Travels Exploring Fortune Island 11:15 PM We went to Fortune Island (read more about the island here); an hour and a half away from Nasugbu, Batangas by boat. There were 16 of us. When we came to the island, I never regretted my decision of going. The scenery was stunning; bluish-green clear water, white sand, and the ruins, which added to the appeal of the place. Above the cliff at the far side of the island are columns, which resemble that in Parthenon Greece and some ruined statues. There were foreigners who were cliff-diving at the other end. Amazing what nature can make you feel. I felt totally alive just being there, I felt so relaxed lying by the shore. It was an even unreal experience just sitting there with the moon illuminating the night, witnessing it rise above, quietly sitting on the sand with a bunch of people talking/laughing behind me, and some discussing about photography. It’s like basking in God’s inexplicable love. The first on my agenda was to take pictures (of course!), and so I took lots and lots of it. Or at least before my phone died on me. (Click individual image to view in full size) we arrived around noon, but the scorching heat of the sun never bothered us my friend who invited me replica of the Spanish warship inside the shipwreck the water was so inviting we didn't bother changing and went straight for a swim...and pictures of course #morethingstotry and #moreplacestosee for 2014...checked! Photos from my phone. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Music Music: Beautiful (Abby Asistio) 3:03 AM The song Beautiful by Abby Asistio is heart-warming and encouraging. Abby Asistio is a singer, songwriter and tv host who has been suffering from alopecia since she was four. Her battle is an inspiration to those who have very low self-esteem and are losing hope. Listen and remember how valuable and beautiful you are. #TheBeautifulProject Beautiful Abby Asistio La la la la la la la la La la la la la la la la Smile little girl, you're beautiful. Smile little girl, you are loved. When you're in doubt, afraid, downcast All you gotta do is look up to The One Who's up above He's saying you are Beautiful, you are beautiful You're beautiful just as you are Beautiful, you are beautiful Show the world who you are Shine your light You're a star La la la la la la la la la Believe in your heart you are meant for greater things Believe in your heart you can go far Yes, you will go far When darkness creeps in Release the courage deep within We're made much stronger by our scars Remember you are Beautiful, you are beautiful You're beautiful just as you are You're Beautiful, you are beautiful Show the world who you are Shine your light Awaken your soul Let the light shine through Because true beauty lies inside of you Beautiful, you are beautiful You're beautiful just as you are Beautiful, you are, you're beautiful Show the world who you are Shine your light You're a star (La la la la la la la la) Just as you are (La la la la la la la la) Shining bright (La la la la la la la la) You're beautiful (La la la la la la la la) Yes you are (La la la la la la la la) You're beautiful (La la la la la la la la) Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Travels Fortune Island, Batangas: The Columns, Parthenon Greece Of The Philippines 1:28 AM Fortune Island, Batangas: The Columns, Parthenon Greece Of The Philippines About Fortune Island, Batangas Fortune Island is an hour and a half boat ride from Nasugbu, Batangas. Fortune Island used to be a luxury resort owned by former governor of Batangas José Antonio Leviste. It’s been abandoned, and although it is still private property, the place is not maintained nor developed. There's a spot for cliff-diving The unique view of the ruins against the beautiful beach is a great spot for photo shoots. Aside from the clear water, rich marine life, white sand, scattered with corals and shells, the columns which pretty much resembles that in Parthenon Greece is a must-see. Our Fortune Island Experience: Travelers who wish to stay overnight in Fortune Island camp out; they pitch tents or stay in what’s left of the ruined buildings. We stayed in the farthest one which is large enough for our group (16 pax). I was informed that it was former Mayor Leviste and Sen. Loren Legarda’s vacation house. In front of our “shelter” is a ruined replica of a Spanish warship that sank off the island. (Photo on the right: My friend reading the brief history of the island.) Traveling by group (our experience - 2 days/1 night) For a group of 16, we spent Php 1,661/pax. That covered: Van from Manila to Batangas and vice versa (2 hours travel time) Boat ride from Nasugbu to Fortune Island and vice versa (I was told renting a boat costs Php 9,000.00, so going in large groups is advisable) Food for 2days/1night trip Clean water for drinking and washing Entrance to the island (350 Php/pax for day trip, 400 Php/pax for overnight) I was lucky to be part of a group of experienced travelers/backpackers. They knew what to bring, what to do, and they’re pretty organized. You can find groups of backpackers on Facebook. There's no electricity nor running and potable water available in the island, so you need to bring those too. Must bring in Fortune Island, Batangas: 1. tent, sleeping bags 2. flashlight or emergency light and extra batteries 3. mosquito/bug repellent 4. swim wear, number clothes depending on your length of stay 5. water for drinking 6. water for washing or rinsing 7. lots and lots of food (there are no convenient stores in the island) 8. sunblock 9. goggles/snorkeling gears 10. toiletries 11. towel 12. first aid kit 13. cooking and eating utensils (you have to bring all the things you need for your cooking. i.e. charcoal for grilling, portable stove, butane, etc) 14. powerbank for your gadgets 15. cameras (you would want to document your stay there) Fortune Island, Batangas on camera (even more breathtaking when you're actually there): I've posted more Fortune Island photos here. All photos are from my phone. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Life Lessons Cliché Life Lessons You Already Know, But Will Re-Learn In the Corporate World 1:01 AM Posted on Thought Catalog: Life is a jungle. The corporate world is a jungle. You’ll find all kinds of species here (people from different places, from different age groups, different sexual orientation, different religion and culture, different background, etc.). You’ll sometimes feel lost in the middle of nowhere, and don’t know which direction to go (too many things to do in a short period of time, too many opportunities and choices, or maybe too little?). You sometimes lose track of time (day isn’t so much different from night, is it?). Sometimes it's really quiet and calm, most of the time it's chaotic. You’ll never know what’s waiting for you or what's going to happen next. It’s not how much you earn, it’s how much you save. You will encounter this line in almost every financial book there is. Financial mentors, investors, and people who made it big in the business world believe that no matter how much you earn, if you don’t have financial literacy, if you’ve got the wrong mentality, and if you spend more than you earn, you will always end up broke and in debt. If you can't be responsible with a small amount, how can you be entrusted with larger ones? Life is not always fair. An enigma that has always baffled me. No matter how much you try to be kind, considerate, patient, understanding, and respectful, there will always be someone who will treat you the opposite way. You did nothing to deserve such treatment, but you receive it anyway. When you’re in this situation, it is best to remember that “hurt people hurt people”. It’s not your battle, but their battle with themselves. Be the better person, and however tempting it is to give them a dose of their own medicine, it is always wise to walk out and walk away. Reminds me of this quote I saw: “Be kind for everyone’s fighting a hard battle. Be kinder still, for not everyone is winning”. Read the complete list here.
