Bente

(how do you properly spell 20 in spanish? Nah, let's just say that's the way we do it here in Manila!)

20. I keep on repeating that number in my head for three days now and it wont't sink in. I think a part of me will forever be stuck in that stage where things will always be okay. I'm honestly scared and I want to refuse the fact that from now on... I need to act more mature and be prepared for what's about to come. I hate to admit that I'm going to enter that part of my life where decisions and actions become EVEN MORE crucial. Everything will be different and I know that I feel like im talking way too serious here but I just feel that I have the need to. I feel like things have to be in order because responsibilities will weigh heavier and I might not be able to accomplish what I'm supposed to do. Maybe, it's because I have an absolute fear of the future, the unknown, or the ones I can never anticipate. But despite all the burden in life, I'm still hopeful that events will turn out the way they ought to be.

Anyway, so...yes I just turned 20. it's been 20 years and i think Im doing quite okay with life - okay, maybe I'm more than okay and Im proud to say that I'm one blessed kid. I can't think of any reason to hate life as a whole. I've told people many times that there's nothing else I need. I have all the Love from my friends and family. I am a witness to my own blessings and I know that my BLESSINGS are more than what I truly deserve (not that I'm complaining :P). So, what more do I have to ask for? Life has been extremely good to me and despite all the trials and hurricanes, God has made a way to make things okay again. BLESSED. That's just it. There's nothing more that can describe my life. I mean, Ive been living a routine so there's nothing gigantically or evidently great about me but I'd like to believe that no natter how infinitesimal my everyday happiness is - its still something worth telling and worth living for. :)

20 seems like a very big number right now. :P

I never celebrate my birthday in a grand way. The last time I treated people out was on my 17th birthday pa, haha! My friends must be complaining big time right now! Sorry, guys! My parents are both out of the country: My mom's in Australia with my brother because it was his graduation last September 24th and my dad's working overseas. It's just me and my sister who are here in the Philippines. My dad kept on saying "wala kami dyan sa birthday mo" and I think he's either sad or regretting that I have no parents physically present with me on my "special day". But I told him that it doesn't make him any less of a father...that I'm blessed to have him...that he doesn't have to feel like there are shortcomings on his part.

I was really sad though because this was the first time ever that my mom was not with me on the day of my birthday. Well, actually, I never felt that it was my birthday because of thesis. It wasn't until the the night of september 25th when John and Arcee spent dinner with me in PepperLunch that I felt the birthday vibe. John told me that it's just a matter of thinking and choice (there goes John's wisdom). It's always good to have friends like them and I'm ultimately thankful for the friendship over the years. I just absolutely love these two.

Oh! and Arcee treated me in Yakimix. Oh, the joy of unlimited sushi and tempura. 

My sister and I celebrated my Birthday two days before and guess where? YABU: THE HOUSE OF KATSU! There's no Joke to the HYPE! My sister also got me a shirt from F21 and shades from Cotton On. Thank you, sister! I love you to the farthest place in the galaxy and back - please don't ever forget that no matter what!

Birthday wish: TOP THE NURSING BOARD EXAM or at least pass it :D

Army Navy MARINES.

NOLAN, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE GOOD TIMES.

Words cannot describe all the memories so let's just make the photos do the talking.

See you real soon, couz! and hopefully, next time, we all get to do this with kuya Yuya, ate Rosal and my brother!

COUSINSSSSS <3

The first two weeks

 I never really liked libraries but spending library time with these people make it seem like one of the funnest things to do in life, Literally and figuratively.

Eileen: What is glucose? Glucose is the ENERGY, BODY AND BRAIN! :))

Ki: Ei, parang mali!

 When 50 pieces of BonChon Chicken is not enough to compensate for the loss of neurons during the stressful IV therapy return demonstrations.

 Sleepovers.

 Banana loaf treat while waiting for Arcee

 Sometimes, Nursing is not about the medical surgical lectures and duties. Sometimes, or most of the time, it's about PIGGING OUT.

The day you realized that you can't do it without coffee.

 I really am grateful for having these wonderful and loka-loka people in my life. Though we don't usually hang  around in school as a group anymore, it's always amazing that everytime we go out it just feels like we share our eveyday lives together.

