yesterdaymemories

[yesterdaymemories]

April 6, 2024 - Pre-wedding photos captured by my sister

#personal

[yesterdaymemories]

Finally tied the knot 🤍

May 2015 | April 2024

[yesterdaymemories]

Feb 3, 2024, Saturday - On our second day, we opted to rent a car instead of joining a land tour, which would have limited our time and the places we could visit. With no specific destination in mind, we just relied on Google to find spots worth exploring. Unfortunately, Busuanga Island has limited tourist attractions, and we also skipped the northern part where the Safari is located since it would take more or less 2 hours to get there. Instead, we simply drove around, making the most of our time and the car rental. In the afternoon, we decided to climb Mt. Tapyas view deck to catch the sunset, which, by the way, took 724 steps to get there. So yeah, it was scorching hot that day, but we enjoyed the views!

#travel #palawan

[yesterdaymemories]

Feb 2, 2024, Friday - Day 1 of our trip was mainly about traveling from one place to another. When we reached Busuanga, we settled into our Airbnb home, where we'll be staying for the next 5 days. We had a late Korean lunch and wandered around the town proper. Honestly, we didn't have many activities planned for the whole trip, so it was a pretty laid-back first day.

#travel #palawan

[yesterdaymemories]

A short obligatory year-ender post

As we approach the end of 2023, I reflect on the highs and lows of life. This year has been filled with both positive and negative experiences — losses, changes, mistakes, and moments of doubt. I'm still grateful despite these challenges because I'm still here, pushing forward, growing, and learning along the way.

This year served as a reminder to be thankful for both the big and small things alike. It was about appreciating the everyday moments that often go unnoticed. So, I want to express my gratitude to all the people who were with me throughout this year. Your high-spirited energy and presence are very much appreciated. I'm also genuinely grateful for the often-overlooked little joys—the tight hugs, the 'I remember you' and 'I have something for you' messages, the words of affirmation, the packed or free cooked food for me to bring to the office, the whispered 'I have chika,' the coffee and food dates, the everyday budol, the free rides, the unexpected gifts, the book and movie/series recommendations, the memes and reels you guys continuously send on IG and Facebook. All these didn't go unnoticed, and I truly appreciate it. You have made 2023 more enjoyable and unforgettable. Cheers to the lessons learned and the memories made.

It is always the simple joys that truly matter.

Highlights and Achievements:

Attended Bobapalooza Music Fest

Built lasting friendships, old and new.

Marked the milestone of turning 30.

Conquered 3 mountains—Balagbag, Mt. Purro, and Mt. Pulag.

Attended a concert and a fan meet alone—One Ok Rock and SB19.

Successfully underwent a minor procedure.

Completed the Rave Cycle hobby program.

Approaching nearly 3 years with the same company.

Got engaged.

Read 11 books. Lost count of the number of movies and series I watched.

Enrolled in a gym membership for the first time!

Visited new places in the country—Siargao, Malunay-Quezon, Alibijaban Island, Jala-jala-Rizal.

EG: Office shenanigans, socials, cultural events, random food trips, and feeding programs.

Birthday celebrations

#words #2023

[yesterdaymemories]

December 16 - 17 | Mount Pulag, Playground of the Gods

Photo dump #2 A collection of random photos, some captured on my phone and others taken by my friends.

#travel #bundok #benguet #pulag

[yesterdaymemories]

December 16 - 17 | Mount Pulag, Playground of the Gods

Photo dump #1 A collection of random photos, some captured on my phone and others taken by my friends.

#travel #bundok #benguet #pulag

[yesterdaymemories]

December 16 - 17 | Mount Pulag, Playground of the Gods

After nearly nine years, I revisited Mt. Pulag. Back in March 2015, I climbed my first mountain with my family, but we only made it to peak #2. We were tired, but it didn't bother me much as I could already see the summit from there. Now, my work friends planned a Mt. Pulag climb, and not wanting to miss out and eager to reach the summit this time, I agreed.

We were a group of 12, and most of us brought our partners on the trip. Fortunately, the GA Outdoor package we had came with homestay accommodation, so camping, like the first time, wasn't necessary. Plus, we had the whole van to ourselves. So, we planned this trip in October, giving us 2 months to get ready. I even signed up for a gym membership just to be somewhat physically fit for the climb.

