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My Journey to the 35th Kulay Sa Tubig

by with No Comment Creativity

I learned about Kulay Sa Tubig when I started following watercolor artists on Instagram. Once you follow one, the algorithm suggests another one. I learned that most of the Filipino watercolorists I admire have joined or won in Kulay Sa Tubig. At the back of mind then, I was wondering how I can be part of it.

So what is Kulay Sa Tubig?

Kulay Sa Tubig is the Philippines’ longest running and most prestigious invitational watercolor competition. This year is their 35th year of the competition which was started by Gallery Genesis’ founder, Araceli “Chichi” Salas. Dexter Matilla wrote that for almost four decades, the Kulay Sa Tubig Invitational Watercolor Competition by Gallery Genesis has remained as the highest standard by which Filipino aquarelle artists are measured- techniques, composition, precision, balance and the choice of subject are scrutinized by the most discerning eyes.

Every year, Gallery Genesis screens first-time artists to join the competition.

Two years ago, I saw a call for entries for Kulay sa Tubig. I sent my portfolio then and got a rejection letter a few days after.

The rejection email was my motivation. I also understand why I got rejected. In the early 2021, the art activities I have done then were the online auctions in support for COVID-19 frontliners. I have just joined the Philippines Guild of Watercolorists (PGW). I have not participated in any PGW activity yet. I have not really shown my art with fellow watercolorists. I have not gauged my skill level. I was an overzealous kid who thought she was ready to compete with the best artists. The universe has a way to put me in my place.

So for the past two years, I focused on improving my art. This is something I love doing so I might as well push myself to be better at doing it.

I joined Hues of Hope in 2021. It was juried exhibit and I was fortunate to be included to participate in the physical exhibit.

I joined Mindanao Art in 2021 with this watercolor piece as an entry.

I enrolled in Emmanuel Silva’s Masterclass to improve my skills. By the way, Sir Emman is one of the top 5 watercolorists in the 35th Kulay sa Tubig. He also had awards in the past Kulay sa Tubig competitions. Look at his winning piece! Magnificent!

I joined the Japan International Watercolor Institute’s International Watercolor Exhibition 2022 online.

I joined the PGW Pagsibol exhibit in 2022. I got a Vendor’s Choice Award. I got a Daniel Smith Alvaro Castagnet watercolor set as a prize.

I got accepted to join the Fabriano in Acquarello 2023 International Exhibition in Italy.

My painting was shipped there together with other artists’ entries. This is the photo of the actual exhibit.

I was thrilled to be selected as 1 of the 8 finalists from the Philippines for the International Masters of Watercolour Alliance’s 2023 Goddess of Beauty International Watercolour Online Exhibition celebrating International Women’s Day.

All these juried exhibits that I joined in gave me confidence to try my luck again in the 35th Kulay sa Tubig screening. I sent my portfolio and other requirements when I learned about the call for pre-screening for first-time artists (those who have not participated in the competition) .

Imagine the thrill I got when I received this email.

I passed the first round of screening! It is a great improvement from two years ago. The second round was an interview process and at the end of the interview, I was asked to submit a piece for approval.

So I reflected hard on what to paint. During the interview, Gallery Genesis President Patrice Salas said that Maam Chichi took notice of my white flowers. I knew I had to paint flowers. I was thinking of sampaguita (jasmine). I had painted a piece before. However, I do not have a new reference photo. Our own sampaguita in the garden has not yet bloomed. I thought of white santan and looked through my photos if I have one. For exhibits like this, I always want to use my own photos or photos take by friends where I can get their permission explicitly. The problem is I do not have a reference photo in my file. I remember going to Butuan National Museum and noticed the santan bushes. One afternoon, I specifically went there to take photos of santan. There were no white santan clusters so I settled for the pink ones. I picked three photos and combined them to come up with a composition I like.

These are my progress photos.

I added ants for fun. I remember last year that I painted santan for a collector and he suggested to put ants as an “easter egg” like in video games (something to look for). A friend also suggested before to put animals to my floral pieces to add interest and movement. So, here is my final work.

The overthinker in me created another piece so that Gallery Genesis has something to choose from. I also submitted a week before the deadline so that if none of my pieces gets the approval, I still have time to paint another. Yes, that is how I wanted to be part of the Kulay sa Tubig so badly. Good thing, they chose the santan.

The title of my piece is Santan Foragers. Can you spot the ants?