It's been US. literally. It's been us since 1st year college with J and Kas. We have established what the true meaning of friendship is while others keep on trying to find the right group where they can fit. Some people change their attitude to be in a group but us, we just naturally linked despite the obvious differences in our characters. And, maybe...It wasn't really about saying "I miss you" or "i'll be there for you" right up front. Maybe, It was about shouting "ANG GAGA MO!" or "BAHALA KA DYAN!" or "CHURA MO! BALIW!" or "ANG FEELER MO! BAT KITA MAMIMISS?" OR "TSONG, ANG TABA MO NA!" or whatever cursing words you have.

People find it verbally harsh but WE know that behind those words is the sincerity that we'll be right there, that we'll understand each other, that we'll love TO THE CORE and that we'll dare bring out our inner repapeeps and kanto ugali just to protect each other from anyone who tries to fight us (taking into consideration that we are on the right side :P). Elites (Btw, screw the person whoever named us that) or not Elites, I'm more than happy to be a part of this barkada. I love each and everyone of you to bits and pieces. 

The Beginning

I have an overwhelming  and overflowing passion for education and environmental conservation. It just saddens me and somehow makes me hypocritical that I still haven't had the time or chance to choose a tangible recipient of my purpose. I keep nagging people to make a change yet I, myself, haven't done something that is worth remembering. I haven't pioneered a project that would make a relevant difference in the lives of others.

Yesterday, I browsed over the blog of Anna Oposa of Save Philippine Seas and with just a couple of posts I was ultimately inspired. In one of her interviews, she stated that the worst environmental issue is not pollution or global warming but APATHY and when people do not care about the things that are around them that's when all the problem begins. She further added that her goal is to make people care and to create a generation of Filipinos who care about a country. 


So undeniably true. Apathy and indifference must stop RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT. It's shameful to not care at all despite the wrongs that have been constantly damaging our surroundings. I think it's time to act. I have been postponing things and setting aside the more important projects because of my lame excuses. I am busy, but with the right time management and self discipline, I know my plans will push through and contribute to the greater good. I need to make sure that by the end of this year, my scratch paper notebook project will happen. By the end of this year, I must be able to have a target population for my "Life in a Box" project. 


I believe that I have been blessed with so many talents and it's just right that I use these talents to influence others, ignite a fire, and create a ripple that will eventually reach the unreachable. I will be an instrument of Hope. Pride, prejudice, materialism and envy must end right now. Simplicity and humility must rise above all else. <3

“Hope has two beautiful daughters: their names are anger and courage. Anger that things are the way they are. Courage to make them the way they ought to be.” - St. Augustine

"Mister!", he said with a sawdusty sneeze,

"I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees.

I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues

I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues

And I'm asking you, sir, at the top of my lungs" 

He was very upset as he shouted and puffed 

"What's that THING you've made out of my Truffula tuft?"

I am the Lorax! I speak for the trees,

Which you seem to be chopping as fast as you please;

But I also speak for the brown Barbaloots,

Who frolicked and played in their Barbaloot suits,

Happily eating Truffula fruits.

Now, since you've chopped the trees to the ground

There's not enough Truffula fruit to go 'round!

And my poor Barbaloots are all feeling the crummies

Because they have gas, and no food, in their tummies.

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,

nothing is going to get better. It's not.

Speeding Cars

I plan to finish all my things to do list in 24hours straight. It's actually quite impossible but I'll make use of all the time I have. It's been really hard for me to prioritize my duties and responsibilities as a student. It's even harder now because every step I take will not only affect me but everyone else in the group. It has been extremely exhausting the past few days and I know that the next few weeks (or months?) will be tougher. Ill drink more coffee than usual, eat more or eat nothing at all, sleep in class, not be able to study for quizzes, sacrifice movie dates for communication letters etc. For some, they say that I'm stupid for taking on big responsibilities when I can just sulk and be a bum. It is true. I, myself, find "me" crazy... but working for others or for a bigger purpose is something that makes me happy. I am truly blessed to be able to see how the very small things in life can be important parts of the bigger picture. I know that everything I am doing now contributes to the making of my vision  and accomplishment of my missions and goals (haha, parang student handbook lang ba?).

It's always heart fulfilling to know that I'm working for a purpose and not merely doing things because im required to. There's no guarantee that things will be easier or fun but the process will surely make me a better person and that, for me, is important. 