Anyway, we hit the road as soon as we were all picked up from our designated points at around 12 am on Saturday. By 8 am, we had already reached Bokod, Benguet. After stopping at a clinic for the required medical checkup and grabbing breakfast, we went to the DENR office for another mandatory orientation about the national park. Upon arriving at Baban’s homestay at noon, we were free to do anything we wanted until the lights-off schedule at 9 pm.

Our wakeup call was at 1 am the following day, and we were supposed to be geared up and ready at the ranger station by 2:30 am. Despite being the first group to start the trek, unfortunately, half of our members were not adequately prepared for the hike, allowing other groups to overtake us on the way up. Our group got split, with the first batch advancing ahead, and us lagging behind. As a result, we ended up being the last group to reach the summit. Even though the hike was initially planned as a 5-hour trek to the summit, just in time for sunrise, it took us almost 8 hours to reach the peak instead.

The struggle to reach the summit was no joke. The pathways were muddy, slippery, and rocky—all worsened by the rain and fog. The cold temperature added another layer of difficulty to the trek. Some of us almost gave up, but I was glad we kept going. We continued at our own pace, and it took us until almost 10 am to finally reach the top, with the first batch waiting for us at the summit for an hour. Imagine waiting in the freezing temperature. Anyway, the first batch told us stories of what happened at the peak when they got there. They said it was so crowded, and people were fighting over their turns to take photos at the Mt. Pulag summit board signage. Unfortunately, there was no clearing, so they had no view, just fog.

The moment we reached the summit, we were rewarded with a clearing. Now, we could see the blue sky and a clear mountain view. Though clouds and fog still came and went every now and then, overall, the weather improved. There was even a rainbow! We stayed there for almost an hour, enjoying the moment, the view, and the accomplishment of reaching the highest mountain in Luzon. And, of course, we took tons of photos. I was beyond grateful. The journey we went through is definitely one for the books, one that we will look back on and cherish.

The reverse journey took us 5 hours, and the descent was just as grueling. I was thankful for my knees for not giving up on me; they honestly hurt because the force I exerted on them while descending was much greater than on the way up. Additionally, my backpack, loaded with all my stuff, made my arms and back tired, and all I wanted was to lie down and sleep. Asis and I didn't pack any decent food; all we had were nuts and sour gummy worms. We should have brought sandwiches—imagine the pain, the hunger, and the struggle. Oh well. I was also thankful for the habal-habal ride on the last part of the trail. We all booked one each, and from there, they dropped us off at our homestay, saving us from another 3km walk. I just couldn’t continue anymore.

Once we arrived at the homestay at 3 pm, we immediately ate our late lunch, freshened up, and fixed our stuff because we needed to head back to the metro. We arrived home at around 1 am the next day, and most of us took a day off because we might end up dead if we still decided to work in the office. Lol. So yeah, I can now proudly say I’ve conquered Mt. Pulag—definitely a nice way to end the year.

By the way, we were also rewarded with another rainbow on our way back to the homestay. Additionally, the sunset on our journey back home to the metro was simply breathtaking. The vibrant, gradual colors of the sunset—purple, pink, orange—and the silhouette of the mountain range, it was truly a sight to behold. I was just in awe.

Photos were all taken using Olympus Superzoom 800 Film stocks: Kodak Gold 200 and Orwo Wolfen Color NC 500

#travel #bundok #pulag #benguet

[yesterdaymemories]

June 17 - 18 | Jala-jala, Quezon (Simone and Gabby's Resort) - A Weekend of Celebrations

This weekend getaway filled my heart with joy. Initially, I thought the out-of-town trip was to celebrate Tito Ed's 60th birthday, as we couldn't mark it on the actual day (May 26) due to his hospitalisation. I expected some relatives from Asis’ side to be present, but I was wrong. The main event for this getaway was Asis asking for my hand in marriage. We're engaged! Though I had a hunch it might happen soon, as I accidentally read a message on his phone from the ring supplier. Lol

Anyway, I was nonetheless surprised! I genuinely believed we were there to celebrate Tito's birthday/Father's Day. I even asked my family if they wanted to join this trip, but they said they couldn't due to prior plans. Imagine my shock when I saw them running towards us after Asis got down on his knees. I was so happy to have spent this special day with them. Also, this was our first getaway with both families because we hadn't had the chance for an out-of-town trip with both sides since we've been together. I just wished all our family members were there; it would have been perfect.

