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| The year began with a quick Tarot reading, paranormal photo, and repainting my room. |
My Top 2023 Whatevers:
Wow Moment: Witnessing
Mt. Kanlaon’s December 9 eruption emit plumes of smoke 3000 meters up its vent while
I was at Doméino. I’ve been wanting to see an actual volcano eruption for years
to the point that I have been contemplating of going to those countries with
ever flowing lava. This year I got to see this rare phenomenon at Doméino,
7-8km away from crater. To stand so close and look up as the tons of ash race
their way up to the sky, it astonished me that I found my mouth agape in that
moment of wonderment. It felt like the world stood still as dark plumes
overwhelmed the entire landscape. I was in disbelief at the power of nature
that made it me feel so alive and insignificant at the same time.
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| Around Siquijor island. |
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| More photos around Siquijor. |
Heart Pumping: I felt
the adrenaline rush through my system the moment I heard the volcano exploded
like a mega bomb that caused a shockwave on the ground I was stepping. I could
distinctly remember I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and told myself that
this is it, it finally happened. A second of silence, then the next thing I
heard were screams of panic from my staff and friends about needing to leave
the place ASAP. One of the most annoying things that happened was that I had to
packing my stuff that was all over the place because I didn’t do it that
morning, reducing my time to take photos of that critical moment when a
mushroom cloud was initially forming. I also could not find my phone to
document that first four minutes that I am kicking myself at what happened.
Anyway, the rush of
stuffing my bag with all of my things that I could remember to grab, I did.
Then after quick snaps and making sure that my friends are all set with our
great escape, we made our way out of the premises. The thing was that the wind
direction allowed us to see the road, and thankfully left Doméino untouched by
the sulfur that the volcano has spewed out. Driving home and away from the
danger area, ash began falling everywhere causing motorcycle drivers to be blinded
that I had to make sure I was at a safe distance from their wobbling. As we
were heading down, vehicles rushing up to rescue possible stranded family
members affected by the eruption zoomed past us. We could see the ash mingle
with the clouds, the sky darkened from the event, and it felt like an
apocalypse movie wherein we were the characters in survival-mode trying to
escape impending doom as the smoke enveloped all that we could see. And
honestly, I felt more thrilled than scared at the whole experience.
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| Random spots in Dumaguete, Dauin, and Zamboanguita. |
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| Spent a week of March around Bukidnon. |
Most Stressful: Needing
to help mom with all her doctor’s appointments and procedures on top of having
to deal with a lot of business hurdles and the latter part of the year. From
being declared cancer-free last March, her doctor said that she has stage-4
cancer by December. Having to deal with all this is very draining as the person
she needs to draw strength from.
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| Bukidnon still, tasting the Porterhouse Steak at Del Monte Golf Club. |
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| A quick overnight stay at Davao because I craved for Malagos chocolate. |
Most Annoying: Using
Grab in Bangkok because a lot of the drivers there are crap. Drivers cancelled
many times after accepting and letting us wait between 20-40mins, including one
who arrived only to get my brother’s phone so he be the one to cancel the trip
using my brother’s account. Another instance in Pattaya was the driver decided that
he deserved more than what the Grab app had computed and readjusted the bill
using the app when we arrived at our destination. There were also times when
the driver ended the trip far from our pinned destination just because it was
too troublesome for them to make a U-turn…but of course there was 4 of us and
he couldn’t do anything if we refused to get off his car until we were in the
proper pinned point.
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| Back at Valladolid this Good Friday for some family tradition. |
Creepiest: It was on my
mom’s birthday last March 24 when my sister-in-law captured in her camera an
elemental. I saw it, we all saw it. The long story is on my Scary Stuff: Part
9. I’ve attached the photo, and it’s a series of photos…I still get goosebumps
every time I watch the images because it validates my the idea that I will only
believe it the moment I see it. This is just hard proof that anomalies like
these could happen and exists.
