They say that we need to experience struggles in life for us to be a stronger version of ourselves, but no one told me that it is going to be this hard in order for someone to be strong. I never expected that life is going to be tough for me. I never thought that with just a glimpse of an eye, my life could turn upside down.

I would consider my life as a very convenient one. I can get most of the things that I want as long as my parents can afford it. We have a house that shelters us, I got my family that is always there with me through ups and downs, friends who support me everytime and a lover who made me feel special and loved. Somehow, I was contented with everything I have but life could be tricky. One day, everything is going fine then the next day you’ll stumble upon something then the next thing you knew, everything is a complete mess.

2018 is ruthless. It is the worst year of my life and is surely an unforgettable one. It was the first day of March when my grandfather passed away. We all knew that it was going to happen because of his condition. He was diagnosed with colon cancer and was also diabetic, because of that, he also experienced complications such as kidney failure and imbalanced platelets. His medications were pretty expensive and my mom was having a hard time to think where on this earth can she find money to provide everything that my lolo and everyone in the family need. My mom is the one who struggles the most from all of us since she is the provider of the family, she’s in-charge with all the expenses from electricity bill and my tuition fee to medical expenses of my grandfather. I know that it is not easy but she finds her ways to get through it. Days passed and my lolo’s condition is getting worst. He always screams even at 3 o’clock in the morning probably because he is getting upset and irritated of what he was going through. He wasn’t even having a good sleep at night, and so is everyone in our house. Later on, due to increasing monthly expenses, my mom was buried in debt and lost her job afterwards. It was really frustating to watch how my mom was having a hard time to look for a large amount of money we need in order for us to survive. I got really affected with everything that was happening. There are times that I had to cry even in school because I can’t think of any way on how to get things right. I can’t do anything to help her. I even think of ending my life so my problems will end as well. I know that my mom’s tired as well but she refused to show it to anyone but I know that deep inside, she’s hurting.

It was gloomy all morning when I woke up. My mom checked my grandfather’s room after she finished cooking breakfast. There she found my lolo, peacefully asleep and wasn’t breathing anymore. I skipped school that day. I wasn’t feeling well. All I did was reminisce all the memories I had with my grandfather.

As the time goes by, I found myself slowly healing from what happened. But just when I thought things are getting better, life tested me again. 2 months after our loss, my boyfriend was advised by his doctor to undergo an open heart surgery. I still remember what he said via messenger before he was taken to the operating room: “Hey, I have to go now. The doctor and nurses are already here. I will be fine soon, don’t worry. I love you so. Please keep in mind that I always loved you and my love for you will last for all eternity.” I was so anxious and agitated that time knowing that I wasn’t there to hold his hand because I know he’s also worried about what may happen. I waited a couple of hours after I get to hear the news that the operation was successful. That was, I think, the longest 2 hours of my life. Nevertheless, it was all worth the risk and worth all the money. He was doing fine and it made everyone around him confident that nothing bad will ever happen to him.

It was 26th of July, the night was serene but there’s this feeling of discomfort that kept me awake all night. I didn’t exactly know what makes me uncomfortable but I kept on forcing myself to forget it and try to sleep soundly. The next morning was all gloomy. The sky was sullen, a cold wind brushed through my shoulders and the rain was pouring really hard. Nonetheless, I still forced myself to go to school knowing that I still have a quiz to take and that my boyfriend was already waiting for me outside our village. Upon seeing him standing at the pavement, my heart fluttered like it was the first time. We smiled and greeted each other a good morning. While waiting for the jeepney, he suddenly fell down. He asked for water and told me that he was having a hard time to breathe. I was so worried so I called the two person I saw nearby and ask for their help. Luckily, they didn’t hesitate to help us. We brought him at the hospital. He was put on a stretcher and was rushed at the emergency room. My hands turned cold. I could feel my heart beating faster and faster as I take every step towards the ER. After I filled out the form given by the nurse, I hurriedly texted his mom and told her what happened. I didn’t exactly know what was happening, my vision was kinda blurry and I was stopping myself from crying. I just found myself waiting for him outside the ER, definitely confused of what was happening. Everything was a blur. All I know is that everyone around me moves really fast like every second worth a life. My knees are trembling, my heart was pounding, afraid of what will the doctor say once he get out of the ER. “Time of death: 8:31 am,” the doctor announced. Tears stream down on my face. I heard his mom, she’s crying too. But no sound is louder than the sound of my heart, slowly tearing apart.

