#little tagaytay

[tigre-edi-rawr]

just got home from tagaytay.

tita called earlier to eat dinner outside but i refused. then hours after, she said she’s outside our house. then i saw someone it was one of jp’s friends who likes me, biglang ayoko na palang tumuloy huhu

i remember when i saw him, he was handing out the carts too much. then on our second meet, he was a little touchy which makes me feel violated. today was the third one, when we were walking, ayoko sumabay ng lakad kaya kapag nasabay siya, nabagal ako. kaso nung bumagal ako, bumagal rin sabay noong magkapantay nalang kami biglang nagside hug tapos hinimas yung likod ko 😭 wtf!!!!!

i was too scared on our way back. i knew that tita and jp will get off first and i will be left in the car with him, so i reached out and wrote to my note “maiiwan ako??? wag pls”

luckily, they all stayed and dropped me off in our house.

what a night.

[alcanlobo]

Close to Nature, Closer to God ⛪️

📍Caleruega Church is a newer structure, that doesn't lessen how magnificent it is. The name of the church is derived from St. Dominic, the man who founded the Dominican Order, who was born in the little Spanish town of Caleruega. Visitors can enjoy a stunning view of the surrounding vegetation and mountain ranges thanks to the Caleruega Church's hilltop location. Even though getting there requires traveling down a rocky and narrow road, Caleruega Church is unquestionably worth visiting. 

We’ve been to Caleruega Church once and we would always remark how beautiful it was. Caleruega Church is often listed as one of the most beautiful churches in Tagaytay but it’s really located in Nasugbu, Batangas. What makes Caleruega Church even more attractive is the view of Mount Batulao as well as the boundless green plains surrounding Caleruega Church adds to its allure. Add in the cool Tagaytay air, and you have the ideal hideaway to heal both your mind and your spirit.

So, to visit Caleruega Church, you must pay a P30 admission fee each person. With that, you may now explore the property and discover for yourself the features and amenities. It's a soothing pastime to go for a leisurely walk, be near to nature, and nourish your spirituality.  Things to see and do at Caleruega are a large dining hall is Refectory Hall, The female dorm is located at Catalina Hall,The men's dorm is located at Tomasino Hall, Hermitage cottages Pahingalayan and Fra Angelico offer simple lodging options, Outdoor activities are also highly recommended at Kampo Arriba, a campsite and many more, Consequently, I suggest Caleruega Church if you want to visit a serene church. 

[scramboileditlog]

Feeling ko talaga may sepanx tong sisters ko. Naalala ko lang kasi nagpatayo ng bahay sa probinsya yung tita ko after mag-retire and during planning until construction yung ate tska little sister ko nagpa-plano na magbakasyon dun tska para present kaming siblings sa house blessing kasi si papa sure na pupunta. Eh naka-file na leave ni ate nalaman nila na ayoko sumama kasi gusto ko solohin yung bahay ng isang buwan. Ayun biglang di na din tumuloy yung dalawang maldita. Tapos every weekend binge-watching ng movies and anime lang kami.

Hirap siguro mabuhay ng isang buwan na wala silang utusan. Lalo na yung bunso food buddy pa naman kami kahit madaling araw pumupunta kaming Tagaytay para lang mag-lomi or pares. 😂

[thedorkreadstheworld]

It is truly a delight to discover a new restaurant, especially one offering delicious Kapampangan cuisine with its super rich flavors. Will definitely go back!

May 28, 2023 / 7:33 PM / Tagaytay

P.S. Keeping this memory under #picturestory to remind myself that little things matters.

[purplesurveys]

1882

1. Are you still close with your godparents? Yes! In assigning my godparents, my parents tapped both sets of their siblings so I definitely have the most accessible godparents to that of my sister's (my mom's closest cousins) and brother's (close family friends).

2. What machines are running in your house currently?  Aircons, ref, electric fans. I also have the TV on if that counts.