We had a series of celebrations, including Mae’s birthday on June 17, Tito Ed's proper senior year birthday celebration, my brother’s birthday on June 19, Father’s Day on June 18, and the highlight of it all, our engagement on June 17.

Also, I just want to share this funny anecdote. It was already noon, and we were looking for a place to eat along the way. We stumbled upon a restaurant where we used to dine when we visited Daranak Falls with my sister years ago. I messaged her, took a photo of the restaurant from outside, and casually mentioned that we had been there before. The funny part? Hours later, after the engagement, my sister pointed out that she was nervously trying to change the topic in our chat, worried I might figure out their surprise. I also realized I accidentally took a photo with our car in it and didn't notice! Asis, feeling anxious too, abruptly left the place because he had already noticed our car. It was so funny how oblivious I was to my surroundings.

So yeah, wedding planning is already starting, and I just can't imagine the stress and expenses we will go through. Looking forward to seeing our plans come together and celebrating our special day! Exciting times ahead!

P.S. By the way, all these photos were taken using my Instax Wide 500AF (the infamous wide model), except for that one pic in front of the bonfire, which was taken using a phone. So yeah, this Instax Wide camera is now long gone. I was so impatient and, thinking I knew it all, decided to fix the jammed camera lens all by myself, but then, it broke. Like, there's really no hope. It cannot be fixed. Shame, I wasted my money because of my stupidity. *ugly cries*

#personal #event

[yesterdaymemories]

May 5 - 7, Friday - Sunday | Malunay, Quezon & Alibijaban Island

The day after returning from Siargao, we headed to Malunay, Quezon with our friends to visit Aurin and his wife at their home. We met up with them at Trinoma mall around 4 pm because I had to work earlier, and my shift ended at 3 pm. They had already done the grocery shopping and bought snacks for our trip. I didn’t expect the travel time to be that long. It was so exhausting. We arrived past midnight and, having not eaten a proper dinner, Aurin reheated the food he had prepared for us.

Later that morning, around 10:30 am, we arrived at San Andres port after an hour's drive from Malunay. Later on, we rented a boat to take us to Alibijaban Island, which was another 20-30 minutes away. Everything had been arranged and prepared by Aurin’s family. They purchased the food and utensils that we brought to the island. And finally, we formally and properly met his wife and his family.

Alibijaban Island is beautiful! It was not that commercialise yet, so good thing we brought our own food. The weather that day, too, was nice! It was such a pleasant day to spend with our friends. We even rented a floating cottage, and took dips in the water.

It was indeed a short trip, and I wish we could have stayed longer, but we didn’t have any annual work leaves left, so maybe next time. Anyway, we were off the road at 11 am the next day. We also stopped by one of the souvenir stores to buy pasalubongs and visited Tayabas, Quezon, to try Nanay Simeng's Halo-Halo, which was jam-packed. But, to be honest, I’ve had much yummier halo-halo. It was nothing special.

Anyway, we had already parted ways with some of our friends along the way, so when we arrived in Alabang, we decided to have our dinner at one of the Samgyupsal places there. So yeah, it was such a tiring weekend getaway. Asis and I still haven’t had a proper rest from our Siargao trip, and now this. But it was all good! We got to be with friends, and another place was checked off my list. ♡

#travel #lokal #quezon

[yesterdaymemories]

It's time to wrap up my Siargao trip posts. I realise these entries are lengthy and may seem somewhat uninteresting, but I really like to record mostly what happened that day before the tiny details fade away. The brain is a fickle thing, y’know. That's why I like to jot down everything here on my blog, thus the URL — thememoriesarchive. Anyway, I'm looking forward to revisiting this blog in the coming years to read these adventures; I just hope Tumblr sticks around.

