents doted on him. He was also like a sibling to me. He was there for my parents when I was busy in college and in my OJT, and eventually when I started my career and left home. 

Coffee's 1st day with us

Furbaby

Since the two sernior dogs (Chiqui & Choco) were really old and their health were declining, my parents decided to have another dog. Cloud was supposed to be my baby (he was like a baby I'd have when I had just graduated and was starting in life). However, since I had to move to Makati, away from our home, it was my parents who took care of him. Cloud mated with a she-dog, and we were given one of the pups, whom we named Cotton (supposedly my grandpuppy).

Cotton & Cloud

I never really had a furmom-furbabies relationship with Cloud & Cotton. It was probably because they spent puppyhood not really knowing me (I only went home during the weekends when we had them). Plus, when they grew bigger, Daddy didn't allow them to go inside the house. Huskies are energetic and I think there might be an incident where he almost fell down the floor so it was kept that way up until now.

Nephew

When Coffee died in 2016, it was heartbreaking for the whole family. I remember getting the call while I was at work and I really wanted to go home. A few months later, we suddenly got a dog delivered to our doorstep. We named him Chuckie. He's my brother's first born dog, and I'm the tita who took care of him while his furdaddy was working abroad. 

Chuckie when he was a puppy
This was taken on the day that he was given to us

The REAL Furbaby

It was the year 2020, when the pandemic happened, that I finally have a REAL furbaby. REAL furbaby in a sense that I feel like a furmom to this furbaby -- he sleeps beside me, he wakes me up at 6AM, he barks at me at 5PM (he knows 6PM is the time that I should get off from work, or my laptop for that matter as I am working from home. I take care of him when he's sick, we regularly visit the vet, we celebrate birthdays together, and I felt my heart stopped when a tricycle accidentally rolled over his tummy - he's safe and no broken bones thank God).

Coco, on his first year

It is just so amazing how dogs help us cope in every stage of our life. How they were there - sometimes as a friend, most of the time - as a family. I can't imagine life without a dog in it - in fact, I've never lived a life without a dog in it. I sometimes wish they have more years to their lives, so we can spend more days together. But I guess, what makes living so special is the very fact that our time is so limited. 

To all the dogs I've loved before, if I may say I still love you now. You are all remembered, and have left your pawprints in my heart!

PS. It is Coco's 2nd birthday in a few days. Happy Birthday Coco!

PPS. Year 2021, when Champy was given to us. I thought he would be Coco's brother, but he developed an affinity with my brother and has now become his second fur-baby, and my fur-nephew.

Champy

46 - On the Pandemic, Old Friends, and Death

If you are my age or younger, you might be guilty of this: boasting about tomorrow, thinking and actually believing that tomorrow will always come. It may be because of faith or naivety, or maybe both. Or maybe our human ego that feeds us the idea that we'll still be here tomorrow. That we still have time left. That we're still young and we have our lives ahead of us. Only to be knocked off our feet, proven wrong. When somebody in their late 20s die, there is a sense of dread, there is an element of surprise. We all never see it coming - especially when we're talking about a healthy person. But who are we to tell how much time we have left? Gore as it may sound, we are always one second, one minute, one day closer to our demise. Tomorrow is never promised. It is never certain. It might come for some, but not for all. And when it does not, how do we properly greet death?

I regret not doing what we've promised. We've always deferred it, until days became months and months became years and we're now a decade away from the first time we talked about it. A lot has changed - we lost touch, we lived our lives differently, and when our paths crossed again, it was as if time did not pass - you still can talk comfortably about your personal life,  we talked about how far we've come as good old friends do, and then we still deferred it - our counterstrike death match. It is a time of a pandemic, after all. We'll do it after these trying times, except we'll no longer be able to. Death knocked on your door. Guess I can not kill you anymore - in game.

Goodbye my friend.

PS. Fvck COVID.