3. Do you have any clothing/jewelry etc. that has your name on it? Nope.

4. Who do you know that is pregnant right now? I don't think so.

5. What hemp/cannabis products do you have?  None.

6. What percentage of your life have you been with your partner? I don't have one.

7. What picture is on your calendar this month?  I don't keep a calendar anymore.

8. How many doctors are you a patient of? The only one I visit regularly is my dentist.

9. What is something you remember from a recent dream? Bea coming back to the company and putting order to things.

10. What was the last thing you cleaned? My laptop screen and keyboard.

11. Last thing you repaired? I did a bit of DYI with my glasses since the left frame partially snapped a few days ago.

12. Are there any upcoming weddings you are attending? My grandparents had a renewal of vows for their 75th anniversary if that counts? Otherwise, no weddings on the radar.

13. Who do you know with the same model of vehicle as you? I know Cla has a Mitsubishi Mirage as well, but I have the small hatchback whereas she has the sedan.

14. Last thing you ordered on Amazon?  I've never ordered anything from Amazon.

15. What did you last buy at the grocery store? Essentials like eggs, milk, meat...and some snacks.

16. How far did you go the last time you left town? A little less than 80km to our accommodations in Tagaytay.

17. What colour belt are you wearing or last wore? Black.

18. What kind of milk do you consume? Almond and oat.

19. What colour is your fridge? Silver.

20. What was in the last smoothie you made? I don't consume smoothies.

21. Last friend’s pet you pet? Not a friend but we went to my dad's side's house this afternoon to drop my grandparents off, and we asked for Tonia, their newest and by the far the sweetest shihtzu they have haha.

22. Do you know anyone born on February 29th? Katreen's younger sister.

23. Run your fingers through your hair and measure the first stray. How long is it? I'm sorry I cannot be assed right now haha

24. For what did you last write your signature? A work document.

25. How many vehicles do you and your spouse own? I don't have a spouse, but my family has 3 cars.

[sins-of-the-sea]

What's your end goal in keeping the dragonskin away from your fiancee, Giovanni?

"Safety!!

"Safety.

"It's safety!! It's safety!! I have to keep my beloved and our little one safe!! Safe from the ones I know will try to harm them!!

"Annalise is already so fearful of the world, but she is so brave and courageous for putting up with it so long. I still want to show her what it is like outside of this forest. I want to show her the canals of Venice, the fireworks of China, the rains and banana leaves of Tagaytay... there is a big world out there and it's scary! The Master is scary! It is because of the Master I have become fearful of the sun, moon, and stars that have been kept away from me for so-

"....am I trapping Annalise? Like my brothers trapped me?"

"NO!! I AM KEEPING HER SAFE!! SAFE!! SAFE!! SAFE!! LIGTAS!! SIGURO!! ANQUAN!!" Giovanni starts barking at nothing in particular, even swatting at the air. "I AM KEEPING HER SAFE!! SAFE!! I WON'T LET ANYONE TAKE HER AND MY CHILD AWAY FROM ME!! YOU ALL STOP SCREAMING AT ME AND LEAVE HER ALONE!!"

Josep bursts into Giovanni's chambers. "Cuginetto?! Are you all right?!"

Oh, boy, there he goes making a mess in a bin again.

"Sigh. Phooooebuuuuus."

[wraithcxre]

at this point in time, i once again allow myself to feel and love.

looking back, the universe had cradled me in its arms of space and time without the past, unascended me knowing.

i love the world because i love that one random atenean who gave me her 3 day pass to conquest just so i can hang out with my friends. despite my offers to compensate, she declined just because. i love remember hans who gave me his m&g so i can see hakao. i love because daniel has always seen my brain rot and meme'd the fuck out of my stupid shenanigans. a distant yet long term friend for years, i knew that he was game for anything risky, fun and borderline illegal. i remember the time we door bell pranked other houses within tondo for the hell of it. also because he smuggled smirnoff and watched autotelic live with me and other friends we've met as well. because sigrid blessed me with her amazing dj set and through music, i made a friend.

