Happy Birthday BFF

"A Close Letter For Marcelo Apor"

Dear Bhe, 

You are that kind of friend that I would never trade with anything in this world. You are the love of my life and I know that it will last forever. Yes, there is really a forever! And it is inside our friendship. 

To some, it is impossible to have a bestfriend with the opposite sex, but for us it was a great journey and no malice at all. I can hug and tell you what I truly feel without any awkwardness. With you, I always feel so special, protected, well-cared and loved the most. Thank you for everything, Bhe! Your every move, concern and advice for me are all very much appreciated. Even though sometimes, I have these weird tantrums, thoughts and actions you never leave but accept and love me just the way I am. 

Happy happy birthday! I will always be so lucky to have you as my bestest friend. Thank you for the friendship that we have through all these years even though you were always telling me that you just have no choice! Ha-ha-ha! 

We have been together through thick and thin, we have our own failures, heartbreaks, success, celebrations, etc. and we were always there for each other. 

Our every conversation either through phone calls, chats, video calls mean a lot to me. I treasure them as much as I cherish you. 

I will always love you as my closest friend and of course you know that I will always be here for you no matter how far we are as of these days. The irony of having a long distanced friendship with you is that I felt much closer to you than to those who are here near me. No offense meant to TSG. Ha-ha-ha! 

I hope that all your dreams and goals will be achieved in the near future. You also know that I will just always be here supporting and cheering you up all the way. It won't change as long as I am living and that's a vow.

We may not talk everyday but let me tell you that I am your forever Spongebob and you are my forever Patrick Starfish. We don't have a perfect friendship. We used to argue many things and then later on we will just laugh all about it. We do have different beliefs, principles and outlook in life but at the end of the day, it is the understanding and acceptance for each other that lead our way. 

I would also like to thank you because aside from being my best friend you are also my confidant, my counselor, my adviser, my clown, my rants listener,my everything! Thank you, Bhe! I love you so much! Even my picky mom loves you too! 

As for your special day, I pray that you will always be happy and healthy. I know that in the nearest future, we will both be successful despite of the different paths that we are taking. Why we will become successful? Simply because we have each other. 

Happiest birthday Marcelo and more happy days and years for you to come.

I love you, Bhe! 

Loving and missing you, 

Lain ❤️

#IsangTaon

Ni CieloAmethyst

Feb.23,2016

(Isang espesyal na tula para isang espesyal na tao)

Kay bilis talaga ng panahon

Lumipas na pala ang isang taon

Mula nang piliin mo akong saktan 

At kalaunan nga ay tuluyan nang iwan.

(Oo sobrang sakit niyon na para akong pinapatay nang dahan-dahan)

Pagmamahalan natin ay iyong itinapon

Binalewala ang mahaba nating kahapon.

Ang sabi mo ay hindi ka na masaya 

At kalaunan inamin mong may mahal ka na ngang iba

(Ang puso ay parang pinipiga na tila walang makakatalo sa sakit na nadarama)

Sobrang sakit dinurog ang puso ko

Na nagmahal lamang ng tapat sa'yo

Hindi pala sapat ang inalay na pagmamahal

Hindi pala tayo tunay na magtatagal

(Umasang ikaw na ang nakatakda para makasama habambuhay ngunit hindi pala)

Umiyak, nagwala, tumawa, naglasing

Mga gabing walang tulog na mahimbing

Pati pagkain ay tinalikuran na rin

Wala nang ibang inisip kundi ikaw at ikaw pa rin.

(Sapagkat wagas kang minahal...)

Kinapitan ang Diyos upang muling makabangon

Pamilya at mga kaibigan ay tumulong sa pag-ahon.

Kalaunan ay muling naranasan ang sumaya

At muling natanaw ang isang buhay na maganda.

(Kaya ko palang lumigaya sa piling na wala ka.)

Inabala ang sarili sa maraming bagay

Mga magagandang lugar ay aking tinunghay.

Mga bagong tao ay dumating sa buhay 

Tuluyan nang nakalimot sa mundong may madilim na kulay.

(Lumiwanag ang daigdig at tuluyang sumasaya sa paglipas ng mga araw.)

Salamat sa lahat ng alaalang masaya

Salamat sa mga aral na aking nakuha

Ang "Tayo" man ay nagwakas na nga

Sana ay manatiling masaya ang isa't isa. 

(Maging ito man ay sa piling na ng iba.)

Sa loob ng isang taon na kay raming nangyari

Nasaktan, natuto, nadapa, tumayo at ngumiti

Wala na ang tayo at ang meron nalang ay ikaw at ako.

Masaya pa rin dahil sa mga buhay nating nagbago.

(Nagbago na nakabuti para sa atin pareho.)

