Friday, October 3, 2025
“Quit” by SB19: The Song That Made Me Cry
Monday, April 14, 2025
When Silence Isn’t Peace: Learning to Say “I’m Not Okay”
I’ve always had this habit, some might call it a pattern, of running away when I’m hurting.
Not physically running away, necessarily. More like emotionally retreating. I pull back, go quiet, close the doors of my heart, and pretend I’m okay when I’m anything but. And even when I’m surrounded by people who love me, I still feel alone in my pain.
For as long as I can remember, silence has been my coping mechanism. It's where I retreat to sort things out, to feel safe, to avoid explaining emotions I can barely understand myself. But here’s the thing: silence doesn’t always bring peace. Sometimes, silence is just a disguise for chaos. A mask I wear to keep people from seeing the storm inside.
I don’t always let people in. Not because I don’t trust them—but because I don’t know how. Vulnerability is scary. Saying “I’m not okay” feels like I’m dumping weight on someone else’s shoulders. I worry about being too much, or being seen as weak. So I stay quiet. I keep it together. I carry it alone.
But the truth is… I wish I didn’t.
I wish I knew how to say, “I’m not okay,” without feeling like a burden.
I wish I could believe that needing support doesn’t make me less strong. That speaking up is not selfish, it’s human. That I’m allowed to take up space in someone else’s heart, not just give it. That healing doesn’t always have to be a solo journey.
There’s still a lot I’m learning. But maybe the first step is this: admitting it here, in these words. Maybe the next step is letting just one person in. Not everyone, just someone who cares enough to listen.
If you’re reading this and it resonates with you, I hope you know you’re not alone. There are so many of us out there, quietly hurting behind smiles and silences. Maybe it's time we start unlearning the habit of hiding. Maybe it’s okay to say, “I’m struggling.”
Because being honest about our pain doesn’t make us a burden. It makes us brave.
Friday, March 21, 2025
Nothing Left of Me to Lose
The rain has been falling for hours, tapping against the window like a steady, unrelenting reminder of everything I’ve lost. I sit in the dim glow of a single lamp, staring at a picture on my phone.
It’s the last remnant of the life I had before you took it all away.
At first, the grief was unbearable—a crushing weight that pinned me down every morning when I woke up, forcing me to remember that they weren’t here anymore. That I’m alone. But over time, the pain didn’t fade; it just changed. It settled into something colder, heavier. Not pain, not even sadness—just emptiness. A hollow ache that stretches across every hour of the day, never leaving, never easing.
People tell me to move on. They say time heals, that I should find a purpose, and try to heal. As if healing is a choice. As if I haven’t already tried. But how do you move forward when there’s nothing left to hold onto?
I reach for the screen, my fingertips tracing the edges of their faces. I want to feel something, anger, sorrow, even hatred. Anything would be better than this numbness. But all I feel is exhaustion like I’ve been running in circles, chasing ghosts that will never return.
I stand and step outside. The rain is colder than I expected, soaking through my clothes, and chilling me to the bone. But I barely notice. I just stand there, watching as the world moves on without me. Strangers hurry home to their families, and laughter spills from behind windows.
It feels wrong.
How can life just continue when mine has stopped?
I walk to the edge of my veranda, staring down at the rushing rainwater below. The way it moves, constant and unstoppable, reminds me of time, indifferent, uncaring, refusing to slow down for anyone.
I let out a breath, barely more than a whisper.
"There’s nothing left of me to lose."
And maybe that’s true. Maybe I’ve already lost everything that mattered.
But I don’t step forward. I don’t move at all.
Instead, I turn back inside, the warmth of the room feeling foreign against my damp skin. I sit back down, then lay back, letting the exhaustion take over. Sleep seems like the only place I can escape to—the only place where I can forget, even for a little while.
I close my eyes and let the darkness pull me under.
Sunday, March 2, 2025
Thrown Away Like Paper: A Story of Love and Betrayal
Rejection is one of the hardest things to endure, especially when it comes from people we love and trust the most. When you give your heart, your time, and your whole life to someone, only to be discarded like a piece of paper, it leaves wounds deeper than words can explain. This is a story of heartbreak, betrayal, and ultimately, strength.
The First Betrayal
I was with my first love for eleven years. It wasn’t perfect, but I gave him everything—my love, my support, my patience. My parents kept pressuring me to get married, and even though I wasn’t ready, I gave in to their wishes. Looking back, maybe I married him out of defiance, tired of the constant nagging. But just one and a half years into the marriage, he cheated.
