I remember the day that our universe collided . That day , I know you will be a blessing in my life .
We have both shared the sunny and rainy seasons of ourlives . At times, when a storm approaches us we would tearfully sit still , listen and hold each others hand with respect .
That moment when I got stuck in a hurricane of emotions ..I love your non judgemental ways telling me to just go through the whole process . No matter how hard that was , I never felt alone for you were there . Thank you for walking with me through the Hurricane .
You will soon be 50 … You are an Amazing person it is when you think you are weak and vulnerable that I see your strength , your determination to fight on the battles that matters most to you . People that you have choosen to be your friend are lucky for you cared for them with space, love , understanding and respect. These are one of the many reasons that I fell in love with you and value our friendship soo much.
You and Me .. A friendship that I am lucky to have ❤ ( let us have a new duofie again)
Bff, may you ‘ ll be showered with victories in all the undertakings that you are facing. Just keep on moving , a step, a day at a time . Believe and it will happen ..
To those who have never stopped caring .. thank you for light of Hope that you have shared .
Dearest Ter ,
God is Good and has been showing us His grace all the time . You are one of His miracle. Ter ,thank you for allowing us to be a part of this journey of yours . We could never been prouder of how you fought and survived in all of this . Yes ! Everything is possible through Love and Friendship. This week is different than the other weeks , for you are home bound . Treatment has been done and you did it with flying “balbal colors”. A gift of life should now be enjoyed with His Grace. Here is to New life , friendship and Love …
We start here , my sister from another mother Klara and myself did our almost nightly chat . A random talk about everything that happened to us ( which I really love with our friendship) . I became fond of Klara ever since I met her in NYC ( I will be talking about this friendship more later in my future write ups) . So out of nowhere I have asked her about St.Patrick’s Day and when it is .. we talked after this nightly chat I have already booked a ticket for Ireland . I am going to spent St. Patrick’s day for the first time ( not bad for someone who is almost celebrating her golden birthday ).
What has followed next warmth my heart it made me feel loved and special . The rest of my Irish- filipino friends took time to spent and made this experience special … here we go
March 17 …
This was my first Ryanair flight .If I would base everything through the reviews that I have read … It will honestly scared me . Thus , I don’t really expect anthing with this flight . In fact , I am bracing myself for the worse scenario case .
In the plane it was comfy ( I bought a seat with extra leg space 🙂) . Ryanair left and landed on time .. We could not asked for more .
In the plane when everyone was boarded .. my seatmates an american and frenchman have started chatting about what they have been expecting about this festive event . They have chatted themselves through my dreams.
We have landed the passengers gave the pilot an applause and a shout out from a Flemish passenger ” zuipen to the max ( getting drunk to the max ) ” . french passenger answered ” Santè”
Welcome committee
While I chatted myself through immigrations with my fellow green passengers . My good friends were outside waiting for me ..and also having their own festive moments
The Rose and his two torns
After almost an hour waiting for thier message to come and informed me that they were waiting outside . I went out and then I discovered that they were also waiting for me ….the waiting game is on
We got reunited and ready for the St.Patrick’s Parade to witness .
The ANHS 89 ST. PATRICK’S tapok starts now
St .Patrick’s
After almost two years of not celebrating this event it was expected to be very crowded and very festive . This event symbolizes not only the yearly St.Patrick’s but also freedom .. the near normal feeling of what the world was prior to the covid pandemic.
The basic covid safety rules was no longer respected ( I guess some of party goers already have a respected amount of alcohol in their system.)😄😄 More so it is very fun to walked in between these crowd with a mask of course for some precautionary measures, especially that in this event 1.5 meters distance can no longer be respected or practiced .cj,
Green and very festive folks
We haven’t see a lot about the parade itself .. if you want to watch and battled yourself with these green people and the street barricade you must be very peristent .But you can also watch through the monitors of all the cellphones who have been recording the event.
We blended
I got myself a face paint to fully be immerse with the crowd ..
Irish flag on my forehead or should I say my third eyeMe asking this street painter Oohh one must document this too
Hunger strikes
After the squeezing in and out , walking in between the crowds it is time to eat. Bong made a reservation at Wings a world cuisine buffet restaurant. Here you can eat any cuisine, asian , turkish ooh vegan and vegetarian too desserts is a plus and oooh the bottomless drinks for a reasonable price. I love to believe the ” reasonable price” since Bong treated us … Thank you Bong!
We all agreed that we made the right choice by abondoning the parade and listen to our stomachs . When we were done with our lunch , On our way back to our car ( we were heading to Howth) the waiting was unbelievably long . Bong even said that when the time comes for these waiting people to have their lunch it will probably dinner then .
