Recap: April 2018

Three things to sum up my April experience: bad decisions, unhappy endings, and Mercury retrograde. I don't really believe in astrology stuff but some forecasts on my sign during Mercury retrograde somehow actually happened. But, I didn't blame the stars nor other heavenly bodies because those unfortunate things were the consequences of my bad decisions and stupid actions. Haha!

Yes, April was a month full of zany dramas, mental and emotional breakdown (both literally and figuratively), and stressing myself out on petty things. It was hell of a roller coaster plus Ferris wheel ride of emotions. So this time, can I blame gravity for falling for the wrong person, again? Kidding aside, I know it sounds really cliche but I always believe that everything happens for a reason. And maybe one of the reasons is that it served as a wake-up call...a wake-up call that I should stop chasing people and I should know my worth and I should love myself more. And oh, I forgot to warn you, this might be one of the dramatic blog posts that I wrote before. I just need to get things off my chest and I think pouring it into writing might help.

The infamous Boracay sunset. Yes, I am forever that kid who really get's excited when the sky is in pretty hues.

I had my first out-of-Cebu getaway during this month. I went to Boracay with so much excitement because a) I would finally be able to visit to one of the world's best islands; b) I would be able to watch the beautiful and saturated sunset/sunrise before my very eyes and not just on my Instagram feed; c) I would be seeing an online buddy in person. (Yes, I'm an ambivert and I really love meeting new people especially those I usually talk to on the Internet.)

Hand lettered this by the beach. I've always wanted to that stuff during my beach trips and now, was able to do it! 

Everything went well during our first two days in the island until I wasn't able to accomplish the third reason I went there due to some unavoidable circumstances. To be honest, I'm even mad at that person but I was just so upset. Maybe because I expected too much. Or maybe because it happened to me not just once but thrice already. And what makes me so sad is that we already stopped talking as if we're back from being strangers again. And I don't know yet how to move on from that. Lol. This was my least favorite getaway not because I didn't like the place but because of what just happened.

Okay. Enough of the drama. On April 14th, I was able to attend the launch the debut EP of an up-and-coming electro-indie duo Mandaue Nights at A SPACE Cebu. Mandaue Nights was one of the opening acts for December Avenue and Clara Benin's gig here in Cebu last January. That was the first time I saw them performed and totally feel in love with their music as it reminded me of some of my favorite indie/alternative bands like The 1975, LANY, and Vampire Weekend. And I just found myself watching some of their gigs after. The duo performed their hit songs You and I and First Kiss.

Local artists like .fc, Sepia Times, and Eskina Jones also performed during the event. Mandaue Nights and Eskina Jones also performed their collab song called Super Sonic Love that is so LSS-worthy. By the way, you can stream to the rest of the tracks here.

It was one epic night of music and love that kind of reminds me of one of my favorite movies Nick and Norah's Playlist...except that I was all by myself. I've always wanted to have a friend slash musical soulmate who also loves indie music. Haha!

Also during month, my other favorite artists dropped some new songs. December Avenue released a new song called Bulong. Watch the music video of the song and find out why I got emotional. Lol. My favorite duo HONNE also dropped two tracks Me & You featuring Tom Misch and I Just Wanna Go Back. They never fails to deliver songs are quite infectious and eargasmic and it was like a love at first listen especially the track Me & You since I have a huge thing for cosmos stuff. And of course, the highly-anticipated comeback single of Ariana Grande called No Tears Left to Cry, in which the  music video visuals (as well as the cover art) remind me of Brandon Woelfel's trademark photography techniques. April was such a beautiful month for music lovers out there like me.

And to end the month with a bang, I surely didn't missed to attend the yearly Japanese summer festival called Bon Odori. Who would have thought that we've been attending this awesome event for five years already! The Bon dance, the variety of Japanese food, the people (whether Japanese or not) who wore their colorful yakatas, the Japanese songs played—it was definitely a great way to experience the Japanese culture without flying to the Land of the Rising Sun.


My April experience might be a bit heartbreaking but I always remind myself that not all the time you're going to suffer because after the rain, there's always a rainbow. People either come to your life and stay or they leave a lesson that will mold you as a better version of your current self. Moreover, Demi Lovato once said, "Life can be difficult at times but fighting through the pain is so worth it." and that gave me a silver lining to continue living in this world of scary unknowns.