The BAKIT List - March

Nourishment. 

There is a certain place that reminds us how we were back in the day. These are the places that we remember our childhood. During my grade school years, I often walked along M.H. Del Pilar street from our home in Sto. Tomas  to our school in Palatiw. Often times, I go far beyond our school and 'tambay sa mga kaklase for practice kuno - from Palatiw Kaliwa to Palatiw Kanan hanggang dun sa 'Bilog' before Barangay Pinagbuhatan. 

Then as new thoughts and ideals came into my view and me being more than willing to embrace them all, this very street became as if its from a distant memory. I began exploring other streets, busy streets in fact - Pasig Blvd, Shaw Blvd, Recto, Espana, EDSA, Ayala Ave., and the list goes on. Until M.H. Del Pilar became too familiar and the remaining stretch became the street from the past. I never thought of walking along the entire street again and see how things are, thinking it must be pretty much the same. 

Then there was a sudden change. I have to travel the very same street every weekend. 

There I saw familiar spots, spot where we bought sago't gulaman. A spot where I skinned my knee. Even the same spot I got stranded because of a sudden flood. All those memories came back and it is kind of sweet to try to remember all those years. And now, every time I pass that street, I wish old friends are still there waving at me just like the old days. These kind of bittersweet reminiscing makes me wanting to visit all those streets that I used to go when I was younger. 

And so I did. 

I never expected that doing so even just for a day will be nourishing. It is as if you become that child again yearning to learn something new but this time trying to make up of those things that you think you knew and rediscover them. And you'll find yourself happy and excited about the things that you discover. Things that I wanted to share to my nieces and nephews and their friends for them to create their own memories. 

A spot that is nourishing...

And as I continue rediscovering my hometown I found this...

something nourishing... nourishing your soul and tummy :)

The BAKIT List - February

Boracay Alone.

I've always wanted to try going to Boracay and spend the entire weekend there and just bum in the beach.

Not that I did not enjoy the company of my family and friends when we went there, it's just that I wanted to see for myself how it will feel like to be in a paradise on your own but not actually being alone. I've always wanted to see if I can have that kind of adventure similar to Leo DiCaprio's THE BEACH - which happens to be one of my favourite movies.

So I packed my bag and flew to Boracay.

I booked a budget hotel through Airbnb. I did not have any itinerary in mind, the plan is to just sit there, see and observe the people hoping there might be someone who is crazy enough to actually look for "the personal pure shores" just like me.

Anyways, so here's how my adventure went.

I received a notification early morning that the flight will be delayed for three hours. The new flight schedule will be at 2:30 instead of 11:30. I just spent the entire Saturday morning searching for activities I might want to do but I see same old stuffs. Things I've already done.

Fast forward to 4pm, I'm already at station 2. The budget hotel is located near the Caticlan hospital and at the back of the Mandarin Hotel. With my big backpack I was going back and forth, up and down the streets cause I can't see where Mandarin is. The hospital is under renovation too. There seemed no alley or any road that would lead me to the location. I asked some local if they know the 'hotel' but nobody seemed to know. I just continued walking trying to find an alley going to the beach and from there I thought I will be able to see where Mandarin is located and be the starting point of finding the budget hotel.

From the inside of the un-named facade.
The place is actually cozy and clean. With nice comfy bed, aircon, heater and tv. With WiFi too.

Lucky enough that an un-named building has this door which looked familiar. I searched through my phone for the booking that I have and confirmed that indeed, that was the hotel I am going to spend two nights in.

After dropping my bag, my adventure began..

or shall I say, my laid-back weekend began.

First photo from my phone. The Crowd of Boracay.

Yummy Calamansi Muffin.

Because I arrived late, I just stroll around D'Mall

Preparing for my Day 2. 

The Beach on my Day 2.

BonBon Cafe is always dependable for a chill afternoon with tasteful choice of music.

I did not realise that my order is actually good for 2-3 persons. Yay!

Inside the cafe that sells Churros waiting for the sunset.

AND THEN THE SUNSET

Forgive me for this shameless selfie.

I secretly danced with Poi. haha

And another Selfie. I bought the Garlic and Lime dip. Yumminess from Piri-Piri.

LAST DAY PICS...

I did not have the adventure I am (wishfully) hoping for but I have the entire weekend just being me.

Not a son nor a brother. Not a friend nor a colleague. I just sat there, watching the sunset, watching the waves rushing through the shore and watching people go around and about. 

I just sat there and felt the calm I never knew I needed.

I just sat there idly taking a break from the harassments of the city life. Hearing and feeling no one but me. 

Bakit di ako tumigil saglit? That was 'the bakit list' for February that I set for myself.

But deep within I am humming a familiar song that goes "manahimik ka't maging akin muli".