45 - First

And for the first time in my life, I feared Death. I've always known that people come and go, that we live and die, that nobody can boast about tomorrow, and I've accepted it. Or so I thought. When I got that call saying my mom was dying in the hospital, I prayed to the Lord and somehow, I was peaceful during the whole ordeal. I was in pain, a lot of pain, but there was no fighting over what happened. Life without mom will never be the same but I didn't feel scared. Is it because it was all so sudden and I didn't have time to ponder on how life would be without my parents? I don't know.

But now with you, I think about death sometimes - passing thoughts. And I can't even imagine how the world will suck if there's me without you in it. I don't want to experience loss - specifically, the loss of you. So darling, I pray and hope and wish that should time come, I go first.

“If the breaking day sees someone proud,

The ending day sees them brought low.

No one should put too much trust in triumph,

No one should give up hope of trials improving.

Clotho mixes one with the other and stops

Fortune from resting, spinning every fate around.

No one has had so much divine favor

That they could guarantee themselves tomorrow.

God keeps our lives hurtling on,

Spinning in a whirlwind.”

- Seneca, Thyestes, 613

44 - Happy Hallow's Eve

I'm sure a lot of us, if not all, has experienced how it's like to have a nightmare. Bad dreams that will make you jolt awake at night, sweaty palms and racing heartbeat. But have you ever had a dream that felt so real? Something that kept you from moving, like your body's paralyzed and somehow you know you're dreaming and you want yourself to wake up in the real world, but it's a struggle? A dream so creepy it makes even your baby hair to stand just the thought of it? I do. Ever since I started trying to keep track of my dreams (telling it to friends the moment I wake up so I don't forget) ; I have noticed that there is this particular bad dream that re-occurred, and this is how it goes.

I am in the middle of a living room in a house that I'm not familiar with. My cousins are with me, and we were looking at a closed door leading to a room, Nobody in the dream wants to open the door because there's a demon (lady in white with black face as I imagine it in my dream) inside. The room itself was emanating negative energy. But like how most horror movies go, I'm the protagonist of my dream who is so brave and so curious that I would actually march up to that door. Both my legs and arms feel heavy and I hear a cacophony of crazy and scary voices, but I still manage to hold the knob and turn it. And the moment I open the door, I wake up -- screaming.

When I had this dream last March 2020, I told a friend about it. How batshit scared I was and how the dream felt so familiar, like I've seen how it played before. I had to look up at my messenger chats to my other friends in search for anything - because if I have dreamed about the same thing, I'm sure I told someone, and there it was. I read that on the same day of March 2019, I had the exact same dream and I was telling someone else about it. Imagine the horror when I realized.

Will I get the same dream this March 2021? I wonder.

Happy Hallow's Eve.

43 - They say

You know what old people say, wait for a year or two, maybe three in a relationship and the feelings will eventually fade. They say that the first couple of months is the honeymoon stage and once you get to know each other on a deeper, more personal level, you'll see each other's flaws. They say that those flaws you may love in the onset, but if you give it time, those might be the very things you will hate about your partner. They say you never truly know a person until you marry him and you live together and you see him on both his highest and lowest points.

They say when all those strong emotions fade, what matters is character and the friendship and respect that you've built over the years. That when you're looking for a partner, you should go for someone who can make you feel secured, someone you can imagine having kids, even grandkids with. That above everything else, this is a companionship. Our bodies will eventually get old and our youth, energy, beauty they will all wither.

All those things they say in hope to enlighten us about the realities of relationships. That having a life together is not all about romance. That there will be hard days - and tweetums will not be enough to save you on those days. And I think. And I ponder. And I contemplate. But no matter how hard and long I look at it, at us, the future seems neither scary not discouraging at all. 

I have come to a conclusion that what they say isn't wrong. But I refuse to believe that would be our only reality. I hope we can take a look as to when we are old and gray and still together and tell our children, our grandchildren, how love transcends time. That even in our 70s we're still never past the honeymoon stage that we got in when we're in our 20s. That while there are so many mediocre things in this life, our love is not one of them. G?