mani and hannah and sab and shiva was love when they reminded me of my worth. that boys aint shit. that womanhood doesnt have to feel like a chore, and that being a lady is a blessing. they reminded me of what i was and what standards should be. kiel reminded me i belonged when i was invited for a second time to knkland, and i get to meet so many amazing people like nica, jd and etc

love is abundant because through ej, i met new friends as well. these friends turned into late night sessions in discord complaining about coursework and planning spontaneous after class detours, like little trips to tomas morato. i would eventually come to see tagaytay with these people, trying out rides i alone would never do. anchor's away was hell but it wasnt when ej told me to inhale and exhale upon descent, and when kyle shouted about how he hates sir harold. i came to enjoy the bumpy ass ride of life with these people, the people i shared grab fees with. the people i had treasured conversations with as we went home. erika and danne always were spot on with their motherly advices and gayish quips about life, and i would always appreciate cleo stealing my phone just to fill it with wack-ass videos about them knocking on it. sitting through 9 hours of college was easy when i get to navigate it with people like alessandro and kyla, whom i shared a newfound love of 3D with. i always looked forward to the tusok tusok ventures and how kyle would always treat me street food, even when he didnt need to. fibel was there for every spontaneous paresan adventures . i would never forget the time he and hannah handled me like i was chinese porcelain during a frenzied breakdown at a place where i couldn't hold myself together. these people have seen slivers of the real me and looked at me straight in the eye anyway despite my qualms to push them away. being loved while juggling the mortifying ordeal of being known is a terrifying feeling, but i felt safe because of these people.

love is when you have people to cook with. ej taught me that care came in the form of a microwavable container filled with a generous amount of food - food that my mother would come to love. that you can share the kitchen as a sous-chef and that you would be cooked for, too - like how you used to cook for others. that there are many ways to cut an onion and that you'd end up crying as you peel the layers (of people?) everytime. it was a lesson in aromatics.

kei, my friend for more than a decade, reminded me of this when she brought me food despite the fact that it was raining. percy, who made sure i ate before i took my medicine the time i had a burning hot migraine fever because of how stressful finals week was.

i knew i was loved when despite the nosy banter from friendship, i had someone to cram requirements with. that i dont have to go through finals week alone. that a treat of strawberry drink from kyle and jeff meant that theyre giving you energy to get through it, through a warm cup. francine, the ever so strict blockmate of mine loved me when she helped me manage our production team, because she knew i had too much on my plate to manage and handle. even if she was sometimes a bitch about it.

i love the world because of precious experiences. tamiel, with her chatty nature, was loved by me because she always made sure to invite me wherever she goes - may it be ukay, a spontaneous trip for ramen, the tattoo shop id eventually come to work for and the stories we tell each other had no end. she'd tell me otherworldy stories about her OCs and i knew despite the harsh exterior she usually projects, she's a softhearted child at heart. kuya, who trusted my vision and talent, gave me love when he offered to do my tattoos for free, in exchange for my work. dell and i watched barbenheimer together in matching themed outfits. it was a refreshing break. dell also witnessed the time when the UP prof gave me fish for free, then we visited UPCM afterwards. a dream, fulfilled. i had always dreamed of playing UP's pianos and i had done it. gan and i shared a lighter after we departed the jeep, after coincidentally riding the same one. gan, ej and angelo and percy and i formed a band after we found out our shared love for music and it has been one of the highlights of my college life so far. i looked forward to the jamming sessions every tuesday and saturday, and imagine my excitement when i found out there's a nearby studio :D

i felt like a game character in persona 5 who had multiple waypoints along kamuning. i had a newfound love for persona 5 after andres lent me his copy. he also was the one who taught me how to mix and record in fls. i wont forget the time i also was given fish supplies for free by that one stoner dude from reddit and i was also accompanied as i shopped for my fish. aquascaping as a hobby introduced me to newfound connections and people who liked the same things as me and it was nice. if i could talk to my betta and told him these, i hope he is happy n proud i am making friends bc of him. i still havent named the others yet, but i do know that he is blade - because he's colored like that one character from star rail.

i know that love can extend so much more from this. and so ill keep my head, heart, arms and palms open - walls broken as i move to accept what has always been rightfully deserved - love. it nestles in every leaf and every whisper of the wind, and it exists even in waters and fishes. it exists in animals and people and lives ,

and if life is not about love, then what is it supposed to be for?

