Saturday, February 18, 2012
My Father's Instincts
That alone just ended everything.
Every time I think about that moment, tears just roll down my cheeks. He was full of emotions. I can see doubtless how he felt my pain no matter how hard I have tried to hide it. He just felt it all the way.
That moment is still so vivid and it's overwhelming. Being a man of principles, he considered something that is a question of morality because of me. All I think I did was to try to protect him from being devastated of the outcome of the choice he made.
I thought I was protecting something but in fact, it's provoking something.
That moment was a twist of fate. It was one of the ironies of life indeed.
I have kept the person whom I thought I'm going to be with for the rest of my life a secret. I kept it a secret for almost three years. Three years of subtlety and discreetness for a reason. To have to know that there is an awful side that I haven't seen is illuminating! God is good. Everything happens for a reason.
It was a twist of mind because it just set me free. It set me free from something I thought I don't want to lose. Some things are just not meant to be.
Now I'm free.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
You Can't Move On If You're Still In The Dark
Every second I tell myself that. But no matter how hard I try to look away, I just know in my heart, in my mind, in my soul, it's not over. It's just not over. The love we had was real. It was so real! It just can't dissappear!
We seem so apart now but why do I still feel the fire burning. The heat of the memories are still burning.
That's just enough for me to believe that there is hope. There is hope for you and me after all. Everyday I tell myself to move on. It's just impossible if I know the future I will end up with is you.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Pagudpud Trip
The 10-hour ride from the heart of Manila to the tip of Luzon left me pondering about the origin of its name and within that 10-hour period, I found myself equating the trip to: Pagud + Pudpud = Pagudpud? Needless to say, the long stretch of pristine crystal-like white sand and clear blue water which esteems the sun in the azures is enough temptation for anyone with the gusto. What they’re about to experience here in Pagudpud would really make them go gaga for more.
Our crew pitched a tent at Saud Beach and camped for the entire night. It’s a government-owned resort in the town of Saud which has just about enough charm to lure any jetsetter to take the place as their refuge. You will always find people in Saud Beach. Most are locals, and some are tourists who would normally teem around a tent, in a marshmallow bonfire, with a warm blanket or a cold beer in hand. If you’re looking for seclusion, you can always search for your own isolated haven. Bury yourself in solitude just by exploring the farthest depths of the place and unraveling the mystery of the uninhabited part of the Pagudpud beach.
Here are some famous tourist spots in Pagudpud that you shouldn’t miss to visit.
Patapat Viaduct
At the foot of the cliff of the North Cordillera Mountain Range is the 12-km winding bridge known as the Patapat Bridge, popularly known as the French Riviera of the North. This is said to be the third longest bridge in the Philippines. At the upper part of the cliff, one can still see the etched foot bridge that was the only link between Ilocos and Cagayan Valley in the 1960's.
Kabigan Falls
One of the favorite destinations in Pagudpud is Kabigan Falls. It’s a 120 feet high mountain with water flowing freely into Kabigan’s famous basin-like pool. There’s trekking for 20 minutes before you get to the spell binding view of the falls but it could take longer if you get distracted shooting photos of the awesome view on the way. It’s one of the most relaxing journey I’ve ever done where anyone would really commune with nature. Sources say that there are 9 more infamous falls above the tip of Kabigan Falls’ surface and it will take 2 days for one to reach the summit. Only a few of the locals were able to climb it.
Maira-Ira Beach
Also known as Blue Lagoon, Maira-ira is another one of Pagudpud’s special treat to sophisticated beach bums. They have one of the nicest beach in Pagudpud. It’s also a perfect training ground for amateur surfers with its occasional big waves but friendly ones. There are no available hotels in Blue Lagoon so tourists will have to find a place to stay at nearby beach resorts.