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| UL: Where mom celebrated her 75th birthday; UR: Where dad celebrated his 75th birthday; LL; Tako and his crooked teeth; LR: Cloud!!! I miss this fluffy white puff :( |
Heartbreaking: Losing our 11 year-old Japanese Spitz, Cloud. I cried for 3 days, mourning the loss of our fat-fluffy-spoiled family dog. He was a gift to our mom eleven years ago in our effort to try and change her opinion about hating dogs. This worked as she also cried when Cloud died. I loved annoying him, and I could sense that he was dying because he had gotten so weak. I would check up on him every couple of hours to see if he was still breathing. On the day before his death, I poked him in the garden to see if was still alive and say goodbye, he gave me a frail annoyed growl and so I went on my way because I wouldn’t be back until the next day. I arrived late the next day, and the first thing I did was to go find him, but he wasn’t at his usual spot in the garden and assumed they had buried him that afternoon. I went in the house and joined my parents praying the rosary…and less than five minutes in I heard my mom get up and say, “Cloud…” It raised my spirit to hear his name and know that he was still alive. She followed him out with a pack of cookies while my dad and I continued on the rosary. A few seconds later I heard my mom’s voice drop, “Cloud? Cloud? He’s not moving. Lyn! (calling our maid) Check if he’s dead” And right after the rosary I walked out to find him lying motionless near his favorite spot by the door. I broke down knowing that he waited for me before he passed away. Mom said he could no longer walk that day and hid in the bushes expecting that he would die there, but he walked to see me behind the screen door because he waited for me to arrive. It broke my heart to see the loyalty of an animal even to his last ounce of strength show his affection to his humans.
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| A few updates in Domeino: an outdoor kitchen, a poolside lounge, and a very active volcano this year. |
Worst: Hearing and
reading the news that mom’s cancer has metastasized to other parts of her
organs. Nothing can be worse than this. I am usually the first to hear the news
because I’m the one who receive her lab results, and having to be the one to
tell the news is never a delight. Having to explain the situation to people
with a brave face can be crushing especially when they ask how I am dealing
with the certainty of the uncertainty. We are all very aware that time is
running, and all we can do is take it one day at a time.
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| A few updates for Chicken Studio. We started serving samgyeopsal, repainted the 2nd floor, and embraced AI in generating images for instances that we cannot to a proper product shoot. |
Funniest: The
conversation I had with my friends regarding a 10-year gossip they assumed by
connecting the dots instead of directly asking the person involved. It was so
funny that we fell quiet after running out of air from laughing.
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| UL: Having the new car blessed in Sta. Ana Parish; UR: Quiet moments on our balcony; LL: Watched the Pyrolympics again this year after six years of absence; LR: Working on Kwintas Jewelry |
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| Random roadtrips to Subic, Zambales, and Pampanga. |
Un-luckiest Moment: That
moment when I realized that one of the people I was close with for years was no
more than a scammer. It’s actually good luck that I discovered that, just
unlucky that I trusted a fraud for a few years.
Stupidest: Thinking that I lost my eToro account along with my money one evening when I wasn’t able to log in. The website was simply saying that I could not be logged in and I should refresh…which I did for many many times that I felt like I would have had a heart attack had I not withdrawn most of my money a week prior. By doing this and deleting my account after, I lost the opportunity of earning a lot from Bitcoin because a month after it skyrocketed to its highest price ever. I blame SEC and DTI for this, because of their move to block service from operating in our shores just when the market was bullish. The timing couldn’t be more stupid as eToro ceased its operations in the Philippines last Dec 8, 2024.
Regretful: Choosing not
to ask where our dog Cloud was when I arrived from a long work trip that day. I
had this hunch to go look for him the moment I parked the car because I knew he
was dying weeks prior, more so the night prior. Most of humanity’s regret come
from not doing something before someone dies, and I could have poked and patted
him one last time had I known he waited for me before dying.
Another is not taking that opportunity to take a photo with an elephant as the trainer allow people to briefly ride him on bareback wherein the cute juvenile elephant would rear up in pose, allowing for the rider to get this awesomely unique photo and moment. I was thinking of doing it at the end of the show, but it didn’t happen because they no longer allowed the audience to enter the pen at the end. My friend was able to take her photo and it’s one of the rare moments that I felt envious of a shot.
Coolest: It was the
roadtrip we did from Taguig to Bacolod that took 5 days and 1300+ kilometers.
The trip took me to places on the east-most areas that I have never been,
including driving through Albay, Sorsogon, Bulusan, San Juanico Bridge,
reaching Tacoloban until down to Ormoc. We had to do a break-in for the new
car, and this trip was it. We didn’t have any plans or itinerary, we went with
the flow of things, and this allowed me see more parts of the country that I
had only heard of for the longest time. Getting a feel of what it’s like to be
on the east-most part of the country like. It made me realize that Ormoc is
fairly cheaper compared to Bacolod, and other parts of the country in terms of
food prices.
Heart Warming: Knowing
how my family and friends gave concern on days that I really needed them. This
included when I was requesting for prayers regarding my health and when the
volcano erupted and they knew I was in Doméino that time.