For this piece, I wrote: My art is always a form of storytelling about the world around me. What seems to be a whimsical and nostalgic ode to my childhood memories of sipping the sweet nectar of the santan flower has turned into a reflection of how I find inspiration in nature. These tiny ants may be unnoticeably small but behind their miniscule size lies strength, perseverance, hard work and commitment in achieving a goal. It is something I aspire. It is beautiful how nature has a way of teaching me the calm, quiet grace and veiled astuteness of an ant and the generous character of a santan (by producing multiple clusters of flowers that we can enjoy).

During the interview, Ms. Patrice asked me if I would be attending the opening if I get selected. I said, “Yes!”. I had purchased Cebu Pacific Travel Passes in anticipation of the art activities I wanted to attend in Manila this year. Talk about manifesting!

So last July 31, 2023, I was in SM Megamall Fashion Hall for the opening of the competition/ exhibit. I took a photo before the opening. I saw my painting from afar. Kilig!

I went before 6 p.m. and immersed myself with all the art. I tried not tear up with the thought that I was accepted to compete with these artists. I really feel honored to be part of this competition. So many awesome art! My heart is happy.

This is my favorite piece and it is one of the Top 5. I am really drawn towards realism and, for this one, I took a closer look. I wanted to learn how to paint light. One day, I am going to try it.

I was there when the Top 5 entries was announced and I was able congratulate Kevin Lacanaria. I was standing two feet behind him when his name was announced last of top 5 watercolorists this year. He really cried when he heard his name. I read his story and something resonated with me. Like me, his first attempt to join was in 2021 and he did not pass the first round. Unlike me, he tried again last year and passed. This year, he really made it his goal to be at least one of the runners up. He got one of the top honors. What an inspiration! He is an example that if you set goals and work hard to reach that goal, eventually, God, the universe or whatever supreme being you believe in will lead you to it. This is also proof that Kulay Sa Tubig levels the playing field for watercolorists. Whether you are a seasoned or a young artist, you are given the same platform and opportunity to showcase your talent and compete. Thank you, Gallery Genesis!

During the opening, I also met PGW members I used to only see online. I was happy to meet Ms. Joanne Gacayan, Ms. Le Sanchez and Mr. Arvino Yanuario.

I am thankful for friends who came to visit the exhibit: Sir Fred, Wilbert, Karen, Alan, Hannah and Sir Bogs.

I hope to join again next year. My inspiration cup is overflowing. Thank you, Gallery Genesis!

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Surviving Life’s Unexpected Detour

by with 2 Comments HealthLife

It has been a while since that last great adventure and I need to write about this next one! Ha! Just a fair warning, some of the photos posted below are not for the faint-hearted. However, I know we all have been through tough times the past three years and I think we have developed a tough shell. (Kaya makakayanan ninyo pictures ko, guys! ) Now back to my story.

November 1 was one fine day. Look at the blue skies!

My friends invited me to golf. I was not available the first time they went golfing mid-September. I went to visit a sick relative so they went ahead and they enjoyed it.

They again planned to golf by the end of October. I told them to go ahead because my family was scheduled to visit the cemetery. They moved playing golf to the day I was available- November 1.

I was ready by 6:30 AM since my friend would be fetching me. I did not golf though. I was busy taking photos as future references for my art. It was mid-way to the month-long Philippine Guild of Watercolorists Convention. I was learning a lot of painting techniques so I was really busy thinking how to apply those techniques in the different reference photos I took. Future artworks will have these as inspiration.

There are only nine holes in that golf course. It was almost 11 am when we were at the 7th hole. My aunt already texted me not to forget to buy lunch for them. I told them to eat snacks first. I might not be able to bring lunch on time since there were two holes to go.

A few minutes later, I called her that I would not be able to bring lunch. Why? Because we had an accident. The golf cart my friend was driving (where I was one of passengers) toppled over. I really do not know what happened. I never anticipated that something might go wrong. I felt we were going downhill too fast but it never occurred to me to hold tight or that we might fall. Been in the mountains in a motorcycle hanging for dear life a few months before, riding a golf cart did not look like a risk. But lo and behold, I found myself shouting for my dear legs that were under the roof of the toppled golf cart. My friends were quick to lift the cart up so I could free my legs.

This was me at the hospital. Happy to be alive!

Glad that my cousins were quick to rescue me. Azenith arrived the hospital just a few moments after my friend and I arrived. Then Arvin came after.

I had x-ray in every angle of my limbs and there were no broken bones. Thank you, God! I thank my fat-covered gastrocnemius muscles for that. The doctor gave us anti-tetanus shots, painkillers and antibiotics and we were good to go.