What I love about Pagudpud is that, it’s not too commercialized. No hassles of distracting vendors scattered around unlike those in other beaches. You can just stay off-guard all day, free from the maniacs and muggers. The only few things to worry about is how not to get sunburned or not to fall asleep when the sun sets. You just can’t miss to witness one of the most divine sceneries ever existed. I just loved the Pagudpud Sunset! The whole heavenly experience just makes that 10-hour drive all worth it!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Ace Water Spa

It's a day spa located in 399 Del Monte Ave, near cor Banawe QC.
HYDROTHERAPY
"Water therapy” is the treatment of disease through the use of water. Hydrothermal therapy is the use of water temperature, such as in hot tubs or spas. The focus of Hydrotherapy is to rid the body of toxins that may be causing joint pain and inflammation. Hydrotherapy treatments are also helpful in managing chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES ALL MIXED UP...
This is a whole new experience for a spa enthusiast like me. It's only 500 bucks good for 4 hours so it's cheap if you are to compare it to a single upscale massage session. They're using high-tech systems so you need not to worry about tips. I'm actually impressed with those hydro-therapy machines. I think it's one and only in the country. Good work!
My favorite is the Hydro Acupuncture Bed and the Head & Shoulder Jet System. I love the Thermal pools too! The pool water is crisp and clear though I still got some itches and red marks on my skin. It could be due to the impact of the hydro machines to the skin or it could be just something that happens to me everyday due to my aversion to unknown toxicities in the air.
Since it's a public pool, you get to share the pool with everyone else in the place and I worry a lot about exchange of fluids with everybody in the pool. Eeew! I hate pools! Especially pools with old men in it. You never know who's got the airborne disease or STD, if you know what I'm sayin. They don't require a physical examination before entering the facility. Plus, you share it with everyone considering ages from newly borns to old-aged, and I mean "OLD AGED". We're talking about wheel chairs kind of old-aged. Anyways, they're harmless, I know and if you think of it too much you won't enjoy the whole new experience at all. Another disadvantage I saw is that it's tiresome. You have to make your way to each hydro machines. I ran out of charge after the Thermal Pool Activity. Dang it!
Well, you can lay on the Lazy River for a bit to get the relaxation that you need or you can catch your breath at the resting area with television. There are times within that 4-hour experience where in you want to lay down in your bed and sleep. Unfortunately, it's a day spa and not a destination spa nor a resort so they don't have rooms available.
If you're looking for a kind of spa which can be described as a therapeutic break from the stress of city life or a soulful rejuvenating experience with a soothing natural ambiance, --don't come here! You won't find that serenity you're looking for. This is a spa which requires physical activity somewhat similar to an indoor public pool. It's refreshing, relaxing and healthy at the same time and it's for public use with all the kids crying and playing around. This is so far from what you call a destination spa or any upscale signature spa. Don't get me wrong, Ace Water Spa is considered first class.
AFTER EFFECTS:
1) Chlorine aroma all over your body
2) Pig-out and snooze time!
TIPS:
1) For those who have low body resistance to physical activity (like me), you can't exactly maximize that four hours you paid for.
2) You need to have a bite before entering the facility because you can't get out just to grab a smoke or some food.
3) Bring your own towels because they charge 150 bucks for each.
4) This is best enjoyed with friends or family.
5) For crissake, bring your own swim suits!
25 DIFFERENT KINDS OF HYDRO MASSAGE THERAPY:
1) Bubble Bed
As you lay down position on an ergonomically designed bubble bed, air is emitted on the back through small holes on the bed surface. Touch sensitive foam triggers and produces ultra sonic sound with massaging properties which also gives a slight massage on your buttocks and feet.
2) Bubble Massage
This system creates the effect of "feeling good all over", as strong air combines with water gushing out from the bottom of the pool. You can practice balancing on water and receive stimulation. One can use the supporting rail to do different somersaults and enjoy ultra sonic sound bubble massage.
3) Bubble Pool
It utilizes the combination of water and air pressure to produce an ultra sonic sound that gives an effective massage on temporal pressure points of the head. This is the most outstanding and sought after item in the SPA.
