The Zoom Year

The eruption of Taal volcano in January was already a signal towards a challenging year. Who would have thought? We're all caught off guard with the lockdown announcement due to COVID-19. From merely four patients in March to thousands and people dying every day. Businesses closed, lost jobs and frontliners crying out to STAY HOME.

Zoom became an instant medium for everyone not just for business but more so to move on in our everyday lives. We're able to secure families, learn a new hobby, connect with our loves ones, listen to inspirational stories, attend classes, celebrate milestones, e-meetings and work from the comforts of our home.

While it helped us in many ways to continue our work online, it has given us the ability to connect more in real life. TIME for ourselves and the people who matter to us. 

There's also a realization that each individual is equal whoever you are and wherever you may be. 

We became kinder.

Learn to appreciate the value of health, life insurance and savings. 

The blue skies and each growing plant in our home garden brought us a different joy. 

We've posted a lot of our throwback photos and beach vacations while imagining the day when can finally travel again.

We keep on praying for this pandemic to end. 

Zoom in. Still, 2020 is a Good year. 

I am a Marathoner

A full marathon is every runner's dream. It wasn't for me at first until I saw a random post in IG about the Dream Marathon. The story of each dreamer encouraged me to join and the fact that I will be running along first and second time marathoners.  

A few weeks into the training program, found myself enjoying the journey and always looking forward to Sunday LSDs. Met a lot of new and experienced runners and running buddies turned good friends. Bulls of High Street was born.

Drawing close to race day, Taal volcano erupted. It has surprised everyone. Then, the change of venue to Clark, Pampanga from Filinvest City in Muntinlupa. But, we didn't stop running. 

Twenty two weeks of training, Taal ashfall, plus Covid -19. Still, we showed up.

It is like getting to 21KM through 32KM to realize you will make it.

It is picking yourself back up a hundred times when it feels like someone smashed your feet to smithereens and you're running out of steam.

It is putting a smile on your face and a sigh of relief while you think of what you've been through just to get to the last 200 meters and you can see the banner waiting for you at the finish line. 

February 16, 2020

Clark, Pampanga

Bib# 0515

42.195KM

06:55 

The Bull Runner Sun Life Dream Marathon 2020 finisher

A Decade of Love

 

Ah it's been a decade of sharing a life less ordinary stories to you all. Cheers! A lot has happened in the past 10 years since this page was born and we're now facing a very challenging time. Some maybe hoping for the year 2020 to end while having coffee in their balcony or in a little corner of their home turned office right now. 

But for someone like me who's been through a lot in past and survived, all I can say is: this too shall pass and you'll look back years from now feeling grateful and proud for allowing yourself to experience and accept what life brings you. 

Take risks, see places, dream big and be who you are wherever you go and whatever life brings you. Live a Life Less Ordinary. xoxo

#LifeWorkBalance

#LifeWorkBalance is the #newnormal. Introducing...my mini home office! Yey! As they say, having a job in this time of pandemic is a privilege but I'd say it's a Blessing. Just thankful that I'm still able to help others with the kind of job and business that I have started in 2019. God made me a very busy person last year to prepare a way for me to sustain and nourish it this year. What an amazing God we have. Let's all #stayathome as much as possible for our frontliners and more importantly for our family. 

 

Bulls of High Street first CSR in BGC

In our own little ways, we're able to give back to the community and most of all to the frontliners/police officers/guards around BGC. 

Shoutout to our co-BHS member Arwyn who initiated this event and for our very nice shirts! Team Bulls of High Street for selflessly dedicating your precious time, resources and for simply showing up to help. 

Jollibee 1000th store for preparing the orders early given the short notice.

'Til our next CSR!

Keep smiling, Noy

I'm sure you've read about where Duyan Cafe is, how to get there and what's in this another coffee haven in Silay. So for this post, I'd like to give the credit to the person who voluntarily brought me there - Noy RJ.

He was born and race in La Carlota City. We became friends simply because we're office mates back TIP in 2017.  When I learned that he's from Bacolod, I told him that I have been wanting to travel to the city of Smiles to see the Ruins and to try their local dishes and pastries. "Ako bahala Day pag napunta ka Bacolod at nagkataon na andun ako." he said with excitement. That conversation led to different topics about life, nick shirts, hugot songs and dreams...and Diego- the orphaned cat he found in the street while heading home one afternoon. As of this writing, Diego is already in a safe, peaceful place. He died in La Carlota just last year. Noy RJ resigned in May 2018 and went back to his hometown where he found the love of his life- Jenna. They are now living happily with their son. 

Noy, damo gid salamat sa oras mo (can hear myself trying hard to speak Hiligaynon😂). I am glad to have a friend who's always delighted to see me everytime I'm in Bacolod. I am happy that your heart is very happy now. Keep smiling😊

Photo above is the wooden figure who will greet you as you enter Duyan cafe. Most of the time he's chilling in the balcony observing you as you sip your favorite iced tea or hot coffee. Photo below was taken just across Duyan cafe. Since I am not endorsing the cafe, I told Noy RJ that I wanted to have a photo of the sugarcane plantation instead with the mountain in the background.

Love and light, from the Sugar Capital of the Philippines!

Places of My Year 2019

1. Valencia, Negros Oriental

perimeter fence at the Sulfur vents of Valencia

2. Dumaguete City

something new at Dumaguete boulevard

3. Siquijor

4. Intramuros, Manila

after our baking class at Lyceum CI in Intramuros. Say hi! to Anna.

5. The Fort, BGC

post Sunday morning run near Track 30th