By 2 PM, I was already home showing off my glorious bruises and trying to bear all the ribbing I got from family for going out on All Saints Day.

My cousin said that my bruises were part of my Halloween costume. My cousin called me zombie. My aunt called me robot because my movements were slow, calculated and very linear. My wounds hurt every time I moved so I walked ever so gingerly that I looked like a robot. My niece would not go near me. I looked scary. She eased up a few weeks later though.

Only a few friends knew what happened to me and I kept sending them photos of my wounds!

And I was a show-off.

I can still paint despite the wounds. But honestly, it was the only thing I could do for more than a week. It was difficult to move. If I found a comfortable position, I would no longer move or I would risk touching my wound. I could not write well. Typing was painful. Taking showers took time. It was only through painting that I was a little productive.

After 10 days of staying at home, I really needed to go out. I have bills to pay and a stomach to feed. Ha! So welcome to my conservative era, where my fashion is all about long sleeves and wide-leg pants! Good thing, my aunt and cousin were spring cleaning their closets, I have more than enough long sleeves to add to my existing ones. These clothes will last me for more than a month. Ha! (I miss my other clothes. Hintay lang kayo, guys. Masusuot ko rin kayo!)

The scars in my hand are healing gradually. I took a photo of my hand on February 28 this year to show my friend how my hand has aged and the veins were protruding. Little did I know that nine months later, I would think of those ageing hands as physically beautiful after seeing my scars.

As long as my hands still function the way I want them to, they are beautiful. I think I can wear short sleeves and sleeveless with these scars. These scars can be interesting conversation piece or repellant for people. Introverts like me would love that. Ha!

The wound in my left foot follows a different timeline. After 37 days, the scab in my left foot still won’t budge. Clingy scab.

As I reflect on the unfortunate predicament I was in still am in, I laugh at the ironies of my life. I dodged COVID (so far and, I hope, forever). I survived unscathed trekking and riding the motorcycle in the mountain in South Cotabato. I was even spared from a dog bite when my friend who was walking next to me was bit by a dog. Riding on a golf cart with four wheels on a paved road without traffic did one on me. Such is life. Randy Pausch said that we cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the game so I chose to wing it and accept life’s little surprises. There are far more painful things in this world like heartbreak. chos

I thank my family for adjusting to my condition. My aunts did a lot of the chores in the house since I was useless the first few weeks. My cousins always cheered me up with stories and food. (My cousins and aunt brought me durian from Davao!) One friend always sends me video of products that might be able help heal my scars. Another friend kept in touch every day to ask about my condition or just talk. My friends even if they live far away would ask for updates on my wounds and sometimes I updated them too much with pictures that they had to tell me they felt queasy looking at them. I think I scared them. I am blessed to have a supportive little community that makes my life bearable even in this unfortunate condition. Sometimes that is all that I need.

I remember going to the bank and the teller told me she liked my outfit not knowing the real reason for wearing the long sleeves. I remember my friend telling me I have nice legs and that it is a shame I had this accident. I never had an appreciation of my thick limbs until it got scarred this bad. The little encouragement also fueled my healing.

They say time heals all wounds. There was no mention about the scars though. I still have some faint scars from my childhood so I accept that it may take a while (a lifetime, perhaps) for complete healing. I learned from my experience with skin diseases (pityriasis rosea and hidradenitis suppurativa) and childhood bruises that the skin will heal itself. I am looking forward for that day to come. For now, I hope to be able wear my scars with confidence since I survived and endured them. I am so looking forward to summer time, with or without scars. Beauty standards be damned. But first, I will enjoy Christmas with family!

The documenter and the curiosity in me prevailed. I took photos of my healing progress. For those who are uneasy with hideous images may stop scrolling. Thank you for reading up to this point.

For those curious, this is how skin heals. These are my before and after photos.

It is amazing how our bodies heal. I know my skin will be better soon. Thank you, God!

“When I stand before thee at the day’s end, thou shalt see my scars and know that I had my wounds and also my healing.”

