Oh, June! Time flies super fast as we say hello to the second quarter of the year. I must admit, I was a bit depressed because I wasn't able to go new places this month. However, it was still a great month as I celebrated it with tons of creativity and music. I've noticed that I've been writing a lot during the month. I had some hand lettering drills, both hits and misses. Here are some of my favorites during the chapter six of twelve:

My dear homeland, Philippines, celebrated its 119th Independence Day on the 12th of June. As a tribute to the national holiday, I decided to write down the Tagalog word "kasarinlan", which means independence, in 3 colors: blue, red, and yellow, the same colors we can see in the Philippine flag. Even though it is quite far from where I live, I still decided to go to Fort San Pedro, a military defense structure during the Spanish era and one of the famous historical sites in Metro Cebu, I made it as a background of my hand-lettered work. The struggle was real at that time since the it was a bit rainy and I'm concerned about my hand-lettered work because the ink usually scatters whenever there's a liquid on its surface. Good thing, I was able to manage things. Haha! I'll do anything for you, my beloved motherland!
After three years of waiting for her comeback, Lorde finally released Melodrama, after the award-winning (and one of my favorite albums ever!) Pure Heroine. Although I was expecting her to collaborate with Joel Little again for her sophomore album, she worked with fun.'s lead guitarist and Bleachers' Jack Antonoff this time. The result? It was so divine. I mean, it was really great and the music critics can attest to that. Melodrama is may be different from Pure Heroine. The latter made me reminisce my teenage years while the former is about growing up and it's like a sad party girl's anthem. In other words, I am totally in love with this album.

I can't stop listening and dancing to Green Light, Homemade Dynamite, Sober, and Perfect Places while Supercut has this "I want to scream or dance while crying" kind of vibe. She even let us know how she was like when she fell in love with The Louvre. Sometimes, I can't help but to feel melancholic whenever I play Liability and Writer in the Dark. But my favorite track may be (I'm killing the repeat button, sorry. Haha!) is Hard Feelings/ Loveless. I can't relate entirely on this song but you know how painful it is when you broke up with your lover as you try to recover. To be honest, these songs gave me so much emotions that I put into words. I guess these are more than enough reasons why I love her. She's not only a singer, she's a wordsmith and great storyteller. And if you haven't heard of her album, do yourself a favor: LISTEN TO IT NOW!
On the other hand, we celebrated Father's Day on the 18th of June, as a tribute to the pillars of our homes. I didn't miss this chance to make simple hand lettered greeting to the man who usually drives me to the office safely. I've been late so far since he drives like one of the dudes in The Fast and The Furious movies. Lol. He's also the man who's literally like a crouching tiger and hidden dragon at times, and the man who is the most solution-oriented guy I know. Love you always, Pa!
My June roller coaster ride ended with a sweet one. My heart was jumping when I read a post that she'll going to Cebu for the book signing of her first novel, Sad Girls. Finally, after years of wishing, I was able to meet one of favorite poet and artist, and now a novelist, Lang Leav! It was so astonishing and surreal or whatever. I don't know which word to use to describe the feeling. I'm going to make a separate post for that but I even don't know how and where to start. Ha ha ha!


We're already at the mid quarter of the year yet so many things (but great and depressing) had already happened. Hagdrid once said, "What's comin' will come and well meet it when it does." I'm not always ready on the changes in the future but I believe everything happens for a reason and eventually all things fall into place. The best is yet to come. Remember that. :)

Bon Odori was the highlight of my May 2017 experience. I've been a loyal attendee in this Japanese summer festival for the past four years. Although on the previous years it was usually held on the month of August, this year it was held on May to anticipate the summer season in the country. The spectacular event was held in Sugbo Grounds on the 27th and 28th of May. Since it was really hot during that time, my friends and I decided not to wear our yukatas (casual summer kimono).
The gate opened at 3PM and we were one of the few early birds in the venue. Perks of not dressing up too much, I guess? Haha!
The event ended with a spectacular fireworks display. It was so spectacular that I just looked up in the sky and forgot to take some snaps. Haha! There was something new this year, btw. There was this flaming phoenix flying in the night sky. I honestly don't know how they did it but it was really amazing! It was great way to end an epic night, indeed! This year's Bon Odori event was really awesome. As always. ♥

May was basically the height of summer in the country yet I wasn't able to go to the beach, not even once. However, it was a great month because I was able to catch up with my friends during the weekends. When you're the phase of your life when you and your friends are too busy being corporate slaves and you rarely see each other. As a result, May was a month full of food trips and random chitchats. This blog post is going to be like a visual diary, a lot of photos but less words. Haha!
 My close friend and cosplay buddy Sarah and I decided to go to a cosplay competition sans wearing costumes. It's been a while since I attended a cosplay con. I think the last cosplay event I attended was last February this year. It was nice to see familiar and new faces in Cebu cosplay community. Also, it was a great time to take random photos since there were a lot of Instagram-worthy spots in SM Seaside City. But we only took a few photos since there are a lot of photobombers. Ha ha ha!
Another sunny afternoon date with Sarah at Coffee Prince Cebu. I love how they filled their interiors with new awesome designs including this table. And, I am a matcha lover. Always.
On the second Sunday of May, we celebrated the Mother's Day. I made this piece in honour of our real-life Wonder Woman, confidante and our number one fan! It has been my tradition to give my mother a simple greeting since I started doing hand lettering stuff.  And just when she thought I won't be giving her one this day but voila, I made this for about 3o minutes! The Flash possessed me, I guess. Haha!
And to end the month with a bang, I attended the Japanese Summer Festival popularly known as Bon Odori at SRP Sugbo Grounds. I've been a loyal attendee for the last 4 years but this year without wearing a yukata. It was a bit odd but it was super duper fun. I'm going to blog my experience for this year's Bon Odori real soon. Stay tuned! ^^

Last month's realization? I guess, if you enjoy being with your friends or loved ones, no matter where you go (within or away from the city) you know you won't have that summertime sadness. :)