Kung dati ay mahal na mahal kita nang higit pa sa sarili

Sa isang taon ay akin nang napanatili 

Ang kaligayahan ay dapat munang madama 

Sa ating mga puso bago ito tuluyang ipamahagi.

(Natutong sumaya nang hindi dumedepende sa iba.)

Hangad ko ang kaligayahan at kabutihan para sa'yo

Sana ay mahanap na ang tunay na nakatakda sa puso mo

Ang pagpapatawad ay ibinibigay na sa iyo.

Maraming salamat sa lahat dating Mahal Ko.

(Tayo nang umusad sa panibagong taon ng ating magkahiwalay ng mga buhay.) 

The Fears

I do have many fears. In fact, there were things that I can't do because of it. I would always be afraid to step out of my comfort box. 

But then these fears make me feel thirsty for more challenges and adventures. Even though I would come close to crying, I would still strive hard to try until I can already do it.

 I'm a proud fearful explorer, a softhearted wander girl, a half self-believer but then I'm a woman who is never a quitter 

and a shameless risk taker.

The irony of one's life it is. 😪 

#diwawanders #wanderlust #wandergurl 

Mount Batolusong

A People Power Climb to Mount Batolusong

Feb. 25, 2016

This was my 4^th climb for this year 2016. 

For this day which was Thursday and it was non-working holiday in celebration and commemoration of People Power 1. 

We took this opportunity to hike! 

Mount Batolusong is located at Barangay San Andres, Tanay Rizal and this is along Marcos Highway via Antipolo (Cogeo).

Our meeting place was at Jollibee Farmers Cubao at 4 in the morning.

We left Cubao at 5 and reached the registration area at past 6. 

Sorry, I was the most late in the group due to traffic and rerouting at EDSA Ortigas.

We started the climb at 7 in the morning. We then passed thru Sangab Cave that I called as the watery cave. Because in order for you to get inside, you have to swim! The water is chest high.

Mount Batolusong's trail is grassland but there has a lot of assaults. It was tiring (as usual) going up but we finished it fast. 

We then reached the Duhatan Peak

This has become my favorite spot because of its peacefulness and tranquility picturesque.

Then we headed to Rangyas peak

Our trip composed of a rainy and sunny weather. 

Since it rained while we were on the trail going to the summit (on my back on the picture above), it was zero visibility. :(

We did a traverse to Mataripis Falls because according to our guide, Kay-Ibon falls (the falls which is well-known) are crowded. We ate our lunch and we even swim! 

The trail going down was easy and smooth. 

We were back to the jump-off area at 2 in the afternoon. We did the wash up beside the covered court.

Tip: If the rest rooms are crowded or has long lines, you can ask your guides to use their bathrooms at their house. That's what we did. :)

We rented a van and we are 17 in the group so this trip was a lesser in budget. Per head we contributed only 210 pesos, inclusion  of transpo from Cubao, driver, gas, registration fee and tour guide.

How?

Secret!

Ha-ha-ha.

Eto na nga, sasabihin ko na...

Here’s the breakdown:

Van rental: 1000

Gas: 500

Guide fee: 1500 (3 guides)

Registration fee: 680 (40 pesos/head)

Total: 3680.00 divided to 17 pax = 216.50 pesos

Oha!

Till my next climb. J

Mount Binacayan and Mount Pamintinan

A Birthday Climb: Mount Binacayan and Mount Pamintinan

Twin Day Hike

Feb. 7, 2016

I joined a group of strangers with one goal for this day. And that is to conquer two mountains in one day. This was my birthday goal and I am actually happy that I was able to do it.

Our meet- up was at Jollibee Farmer’s Cubao at 4 in the morning. I will be hiking with 16 people whom I don’t know. But then later on, some of them became my new found friends.

Team Twin Hike :)

Along the way to Montalban, Rizal, we were able to know each other. Most especially during the climb.

Mount Binacayan Climb...

We started the jump off at the registration area at 7 a.m. and our first destination was Mount Binacayan.

It was a rocky climb. You will be needing gloves so it won’t hurt your hands.

It was a hard climb actually but the view from above was worth it. 

Plus the sea clouds welcomed us.

We passed thru three peaks as our guide calls it and every peak has a nice view. 

Pushing to the summit of Mount Binacayan...

Since it was weekend when we climbed, expect a heavy 'traffic' on the trail and even on the photo ops spots like those on the picture. I have to wait for my turn. 

A Squad goal be like: 

Please take note that we don't know each other yet before the climb. :) But when we were at the summit, everyone seems like an old friend. So happy to meet all of them. 

We were called by the organizer as Group 1. :) By the way, thank you Sir Ged Marcos! I think every week he organizes a climb to open for joiners. No downpayment needed, just go to the meeting place on time. As for the amount, we paid 550 pesos all-in expense from Cubao. Food excluded. Just search for his facebook account.