4) Water Fall Bath
Utilizes cascading water from the falls as it strikes all parts of the body.
5) Rain Fall Acupuncture
Let the body lie down on the bed while utilizing a column of high pressure water to hit the neck, back, and arms in order to arrive at the effect of massaging the entire body.
6) Head & Shoulder Jet System
The water is delivered to the top by kinetic energy that massages the upper portion of the body.
7) Hydro Acupuncture Bed
Using high pressure hot spring water with air coming out from micro holes within the surface of the bed, it produces the effects of acupuncture.
8) Buttocks Massage
Utilizes the strong water spout out from the seat which hit the buttock and massage it.
9) Hydro-Bouyancy Massage
Jet-driven water from the wall and bubbling water from the bottom together creates buoyancy that supports the body.
10) High Pressure Massage
Water nozzles massage pressure points below the waist of the body.
11) Upper Body Jet Massage
Water from elevated jets beats down on the upper part of the body. Not recommended for those who have osteoporosis.
12) Multi-point Massage
Strong jet-driven water nozzles are fixed to surrounding wall towers, injecting nozzles with different height ranges to massage pressure points below the waist.
13) Chest Massage
While standing or squatting in the pool, it utilizes a strong column of jet driven water current and directed towards the upper part of the body to obtain the massage.
14) Waist Jet Massage
Use two sides of high and low water jet nozzles in standing or squatting position. The combination of strong water current and air bubbles massage the different meridian points of the lower part of the body.
15) Jet Chair Massage
Water is directed towards the meridian points of the person in the sit-up posture. It utilize ultra sonic sound with high pressure water flows to massage every acupressure point.
16) Jet Chair Massage with Foot Massage
Water is directed towards the meridian points of the person in the sit-up posture. It utilize ultra sonic sound with high pressure water flows to massage every acupressure point.
17) Eight Nozzle Shower
It is a unique eight nozzle shower designed to cool down and energize the body after using the steam, sauna or hot pool. It is an alternative way of cooling down if you do not want to use the cold pool.
18) Hot Herbal Pool With Back Massage & Cold Pillow
Water is designed in different zest (like ginseng, flower, grass, milk, etc.) water temperature to be soaked into it alternately.
19) Hot Herbal Pool With Foot Massage & Cold Pillow
Two water spout is fixed to the bottom of the pool, to massage directly all the different meridian points of the sole and enjoy the massage of water bubbles.
20) Cold Water Pool
It is designed to give different cold zone water temperature, so that one can interchange by dipping himself into cold and freezing water. The goal is to speed up our adoptability to a wide range of temperature changes and reduce our chances of catching a cold easily.
21) Steam Room
The warm air of steam can enhance the circulation of the entire body.
22) Sauna
The Steam Box emits warm air that is absorbed by the body.
23) Lazy River
It is somewhat exciting and relaxing, the body can float naturally in flowing water, it is designed by utilizing strong water current from the side of the wall.
24) Kids Pool, Mushroom Falls and Water Cannon
Water pours down on all sides like an umbrella which splashes on the upper body, particularly the head as kind tender pressure.
25) Swimming Pool
Designed according to the standard 25 meter length and 10 meters width, 5 lanes ( 2.0 meters per lane), water depth of 1.3 to 1.4 meters, water temperature is 28 degrees Celsius, all lanes are separated by ropes, the lane rope can be removed to become a no lane pool.
"It's very wholesome, budget-friendly and definitely a must-try!"
Monday, September 8, 2008
Massive Blow!
You may want to read Massive Attack to better understand what you're about to read. It's on my blog June 2006 issue.
Let's get started.
Xyra a.k.a "looney"
Emman a.k.a "savvy"
Abby a.k.a "moony"
has-chosen-not-to-avoid circumstance, she cancelled her account so everything is gone. No more validation to unimaginable past occurances.