Faith Goals for This Holy Week's Fasting 8:47 PM The purpose of fasting is to be closer to God. What are your goals for this Holy Week’s fasting and prayer? I’m not a meat person, but definitely a dessert person. So I’m fasting on sweets and desserts this Holy Week. I’m constantly craving for sugary food. Now I have to discipline myself. I can’t totally abandon Facebook for 40days like I used to; mainly because I manage my and my client's Facebook page.. So I’m only reducing my time online to 1 hour a day or lesser. That may sound like nothing, but for someone like me, that’s a lot. Why do I need to fast anyway? Because it’s the trend? I’m the one person who does not follow the trend unless I like it. I was raised a Catholic. It’s not like it was forced down my throat though. I’ve had my share of struggles with my faith. I did pass through the stage of doubt and confusion. I did went hiatus from the church (a year of drought, believe you me). I stopped praying to saints and even Mother Mary. I think every Catholic (or any faithful) went through the same struggle. When I was at my lowest, I just held my rosary, and would wake up feeling a little better. Shame on me for doubting Mary’s powerful motherly love and comfort. I didn't just hear or read about it, I’ve experienced it firsthand. She was there when I was pushing her Son away. How can I run away when she never let go of my hand? This Lent, I am reminded of what to focus on. What are my goals and dreams? I have them written down, but I let myself get distracted. This Holy Week, the first reflection is to focus on my goals. What do I live for? What do I want to accomplish before I die? What do I want to pray for? What will I fast for? The purpose of fasting is to be closer to God. If you fast and nothing’s changed inside you, you’re doing it wrong. Fasting is not just starving your body, but making your soul hungry for God. Fasting is not so people will praise you for being righteous and religious. It’s building a strong bond between you and your God. Fasting starves you physically so you empty yourself from things that normally preoccupies you, and lets yourself hunger for the significant things. This is the perfect time to refocus on what matters most. If God can sacrifice His life for me, a little sugar and Facebook time won’t hurt. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Stories How Can I Not Forgive You? 8:43 AM Forgive you? Of course. How can I not forgive someone who made me better, wiser and stronger? Someone who brought out the worst and eventually, the best in me? How can I not forgive the person who taught me to never again lower my standards, to never again compromise my beliefs, to never again sacrifice my dignity, and to never again cross oceans for people who would not even jump puddles for me? How can I not forgive you for what you did? You taught me that it's okay to sacrifice someone for something that I strongly believe in. That it's okay to put myself first before I think about what others would feel or think (to hell with them, right?). That if I want something bad enough, I can do anything, even make up stories, and lie to someone's face just so I can be where I want to be, and be with whom I want to be with at that moment. You taught me to be heartless, and to walk away. How can I not forgive you? You transformed me into the best version of myself today. Of course, I forgive you. I owe you a lot. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Travels Random Pictures While Exploring Boracay 10:48 AM Random Pictures While Exploring Boracay. Here's a glimpse of what everyday looks like in this little piece of paradise. What To Do In Boracay Trick Art Museum Inside Happy Dream Land, Boracay (Click individual image to view in full size) waiting for our boat for our island hopping. ahhh, this is the life. accessories sold everywhere Boracay ref magnets low tide enjoying the wet powdery sand on my feet thank you, La Carmela for the buffet and the pool passes waiting for a customer who wants to get a hair braid students going around the island with trash bags, cleaning up. nice! lamps, wallets and other merchandise early morning by the seashore with my friend and former officemate Aileen can't get enough of this fine powdery white sand before we went snorkeling, we passed by this wonder how it feels like to live here on our way to our ATV adventure i love the "downtown" feel of this area stores after stores after stores wind chimes, scented oils, candles, and more he never spread his tail :P Happy Dreamland cutie patootie bee fresh mango juice i think i took this without knowing it. i didn't delete it obviously. i kinda like it. you can go to Bora with only your wallet and your phone. you can find everything you need there. everything. i love these pens this place is called the Hobbit House because the employees here are well, short people. cool, huh? you can have your name written on these cute pens key chains love these native and stylish bags what a girl wants of course i bought something for myself too this looks cuter in person. and i kind of want one on my wall. in the beach, this is more than just an accessory. it's a necessity. my brother would have loved this blockbuster my friend Hannie on our first Boracay sunset walk. can't get enough of the place, she booked another flight this year. can't blame her really. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
