Life Lessons at 27

So I turned 27 last month and I was ruminating on how I've grown so much over the past years (Now that I'm off my corporate life, I have plenty of time to mull over. Hehe). Now let me cut to the chase and share my musings. :)

1. Self-love is not selfish. Invest in yourself. For the past year, I've been obsessed with self-care. I wasn't a "me-time" junkie before but I was forced by circumstances. I was working so hard that it was consuming me and I reached that point where I felt exhausted. I had to act on it. I had to recharge. It started with essential oils, then clean eating, facial masks... The list went on and on and boy did I felt good. I also enrolled in online classes and it's the best thing ever. I can say I'm a student of life. Investing in yourself is the most profitable investment you will ever make. It yields not only future returns but a current pay-off, as well.

2. Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle. I'm so guilty of comparing myself to others. We all are. In this social media-driven world, it's like we're always in a rat race. The more I compared myself to other people, the more I felt dejected. What I realized was, I was comparing my behind-the-scenes to everyone else's highlight reel. Mind you, it isn't healthy. As I grew older, I learned to be contented with what I have and appreciate the life I'm given. Instead, I trained myself to be happy for other people's fortune and because of this I felt happier.

Food, Culture, and Company: A Day Trip to Antipolo and Marikina

So we've been planning this road/food trip for the longest time and it finally happened. My girlfriends and I wanted some place near Manila so we agreed to pig out in Marikina. The museum visit was a spur-of-the-moment decision 'cos we've all been to Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo. Danie hasn't visited the place, though, so we included it in our itinerary.

To start our day off on the right foot, we had breakfast at Rustic Mornings by Isabelo located at Isabelo Mendoza Street in Brgy. San Roque, Marikina. I've been eyeing this all-day breakfast place for the longest time 'cos of it's shabby chic interiors and relaxing ambiance. Indeed, every corner is instagram-worthy.

Rustic Mornings by Isabelo is known for its all-day breakfast menu.

Lazy Vacation in Boracay

After our trip to El Nido, we flew straight to Boracay which apparently was a bad idea. We were still jaded from the island hopping tours so all we did was eat, sleep, and loaf around. It was my first time but I didn't mind just being lazy in Boracay. I managed to take some photos, though, so here it goes... :)

Lobby of MNL Beach Hostel Boracay where we stayed for Php 1,300 a night

Paraw Sunset Sailing is one of the most popular activities in White Beach.

The Paradise that is El Nido

Paradise on Earth - this best describes El Nido, Palawan which is included in Condé Nast Traveler's list of "20 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World." This island had been in my bucket list for the longest time so I was really giddy to tick it off my list with my friends from Canada. 

I usually prefer a DIY trip but we got Shadow Travel & Tours' El Nido package for Php 10,000.00 each since I just wanna chill and savor the beauty of this island. It already included our airfare (Air Asia Zest), 3-night accommodation at Dayunan Tourist Inn, Island Hopping Tour A (Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Simizu Island, and Seven Commando), and Island Hopping Tour B (Snake Island, Pinagbuyatan Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Entalula Island). We also had free daily breakfast and lunch in our island hopping tours.

I must say El Nido took my breath away. Scroll below and see for yourself. :)

Postcard-worthy paradise

The Yard at Xavierville

We loooove food parks! I mean, who doesn't? You get good food, chill atmosphere, and cheap finds all in one place. :) Like this new hip place in Xavierville, QC which is an addition to the growing number of food parks in the Metro: The Yard.

Art Appreciation Day-Baguio Edition: BenCab Museum & Tam-awan Village

If there's one thing I love about my job, it has got to be the free travels. I went to Baguio last year (I know. I know. This post is long overdue.) for a research. I finished the legwork earlier so I decided to visit two art centers on my bucketlist: BenCab Museum and Tam-awan Village.

BenCab Museum

I took a cab from Baguio City to BenCab Museum but the locals said there are jeepneys from Baguio City Center which are bound for Asin Road where the museum is located. It took me 20 minutes to reach the art haven. 

BenCab Museum, located at Km. 6, Asin Road in Tuba, Bengue, houses the artworks and collection of National Artist Benedicto "BenCab" Carera, among other artworks of local artists. It's a four-storey building composed of nine galleries, a cafe, and a function room. There is also a man-made duck pond connected by a wooden bridge to a gazebo where you can relish the crisp cool air of Baguio. 

Bululs (Rice god sculpture), Hagabi (long-wooden bench of the Ifugao) and other interesting bits of Ifugao heritage abound the museum. I'll let the photos do the talking.

Quick Visit to the Walled City

January isn't  my month. Aside from the fact that I'm swamped with work at the office, I'm also in an on-and-off relationship with my sickbed. I'm pretty sure I was already in the pink last weekend. I just wanted to go out 'cos I couldn't stand lying around anymore.

To get out of my misery, boyfriend and I went to the mall and had a detour to our favorite place in Manila, the so-called Walled City, Intramuros. :)

Happy that I got off my sickbed already. :)

The Sagada Saga

Sagada is not just a place where broken hearts go. It is also for those who want to be one with nature and experience a different kind of thrill. I have to admit that Sagada was not really in my travel bucket list. Just thinking of the long travel hours and physical strain we have to go through frazzles me already. It was Cancio who convinced me and boy was I thankful.

Our squad visited the so-called "Shangri-la of the North" last November 20-22, 2015. We availed a 3D2N tour package from Sagada Tours Philippines for Php 3, 199.00 each. It already included our accommodation and round trip van transfer. 

Sagada is really a traveler's delight. I'll let the pictures do the talking. ;)

Day 1

Not even the sun can stop the squad from posing at the Banaue Arc.

First  stop: Banaue Rice Terraces Viewpoint.

The Banaue Rice Terraces, dubbed as the "Eight Wonder of the World," are over 2,000 years old and are built by the Ifugaos using their bare hands.

Still alive and kicking after 13 hours of travel time.

There was a setback on our room accommodations, though. We reserved 2 standard rooms in Sagada Bilza Lodge and 1 hut in Heritage Village; but on the day of the trip, we found out the hut is no longer available because some seniors extended their stay. They just upgraded us to 2 family rooms. Sigh. 

View from the balcony of our room.

Art Appreciation Day at PINTO ART MUSEUM

I have a confession to make: museums are not my cup of tea. While others can construe an artwork as if it's their brainchild, I, on the other hand, would just see it as it is. Then I started seeing rave reviews about this museum in Antipolo which houses various contemporary art pieces, sculptures, and art installations from our local artists, the Pinto Art Museum.

Curious on what the hype is all about, I asked my boyfriend on an art appreciation date. Sleek, eh? Hehe. After a couple of cancelled trips due to bad weather, we finally got the chance to visit the much-hyped art space.

Book Haul from the 36th Manila International Book Fair (MIBF)

It's that time of the year again when Filipino bibliophiles from all walks of life gather to celebrate the joys of reading. :) The 36th Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) is the biggest and longest running book expo in the country. It was held from September 16-20, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

Though I'm a certified bookworm, this is actually my first time to join a book fair. Thanks to my office mate who gave me a free admission pass. 

The admission pass costs Php 20.00. 

For students, teachers, and senior citizens, ticket is Php 15.00.

If I had the luxury of time, I would have gone on the 1st day of the book fair 'cos I know the crowd's pretty wild on weekends. I ended up going on a Saturday, though, so all the books I was looking for were sold out already. *Sigh

Headed straight to Starbucks to check out my haul :)