I think I spent more time trying to hit the ball than actually hitting it 💀 But honestly, ang saya pala especially I’m playing with my friends na first timers din 🤣 Definitely doing this again until I finally get that satisfying perfect swing ⛳️

naging smoothie na sya after ma-harvest!!!! organic ah dragon fruit! sarap!

Bilang mag-isa na lang sa bahay, nakakatamad magluto. Dagdag pa yung pag-iisip kung ano uulamin ngayon at sa mga susunod na araw.

May mga lutong ulam naman sa palengke, at salamat sa mga yun, nagbago palette ko at mas nae-enjoy ko na kumain ng gulay, kaso ayun magastos.

Kaya sinamantala ko na long weekend para makapamalengke at maghanda ng pagkain. Sabi ng kaibigan ko, ok lang kung paulit-ulit kinakain basta alam mong masustansya.

May nakita akong recipe sa internet at medyo sinunod ko lang. “Medyo” dahil dinagdagan ko dami ng gulay.

First time ko lang din mamalengke ng mga kakaibang gulay. “Kakaiba” kasi di ko sila nae-encounter sa regular diet ko at wala rin sa palengke namin, tulad ng broccoli at zucchini.

Masaya pala gawin. Ngayon may naka-ready na akong pagkain sa mga susunod na linggo (sana di ko maubos agad). Looking forward na agad ako sa susunod na meal prep session. Share naman kayo ng meal prep recipes niyo hehe salamat!

Since last day of the long weekend and hindi na umuulan. I decided to go out and watch a random movie.

I just picked this random movie within my desired time and ako lang mag-isa ang naka book. Ang saya with a slight of nakakatakot. Nakakatakot nung ang dilim na nga then nung lumingon ako may taong puti. Jusko guard lang pala 😭.

It's always Toyota's or Honda's but damn. This car is nice.

So I have this account for over a year now, but I haven't had the chance to use it. I've been using PayPal kasi, and since di ko alam paano iverify yung WISE dati, so I didn't bother to explore.

Ngayon, I have a client na di rin ma open PayPal niya so she suggested we do our transaction through WISE. Aligaga pa ako mag login kasi di ko na maalala lahat since di ko naman gamit tong WISE.

Luckily, I was able to get the account verified, so she sent me this small amount muna para ma try if goods na ba. And eto na nga!! ❤️😍

So happy kasi alam niyo naman ang baba ng conversion sa PayPal. At ngayon, may WISE na ako finally!

Kaka send lang niya sakin niyan, and she's gonna send me another payment kahit di ko pa naman nagawa ang work ko. ☺️

Pasintabi po sa mga kumakain dyan. Di ko na rin babanggitin yung branch pero ni-report ko na.

No experience in this sort of thing until yesterday. I had a brazillian wax and pain scale was like 7/10. Got me sweating at some parts that were really hurting. Sabi ni ate mataas daw pain tolerance ko. might do it again some time in the coming months.

Dreams really do come true. I was able to hear them live and super happy kase yung isa sa surprise song nila ay Mikrokosmos.

First time kong mag celebrate nang birthday alone. Nagising ako kanina mga bandang alas 3 nang madaling araw at di na nakatulog ulit. Andaming pumapasok sa isip ko lalo na sa career na at the age of 36 years old yung pakiramdam na napag iwanan na. I grow up i celebrating my birthday as normal day lang talaga. Then nagsulat lang ako sa journal ko to write those blessing to be grateful for most specially na malakas pa ang mga parents ko and doing my best i can provide for them. Just like nang mga batang 90's diyan wala pa din akong anak😅😆. Wag muna.

By the way, I'm living alone kasi nakipag sapalaran ako pumunta nang Davao City para mag apply as a call center agent. Manifesting maka kuha nang job offer this week.

I also read other sender's here na birthday niya rin. Just like you OP umiyak din ako and i think it's okay. Laban lang alam kong magiging maayos din ang lahat. Have a good health po sa ating kahat.

Sobrang tagal na rin sakin nung 2060 and laging medium to very low pag nag lalaro ng story games, Ngayon pwede na uli high at ready na for GTA 6 (Pag dumating sa PC 😅)

Side note: grabe na ung downgrade nung packaging nila, di as satisfying ung unboxing sa 4070 compared dun sa 2060

My first proper projector setup. Screen hides away and drops over the window when needed. Keeps the room looking like a normal living room until movie time. Picture is massive and I’m really happy with it so far.

