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bandaidsforaids · 5 years ago

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Two Ghosts

Note to the reader: This is a travel essay I had passed already. Originally, this was a test blog, but it fit the theme of my blog so much that I decided to keep it. This is not part of the five essays to be graded for this blog. It’s like a free taste of my writing - devour it, enjoy it.

It had been one week since.

I was in a 13C jeepney, somewhere in between a classmate and someone else. That someone else could have been anyone - a boy wearing a face mask or a girl clutching her Jansport backpack or a child and his mother or his father or hers. Whoever it was, I wouldn’t have known. All I knew was, in that moment, I was staring at the distance as the scenery shifted passed me rapidly. The gasoline station with a couple taxi drivers smoking. The carinderia that housed an annoyed woman swatting flies with her hand. The group of boys coming from their own school, enjoying the walk to wherever. My eyes observed these things, but, if you had snapped your fingers in front of my face, I doubt I would have blinked.

Because my mind was elsewhere.

My mind was sat in an audio visual room, somewhere in between an uninterested college kid and a chatty high school student. Then you over there. You with your ribbed t-shirt and denim skirt. You, getting awarded for having joined a Mathematics quiz bowl. You, smiling for the camera, as I hollered your name from where I was, phone out to film you. You, walking back to me with a playful smile, waving your hand at my camera, telling me to stop.

And we did. We did stop.

“We’re here,” my classmate Anika poked me. As I exited that jeepney with ten of my classmates following suit, and the cloud of black smoke pumping from it vanished, I saw the logo of your school and thought: I’m back. I’m here. In this now-haunted place.

In big, bold letters: University of San Carlos.

Now, mind you, I was there for research. My group wanted to find non-online sources to back our study. It’s just a twist of fate that your school happened to have the biggest library in Cebu (or at least that’s what you told me). Four levels high and digitally advanced - computers flocked the place for identity scanning and resource finding. Nothing like in my school. Your library was so big, they allowed food inside. Your library had dining areas and couches and chat rooms and books of all age and race - first floor: References; second floor: Fiction; third floor: Sciences; fourth floor: Humanities. And that was just one side. The other side was for the Filipiniana section where all the theses and research papers laid to rest, to be brought back to life by the likes of me. Your library was a labyrinth. Did you know that?

Of course you do. Because you were the one who brought me here in the first place.

“After we go to my block, I’ll show you that - our library,” you said as you pointed towards an anomaly of a structure. USC seemed to have no architectural coherence. Every building felt out of place. I didn’t like the look of it at first glance, but you looked so proud pointing it out to me that all prejudgment fell to the hands of pure, undeniable affection.

“Is that it?” Edric asked, pointing to a brown building that sat beside a large patch of grass. It was an understandable mistake. Nothing here made sense. “No,” I told him. “That’s the humanities department. They have book sales there every now and then.” They all stared at it, amazed. I was shocked too - who knew borrowing your words would come so easy to me?

Everyone wowed at the sight of the glassy library as the jeep stopped and ushered us out. I was at the forefront when we approached it. Men ready to embark on a journey - making jokes, pointing at things, laughing. I was laughing too. Nervous laughter. Because when we entered the library it almost felt like a hurricane had befallen.

God, if only it was that easy.

God, if only I had not been thrown into a sea of green uniforms, into a sea of people who chattered and murmured like you. If only I had not been so delusional to assume you would be there, sitting with your friends, with your green polo and skirt, facing me when I arrived, like you had been waiting for me to appear.

Anika had to break me from my trance. “Let’s do this quick. I have to go in a while.”

Oh yes, she was meeting up with her friend Mayol to attend the novena mass in Sto. Nino.

Actually, she was meeting up with your classmate Mayol. Your friend Mayol. I recalled the time you got mad at me for not remembering the names of your friends. Lucky for you, however, I did my homework - I remember Mayol. You’ve done it. Assigned me an insignia. The ability to know names I could never place to faces. Names I can only place to the memory of you.

I thought of all this in the ten minutes it took to scan through three computers for possible resources. In the end, we only came out with two. A thesis and a book - both on the fourth floor. I guided Anika to the stairs, discussing our game plan to find books, when someone broke us off.

“Mayol!” Anika shouted, running towards the girl in question. I was too scared to look back, thinking maybe you were there beside her. Thinking maybe Mayol had told you and you decided you would come along. To talk to me. In the flesh.

But I looked back and it was just her. In a hug with Anika. Her face dug into her shoulders until her eyes met mine. And she knew. She knew who I was.

But did she know what had become of us?

In the jeep, I had given Anika the permission to discuss the sensitive topic. It was their first line of conversation as the three of us made our way up to the fourth floor. I made sure to keep a distance from them, but still I remained attentive to what they were saying. I wanted to know what Mayol would say. I wanted to know if they will be your words coming out of her mouth.

Yet, all I heard was Anika’s confused voice saying, “You didn’t know?”

Then Mayol, glancing carefully at me, whispered, “She never mentioned it.”

It came off her tongue so easily. I journeyed up the stairs faster, passing each level, barely reading the signs. I reached the fourth level, a dead end. As I entered the room to the humanities section, a distinctive jingle from chimes rang in my ear. For a second, I stopped thinking and just let it ring.

You know me, I’m not the type to lose my focus when I need it. But this time it took every single piece of me not to detract from my research. I was reading out every letter, every number on those book shelves precisely, trying not to hear the words from Mayol’s mouth replay.

You. Never. Mentioned. It.

How could you, after two years of being together, not ever have mentioned it? To your “friend”? I sat down, flipping through the book I needed while Anika and Mayol fled to find the thesis paper. They had to go in a while. Good, I thought, I’ll be all alone as usual.

I did my best to focus on the book at hand, but my eyes were getting glassy. I turned on the fan to escape the heat, but the whole room seemed to burn around me. Then, in a hurry, Anika slammed the thesis on my table. I looked up at her and she said anxiously: “We have to leave. I hope you’re okay.”

“Can we hug?” I asked you. It was 4:00. Our day in the sun was coming to a close. We had just finished taking photographs next to the cornelia flowers besde the humanities building. We had finished scouring your arena (which you claim is “huge”). We had finished buying Real Leaf and Coca Cola from your canteen, finished sitting on the first floor of the building nearest the gate. Your car was here. My Angkas was on its way. I don’t even recall when we last hugged.

“We’re in school, Aidan,” you said. “I don’t think it’s appropriate.”

I looked sadly at the floor. I wore my favorite shirt to meet you.

“Plus, I have to leave.” You read my gloomy appearance. “Are you okay with that?”

