I love summers. Childhood summers were mostly spent at play with my siblings, cousins and village friends. Childhood summers were fun, scary (if spent in my parents' hometown where there used to be no TV and all that modern stuff), exciting, and every year, we were always doing something new. To piano lessons I never completed because my teacher spanked my hands so often. To swimming lessons gone awry when I contracted a viral infection because of the icky pool @ YMCA. To the "camping" sessions I had with my siblings in our mini Nipa hut situated in our backyard, where we would cook using those cute red clay pots and sleep together in one room, with just "banig" and kumot.

My teenage summers were mostly spent in school. I loved my high school so much. We were young, restless and free. We climbed hills (or mountains for teeners like us, haha), trekked rivers, played in the fields, did mostly nothing except have fun.

So much of my summers are associated with happy memories, I always light up when summers come. I don't like the sun all that much now. But I love the warm breeze, the smell of sea, and the calming feel of sand in my feet.

And that is why I truly enjoyed the quick but relaxing Laiya getaway. La Luz is a nice lovely place. But the 4km stretch fugly road definitely needs a makeover. I hope Governor Vi takes action on this soon. Hehehe.


La luz is probably overrated but I loved the loft we stayed in. It was spacious and clean. Hanging out in one of the cabanas is probably one of my favorite activities - what could be better than drinking, playing mindless games like bluff and category games, and just talking about life and general things. Nothing heavy. Just all light stuff that makes summers happy.

The food was so-so. My most favorite meal was breakfast. I liked the way the eggs were cooked. And processed meat are just the best. Harhar.

All in all, it was a lovely, restful getaway in the company of great friends.

Now I'm looking forward to some stress-free me time where I can wake up to see a long stretch of white-sand beach just a few steps away from bed, and look forward to a day of doing nothing but lounge and sip pina coladas, read a book or two, get a massage, watch people, listen to music, and view lovely sunsets I wish I can bottle up.

Labels: beach, la luz, laiya, memories, summer

Finally, the office barkada got away to relax for the weekend. To a place where locals apparently refer to as "almost heaven". And indeed it was.


Eagle Point Resort is one of the best resorts I've been to so far. It's far enough from the city. It's quaint and picturesque. Our room had a breath-taking view of the bay. How lovely it is to wake up every morning with that view. And then there's Sepoc Island. What a charming little island. And of course there's the sunset. With the best of company, everything was just right.

We ate, slept, took a dip in the water, went kayaking (while I slept, haha, in the guise of getting a tan), drank, took pictures, ate again, took pictures again, went dipping with baby sharks and fish, went to the pool...

Words are not enough to express all the loveliness and happiness. Pictures are worth a thousand words, after all, so here goes.

chill, sa aking duyan :)

postcard-worthy

Swimsuit models. Not! Hahaha!

Philippines Next Top Model, hahaha!

Pa cute :p

tabing-ilog cast, 20 years later!

Eds and George

Swimming, err, standing with the baby sharks :)

ST star, wahaha!

Labels: beach, friends, summer

So who isn't in love with Bora?

Isn't waking up to the sound of the waves hitting the shore, the best alarm in the world? Isn't the glorious expanse of whiteness, or the turquoise blue waters, just the best sight? Don't you just love the feel of sand on your feet as you walk along the 4km beach strip? And how about the slap of the wind on your body, as you lazily sit by the beach, watching all the activity around you?

Is it being away from the hustle and bustle of your daily life? Is it the escape from the noise and pollution and the fast cars or the fast-paced lives? Is it the sun, or the wind, or even the rain that you somehow miss as you get cooped up inside a high-rise or a plant far far away from civilization?

What is it about Boracay that everyone just loves?

It is everything and nothing in particular. It's the lure of the calm during the day, and the drunken activities during the night. It's the lure of being able to strip yourself from all your worries and inhibitions, even just for a few days. It's the lure of just being able to enjoy and feel the island, no matter what you do or don't do.

Bora is a paradise. That is certain.

Labels: beach, Boracay, vacation

Look who's back with an energized body, rested soul, sun-kissed skin and a bittersweet longing from being home again, but wanting to go back to where home used to be?

How she wishes she could bottle sunrises or live in a place where the beach is a 10-min ride away... How she misses those early morning walks in the beach, or soaking in the sea while the sun is coming up.

And wouldn't you know it, the girl who used to love sunsets, is now exhilirated over sunrises! Could it be that she has finally left that sadness? Didn't the little prince say one loves the sunset when one is so sad? Certainly, there was no more pain nor longing when her ex-husband reminded her on what would have been their first wedding anniversary.

All she wants is to move on.. Maybe move back to that familiar place where everything is within reach -- family, friends, sunrises, beaches, other places to go.. and more importantly, herself.
So she keeps moving forward, until she finds herself in that place again, where she'll be able to watch sunrises by the beach, anytime she wants...

Labels: beach, Cebu, Easter, relationships

Tomorrow, I'll be off to the sunshiny city of Cebu.. To the beaches I go.. Bantayan Island, I miss you so.. And oh the delicious lechon.. Larsian's barbeque and puso... Ngohiong... Balbacua..

Baby, sama ka? hehehe.. Will be back soon. :)

Labels: beach, Cebu, travel, vacation