I’ll be turning 30 this year. It scares me just because 30 is an old number but am looking forward to fill another book of my life with clarity of purpose, improving myself and reaching out to people I can help for a more meaningful life. Most importantly, establish a closer relationship with Christ.
2016
So many things to be thankful for the past year. Tried new things, went to new places, met new people, had more time with family and God.
January – We tried night swimming at Hotel Centro. Very decent place and their water is heated. 
February – Went to a night Market that celebrates who Palawan is. 
May – Celebrated Chloe’s 3rd birthday at Astoria. What a stunning place. Definitely one of the highlights for 2016. 
June – Had a buffet at Aziza Hotel and went for a quick dip. This was a wonderful time with my brother, chloe and ate anchie.
July – Spatagban. Local massage place we visited in July here in Palawan. They offered us some tea, had a swedish massage while listening to some relaxing music. Splendid time.
August – Jukebox. Sang our hearts out at this cool and upbeat karaoke bar. Not going to be last time we’ll go here. 
August – Speed Boat Racing. Witnessed some competition by the bay that day. 
Biking. It’s freedom. Always love biking.
Kuya’s 33rd Birthday. We invited everyone in the family and ate at Badjao Sea Front. Lovely time.
Work at Home
1 year with my work at home stint.
Staycation at Palo Alto
Tiya Isings – Authentic Filipino Cuisines at its finest.
Mugs and Kisses
Colored my hair with a ash brown color
My Family on Christmas Day
Thank you for provisions Lord. My heart yearns for newer experiences. Allow me to see how great your works are.
Family
I see my neighbor’s family barely surviving their everyday life. The husband is a construction worker getting a minimum wage and the wife, which is the daughter of Chloe’s nana, is a full-time mom taking good care of a 5-month-old baby and a 2-year-old. I see poverty and how they are just getting by and I feel pity seeing them. My heart couldn’t take that a family couldn’t do what they want or buy what they need because they couldn’t afford it.
I don’t want this to happen to me. I always say I wanna be prepared financially and emotionally when I start my own. I want to be able to provide for my family, supply them their needs and wants and give them the best. I fear not being able to give them a good life.
Starting a family is a huge responsibility. I don’t want to do it just because I want to do it.I want to do it because I am ready and I am prepared to sacrifice my life for them.
I am 29 as I write this article. Chloe, my brother’s baby, has made me realize a lot of things. You have to have an unlimited supply of patience and unconditional love when raising a child. Having a baby is a blessing but also the demands and responsibilities that come with it is no joke. I admire moms who still have time to look great while raising a family. For moms and dads out there who is striving to give their children a good life and a good future, you are our heroes. So thank you.
Flipping pages
2015 is almost over.
It’s crazy to think about how everything is fleeting, how much time we think we have and yet we can’t grasp it.
This year for me was about reconnections. I was chasing for the wrong things then and it hit me hard, I had to go back where everything started.
Rekindling relationships with my family tops my 2015. I’m content and happy. Being with them is priceless no matter the chaos and arridity.
I look back and think, even though my career has no direction, I am still so priviledged in many ways. I value people now more than things. I want to collect memories and have things that money can never buy.
I’m scared to flip the page. It’s Intangible, vague and misty. But 2015 has prepared me of what’s ahead. I’m ready life. Come dance with me. Let’s make it count.
Terrible Twos
Chloe Gayle de Guzman, my niece who just turned 2 years old 3 months ago. Isn’t she lovely. But that cuteness has a price. I wanna write about her today.
Taking good care of 2 year olds are no joke. It’s either they control you or you control them. Here are some lessons I have gathered in 3 months while watching over her.
1. Tantrums : One aspect of their being is not met. It can either be a physical need, emotional bond, social skill, an intellectual challenge or spiritual connection with theirselves and their surroundings not being honed on. 2 year olds need to have their space where they can play and explore on their own. You also have to make them be responsible for their own mess by letting them clean their playground. Explaining them why they need to do it, for example, “you have to sleep early so you can grow up healthy and have lots of energies to play again tomorrow.” Or “put things back where you saw them so you will know where to get them” will help them understand why you’re doing what you’re doing. The tone of your voice is also very important. It’s not what you say but how you say it that matters. Tantrums are really terrible with 2 years olds but pay attention to their needs. Tantrums always mean they need an internal gratification.
2. Messy hair, Don’t care : Let it go. Let them play, let them do things without being too controlling. 2 year olds are supposed to have fun. Don’t insist on what you want for them. Let them choose how they want their hair to be or what clothes to wear or shoes to put on. Let them be themselves. Go with the flow.
3. Have Fun : Always. Grab a sketch pad and pens and let her imagination run wild. Do abc magnets, color, water the plants, cook with them, build blocks. Encourage activities that will help with creativity.
4. Be generous with praises : this will help with self confidence and self esteem. They perform better when you overdose them with positive remarks.
5. Do it with love and care : Have an unlimited supply of patience. 2 year olds are the best mimmicks. What you say and do, they will follow. When they see you love them unconditionally, their behaviour smoothens, tantrums lessen and they learn independently. It’s all very rewarding later on.