Gladys a.k.a "lesby"
David a.k.a "daffy"
This institution may or may no longer exist now but the characters definitely made a big impact on my sensibilities. They moved me in numerous ways not anybody else dared. For that reason, this clique will forever stay in my heart and will forever be a reminder of the best times of my life. It was a self-altering experience being with them for a long but short while.
Most importantly, this posse absolutely made their mark on this cosmic world we're all living in.
Cheers to good times!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Massive Attack!
NIKKI
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Gender preference: Strictly male
Status: In a relationship
Gender Identity Test Result: 80% feminine
Interests: Pinoy Big Brother
A biological male who is now a biological female. In other words, she now has big boobs and a pussy. I was actually curious if she kept her pared penis. Don't underestimate this transformed femme fatale. She is alarmingly gorgeous and she never fails to catch everyone's attention. People, whether male or female, can't seem to take their eyes off her. She's open about her sexuality. In fact, very open that she has a habit of taking off her clothes in public but only if there are one or two people looking. She's not a nymph, she's just retarded. She would like to have a naked view of a female body. She speaks fluent Japanese and gay lingo.
EMMAN
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Gender preference: Strictly male
Status: Single
Gender Identity Test Result: 78% feminine
Interests: Betty Boop
A biological male who has stunning features but thinks he's a biological female. He's disturbingly behaved in a way that is self-questioning. He acts, feels, and thinks like a demure girl and has been this way since childhood. He is a refined member who knows how to listen and keeps an open mind. Often times he's quiet and prefers his friends to be tamed. He has this occasional attack of paranoia because he deems that certain guys are avoiding him for some unknown reason. He can also be a devil in hiding because he speaks only if within the domains of the institution.
GLADYS
Age: 26
Gender: Female
Gender preference: Strictly female
Status: In relationships
Gender Identity Test Result: 91% Masculine
Interests: Make fun of people
A biological female who thinks he's a biological male. She hates penises but she has an imaginary one. She acts, feels and thinks like a real man. She even has an ego of a man! But being born a female, she knows how a woman wants to be loved. There is one inexplicable thing about this girl. You wouldn't figure out if she truly doesn’t know her jurisdiction with her female friends or if she’s just in love with them. She's a person whom you can run to for advices but being a person of self-contradiction, don't expect her to give you the right ones. She has plans of settling down with a man in the very near future.
ABBY
Age: 20
Gender: Female
Gender preference: Female
Status: In relationships
Gender Identity Test Result: 21% masculine
Interests: Expensive Gadgets
This girl is a very pretty pink femme and she’s one of the boy's favorite. A happy go lucky petite girl who likes to spend and loves her clique so dearly. One of her favorite pass time is to hang out with this posse in the wee hours of the morning. Well, not only in the wee hours of the morning. It can be breakfast, lunch, dinner, movie, singing sessions or just about anything under the sky. She may seem a snob but she's the only person in the institution whom you can talk to when everybody hates you. She's quiet around other people but is so talkative if with the members of the institution. She has the face of an angel but can also be a devil in hiding. She's boyish and girly simultaneously but she only hooks up with females or the so-called blue femme. Sorry boys!
XYRA
Age: 23
Gender: Female
Gender preference: bisexuals
Status: Single
Gender Identity Test Result: Primarily 59% masculine then became 85% feminine
Interests: Road trips and fast cars!
This cute boyish femme is a natural translation of self-contradiction. Analyze this. She prefers a male bisexual more than a straight male. She would also go for females but not a butch and never a straight femme. To add up to the complexity of it, she once became straight after being a lesbo. Now that she has gathered the members of the institution, she started to believe her sexuality is fluid. She focuses more on attraction regardless of gender. Xyra appreciates class and funk combined and finds attraction in anything out of the norm like her. For a person who is emotionally unstable, she's always distracted, confused and has attention deficiency. She cries all the time.