42 - You

I have always believed that life has already disillusioned me about love. I have learned the following points growing up: that your first love may not be your last love, that someone you have known for years can still betray your trust if they choose to. That someone can be a good person, and still hurt you when things are no longer convenient for them. That someone can spend as much time as he wants to with you, and still fake it. And as much as you do not want to admit it, sometimes, you're the one hurting those who love you.

As much as I prayed for a love that's not mediocre, I also do not long for it. Forgive me when I was skeptic when I met you. I thought to myself that it was just a passing affection, that you, like the others before you, will just further disillusion me about love and relationships that I will end up saying, there it goes again. Thank you, next.

But I was wrong.

You make me feel like I haven't loved at all.

You are my first real great love, who has not yet in any way betrayed my trust - and if someday we hurt each other I hope we go back to this day and remember how much love we have and just get over it, -

You give more than what you take.

You are a good person, and you, as much as you can, choose to understand even when I am the one being unreasonable.

You always make time for me, despite and in spite. No excuses.

Above all, you make me want to be a better person. 

We were on our way to the office. You carried my lunch box which we didn't know had a leak of adobo sauce, which then stained your pants. I thought to myself, today is the day that I will see how you handle life's accidents. Are you hot-headed? Do you have a temper? Do you have a desire to control, even the uncontrollable? Are you someone I can handle? Will you blame me for it? Will you blame the lunchbox for it? I was holding my breath. For seconds, all those questions flooded my mind. And as much as I want to sympathize with your predicament, I also want to know the answer to these. I never expected what happens next. -- There were no hisses / tsksss. There were no angry remarks. No curses have been uttered. Just a simple, calm, "Oh well, shit happens. Can you go to the office first? I'll wait for the mall to open so I can buy a new pair of pants." There you were, flashing me a genuine smile, concerned if I can walk my way to the office even when it’s just a footbridge away. And God in that moment, I fall in love with you even more.

40 - I can't write

I can't write happiness and love at the same time.

There is not enough words to give justice to how I feel about you, to how you make me feel about life. Contented is not even the word to describe it. This is far more than contentment. This is far more than everything I've prayed and dreamed and hoped for love to be. God you are far more.

J'etaime.  

39 - 10

Isa. Isang tao lang ang minahal ko ng lubos. Halos lahat ibinigay ko pero sa huli hindi pa din naging sapat. Bakit hindi naging sapat ang isa? Bakit kami dalawa?

Dalawa. Dalawang mata ang isinarado ko. Hinayaan ang sariling magbulag bulagan sayo. Ang tanga tanga ko. Umaasang ang tatlo

Tatlo. Tatlong taong relasyon. Tatlong taong kasiyahan na nauwi sa kasinungalingan, kalokohan at sakita. Ang tatlong taong pagkakaibigan, pagkaka-ibigan, ay nagtapos sa apat.

Apat. Apat na salita, nagbago ang lahat. "Hindi na kita mahal." Hindi. Na. Kita. Mahal. Paulit ulit. Paulit ulit. Paulit ulit. Apat na salita at nahati ang mundo ko sa lima.

Lima. Limang araw ang pinalipas. Nagbabakasakaling magbago ang isipan. Baka pag hindi mo na ako nakikita, ako'y iyong maala-ala at kalakip noon ang pag-ibig na minsan mo nang pinadama. Maghihintay ako. Maghihintay hanggang sa di na namalayang anim

Anim. Anim na buwan na ang nakalipas nang makita ulit kita. Putangina. May kasama ka nang iba. Kaya naman pito

Pito. Pitong bote ng alak ang nilaklak ko para makalimutan ang sakit. Pero hindi ako iniwan nito. sa pagtulog. Sa paggising sa umaga. Habang naglalakad. May kasama man o wala. Walang pinipiling oras. Walang pinipiling pagkakataon.