“I’ll be fine,” I told Anika. I smiled to cement it. I don’t think she trusted my word, but she left anyways. And, yes, I sat there, only then realizing I was indeed alone in the fourth floor, and I began to pace the room. I felt like a ghost. I was walking through the halls of the library, passing the chipped shelves and dusty books, passing the diorama of the history of the Philippines and the Supreme Court, passing the dirt-filled windows that separated me from the gorgeous landscape of Cebu City, and I could not contain myself. I was breathing heavily, trying to match my breath with my heartbeat. I could not keep myself at one place. My feet were moving on their own. My ears ringing. My mind chasing my feet. You didn’t care. By the end of it all, you just stopped caring. Two years and every evening you told me you loved me, but, somewhere along the way, that must have faded. I don’t know when it did. I doubt I’ll ever know. I doubt that if I had not come here to this cursed school I would have ever known you had stopped caring. Because you didn’t bother. And I wish you had told me you didn’t sooner so I didn’t have to bother either.

I looked at the floor beneath me. I thought of the height I was on, like I was on an airplane with the ground so far beneath me. I thought that if I grabbed a hammer and smashed the tiles to pieces, dug a hole that reached the bottom of this school, if I unwired every plug here, uprooted every plant, bulldozed every building, scraped this entire place off - would it stop being so haunted? Would the ghosts of you and I vanish? If I broke every glass window in this very building, ripped the spines off the pages of each book here - would it take away the moments we spent? Would it make you vanish, finally…

Or would it make you stay?

The jingle of the door rang. I crouched behind one of the shelves. For a second there I swore I saw your figure. I swore I saw your signature walk, your casual hair flip, your minute stature. For a second there I swore I saw the girl who I spent two years of my life madly in love with. For a second there I swore I was going to leap from where I was and embrace you and for a second there I swore you would have embraced me too.

But, no. In between the shelves, the figure came to focus and it wasn’t you. Up to this day, I still don’t know who it was. I just remember standing up from where I was, walking quickly towards the door, and letting the jingle of its chimes ring in my ear one last time.

I sat on the second floor, the portion of the library where we were allowed to dine and I watched Nightcrawler. My friends would try to open conversation with me in between their book-finding, but it would be short and pointless. They came and went, each hugging me before they left, until, eventually three of us were left in a dim-lit, closed library.

There were no more jeeps to accommodate Edric, Chantal, and I for our ride going back to the gate. So we walked. The three of us walked the stone-paved roads you and I walked when we were here. We passed by all the landmarks - the humanities building, the canteens (your school had a lot), the arena. Snapshots of the both of us would appear from time to time. Your voice. Your hands. Your laugh. A supercut of the two of us here. When I passed by the same bunch of cornelia flowers we had taken pictures with last time, I dared to pick one out, plant it on the ground, and drag my shoes on it. To destroy the flower from petal to pistil to stem. To let its pollen drown on the floor, break out into the air.

But beautiful things like those didn’t deserve to be disrespected.

As the three of us stood outside the gate waiting for our cars, I told Chantal all about what had happened on the fourth floor. She sympathized with me and her sympathy reminded me of something she used to say before: “In ten years, you’ll forget this. None of this will matter.”

But maybe I won’t. Maybe I won’t not because I can’t, but because I don’t want to. Because what we had was first love. What we had was magic and pain and overflowing emotion.

What we had was beautiful.

And I wasn’t going to disrespect that by forgetting it.

So, here, I write this to immortalize you. To immortalize us. To immortalize my journey back to the place that once contained our love. I write this to immortalize us, so we can no longer be ghosts roaming around the same empty, haunted halls of University of San Carlos.

We would just be humans. Two separate humans. You. And I.

And, for a second there, I decided I could live with that.

I hopped inside my car when it arrived, brought my head to the window, and watched as your school got smaller and smaller, until, finally, finally, I couldn’t see it anymore.

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nationalcrisis · 3 years ago

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2014: Inherited A billion, gadgets, Language study, repair teeth

2015: Travels to visa-free countries whole SEA countries, travel a lot, thesis, study very very super hard, manage the house to be titled and Ate Annie’s plot, underarm laser treatment, buy a condo in Baguio,driver’s license, buy a car, campaign against Duterte, pass CSE exam, teeth repair, start National Crisis web series

2016: Best thesis award, graduate, Law school acceptance in Ateneo, Travel to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Roxas won and Leni, buy condo in QC, enroll Ran in an int’l school,review for psychometh exam, take JLPT 5 and French 1 and pass, travel to Finland with family, study law, drawing lessons for comics National Crisis

2017: Study Russian, travel to France, Spain, Italy for the whole summer, buy property in Makati, hire a building manager, house renovation, study hard for second year of LS, travel to Batanes and Boracay for christmas fam, take an exam for JLPT4 and French 2, eye laser treatment, liposuction, underarm treatment again, Greater NCR travel with Mansoor, studyblr youtube

2018: nose lift, dimple construction, Russian exam, JLPT 3 exam, French 3 exam, travel to Germany, Hungary,Austria, Slovakia, Belgium and Russia in summer alone, send Ran to egypt for summer, enroll Ran to Ateneo High School, buy a Maserati bike, buy an Audi, travel to Batanes with Mansoor, 3rd year in LS, learn golf, House renovation, buy Batangas property, enrol ran in sports club

2019: ran’s second year hs, Japan again to practice japanese live there for the remainder of summer with Ran, then stay in France, send Ran to pampanga, 4th year LS student, travel blog montage, Russian exam, French exam, buy a Cebu house property, hire a caretaker, travel to Palawan with Mansoor

2020: make a contact tracing app, “Tracy” improve with an errand option for those who needs something but can’t go out and someone who needs to make money, recommendation from government, graduate law school with honors, travel to Belgium, buy another larger car, organize and mobilize to help especially homeless people, and people who cannot go home to their provinces and no job, improve Tracy App, hire an app expert, MarLeni gov’t is doing well but still with the criticisms, PH a model country, own testing kits given free to every citizens, Bar exams prep, ran grade 9, Aseel born, go to Dubai for Xmas

2021: Vaccines, Bar exams, buy another property at Pasig, apply for student Visa as Erasmus scholar of international law in Berlin, exams and arrange visa req’ts, Sally and Aseel come home to Philippines, goes to Berlin, top 8 bar exams, National Crisis becomes pop. With traffic to the website, Ate Annie won’t die, transfer property to manong Uly, start studying International Laws in Berlin, continue drawing, learn german, JLPT 2, French 3, Russian 4, rest National Crisis to focus on studying, yoga class, thesis. Won booker Prize, PH elections again

2022: Leni wins for presidency against BBM. Larger push back against misinformation. Graduates from Berlin. Helping Leni win against BBM. Goes home to practice in Cordillera.

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mayannportfolio · 4 years ago

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May Ann Doña Francisco

Age: 35

Birth Date: June 12, 1985

Address: Zone 6, Bulua, Cagayan De Oro City, Misamis Oriental

Country: Philippines

Email Add: [email protected]

Career Objective:

To contribute my skills and education for business development with the chance to function effectively in a fast paced, technological, and competitive work environment.