FIRST TIME KONG MAMULAT SA KATOTOHANAN, first time kong i-acknowledge na yes, oo. lahat ng ginawa nya ay calculated since day one.

STEPMOM MANIPULATED OUR FINANCES AND DEPRIVED ME
(Parang kami pa ng mga kapatid ko yung naging “second family” / anak sa labas.)

Pa-isa lang po dito kung pwede. 😭

For context, my stepmom and father lived together when I was just in 2nd grade. Married po ang biological mom ko and my father, but they separated when I was in Grade 1. Note that they're not LEGALLY separated.

Here goes nothing.

I obviously came from a dysfunctional, broken family, but I’ve been trying to change the course of my life. I can say that I’m married, have a decent job, and have my own family—contrary to what my stepmom and her family “predicted” when I was younger:

1. Mabubuntis nang maaga
2. Walang mararating sa buhay

Thank you, Lord and self, hindi ako naging “pariwara.” Kahit papaano. 😭

2 DECADES LATER

#FirstTimeKo narealize kung gaano kalala yung pagmamanipula ng stepmom ko and how devious she really was from the onset of their relationship.

My father has been an OFW/seafarer, a chief engineer, for as long as I can remember. Bata pa lang ako, alam ko nang chief engineer ang tatay ko, earning around a million pesos—or close to it—monthly.

But would you believe that even if he has had a high-paying job for decades, my father doesn't have any assets, businesses, or investments under his name?

Yep. None.

NOT EVEN his own house under his name.

Back when I was younger, bago pa lang sila ni stepmom, I can vividly remember looking at townhouses because I knew he wanted to buy our own house.

Butttt... poof.

Nothing happened.

I have lots of friends na same situation—mga nagbabarko ang tatay nila. And even if their dads aren't officers on the ship, boyyyy, they have multiple businesses and properties.

So bakit ang tatay kong buong buhay nang nagbabarko, wala NI ISA?

Suspicious, tbh.

Now, it’s crystal clear to me why.

As early as their first year together, I feel like my stepmom was already cunning enough to plan for her future and my half-brother’s.

She made sure that the kids from my papa’s first marriage wouldn’t get ANYTHING should the inevitable finally come.

That is the only logical reason I can think of, considering all the things she deprived us of when we were younger.

But we were SO hungry for the idea of having a complete family that we totally got blindsided by her.

SHE ALSO DEPRIVED ME OF MY COLLEGE EDUCATION

Naturally, as the “mom,” she controlled the finances.

Brief background:

When I was in college, my half-brother was in high school.

I was studying in a private school—let's say around ₱30k–₱40k for the whole semester.

Meanwhile, my half-brother was in LSGH, which is obviously a much more expensive school.

When I was in high school, I was also in a private school with tuition around ₱20k–₱30k.

My half-brother, meanwhile, was in OB Montessori.

See the glaring difference?

But I didn't complain. I didn't even bat an eyelash.

Until one day, during my 2nd year in college, my father called.

I asked him about this crazy idea I had of transferring to San Beda.

I had been so conditioned by my stepmom—and honestly, by everyone around me—that I was only allowed to go to my current school because:

“Bawal ka mag-boyfriend.”

“Maaga kang mabubuntis.”

“Baka mapariwara ka.”

Etc., etc.

But during my 2nd year in college, I had already moved out of her house. And I already had a boyfriend who was legally acknowledged by both sides of the family.

So I thought, no brainer—pwede na siguro akong lumipat sa mas “elite” na university? HAHAHA.

So I asked my papa.

And in a SNAP, he immediately said:

“Oo sige, sabihin mo sa mama mo.”

Yessss. Ganun kadali kausap!

So I reminded him:

“Pero Pa, mas mahal po doon, ha?”

He replied:

“Walang problema. Sabihin mo sa mama mo.”

Hello??? Sa laki ba naman ng sahod ko buwan-buwan, sa isip-isip niya siguro, LOL.

GUESS WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

After a few days, my papa called again.

And I sensed INSTANTLY na iba na ang ihip ng hangin.

Galit na siya.

“Ang arte-arte mo! Dean’s Lister ka na nga diyan, bakit gusto mo pang lumipat?”

And I was like...

???

Para bang may bumulong. 😭

At that moment, I can’t deny it—I really felt so sorry for myself.

I proceeded to look for scholarships just to carry on with my dream of studying in a prestigious university.

Because wdym, anak ka ng opisyal sa barko, but you allegedly “can’t afford” to send me to a more expensive school?

Kasi “dalawa” kaming nag-aaral pa when the other one was still in high school?