Walo. Siyam. Sampu. Sa totoo lamang, hindi natapos ang sulatin na 'to. The year was 2013, pitong taon na ang lumipas at sa nagdaang taon, ito ang napatunayan ko: Talo ng tunay na pag-ibig ang unang pag-ibig.

37 - As If It Is My First Love

Have you ever fallen in love with a person, not for how they look but for how their eyes twinkle when they look at you? Not for how they dress but for how warm their body feels when they put you in a tight embrace? Not for their As and academic achievements but for how free flowing conversations are with them? Not for the digits in their bank account but for how they would make time, always, for you?

You fall in love with their heart. You fall in love with their spirit. Realizing that at the end of the day, it is never their physical beauty nor the material things that they could offer that could sustain you with life, but rather their bare, naked soul. Finally, you see them all flawed and scarred, and you fall in love not on their full potential but for what they actually are.

It is an enlightening experience to rediscover love, as if it is your first love.

36 - Romblown Me Away

The barkada trip that we've been drawing since time immemorial is finally painted into life. We were originally planning to go to Siargao (it being one of the top local destinations during the past year), but for some reason we ended up booking plane tickets to Romblon; and lo, we were all blown away!

This trip happened March of 2019. Back when I posted the photos on facebook, a lot of my friends messaged me asking for the 'budget' and 'itinerary', which by that time up til now (sorry guys) I was not able to provide because of the following reasons:

1. Our friends who are working abroad paid for the hotel. (thanks guys, you know who you are :P)
2. I never participated in the preparations; I just nodded my head in agreement to all of their suggestions without even reading a thing in our group chat, hehe.

But here, just to share with you the things we did, and the places we visited.

HOW WE GOT THERE:

We booked our flight through Cebu Pacific, from NAIA T4 to Romblon Airport (Barangay Tugdan, Alcantara, Romblon). Please note that Romblon, Romblon is a different island. If you want to go there directly, you could ride a ferry (you could search it in google).

note: Flights aren't scheduled daily; back then available days were Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays.

WHERE WE STAYED:

Romblon isn't as developed as other local tourist destinations; back then, it was very hard to search for accommodations at Romblon, Romblon (we didn't find Airbnbs nor budget hotels; it didn't help as well that the change from Siargao to Romblon was sooo last minute and the first few hotels that our -organizer friends- contacted can no longer accommodate us. We ended up checking in at Aglicay Beach Resort, which is located at Tablas.

(see screenshot of google map for better imagination:)

Land Transfer from Airport to Aglicay Beach Resort Options:
A. Van - you may try arranging this with the hotel
B. Tricycle - you may actually negotiate with the drivers if you haven't arranged with any tour companies your transportation for the duration of your stay.

Note that it will take you at least 30 minutes to get to the hotel from the airport (if you're riding a van); add another 15 minutes if it's a trike.

Aglicay Beach Resort boasts a picturesque scenery with clear, pristine waters perfect for a whole day swim. It also offers recreational activities to its guests such as beach volleyball, videoke, frisbee, billiards, etc. Food though is a bit expensive for its taste, but it's not like we have a choice since there are no nearby restaurants. Signal is very weak as well; which is perfect if  you want to disconnect from the outside world.

Food Tip: You could buy from the sari-sari stores in the bayan and ask the resort personnel to cook for you. They'll charge you cooking fee of P90 if I remember it right.

Signal Tip: Globe > Smart in this place. I am a Smart subscriber and I only get to send messages when I'm staying near the shore. How near? Waves were touching my feet!

Here's their website: http://aglicaybeachresort.com

Day 1: Aglicay Beach Resort - Rest. Eat. Appreciate. Repeat.

theviewfromwhereIstand

Aglicay Beach Resort is <3

sunset on our first day

Day 2: Carabao Island

How to get there: Get a van or tricycle going to Santa Fe.

