2016 was literally a roller coaster (and Ferris wheel) ride of emotions. Too many sad events had happened yet there were also a lot of awesome experiences which both help me become a better person. And to give thanks to all these things, I decided to go back to one of favorite churches here in Cebu—The Church of the Miraculous Mama Mary in Simala, municipality of Sibonga, a 2-hour bus ride from Cebu City. To get there, ride a bus bound to Southern Cebu (Argao, Oslob, or Bato) in Cebu South Bus Terminal.

And let me share a bit of story about the last time I went to Simala. The last time I was here was about five years ago. At that time, I was wishing to get a new job. Haha! Few weeks later, I was hired by a BPO company. So here I am, finally back in here, trying hard to wish for something zany: to have a little progress on my lovelife. Hahahajk!


This is definitely my favorite picture from the trip. Truly, this place is getting more and more beautiful and stunning at the same time. So I guess, that's why it is likened to some churches in Europe. By the way, it is better to visit here around late afternoon if you can't take the scorching sunlight and it is also less crowded. Talking 'bout less (or no) photobombers. Lol. But it is also a must to visit the church when there is a Holy Mass conducted.  



It is a beautiful work-in-progress, indeed! ♥


When you go the right side (for petitions and lighting some candles), you'll going to see this signage. It could be literally translated as "Please respect this sacred place. Please read the rules and guidelines. Thank you very much."

 You light up petition candles as many as you want. Each color of the candle has different meaning:

• GOLD - for healing (good health, recovery, spiritual, family tree)
• GREEN - for prosperity/success (exam, study, financial, business)
• BLUE - perseverance (employment, career, assignment, promotions)
• VIOLET - achievement (plans in life, struggles, endeavors, journey)
• RED - love (unity, friendship, engagement, family)
• YELLOW - peace (courage, strength, hope)
• WHITE - purity (enlightenment, guidance, right path)
• ORANGE - reconciliation (sweetheart, wife, husband, enemy, family)
• PINK - thanksgiving/happiness/joy (spiritual, physical)
• BLACK - souls (forgiveness, pardon)
• BROWN - vocation (marriage bond, God's servant, single life)

Bought a few of them and offered some prayers. Can you guess which of them I bought?


As we went inside, the interior never fails to amaze us.




The statue of Mother Mary can found at the back of the main altar on the second floor.


The second floor is also filled with a more than a hundred statues of different Mother Mary.


Obligatory selfie with  Jeey and Hannah.


The place is really huge and since arrived a bit late and it's getting dark, we weren't able to roam around the other parts. Anyway, the important thing is that I was able to do my goal of going here—to give thanks for all the blessings. And here's the final photo for this wonderful and random pilgrimage! I am looking forward for the wonderful things that are yet to come in 2017.

Tbh, I couldn't think of any great word for the demo, so I chose this one instead since it has been my favorite expression. Haha!

Prior to the event, I was hesitant to accept the offering since I have to do some things for the first time: a demo on stage and doing a live mural! Imagine, I had to do a demo on how I do my hand lettering stuff on stage in front of many people in front many people on the first day. Good thing, I was able to fight my stage fright and was able to do a good demo. :)

An awesome work by fellow artist and STABILO PH ambassador Joemar featuring Kendall Jenner.

Be a warrior, not a worrier.

On the second day, I was asked to do a live mural. Again, I don't know what quote to write so I randomly took a quote from Tumblr. Since it was my first time to do this kind of stuff, I could attest how real the struggle was and I don't even know what to do so it took me forever to do everything. Ha ha ha! And it was even fully finished. *sobs* At the very least I did my very best.

Calligraffitti mural of famous Cebuano terms by AJ Tabino.

Beautiful works by Gian Solamo and Hansoy Jurado.

It might be a nerve-racking experience but I'm pretty sure that I really had fun! It was great to meet new people people (especially the creative folks whom I followed on Instagram) and how they appreciated your work. It surreal and overwhelming!

With fellow artist Joemar and STABILO's Richard Blaise Lim.

Thank you, STABILO family for this wonderful opportunity which made me love arts even more and for the awesome freebies. Can't wait for the next creative events like this!

My cousin (from my mother's side) invited us for a short summer getaway in their hometown about a year ago. Since I'm always up for adventures, I said "yes" without any hesitation even though it would usually take 4 hours to get there. Haha! And it was like "no regrets, just love" because I've been to a few waterfalls and yeah, Inambakan Falls is basically one of the most beautiful waterfalls here in Cebu!

Getting there: From Cebu South Bus Terminal, you can ride a bus to get to the town of Ginatilan. Travel time is about 4-5 hours, depending on the traffic situation but you can also take the early morning bus around 4 AM like what we did.