Rabindranath Tagore.
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That One Extraordinary Lake Holon Adventure

by with One Comment Travel

If one looks at my chat history, one would see that as early as 2013 I already asked my friend who lives in Polomolok about Lake Holon. Then I parked the idea at the back of my head because life happened. I had many things on my mind and I did activities that sounded less tedious than hiking. Ha! Fast forward to nine years later, my friend, Barbara, broached the idea of going to Lake Holon. It was still March then and we had three months to prepare our bodies for hiking. It did not take a lot of convincing for us. I told her that we should go while we still can. At a blink of an eye, we’ll be in our 50s and we may no longer be as adventurous. I think Barbara took my words to heart. Ha! Besides, this trip was also our revenge travel of sorts. For the past 11 years, Barbara and I have travelled to Naga, Sagada, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Coron, Bataan, Dumaguete/Siquijor and Aurora. We would gone to more places but the pandemic had hampered our annual trip together.

To prepare for the trip, Barbara went hiking regularly while I slept, ate and watched k-drama. Oh, I did some 5-minute plank exercises. I have a planking app that guides me through the process. Planking is one of the few exercises I can pull off. I don’t know how a strong core and a wonderful abs (which I still do not have, btw) would help in hiking but, in my mind, as long as I exercise, I am good to go. Boy, was I wrong! But more on that later.

Our call time for the trip was 7PM at a fastfood chain. We left Butuan at around 830PM and arrived at T’Boli, South Cotabato at around 6AM. There were stopovers and bathroom breaks in between but I remained on my seat trying to avoid anything that would trigger my motion sickness. I think I was successful in achieving that. No vomiting from me!

Look at our happy faces at the grounds of the T’Boli municipal complex.

This is me waiting to be assigned to a habal-habal (motorcycle) that will bring us to the jump off point of our trek to Lake Holon. This is me being clueless of what lies ahead of us. Ha!

The motorcycle ride to Brgy. Salacafe took us around an hour. Barbara and I were at the back of a speeding motorcycle relinquishing our dear life to our driver. My one hand was on Barbara’s shoulder and the other hand carried the water bottle with my arm hugging a pillow. There were paved roads and there were dirt roads around the huge banana plantation of Sumifru where our motorcycle driver navigated like those in motocross races. Our butts would bounce up and down while our thighs tried to hold on to our seats. Imagine that rough ride for at least 30 minutes. I remember that it was difficult for me to unmount myself from the motorcycle. I had to slide down with my leg up like a gymnast that I was not. My thighs went numb for bit. I felt relieved that I was not alone in that predicament. Others remarked that they were prepared for the all hiking but they did not expect that grueling motorcycle ride. On hindsight, I should have done lunges and squats for my workout and not the planking. Ha!

This was us after an orientation . We got our walking poles, hat and we were ready to hike. It is easy to spot me in the photo. Find the girl who was still hyperaware that COVID still lurks around. Ha! I was the only one with mask on. I removed the mask while hiking. I wanted to breathe the fresh air.

After that memorable motorcycle ride, hiking may prove to be a walk in the park. After all, we took the Salacafe trail- the easier trail, they say. One can even ride a horse up to the viewdeck which was the last stop before starting a descent to the lake. We had a porter to carry our things.

Look at me all beaming and raring to go not knowing what happens a few hours later.

See those dark clouds? Yes, it rained. Our trail was not easy after all. Ha! When it started to rain, the porter asked me if I needed to get an umbrella from my bag. Good thing I remember I had a raincoat in that bag. Years ago, when I used to travel without checked in baggage and umbrellas were not allowed on our carry-ons, I packed a raincoat instead. I got this raincoat in Taiwan when it rained there. Glad that I was able to use it again four years after.

Just when I thought the rain stopped, it did not and it remained relentless. We were in for a crazy hike. I remember asking Barbara the night before we left if we still have a chance to shower before hiking. I was thinking I might need another set of clothes. Well, well, well. The rain took care of our shower time. Kat, ginusto mo ito. (Kat, you wanted this trip.)

The guide had to push me a little when I had a hard time in the slopes.

Look at the raging water. This was a tamer version. We encountered slopes looking like waterfalls.

We were all in this together. We had time to smile, rest and take photos.

The sun was up when we reached the viewdeck of the trail.

We looked like we had an effortless climb. Who would have thought I was struggling an hour earlier?

An hour of descent later, we reached lake.

Our guides set up our tents.

When we were all settled, it was time to swim! Lake Holon was declared as the cleanest inland body of water in the country in 2003 and 2004. Hopefully it was still as clean when we were there. There were fishes. We were able to dip our toes in the shallow water near the banks and let tiny fishes nib at our dead skin cells. A fish spa!

We hopped on a boat to the middle of the lake.

This is the view of campsite from the lake.

And we swam! Of course, I had a life jacket.