Take notice the super long waiting crowd
Happy tummy is all we need as we continue our St. PADDY’ s day . Let’s go Howth
Howth
Howth is an Irish Village on the Howth peninsula east of central Dublin and only 20 mins drive from east dublin ( depending with the traffic of course ) . It is known for its Fish and Chips , posh houses , awesome pier and my own conclusion amazing early spring sunset .
Howth pier
Before taking a walk to the pier, We went to starbucks ( yes ! After all these years we are still a starbucks believer🙂). Had our coffee and charge dying cellphones . At this age especially when you are travelling a dying cellphone means missing out taking dramatic pictures of the wonderful views .
The starbuck charging break
As we embarked in the pier , I pointed my phone lens to the sunset here and then I fell in love . It was a beauty and by force Bong , Maricar and Claire became my subjects with my picture taking quest .. I have even asked and directed a teener on how to take these pictures the way I have imagined them to look like .
Bong’s heart shape hands Madame Maricar as pretty as the sunset Bong imitating Bono Dusk in HowthContemplationYou and I are connected .. no distance ,nor space can go in between us .. you and I are binded in this beauty of nature.. My sister from another mother My subjects … thank you for the patience
Howth is pretty and posh . We will explore this village more next time
March 18 ( day 2 ) Powercourt waterfalls , Wexford and sumptous dinner
Breakfast at Premier Inn was worth it .
We started our day with a sumptous breakfast . A typical Irish breakfast with plenty of coffee ( on my part)
As always breakfast has always been the time ( even during our previous trips ) where planning of the day was made or I should say bucketlist places to be visited were being discussed .
Intial plan … We will be having roadtrips visiting Powercourt , Wexford and we shall were the rest brings us as long as we will have dinner at Klara’s place .
First stop Powerscourt waterfall , Wicklow
This is considered to be the highest waterfall in Ireland with approximately 121 m of cascading water that is set at the parkland foothill of wicklow mountains .
Powerscourt waterfall
There was also a beautiful hiking trail that we have not fully explored. We were more awed by the cascading waters of powerscourt . We took some pictures .. it was here that I have discovered that our Bong is not so crazy with heights , so is Maricar and Klara . I have asked them to climb with me a little bit higher to have this wonderful picture of the falls but they told me it is safer on the level that we were standing. Me being me love heights and challenges made my way up near this beautiful waterfalls .. I bribe a lady to take a picture of me ..the result was magnificient
Freedom!!
The rest of the crew took a picture near enough to waterfalls
A nice spot for picture taking as I see it. But there was a couple that sat there for quite awhile and I believe took three hundred pictures of the same angle . Determine to “steal” the spot subtly I stood there near enough to invade their small private space .. it was that not too rude it is more of a silent message of ” we want you guys to vacant the space it is our turn” it worked 🤣🤣🤣. Thus, asking a nice fellow to take a couple of family picture of us
My ANHS89 EU Fam
After Wicklow , we were planned to go to Glendalough a glacier valley with the Irish monastic style . Unfortunately we have detour due to the long waiting hours due to traffic. We went to Wexford instead walk around a bit have our coffee break at the nearby Italian pastry shop .
South of Ireland
Wexford it’s time to go .. Let’s meet Edgar, Klara’ s husband who is a magnificient cook .
When we arrived at Klar’s place we were met by Toby and Scarlett their four legged babies .
Edgar made a very delicious vegan version of bibingka ( a kind of filipino dessert) , a home made pancit canton and of course Bong’s Humba favorite . We could not thank Edgar enough for the delicious filipino cuisine that he cooked for us . Klar is one lucky momma
Chef Edgar Us and Bibingka
Time to pack and fly home
My flight was very early , it was 4:30 am when Bong , Maricar and Klara took me at the airport .
After my bagage was drop off …it was really time to say goodbye to this three wonderful host.
I am beyond touched Bong, Maricar and Klara for taking time off from all their daily routines . For spending time with me and make sure that I will have a good time .
To Bong who kept on asking me ” if I am okey or I am having a good time” .. Yes , Bong your shade of thoughtfulness made Ireland more colorful .
Maricar , despite of your busy schedules who have choosen to spent time with me . Thank you for making me special for squeezing me in between your momma duties , madame nurse and a businesswoman. It is good to see you after almost 4 years.. ❣️
Klara, you are my sister from another mother and we both feel our emotions with each other than verbalize it.. I will see you soon in Belgium ..I love you😘😘
Departure area…last groupie
I will be back Ireland ….