Walang indianan! Huwag maging paasa! Masakit. 

We then did a traverse going down.

Before twelve noon, we were already back at the jump –off and had our lunch on a nearby cafeteria. There are countless eateries near the registration area or DENR so food is not a problem.

Mount Pamintinan Climb...

By 12:30, we were then ready to climb the next mountain which was Mount Pamintinan.    

We passed thru a hanging bridge and took a cemented stairs. It was tiring going up, I promise! 

Though the trail was grassland until the junction. 

After a long climb and tiring climb due to some assaults and long stairs all the way up, we reached the place they called “Junction”. This place that has a lot of sari-sari stores will lead you to three different destinations. 

(Sorry, I forgot to take some photos here)

Mas dinamdam ko yung hingal at pagod paakyat dun sa sementadong hagdan!

These destinations are: to the summit of Mount Pamintinan, summit of Mount Hapunang Banoi and going down to Wawa Dam.  

Going to the summit of Mount Pamintinan is as rocky as Mount Binacayan. Again, you will be needing gloves. Some rocks are too sharp and pointed. Extra cautiousness is needed here.

The view from top is breath taking. Sierra Madre Mountain ranges amazed me. Even Mount Arayat of Pampanga can be seen from afar.

That's Mount Pamintinan as my bg. :)

Mount Hapunang Banoi on my left, Mount Ayaas on the right.

Wawa Dam Traverse...

We were then back to the Junction and did the traverse via Wawa Dam. The way down was easy that we even run. Trail runners lang ang peg namin.

We passed through mini falls, and long streams of river. Our eyes just can’t stop adoring the whole place.  

We have gone to Wawa Dam before going back to our jump-off.

We even had some photo ops because the place once again amazed me. I have gone here at Wawa Dam three years ago and there has a lot of improvement happened. It was good news of course because tourism would be higher in demand.

One of the mini falls we passed through...

And now I belong to Group 2. Some of my group members didn't push through with the second climb, it was just the three of us left. And then those two left me at the Junction. They first went ahead.

Yeah, iniwan nila ako. Pero okay lang sanay na. 

Squad goal be like again:

In between the two mountains we just conquered :)

Wawa Dam watch tower at our side, wawa dam and cottages below

By 6 in the evening, we were all ready to go home.

This trip would always be memorable to me. This was my first solo-hike (well for me, it was solo since I climbed without people I already know.), a birthday goal that I was able to achieve, and most of all, I met nice people that eventually became my new found friends.

Till my next climb! J

P.S. I want to post more pictures but my internet connection didn't allow me. The connection is more than a snail! :(

  

Nakabiting Tulay

NAKABITING TULAY 

ni CieloAmethyst

Feb.23,2016

(Para sa mga paasa, umasa, pinaasa at patuloy na umaasa...)

May karapatan ba akong ma-miss ka gayong hindi naman tayo? 

May karapatan ba akong magalit at magreklamo habang wala namang tayo?

Na ang meron lang ay ikaw at ako, magkahiwalay na salita  na parang sitwasyon natin ngayon.

Anong nangyari sa atin? Maari ko ba yang itanong?

Nawala na ang lahat ng masasayang kwentuhan at kulitan

Napalitan nalang ng mga nakabibinging katahimikan

Ang noon ay isang masayang samahan,

Ngayon ay tila milya-milya na ang pagitan. 

Anong nangyari?

Ako ba ang may kasalanan ng lahat ng ito?

Pakisabi naman sana sa akin para alam ko.

Hindi yung para akong tanga na nakabitin sa kawalan

Nakalutang sa ere at hindi alam ang patutunguhan. 

Pwede ko bang malaman ang sagot?

Tapos na ba ang lahat ng ito sa pagitan ng mo at ko?

Aalis o umalis ka na nga ba sa buhay ko?

Nagwakas na ba ang kabanata nating dalawa

At naguumpisa na ang bago sa piling ng iba? 

Pakisabihan naman ako... 

Huminto na nga bang talaga ang takbo ng pag-ibig

Sa pagitan ng ating pinag-isang daigdig? 

Pero bakit wala ang salitang paalam?

Matuto ka naman sanang magsabi man lang...

Nang Mga salitang may kinalaman sa pagtatapos

Gaya ng wakas, Goodbye, O Adios! 

Dapat ko na bang marinig ang mga iyan? Pakisabihan naman ako... 

Us

I always take a glance at you hoping that you always take a look at me too. 

Am I hoping so much? 

Should I stop hoping now? 

That someday there would be no you and me. 

But just Us. 

I prayed that you were already the one 

But now you're almost gone

Did I assume that much?

Or I just believed that someday it would be Us. 

Just us...