Day 7 - May 3, Wednesday

It was time to buy pasalubongs! At 8 am, we grabbed breakfast at one of the carinderias near the local market, then we went to buy dried seafood and local vinegar. Unfortunately, the vinegar was not allowed inside the aircraft, so it was such a waste. We also went back to White Beard Coffee to grab our coffees—this place was always packed! Anyway, we booked a massage appointment at Siargao Island Villas resort. It was soooo so good. Asis mostly enjoyed it; I even heard him snoring! Lol

As soon as we finished, we headed to CEV: Ceviche & Kinilaw Shack, which was what I had really been looking forward to that day. If ever I return to Siargao again, this place would be at the top of my list. And that’s about it – we explored around, making the most of our remaining time and our scooter rental.

That day was also a celebration of our 8th-year anniversary. Although initially planned for the actual date, yesterday (May 2), we decided to celebrate it on the second-to-last day of our stay on the island instead.

Day 8 - May 4, Thursday (The last day)

On our last day, we went back to the Lokal hub to grab breakfast and, again, to White Beard Coffee to get some fuel for the day. We returned to our place to pack our bags, making sure we didn’t leave anything behind. Around quarter to 1 pm, we were already at the airport, waiting for our flight. Maaaaan, I was really hoping to see President Nadine around Siargao, and I was losing hope. But lo and behold, she was on the same flight to Manila, and even Andi Eigenmann’s daughter, Ellie, was in the same flight and the same row as us. It was unexpected. I wanted to have a photo with Nadz, but nope, I didn’t want to bother her and invade her privacy. So, yuuup, we arrived home around 6 pm, totally exhausted from our trip back. It was so not nice to be back in the urban jungle.

To wrap up this Siargao trip, we really did have a great time. To be honest, though, we didn’t want to think about our expenses during our 8-day stay because everything there was overly expensive, and we thought it was not reasonable. If you were to ask us if we would like to return, of course, we would answer yes! Because the island is just beautiful, and we really haven’t explored it all—Taktak Falls, Alegria Beach, Corregidor Island, Bucas Grande. But if we consider the expenses, we would say no, not in the next 5 -10 years. It was enough for us that we had the opportunity to visit the island. So yea, I’m finally done with the Siargao trip posts. It was such an adventure. I can’t wait to visit more of the Philippines. Until next time!

#travel #siargao #lokal

[yesterdaymemories]

Day 6 - May 2, Tuesday

Asis and I woke up later than we used to. We hit the road around 7 am with our gear for our day 2 land trip. Our first stop was at Spotted Pig cafe for breakfast, where we had coffee and croissants. I personally love their croissants; they are so buttery, and since a piece was half its usual price, we ordered three with bacon on the side. We then went to Catangnan-Cabitoonan bridge and continued past the coconut road, where we snapped some pictures with our friends. We followed the road with only a few cars and motors passing by, unlike on the West side where the main roads were bustling. We also stopped by every now and then when we see something nice. We arrived to our destination around 9 am at Bugak cold spring.

We arrived at the place, and there was no one around. It was beautiful and eerily enchanting. Asis took a quick dip while I watched, taking in the beauty of the surroundings. We had planned to visit another cold spring, but the Google Map was acting up due to a loss of signal. So, we decided to just ride around the countryside, stopping every now and then to explore. Later, we returned to the Secret Beach to pass the time.

By 1 pm, we headed back to General Luna and had a late lunch at Sundays. Unfortunately, we didn't enjoy it much because the serving time was too long, and the food wasn't that great for its prices. Afterward, we went back home to recharge. When we woke up, it was already getting dark outside. There were occasional rains that day, so when it stopped, we went to the Lokal hub. We were the only customers there, so we stayed for a while, once again killing time. We also enjoyed the food there; it was reasonably priced and delicious.

Day 6 concluded with a pleasant evening at Lokal hub, enjoying delicious food and the simple joys of the day.

#travel #siargao #lokal

[yesterdaymemories]

Day 5 - May 1, Monday

Asis and I strolled to the nearby beach from our Airbnb at the crack of dawn, hopeful to catch the sunrise, but heavy clouds just covered it. We then decided to visit the not-so-secret Secret Beach (also known as Guiwan Beach) and spent an hour there, chilling. It was cool 'cause we had the whole place to ourselves – like we owned the beach. Afterward, we returned to freshen up and gathered our belongings for the land tour. We grabbed coffee and breakfast first in General Luna before hitting the road around 9 am; our destination was Del Carmen to visit Sugba Lagoon. However, we ended up making several stopovers because the scenery was just beautiful.

