From a seat sale rush to Bantayan touch, this is how my best friends and I planned this spontaneous trip to Cebu. We’re so excited like a child that we will travel in Visayas region for the first time.

Tucked away from the busy and fast paced streets of the city, Bantayan Island lies off the northern tip of Cebu. This is pretty much a laid-back alternatives to Boracay (where it’s technically close for redevelopment) and these ladies are ready to set foot in this beautiful hidden gem.

As we arrived and observed the nature of the place, I sense “peace” in an instant. From the serene atmosphere, hospitality of our fellow Filipinos down to the pure and sheer beauty of beaches, I know this island is therapeutic. It's all we need.

After a few weeks of introspection and enjoying the unemployed life, my senses and enthusiasm began to ignite. Maybe the idea of living in the moment and embracing the uncertainty gives me a new perspective and attitude on what to look forward to.

Before the school year starts for the new batch, I received a call from a friend referring me to a project-based job in my dear Alma matter. Without second thought but with a little weary on the nature of the work, I accepted the offer. Isn’t it great to serve back to your dear Alma Mater?

First day at work, I saw students rushing over their next class, meeting new friends along the Magis building, sitting through benches, taking a nap while pretending to read books in the library, then again, the situations I know too well can no longer be done again.

I’m now far away from the comforts of campus life and trying to be an adult is tough. Waking up early just to beat the traffic, trying to be on time for biometrics, doing a 9-5 job in a workplace where you meet different kinds of people are some of the new things I need to grasp and adapt.

For a fresh grad that just jumps in the new world, here are the things I wanted to share:

· Ask when you don’t know
You are not expected to learn everything you see in the office anyway. If you messed up with the formulas in excel; not familiar in operating the fax or photocopying machine; tasked to deliver the report to another colleague you barely haven’t notice yet are some of the things that really require you to ask.

Some commit more mistakes because they fail to ask probably due to hesitation, intimidation towards other colleague or even afraid to be judged or corrected. Regardless of which, if the situation caught you on the things that are unfamiliar to you, learn to seek advice or help with your workmates.

· Learn to make new friends in the office.
You could be the youngest person in the group but that doesn’t mean they’ll adjust for you. Frankly speaking, you have to deal to them. A simple “hi”, smile or chitchat on a short break can win a friend. In fact, it will make your new work environment easier

· Being a ma diskarte is a must.
Not everything is served to you on a silver platter nor does everyone gets to be mentored. Even if the art of asking is essential, that doesn’t mean you have to ask all the time. Each one of you has specific workload so you have to at least make an effort to learn it on your own.

· Accept that your new life demands a lot-- time and effort.
No task is too menial for you. You’ll be preoccupied by different unfamiliar or unrelated workload, tight deadlines and sometimes you thought you’ve done your best but it wasn’t enough; Well, it’s all completely fine.  And for sure, you are probably thinking on how good the life you have as a student.

· Don’t be too picky on your first job, use it to learn and hone new skills.
My first job as an accounting staff doesn’t really correlate with my chosen marketing field. In fact, I’m really lost and unfamiliar with some of the accounting terms and formulas in the database but I enjoy it in any way because I get to know how this department works. Indeed, an added knowledge and a good work experience.

So to the newly graduates, with tides high and low, learn how to sail the boat and you will eventually be place to an Island where you belong. It takes time, patience and hardwork but it’s all worth trying. Paddle up!

It makes you feel proud to be in a brand whom you have been working for now being recognized with a reputable organization/company that acknowledges its products, quality and service to the customers. Just so last August 2016, Mindanao Gold Star Daily awarded Missy Bon Bon as the Best Delicacy 2016.

Keeping this post for keeps. I'm so glad to see the whole marketing team with our manager on a newspaper feature.

Update: I finally got a job! My #YOLO days are gone and now, I can finally admit to myself that I’m ready to face the conduits of life.

A smile and tears from my parents face as they hear my name pronounced as I walked across the stage, reached for the diploma with my left hand and shook with University’s President with my right, walked off the stage and sat back down.