The first week after what happened is a complete chaos. I couldn’t feel anything anymore. I felt empty… and lost. I already lost my grandfather, isn’t that enough that I had to lose someone again? All I wanted to do is find my way back to my old life, where everything was perfect. I even questioned the existence of God. Is He real? Because if He is, then why do I had to suffer this way? Until one day, I realized that everything that happened has a purpose. Maybe, it is a way of how life and how God taught me to become a stronger person I am today and because of that, I am forever thankful. I learned to prioritize the people I still have because I don’t think I can afford to lose someone again because if that ever happens, I think I will also lose my sanity. In the end, I realized that I shouldn’t feel broken for the rest of my life, instead, I should accept that we can’t have someone forever and that I should be happy that they are already free from all the Earthly pain that might continue to hurt them.

It was a long time ago when we visited the Picnic Grove in Tagaytay. So many things are already changed compare when I last visited there. But Tagaytay, Picnic Grove never fails to dissapoint me. I had so much fun in Tagaytay Picnic Grove, Silang Cavite

 

 

I never get tired of the beautiful of the scenery and experience that this place keeps. Before we go there, I was so stress because of many problems that I’ve encountered but when we go there, stressful life is already fading because the view taught me that it’s time to take a rest from stressful life. That time I was so relaxed and I literally feel the fresh air from the place. The place is so cold and that time I said that I just wanna be in that place forever because of the relaxing and fresh air from that. I enjoyed traveling in Picnic Grove. I enjoyed mellow activities like strolling down with my mom at the eco-adventure trail and taking pictures in the lovely panoramic of Taal Volcano and it’s sorrounding lake.

My kuya’s friend told me that if I want to try the zipline and horseback riding, and I said no because I have a phobia of heights and I’m scared of horses. While seeing the beautiful and relaxing view, we are eating our breakfast. While eating, there’s a people riding on zipline and childrens are playing and some are trying the horseback riding.

We go at Tagaytay Picnic Grove, Silang Cavite as a bonding because that time we don’t have a right time to each other. So as a family time, we want to Tagaytay for our bonding and of course, to relax from a stressful and problematic life.

 

And also, as a remembrance for tagaytay, we buy a souvenirs like wallet, keychain, and many more. Every moments when we were there are all memorable. I will never forget the beauty of tagaytay. Tagaytay Picnic Grove is one of the beautiful places here in the Philippines.

Enticing Visual Hunger: Taking A Munch On Pinoy Snacks

Philippines is known for delicious food, from appetizers, main course, desserts to snacks, name it, Philippines has it. Food has been the common ground of every Filipino. They are known for having unparalleled love for food which is characterized by enjoying snacks in between their three large meals of the day.

With most of the snacks seen in the typical supermarket or sari-sari store, obviously, Filipinos are madly in love with sweets. From candies to ice creams, every Pinoy do really have a sweet tooth. They enjoy food as long there is sugar in it. They eat sweets for breakfast, after lunch and after dinner. Basically, they always have room for it.

Some Filipinos admit that they are noisy eaters. They enjoy crunchy and noisy snacks. No wonder they always munch in their famous ‘chichirya’ which means ‘junk food’ or also known as ‘kutkutin’ or food that is eaten bit by bit. Chichirya has been everyone’s favorite, not only because it has a very affordable price but also it is available to every sari-sari store near them. Filipinos use to eat this while watching television or while having a chit-chat with their friends. Some even use it as ‘pulutan’.