[foodiefootprints]

📍Breakfast at Antonio's, Tagaytay City

4.5/5 ⭐️

You know I'm all about breakfast in Tagaytay, right? Check out The Breakfast at Antonio's - it's totally awesome! The ambiance is so cozy and chill, and their outdoor dining area offers spectacular views of the Taal Volcano. Eating their mouthwatering breakfast toward that backdrop is the definition of tranquility.The vibes are just so peaceful and it's the perfect way to start the day, you know?  Every bite is a flavor bursting, whether you prefer an innovative continental spread or a hearty Filipino breakfast. Can't wait to return and create more Instagram-worthy memories!

Seems like our footprints are exploring a little early today, eh? Stay tuned to know where we’ll leave our footprints next!

[prettiestmorena]

Pills and Feels

The longest relationship I've ever had was neither with someone I spent eight months with last summer nor with someone with whom I spent two months together and five months apart. But instead, the short in time but longer in memory instances I have had in my entire life with pills.

When I was little, my biggest fear was not monsters hiding under my bed nor ghosts living in our backyard but rather the probability of getting sick. It stemmed from being unable to swallow big medicine pills because my tiny little mouth always rejected the awful taste that came with them. Whenever I got sick, my mom would melt it patiently and mix it with my favorite flavored drink so I could drink medicine and feel better. I was scared of pills until I got allergies, and my mom wouldn't melt a pint-sized tablet for me. It was then that my rough history with medicines finally came to an end. Finally, I didn't have to go through the extra steps just to drink them.

And so I grew up alongside the never-ending journey toward discovering one great love I'd read about in books and seen in movies, enjoying the lighthearted route filled with vodka and martinis, and staying up all night studying with the hopes of getting validation in academics. After everything, I'd still return home and find solutions between medicines and liquids to cure my hangovers from drinking too much or headaches from studying late at night. For the first time, I was thankful that pills existed.

Then I turned seventeen and became a young woman with an ever-increasing desire for romantic attachment. Later on, I had my heart shattered, stopped hearing from the people who mattered and felt incredibly isolated amidst the widespread pandemic. Once again, I turned to medications for solace while writing lengthy notes of gratitude to the many people who had made my life bearable. Surprisingly, I made it through the tough road, and the next thing I knew, I was waking up in a room painted in white populated by the very people I had previously left terrified.

And even after everything that has happened, the lover girl within me still remembers she wanted to experience an anniversary, the one with candlelight and petals of roses in the pathway or the one with pink balloons and a surprise Tagaytay getaway. But then the world forced me from living behind four big walls with limited time outside, and that's when my entire bucket list flipped all over. Suddenly, the anniversary I had dreamt of before was not what I longed for today. It is no longer all about the romantic gestures but already with six little words made from my tiny little progress, "I have been self-harm free for..."

The love-hate relationship with pills has taught me the whole range of human emotions. And even though it was difficult, I am grateful that the longest relationship I have ever had shaped me into the woman I am today: one who is loving and bound by the strengths that were once her weaknesses.

[womanlalaboy]

So, as someone living near Tagaytay, I never understood why would anyone willingly subject themselves to hours of commuting and crazy traffic when we had a cooler alternative nearby. Tagaytay is just an hour and a half away from Imus; 1 hour if you happen to ride a bus that will take you to the afterlife should the driver feel like it. But a mandatory company outing forced me to give Baguio a chance, and boy, was it a treat!

I was impressed by The Manor's classic and chic architecture. The place had a grandeur that blended perfectly with its mountainous surroundings. But let me tell you this: the real highlight was the breakfast buffet! I'm talking about insanely delicious food that made me want to stay there forever. I became obsessed with the egg station, where those cooks whipped up omelets like nobody's business. And don't even get me started on the al fresco dining in the foggy garden. It was like something out of a fairy tale. Eating breakfast never felt so heavenly.