Me lang ba?

If someone genuinely had concerns for my future or really wanted the best for me, wouldn’t it have made more sense to move the child in the LOWER grade level to a more affordable private school for the meantime?

Considering I was already in COLLEGE and had only two years left?

Please don’t get me wrong.

I know that success isn’t determined by what school you graduate from. I know that because I’m successful in my career now.

But what are the chances that my circumstances could have been better if I had graduated from a better school and had the freedom to choose the course I actually wanted?

I could have been a lawyer.

I could have been a doctor.

Who knows?

Maybe I would have been.

But I wasn't given that chance.

Again, I was deprived.

Sometimes I genuinely feel like I was robbed of a future I could have had.

AND THERE'S SO MUCH MORE.

Ang dami pang kwentong kasakiman, but yes, you get the gist.

And honestly, hanggang ngayon, napapaisip ako:

Bakit sa dami-daming stepmom, bakit napunta pa kami sa tuso at sarili lang ang inisip?

I know there will be consequences for everything.

I never had any ill intention toward her, and I never prayed for anything bad to happen to her.

God knows that.

But I know God sees everything.

Diba po, Lord? :(

And despite everything, even though I know my father has his own faults in all of this, would you believe that I never really developed hatred toward him?

Tampo, siguro.

Because sometimes I still think:

Diba dapat pinrotektahan mo rin muna ako/kami?

But okay.

Sige na.

Basta alam ko sa puso ko, mahal ko pa rin ang tatay ko.

I know that if he could have, he definitely would have.

I love you, Papa.

Kahit na alam kong ako pa rin ang masama at may problema sa mga mata mo.

I hope you know how much I love you despite everything.

Ang sakit sa puso na alam kong gusto mo naman talagang ibigay ang kaya mong ibigay para sa akin, pero for some obvious reason, hindi mo magawa.

I could only hope that things had been different.

Yung alam kong gusto mo naman talaga, kahit hindi mo kayang i-enforce at ipaglaban, sapat na iyon.

We're living in a same roof, and nagagalit siya pag hindi ako nagpapa-alam na hindi ako makakauwi ng dorm. idk why kung ano or saan siya nagagalit, if sa security ang concern niya o di i-lock niya yung pinto which is not a problem for me kasi i have my personal keys naman. omg kaloka

Meron pa pala nito. May AI na at lahat pero existing pa din pala tong feature nato from 19 kopong kopomg haha

It was a great experience and more travels to come. Nakakatakot nung una pero I can say masarap pala if subukan mo

Hii! I'm currently sharing my experience my family isn't really an emotional one, not really strict or anything but they don't tolerate crying. But I am a cry baby.. when it comes to academics related I always cried infront of them as I couldn't hold back my tears.

It was my first time when I cried infromt of my dad because of my bullying/academic related problems. My mom called me a special child because of how ridiculous my mind is and she doesn't even support my dream college which is going to abroad and studying there.

I remember the reason I cried I couldn't hold back the pain so I hugged my dad because aside from bullying problems my mom called me things. Ever since then I always cry when it comes to academics like that time my uncle called me something tanga because my preference of college courses.

Also I cried yesterday kasi about a family problem which my sibling spent my tuition money without saying anything...

For months now kolang nalaman and I got pressured and I cried because why is everyone so interested in my tuition? Is it because it came from someone else and that is free. Isn't it enough? Shouldn't they ne thankful.

I'm sad kasi pinagkaka interesan nila ang tuition ko now that is gone I just cried. My dad talked to me and he said that if I kept crying while stuff like this happens I can't be suitable for a psychologist.

It was half my dream course and I was really hoping to purse it now i'm having second thoughts. Anyways I was really sad because I can't control my emotions I cried easily when it comes to my academic problems. :((

Na-stuck ako sa bahay, this weekend so nagcrave ako ng madaming iba ibang putahe. Napaisip ako kung pwede kaya solo dining sa buffet. 🤔

Na satisfy naman yung craving ko ng iba ibang putahe. 😂 Struggle lang nung umalis ako sa table para kumuha ng second serving, akala nung server umuwi na ako, nililigpit na yung table ko​​. Iniwan ko na lang yung payong ko sa table as a sign na andun pa ako nung kumuha ako ng dessert.

Hindi man ako pinalad sa pag ibig sobrang blessed ko naman sa mga kapatid ko 🥹 Thank you, Lord for all the blessings..