When you reach the town proper, hire for a habal-habal. The fare usually costs 25PHP per person. The estimated travel time is about 20 minutes. There's also an entrance fee of 20PHP but since I went there with my cousin and one of the caretaker happened to be a family friend, we weren't able to pay for the entrance fee. Perks, eh? Haha!

I got really excited the moment I saw this.

After less than 10 minutes of walking, here it is! Even from afar, it is really beautiful. It was like love at first sight, literally.


We took a rest for a couple of minutes before decided to took a dip in the cold waters. Yes, it was really cold and I almost froze the moment I went out of the water. Plus, it was quite windy at that time. Haha! On the other hand, it is so sad to see that some parts of the place were vandalized by some irresponsible visitors but these things didn't hinder the beauty of Inambakan Falls.

Bes, don't jump yet! Remember you don't know how to swim. Loljk.

Even the hidden parts of the waterfalls are beautiful!


As part of this so-called creative retreat, I decided to write down a random word to describe this random trip. I have chosen the word free, which is coined after a quote I read by Roman Payne, "She was free in her wildness. She was a wanderess, a drop of free water. She belonged to no man and to no city."

This view from above shows how powerful and beautiful Inambakan Falls is.

I am so in love with this place. <3

We stayed for about 2 hours enjoying the place, chitchatting and taking lots of photos. Haha! Special thanks to my cousin Jeey, for my awesome portraits and trying her best to get the best angle no matter how demanding I was. Ha ha ha! I can't wait to get back here sooner. ♥

February has always been considered as the season of love. And prior on that month, I made a little pact to myself that I'll do my very best not to be bitter on Valentine's Day. So here I go again, doing this kiligraphy stuff. I can't believe it's already been three years since I started this tradition. Haha! Anyway, for this year's entries I wrote were mostly lyrics from the songs that make me feel kilig-much, and sometimes knock me off my feet whenever I listen to them.


DAY 01: "I Melt With You" - Modern English.
Although the story behind this song is quite bizarre, this is really my most requested song whenever I hang out with my friends in a music bar. I think this song is really beautiful. Try listening to KC Concepcion's cover, by the way! It might be different from the original but it's soothing and dope. 



DAY 02: "Caught in the Middle" - Charli XCX.
You're like the song I was listening to until I found myself singing your words and melodies for hours and I can't help but to hit the replay button over and over again. You're giving that last song syndrome, literally.



DAY 03: "Catch Me" - Demi Lovato.
That young love. Aw! I can still remember those night when we used to stay up late, just talking about random things like how was your day going on and laughing like fools on the phone. Good times! It was long time ago but I can still recall those good and bad times we shared especially when I hit the sack. I guess you're one of the few reasons why I sometimes smile in my sleep.


DAY 04: "Baby I'm Yours" - Arctic Monkeys.
Two plus two is equal to four which means two plus two will never be three, so I just going to love fourever! Pardon me, I'm so lame on puns. Haha!


DAY 05: "Umaapaw" - Ang Bandang Shirley.
This line could be translated as "you're the water that would quench my thirst." Honestly, this is one of the great songs that would basically make you confess to your crush about feelings.


DAY 06: "Stolen" - Dashboard Confessional.
How I could I forget those beautiful brown eyes that melt my heart instanly. *giggles infinitely*


DAY 07: "Run Away with Me" - Carly Rae Jepsen.
To be honest, this is the most played track in my playlist since 2015! I don't know why I can't stop playing this song. Maybe this song tells our story. I'm in the present while you're in the future. And we're like in a long distance relationship but one day, we'll meet. (Omg! What am I writing though? Lol.)


DAY 08: "Lionheart" - Demi Lovato.
The great ancient Roman poet Virgil once said, "amor vincit omnia, et nos cedamus amori." which is could be translated as love conquers all things, so we too shall yield to love. It's like our love is the strongest weapon we got in facing the world.


DAY 09: "Your Song" - Parokya ni Edgar.
You always keep me sane and I find solace in your arms. So, I guess I'm falling for you but I'm a bit hesitant to be committed to you. I must admit, I am scared of all the shortcomings and obstacles that we'll be facing maybe that's why I tend to run away from you but my feet always lead me back to you.



DAY 10: "Teenage Dream" - Katy Perry.
Oh, Valentine's Day! Let's look back on that time when you fall in love for the first time with this track.


I wish everyone had a great day celebrating V-Day. Remember, Valentine's Day is not always all about having a date, getting bouquets of flowers or boxes of chocolates but it's also the day in which you can express your love to you loved ones, such as your family and friends. All after, love and time are the greatest gifts you can give to them. ♥

Sometimes, it only takes a day or less than a day to plan your next adventure. Cliche may it sound but the best trips are usually unplanned. Haha! And that's what had happened on us during a long weekend few months ago. It was one fine night when we were chitchatting online and just randomly decided to spend our boring long weekend by climbing the highest peak in the province of Cebu called Osmeña Peak or O-Peak.