We opted for a private boat rental to ensure we could leave the lagoon whenever we wanted. Surprisingly, the boat journey to and from the lagoon ended up taking more time than our actual stay. I didn't mind, though, as I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. However, the place didn't live up to my expectations – no food stores or additional facilities, just a two-story floating hut with its infamous diving board and docks. The area was crowded with tourists, making it challenging to find a place to sit.

By around 2 pm, we arrived at Pacifico Beach, and let me tell you, the sight of the pristine blue sea and the waves was truly breathtaking. We enjoyed a late lunch in the area. Although we didn't take a swim, we just took in the moment. Later, we passed by Magpupungko, hoping we could see the tidal rock pools, but unfortunately, it was still high tide. We also made a stop at the Coconut Trees View Deck and snapped more photos. The weather was really unpredictable that day – from cloudy to sunny, and just when we were heading back home, it started raining, only to clear up again. To top off our adventurous land trip, a rainbow appeared just as we approached our Airbnb!

Taking a breather before heading out again for dinner in General Luna, we couldn't help but notice a drastic change in our skin color – we were pretty much toasted! Anyway, at 6 pm, we grabbed coffee again and then headed to a Thai restaurant for dinner. Afterward, we returned to the secret beach because earlier in the day, we had spoken to one of the local boatmen who suggested checking out the bioluminescent plankton and fireflies at night. Despite feeling tired from the earlier land trip, we were determined to push through. Honestly, the idea of a boat tour at night had me feeling uneasy. Navigating through the darkness, moving away from the shore, and getting closer to the mangroves — it was downright terrifying. Bahala na.

There were three of us in this small boat. As Kuya shared stories and rowed closer to the mangroves, we spotted a few fireflies. It took a moment for our eyes to adjust to the darkness, but soon enough, we could see plenty of them. To catch a better glimpse of them, you needed to move even closer to the mangroves. But nope, Asis and I were good, so we didn't go further. Kuya also tried to show us the bioluminescent plankton, but there were so few that I had a hard time seeing them. He mentioned it wasn't the best time to view them due to the frequent rain during our stay. So yuuup, we headed back to the shore after 30 minutes because it was getting chilly, and we could hear thunder approaching.

It turned out to be quite an adventure, a unique way to kick off the first day of May – an exhausting yet unforgettable journey. Definitely one for the books.

#travel #siargao #lokal

[yesterdaymemories]

Day 3 - April 29, Saturday

Asis and I were out and about on our rented scooter around 5 am. We made a pitstop at the Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish church. Afterward, we roamed around the area in search of an open cafe, but to no avail. Eventually, we decided to head to Shaka Cafe, as it was the only place we found that would open at the latest by 6:30 am. Arriving 40 minutes before the opening time, we sat and enjoyed the view of the waves and surfers from afar.

On Day 3, our plan was to island-hop. We hoped for good weather, but it turned gloomy with dark clouds and occasional rain. We still went ahead and rented a private boat for our group. Our first stop was Naked Island, a sandbar true to its name—completely bare. It was just sand and I couldn't fully appreciate it unless seen from above. Our middle stop was Daku Island, the largest of the three main islands, where we stayed for a while and enjoyed the infamous boodle fight. The last stop was Guyam Island, named aptly for its small size.

I don’t know, but this day felt exhausting, and the weather only added to the gloominess. We returned to our place around 3 pm, completely worn out. After freshening up, we were all knocked out. We only woke up to the sound of rain and decided to have our dinner delivered to our place. What a day!

Day 4 - April 30, Sunday

The group was out early and had our breakfast at Siargao Corner Cafe. The weather started clearing up. The sun was finally peeking! Unfortunately, it was also the last day of our friends on the island. They were bound to Manila later that afternoon. In the time remaining, we passed the Catangnan-Cabitoonan bridge and took tons of photos in this coconut road. We also visited a piercing shop, and most of them decided to have their ears pierced, while Asis opted for an eyebrow piercing. Our final stop with the group was CEV: Ceviche & Kinilaw Shack. I had no idea about this place, but one of our group members insisted it was a must-try spot in Siargao. They mentioned that whenever they attempted to eat there, it was either closed or jam-packed. And man, it was the first restaurant on the island that Asis and I both approved of. The dishes were delicious, with the ingredients complementing each other perfectly. Eating there was a perfect way to wrap up the entire group tour with our friends.