Cleanest lake, right? That was my bath for the day (No soap, though. Bad for the aquatic life). There are rest rooms and showers in the campsite you can use for a fee.

It was cold in the evening. I was wearing a heattech top under long-sleeved pajamas but it was still cold. My friends, Barbara and Merichel, and I huddled together in our tiny tent and slept though the cold night.

We woke up to this marvelous sight.

And I did not wake up like this. Hehe! I already changed clothes waiting for breakfast.

This is near the breakfast area with my tour mates!

This is my one last solo photo with the lake.

Off we leave the camp.

This time, we followed the more difficult trail- the Kule trail. The payoff was the 360 degree view of the lake that Barbara and I wanted to experience. With all the troubles we went through the day before because of the rain and the day after seemed to give us better weather, the Kule trail looked like a walk in the park.

The trail was narrow but it was not really dangerous. It was manageable. Had I been a lot fitter, I would say it was uneventful. But in the survival of the fittest, I am definitely the first to say goodbye. You know that I am the last person in the pack when the guide was just a few steps behind me making sure of the correct head count. A huge thanks to my friend, Barbara, for not leaving me behind.

And the pièce de résistance in this trail is this view of the lake.

Never mind if my eyes were closed. I was in the moment. Honestly, I was too tired to check the photos. As long as I have a proof I reached this place, I am okay.

By the way, Lake Holon was formed when Mt Melibengoy (also known as Mt Parker) erupted in the 1600s.

Shoutout to my friend, Barbara, who looks stunning, while I look disheveled.

There were 10 of us who followed the Kule trail.

This was taken at one of the stops. See the dark clouds? Rain finally caught up with us. We were almost at the Kule trail jump off point. We rested at an awning of house in a community.

There are stories that I do not have photos to show but they made an indelible mark in my memory. I do not have photos to show because I was hanging on to dear life. When my priority was survival, I focused on the task at hand- stay alive.

Remember that dark clouds in the last photo? It rained. And we still have a motocycle ride going back to the Salacafe jump off point. Rain + dirt road= muddy dirt road. Imagine 30 minutes on a dirt road and on a mountain slope. There was even a point where our fellow travelers had to get off the motorcycle because the ground was soft and the motorcycle had to go uphill. Only their drivers were left in the motorbike to maneuver the slope. The passengers just walked uphill and rode the motorcycle when it was already on a flat terrain. Our driver said it was okay for us just stay on the motorcycle. We saw how difficult it was for the drivers who went ahead of us so we said our prayers and just trusted our driver. I did not close my eyes because, as a passenger, I had to focus where we were going. If it would not go as planned, I would be able to figure out where to land. Thank you, God, we were safe. We arrived unscathed. Having survived that ride, the one-hour motorcycle ride along the dirt road of the banana plantation back to the municipal complex where our van for Butuan was waiting was no longer scary.

I have been through the most challenging ride of my life. Literally. I guess I am ready for any rollercoaster. Ha! Now I know why they say that the Kule trail is difficult. For me, it is the death-defying motorcycle ride that makes it difficult. The motorcycle ride strengthened my faith in God. I had to convince myself that these drivers have lived their lives in these rough terrain. The years of experience with their vehicles and their land made them experts in their domain. There is a part of me who wished that they will have better roads soon and a part of me who also wanted to leave nature alone. I hope we find the balance in enjoying nature, nurturing it and earning a living.

Looking back, I know I survived the hike to Lake Holon because the guides were great at motivating even those who were not physically fit (me!). They would tell us that we will get there one step at a time. When it rained, we did not see panic in their faces. They looked like they know what they were doing. We asked them questions along way. It eased our worries knowing they knew the route like the back of their hands. The locals would ply that route effortlessly. There were pitstops (stations) along the way to the lake and there were locals selling food to famished and parched hikers or just somebody like me who loves to eat. I was craving coke when we returned from the lake that I told Barbara I would buy one when I see one. True enough, I bought a small bottle for Php 35. It was quite expensive but it was worth every drop. It was my reward for myself for this little achievement.

Thank you, Lake Holon, for the memories! I hope more people will able to enjoy your majestic beauty.

P.S. We traveled to Lake Holon with Wanderags Tour. Thanks to Barbara for almost all of the photos.

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So Glad to be Back, Libjo!

by with 4 Comments Travel

Let us go back to 2020 when I planned to go with my friends to Dinagat on March 17. And we all know what happened. Lockdown due to COVID-19 in the Philippines started on March 15. So traveling was out of the question.

