The Palms Resort

I flew four times during the first two months of August, but I guess that wasn't enough because I had four more coming, and it's for this trip..

Third weekend of the month, I was at a hotel room so much bigger than my condo unit in Manila. A place where people stay for days is bigger than where I lived for years! Sad, right? Well, it's an RCI-related reservation anyway so I shouldn't feel so bad..

If you travel often, you should consider a membership to RCI. I'm not their ambassador or whatever (I wish, though!) but they really offer a lot of hotel deals than would make your eyes twinkle! My parents are members which means we can have a two-bedroom suite for one week in any of their affiliated hotels around the world, for FREE! That's subject to availability, of course, but platinum members have priority access. Also, they give out discounts and half-price deals. The membership is really worth it.

With one-peso fare airline tickets and a membership with RCI, you could have vacations every weekend, and who doesn't want that? That's why, I said in this post, our family sees every long weekend as an opportunity to go explore the world. August is the Kadayawan month in Davao City, my beloved hometown. The fourth monday of the month was declared as a holiday so Davaoenos can rest after the festivities. That was our go signal. A holiday/long weekend + promo tickets + RCI-affiliated hotel = Go.

This time, that green light took us to Phuket! We spent that weekend at The Palms Resort, never ordering room service because we had our own kitchen and Family Mart is just cheaper! haha.

Oh, I remember something. Whenever we stay at a hotel, we always take photos of the rooms because of course we're happy to be out of our house and being at a different place is just fun, and duh, the rooms are nice! I heard someone said that doing that - taking photos inside the hotel room - is so 'cheap' and it's being 'igrnorante'. Sorry, but I don't care what you think, person! Maybe my kind of fun is cheap for you and again, that crazy hotel room is bigger than my studio unit so yes, I'm being ignorante here.

Anyway, enough about that. Haters gonna hate, right? That's what they do. Bad vibes go away! Here are the photos, hope you enjoy them. :)

My mom and my sister

Here they are again

and again!

This happens all the time. I'm back home after a vacation, wondering why I don't have enough photos of myself. haha.

my dad doesn't care so much. he just wants to sleep...

...and drink his morning coffee...

...while his girls are taking a morning dip...

...because we're mermaids. haha.

Naked Sun swimwear

Don't mind what others say, just do you and have fun!

Young Crazy Architects

To be an architect here in the Philippines, one has to complete several 'steps'. He has to finish the 5-year degree, complete the 2-year apprenticeship, take the 6-month review for the board exam (though optional, most graduates do this), take the oath after passing the board exam, and join a UAP Chapter.

After attending three General Membership Meetings, UAP Alpha finally allowed me to be part of their chapter. The induction of new members was scheduled August 13, in Davao City, of course. This is why I had to fly back to my hometown on the second week of August. Yes, fly back because I went home for my nephew's birthday the week before. As I said from this post, I was out of Davao on the 6th, attended my classes in Makati, then flew back on the 9th.

I crammed for that event. I needed a photo of me looking like a professional, which is non-existent because I only have the crazy-me photos so I had a new one taken. I also need an office formal wear, which would be easy if they didn't require black pants! I only had skirts and a few white pants so I had to hunt for nice black trousers. The clothes I had in Davao doesn't fit me anymore so I had to rummage through my sisters' closets for everything else - top, blazer, shoes.

The 13th came and my friends and I had fun. We took a group photo that looked so amazingly formal as if we're running our own architectural firm. haha. We wore our UAP pins with pride inside the function then goofed off the moment we stepped outside. It made me think about when we'd actually be like the other architects in that room, all grown up.

We had drinks after to catch up until my sister called me to remind me that I had to be at the airport by 3am. My family took me to the airport and said our goodbyes and my sister yelled 'see you next week'. I said I'm not coming back to Davao the next week and then I remembered, they're the ones flying in to Manila. Why? I'll tell you about it on the next post. ;)

architect na architect

let the true colors shine! haha.

MSE sleeveless top | Marks & Spencer trousers | Forever 21 blazer | Faridez shoes from Simply Felice

Remember to take some time off, remove your heels, and be the kid that you are..

Baby Boy's Birthday

Remember I told you that last month was crazy? Well, it was because I had plans week after week.

First monday of the month, I flew to Davao to celebrate my nephew's first birthday. It was minion-inspired so my sisters and I, crazy as we are, planned to wear jumpers to the party. It's obviously a kiddie party with a lot of kids but the three of us acted the most childish that night. I guess some people just don't know how to grow up. haha.