I loved the dangerous ride we had, similar to the exhilarating ones in Baler. Oh, our night ride was the most thrilling. It rained hard and we could not see anything. The car's air-conditioning broke so we had to slightly open the windows just to get a whiff of that cold Baguio breeze- small opening enough for the wind to enter, but also small enough for the rain to not pour inside the car. All the struggles were definitely worth it.

Oh, and Burnham Park is as busy as everybody said, but I surprisingly enjoyed strolling there. I had a great time sitting on a mini library watching the swan boats and the little humans wearing their adult-looking clothes. I wondered how lucky they are to be born at a time of improved fashion. I recalled how much of a potato and how shitty my fashion sense was. *cringes in jeje*

Now, let's talk about Good Taste Restaurant. It blew my mind with its impressive efficiency. They had serving robots that moved around flawlessly, creating a unique kind of ASMR experience. We took tons of videos of them. The staff also worked like well-oiled machines, serving food and cleaning tables with incredible precision. It made me wish for the same level of efficiency in my workplace, in my apartment, hometown, and community. Plus, the food there was divine! I wanted to eat more, but my stomach had its limits.

We also managed to squeeze in a visit to "Ilikha," although it was closing time. Despite the limited time, I caught glimpses of its magical charm. We also spend a few hours at BenCab Museum. It was amazing; its erotica collection, the historical Philippines and the Japanese occupation. Outside BenCab, I found peace looking at a tree filled with pink "parols," and thought that even when Leni Robredo did not get to be the president, I was well dam sure that her fight had inspired countless others. Those festive decorations symbolized hope and resilience.

It has not been that long, but I miss Baguio already. My older self could never even begin to understand, but I do now. Baguio really has its charms.

[hamziji]

IMAGINE #1

it's 3 am in the morning and you're so tired and drained from studying then someone sent you a message.

my loves: u still up? then you replied... you: yup. kinda tired studying tbh my loves: wanna get some fresh air? you: aren't you busy? my loves: not that much. i can make time for you. i'll be there in 10.

after 10 mins, you heard a knock on your door. you opened the door with a smile. he also welcomed you with one. "let's go?" you drove around tagaytay with windows down. you spend almost 2 hrs just driving around.

"we should go home na love." you said worrying abt your studies again. "at least have breakfast muna before we go home. it's already 5 am in the morning." "sige na nga. mcdo tayo ha." "anything for you, love."

after eating breakfast at mcdo, he drove you back to your condo. "thank you, love. it really made me relax. muntik ko na nga malimutan na finals week ngayon. thank you, i really mean it." you told him with a genuine smile. it made him smile as well. and little did you know, he’s melting from your words. "anything for my love. thank you din for spending time with me kahit finals week nyo." "ikaw naman nag-aya eh. bat ka nagpapa-thank you." "wala lang. your presence really made me feel at rest. you made my day." "aww. tama na ang kakornihang toh love. baka mamaya hindi na 'ko makapag review nyan. bye na nga." "bye, love. i love you!"

you were abt to close your door when a hand stopped it. "before i forget, here's some vitamins. you should take it before ka magreview. take breaks occasionally din ha. also, don't forget na matulog. i know you want to review the best that you can pero please love matulog ka. hindi masamang matulog." "oo na. ang dami mo namang habilin. i'm not a baby anymore!" "sino may sabi? baby kaya kita." "loveee naman" "last na promise. if you need anything like food, i can order you just message me okay?" "kaya ko naman ang sarili ko." "just message me if you need anything okay? promise me." "okayyy! i promise. now you should go home and rest na din." "will do. bye! i love you!" he planted a fast kiss in your forehead and lips. "bye! i love you too!"