Daytour: Our friend arranged a daytour with a boatman (whose contact details she stumbled upon when she was reading other blogs about this)

Possible Option: Well, Carabao Island is 20minutes away from Boracay. You may want to consider :)

Activities: Cliff Jumping and well, Eating. Note though that food here is expensive. We paid P500 per head for our lunch.

waiting for the sunrise

blue water

cliff jump: everything you want is on the other side of fear

Day 3: Romblon, Romblon

So for Day 3, we went to Romblon, Romblon. If you'll be staying in Tablas (just like us), please research for the SCHEDULE of the ferry online because said schedule is subject to change. We had to wait for hours because we got an outdated information.

The first thing we did when we got to Romblon, Romblon is to buy marble souvenirs. (We won't be riding a ferry back; we hired a private boat so we had to buy our pasalubongs before the inland tour starts). We bought food as well which we will be bringing to the beaches we're going to.

BonBon Beach

Sandbar

RomBlown Us Awayyyy!

We went to another beach but sadly, I don't have the pictures. We alighted at San Agustin where our transpo back to the hotel was waiting for us.

Day 4: Fish Sanctuary

And now we're down to our last day. Our flight is in the afternoon so we decided to use our morning to explore Looc where the Fish Sanctuary is located. We brought skyflakes with us so we could feed the fish. You may also opt to swim with them! No worries, there's a restroom back to the tourism office where you could take a bath and change clothes. Fare is at P100 each; those who would rent gears will have to pay an additional P50.

fish feeding program

Gihigugma Tika, Romblon!

And then we're back.

PS. Just want to share with you, we had a problem with our baggage when we were going to Tablas. Two of us (both using hard case, handcarry luggage) were told that our bags do not meet the standard specs accepted for a handcarry luggage. We had to pay for the check-in fee. Anyway, we find it really weird but we didn't argue with the airport personnel anymore. Bitterness crept when we were already inside the plane and we saw other people whose handcarry bags are even larger than ours. Oh well.

32 - When Eve Fell In Love With The Apple

I love apples. It is and it has always been my favorite fruit. I bet we all know the story of how it was associated with original sin in the old testament. Well, I just never thought I'd relate it with you. Apples. Sin. Love. You.

Love, you were all the wrong sorts of a man for me. There were red flags, right from the start, that I chose to ignore. You made me feel things I never thought I'm capable of - desire, envy, love so profound yet unfounded. The emotions were so heavy they disturbed the hell out of me. Having you was a sin, I know that by now. You were the apple the devil tempted me to pick - which I did. I did. Whether it was my lack of better judgment or the serpent being so damn cunning; bottomline is -- I ate the apple and have lost the innocence of a child. I would never look at the world the same way that I did before you. You were knowledge, you were pain, you were a lie. I loved you. I love you. But my love, I cannot be blind anymore.

I was the Eve who fell in love with an apple and have lost herself in the process. Momentarily, I forgot there was an Adam in the story, and that above all else, it is God who writes the story of our lives. The apple was a test, a lesson I have learned the hard way. I realized, the apple could be anything - Money. Pleasure. Riches. A boy - Things we desire so badly it lead us to sin. Things that make us go weak on the knees we'd stumble and fall. But what better position it is to repent than on bended knees?

Yes. Eve fell in love with the apple, but today, Eve no longer wants to love the apple.

31 - Isla de Gigantes & Guimaras DIY Tour

Everyone has a "life tank" to survive in this world. It gets depleted day by day when we deal with life's bullshit - family issues, love problems, office politics; you name it. There might be times that even waking up in the morning becomes a hard thing to do; yet we have to do it - we have bills to pay, obligations to fulfill, responsibilities to attend to. So we go on, day by day, battling in this adult world using our wits as sword and our brains as shield; and damn it, it can be awfully tiring.

