Journal 2086: Second Chances

Journal 2086: Second Chances

Edited by: Gelai Alera

Refluctunt

My third day here in Sagada was quite a challenge. Every ligament in my body was aching as a result of a whole day-long of trekking, spelunking and other physically exhausting activities. But then, it didn’t stop me to go back to the Gaia Café. I walked for almost 30 minutes from the town center having to bear the throbbing pain with my every step. Everything was soothed away because of the delicious hot chocolate served with organic muscovado sugar and peanut butter banana sandwich I ordered. It was really amazing and inspiring as well to stay in this beautiful and peaceful place. The ambience was also great—books stacked on shelves everywhere that you can borrow while staying, chilly weather, wide stretch of green fields and pine trees spread across the scenic view, plus relaxing music played inside the café. Imagine how tranquil the feeling was! What a coincidence that the playlist of the owner had some of the songs I usually listen to when I want to calm myself.

1.)    Don’t Dream It’s Over (a reggae version)

2.)    The Show

3.)    I’m Officially Missing You (acoustic version)

4.)    Love yourself

5.)    Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

6.)    The Scientist

7.)    And so on.

Je vais vous raconter une histoire

How I wish every time I go home from office, there is a nearby coffee house like this where I can spend a couple of hours thinking about how my life is going. Well, the moment was really perfect for my reflection. I thought of my family who’s actually very supportive at all times, including this solo vacation. I am just very thankful for having a family like them. Just like what they say—you don’t choose your family, they are God’s gift to you, as you are to them. Each of us has those gap in our hearts that can only be filled by those people around us, primarily our tatay, nanay, kuya, ate, bunso, tito, tita, lolo, lola and pinsan. They are the ones who we spend our time with during most of the years of our life. Whether we like them or not, or whether there are misunderstandings going on between family members, they are the ones we can go back to in the end. There is no better place than home, as the famous maxim says. The love that made us from the beginning of our own existence are the same love that molds us of who we are right now. They are also the ones who our deepest, darkest and ugliest sides. You definitely experience once in your life to fart while your brother or your little sister is around—because it doesn’t matter to them at all! They will just tease you for doing a gross thing. It is kinda cool to imagine to have a family whom you share laughter and tears with—and I could say I am super blessed to have one. Not really a perfect family, but a family that is perfectly meant to be together.

With the best people closest to my heart! 

12 o'clock on the 25th, My Inmenzo-Lleno Family! 

Nothing is also greater than to have a friend whom you can always count on. I am super thankful that God gave me so many friends that I consider as a blessing. I couldn’t mention their names here because it will definitely consume a couple of papers with font size of one and no margin just to list every one of them. I normally don’t spend time with the most of them but I definitely make sure to hug, or to fist bump, or to tap, or just pinch their bellies whenever I see them. Having a great time with those people add some colors to my life. They are those people who know my embarrassing and memorable moments inside and outside the classroom, office, or wherever place I’ve been. Likewise, some of them are those people whom I can lean on in times of my worst days. They are the ones whom I normally talk with when I feel sad or depressed or when I just feel to have a companion. Especially in my case, I am honestly a drama king and because of that, I am super thankful to have those friends who are willing to lend their ears for me. While a portion of them are those I spend with inside the office—who tease me whenever I go home on the dot like saying their goodbyes in a volume loud enough to be heard across the whole area. Those are also the people I’m with when I got to experience my first quervo with matching lemon and salt and other liquor drinks—but don’t you worry, these people will definitely take care of you if you get drunk; except on the part when you are not in your consciousness anymore—they will re-enact what you’ve done to make you remember your awkward, unconscious self on the next day. A small percentage of those friends are those dorm-mates I normally share stuff with. They are the ones who typically share the meal-for-a-week which their mom packed for the group, and also the ones who normally surprises you with not-so-surprising chocolate cake for your birthday. Normally, I also consider their family as my family too. But most importantly, a few of them are those who can see you far more than those normal friends around you. These people are those who you are comfortable with to share all your stories. These people who would always be there for you to guide you when you’re lost or whenever you’re in a complete disaster. I am just so thankful to have those people in my heart. Those people are the ones that I would definitely tell about to my kids in the future. Sadly, life is not that perfect because there are also broken ties that I experienced and honestly, it still hurts me. But then, you can’t decide for your friends’ behalf because it is their choice whether they want to stay or not in your life. That’s a painful thing about those people you have invested so much emotions and moments with—it is hard to let go, especially when you have already built a strong relationship with that person. It is not only a lesson about friendship and relationship but a lesson of forgiveness, humility, and acceptance. It is either you, the other one, or both of you that caused the fight. But I learned that no matter who that person is, you have to admit what you’ve done, say sorry, accept the consequences, and most importantly, learn for what it is supposed to teach you.

My Tito and Tita and my dear Maeann at Arnedo, Bolinao, Pangasinan! 

Ala Eh, I'm their legal third party, Love these two- Dang and Anle! <3

My (the) first batch of students in our ministry!, Once a Sakristan, always a Sakristan! 

Friends for keeps! 

Punu Family would always have a part in my heart. 

Getting stronger- highschool classmates forever! 

The Bigger, the Better! My love for these buddies! Welcome to the new member of the family- Jep! :) 

Pushing Beyond the Limits, BSA 4-2 Family!

The JBM Angels, and I! <3 We miss you Lou! 

We will always make it! 

The Unbeatable, My JPIA-FINEST Family! 

Hooray for today! Feat. my anakis, Resty and my dormie-beshie Manilyn! 

Mah Boys! <3 Marlo and Pepsy! 

The Long Ride, Escapade in Pangasinan with these people- Kuya James, Lester and Ate Maeann! 

SSG: We Make it Happen! I miss you all guys! 

My dormmates fam! I miss you all! 

When we are still young, My SSG Family! 

Second chance, please! 

Once a tropang P, always a tropang P! (Feat. Tropang Bowl)

JBM Family

Wish things get better?

Things will be alright. 

In my 21 years of existence, I always aim to be nice and kind to others, just like how my mom taught me to become a good boy when I was a kid. It is always a life mantra to me that whoever it is, kindness is something you can give without any cost. It is something that could bring smile to the other person you’re interacting with and would surely resonate back to you. It is a virtue that would cultivate other good things too—like being polite, being persistent, being respectful and so on. It is the first thing that was taught to us by our parents and passed on to our little brothers and sisters. It is the thing that builds friends and relationships. It is something that is innate to all of us, only needing to be showcased. That’s what I also learned and felt for the people around Sagada. They always treat their neighbors, including the tourists everywhere, with gentle heart and kindness. It is something that makes visitors choose to stay or to come back again. I remember one nice thing about the residents of Sagada that was shared to me by Kuya Duvan (my tour guide yesterday). Whenever there is a wedding in town, everyone is invited, that even if they don’t know the person’s name, they know each and every one in face. It was really true since I saw it with my own eyes and felt by my heart when Kuya Duvan and I were heading to Sumaguing Cave and all the people we passed by greeted each other with genuine smile.  It is something that really makes me smile because the place is not only filled with beautiful destinations but filled with people with beautiful hearts. It is one thing I will really miss about Sagada. Sagada will always have a part in my heart that I would be proud to share to all. If there would be a place where I can stay for a few days or so, alone or with families or friends, I would definitely choose Sagada. I cannot wait for the second chance I get to go back there and drink hot coffee while enjoying every single thing in Sagada.