Cutest: Playing with the
horses at El Kabayo and the 2 year-old pony at Mandayao. Their lips are the
softest thing I could crumple!
Most Fun: No longer
being interrupted by incessant ads after getting YouTube Premium. This is
probably one of my best purchases this year. Since YouTube is my biggest form
of entertainment, spending every month at a cost of one regular drink from CBTL
is certainly worth it. Yes, I noticed how horribly longer ads are on YouTube starting
the second quarter of this year. I gave up my Disney+ subscription in exchange
for YouTube Premium. This is particularly useful when I’d like to listen to
playlists or video podcasts since I tend to be away on the screen during these
times.
Most Challenging: Watching
out for my sugar and carb intake to keep my blood sugar to not stay up. I would
let loose for a bit, but then again I would feel the changes almost immediately
when I know I have made bad choices so I need to recalibrate my food decisions
which is similar to torture. That subconscious guilt ruins a supposed indulgent
moment. Self-discipline is not one of my strengths, admittedly.
Magical Moment: Snorkeling
at Siquijor, swimming with a school of barracuda and sea turtles. The water
wasn’t as clear that day since the waves were strong, but we reached a depth
that was open enough to see a lot of marine life. The dive site didn’t have a
lot of colorful fishes as it was mostly big fishes that swam in that area…lots
of sea cucumbers…but nonetheless it was breathtaking.
Awe-Inspiring: Burning
21 years of written journals which I started in 2003 when I was in second year
high school. I somehow reread some of the pages and cringed at my pettiness of
what I had written. There was some okay stuff, good days that I could reminisce
with fondness…yet somehow I’ve decided not to let this be my legacy. I had to
make sure that no one will ever read those thoughts, and the most reassuring
way of disposing them was by burning every single page. It took us roughly an
hour to get the job done because the fire was a fail with the ground being wet…but
losing all those journals made it more of a relief of finally releasing those
memories up in flame. By doing so, I am moving forward and make new pieces that
will be an outlet of my creativity.
Best Feeling: Being
taught how to properly ride and steer a horse. I got a horse riding lesson at
El Kabayo in Subic, and to take that bay quarter horse around the pen on my own
and make him trot a bit was so empowering. I need to work on balance though…I
can’t stay centered on the saddle the moment I try to make him trot.
Most Rewarding: When I
computed the total savings we made with the decision and effort I put in to
buying a car at a different dealer. The whole process took a month to complete,
and it made me accomplish so much during my stay there, from fixing my
restaurant to doing random stuff in Manila.
Best Discovery: 360°
Rotation Laptop Stand…it saved several precious square inches on my small desk,
and the elevation was enough to take the screen to my eye level. Game changer!
Also deciding on getting YouTube Premium…it saves me several minutes a day on
unwanted ads…especially after they decided to boost up the number of ads and
the time of ads per video; How good Zambales mangoes are, the sweetness and
taste was distinctly different from Guimaras mangoes.
Favorite 2024 Drink:
Amaretto Sour from Quedan; Horchata from Lanai; Strawberry Margarita from Music
Room
Favorite 2024 Food: Banana…I
had banana craving for weeks that I was eating at least one to three bananas
per day; Dynamite and homemade Fishballs from random street vendors that I had
to search for these random stalls for them; French fries made with fresh
potatoes, skin on; Lemon flavored desserts as my flavor palette veered towards
a bit of sour with the sweet
Best Thing I Ate: Cheesecake
from El Born; the lechon my friend brought that he had made in Taala Farms; Onion
Flower from Steak & Frice; Round Pizza Margarita from Crosta; Hinobaan
Hamachi Crudo and Tiramisu Lokal from Sauma; Almost everything I ate in HCM;
That salmon salad with mint and chili lime that we ate at Jae-Oh
Favorite 2024 Dessert: Éclair
from Tisa; Lemon Meringue Gelato from Sugaree; Crepe from Prologue;
Favorite 2024
Restaurant: Sucre on its first two months of opening only; Dolce Amore in
Siquijor; Ijo Bakery Viennoiserie; Sauma in Hinigaran; Pizza 4 P’s in Ho Chi
Minh;
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| This image has become a core memory. |
Unforgettable Meal: The
Michelin recommended restaurant in Bangkok: Jae-Oh. Different from the
goggle-wearing crab omelet lady. Everything was so good especially we were
starving when we got there, and the flavors punched us on the tongue.