Education & College:

USW30x: Tangible Things: Discovering History Through Artworks, Artifacts, Scientific Specimens, and the Stuff Around You , April 2021

Harvard University

United States Of America - USA

Education & College:

Bachelor of Science major in Psychology, March 2006

Xavier University – Ateneo De Cagayan

Philippines

Skills:

1. Research Writing

o Gathered data/facts thru interviews and surveys coming from the respondents covered for the study.

o Applied psychological operations and theories upon interpreting the results obtained.

2. Organize

o Make sure that all documents are well arranged.

o Maintain the orderliness and cleanliness of my working area.

3. Interpersonal Skills

o Serves clients/customers to satisfy their expectations

o Communicate ideas and works with men & women from diverse backgrounds.

o Coordinate with my fellow co-worker for work completion.

4. Arithmetic/Mathematics

o Perform Basic computation and approaches practical problems by choosing appropriate mathematical techniques.

5. Microsoft Office tools applications and program operations.

o Excel

o Word

o PowerPoint

6. Ability of using the following program module:

o Service Advisor Module

o Job Order Module

o Billing Assistant Module

7. Perform Basic SEO and Social media Optimization

o Twitter

o Stumbleupon

o Facebook and etc.

Working Experience:

Company Assignments/Position Inclusive Dates

1.) Online Jobs Online Jobs/ Freelance Works Jan 2020 – up to present

Video Ad Watching

Product Tester ( Home Tester Club)

2.) Creative Outsource Solution Virtual Assistant Oct – Nov 2018

(COS) And Magis

Researcher And Writer

Responsibilities:

Research quotes to use for posting.

Wrote some articles for blog promotion.

Social Media Marketer And Manage Accounts

Responsibilities:

Market or promote the fan pages of the client and company.

Manage the account of the client’s social media accounts through posting articles, links, and graphic content.

3.) Freelance Worker Content Writer Nov 2011 – up to present

Various Websites

Job Functions

Freelance Worker

Responsibilities:

Research and wrote articles about maternity dresses, about pregnancy topics and etc.

Spinning some articles especially topics discussing child online privacy and safety.

Wrote topics about exercise equipments, face cleaners, wristbands silicone bracelets, desk organizers, desk planners, door hangers, cosmetic tools, cosmetic bags, candle holders, candle lights, brush with mirrors, candle covers, mugs, spooner mugs, buying guide and etc.

Do blog commenting or blog posting.

Do forum posting.

Freelance Writer And Marketer On All Womens Talk Website

Wrote and submit various articles on All Women’s Talk Website.

Wait for the approval of my articles.

Do marketing to various social media networking accounts once my article piece received an approval.

4.) Komodo Researcher July 2017- Sept 2017

Job Function:

A. Researcher

Responsibilities:

Research different brands in UK, Australia, US, and etc through Instagram. researching various brands related to accessories, apparel (Clothing), shoes, jewelry, automotive, mobile phone, plane, boats, water jets, helicopter or chopper and etc through using Instagram.

o Write the research data into the Microsoft excel and submit.

Do commenting on Instagram users.

Promote Komodo Facebook Fan page and website

5.) Art Loft Asia Artist / Curator Dec 2016 – up to present

6.) My Pharmacy Visit Content Writer June 2013- May 2016

Job Function:

Responsibilities:

o Update the pharmacy web blogs content with science news about Medicare, latest treatment develop, Medicaid, drug interactions, and other health issues.

o Search for photos to be included in my article posting.

o Do online research that can serve as reference for My Pharmacy Visit web blogs.

o Do a wide range of research and data gathering.

7.) Freelance Worker Content Writer Nov 2011 – May 2016

Various Websites

8.) DN Distribution Center, Inc. Accounting Clerk/Personnel Feb 2014-June 2014

Job Function:

A. Assist in the recruitment process.

B. Prepare the payroll report of employees.

C. Update the leave monitoring data.

D. Prepare the tardiness memo.

E. Assist the employees in filing SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-ibig documents.

F. Monitor the office supply stocks and buy the necessary items.

G. Prepare the newly hired recommendation letter of appointment and other written personnel request that needs approval from the head office.

H. Frequently update and file the necessary documents.

I. Assist in filing PO’s and organize according to series number.

J. Follow-up important documents to the different branches or plant especially in the head office.

K. Fax and print important documents.

9.) Varal Ltd. Web Content Writer/ Web Marketer Aug 2010- Oct 2011

Job Function:

A. Freelance online writer and marketer

B. Perform search engine optimization and social media optimization.

o Twitter

o Stumbleupon

o Facebook and etc.

C. Virtual Assistant

Responsibilities:

o Update business and web blogs content especially dealing about offshore and onshore banking.

o Search for photos and videos for article posting inclusion.

o Do wide range of online research and data gathering as basis upon updating blog sites.

o Interact with various people virtually through upon promoting web blogs.

o Use the social media tools upon promoting several websites or links professionally.

10.) KMPH Web solution Web Content Writer/ Web Marketer Nov 2007-July 2010

Job Function:

A. Freelance online writer and marketer

B. Perform search engine optimization and social media optimization.

o Twitter

o Stumbleupon

o Facebook and etc.

C. Forum Posting Jobs

D. Virtual Assistant

10.) Cebu Southern Motors (Isuzu) Personnel/Admin Asst/Cashiering Jan 2007-Nov 2007

Job Function:

A. Billing Staff May -Nov 2007

B. Administrative Assistant April-May 2007

C. Receptionist/Information March-April 2007

D. Personnel Assistant Jan-April, 2007

Awards Received:

First Runner-Up of the BINET 2005 Quiz Bowl: The Official Academic Quiz Bowl of Xavier University Psychology Society for Academic Year 2005-2006

Conventions/Seminars Recently Attended:

o An Interactive Guide to Experimental Psychology Research Paper Writing

Dec. 1, 2004

o The Experimental Psychology Best Papers of SY 2003-2004 forum

Nov. 7 & 14, 2004

o Moving Forward, The Developmental Changes of the New Age, the 3rdXavier University Psychology Society Convention

Nov. 20, 21, 2004

3rd Mindanao Bloggers Summit

Oct. 24-25, 2009

Blogging 101 (Social Media Customization)

May 23, 2009

Social Media, SEO Public Relations & Blogging And Internet Marketing

Oct. 22, 2011

Organizations:

Xavier University Alumni Association (Member)

Circulo de Arte (Art Club) - Alumni

- 2004-2006 (Member)

Xavier University Psychology Society (Alumni)

- 2002-2006 (Member)

Philippine Blogger Association / International Blogger Association (Member)

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jovelynbmateo · 4 years ago

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Get Your Dream Home With Lumina Homes This 2021

Make your dream of owning a new home happen this 2021 with Lumina's affordable house and lot offers.

Lumina Homes was founded in August 2012 in response to the national government's call for private developers to help resolve the country's rising housing backlog, especially in the mass market segment.