*Sigh* That moment just happened three weeks ago… yes, it’s been awhile. Not to mention, it’s been three weeks of being officially unemployed. I’ve been overwhelmed with so many thoughts, realizations, negativities, cravings, dreams, and plans with this kind of great transition in life. And the chain reaction after I allow myself to dash against it? I got sick.

One time, I wonder why I got sick that I no longer have so many things to do and to think about. Unlike in my college years, where I've always been this kind of girl whose plans are already laid out and being doodled in the planner. I guess my body is just not used to it- of not doing anything.

Or probably, I neglect to give a healthy dose of self-care. I must admit that my life right now probably strikes under wanton exhilaration, boredom, agonizing moments, self-actualization and some room of fun and laughter.

As I deliberate, maybe this was just all due to my actions and decision which leads me to stress and negative thinking. I allowed myself to be preoccupied with unproductive emotions and thoughts. That somehow, Newton’s third law could give that right justification- For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

I ponder again as I read this powerful message from Alldevotions.com

Illness is often a sign that there are needs you are not taking care of. Sometimes your body gets sick so that you are forced to slow down and become aware of the messages of your heart and the desires of your spirit. Only when you step outside on the daily treadmill, can you attune to these more subtle inner callings. Don’t wait to get sick before listening to these important inner messages.

This holds so true. This stress that I’m experiencing right now just creates barriers on what I should be doing; a detrimental to my physical, mental and emotional health.

I’m thinking too much about the future that I miss out the great moments that unveiling right before use. I became too anxious that I forget to forgive and love myself. And that is probably what I missed out.

And so right now, I need to invigorate my life, set strategies that will enable to focus; to regain my lost soul and energy to its normal bound; And to cast all burdens and worries to the Lord. But how do I start? if I figured it how it would definitely be on my next blog post.

I just bid farewell to the structured life I used to.

This is about my extracurricular journey.

No matter how good you are at planning, the pressure never goes away. So I don't fight it. I feed off it. I turn pressure into motivation to do my best. - Benjamin Carson

Clock alarms, its 6am. And I received a tons of greetings via text messages and even missed some calls from my family and relatives. Overwhelming as it is, I've always been that girl who tends to be so excited welcoming a new chapter of life. 

Waking up, I then realized time flies so fast that I'm already on the stage of saying bye "teen" life and hello "twenties.  Though I am kinda reluctant of myself saying I'm 20 yet I had more to thankful for being at this stage where I can say my past years had molded me so much to be better now. 

I'm so happy that I had the chance to celebrate my birthday with those people I am presently surrounded with like my college friends so as with my old friends in high school and grade school.
Greetings from my JMA Family. I so love the poster they posted. Thanks Jezyl for this! :)


Thanks FS Foodie Company Buddies! This year was a bit tough for us yet I know we can do this as a team. Thanks for being a good student-manager of our humble business and for helping me lead the team. 





When I knew they were available at my given date, I instantly grabbed the chance to invite both of you out for a dinner together since I never had a chance to have you whenever I had a lil celebration at home due to our busy sched. 

These are always her prayers, hopes and greetings to me-to see me fat, to even add 5-8 pounds of my weight and even willingly give away her fats to me if possible. Sorry Jean, I think it's not just yet... 
In any means (twitter, facebook, insta, etc), I'm very overwhelmed by all your birthday greetings. Below,  I just want to share some of those unusual greetings of my friends xD

A dinner with my best friends then and now

I remember how Julie and I laughed about what our life could be in our early 20s. She is fond of predicting what my life could be xD lets see if you Ace it haha

For the love and support, I will always be grateful Sir Chee! :)

Carrie's message stays to be so sweet and cute as the way she is. You really see me as a person who inspires others ha

Emotional yet very sweet message from my very close friend in college -Wendy

The first kindda long message from my best friend... Because she used to be that girl who gives a maximum of 2 lines birthday message, now I consider it as a miracle. haha
To all those who remembered, greeted and celebrated my birthday with me, THANK YOU so much :) You just made me feel loved and special...