I didn't watch Despicable Me 1 because I didn't even like their trailer. I watched the sequel because I had to wait for hours for my dad but I just sat at the cinema, wishing it to end. I don't really find it funny (or whatever it should be) so I didn't bother watching the Minion Movie.

Anyway, that doesn't matter because my nephew's eyes light up when he sees those minions or hears ba-ba-ba-baba-nana. That one I like by the way, the song. So he was super happy during his party because there were minions everywhere - the cake, the cupcakes, the standees, the goodies, even on his forehead and shoes!

He still had long hair during his party but after his haircut, he already looks so grown up! I can already imagine him rocking the Nolan Ross look. He's our first baby boy and I can't wait to dress him up!!

Anyway, I flew back to Manila Thursday that week for school. Yes, just to attend my classes on Friday and Saturday, because when Sunday came, I was back at the airport boarding a plane back to Davao. You'll know what for on the next post! ;)

Bench top | Cache Cache jumper | Fila shoes | minion eyes headband crafted by my sister

GoodTimes at Kiltepan

They say a trip to Sagada wouldn't be complete without watching the sun rise over the clouds at Mt. Kiltepan. Well I agree, but I think it's more of a must-experience than a must-watch. Most people usually just want a photo or a time-lapse video not realizing that they missed watching the sunrise through their eyes.

I don't want to sound self-righteous or what because when we got there, I tried to take loads of photos myself but when I realized that I only got this one chance to actually see it, I left my camera recording as I enjoyed the moment with the people close to my heart. It was when I played the video a few days after that I thanked myself for doing exactly that.

Watching the clip, my focus wasn't on the view but on the moment I had with my friends. We watched the sunrise together, posed a few times for the video, and took selfies and groufies. These girls are treasures that I found a few years back and I'm so happy to call these precious gems my friends.

About five years ago, I spend 2 hours, 3 times a week with these people because we're teammates. They were simply part of my weekly routine. Those training sessions then led to weekend outings, we're already friends, which makes them part of my life. After everything we've all been through together, I see them as sisters. They're a part of ME now.

We've all stayed together in our lows and highs, because we know that things will always be better tomorrow. We turn bad times around that's why we call ourselves the GoodTimes.

I think the reason I felt emotional watching the clip is because I see our friendship from the outside. What we have is special. We're the kind who support each other in darkness looking forward to a wonderful sunrise. I believe our experiences in Sagada want me to always remember that - hold on, then enjoy the view.

Life is amazing and so much can happen tomorrow. Don't give up just because today's tiring or boring or whatever. Just be patient and a sunrise, as wonderful as the one in Mt. Kiltepan, will greet you soon enough.

it's always a good time with GoodTimes ♥

Sagada Spelunking

I see myself as an adventure seeker because I like different outdoor activities like snorkeling, hiking, and paragliding. I was checking off a lot of adventures on my bucket list and I felt satisfied until my friends and I went spelunking.

"Explore a cave" is not on my list and never actually crossed my mind. Not that I don't think it's fun, but because I never thought there is such an activity. I didn't even know 'spelunking' is a word! I first encountered it when my friends and I were planning a trip to Sagada, Mt. Province. It was new to me, both the word and the kind of adventure, which made me really excited..

It was around lunch time when my friends and I arrived at Sagada, and note that we left Manila around midnight! Ugh, I hate roadtrips. That's a different story though.. Anyway, we were scheduled to go to the caves by 4pm.

There are two types of caving we could choose from - normal caving and cave connection. Since we all love to make the most of that looong trip, we decided we'd take the cave connection. It would normally take 3-4 hours but if you have the time, go for it and try to finish it. It won't be something you would regret.

No words could share the experience and not even the photos could give justice to the emotions and the struggles we went through within those caves.

We went up and down the cave on barefoot with only gas lamps and our cave guides to show us the way. It's raw adventure - no safety equipment, no activity orientation. We trusted our lives to the guides and to each other, and to the ropes and the rocks.

It is a very important thing that you come to the caves with people who genuinely care for you. The ones who know your fears and weaknesses. The ones who are willing to assist you and cheer you through the obstacles and challenges. Because this cave connection is an adventure that seals your relationships with these people.

Before I get too emotional, I'll share these photos to give you a glimpse, a glimpse, on what to expect, because again, not even all these photos summed up can share what it's really like to be spelunking the Lumiang and Sumaguing Caves. Enjoy..

During these moments when one slip could literally kill you, it is of great importance to note the people, risking nothing less than their own lives, who held your hand and kept you safe.

I'll forever thank God these girls.

To adventures and friendships..