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cedriclucero · 2 years ago

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It is a great pleasure to receive this award. 😍 Thank you so much, Best Cebu Blogs Awards, for the recognition. 🏆 I would also like to thank my family, friends, followers, readers, and of course, my kinakusgan na content writer of CebuStreetJournal.com, Arnel Manahan. To all the organizers and sponsors of the Cebu Blogs Awards, thank you. ❤️ #BCBA2022 #TopCebuBloggers (at Talamban, Cebu City, Philippines) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmVhBhWy6Z2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#bcba2022 #topcebubloggers

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dakilanglaagan · 5 years ago

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The Ugly Truths of Blogging

It’s so easy to make a blog. You simply choose a hosting site, create an account, and then poof! Congratulations, you are now a blogger! From there, you begin to share your thoughts online, link with other people in the blogosphere, earn readers and followers, and if lucky enough, connect with brands for ambassadorship. No sooner, you’ll be invited for media conferences, product launch,…

View On WordPress

#blog #blogger #dakilanglaagan #bcba #best cebu blog awards #best cebu photo blog #cebu blogger #life #mobile photography #nature photography #personal #struggles of blogging #the ugly truths of blogging #what they dont tell you about blogging #wild hearts

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akocomyk · 7 years ago

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My 2017 Crisis

No. That’s not mid-life crisis. I’m not even halfway there yet.

Ever heard of the term Quarter-life Crisis? That’s what I’m talking about. My friend, Wiki, describes it as a period of life, ranging from twenties to thirties, in which a person begins to feel doubtful about their own lives, brought on by the stress of becoming an adult.

#Adulting is difficult. And really, this was the point where I really don’t know what to do with my life.

Anyhow. This is...

My Annual Blog for the 10 Most Memorable Moments of the Year

This is the fifth year (hooray for the achievement!) of me doing this blog. The first time I did this was for the year 2013.

2017 was a very boring year for me. There were only 13 memories in contention for the top ten, and I just felt indifferent for every single one of them. Remember last year? I had 17 memories then, and it was so difficult for me to determine which ones should get in and shouldn’t. I wanted every single memory to be in the top ten, and I didn’t even know how to rank them. This year? Every memory was dispensable. Like I didn’t really care if this one gets in or that one does not. The grading system I made last year was practically useless. I wished I could just not write this blog this year, but it would be a regretful shame for me.

Here goes the sh*t.

(I also used a rating system for this but I don’t think it’s relevant for this year anymore since I practically rearranged them consciously the way wanted them anyway)

My First Blood Donation (July 21)

Knowing the tons qualifications needed for a person to donate blood, I was actually surprised that I’m healthy enough—and safe enough—to donate my blood. A huge part of it was attributed to my being single since birth (check out the the qualifications to know why).

This is a unique achievement for me, even if I know that a lot of people have already done this. What made it more special to me was the fact that I’ve done this while my panic attacks were at its peak (more about that as you move further along with this list). Also, I personally think that those attacks was the reason why my bag was filled more quickly than it should, meaning I lost blood more quickly than I should, resulting to me going pale and dizzy for good long number of minutes.

Anyway, they did tell me it’s normal for first-time donors.

Everwing (July 1 until I grew tired of it)

This was the first time in a loooooong time that I was so addicted and dedicated into playing a game. It started when a close friend of mine, Marjette, invited our group chat to the game. People from LBC were playing it for quite some time and that’s why I was familiar with it, but I never got an invite from them.

When I finally got the hang of it, it was the only thing I kept on doing all the time. I wake up, and play the game. I go to work, eat breakfast at 7-Eleven so that I can use their free Wi-Fi, and play the game. At lunch, I drink coffee at Bo’s so that I can use their free Wi-Fi, and then play the game. And every night, I’m always excited to go home so that I can finally play the game at ease in my own home, using my own Wi-Fi.

Other than my relentless addiction to it for a month or so, it provided a means for me to do something with my closest friends even if we’re far from each other—thank you Boss Raids. Also, I also found my short term coffee buddies, Kai and Madam Cherry, who happen to be usual customers of Bo’s as well. It’s because of them that I was able to have sweet, unforgettable moments in my last days with LBC.

Cebu Trip (August 25-28)This wasn’t the best trip I’ve ever had, but it’s still a first, so it’s memorable, and it’s not everyday that you go to Cebu—not unless you’re from Cebu.

It’s not the best because I got so used to traveling in some place far from home and then do something there like an event or a contest and such. I went to Cebu with my sister just to become a tourist. And becoming simply a tourist, apparently, bores me. I was so used to hectic schedules and busy nights and tensed idle time as you pray that you win something during the awarding ceremony.

We did a lot of things there, of course. It’s Cebu. You had to be an awful couch potato if you ran out of things to do. We ate at this restaurant whose best seller was the lechon of Cebu. We went to the Ayala Malls. We rode the edge coaster. I bought a ukulele in Alegre guitars. We went to Mövenpick Resort and that was my first time ever to step on a white sand beach. We went to Sirao Flower Garden, Tops Lookout, and the Temple of Lea.

I didn’t really know what it is, but there was something about this memory that I missed and made me feel very nostalgic once we got back to Cavite.

The Global Movers Awards (GMA) & Toruk (June 30, May 28)

“The belongingness you seek is not behind you—it is ahead,” a line fro Maz Kanata from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Sometimes it surprises me how Star Wars can get so philosophical at times—and how it hits you right in the head.

Little info about the two:

GMA: This is LBC’s annual recognition program for the company’s best teams.

Toruk: A show by Cirque du Soleil that played in the Mall of Asia Arena wherein LBC was given free tickets so that the employees can go and watch the show.

How does Maz’s quote fit into all this? Well… one of the reasons why I resigned from LBC was that I yearned to belong on a certain group of people. Little did I know, there were other people outside the box that I contained myself into who were willing to welcome me with open arms. Sadly, it was already too late for me before I realized this.

The most memorable part of the GMA wasn’t Okada, Solaire, or the effin’ fountain show. It’s when during the after party, someone asked me—forced me, actually—to eat with them. There was still a lot of food in the buffet table, so they handed me a plate and put anything they wanted to put there for me. I got to hang out with them afterwards, and it was the first time ever since the day and the event started that someone asked me to eat with them.

Each department were given a set of tickets for the Toruk show. For ours, it became first-to-email, first-to-get. I didn’t want to compete with that. I was out of the office half of the day when that was announced. When I came back, everyone was talking about it. They announced who got the free tickets by the end of the day.

I didn’t feel bad that I didn’t get a ticket—I didn’t join, duh! I felt because no one asked me if I joined their mini raffle.

Fast forward to June 30. The Toruk show was still playing and it turns out, every department had a different showing date that they were assigned to attend to. On my way home, two people from a different department got on the same jeepney that I did. One of them had extra tickets to the show. She gave me two, insisting that I should immediately ask someone else to join me.