But did you ever wonder why Pinoy snacks never failed to satisfy every taste buds? The reason behind it is the flavors they offer, it is the secret of every Pinoy snacks. Every snacks whether sweet, spicy or savory is rich in flavor completely lacking nothing. Perhaps, what makes Pinoy Snacks closer to the hearts of most Filipinos is that everything is given with the right amount of spices on a very affordable price.

Bridge to Terabithia, it is a fantasy/ adventure story. There’s so many scene in the movie that I can relate to. So I think I can say that there is a connect in to my life in the movie.

In the movie, the family of Jesse is like they didn’t give an any attention to Jesse. They were like Jesse is not part of a family. It also seems like Jesse don’t care about that thing. Same as mine, they didn’t see my hardwork for them, they think that I am just chill. Don’t care about life but I am here, doing anything for our future.

Jesse and Leslie created so many memories together before Leslie died. That memories are still forever in Jesse’s heart. For me, memories is one of my remembrance for everything that happens in my life. So I treasured every moments and memories because thinking about that again makes me so happy and remembers something. Memories will never fade.

Imagination is what we think that is perfect. The story of the movie shows the power of imagination. On their imagination, they created a perfect idea. To me, when I imagine something, it is perfect for me.

When Leslie died, Jesse becomes sad. But suddenly, he accepted it. When I lost my grandma, sadness hits me. But I just accepted it because everything in this world is God’s decisions. At the end of the day, you’ll be happy because your loved ones is now happy and contented in God’s hand.

 

It was an audition day and it was my first time to experience the audition because I’m too shy to show what I can do to many people around me. An hour before the audition time, I was so nervous because I don’t know what to do and I don’t have any idea for the process of the audition.

That time, I saw many local artists like Maymay Entrata, Edward Barbers, Robi Domingo and many more. I can’t express my happiness properly so I just shouted so loudly because they are so near to me. I called Edward Barbers while he’s doing an interview with the reporter from TV Patrol and after I called him, he waved to me unexpectedly.

After that, the audition time began. I was so nervous because I don’t know if I can survive Level 1 of the audition. I’m sweating even though the venue is so cold. So we were like 30 people to be pick for the first batch.

Direk Lauren said, “What is your dream someday? Show it by dancing”. So I danced like there’s no tomorrow. While dancing, Direk Lauren stares at me and suddenly he gave me a star as a sign that I survived Level 1 and I am allowed to move on to the next level. Next level of the audition, It was an interview. My interviewer asked me about my life. I aswered all of her questions like I am enjoying talking to her. After the interview, I survived again the Level 2. So next level, we divided as a group and staff said “Create a 3 minutes performance. Do what ever you want on that performance”. After 2 hours, we presented our performance to the judges.

Sadly, I didn’t move on to the next level. That time, after the staff announces the control number who will move on to the next level, I was so sad and very dissapointed to myself. I feel like I’m weak and don’t have a chance to be a star. But after I said to my mom that I only reached Level 3 out of Level 5. She said “It’s okay. It is not yet the right time for you”. Few hours, I accepted it and just be contented on what I surpassed.

 

When I was in Grade 7, I was so childish. I was playing around the school with my classmates. I didn’t know my responsibilities as a student. In Grade 7, it was almost the same as Grade 7. I little bit knew myself, I was almost at my phone all the day. Taking selfies, talking with my friends, and many more.

As a Grade 9 student, I was slowly improving as a teenager, I didn’t want to play anymore. But in the year of 2016, I was starting to be conscious about myself, being conscious about pimples, skin, about on what I am wearing, etc…

But when I turned as a Senior High School student, I was developing myself as a teenager, I was concern about everything. I gained my confidence to interact with other people. Also, I just want to be in our house. So now, I think I would say that I already knew my purpose as a student, a son, a brother, a friend, etc..