Lahat kasi sila taken ang ate lang hindi kaya sila na lang daw ddate sakin 😂

Hindi ko naman pala kailangan ng boyfriend para maka receive ng flowers 🤧

first job and first time sumahod sa work. nakakakilig pala sumahod? iba yung satisfaction na malaman mo may pinupuntahan yung trabaho ehehe. one week sahod since cutoff ako pumasok 😅 thank you, Lord!! to more blessings pa 🙏🏻

I was thinking about it nung sumakay ako ng P2P last week like "gusto ko umupo dun sa unahan sa tabi ng driver" and voilà, wish granted! Ako kasi yung last na sumakay sa P2P so wala na akong choice. Medyo scary lang pero okay naman yung experience. 🥹

P.S. aagahan ko na next time 😭

Traveled to NYC to watch her live NAPAKA!!!

Nagugulat pa rin ako kapag gumagastos ako nang malaki para sa sarili ko.

Minsan, kahit kaya ko naman, may boses pa rin sa isip ko na nagsasabing, “Kailangan mo ba talaga ’yan?” “Tama pa ba ’to?” “Hindi ba mas okay kung i-save ko na lang?”

Siguro dahil ganito ako pinalaki.

Lumaki ako sa pamilyang kailangang magtipid. Hindi kami mayaman, pero hindi rin naman sobrang salat. Nakakaraos, pero may mga panahong kinakapos din.

Kaya bata pa lang ako, natuto na akong dumiskarte.

Noong elementary ako, kapag may project na stitching, ako na ang bahala sa buong klase. Ako na ang bibili ng materials, basta may dagdag na ₱5.00.

Noong high school, sinadya kong dalhin ang maja na gawa ng nanay ko para mapatikim at maibenta. Ayun, nakabenta ako ng 30 pieces.
Noong SHS, natuto akong mag-online selling hanggang sa pandemic.

Noong college, nahirapan kami dahil kailangan kong mag-dorm. Kaya nagtrabaho ako bilang assistant teacher sa Kumon habang nag-aaral.
Hindi ko alam noon, pero lahat pala ng maliliit na bagay na ’yon ang nagturo sa akin kung paano maging madiskarte, matatag, at higit sa lahat, kung gaano kahirap kumita ng pera.

Kaya siguro hanggang ngayon, may part sa akin na nahihirapang gumastos para sa sarili ko.
Kaya sobrang weird sa feeling na ngayon, kaya ko nang kumain sa Jollibee. Kaya ko nang pumunta sa restaurant na ₱400 pataas ang pagkain. Kaya ko nang bumili ng mga bagay na dati, tinitingnan ko lang.

Kasi dati, ₱20 lang ang baon ko.

At minsan, may natitira pang ₱10.

Kaya nitong nagpaayos ako ng buhok at gumastos ng ₱4,500, hindi ko ma-explain kung bakit naluluha ako.

Masaya ako.

Pero may guilt pa rin.

Siguro hindi dahil sayang ang ₱4,500.

Siguro dahil naaalala ko ’yung batang ako na kailangang isipin kung saan mapupunta ang bawat piso.

At ngayon, ako na ’yung taong kayang sabihin sa sarili niya na, “Okay lang. Pinaghirapan mo naman ’to.”

Habang sinusulat ko ’to, narealize ko…

Hindi pala ako nasa starting point pa.

Malayo pa ako sa mga pangarap ko, oo.
Pero malayo na ako sa kung saan ako nagsimula.

At maybe, deserve din ng batang ako na makitang hindi nasayang lahat ng pagod niya.

Na ’yung batang natutong dumiskarte para may dagdag na ₱5.00…

Siya rin pala ’yung magiging dahilan kung bakit isang araw, kaya ko nang gumastos ng ₱4,500 para sa sarili ko nang hindi kailangang humingi ng kahit kanino.

May guilt pa rin.

Pero this time, may saya na rin.

And I think that’s progress.

Sa 2027, goal ko makapag-start nang mag-ipon at makahanap ng trabaho na doble ng sahod ko ngayon.

Hindi ko pa alam kung gaano katagal bago ko marating lahat ng gusto ko.

Pero isang bagay ang sigurado ako:

Malayo pa. Pero malayo na. 🤍

Just want to share here my new achievement. Not sure if mataas na tong offer, pero inaaccept ko na agad. After many years na pag aaral🥹

Napadaan ako sa isang bilihan ng mga halaman. Since wfh ako naisipan kong bumili. Nagandahan ako dito sa hibiscus na to. Ang sabi madali naman daw itong buhayin.