Everyone I was close to was either already on their way home or had plans for the night, so I unavoidably went there on my own. Eventually, I got to see the show with the most unexpected people.

Covers and Tumblr (February 22, March 30)

I’ve always had this fear of posting stuff on social media. There was a point back then when the only things I posted on Facebook were my reading progress updates in Goodreads, and occasional photos that are of significance to more than just me.

Then, there was a bunch of people who wanted me to post my song covers. I didn’t want to because I believe I wasn’t good enough and that I would eventually be bashed and badly criticised by people (because that’s how I’m like when a Facebook friend posts a cover and then it’s not that good).

But there’s this one person who forced—or, more likely, strongly encouraged—me to publicize a video that I recorded for her. I heeded her request… and the results weren’t as I feared (thankfully). No one bashed me straight at my face, but I did get a few compliments. I don’t know exactly why, but they were one of the most heartwarming words I’ve ever received, even if they’re said to me digitally.

Now the Tumblr part… I posted a blog about that explaining why I connected my Tumblr account with my Facebook account. Just to give you the gist of it, I connected it because I wanted to pay more attention to the quality of my writings and my posts because during that time, my posts were certainly dwindling down.

It turns out, no one pays much attention with my posts not unless it’s an image accompanied with my usual caption. Albeit there was one person who noticed that I was blogging, I really didn’t care much. I know there are more people who notices that I’m sharing my Tumblr posts on Facebook. Like I said before, I did that for me, not for everyone else.

The Gateway Reunion (December 8)

I stand by what I’ve realized before. The most memorable moments in our life are the ones that we never planned out.

Granted, this was planned a bit, but it wasn’t something that we expected doing.

Angge, the pub’s current Editor-in-Chief, wanted to give a surprise to Sir Geon for his tenth anniversary as the pub’s adviser. Initially, she just wanted to have all the past EIC’s record a video message for him, but it ended up into wanting every past member to include in the surprise, and also having a short meet-up at Starbucks - S Maison so that we’d all be in the same venue.

Anyway… It felt so nice to be able to bond with them again. They were those people who made my college life more than what ordinary students experience. They were those people who would accept you no matter how weird you are, unlike some of my classmates who were probably saying bad things about me when I turn my back around.

Honestly speaking, I wanted that meet-up to push through so that I’d be able to hang out with them just like we used to, not because I sooooo desperately wanted to record a video for Sir Geon—though I still gave my best on the video message for him.

This was one of those times when I wished that the night didn’t have to end. When I’m with them, I didn’t have to pretend to be anyone else other than me. No fakes. No masks. Just simply me.

Christmas of 2017 (December)

This memory is a surprise entry in this list. I added it when I was already writing the draft for the blog. I just realized that it deserved a place on this list when I was trying to learn the song “Emmanuel” on the guitar. A surge of nostalgia from the past weeks just engulfed me when I started singing along as I play.

The past Christmas season was not the most unforgettable or most enjoyable that I had in my entire life. I said season because I want to remember everything that had anything to do with 2017’s holiday celebrations.

First of all, months back, I didn’t think I’d be able to celebrate Christmas as good as I used to since I don’t have a regular job yet, but I was able to pull through—great thanks to Lamudi for hiring me as a freelance graphic artist.

I know that it only happened less than a month when I was writing this, but there are already things that I feel sentimental about, namely: Lamudi Christmas Party, Christmas Shopping, Christmas Eve Breakfast at Wilma’s, Dudi & Sha visiting me, and spending almost the entirety of Christmas on my own.

It sounds kinda sad—celebrating Christmas alone—but if you really know me, this isn’t as depressing for me as anyone thinks it is. I find solace whenever I’m alone, and I’m that kind of person who can think of things to make me happy even when I’m alone.

Also, the greatest memory I have for the past Christmas season is that I was able to complete attend all the eucharistic celebrations related to Christ’s birth—they are all sundays of advent, all nine mornings of Misa de Gallo, the Midnight Mass, Christmas Mass, New Year’s Eve mass, and the First Mass of 2018—and even the feast of the Epiphany.

I haven’t done this ever since my mother and I were active church members of the IFI – San Antonio.

Independence from LBC (September 1)

Admittedly, resigning from LBC wasn’t the best decision I’ve ever made in my entire life—especially if you’d consider the practicality of the situation. But… who here doesn’t know that I don’t give much f*ck about practicality?

My resignation was one thing that I’ve always wanted to do ever since I realized that I no longer have a place in LBC. Having gone that far, eight months after my first attempt, I could say that it’s long been overdue. I’d been ranting about this kind of stuff for quite some time already and it’s one of the reasons why—other than my emotional drama about life brought up by the death of my mother—the quality of my blog posts faulterred.

Freedom and relief. That’s what I felt when I started my days as an official, unemployed Filipino. There’s anxiety, I know. There’s the unknown. But I both fear and enjoy the unknown.

Cardiac Arrhythmia or Anxiety? (July-August)

At the night of July 9, I felt my heart beating a little harder and faster than it normally should. I dismissed it as something that I thought would be a side effect of drinking too much coffee ‘coz I had a hard time sleeping as well and I felt as if I was palpitating.

The troubling fact about this wais that the last time I drank coffee was more than two days ago. I still dismissed it and thought that everything would be normal the next day.

Boy, was I wrong. It lasted more than a day, even more than a week. And it wasn’t happening just before I sleep. It happened when i’m just sitting, when I’m eating, when I’m not doing anything, and when I’m doing any physical activity—like walk for two meters or just simply stand from my chair.

After consulting my soon-to-be-a-doctor bestfriend, I had myself checked up—at the Divine Grace Medical Center (DGMC), my physician was Dr. Jeremy Lu. He had me do several exams to check whatever it is that could be wrong with my heart. He had me do some blood chems, 2D echo, treadmill test, and, supposedly, the 24-hour doppler test. I was already done with the ECG. I had to do all these tests just to determine if I either have cardiac arrhythmia, some other cardiac disease, thyroid problems, or if everything I’m experiencing is just the normal thumping of my heart brought up by stress or anxiety.

I was able to do all the tests except for the doppler test, as previously mentioned. My healthcare insurance provider didn’t approve it without finding out the results of the 2D echo and the treadmill test. So the people from the hospital thought it best if I’d just go to a follow up checkup.

Eventually, the test results showed nothing was wrong with me—at least on the matters of the physical heart. Everything’s just anxiety and panic attacks.

And I do think that those results weren’t erroneous… and that I was perfectly healthy and normal. An individual of my age, my eating habits, my lifestyle... having a heart disease is the least of my concern. Even the nurses in the DGMC’s heart station were surprised I was their patient, with them saying that I’m too young to be there—compared to their usual patients.

It’s just anxiety, maybe even the mildest form. Who wouldn’t have an ounce of anxiety if you wouldn’t know what would happen to you after making a great life decision?