Worst thing I Ate: The 10c Pancake from a food stall at Megaworld that tasted so horrid that I didn’t feel sorry when I threw it after 3 bites. It tasted like flour and MSG filled with cheap mozzarella-like cheese. The 3-Cheese Ramen from Mitsuyado Sei-men
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| These were the best desserts I had this year. |
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| These were the food that I regretted ordering this year. |
Favorite 2024 Hang Out: Punong
Gary; Doméino’s new gazebo
Favorite 2024 Songs: When
the Party’s Over - LeAnn Rimes cover; L'hymne a L'amour - Celine Dion; Ocean
Eyes – Billie Eilish;
Favorite 2024 Movie/Show:
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris; The Andrew Garfield Chicken Shop Date with Amelia
Dimoldenberg; Laapataa Ladies; Blue Eyed Samurai
Favorite 2024 People:
Amelia Dimoldenberg as her videos had been my
go to comedic relief before I sleep on random nights after watching an unholy
amount of ghost videos. And Stanley Tucci…the older I get the more attracted I
am to men who are so secured with their masculinity. There’s nothing sexier
than an evolved man who has matured enough that he can reassure you with his
stable disposition simply by making you feel you are safe with him all the time.
Will Be Most Missed in 2024: Our Japanese Spitz dog Cloud. He’s been our guard dog since 2013 and we are fond of his nonchalant attitude towards everyone. He passed away last Sept 12. Tako, my golden retriever…cannot be trusted with the house because of his tendency to playfully welcome everyone who enters.
1.
Go
snorkeling with a school of barracudas in Siquijor.
2.
Getting a
horse riding lesson in Subic.
3.
Go on an
1800km road trip in one go.
4.
Updating my
wardrobe with colors outside of black, white, grey, and navy blue colors.
5.
Using
sunscreen and makeup almost every time I leave the house. Wrinkles starting to
show.
6.
Purchasing a
car…makes me feel like a proper adult.
7.
Explore a
bit of Mindanao.
8.
Coloring my
hair red.
9.
Learning how
to read tarot cards.
10. Driving across Philippines’ longest bridge, the
San Juanico Bridge.
11. Getting really high with brownies.
12. Seeing the golden trumpets of Bukidnon in
bloom.
13. Manifest a near-impossible feat of witnessing
an active volcano erupting.
14. Wearing my new prescribed glasses faithfully
this time.
15. Being officially a grandma after my first goddaughter
who is also my niece gave birth to her first child this year. If I trace my
distant relatives though, I know I had been a great grandmother years ago.
16. Repainting my room on my own with a slightly
darker shade of teal.
17. Burning my journals of 21 years.
18. Eating a 7 course degustation menu that
features Negros food in Sauma.
19. Go on spontaneous trips without any advanced hotel
bookings or even any itinerary.
20. Driving around Metro Manila, including areas I
don’t like driving in.
21. Travel to Ho Chi Minh just for banh mi
First Time Places I Went
to this 2024: The entire perimeter of Siquijor Island; Cagayan de Oro;
Bukidnon: Manolo Fortich, Impasug-ong, Malaybalay, Valencia, Quezon; Sorsogon,
Bulusan, Matnong, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Tacloban, Palo, Ormoc, Pattaya
2024 Realization:
Overlapping
manifestation with prayers can be a very powerful tool in making things happen.
Lesson Learned for 2024:
“Show yourself to me,
and I will deal with myself how I will show up to you.” I’ve come to realize
that I am unafraid of people’s quirks and how they approach me, and that I am
more annoyed with apologists who are afraid to push my buttons. If there’s something
about certain people…these people who are deemed as “part of the flock” are
these people who are lacking in dimension, or people who are unreal to society;
just another peg in the wheel, constrained by their own fear of judgement from those
who should not matter to them.
I have become aware that
the people closest to me are the people who can tolerate my fire without fear
of getting burned. Those who can hold my fire are those I can be most
vulnerable with.
2024 Quotes:
“Vulnerability is the
best measure of courage.” -Brené Brown
“If you need to
understand what you believe in, then there is no room for faith.”
“When you’re dwelling on
regret you’re apt to become a victim and that’s very dangerous. People who are
victims are never happy because they feel like, oh, something got in the way.
The meant to change, they couldn’t have a fair shot. Whatever other reasons are
they blame other people, and those people, those victims, which is a lot from
what I could see, are never really happy because they’ve never taken really
accountability for themselves and the responsibility of being responsible for
your own life. You can change if you want or change it, but don’t blame the
next guy. It lends itself to victimhood.” -Barbara Corcoran
2025 New Year’s
Resolution:
Create some sort of art
that I can put somewhere in my room.
2025 Bucket List:
Get a tattoo.
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