21stcenturymermaid

[21stcenturymermaid]

Gondo bibi 😍

hello, you too! 💗

[21stcenturymermaid]

I, II, III

This is 3/10 of the best photographs that I’ve taken over the past year.

I. Ah, the city. Let me share you a little story: when I was a kid, I always loved seeing the city fade from my view whenever my aunt would drive home after our family day on Sunday’s. I’d watch the glimmer fade away from my sight and I’ve always wondered if I’ll ever get to go there by myself? And I did. A lot of times with the help of my friends. Every little trip to Manila is always an adventure for me.

II. Another photograph with bunch of skyscrapers. But what’s magical about this photo is this was taken from the hotel we were staying before my aunt’s wedding. The view is perfect, so is the weather and of course, her wedding.

III. So close, yet so far from the glimmering lights.

[21stcenturymermaid]

This is my revival

Revival: “I dive into the future, but I’m blinded by the sun, I’m reborn in every moment, so who knows what I’ll become.” 🌸 What’s next? — two simple words and a question mark. The trouble & surprise that the past few weeks have brought me in made me jump head first to figure out why that two words have been repeatedly playing in my mind over the years. I noticed that in times when I get anxious, I find myself stuck in the thought of that question. In that span of time, I became desperate—always in need, always seeking—for an answer. But let me tell you about my realization as I woke up this morning. I’ve gathered a handful of strength not to ponder over that today. It felt right and it felt good to rather than all of the time, not to have a definite answer and to leave some things unknown and uncertain. I’ve let so many sunrise and sunsets pass by me because I was already thinking about the next day. I was missing the point of having to live in the day and to make something worth remembering. A day is also two words but without the question mark. Let’s not get stuck in doubt. Make a day happen.

[21stcenturymermaid]

Kidlat

Kidlat, oh para kang kidlat, binibini

sa mga hawak mong nakakakilig

at mga halik mong matatamis

Buong balat ko'y nakukuryente

di malaman ang gagawin

Binibini, anong sikreto mo?

Maari bang malaman?

Kung bakit tila sila ay takot sa kidlat mo

Photo by: Ka Roger Sasam

[21stcenturymermaid]

Morning Routine

My morning routine includes: reading woman empowerment quotes. It leaves so much impact to me to read about women of the past and at present with their catching lines on what it takes to be a woman. /They/ inspired me a lot.

Being a woman is risky. You are expected to act and look like a little flower. People will always think and will look at you like you’re the weaker sex because they know that once a woman goes out of her shell, she’s unstoppable. She can join the war wearing her favorite heels and without ruining her hairdo. And that, my friend, is scarier than your nightmares.

[21stcenturymermaid]

This photo was taken before a wild dog suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The wild dog kept on barking at us and it led us out of this beautiful spot. Our hearts were beating so loud and we did everything just to remain calm. And phew! After a few minutes that felt like hours, we all felt relieved because we got out of the place safely and the dog never followed us. Hah! What an experience. This photoshoot with Ka Roger Sasam is definitely a mixture of everything lovely and exciting. I will never ever forget about this day.

Photo taken by: @karogersasam (at a Secret Garden we only know)

[21stcenturymermaid]

Photographs by one of the women I deeply admire, Alea Gaela

Believe it or not, this photoshoot was the first time that I met her. I even concluded that she’ll be posing for the camera too but I was wrong! She’ll photograph me as well. I usually see and work with guy photographers and seeing a woman with so much passion for what is she doing and talent left me in awe. (This also goes out to you, Nikki Genova!) At that time, I was proud to have this experience because that opened up my mind to recognize other women just like her.

So let me dedicate this post to every inspiring woman with so much passion in their hearts. You do you, woman.