So what do tired people do? They take a break and then they buy plane tickets to Iloilo. Kidding. I have to admit though, it was an impulsive trip. My cousin and I never planned anything and just booked the tickets 2 weeks before the flight schedule. It was then or never. Our life tanks were depleting that even proper sleep couldn't replenish the amount we're losing every single fucking day. Turns out, the best trips are those that you take unplanned. We were in for one of the greatest adventures we've had, thus far. I hope I'd be able to share with you some tips and insights should you be planning to go to where we went. 

HOW TO GET THERE:

From Manila, we booked plane tickets to Iloilo International Airport. Our flight schedule was 5:15AM departure from NAIA; 6:35AM arrival at Iloilo. There were no seat sales (considering that we booked only 2 weeks earlier); so we paid for our 2-way tickets for P7,048.24 for 2 pax, no baggage allowance.

Thoughts: Well, I advise you wait for the seat sale since our plane tickets make up for almost half of our total expenses during this trip. We had no regrets though. Second, if you're planning to go to Gigantes, do not take flights later than what we took. You'll soon find out why. Third, I am no fan of baggage allowance. I've always travelled lightly, even overseas (unless I'm with my bff Lea. We need that baggage allowance for all the things that we might impulsively buy lol hi Lea)

After arriving at Iloilo Int'l Airport, we rode a taxi going to Tagbak Terminal. There were no other modes of transportation, and I should warn you that they add +50 to the taxi meter. I believe it's a normal thing since all the taxi drivers that we approached asked for the extra. Don't be surprised. The terminal is 30mins away from the airport. We paid a total of P305.00.

There are two ways on how to get to the port in Estancia where you will be taking a boat to Isla de Gigantes - by van, or by bus. According to research, the van takes approximately 3hours while if you take the bus, it will take you 4 hours due to the stop overs. We decided to take the van considering that the costs do not vary. (Van fare is P150/head while bus fare is around P180-200/head). We alighted at the van's last stop and took a tricycle P10/head to the port. We arrived there at around 11:30AM. Please note that the passenger boat going to Isla de Gigantes leaves at 1:00PM; and there's only one trip per day. If you missed it, you either wait for the next day or you may book a private boat going to the island which costs around P5,000 - P6,000.

When we approached the ticket booth, we were asked by the Ate if we already have a hotel/accommodation waiting for us in the island. I've told you we had no plans, no advanced bookings or whatever. She informed us that there was a couple who hired a private boat who might actually be willing to take companions, and they were leaving that instance. It will save us time - no need to wait until 1PM; plus the same boatman will tour us for 2 days. We will have our time on our hands. We were originally thinking that we would be sleeping the day off, however if we take this private boat, we could start the island hopping right away! That's how we met these wonderful people whom we shared this trip with:

Reminds me of the Giordano quote from waaay back:
Strangers are friends you haven't met!

FIRST DAY - ISLAND HOPPING PART 1

The first island we visited is claimed to be the most beautiful island in Isla de Gigantes. There's an entrance fee of P50/head. They have public CRs as well.

the view from where i stand

Note: Photos uploaded in this blog entry are without filters. I want you to appreciate the raw beauty of this place. Photos were taken by either iPhone 7+ or GoPro Hero5.

The second island is where we had our lunch. Entrance fee is P40.00/head. 

life's a beach 

scallops are selling at P100 for 100pcs!
No wonder they call it a "poor man's dish"
in this part of the world. It's E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E!

Note: Please bring your own goggles with you! The water's crystal clear and the islands are not "overpopulated" as most PH islands are, now. 

Since it's already late in the afternoon, we decided to explore the remaining islands the next day; and opted to look for a hotel where we could stay. The Fil-In couple (let's call them A and P) we were with already have their hotel bookings, while the Spanish couple (let's call them I & D) were just like us - no plans and all. A &P offered that we check the hotel where they booked, however they no longer have aircon rooms. We went to the other hotel near it and found out that there are still 3 aircon rooms available. So we all decided to stick together and got the rooms. 