It does not help that my friend, Bryan, who works there frequently sends us wonderful photos. Imagine being locked down in an island paradise for a long time. While everyone is frantic over the uncertainties, he had the beach, all the seafood and away from the virus. Seems like a dream. Bryan lives that dream life minus the occasional burger and junk food cravings which is our only advantage over his island living. Every time he sends us photos, I would always say, “Please open the island. Let me go there.” Its neighbor, Siargao, had long been open before Dinagat decided to open its shores to non-residents.

So when my friend, Jen (who is Bryan’s best friend), invited me to join them in Dinagat (in particular, in Libjo, the town where Bryan works), I said yes! Finally!

This was my vantage point in the ferry going to Libjo.

We were already at sea when I got a call from my aunt that it was raining real hard in Butuan. She said that there was a low pressure area. She was worried about me crossing the Surigao Strait. Almost five months before this trip, Typhoon Odette happened so I understood the concern in my aunt’s voice. But where I was then, the sea was calm. I had to send her this photo to reassure her. Good thing that the mobile network was stable.

It did rain a bit but it did not dampen our trip. Look at this view. The weather was perfect.

We arrived at Libjo by mid-afternoon. My friend, Bryan, and his beautiful dog, Wolfie, waited for us. We were treated to a yummy and refreshing halo-halo.

Wolfie came with us to the resort we were staying.

We stayed at Luta’s Beach Resort. The resort has a building that can accommodate at least 8 adults which was perfect for our group.

Our accommodation has a beachfront. It was easy to watch over Wolfie and the kids.

We walked a bit to the other side of the resort to swim in the clear waters.

This is the sunset at Luta’s Beach.

The following day, we had breakfast at the beach.

The resort sent us grilled saang (conch shells or spider shells).

We eat this by taking out that meat…

…and dipping it in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar and spices.

The day was young and we were off to another island. Bye, Luta’s Beach resort!

Hello, Pangabangan Island! Wolfie was raring to jump.

Our boat docked here.

This area used to have a wharf but Typhoon Odette destroyed it. This was in 2019

This is my favorite place in Libjo-the blue lagoon. Sounds like a Brooke Shields movie. (My age shows hahaha) No Brooke Shields in sight. Just us- equally beautiful in God’s eyes. *wink wink *

The Blue Lagoon is a body of blue-green water teeming with marine life. We took a raft to get to the deeper part of the lagoon.

I needed a pool noodle to swim. I think the pool noodle is a way better version of the usual life saver (aka tire interior hahaha) for non-swimmers.

Even Wolfie joined us in the raft.

I think we stressed him out. Whenever someone jumped off the raft to swim, Wolfie panicked and tried to save that person thinking that the person was drowning. Here’s Wolfie acting as lifeguard for everyone.

What a sweet, sweet dog!

We made the most of our time in the area by taking more photos.

All the swimming made us hungry. We sailed back to Libjo town proper and ate… lechon!

Our friend, Eireen, celebrated her birthday with her family in Libjo. I was really lucky to be invited to join this trip since I only met Eireen and her family during this trip. I was practically a gatecrasher. Haha!

The lunch venue was near the town square.

We went to another beach after lunch. I have only shells and corals to show for it. Sometimes you just enjoy the experience so much and just forget about the photos. And there are experiences you hope your friends do not remember. (hahaha Right, Amor? Just a little secret between travel mates.)

We stayed in the town proper on our second night. We strolled along the Libjo’s roads on our way to dinner at Eireen’s sister’s house.

This is where Bryan works.

This is Libjo’s municipal hall.

This is Libjo’s gorgeous sunset.

My trip roommate, Amor, enjoyed our walk in their boulevard. Libjo is getting back on her feet after the devastation from Typhoon Odette.

Libjo is easily one of my favorite destinations in the country. Truth be told, this was my third trip there and I will definitely go back since Bryan kept sending photos of some spots in Libjo that I have not visited.

Thank you to my wonderful travel buddies, our awesome host (Bryan) and the accommodating people of Libjo. I will be back!

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Catching Up!

by with No Comment LifeTravel

The pandemic really intensified my introversion but after nursing a cough in January and trying to isolate for long periods, I missed the outside world. I have slowly eased into going out and seeing people.

What better way to lure me out of my cave than the prospect of food. We went out to buy durian!

I had also a long overdue spa treatment with Mitzi . We went to eat arroz caldo and takoyaki at our favorite place after.