[21stcenturymermaid]

4:54 AM

So its almost 5 AM and I found myself here, thinking about you and pouring out my thoughts about you in my litol blog. I had a bad dream and I tried to wake up but I guess you are in a real deep slumber. So I just decided to watch an episode of Gossip to keep the scare away and then I thought of you. I haven’t posted anything about you for a while. About how annoying you could be and at the same time, really sweet. You are one of the greatest treasures I have found. Knowing you and getting to know you more every day is wonderful. You are not just a treasure I found and dug up. Inside the treasure box (inside you), there is always something more. You never fail to amaze me every day and in everything that you do. You are the nicest, most understanding and the most patient person I have ever met and Im very lucky and blessed to have you. That despite all the hurt I put you through, you still managed to stay.

[21stcenturymermaid]

My choice of weapon

To be armed and prepared for the different forces that may knock me down in life is something that I already planned ahead when I was a little kid. I was that girl who always thought straight ahead too much, who dreams a lot, plans a lot, stands up for herself, who’s always so curious and lastly, that girl who was labeled as ‘too independent’ because she’d rather choose to face the world alone. Everything is a lot crazier when you’re a woman, huh?

But let me tell you this, I am proud to be that little girl. I believe there’s nothing ‘too much’ with knowing what you want for yourself. And here we are, I’m sharing this one weapon that keeps me going to face life. Clue? It’s all about learning.

It’s books. I keep my life adventurous from these pages. I read a lot to be informed, to learn or use it as an escape from life. It’s 100% fine to admit that we don’t know a lot of things and that’s what’s keeping life interesting.  

Nothing is more lethal than having a sharp mind that’s filled with overflowing knowledge and creativity.

A mind that can let in the whole universe and js always craving to know more. A mind that’s always ready to learn and accept defeat in the way. Raise your weapons, humans.

(Note: Photo not mine)

[21stcenturymermaid]

Portraits by the talented: Ian Bernabe

I used to have a lot of time to create art with other people. I sometimes stop and sigh because these days, school works are getting the best of my time. I grab the rest of the rare remaining hours some days just to forget about the world and do what I love to do: being in front of the camera and also behind it.

These portraits speaks so much for me. It reminds of the time we shot it: chasing the golden sun and feeling free in my skin.

[21stcenturymermaid]

How lovely and dear it is to find someone who knows what makes you smile.

These photographs were taken by my boyfriend when he went on a vacation with his family in Batanes. He knows how much I adore sceneries so he sent me a lot of photographs. Somehow, it doesn’t just feel like something to make me happy but seeing the beauty, how he judged it through his eyes is so refreshing.

Maybe we’ll see each other soon, Batanes.

[21stcenturymermaid]

11:03 PM — Being good enough

Most of the time, I get so frustrated with myself. I always want to make things right and as much as possible, perfect. But right now, in the middle of all this frustration and stress, I came to realize that: sometimes, being just good at something and being good at what you do is already okay. You don’t have to break and crush your bones just to fit your idea of perfect.

[21stcenturymermaid]

[21stcenturymermaid]

7:58 pm

I’m out at our balcony at the moment. I turned on some music and it just feels better out here. Much colder compared to my room. The heat is becoming unbearable these couple of weeks to the point that I had a hard time sleeping once. But it’s alright. I’d rather not be sleeping well because of the heat than waking up and feeling that familiar pain.

[21stcenturymermaid]

Hi Nea! How are you? I'm from CAC as well and I recognize how much you have changed ever since I left (graduated). Or I just don't know you that much? Idk, I'm not sure tho. Obviously, we're not in the same batch. I hope you're doing fine and all is well. You have dreams and goals to achieve, don't let anybody or even yourself fool you. See you when I see you!

Im doing... okay. How about you? Thank you so much for leaving this message here. This means a lot. I hope I get to talk to you personally! & hope that you’re doing fine as well :) take care, always

[21stcenturymermaid]

:) i can also lend an ear if you want to talk/rant!

i need that so much right now. message me personally if you can!! :(

[21stcenturymermaid]

huuuuug

thank you :”””( this means a lot i swear