Bucket list in blissful Boracay

“Wow!”

That exactly was the first word I interjected when I saw Boracay’s enticing blue water. The island is such a beauty no one can ever resist and a destination no one can ever ignore. It boasts of pristine water and powdery white sand—it’s no wonder why people keep going back to this paradise.

It was my first time on the island last month. Before, I could only see it in photos and read about the place over the internet, and it took really long before I got to visit the island, so when I was there, all I did was focus on my precious vacation.

I want your Boracay getaway to be perfect just as mine was, so I prepared this Boracay bucket list for you.

Scenic Sagada

My 2015 planner has this list called “101 Things to do in 2015.” First thing on the list reads, “Enjoy the view in Sagada alone.” When I read that part after I bought the planner in November last year, I thought to myself that it was perfect, because first, I really needed some time alone and was planning to spend it someplace that offers peace of mind, and second, Sagada was my dream destination in the first quarter of the year.

Going to Sagada and appreciating its picturesque views while reconnecting with myself and pondering on things that really matter was the perfect idea to jumpstart the year. The thing is I accomplished neither within the time frame I set.

The amount I was setting aside for my planned Sagada trip was spent on a much higher priority, which was also related to my life as a traveller. Then this relocation thing got in the way and hindered me as well from pushing for the trip due to the load of tasks at hand.

Good thing, a few days before the second quarter ended, an opportunity to finally visit the place knocked on my door, so I grabbed it even without too much of a preparation. I just packed my bags with the essentials and off I went to Sagada—but not alone. That was when I realized that the idea I had in mind wasn’t the perfect idea after all. Travelling with a group was. Enjoying the views of Sagada without the “That Thing Called Tadhana” feeling in my heart was the best experience.

This is the view on the side of the road with the "Welcome to Mountain Province" arc.

One-day feast in Baguio City

One of the interesting things that draw people towards a place is the food it offers. Treating your eyes to all things wonderful is a great experience. But the food we eat in a particular place creates a delicious memory that sticks to our palates.

A tour around Baguio City isn’t about sightseeing alone; it’s also about tasting good food offered by the best diners around.

Have you ever wondered then what your one-day menu in Baguio would look and taste like?

BREAKFAST

Kiwi Bread and Pastry Shop

Mines View

Start your day with a hearty combination of sausages, steak, bacon, egg (sunny side up or scrambled), bread and beans in tomato sauce complemented by a cup of coffee, or hot chocolate with a refill. Good for two to three persons, you can enjoy this authentic breakfast at P420.

C Boutique Hotel: Where your dream staycation comes true

If you're looking for the pefect hotel in Baguio City, read this and be captivated by the beauty and coziness of C Boutique Hotel

At about 5,000 feet above sea level, you can find a jewel that promises an indulgent staycation treat, providing you with the modern comforts of home sans the boring feeling of staying at your own address. C Boutique Hotel in Baguio City is the perfect location for this kind of adventure.

Situated on Arellano St., cor. Moran near Mines View Park, C is not just another hotel; it is the epitome of a rewarding coziness that you’ve always been searching for which is way too evident in their room choices. Once you enter the place, you’ll feel the successful fusion of a modern home’s ambiance and an old Baguio house’s rural tranquility—something that you don’t usually see in the places you visit.

Sungyan Grill: Happiness on a river

A calm river is an irresistible place to many. In its enchanting serenity, one finds peace of mind and a sanctuary to regain inner strength.

Hal Boyle once said, “What makes a river so restful to people is it doesn’t have any doubt—it is sure to get where it is going, and it doesn’t want to go anywhere else.”

But aside from all the metaphors related to a river that feed the soul and replenish lost energy, one can also indulge in an abundant feast that makes the tummy happy. Eating on a scenic river is an idea which sparked the business of Sungayan Grill Floating Restaurant. Opened in 2013, the restaurant embarked on its maiden cruise along the Balingasay River and has become the go-to seafood diner in Bolinao, Pangasinan since then.

How to get there

Once you are in Bolinao, never forget to give this place a try. Before reaching the town proper, turn left on the street located before Carmak. Stay alert and read the signage on either side of the road, which also leads to Patar White Sand Beach, the most frequented spot in the small town.

Entrance to the restaurant is situated a few meters before the bridge over the river.