At first, I tried to forgive. Maybe it was a mistake, I told myself. Maybe love could fix it. But after the third woman, I couldn’t ignore the truth anymore. He wasn’t sorry. He didn’t respect me. And after all I had sacrificed for him—paying for his training, supporting him financially, defending him from everyone—he had the audacity to betray me. The pain was unbearable. I had spent nearly half of my life with him, only to be thrown away. I felt so alone. I was an introvert with few friends to lean on, and the weight of rejection nearly crushed me. I even thought of ending my life because the hurt was just too much.
But something inside me refused to let him have that power over me. Slowly, I started picking up the pieces. I focused on myself, my career, my growth. I got promoted. I traveled. I began to see that life could move forward, even after heartbreak.
The Second Betrayal
Just when I thought I was ready to love again, he came into my life. He made me believe in love again. I trusted him so much that I left everything behind—my high-paying job, my family, my hometown—just to be with him. I told him my deepest fear, my biggest insecurity: I had PCOS, which made it difficult for me to have children. He reassured me. He said he loved me, that we could always adopt. I believed him.
For eight years, I lived in the warmth of his promises. Eight long years. And then, one day, he told me he wanted his own family. A child of his own. And he couldn’t do that with me. Just like that, everything we had built, everything he had promised, was gone.
There's no divorce in the Philippines, so I can't give him anything. I can't give him children, can't get married to him. Love alone is not enough.
Did those promises mean nothing? Did I mean nothing?
Where do I stand now, bound by marriage yet abandoned? Am I still worthy of love, or has my worth faded with their broken promises? The loneliness is suffocating, and I wonder—what purpose remains for me in a world that has discarded me so easily?
Why Does This Keep Happening?
Both counld't even break up with me in person. I gave my all. Twice. I loved selflessly, sacrificed without hesitation, and believed in promises that turned to dust. Yet, both times, I was left broken, discarded like something that no longer had value. First, a man I spent over a decade with betrayed me without remorse. Then, another made me believe I was enough—until I wasn’t. Until the very thing he once accepted became the reason he walked away.
There’s no divorce in the Philippines. No way to start over. No way to undo the choices I made out of love. I was willing to stand by him, despite everything. But in the end, love wasn’t enough. If love alone isn’t enough, then what is?
I’ve questioned my worth more times than I can count. Am I nothing more than a placeholder in someone’s life until they decide they want something more? Am I destined to give and give until there’s nothing left of me?
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Why Hire a Virtual Assistant
You should consider hiring a virtual assistant. Here's why:
A virtual assistant can help you manage your time and your to-do list. They can take care of all the little things that you don't have time for, so you can focus on the bigger picture.
A virtual assistant can help you save money. By outsourcing some of your tasks to a virtual assistant, you can free up your time and resources to invest in other areas of your business.
A virtual assistant can help you grow your business. By taking care of the day-to-day tasks, a virtual assistant can allow you to focus on long-term goals and strategies for your business.
What Is a Virtual Assistant?
A virtual assistant is a professional who provides administrative, creative, or technical services from a remote location. In other words, they're the perfect solution for entrepreneurs and business owners who need help but don't have the time or resources to hire a full-time employee.
Virtual assistants can do everything from handling customer service inquiries to booking travel arrangements, and they're a great way to get tasks off your plate so you can focus on what's important. Plus, since they work remotely, you can hire someone from anywhere in the world.
The Benefits of Hiring a Virtual Assistant
You may be wondering what a virtual assistant is and what it can do for you. A virtual assistant is an independent contractor who provides administrative, creative, or technical services from a remote location.
There are many benefits to hiring a virtual assistant. First, they can help you save time and money. Virtual assistants are a cost-effective way to get the help you need without having to add another employee to your payroll. They can also help you streamline your workflow and optimize your productivity.
Second, virtual assistants can provide a wide range of services. They can help with administrative tasks such as bookkeeping, data entry, and customer service. They can also help with creative tasks such as social media management, content writing, and graphic design. And they can provide technical support for things like website design, software installation, and online marketing.
Third, virtual assistants are experts at remote work. They are comfortable working remotely and have the tools and skills necessary to be productive from any location. They are also accustomed to communicating and collaborating remotely, which makes them a great fit for any team.
If you're interested in hiring a virtual assistant, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, be sure to clearly define the tasks you would like the assistant to complete. Second, be sure to establish clear communication guidelines and expectations. Third, be prepared to provide training and support as needed. And finally, be prepared to enjoy the benefits of having a virtual assistant on your team!