I’m all good now, if you’re wondering. But I somehow missed going to the hospital, and the people there, and going to Robinsons–Gen. Trias because that’s where we—Joanne and the parents of my sister’s boyfriend who voluntarily accompanied me to the hospital—head to right after.

My Unemployed Days (September 1–November 15)

Who knew? Who knew that this piece of sh*t of a memory would top this year’s list? Who knew that the most uneventful and unexciting moment of my 2017 would be the most memorable?

When I started my freelance work at Lamudi on November 16, there was one thing that I missed the most: DOING NOTHING. I meant essentially nothing. I missed cooking lunch for me and my sister. I missed sleeping all day. I missed wondering what to eat throughout the day. I missed thinking of what new things to post on my blog.

Other things that were part of this two-and-a-half-month-long memory were my countless applications and interviews in different companies, my cleaning and rearrangement of my house, binge watching on Netflix, watching movies, and… just endless daydreaming and hoping.

All of us know the clichéd saying, “Everything happens for a reason,” and wherever we are and whatever we do in a certain part of our life, there’s a purpose for it. One of the greatest things I learned from this memory is that life can still be enjoyable even if it is very simple, even if you don’t possess the largest amount of money in the world.

Life feels good when you live it without all the corporate stress and the extravagance of a modern day millennial. Life is better when you try to live day by day just thinking how to go through it, hoping that you’d still be alive tomorrow. Just show a little bit of appreciation to the the small things that we have.

Facebook asked a question to me, “If I could go back to the past in a certain time and place, it would be…” and I answered on the time when money didn’t exist, where I can live a simple life. Imagine, if all the things in this world didn’t have any monetary value and that if we have a home and we just cultivated whatever we have that surrounds us, we can still live and be civilized. Modernization and technology is truly two-faced.

That’s it.

It’s pretty boring, huh? Can’t blame it. I suppose you can’t always have a very eventful life every year.

Thanks for reading! The other three memories considered for this list were Watching 13 Reasons Why, Palarong LBC 2017, and Good Times Session with HS Loves.

#top10memories

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holidayinhongkong · 5 years ago

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I don’t have a bucket list, but I have family goals

When I started working abroad, I promised myself to take my daughter to places I’ve never been. Apparently, travelling with my family has become my favorite thing to do as well as trying some things we’ve never done before at least once a year. With that being said, let me share with you our 5D/4N trip to Hong Kong and Macau in 2018.

I heard there are many good reasons to visit Hong Kong - from learning their culture, mouth-watering street food, night market, neon lights, Disneyland experience and many more! Thank God for making our dream trips to reality because of cheap fares! I rarely talk about figures on blogs cause I’m pretty bad at keeping track of our expenses but trust me - I’m trying. Since I don’t normally delete my flight tickets on email, I’m happy to share some of the costs for this itinerary.

Manila to Hong Kong: Php 5,747

Hong Kong to Macau via TurboJet Ferry: Php 3,483

I might have deleted our Macau to Manila flight tickets (told you, I’m bad at these things) but if I remember correctly, we’ve paid around Php 6,300

The rates I’ve mentioned are for 3 pax without baggage allowance. We always choose to pack light and tight cause we’re always on the go and of course, we try to avoid the chaos of travel - high cost of checked-in luggage, waiting at the baggage carousel and the inconvenience of having to carry heavy bags whilst navigating a new place.

Our flight was scheduled to depart at 0600. One thing I know I’m doing right is to arrive at the airport at the earliest possible time to avoid the Manila traffic jam and long queue (I hate lines!) Rational fears aside, we had plenty enough time to have breakfast whilst talking about Disneyland cause the little girl was too excited!

Most of you know that Hong Kong International Airport won multiple airport awards - World’s Best Airport Dining and World’s Best Airport Immigration Service in 2019.

We arrived safely and on time (yes, without delays thanks Cebu Pacific!) As soon as we passed the immigration counter around 0800, we saw immigration officers on the side doing random security checks. I’m not sure what the red flags are but I remember a friend of mine who travelled solo in Hong Kong years back and told me she was stopped by an officer and went through everything in her carry on luggage! She was also asked hundreds of questions and it scared the hell of her thinking someone might have inserted drugs in her luggage but she stayed calm the whole time and answered the questions promptly. I think it’s their way of stepping up the series of measures to avoid entry of prohibited items (drugs mainly) in their country. So guys, if at all they stop you at the airport, don’t panic. You may be asked more questions based on your answers so it’s important to be prompt and direct when talking and be ready to show proof! If you know you have nothing to hide, you’re good.

We took F21 Bus from Airport Terminal 1 going to our hostel. We were aware of the unpredictable weather in Hong Kong so we planned ahead. It was drizzling on our way but it stopped by the time we arrived at our destination.

Days Hotel - Chungking Mansion Building, 36-44 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

I booked via booking.com and paid Php 7,800 for 4 nights excluding breakfast. Price was reasonable considering we’re a family of three. The room was clean and location was close to the metro stations and shopping areas. It’s most likely an old hostel with busy people (mainly Indians) selling food and stuff down the building. Our room attendant was a fellow Filipino who seemed very nice and helpful. We’re mostly outside exploring the city - so I can say it’s a good place after all.

If you plan to stay in Hong Kong for a few days, I would suggest that you buy an octopus card which can be used at public transport, fast food shops, convenience stores, vending machines and many more. It also comes with a refundable HK$ 50 deposit (we claimed our refund before heading to Macau) Their transport system is very well maintained so you won’t have a problem getting around by MTR and buses.

A glimpse inside the MTR (Mass Transit Railway) with the little one

Day 1:

When I watched Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, I realised that exploring cultures is also a great way of making travel more meaningful. In this journey, we visited one of the most famous temples closest to our hostel - Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple. It claims to be a place of worship for people seeking to have their fortunes told whenever they have health and business issues.

Many people are praying and burning incense. We’re one of them

I planned to end the day by enjoying the spectacular view of Hong Kong Island at the Avenue of Stars along the Victoria Harbour waterfront but unfortunately, it was under renovation when we visited so we decided to go for a walk along Tsim Sha Tsui to look for a place to eat. My cousin’s ex girlfriend told me to try one of Jackie Chan’s Restaurants near the hotel. We didn’t have internet access outside and we found it extremely difficult to converse with locals cause majority of them don’t speak English so we spent hours of searching! Since my husband has a very bad habit of being grumpy when he’s hungry, he went back to the hostel instead. I tried my very best to go out of the way not to argue with my very hangry pouting husband knowing we’re on vacation. The next day was supposed to be our Disneyland trip so imagine the agony I went through. Haha! I bought food from Jollibee for our daughter and went straight to our room.