I'd really love to tell more about the first week of senior life but there's still way too much unfinished papers to work on.

A father's day Tribute.

There is a man - strong, faithful and valiant - who would courageously cross the vast oceans carrying with him his lonely and home sicked heart warmed and consoled only by the array of constellations in the black sky. The ever so present sound of the ship engine makes him remember that he is a man, a father, a husband and a son who needs to sacrifice his petty happiness to earn a living for his family. The gentle waves ease the solitary passer-by in the middle of Pacific who wishes nothing but to go home. Every 6 months, he would leave in the busy city of Manila his loving wife and 3 children. His journey across the seas made him regret a lot of things.  

His profession denied him of seeing his children at graduation day, being at their birthday parties and spending special holidays with the whole family. This man never witnessed how his children grow or how his wife was being the best at her profession. He is only able to see his children through their voices over the phone from the other side of the world. Hearing his wife’s not-so-gentle but loving voice gives him the strength and energy to continue. This man misses the feeling of being hugged, being taken care of and being in good company. He rarely gets the chance to make a phone call. He gets worried every minute thinking if everyone back home is ok. It saddens him even more when his loved ones get sick and he can’t be there physically but only financially. Amidst the unforgiving workplace, he continued to sail because there are people who need him. This man works as a seafarer. This man is my dad.

Technically, I have spent half of my life without my father at my side. Having no dad for 5-6 months a year is terribly despairing. However, as I was growing, I realized that it was even more painful for him. My dad who appears to be so manly happens to cry at the airport every time he leaves for work. Sometimes, he would just wish to stay but that would mean sending me and my siblings to public schools, living in a small house, giving a lot of burden to my mom, no medications for my grandparents, etc. We need money. So, reality says he has no choice.

My dad has sacrificed a lot of things in life (His dreams, his own happiness) like the other hundreds of seafarers in the world. The mental strength needed at the sea is far greater than anything you can imagine. Some of you would probably get dizzy in just a few hours stay on the ship and some would go crazy with boredom. What more for days? Weeks? Months? What more during the freezing breeze of winter, the intolerable heat of summer and the wrath of typhoons? My dad was able to survive all that. My dad crosses the waters and he never let it break him or push him down.  He works hard not for his own good but for me, for my siblings, for my mom, for our relatives.

Even though my dad was not physically present all the time, he made sure that family time is very well spent when he’s home.  He makes potato salad, French toasts, buys milk and makes sure that we all go to church every Sunday. Sometimes, my dad makes a good housewife than my mom. I’m guessing it’s like that with all seafarers. My dad’s brothers are all seafarers as well and I think it’s a common trait that they can be the sweetest thing on Earth – my dad being the sweetestest.

This coming seafarers’ day, I would like to give a salute to all the seafarers around the globe. Your job is no way easy. Your dedication is boundless. Your perseverance is immeasurable. You sacrifices are unfathomable. Your strength is massive. Your faithfulness is beyond what mine can comprehend. Your bravery in facing the danger of each day is astounding. Your love is unconditional. All of these are written in the sea foams of the shore, echoed by the chirps of the birds flying in the docks, lighted by the North star and told countless of times by the thousands of waves you have met throughout your journey. May the world be inspired by your stories!

I love you.

Blog Challenge!

1. Write some basic things about yourself
2. your day, in great detail
3. Five places you want to visit
4. Do you read? What are your favourite books?
5. Three things you want to say to different people
6. If you could only live off of one food and one beverage for the rest of your days, what would they be?
7. If the world were to end tomorrow, what would you do with your remaining time on earth?
8. What do you want to be when you get older?
9. A letter to someone. Anyone
10. Seven things that cross your mind a lot
11. What are some little things that make you feel warm and fuzzy
12. Something you’re currently worrying about
13. A quote you try to live by
14. Five weird things that you like
15. Your current relationship status,  if single discuss how single life is.
16. 5 things you want to change
17. Something you're not proud of
18. The last argument you had
19. In the past month, what have you learned?
20. Something you can never be tired of doing
21. A photograph of yourself and list three good things that have happened today
22. What kind of person attracts you
23. Your best friends
24. Your diet
25. Thoughts about school
26. Your fears
27. What you wear
28. Your parents
29. Something that makes your cry
30. Your favourite memory