Wonderful News

Yesterday, I heard the most wonderful news.

One of my dearest friends in the whole world has met someone who makes her indescribably happy. He is someone that she feels, fits all the pieces of the puzzle. It may have been the last thing on earth on that she expected. But it has come. And she is indescribably happy.

We got to talk on the phone after two years of not speaking and you could almost feel the giddiness crossing the oceans between us. I often caught myself getting teary-eyed at her happiness. Happiness like that is contagious. It’s amazing.

Yet, she couldn’t quite bring herself to mention the titles that come with relationships. Boyfriend, Girlfriend, Fiance, Husband. Funny thing is, I’m exactly the same way! It’s not that I don’t acknowledge it or I can’t acknowledge it. Perhaps it’s just that I’ve never been one to have titles comfortably roll off my tongue.

Gerard is who he is to me. He can’t be encompassed in one word. Which is why it feels weird pegging a title to him. But for the sake of simplifying things, I just often say boyfriend. But he is so much more than that. I believe it was the same for her.

Oh, we talked about so many things!

We only spoke for about an hour but in that hour, but in that hour, I feel we truly re-connected. I don’t know, maybe she and I just understand each other so well. We can be frank with each other, we can be happy for each other, we just get each other.

Wonderful news like that just can’t help but remind me that God sometimes drops unexpected, wonderful surprises in your lap. Yes, I am extremely happy for her but I do miss her.

But I think the fact that we might someday LIVE within an hour and half of each other just added to the joy that we felt.

Who would have thought, when we said goodbye in front of our apartment building, in Thailand, that we could someday be living near each other again? I know we both didn’t.

What a wonderful gift that was!

Boracay Bliss

Last weekend, my whole family and I went for a quick hop to Boracay for some quality family time under the sun. Considering all the typhoons that have been passing by, we were really blessed with good weather!

We stayed at this wonderful hotel that my sister had gift certificates for, Discovery Shores. After that stay, I can honestly say that I am spoiled for life! The first thing that really impressed me was the staff. They were so hard-working and they were prepared for anything! From magazine for guests to arranging your beach stuff to even having wipes for your sunglasses and camera lenses! They were extremely helpful and polite.

Next thing I totally loved were the rooms. The beds were just so comfortable and they were well-stocked. Complimentary bayongs, complimentary snacks, even personalized cupcakes for little ones, which is what Ela had waiting for her. Their brownies were so good, I can still taste them. (I think they might have been made from Callebaut Chocolate, where Gerard works, since I found a box of it on the grounds haha.)

The grounds itself were beautiful. Discovery Shores is something of a two-level hotel. When you enter the complex, you are met with a splendid view of an infinity pool and the beaches of Boracay in the Horizon. Take an elevator down one floor and you're at the beach level only to find out the infinity pool was actually the top of a cascading waterfall! You have the pool before you, the restaurants, and beyond that, the blue waters of Boracay. The rooms are situated on both levels of the complex.

There was even a playroom for the kids that has daily activities. Ela paired up with her dad and Niki paired up with her Papaton to go on a scavenger hut which they thoroughly enjoyed.

All in all, this is a hotel that I really want to go back to. With most things, it's the little things that count. And Discovery Shores had a LOT of little things that added up to one great hotel.

Aside from our wonderful hotel, I was so glad I had the Boracay Staples of Jonah's Shakes as well as Myrna's Chori Burgers. Yes, we went on a banana boat ride (which Ela claims is actually a pencil, not a banana!) and we went shopping at D'Mall. (I'm so jealous that the swimsuit store, Nothing in Water, has a branch in Boracay but not in Cebu.) What trip to Boracay would be complete without doing these things? Kite-Surfing and Parasailing also looked like a lot of fun but maybe next time :).

Though the trip was short but sweet, I'm really glad I got to spend time quality with my family in the beautiful place that is Boracay. A lot has changed since my last trip there and I'm definitely looking forward to going back for a mini honeymoon.

Project Aral

I know I haven't written in ages. Mostly because I've been so busy, a lot of things happening, and life just hasn't been quite going my way but I'm trying to do the best I can.