Lani came to cook us buntaa, a Butuanon crab dish.

I went out with friends to check out Malihao Forest in Bonbon.

I finally went out on Valentine’s day! Not on a date, though. Ha! Our friend got married on Valentine’s day and it was also a time for me to catch up with these group of friends since I have not seen them in almost a year.

We also continued the catching up until dinner because one friend did not prepare his shoes (please explain, Yoshi) for the wedding and missed the event. Another friend also only learned about it the night before and it was too late for him to file for leave from work so we met him after work.

My friend, Wilbert, was in town. Mitzi and Dinah wanted to show him what is in Claveria and I have not been there so I tagged along. Claveria is a beautiful mountain town in Misamis Oriental with Mt Balatukan mountain range as its hidden gem. There were different developments sprouting in the area- coffee shops, accommodations, gardens. I hope the people in the area benefit most in these developments and that the environmental impact of these developments was being thoughtfully considered.

Although it seems like everything’s back to normal, I do not go out every day. Much of my time is spent at home. Planning my next art piece, practicing some painting techniques and working on projects took much of my time. I have errands to run and bills to pay.

There are days that I leave my schedule open and let spontaneity carry the day. I have three stories to tell because I like to remember them and process what happened at the same time. Three characters from the three different stories have told me, “You better write about this day.” Flattered that they wanted to be exposed (hahaha) in my little space in the internet, here I am scrambling my memory of the moments.

Story Number 1: Gatecrashing

One fine Sunday morning, my cousin Azenith bombarded our family group chat with photos of food that she cooked since she would be having guests for lunch. They looked yummy but I did not insist going because the food may not be enough for her guests. Her brother, Arvin, thought otherwise. As I was about to change to my house clothes after attending Sunday mass, he convinced me to go to Doongan and just hang out in their brother’s home (Alan) which is beside Azenith’s home and bond with the niece and nephew. It was a spur of the moment notice. He said we would just surprise them. I just came from Sunday mass and in my Sunday dress. Off I went with Arvin.

And we were met with a surprise indeed.

The house was locked. The family went to the mall. Here I am sitting outside their house.

And it was raining. Such was our luck!

Azenith brought us food and we ate at the makeshift table and chairs outside the house. We looked like those uninvited party guests who were given food outside the venue. It was worth all the trouble because she gave me the best part of the dish.

This is paksiw ng mata ng isda. Paksiw is a vinegar-based Filipino dish. Mata ng isda is eye of a fish. I know it might be weird for some but I love these kinds of food- fish eyes, fish roe, pork and chicken innards, balut, chicken feet, etc.

The family came home after a few hours and they still caught up on us eating the food. They brought more food!

My niece showed me the toy her kuya got from the arcade game.

Hugs to the chef!

Mission accomplished! We achieve what we intended to do: eat well.

Story number 2: My much-loved umbrella.

I do most of my errands in the middle of the week. I avoid crowds and lines. It was an early Wednesday afternoon. I already finished my tasks for that day and I decided to drop by favorite takoyaki place for some food to go. It was past 1 PM and the place was almost empty except for these two! This was completely a chance encounter with Mitzi and Erns. (Oh, it was Ash Wednesday).

Both were almost done with their tasks for the day, too. We decided we hang out and catch up with our lives. It had been awhile since we last had a chitchat. We dropped by a bit at Erns office as she had some things to finish and we found another friend, Eulyn, there. She planned to go to a home store to check out some items for her house. We tagged along with her.

This is Erns trying to show stuff to Eulyn.

This is Mitzi and I just hanging out in one of the areas in the home store.

We went to the mall after.

We passed by some wall installation and had to take some photos.

We had dinner. Mitzi and Erns wanted to get a massage and I am not a massage kind of person so I went to the grocery while they were getting massages.

I was in the grocery when I realized I was no longer holding my umbrella. I know I had it when we had dinner because we used it to reserve seats. I was trying to think where I could have left it. I was buying takeout food when I got a text from Erns asking where I am. I had to asked her if they have my umbrella.

Translation: Hey, you guys got my umbrella. I am no longer holding an umbrella.

I sounded like I accused them of getting my umbrella. haha I missed the punctuation. The tone changed. If I had the question mark at the end, the translation would have been: “Hey, did you guys get my umbrella? I am no longer holding an umbrella.” I was thinking that Mitzi might have picked it up mistakenly. She was carrying a large bag. Hehehe

I suddenly remembered where I left it. I went to the rest room before going to the grocery and hanged it on a hook inside the cubicle door. I forgot to bring it when I finished using the toilet.

