God has been so good to me. Let me count the ways and tell you why.
Last year, before the year ended, I found myself in a conversation with Him in a resolution that I will be bolder, in letting go of the things that hold me back, in stepping out in faith with Him, in doing what my heart and soul longs for, and, in living a life in the fullness of Christ. Finally, after taking my sweet time to discern about life and direction, I have come to a resolution that I will make as many memories to fill my days, take every opportunity, and live in the “now”.
I am just so overwhelmed with the experiences that He gave me in the first quarter of the year. He took me back to Cebu during Sinulog to bond with my dear friend, Sheila who was vacationing for 2 months since November, we were supposed to meet in December but you know the Christmas season is so busy.
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| My Dear Friends for Keeps, Juvy missing, insert yourself! :) |
Not just that, I was even able to visit Leyte, Sheila’s hometown. We went around and had fun on the pristine beaches of Cuatro Islas in Inopacan and the now famous Kalanggaman Island in Palompon.
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| Yes, here is our Madam Sheila of Canada and Madam Principal Irene our Driver |
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Unexpectedly, we met Congressman Carlos Cari of the 5th District
and his other politician friends.
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| Jetskiing in Cuatro Islas, Inopacan, Leyte (For FREE, Yahoo!!! Thanks Cong!) |
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| Discovering Kalanggaman Island, Palompom, Leyte |
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| Loving this Island! :) |
When we were back in Cebu, we bond over dinner with some of my cousins, stayed at my ever hospitable cousin April and her hubby Dondon. Then, I went and visited the Miraculous Shrine of Simala, Sibonga together with my Aunt Gemma and her family. It was their first time to visit the place and I bacame their tour guide. Then finally ended my, I think, 2 weeks laag with a free ticket back home thanks to Ate Sharon. Grabe jud si Lord mo hatag ug blessings. It overflows indeed! Nyahaha!
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| Catching up dinner with Aunt Gemma, Uncle Dommy and cousins |
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| Miraculous Shrine of our Lady of Simala |
Then came February, just as I didn’t bother anymore to attend the 24th Singles for Christ – International Conference, He took me to Iloilo! Through brother Ace’s apparition, (Haha, he is inactive naman gud nikalit lang ug kabanhaw) I guess He really wanted me there. Yes, I don’t regret even a bit of it. The theme, “Stand Firm in Faith”, is true in every sense of the word. I am super glad I was able to attend the conference. As another bonus, I was able to visit the lovely islands of Gigantes and Guimaras, as well as bond with my uncle and cousins who I have not seen in a while. I got to see some of my wonderful friends in SFC Cebu and again found myself in Simala the second time, since Ace wanted to go and visit before he leaves for Canada.
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| Gigantes Islands, Iloilo |
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| Tangke, Gigantes Islands |
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| Guimaras Map |
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| The Famous Mango Trademark of Guimaras |
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| Yummy Mango Pizza!!! So Deli! Must try! |
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| Light House, Guimaras, Iloilo |
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| C'mon Le'ts Strike a Pose :) |
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| Bohemian Themed Club Praise |
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| During one of the Conference Sessions |
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| Credo Workshop about Defending our Faith |
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| 5,300 Strong Singles for Christ Worshipping Together |
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| One MetroCatherdal CDO, One Great God! |
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| With Ace and my SFC C2A pretty ladies at the Conference |
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| Bonding over food at Larsian, Cebu City |
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Non-stop Chikka until 1AM :)
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Before heading back home, I took the chance to meet with my good old buddies during my first job in Cebu. We are still very good friends until now. We don't see each other often but you know the feeling as if you were always connected, as if nothing has changed.
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| My Jolly Buddies back in my PeopleSupport days |
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| Smile! Wala si Jo.. Sad.. Maybe next time. |
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| Food is served. Yummy! |
Of course, it’s already March, I was supposed to take a trip to Manila but decided to just stay put. I thought I have gone to quite a number of places in a span of 2 months, I should give it a rest. But, wait there is more! My Dora friend Janet, sent me an invite which I accepted at the last minute. So, this time I was taken to Malaybalay, Bukidnon to witness the amazing mountains, Mt. Kibuwa and Kapayawan Ridge to be exact. Malaybalay is only a few hours away from home. I have been to the city and passed by it a lot. But this time, it was my first time to actually climb a mountain! It was VERY CHALLENGING! (CapsLock and exclamation para intense!) The trail wasn’t for first timers! It is definitely not for amateurs. I believe that it was for the pros.
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| It may look easy here, but trust me, NO, it's NOT!!! |
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| Making Lovely Memories |
The climate was accommodating even if it rained a bit during our descend from Mt. Kibuwa and heavy towards the end of the trail. The guide and locals were saying that even if they climbed the area many years, swerte daw kau mi na group because it was the first time they have experienced the sea of clouds. I thought that was a daily phenomenon. We were told that many wanted to visit there not only aim to see the green scenery of the place but also wanting, hoping, praying to have a glimpse of that sea of clouds.
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| #FeelingAccomplished #GirlPower #AXAbabes :) |
No matter the difficulty of getting there, the slippery slopes, the muddy, rocky, grassy terrain that we step by step conquered. Maskin na umpak ko ika 6, na takilpo ko ika 2, natusok akong kamot ika daghan, na padidit ko sa pangpang na walai masking sagbot, kahoy, or bato na makoptan, as in pure lapok lang, thank God for gloves! But, worth it japon.
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| Cheers to making new friends and climbing mountains! |
First time ever jud ni nko na experience na climb bring a backpack load of almost 35lbs! Dli jud lalim diay ning mg climb climb. Mao na lagi ni wala mn unta me gi.sugo ug katkat sa bukid. Still, super worth it japon.
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| Sea of Clouds - Marvelously Perfect! |
It’s amazing what nature does to you. You feel everything, as in, literally everything - the warm heat of the sun, the pouring of the rain, the cool breeze of the wind, the muscles that tolerate every pain you feel, the sting you get as you grab the next branch you can get your hands on, the drop as you lose your balance going down the slope, the mud that you almost kissed as you slid down the cliff just to keep yourself from falling, the beat of your heart as if coming out of you as you catch your breath.
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| Mt. Kibuwa, Impasug-ong, Malaybalay, Bukidnon |
And, although you might already know, but it makes you realize and ponder more on so many things - that life can be lived simply and peacefully apart from the hustle and bustle of city life if you only choose, that it really is a beautiful world if only we open our eyes and embrace it, that it’s true the best things in life are free, that for every success you have to sacrifice, that it’s not always up nor down it is up AND down, that the cause of conflict is greed and selfishness but if we try to understand we may find peace, that there is a world out there just waiting for us to say “YES” to that next adventure, that indeed, I am super blessed in having to experience every detail of it. And that God never runs out of surprises and generosity in my life. And that, I should always say “YES” to Him because He is just waiting for me, so that with my Yes, I can bask in His riches in glory. And I could not ask for more than this. I am excitedly inspired. Indeed, it’s just PRICELESS.
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| Kapayawan Ridge, Impasug-ong, Malaybalay, Bukidnon |
#Overwhelmed #OverLoved #OverJoyed #AwesomeGod
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Photo credits: Thanks to my good friends Ed, Ming, Harold, Mai, Lau, Ace, Sheila, Janet