After parting ways, we returned to Mera's Garden Resort, our rented place, to collect our stuff. Riding on our scooter, we successfully transported all our gear—two backpacks, a tote bag, and a small suitcase—from General Luna to Malinao, our next Airbnb home for the next few days. Upon check-in, we dropped off our laundry nearby. In the late afternoon, we ventured back to General Luna town proper, aimlessly roaming with no particular destination in mind, enjoying the views, local vibes, and the cool night breeze. It was indeed a pleasant day.

#travel #siargao #lokal

[yesterdaymemories]

October 28, 2023 - One Zone: SB19 Half a Decade Celebration Fanmeet

Last weekend, I finally attended an SB19 event in person. It was my second time going to a concert alone, although it was more of a fan meet. I remember wanting to attend their Dunkin' Donuts Concert last year, as well as their Wish 107.5 Roadshow performance at Eton Centris, but I didn't have anyone to go with. I even missed their 2-day Pagtatag! concert due to time constraints. While they also held numerous virtual concerts, I refrained from watching them because I really wanted to see them perform live. Finally, I decided to go by myself to celebrate this half-decade milestone with my fellow A’TIN.

I became a fan in 2019 when I first watched their live performance of 'Tilaluha.' I'm particularly fond of ballad songs, and I must admit it's one of my favorites by them. Since then, I started watching and appreciating more of their songs. I just want to make it clear that I'm not a die-hard fan. I believe fangirling shouldn't feel like a chore where you have to do this and do that. I watch them to feel good. Although I don't purchase their merchandise or watch all of their vlogs, I still support them in the little ways that I can and stay on top of their latest updates.

Anyway, I had a lot of fun at the fan meet. I was genuinely amazed by the diversity of this fandom – it knows no bounds. I saw fanboys, parents, grandparents, and even kids, all coming together to celebrate SB19. Since we all know that fanmeets are more intimate and interactive compared to concerts, they only performed fewer than ten songs, with most of the time devoted to games and interactions. But, I can't wait to attend their concert because the setlist left me wanting more. So yuuuup, I'm proud of how far they've come. SB19 is undeniably talented. Their songs, with those wordplays, never cease to amaze me. I can't wait to witness their future achievements and growth as they continue their journey.

#event #concert #sb19 #fanmeet

[yesterdaymemories]

Siargao

Day 1 - April 27, Thursday

Asis and I were off to Siargao, our first in-air trip for this year. We met up with our friends who had been on the island for a few days, around 2 pm. After a quick break and settling in, Asis rented a scooter, and we started exploring General Luna. We had a late lunch at Kurvada and couldn't resist trying every flavor of ice cream at Jorene’s Homemade Ice Cream.

Later, our group gathered at the Catangnan-Cabitoonan bridge to watch the sunset, and I was surprised to see many tourists there, mostly foreigners. We wrapped up the day with dinner at Isla Cusina and returned to our rental for an evening of drinks, card games, and catching up. The first day was a bit tiring due to the long journey so we called it a night around 9 pm.

Day 2 - April 28, Friday

We were all up before 6 am, eager to start our island adventure. Luckily, the weather was on our side that day. We hopped on our scooters and hit the road together. Our first pitstop was this cool vacant lot that led to the beach. Afterward, we searched for a cozy spot to have breakfast. We found Kawayan Gourmand. We arrived pretty early, so we patiently hung out while they prepped and baked their croissants and pastries. Let me tell you, those freshly baked croissants were just *chef’s kiss*.

Following our delightful breakfast, we made our way to Cloud 9, conveniently within walking distance from the breakfast spot. While Asis and Beth decided to hit the waves for a surfing session, the rest of us opted to relax on the sandy shore, watching them ride the waves from a distance.

When they got tired from all the paddling, we decided to head back to our place to grab some stuff for our land trip. But just before that, the guys had secretly helped plan Darren's surprise proposal to Beth, catching me off guard. It turned out they had been working on this plan for a while. The idea was straightforward: as they walked along the boardwalk, Darren would kneel down and ask for her hand in marriage while the rest of us were far away, taking a video and flying a drone documenting the event. All of this unfolded at only 9 am.