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Gender preference: Male
Status: Single
Gender Identity Test Result: 80% feminine
Interests: Artificial killer waves and also blabbering
A biological male who always begs to disagree. He has a habit of saying NO when you’re not even done talking. He likes to view things hypothetically and is very intelligent. But so much for his infamous intellect, he lacks tact and is annoyingly talkative! He’s the institution’s preacher and calculator if that goes together. David doesn't believe in male bisexuals. He believes that male bisexuals are in a confused stage of becoming a full-pledged homosexual. He plays a game with his gay friends called "Tap-another's-note-run-around -and-tap-again." If you want to know the mechanics of the game, take the name of the game literally with the word note as pinoy gay slang (get what I mean?). He claims he loves philosophy and he honestly wants to be a priest.
XXXXXX
Age: ?
Gender: Male
Gender preference: unknown
Status: Single
Interests: Sex, drugs and alcohol
Ok, this is interesting because this guy is from a different wave. Technically, he's not a member of this institution but since I'm bored out of my mind and there is not a fucking thing to do, I decided to add this neophyte. Since I'm not well acquainted with this person, this surface level description may or may not be considered an opinion. This guy actually admitted to me in response to an honest and direct question that he may be capable of sleeping with men. Now will that make his sexuality an issue?! Hey, who cares? This just makes him highly qualified in this institution. Welcome to the club baby!
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Gender preference: Male
Status: Single
Gender Identity Test Result: 47% feminine
Interests: Human affection and to be in a relationship
This homo sapient is the truest rendition of self-contradiction. The things he says would usually mean the opposite 96% of the time. To give you an overview, he likes to **** and to be ****** but claims he's a virgin. He says he gets attracted to both girls and guys but he only talks about guys, he hates p****** and he's never interested in girls! He says he's attracted to somebody, but then he's really not. He says he's not attracted to somebody but then he really is! I'm not sure if he's in a confused stage of bisexuality (if there is such a thing?!), or he just play roles depending on who's with him. He's gay but he doesn't know how to feel like a girl! He's open with his sexuality only to himself but not with others so most people think he's not gay.
There you go folks! This is my interpretation of 8 different characters pulled altogether to define "self-contradiction". This may be a thing of the past but still, there's no way for this blog to exist if it weren't for this Institution. The changing times evolved these people and launched my next blog.
Coming soon!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
A Little Incident With An MMDA Guy
I was driving by Makati Fire Station going to Ayala on my way to work one Thursday night. It was around 8:40pm to be exact when I saw this MMDA guy with his MMDA friends hanging out on the side of the street. He motioned me to pull over to the side. I had to log in at 9pm to work so I had no plans of pulling over just to put up with this little predicament so I continued driving. The MMDA guy went to the middle of the road to block me so I guess I had no choice but to stop. When I rolled down my driver side window:
MMDA : Maam', are you Filipino?
me : umm, NO?!
MMDA : Do you speak Tagalog?
me : NO!
MMDA : Maam, you don't have any headlights. Can I see your driver's license, Maam?
me : Oh, right! There... I turned it on. Are we ok now?
MMDA : Maam, from what country did you came from? I need to see your driver's license.
me : No, I won't give you my driver's license. I'm late! I need to go! I don't have time for this.
MMDA : Maam, you don't have any headlights. I can give you a ticket for that but I will just look at your driver's license.
me : No, I don't believe you. You will take my driver's license. I need to go now!
MMDA : Ok if you want you can hold to your driver's license when I look at it. I really need to see your driver's license maam.
me : Ok, I'll give you 1 minute. Please hurry! I really need to go.
I took my wallet out and showed him my DL which was stuck out inside my wallet.
MMDA : Maam' can you get it out your wallet, Maam'? I can't read it. I have to wear glasses.
me : Then wear your glasses, I can wait a few more seconds. Please hurry!
The MMDA guy read the whole of my DL with the speed of a 5-year old reading A,B,C... I just don't know why.
MMDA : Ok, thank you maam. Next time you turn on your headlights when you're driving at night.
me : Yes boss, thanks ha! Sorry nagmamadali talaga ko eh. salamat ulit!
Then I fled the scene. Just thinking out loud, don't I really look like a Flip?