[isgull]

GET TO KNOW THE MUN.

what’s  your  phone  wallpaper : art of a girl laying on grass with a little bird on her forearm last  song  you  listened  to : valentine by laufey currently  reading : before time runs out by amy matayo and elektra by jennifer saint last  movie : power rangers (2017) last  show : queen charlotte craving : a real good mac and cheese what  are  you  wearing  right  now : dark blue tank top and cycling shorts how  tall  are  you? : i am 5'3" at best piercings / tattoos? : just one piercing on each ear, no tattoos glasses ? contacts? : nope, however i do think i need to get my eyes checked at some point lol last  thing  you  ate? : korean instant noodles favorite  color(s) : purple, blue, green current  obsession : yellowjackets any  pets : yes, a shih-tzu <3 do  you  have  a  crush  right  now? : nope! favorite  fictional  character : this is such a hard question so please just look at my muse list and other blogs thank last  place  you  traveled : tagaytay, philippines for a short vacation

tagged by: @regretsher <3 tagging : all of you !!!

[bipedalseal]

Top 10 most pinoy foods/drinks?

HMMM. In no particular order:

Pancit sa lumpia na sinawsaw sa suka. You bite into the lumpia *cronch* and then there's pancit inside. Goes well with slightly sweet vinegar.

Bulalo. THE rainy day soup. Better if it's from Tagaytay (Leslie's or Concha's) and it's real salty. I like drinking mine with iced tea or mango shake for thermodynamics.

Tinolang manok. THE sick day soup. Must have little malunggay leaves and kanin na malambot otherwise what's the point.

Arroz caldo. Preferred breakfast food. Add a little soy sauce or ginger for some extra flavor. Toasted garlic is cool.

Kwek kwek. Need I say more? Goes well with sweet sauce, but I'll take vinegar in a pinch, as long as it's a bit sweet.

Sizzling sisig. WITH EGG. Otherwise, what even is the point.

Pinapak na milo.

Inihaw na bangus. The only time I eat fresh tomatoes. Dip the tomatoes and onions and fish in the toyomansi and it's really good.

Sago't galaman. Must have a medium pandan flavor, crushed ice or the slightly round but still smooth ice, and large sago. Preferably red.

Hopiang ube with leche flan. From Eng Bee Tin. The bread is good and the ube filling has a good flavor and a really smooth mouth feel.

[dearkelen]

went to tagaytay all by myself 🏃‍♀️

My! First! Ever! Solo! Travel!

I have traveled solo before, when I would go to Leyte to see my family, but never like this where I had no company at all.

As I have mentioned before, our trip to Quezon inspired me to do this. And I did it for many reasons such as my bucket list, to learn to enjoy my own company, to fix my dependence on friends to be happy (to fix my loneliness), a little getaway before life gets serious, and also partly a spiritual journey.

Sobrang kinikilig ako. Haha. Kung weird man kiligin sa sarili husgahan niyo na lang ako pero ang saya niya sa feeling. Pagdating ko sa airbnb nagtatatalon ako sa tuwa 😭 Tangina gano'n lang pala. Bakit dati ang imposible?

My agenda for this overnight trip was: Staycation, Eat at a restaurant, Skyranch, and Picnic Grove – I can't do tight itineraries yet. I like to think I could just come back to try out the places I haven't visited or experience things like the horseback riding, boat riding, and the zip-line again as an adult. But for now, I'm just trying to be comfortable being alone in such a setting.

I arrived at the airbnb around 5pm, then I settled for a bit before going to Skyranch. When I got to Skyranch, there was a suddenly a fireworks display – nag-abala pa talaga sila sa pa-welcome – so I took selfies with it. Then I roamed around, bought souvenirs, and I ate at Mama Lou's! Which was my first time splurging on food (I was surprised when I saw the prices but, oh, well, no one's there to judge me), and boy was it so good. I don't know if it's my basic taste buds but the Truffle Pasta was life-changing. After I ate, I sang at a karaoke room, and then I rode the Sky Eye. I also wanted to ride the rollercoaster but I'd be the only one in line coz there was only a few people around.

When I got back to the airbnb I was gonna have a movie night, just watching sad girl movies, but I only finished one because I was already tired from the trip, the walking, and I had no energy left.

