The battle continues

I prayed for her. The biopsy result is negative but she still has to undergo a series of therapy & gamma ray treatment.

I flew to Manila to visit her and brought her request of dimsum steamed rice. It broke my heart to see her in her current physical state. Her left side remained weak, she can't close her eye to sleep, her arm & leg feel heavy. Thanks to my friend who warned me beforehand to put up a brave front when I see her, otherwise I would have broken down. She's in a much better state now, they say. She didn't want to be pitied, she remained to be a fighter for herself & for her baby. All she said was, "good thing it's the left side".

This experience was also a test of friendship, it brought our barkada even closer. Talks of her bring us to tears but the constant exchange of thoughts is comforting. We can only find solace in the company of good old friends.

Two months after C-Section and two weeks after brain surgery... the battle is not over.

Who cares?

In a small community like ours where everyone somehow knows everyone; it is amazing to learn how people get the latest buzz or have an impression even without meeting the person.

I admit, I am as guilty as anyone else. You just can't help to judge a person by the reputation of the people around them, especially that of his family without knowing them personally based on what you see or hear.

For us, I am lucky that the legacy my late grandfather left behind is something to be proud of. Perks comes with it, coz I can easily introduce myself and gain their confidence. On the otherhand, what comes with it is a standard of how I am perceived to behave. What bothers me most is that some get intimidated for no reason or reasons based on perceptions.

In a casual conversation, someone I haven't met commented that it is so not us, that we got no curfews and we get to do adventure sports like diving. Such comment made me laugh out loud in disbelief! It makes me wonder so what is their standard for being us?

Hermit

Parting is such sweet sorrow. I am happy for them who have finally take on the challenge to move out of their comfort zone. Yet, I am sad coz five goodbyes is more than enough to handle.

It's starting to sink in... in their absence, I could be an hermit in the making, oh no!

Surfing in Siargao

"Habal-habal (motorbike that sits 5 or more!) takes one from Dapa pier to Cloud 9 - the most well-known surf break in the island of Siargao, Philippines.

I'm no surfer and I don't think I have the power abs & legs and balance to match with to stand on a surfboard and conquer the waves. Butofcourse, my adventurous self won't let this opportunity pass. I've tried diving, whitewater rafting, trekking, spelunking, free-fall... i'm sure surfing would be equally fun & challenging. Here I come, ready in a purple rashguard.

Daku island has more mellow breaks, great for us beginners to learn. After a physically stressful day, laid on a hammock with the best view of the sunset.

Not to be missed is the whole day island trip to Bucas Grande (a striking resemblance to the Rock Islands of Palau in Micronesia, they say). On a kayak, paddle through Sohoton Cave, the sole entrance that leads to a labyrinth of a lagoon where the pool with stingless jellyfish is.

Too little time, so much to explore..."

What an adventure weekend that happened to be Siargao DAW*!

*a reporting particle that expresses that the information in the sentence is second-hand; they say, he said, reportedly, supposedly, etc.