Day 2:

Our Disneyland trip was cancelled from last night’s dilemma. On this day we went to Sneakers Street to hunt the latest shoe trends located at Fa Yuen St., Mong Kok. Before heading to the Metro Station, we decided to have brunch near the hostel. You know they say ‘when you stop searching for something, that’s when you finally find what you’re looking for’ hell right we found that freakin resto just right beside our building! Grr! We went there to have brunch and I can tell you that food was bland at all and therefore not worth the fight. Lol

And just like that, everything went back to normal

Street Food

If you’re on a diet, Mong Kok is the worst place for you! Hong Kong street food made our trip more memorable! We didn’t make a list cause it’s going to be long plus we had limited time but here are some of the most popular food we’ve tried

Fish balls

Cheung fun (Rice noodle rolls)

Egg tart

Stinky tofu with chili sauce

Fried pig intestines & Steamed dumplings

Beef brisket noodle soup

Wonton noodle soup

Eggettes

More eggettes

Mochi (Blueberry)

More mochi (Chocolate)

Japanese cake

Chocolate croissant

Vanilla ice cream

The original Taiwan cake

How can we not love Hong Kong street food? Life sure is a combination of travel and good food!

Day 3

It didn’t rain, but wasn’t sunny either - we call it a perfect weather to be at the happiest place on earth - Disneyland Resort

Tickets booked and purchased via Klook: Php 9,730 1 day for 3 pax

Let the photos do the talking (;

The Disneyland Resort Line

At the entrance gate

Main Street U.S.A.

Adventureland

Fantasyland

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Toy Story Land

Mystic Point

Wakanda forever!

Grizzly Gulch

Tomorrowland

Disney Parade

It’s a Small World

Disney’s Paint the Night

I didn’t upload all the photos cause it’s gonna be long so I just shared the highlights for you. It’s quite sad cause the Disney Castle was under renovation and there were no fireworks when we visited. We also didn’t get the chance to take photos with Mickey cause I didn’t want to waste our time to wait in a queue. Everything inside was expensive - from meals to souvenirs. I bought meal coupons in advance via Klook as well cause I thought I’d save more but the difference wasn’t that much.

A magical place indeed! We enjoyed every moment and it’s absolutely true that Disneyland is not only for kids but for everyone! This experience is something we won’t forget for the rest of our lives.

Day 4

We were supposed to see the Noonday Gun at Causeway bay and experience the ‘Ding Ding Tram Ride’ but we got lost trying to find the way so we went back to Mong Kok for more street food and a little shopping at the street market instead. If I knew that this was going to be a boring day for us we would’ve just gone to Ocean Park.

This was also our last night in Hong Kong. We packed our stuff as soon as we got back to our room cause we had to check out early morning to catch the Turbojet Ferry going to Macau (our Macau experience will be on a separate blog by the way)

I can only say that Hong Kong really is something - and will always have a place in our hearts.

#familygoals #hongkong #disneyland

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tthe-last-timee · 5 years ago

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2019 Recap

January

1/18: Bought my plane ticket back home to the motherland!

Binge watched You season 1 — thanks, Kayla, for recommending it to me!

Worked full-time during winter break because my work was severely understaffed (more $$$ yaasss)

As a result of working full-time, I also drank coffee on the daily. 🙃

Also binge watched The Hookup Plan on Netflix.

First and only time my class was cancelled because of a snowstorm.

The start of my second semester as a junior.

Restarted watching Game of Thrones.

February

Identity crisis.

Bought tickets to see BLACKPINK in April.

Obsessed with skin care, spent a lot of money at Sephora.

Uni kept me busy for the most part.

Wasn’t able to watch GoT as much. :(

Hello, dean’s list!

March

Started my weekly professional practice experience (PPE) at UI Health. Every Friday for 8 weeks. Made me realize how crazy expensive parking downtown is.

Binge watched GoT so I can watch the last season when it came out. Season 7 is my favorite!

Discovered SHY Martin and omfg I love her music.

Had a fight with one of the closest people in my life, and it opened my eyes to many things. I learned a lot like for example: no matter how close you are to a human being, there will be times where your opinions and views won’t align and I guess that’s okay. Try not to take things personally.

Also discovered L Devine from a YouTuber and I love her music too!!

I was finally able to use my Twitter account on the actual app. I was locked out for months and had to use a third party app.

April

Saw BLACKPINK with my sister and two of my cousins. First concert attended for 2019!

Finally caught up with GoT and was able to watch s8 as it came out every Sunday.

Uni kept me busy (lol when does it not???)

I was awarded, along with two other classmates, the Chancellor’s Student Service Award.

Became a ninang to my first ever inaanak, Miah. 💗

May

Watched “Someone Great” on Netflix and bawled my eyes out towards the end. Nicely incorporated music throughout the whole movie. 👍🏼

Started to get disappointed with how GoT was going.

A classmate & I did a joint report on our PPE experience at UI Health to end the semester.

Started to watch Kdramas again! I watched Touch Your Heart and I had the biggest crush on Lee Dong Wook for a couple of weeks lol.

Watched Aladdin with my sister at AMC Oakbrook and wore an all white outfit when it was pouring rain lmao. I still feel sad about how my continental 80s were soaking wet. 😢

June

Started watching Lucifer. I fell in love with Tom Ellis.

Worked the weekends only because my boss didn’t give me as much hours as I wanted. :( I need money for my vacation :(

Warriors lost the finals, and with many injuries to their star players. I am a sad potato :(

WHEN THEY SEE US. Omfg this show stirred up so many feelings in me that I didn’t know I was capable of. I still highly recommend this mini series. This show also replaced my crush from Tom Ellis to Jharrel Jerome.

So many books and conferences for senior year. I cry :c

Spoiled by coworkers (bought me coffee almost every weekend) <3

New crush alert: #15 USWNT.

July

Hello birth month! Kicked it off by travelling to Florida with my grandparents to visit my tita & tito who live there. Very hot and humid omg. First time my eyes were ever dry that I needed to use eye drops.

Also, Southwest lost my luggage so we were stuck at home the first day in FL to wait for it to get dropped off.

A lot happened this month...

Had to fly to PH early because of a family emergency.

CULTURE SHOCK. I haven’t been home in 6 years.

So grateful for my longtime bff, Johan, for staying with me at home while my grandparents were in Bohol sorting some things out.

7/23: LANY concert at MOA Arena with Johan. Second and last concert for 2019. #thefeels. Manila traffic is insane. Flew back home early the next day because..

7/25: stayed at davao overnight. Had dinner with friends. I was wasted af. Early flight next day to Cebu.

7/26 - 7/30: Spent 5 days with my close gal pals Johan, Hannah, Cara, Arvel, and Auleve at Cebu and Bohol. Spent my 22nd birthday with them and it was the best. ❤️❤️❤️

7/27: At Simala Church and I prayed to God about you. (He really listens!!)

He made me a playlist because I asked for song recommendations. That was really sweet of him.

7/31: Instead of closure, we started something new. We decided to try again. Probably the first and last time I’d let someone read what I wrote on my private blogs. Also, everything happens for a reason haha.

For the record, I’ve drank the most in this month than I ever had in my entire life. Hangovers can suck it.