Then here comes a new day. I stayed at the airbnb until it was time to checkout. Para masulit ko naman yung place. I loved the unit, really. It was cozy, comforting, and vibey. It was a small studio unit, very aesthetic, and it was just perfect for me.

I remember there were a few comments, reactions, from the guards and drivers I interacted with, about me not bringing someone. I didn't know what to tell them. Hinahanap ko po kasi sarili ko? Hahahaha. Alam ko mga kuya mas masaya 'pag may kasama. Alam na alam ko 'yan. Pero kailangan ko po kasing maging okay na walang kasama, that's the point.

My friend asked me anong gagawin ko sa Tagaytay mag-isa and I said, wala, emote emote. So that's what I did.

Hidden agenda ko rin na iiwan ko na kasi doon si Carson but that's all I'm gonna say about that.

It's partly a spiritual journey because, believe it or not, I had the courage to book this in the first place because I knew I was with God. I was alone but He was there with me. For once, I didn't think it'll be boring or sad not to have my friends around. I wasn't afraid about being alone. I was, in fact, determined about being alone. And I'm just so, so grateful for Him for everything.

Tagaytay, I'll be back! I loved it there. Bulalo is one of my most-craved food since forever. I love the breeze, the people, the view. 🩵

[purplesurveys]

1878

How long ago did you wake up? A few minutes before 9 AM, so that was around 6 hours ago.

With a fried egg, do you prefer the yolk runny or set? Runny! Always runny. I like the texture and find that it's more flavorful that way as well.

Would you ever want to visit Thailand? I've been, loved it save for the humidity and would 100% go back. Our itinerary was insanely packed since we went mainly for a concert, so I would love a second trip that's a lot more loose. But speaking for the time I was there, I enjoyed it a lot – it's like a more vibrant and more alive Philippines except with more night markets and street food stalls and just general cool shit to do.

Do you like Marvel movies? Do you have a favourite? I'm not into Marvel stuff and superheroes in general.

Have you ever planned a wedding? No.

How far away from home is the place you work or study? (or spend the most amount of time outside of home) My office is a 20-50 minute drive away, depending on the traffic.

Do you have any pimples right now? Yeah, one between my eyes and another on my right cheek. It's been a while since I've had more than one pimple so I'm kinda bothered at the moment lmao but I'll just wait for them to go away as usual.

What member of your family are you most similar to? In which ways? My dad and I are both laidback yet terrible with pressure. We watch the same sort of documentaries, series, and movies; and we also have more modern ways of thinking, I would say.

How do you listen to music? Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, something else? Spotify.

Do you think everyone should vote, even if it's not mandatory? I don't think it should be mandatory, as those who don't have much candidate knowledge or don't feel too confident or simply aren't up to voting shouldn't be forced to do so. It should be a right that's accessible to everyone, though.

Have you ever painted a rock? Never. I did paint an egg once for Easter lol but that's that.

If you could have any animal as a pet, what would you have? I already love having dogs.

Do you ever shop at Aldi? Do you even have one nearby? No, not familiar.

How old were you at your first concert? I was 15 when I went to my first concert; I saw Paramore.

What are some of your favourite snacks? Pizza, mozzarella bites or sticks, dynamite (local street food), spicy chicken wings, arancini...tbh anything deep fried.

Are you religious or spiritual in any way? No, atheist.

Do you know how to change the oil in a car? Nope.

Has it rained or snowed today? It's drizzled a little bit but the most notable thing is the fog. Tagaytay fogs up like fucking CRAZY. We're supposed to have a view of the Taal volcano from our hotel room but there's zero visibility. It's like I'm entering the gates of heaven hahahaha

Did you go to school with anyone named Levi? If so, what were they like? Nope.

What's on your shopping list at the moment? More milk for my coffee.

[sins-of-the-sea]

My Brother’s Keeper

"Dying?! We can permanently die?!"

"I told you, I'll explain later! Go! We may be too late!"