What Kind of Tasks Can You Assign to a Virtual Assistant?
Now that you understand the benefits of virtual assistants, let's take a look at some of the tasks you can assign to them.
Virtual assistants can help with a wide range of tasks, including:
Answering customer service inquiries
Handling social media marketing
Conducting research
Editing and proofreading documents
Scheduling appointments
Organizing files
Preparing invoices and quotes
How to Find and Hire the Right Virtual Assistant
Finding the right virtual assistant for your business can seem like a daunting task at first, but it doesn’t have to be. To start, you need to assess your own needs and determine what kind of skills you need in a virtual assistant. Do you need help managing emails, managing calendars, or writing blog posts? Determine what tasks you need help with and then begin your search.
Once you have a clear idea of the type of assistance you’re looking for, take to the internet to do some research about companies offering virtual assistant services. Read through reviews and case studies to get an idea of who offers the best services for your specific needs. Look for companies that are reputable and who have a good track record.
Finally, make sure to interview any potential hires before making a final decision. Ask questions about their experience and any related work history they may have had before working as a virtual assistant. This will ensure that you get the right person for the job. With enough research and interviewing, you should be able to find the perfect virtual assistant for your business needs in no time!
Tips to Ensure Successful Remote Collaboration
To ensure success when working with a remote team, it’s important to keep these tips in mind when working with virtual assistants.
First, set clear goals and expectations for the project. This means communicating exactly what you want from your virtual assistant and being open to feedback from them. Make sure that everyone involved has a clear understanding of the project timeline, and provide necessary resources to help get the job done.
Second, set up regular status updates and check-ins. This will help keep everyone on track and accountable. It’s also important to have an ongoing dialog with your team so that if any issues arise they can be addressed quickly.
Third, foster strong relationships with your virtual assistants by providing honest feedback and encouraging open communication. Developing trust is key in any successful relationship, so be sure to acknowledge the hard work of your virtual assistant and invest in their ongoing training if needed.
Common Challenges When Working With a Virtual Assistant
Often, when you’re working with a virtual assistant, you can run into a few challenges. These can be anything from communication issues to time zone differences, or cultural misunderstandings.
One of the best ways to overcome these challenges is by having clear expectations and clear communication. Make sure you’re hiring the right person for the job, and that you’ve got a good understanding of their skills and experience.
When it comes to communication, make sure that you have regular check-ins with your virtual assistant. Setting up a weekly meeting can ensure that both of you are on the same page and any problems are addressed quickly. You can also use video calls to give feedback on tasks or answer any questions they might have.
Finally, just remember to be patient. Working with someone from another country can take some getting used to, so try not to worry if things don’t go perfectly at first—with time and patience, you’ll work out any kinks and start seeing the true value of having a virtual assistant in no time!
Conclusion
You should definitely consider hiring a virtual assistant. Here are just some of the benefits they can bring to your business:
Increased efficiency: A virtual assistant can take care of many tasks, freeing up your time to focus on more important things.
Reduced stress: When you're overloaded with work, it can be really stressful. A virtual assistant can help take some of the pressure off.
Cost-effective: Virtual assistants are a cost-effective way to get more done.
Increased productivity: When you have more time to focus on your work, you'll be more productive.
So, hiring a virtual assistant is a great option if you're looking for a way to improve your business.
Monday, September 25, 2017
Trip to the Island of the Turtles - Apo Island
Once in Dumaguete, you need to get to Malatapay. There are several options to get to Malatapay. Across Robinson's Place, you may ride a jeepney for Php 25. Another option would be the bus heading south located near the cockpit of Dumaguete, which is what we did that costs us Php 20, just ask them to drop you at the Malatapay Market.
Once at the Malatapay Market, just head straight to the beach. A lot of barkers will be offering you a tour on the Island. They pretty much offer the same price, depending on how may you are. Php 2,000, good for 4 and Php 3,000 for 8 persons. The boat ride will take between 40 minutes to one hour depending on the boat and the water conditions.
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Sardine Run at Panagsama
To get to Moalboal, you can ride a bus from the South Bus Terminal which leaves every 30 minutes. Then ride a Tricycle to Panagsama Beach or to Basdaku.
Via Panagsama Beach, you don't need to hire a boat to get to the Sardine Run. You just need to go to the beach, the sardines are just near the shoreline. I suggest you rent a life vest and snorkeling gear if you don't have one to get the best experience. You will see different types of fishes like the clown fish. You will also get a chance to meet the turtles in the area which are human friendly. I can say that they have a lot of human experience, they are not afraid if you get near them.