Today, in the midst of errands, I came across National Bookstore's Project Aral, which is a project that I've always been a fan of, maybe because as a teacher, it's close to my heart.

Basically, when you reach the counter, you can buy a study pack composed of school supplies worth 20 or 25 Pesos. Write your name on the tag, attach it to the study pack, which will go to a child who lost his or her belongings because of Typhoon Ondoy.

When you think about it, 20 or 25 Pesos isn't that much. But your money will go a long way, to help a child. He or she will have new school supplies and maybe just that little bit can help them recover from the hurt and suffering they went through.

Ondoy and Pepeng were devastating to our country and we are still recovering. Just last week, my boss's boss told us that the price for a kilo of potatoes was 200 Pesos! We're still a long way from being back to 100%.

But I'm glad that there are still visible relief efforts. Even one as small as buying a study pack for a child to take to school.

...

I've got too much going on and not enough time or energy.

I just hope this all works out. In His time.

For Gerard, on His Special Day

On your special day, allow me to borrow these words from Abigail Adams, written for her husband, John Adams.

"My Dearest Friend,

...should I draw you the picture of my heart it would be what I hope you would still love though it contained nothing new. The early possession you obtained there, and the absolute power you have obtained over it, leaves not the smallest space unoccupied.

I look back to the early days of our acquaintance and friendship as to the days of love and innocence, and, with an indescribable pleasure, I have seen near a score of years roll over our heads with an affection heightened and improved by time, nor have the dreary years of absence in the smallest degree effaced from my mind the image of the dear untitled man to whom I gave my heart."

I hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Happy Happy Birthday.

Typhoon Ondoy

In the midst of all this tragedy, it is the coming together of Filipinos that brings me to tears.

Over the weekend, Typhoon Ondoy left a wake of flood and destruction over the National Capital Region. Watching the news on TV, one cannot but feel helpless, watching the hundreds, if not thousands of people now left homeless due to the heavy rains and flood.

In this time of need, Cebuanos are coming together to help our fellow country men, The outpouring of of effort has been amazing. (You can read more about Cebuano efforts at Emily Dy's site here.)

Most especially, I am touched by the efforts of my friend Jay, who is helping put together a Live Aid concert as well as coordinating donations. If we could all pitch in together like these wonderful people, there is no telling what amount of assistance we can give to our fellow Filipinos.

Let us help the victims of Typhoon Ondoy.

Danica's Mango Cake

A few days ago, my co-worker Paul, ordered a mango cake from Danica of Talent Services. When I opened the box to check it out, my nostrils were hit by the sweet, citrus-y scent of mangoes. I'd honestly never come across a cake that smelled this good before! I had to try it.

The cake that Paul had ordered was a little too huge for me so April and I split one order instead. When Danica knocked on our window to let us know the cakes were ready, we rushed over to claim our goodies.


The first thing that surprised me was the weight of the box. Man this cake was heavy! And when I opened the box, sure enough, again, I was hit by this unbelievable smell of sweet mangoes. I couldn't wait to get home and taste it. And taste it I did!

Danica's mango cake actually had two layers of chiffon cake which sandwiched many slices of fresh mangoes. There was also another layer of fresh mangoes beneath the icing (peeking through in the photo below.)



Now, I don't normally like mango cake this much but this was very good. The chiffon cake itself was not very sweet, which made complimented the fresh mangoes nicely. The same went for the icing. What I loved most about this cake was that it had that distinct home-made taste and feel to it. It wasn't picture perfect like a store-bought cake, which made it all the more enticing.

The few bites I had, literally melted in my mouth. It was a very refreshing cake, perfect for a hot summer day!


Danica told me her family also makes other cakes including a chocolate cake with marshmallow frosting and that's next on my list.

The mango cake I ordered cost P300.00. Here's the number to the Arrojado residence, 253-4711, just in case you'd like to order too. Danica told me they may deliver depending on the location and their house is located in Lahug.

I'm definitely trying the chocolate cake next time!