Just a little senior moment for me.

Later that night, when Erns sent photos from her phone, I got a reminder on how the day went. That is my umbrella. Hahaha!

Story number 3: Millennial bonding!

Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are. My friends are these young people so who am I? A young person, of course! Truth be told, by the time I get my 20% discount card, they will still be at the peak of their careers and in pink of health. Ha! It is a wonder how I got along with these bunch when I am almost two decades their senior. Probably we meet halfway, they are wise beyond their years while I was stuck in my juvenile self. This I am sure, we all clicked and agreed to travel to Digos one March weekend.

I think I like this kind of traveling where all I have to do is pay for my share and show up. Ha! They all did the planning. You know you are traveling with a younger generation when you are given a 2 AM call time. Ha! I really showed my age by asking if it was safe to travel that early. I know some of my peers would ask the same thing for three reasons: security concerns, sleeping time, vision. The younger ones were more adventurous and in best of health with their future ahead of them while I worry about body aches, eyebags and hunger. I brought all my snacks from my stash like a certified tita.

Three friends took turns driving and all (except me) shuffled seats whenever drivers switched. I did not get special treatment for my age but for my condition. I have motion sickness. It is easier for me to get out of the car and throw up if I am seated near the right door.

By the time we arrived at the destination (Camp Sabros), we were already hungry and headed for lunch.

While waiting for the food to be served, we got ice cream first. Ha!

Our accommodation had a nice view of Mt Apo.

Much as I would like to just stare at the mountain, time is gold. We headed to the place that allowed us to do what we wanted to do that afternoon in the Apo- Talomo mountain range- swim! Ha!

Montefrio Garden Resort has an infinity pool that had this for a view.

The water in the pool was cold! It took a while before we acclimatize to low temperature. Eventually, we were able to adjust to the cold water.

We just stayed longer in the warmer part of the pool.

After we made the most of our pool time, we headed back to Camp Sabros and just chilled (literally). We huddled together to keep warm. Ha! That second floor unit was our accommodation.

Here we are in our jammies, chitchatting before we went to bed.

Before we checked out of Camp Sabros the following day, we needed fill our memory vaults with pictures. Off we strolled around the resort.

Our next stop was Jardin de Senorita, a flower farm.

They were telling me that only I, an artist who is fond of painting flowers, would be happy in this place. I was more interested in taking as much photos of the flowers than posing for pictures.

Sadly, it rained. We only got to take fewer photos than expected.

We also went to a cactus farm.

That night, we slept at the house of Pia’s brother in Davao City. We had samgyupsal for dinner. By the way, Pia makes authentic (and delicious) kimchi which she learned to make from her Korean hosts when she visited South Korea. Her pickled radish (danmuji) was also yummy. (I took a break from writing this post to message her to put me on the list of her next kimchi delivery. I also egged her to make danmuji. hehehe)

Pia’s brother’s family lives in this beautiful house. I love the design of their house- modern, minimalist, clean. More importantly, I love how the owners were so down-to-earth, kind and accommodating (pwede daw kami balik, guys!) and even entertaining us with funny and heartwarming stories about their lives. Plus points for them, they thought I belong to their age group.

Shout out to Rotchie Glen for the photos. He made me want to work harder to be able to buy the same phone (which I know I will hesitate to buy when time comes that I will have money hahaha; I will spend it for travel instead). Because I did not use my subpar phone to take photos, I did not have photos to show my aunts where I have been so I had to nag him to send the photos immediately.

The trip recharged me from my pandemic bubble. I realized I needed that trip to reenergize my body to this new life we have after a two-year slump.

A few days after the trip, I was out swimming with my cousins, nephew and niece.

March just passed by so quickly and it felt like we were slowly getting back to our routines just like a few years ago before the world slowed down.

I was able to force myself to paint some art studies for an exhibit. I still have to do more so I can finally decide on what pieces to make.

And I painted something to give to my friend, Erns, on her 46th birthday. I painted a piece based on a photo I took of her last year. I am glad she liked it. I also painted the used gift bag to hide my name written on it. Ha!

There were gatherings that I missed. I missed a cousin’s wedding ceremony and reception due to miscommunication and my introversion but I was in her virtual one. I even put on makeup. Ha! Here’s the proof:

Although I did miss a few gatherings for various reasons, I know there will be more of them in the future. For the ones I did not miss, I was happy to be there. It is nice to see people again!