"I don't want Guy to permanently die!!"

"Then fly ahead and search for him! Please, Ruixiong! We'll follow close!"

"G-Guy.... n-no, Guy, Guy!!" Ruixiong wastes no more time and turns to the rail. He climbs onto it then leaps off, flying upwards like a bullet in search for Guy. "I'm coming, Guy! Please, hold on!!"

"You ought to go ahead, Captain. You are significantly faster in fog form than you would be if we were in any sort of ca-"

"No. We move together, but I don't want to risk dispersing the poppet's mass. I want to be able to track the progress of the soul's deterioration."

"Then we make haste." The last of the Crew rush off the ship. And as they make their move to chase after the others, Abena asks her husband while cradling the dying poppet close to her chest. "I am losing track of the soul fast..."

"If we are not too late, maybe we can convince the Master to not collect Guy's soul."

"How did you know this is what is happening?"

"...Merda. I should have seen the signs. When Guy came back to us momentarily, his hair was stark white-"

"His hair was white??"

"That is the first sign the soul is dying. I've seen this once before.

"Back in Tagaytay, in what are the Philippines today. At the time, Ulan was already gone, and our barangay of thralls was still led by the leader before me: Datu Dalugdog, a warlord from Sugbu. We were tasked to harvest souls from the islands, including those of the Spanish colonists who were trying to take over the Bayan of Maynila nearby. It didn't matter if the soul was local or foreign, maharlika or alipin, civilian or soldier, trader or colonizer. If it's a soul, it's a soul. And the one Emilio Montego--before he became known as Saint Emilio--refused to be felled by the Master or the Datu.

"Many battles were had, and while Phoebus was granted his Breath of Life at this time, he hasn't mastered it then as he has now. Emilio and his men found ways to keep thralls from fighting back or healing upon resurrection. We were failing the Master left and right. He was becoming furious towards all of us--but none more than the Datu.

"I remember it then... the Datu begged the Master to give him another gift. Another power. Another chance. The Master was livid with this simpering after failure after failure. No matter what other gift he'd give him, the Datu was no longer fit to stay on Earth to keep on fighting against Emilio. So he decided to end his life right there, permanently, for all time--

"--by turning him completely into seafoam. The other thralls who kept failing the Master also became parts of the sea: like crumbling bleached coral, seeped oil, sea glass, sand, and-"

"...a mound of salt."

"The soul is collected, and with it, the body becomes a part of the sea, no longer available for that soul to return to evermore. It was only through fortuitous timing that Emilio gouged out the Eye before the Master could collect me, Giovanni, Phoebus, and Guy. But I remember clearly how the Datu and the other thralls permanently fell. The Master gives one final judgement... and their forms turn as white. Starting with their hair.

"I saw Guy! Ruixiong saw Guy! His hair wasn't just a little white, it was fully white! No sign of his usual red anywhere. It was dark, and Ruixiong and I were trying to come home after a nice holiday, but--all I thought about was Guy just needing space after his argument with Phoebus. I knew Phoebus hurt him with his words--but I had no idea his soul was hurting this badly!

"Captain..."

"I am better than this! What kind of Captain am I to miss the signs?! Guy didn't need space! He needed help! For all I know, his dying soul is the immortal equivalent of-"

"Josep! Pull yourself together! You didn't know! It was centuries since the previous thralls were collected! And the Master still needs his Eye! None of us would think the Master would even consider breaking our Crew apart permanently if it mean dwindling our chances in fulfilling his goals!"

"Perhaps not--but you must also remember, love: the Master also hates uselessness. If it weren't for this, the Datu and the other thralls wouldn't have been collected when our numbers could have increased our chances against St. Emilio. Quality over quantity. And if Guy’s despair is this deep...

“Then why would the Master keep him? Leverages and toys can be useful for so long before their purposes are long lost... and the Master can get bored with them all at any given time...."

======================================

He is already approaching Guy along the coastline, already following the hunch that Guy is with the Master by the sea. "G-Guy? G-Guy... is that you??"