The pathway made of bamboo will make you appreciate the picturesque view bordering the water.

Finding joy in relocating

"I think we're going to the moon because it's in the nature of the human being to face challenges. It's by the nature of his deep inner soul... we're required to do these things just as salmon swim upstream."

-Neil Armstrong

No one can impede the influx of changes. After all, it's been said over and over that it's "the only permanent thing in the world." Who doesn't know that statement anyway? So often it's been repeated that it's now a cliche.

We can't escape change either. True enough, I myself have become its prisoner. But a happy one at that.

About two months before, the change had been announced. To many, it was a surprise. To a few, it came as a relief. To me, it was some sort of an uncertainty, surfing on the waves of the why's and the what ifs.

I've been relocated to Baguio. I don't know exactly what got into God's mind why He allowed that to happen (not that I question Him for his will), but I obliged, bent my will and proceeded with His plan. At first (maybe even up to now), I saw the situation's ironies. First, even though I love Baguio and its cool weather, view decks and mountains, I didn't consider living in the city. It was only a tourist destination for me that I would visit from time to time; not a home, not a work place.

Second, a fragment of my being which I've already learned to let go and move on from resides in Baguio. A thought crossed my mind: What happens if our paths cross? The city is not as big as Manila, so it's bound to happen--an inevitable encounter if fate finds joy in it and decides to revel in its awful awkwardness.

And third, speaking of Manila, I was re-establishing my life in the big urban jungle. Suddenly, the endeavor came to an abrupt pause and had been edited to change the scene. I was enjoying the lights, tall buildings and the social encounters despite the traffic, pollution and daily rush. I got to know a bunch of crazy people whom I made friends with. I listened to their life stories, issues and struggles, and shared pieces of me with them along the way. All of a sudden, change took me to a place where I can't eat lunch, watch movies, or spend the rest of Saturday afternoon with them by lounging in their cozy condo unit.

Bigger than all of these, though, is the added responsibility handed over to me. Despite the uncertainties it entails, however, I stood and accepted the challenge. Not because I didn't have a choice, but because I also got interested and wanted to know what going out of my comfort zone really means.

Nearly a month since relocating to Baguio, here I am, indulging in the challenging new stint and reveling in the opportunity to develop new skills. Just like what Armstrong said, I went to Baguio City because it's my nature to face challenges, no matter how rough the road may be, no matter how uncertain my daily undertakings may be.

Sure, job becomes more difficult since it's not exactly the field where I'd been trained for four years, but it's a welcome opportunity to test my ability to adapt. Socializing skills are being used more, multitasking is being practiced more often, and the thinking speed is being increased.

And yes, I'm enjoying the picturesque views, breezy mornings, cool summer, and the refreshing greens on the way to work...every day.

Just a few steps from the office, this landscape seen from the view deck of Mines View Park awaits.

Even from the office, eyes can feast on an awesome view--a stress buster.

And who would not be inspired and energized every day if daily commute is like this? Fresh air, no traffic and with lines of trees saying "good morning" along the way.

Or, if wandering at night gives you this sight?

Beauty and the Beast: An enchanting retelling of a familiar love story

Once upon a time, there was a self-centered, haughty prince living in a majestic castle in the middle of the dark woods.

One night, an old woman knocked on the castle's gargantuan door, begging to be accommodated for the night. The prince, selfish as he was, refused to let the old woman stay despite the cold and harsh environment of the forest.

She begged a second time, telling him not to make judgments based on one's appearance, but the prince rejected and banished her. Little did he know that the old woman was an enchantress putting him to test. A few moments later, she transformed to reveal her true self.

Realizing his mistake, the prince knelt before her and begged for her forgiveness. But it was too late. She cast a spell on him and turned him into a hideous beast. The spell would be undone only if he would learn to love and someone would love him in return before the last petal of the rose from the enchantress falls.

Hello, 2015!

Year 2014 was a year of extremes for me. It was a rocky ride on the marvelous path called life and a mixture of the best and the worst. But, as the previous year ended when the clock struck 12, I concluded with a smile that it had been a great year after all.

This year, I look forward to a new series of thrilling adventures and breath-taking discoveries. Continue joining me as I document and savor life bit by bit. Happy 2015!