Memories are made of special moments shared with wonderful people . This was ANHS 89 eu mini tapok in Ireland
You don’t need a him to make you feel good , needed or Love .
You don’t have to compare yourself to someone else . For you are unique and perfectly imperfect.
Don’t allow yourself to hold on to hate, hurt and bitterness. You are more than that .
Choose and allow yourself to forgive to those who have wrong you . You don’t have to be thier friends nor foe .. Just a person who will stand at the sideline and respect them.
Do this all not for their sake ..but for your own happiness …For you cannot exude kindness if there is bitterness in your heart ..or love when hurt and hate reign
Let Love forgiveness and kindness illuminate your soul .. You are enough , You are love and You are important .
Always , always let the sun in you shine . No matter what
It is that point that we stop rationalizing and just let it happen . This is the moment that we surrender to the universe. We accept its course of movement to just lead us to a better path.
It is that moment that we let go of everything unafraid of what will or what will become that we aknowledge our strength .
To let go , to choose , to be just you and let everything flow is the bravest thing that you could ever do . At the end of an uncertain path lies a rainbow of hope and sunlight of joy…
Stay true to YOU .. be your bestfriend .. everything will be okey
In every organization lies a story to be told . The Moonwalkers89 is no different from this , We are full of stories to be told to give each one of you an overview of our Identity let me give you an overview of us.
We used to be high school classmates that has graduated from Agusan National High School way back in 89 . For 30 years we haven’t had the chance to reconnect with one another we have go on with our lives dealing with our daily challenges. Until that morning of January 6, 2019 magic have happened . Our former class mayor remembered that she was the class mayor of an amazing class ( Thank you Mrs Maricar Lomada -Inchoco for reminding her ) . She wishes to have a simple get to together and so the initial formation of Moonwalkers89 have been made . May 10 , 2019 a simple class reunion turned into a brainstorming . A pact was made that we will have a joined 50th birthday celebration . To be able to keep that fire of reconnection burning , we have chosen to have a purpose while waiting for 2022 . Thus, community services in form of gift packs had been done . The Moonwalkers89 who are working and residing abroad would show their support through monetary contributions. While the one’s left behind 😀 were the one in charge with the implementations of the ideas that has always been presented by the managing officers to the core . Early 2020 the Moonwalkers89 sponsorship educational program was born. At the moment we are sponsoring two chosen students who were a graduate of ANHS and they are now at their 2nd second year college one in FSUU and the other one In CSU both of them are in the dean’s list. Mid 2020 we have been faced with a challenge as one of our classmate has been diagnose of stage 3 breast cancer . Without any hesitation we together with her family and friends have helped her battle the big C through moral and financial support . Thus Care for Hope a Jennifer medical assistant program was born. To date , we have already raised 119, 000 that has helped her with her chemo and paid for her house rent during her 1 month and half stay in CDO as she goes in the last phase of her treatment Radiation theraphy . As our 50th birthday celebration aproaches ,we are thankful for the chance and blessing that are given to us both to serve the community and the friendship that has been developed amongst us. We refuse to be define by our educational achievements but instead embrace us with our zeal to help and serve the community . We serve with purpose and kindness and we are one .
The Moonwalkers89
Tsinelas drive we have distributed at least 300 pairs of slippers for children ages 4-11 years old Start of our 50th birthday celebration thanksgiving activity Care for hope Friendship amongst usCore Loaf breads for the typhoon victims Christmas party 2020Noche buena drive 2020
Last saturday , my dear friend turned 50 .. She wanted a huge party that would celebrates her life up to this point .
She invited 50 guest .. Each one of them marked a special place in her life . They are more than just a friend .. They are her family in this foreign place .
It was a night full of not only good food but also amazing people . One of the many surprises of the evenning was the edited video of our highschool friends ( including me ) . We sang our friendship song “That’s what friends are for” .
I have watched the video multiple times since my son and myself did the edited version of it .. Everytime I watched it my mind would utter a word or two . So let me write them down …
Friendship knows no distance or time. It only speaks the words of Love , Respect and Understanding . It embraces Acceptance of who we were , who we have become and who we will be . It treasure moments the good ones for the laughters and the challenging ones for the lessons to be learned .
Friendship is knowing when to stand for , yet still holds that Boundary and Accountability of the sacrecy of a secret .
That Saturday night as I sang our friendship song I know that my dear friend is surrounded with people who appreciates the beauty of friendship, love and life ….
Life continues here ….
The surprise video
Note :
To my highschool bffs who have grew up to be amazing human beings ( Kyaw, Nory ,Cio ,Son and Al ) , to my second family ( Tatay, Manang and Ate Ju ) thank you for making this video with me ..
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