Via Basdaku, you will have to hire a boat for island hopping and one of the itinerary is the Sardine Run.
At first I thought it's going to be just of those island hopping scenery you'll see under water, but I was amazed when I got down from the boat. It's like all the fish has one mind. They turn and change direction at the same time! It's like a wall paper full of sardines in synchronized movement, it was amazing!
I highly recommend visiting the sardine run at Panagsama. You'll get to experience how amazing nature is, you'll fall in love right away!
Monday, February 1, 2016
Island Hopping at Lapu-Lapu with my new SJCam5000.+
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Rope Challenge and Joy Ride to Busay, Cebu
The fifth one is very, very and I mean very challenging, that's when I told them that I give up. The next challenge are tires hanged by ropes, you have to go across the line of tires. I was almost half way when I felt the pain on the shoulders and upper arms. I started to palpitate, God, if they knew I have a heart condition, but I wanted to keep that to myself. I thought I'm going to die up there. I told my friends that they can continue to the next challenge without me and I will just rest for a while, but no. They waited for for me on what seemed like forever, they continue to shout at me on what to do to get across. The problem was that the shoes I was wearing is not built for the activity. My shoes slides as I step on each tire. The gloves I'm using would slip when I hold on to the rope. But after awhile I got the hang of it but wow, it was the slowest and longest 15 minutes of my entire life. But I told them I wanted to continue the tire challenge and don't want to give up just yet.
I told them I'm giving up, so they rappelled me just to get down from the towers. I wanted to kiss the ground and stay there! But I patted myself since at least I was able to go through a few of the challenge. Lesty gave up as well. She's afraid of heights too!
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Me Now Pro Generation II Kiss Proof SoftLipstick (Powdery Matte)
Menow products are cheap, I have found websites like ebay which sells it at a cheaper price. Once applied to my lips, it dries right away. I tried drinking coffee and the lipstick didn't stain my mug. It has a light feel to it.
The only thing I don't like is that it smells like paint. But the smell disappears in a few minutes after applying it.
Monday, August 24, 2015
Yummy Peanut Butter Cookies
This recipe makes 2 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Procedure:
1. Beat the butter for 2 minutes until creamy;
2. Add the brown and white sugar; beat it for 2 minutes;
3. Mix in the peanut butter and egg;
4. Mix together all other dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder;
5. Stir the dry ingredients into the butter mix;
6. Wrap the dough in plastic and put it in the fridge for not less than 3 hours;
7. Preheat the oven to 190°C;
8. In a baking pan, shape the dough into 1 1/4 inch balls;
9. Place the balls of dough about 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet;
10. Flatten dough crisscross pattern with a fork.
11. Bake until brown, usually takes about 9-12 minutes.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Bohol 2015
From Piier 1, we were able to purchase a ticket to Bohol for only Php 350 via 2GO Supercat and left Cebu at 8:40 AM. We arrived at Tagbilaran City at approximately 11:00 AM.
We planned to go via Tubigon, since it's the one closest to the Chocolate Hills but upon researching online, there aren't that many for rent motorcycles there. It's not that industrialized yet like Tagbilaran City. And I contacted a few of the for rent stores but they said Tubigon is too far for them to travel. So we decided to go via Tagbilaran instead.
I tried searching online for motorcycles for rent and so far the lowest price I can find is Php 800 for 24 hour rent. When we got to the port, we noticed immediately that the port is under construction and we then found out that part or the port was ruined when the 2013 earthquake hit Bohol. I am glad to see though that Bohol is now slowly recovering from the 7.2 magnitude quake.
Just outside the port, we saw a store that's renting motorcycles, we got a Red Honda Beat 125cc scooter. I liked it! We got it for Php 500 for the 24 hours.You may contact Jerlyn 09198875935 if you want reservations ahead of time.
Below is out itinerary.
CHOCOLATE HILLS!
My very first time to see the chocolate hills and all I can think of is, they're really are chocolate hills! And I just thought, "WOW!, amazing creation"! You could see green and chocolate colored hills as far as your eyes could see. It's all over the place!
It has now become a tourist destination because of the formation of the trees. Tourists often post on the road with the forest on the background.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Rancho Cancio
This time we went to Busay.
To get to Rancho Cancio, click this link using your android mobile phone http://goo.gl/TQFZ5f and it should open your google maps app. This should help you navigate to get to the Ranch.


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