August

08/04: Davao house party with our closest friends!! Love how supportive they are of us. Didn’t get much sleep, took care of my wasted friends lol.

Frances made a video of the house party linked here: https://youtu.be/t_AATf2fCg8

08/09: 💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛

08/10: Date at davao, then had dinner with Dan (one of his closest friends and our high school classmate) and his girlfriend, Alyssa.

Started to get texts and emails again from work and uni. :(

Meant so much to me that one of my favorite high school teachers supports us. ❤️

Awarded some $$$ from uni because I had the highest GPA in the HIM program.

Attended the junior orientation at school. Glad to see it’s getting more diverse each year.

Lover!!! 💗💗💗

Officially a senior! One. More. Year. #HIM2020

Impulsively upgraded my phone from 8+ to the XS. 😬

September

My lover’s birth month.

Honeymoon phase.

Part of UIC’s Jeopardy team at the AHIMA Conference and we won!!! YAY TEAM!

One of my high school friends, Paolo, and his friend Riz, visited me here in Chicago for 2 days. Going out with them was a nice break from my monotonous schedule.

And because I had visitors, it was the first time I had to drive on the highway for a long time. Finally conquered my fear of driving on the highway because I had no choice. *pats self on the back*

October

Sad month. Lost another classmate.

Back to drinking Starbucks on the daily. My debit card is crying.

Baby fever is real!

And who would’ve thought... my bff is pregnant!! I tagged Johan on a tweet that said “baby fever but like in an aunt way” and she called me a few days later telling me the good news. I thought she was messing with me at first hahaha. I have a new inaanak coming soon!

Mama’s birthday. Had lunch at our favorite place Joy Yee.

My mom’s brother who she hasn’t seen in 8 years visited us here in Chicago.

November

Friends thought I’m getting engaged or married when I told them I’m going back home after graduation. Love how supportive they are haha.

I was invited to be a panelist for an event at uni. Great experience, although I would not do it again because parking downtown is expensive.

“Not everything about your relationship has to be shared with others.”

Mental health spiral. (I pulled through after disappearing for a few days)

Cut my hair short, but not that short.

December

Senior In-Service done!

Starbucks discontinued my fav Chestnut Praline Latte and I am the saddest bean ever. :( </3

Impulsively upgraded my phone to 11, hated the quality (reminded me of android phones). So after four days, I upgraded it to the 11 Pro Max. No more spending this year! Lol.

After all the struggles I went through with school this semester, I still managed to finish with straight A’s thanks to the extra credit points from completing the course evaluations. Summa cum laude = secured. 👩🏻‍🎓✨☝🏼

I tried Disney Plus and binge watched The Suite Life on Deck. I remembered I used to have the biggest crush on Cody since the first Suite Life lol.

#2019 recap

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dabble-too · 3 years ago

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PLDT is Philippines’ fastest internet provider in 2021 – Ookla®

Out of Town Blog PLDT is Philippines’ fastest internet provider in 2021 – Ookla®

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – PLDT Home remains undisputed as the fastest broadband network in the Philippines, dominating telco rivals with a Speed Score

of 77.24 at the Ookla® Speedtest Awards

for Q3-Q4 2021.

The latest result showed a big jump from PLDT’s Speed Score of 27.28 in the second half of the previous year. Speed Score is a measure that takes into account both upload and download speeds.

The latest data from the global benchmarking company also showed PLDT besting all other internet service providers (ISPs) in the country with top upload and download speeds of 217.07 Mbps and 203.97 Mbps, respectively.

In determining the network speed of ISPs, Ookla® compared data gathered from millions of consumer-initiated tests taken on Speedtest® platforms. The data include tests done by Filipino internet users on various networks using digital devices connected via Wi-Fi and fixed networks.

“Fast internet is no longer a luxury because it’s what Filipinos depend on to earn, work, and study from home. We’ve been relentless in continuously building and upgrading our network so that our customers enjoy better and future-ready homes,” says Butch G. Jimenez, Jr., Senior Vice President and Head of PLDT Home Business.

Fastest Broadband in PH’s Key Cities

Based on the latest Ookla® data, PLDT registered the highest upload and download speeds in key major cities in the Philippines – Manila, Cebu, and Davao Cities.

In Manila, PLDT bested major ISPs – including Converge, Globe, and Sky – with upload and download speeds of 54.52 Mbps and 58.57 Mbps, respectively. In Cebu, PLDT recorded 76.14 Mbps and 74.22 Mbps upload and download speeds. In Davao, PLDT is the fastest fixed network over ISPs Globe and Sky, with upload and download speeds of 70.06 Mbps and 71.50 Mbps, respectively.

PLDT Manila City Fastest Internet Broadband

PLDT Speed Score

PLDT Upload and Download Speed

When analyzing the fastest ISPs, Ookla assesses the fastest network speeds attained across a given network, accounting for tests that are taken on various Speedtest applications that connect to a fixed network, including tests taken on mobile phones over a Wi-Fi connection. Each top carrier accounts for at least 3% of the sample size in the geographic area.

Setting the Bar for PH Internet Speeds

PLDT has consistently dominated the Ookla® Speedtest Awards

in the past four years as a result of the telco giant’s aggressive network expansion initiatives. In the second half of 2021, PLDT Home launched its biggest speed upgrade for customers with thrice as much speed versus the previous broadband plans.

In November 2021, PLDT Home launched the country’s first-ever 10,000 Mbps fiber-optic service in the Philippines, putting the country alongside first-world nations that have access to such ultra-fast home internet speeds as South Korea, Japan, Sweden, Norway, Italy, New Zealand, and the USA.

“The demand for the fastest broadband in the Philippines remains strong and we’re investing as well in our capabilities to install, upgrade, and repair throughout the year,” concludes Butch G. Jimenez, Jr., Senior Vice President and Head of PLDT Home Business.

PLDT Home continues to set the bar for the future of home internet connectivity in the Philippines as it provides access to future-ready innovations including top-of-the-line Smart Home solutions such as Wifi Mesh devices, Entertainment, and Security services bundled with its flexible broadband plans.

All these innovations are powered by the PLDT’s widest network in the country with its fiber infrastructure expanded to 743,700 kilometers, extending its reach to 13.9 million homes passed, and with over 5.77 million fiber-powered ports.

To date, PLDT Home has connected over 3.6 Million subscribers, proving to be the most trusted telco of Filipino families for fast internet speeds for work at home, online school, and family entertainment at home amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

For more information on PLDT Home, visit www.pldthome.com.

Disclaimer: Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data Q3–Q4 2021. Ookla trademarks are used under license and reprinted with permission.

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Read: Smart 5G Is Nearly Twice The Speed Of Competitor, According To Ookla® Report

Original article: PLDT is Philippines’ fastest internet provider in 2021 – Ookla®

PLDT is Philippines’ fastest internet provider in 2021 – Ookla® Melo Villareal Out of Town Blog

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