We also visited Coconut Trees View Deck, and we passed by Maasin River and Paghungawan Marsh. By 11 am, we had made it to Magpopongko Rock Pools and Flats, which was about an hour's ride from General Luna. We decided to have our lunch, pass the time, and wait for the tide to go down, hoping to explore the rock pools. Unfortunately, our plans fell through due to the high tide. The weather had been rather unpredictable, with sporadic rain clouds, which led us to the decision to head back. Around 2 pm, we hit the road again, and to our dismay, the back tire of our scooter went flat. Since we were the last pair on the bike, the two couples in front of us had no idea what had happened. There was no phone signal in the area, so we couldn’t update them and they couldn't reach us. We were relieved that this happened during the day, and it wasn't raining. The nearest vulcanizing shop was a kilometer away, so we had to turn back. Asis pushed the scooter while I took lots of photos of our surroundings and cheered him on. Definitely one for the books!

After we got back on the road, we spotted the rest of the group waiting on the roadside. They had already gone quite a distance before realizing that we were no longer following behind them. So yuuuup, we were all beat for the day. At dinner time, we ate and chilled at BARREL: Beachfront Sports Bar, and finally, we called it a night.

Day two was undoubtedly an unforgettable adventure.

Btw, another highlight of the day was spotting a large, red bird with a prominent beak, which I later identified as a Rufous hornbill. As a passenger princess on the back of the scooter, I had the opportunity to see a lot of beautiful things, making it one of my favorite aspects of this trip. ♡

#travel #siargao #lokal

[yesterdaymemories]

September 26, 2023 - #ONEOKROCKinMNL2023

Last month, I attended my first J-rock concert, and, not to mention, it was my first time going to a concert alone. Initially, my partner and I were supposed to attend their "Eye of the Storm" concert in 2021, but the pandemic happened, and I had to refund the concert tickets because no one knew what would happen at that time. Everything was completely uncertain back then.

Fast forward to today, Pulp announced that they were bringing the "Luxury Disease" Asia tour to Manila. I asked Asis if he wanted to attend, and he said no due to unforeseen circumstances. I didn't wait in the queue when the tickets went on sale. They were sold out after a few hours.

Later, I read that they were going to open more seats. Since I still wanted to experience watching them live, I decided to go alone. I waited for the second batch to open and was contemplating getting a General Admission ticket. However, I ended up with an Upperbox seat. The area I got was on the furthest right, Toru's side. I had no problem with that because Smart Araneta Coliseum is just the perfect size. I could still see them on stage compared to MOA Arena or the Philippine Arena.

I was excited when the day came. I was even active in group chats. I also bought official merchandise t-shirts for myself and Asis. Thankfully, I was able to secure a slot since the t-shirt design we wanted was instantly sold out. Anyway, I was planning on making new friends. I said to myself that I would be Miss Congeniality that day. However, being the introverted person that I am, I made zero OOR friends.

The concert was amazing. They totally rocked! Taka's voice was just beautiful. What you hear on the tracks is pretty much the same live, or even better. They sang a total of 18 songs, including the repeated song "Neon." The first time they sang it, Taka had an in-ear monitors problem.

I was also hoping they would sing "We Are," which is one of my favorite songs of theirs. Instead, they performed their 2010 song "Kanzen Kankaku Dreamer." This was fine with me since I had read on Facebook group pages that Filipino fans were hoping they would perform this song.

So, the concert ended with all of us in high spirits and still wanting more. Just as I was about to exit the arena, I made three friends. They were long-time fans of One Ok Rock, while I'm a relatively new fan. I discovered them in 2018 and became an instant fan after watching their live performance videos.

All in all, it was quite an experience. I can't wait to see them perform live again, hopefully with Asis next time. I'm also looking forward to their next release.

P.S. I asked someone to sign my name on the fan signing banner because I had to work that day, and I might not have been able to make it if I had waited until after my shift to sign it. Also, I'm grateful to my sister for accompanying me to dinner before I entered the dome.

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I brought my Instax Mini with me and used up 4 or 5 shots inside the dome. Unfortunately, the shots either turned out blurry or too dark. I expected this, but I was still hoping they would turn out fine. What a bummer.

#event #concert #oneokrock