Name of Place: Arjan Beach Resort

Rate: P1,300/room/night - airconditioned (good up to 4pax)

Note: We had to ride at the back of a motorcycle to get to the hotels. Fare is at P20/head. We had a feast for dinner - too bad I haven't taken any photos. They have a "cooking" fee and the meat/fish/chicken that they offer to cook is per KG. The more you are in a group, the more you save! Imagine we paid P190/head for both this night's dinner and the next day's breakfast - approx P95/meal! 

the view from where I lay down - duyan life is <3

zen defined. they have duyans around the place!

accommodation

one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever watched.
too bad I was not able to capture the sky turning into orange and violet.

Arjan Beach Resort in the morning.

Another note: They do not sell red horse in this island. We opted for the island equivalent of Red Horse. Twas a fun night with the kind strangers that we've met. <3

Also, please bring your powerbanks; electricity is running only up to 6AM. Signal is weak as well. We were not able to access the internet during our stay. :)

SECOND DAY - ISLAND HOPPING PART 2

The first island that we went to during our 2nd day of island hopping is the sandbar. The sandbar disappears during high tide/in the afternoon, so it's best to go here in the morning.

with the kids

Next is our favorite island: The Mini Boracay! This is where we stayed the longest! <3

with our very mabait na boatman.
should you need his details, I still have his number! :)

The last island that we went to is the mini-lagoon where we jumped off the cliff. 

TIP: Bring your aqua shoes. 

(Wish I could share with you a video of our jump but blogger here has a size limit for uploads). Well, I'll post it on facebook. :) 

We went back to the hotel we're staying, had late lunch which costed us P135/head, packed up and decided to go back to the city with A & P considering that there's nothing left to do (we're done with the island hopping), plus we only have one day left which we could use for a city tour or for Guimaras. We took the bus from Estancia to Iloilo City (P170/head). We searched online for accommodation; and found a cheap hostel named The Guesthouse (P800/night/airconditioned room) near SM Iloilo. 

We went to the Esplanade for a night walk and for dinner and well - iced cold beer.

found sharetea lol

THIRD DAY - GUIMARAS DAY TOUR

Knowing that our flight is at night time on our third day, we decided to go to Guimaras for just a quick day tour.

We started our day with the famous Iloilo La Paz Batchoy @ Ted's. It was just one jeep away from our accommodation

P224.00 in total

Then we went to Iloilo City Harbor (Ortiz Wharf) and took a 15-minute pumpboat going to Jordan Wharf. Fare is only at P14.00/head. 

We've read blogs about having a tricycle to tour you around Guimaras for around P1,000 and up. We were even offered the same when we got there. Luckily for us, we were able to meet a driver who was willing to tour us in the city (we only have 3 destinations in mind) for only P300.00.

First Destination: Mango Research Center

Second Destination:  Trappist Monastery where you can buy your pasalubongs

Side Trip: The Pitsop - where you can eat the famous mango pizza!

didn't know mango tastes good in pizza

 Side Trip#2: I <3 Guimaras

Third Stop: Smallest Plaza

And then we headed back to Iloilo City. Since we still have time, we decided to roam around SM Iloilo to buy more pasalubongs and eat merienda:

The Dandy!
Fries with nacho toppings yay

Bluejay Coffee. Iloilo's local coffee shop!

Then we went to Casa Mariquit in Jaro (entrance fee is P100.00/head) and then we walked to Jaro Cathedral before going to the airport for our 9PM flight. Our taxi fare from Jaro to Iloilo Int'l Airport was P320.00.

Casa Mariquit, a heritage house named after the wife
of the late Vice President Fernando Lopez, Sr.

my cousin Dominic with bantay

Overall, the experience was superb! The best trips are really those that you take unplanned. There's no amount of sad nor tired the salty sand and the pristine water of the beach can't take away. We went back to reality with our life tank full.

PS. Budgeting wise, we spent around P7,000-P8,000 in this trip per head (all in) but that's inclusive of the approx P3,500/head flight. Imagine if you could get a cheaper flight! Plus, pasalubongs are already included in that amount.