My 2015
This will be my 1st entry for 2015. I apologize if I haven’t updated this blogsite as frequent as before. There’s been too many things that happened and I realized It’s time to write about my favorite memories this year. After all, it’s all about making and collecting wonderful memories. No material thing can compensate that.
1. Costa Victoria
February 2015, This European Cruise Ship docked at Puerto Princesa Bay. Me and my family were able to get inside cause my mom works at the Port Area. She was massive and I really enjoyed the tour. Definitely a first for me. They gave us complimentary meals too. Such an awesome time.
2. Princesa Garden Island
One of the newest resorts here in Palawan. Just wow. My absolute top 1 best resort here in Puerto Princesa. Love this place.
3. Sunsets
Definitely one of my favorites. There’s beauty in being still and just watching the sunset. I love it. I’m so thankful we have relocated here. It makes me think about the day that has been and the day that is yet to come.
4. Boat Rides
I have had about 7 boat rides this year. I will always love hearing the waves of the sea or just appreciating a view with the mountains and mangroves as the boat moves through the current. I feel like a new person after sailing away.
5. Blue Palawan
Another newly opened beach resort here. It has a quiet beauty that speaks for itself.
6. Road Trips
This photo was taken near the Balsahan Falls. Me and my brother had an adventure that day I will never forget.
7. Tennis
I love that I was able to do the very first sports my mom had me try this year. I was 8 and I had lessons for 2 years. I missed it. I am so happy I was able to play it again.
8. Biking
Love love love Biking. So liberating. Every fiber in my being is happy when am on it. What makes it better is I spend it with my mom and brother too.
9. Baragatan Festival
One of the best festivals I have been on. Also my first time to attend one. I love how authentic, creative, original and patriotic this festival is. It’s a celebration of who Palawan is. Loved it.
10. My cousin’s wedding
She’s one of my closest cousins. We practically grew up together. Being a part of it and witnessing it all astounds me. It was so meaningful but all very elegant.
11. My hair
My favorite color and cut so far. This was taken a month ago.
12. Seeing my bestfriend
Grace and I have been bestfriends for 13 years now. Seeing her at the airport made me so happy even if it was just only for 15 minutes. She’s a flight attendant by the way so to see her after so many months of not seeing her is definitely one of my highlights this year.
13. Family
I get to spend more time with my family this year. After working in Singapore for more than a year and accepting a job in Manila and staying there for another year, I made sure I made up for lost time with my mom and brother. I love them. Family to me is everything. This was a breakfast at Mcdo on a Monday morning.
14. Chloe
My gorgeous niece. After being away for 9 months, I promised myself I will spend time with her and make up for lost time. I love her. She’s a handful but it’s all worth it when she says ‘I love you tita’ or hugs me for no reason.
15. My Love
I love this man. I love how unexpected everything started. We talk for hours about anything and everything. We’re already dating for 2 months now and it feels like it’s been more than a year since I knew him. I love how he values his relationships and spends time with me despite his busy schedule. I am proud I can call him mine. Thank you for everything. You are worth it.
I want to acknowlegde all the adventures, relationships, passions I have reignited this year. Looking back, I have made some beautiful times with the people so dear to me. I wonder how the rest of the year will go.
I’d like to end with this quote by Fitzgerald:
I agree on every word she said. Make the most out of your time. Value relationships more than money, try new things, go some place new and always be kind.
-Christine de Guzman, 14 July 2015
20 Things
Love and relationships. I am sucker of both. The first time I had a boyfriend, I was 23 at that time. I din’t know love or maybe I loved the idea of it. The second one, he is thousands of miles away from me but it felt like the most real and vulnerable I have ever been.
In the process, you’ll realize you’re capable of loving another soul that much. I’ve learned quite a few things.
1. Needn’t be too serious.
2. Relationships should be fun. Make it like, you always look forward being with that person and make him look forward being with you too.
3.Do new things every now and then to spice up the relationship.
4.Plan spontaneously.
5.Allow the other person to be with his friends and family without interrupting, never jealous.
6.Always be honest. One lie can ruin everything. Share about your pasts and your scars, that makes the relationship more special. If you trust this person enough, allow yourself to be seen as naked as possible. When i say, naked, I mean, seeing your whole soul.
7.Inspire and help each other to be the best version of yourselves.
8. Work out together.
9. Make things exciting.
10. Cook together
11. Hold hands and kiss in public and let everyone know how proud you are to be with this person.
12. Never take that person for granted or any moment you have with him/her. You’ll never know it might be the last. Hug each other. Really long. Trust me, it will really benefit you and the other person.
13. This is your time with him, savour it. So that when you’ll look back and all else fails, you’ll have no regrets. You’ll only have happy memories to go back to.
14. Respect one another.
15. Be loyal. It’s like when you look at this person, he’s magic even when you have seen the ugly parts. Love always says, I have seen the bad and ugly with you, but I still love you. Work on that as often as you can.
16. Share silly things. Dance together, sing, do something unexpected. Surprise each other.
17. Let him in your circle. If you really want it to work, introduce him to your family and friends so there could be “we, us, them, they” not only “me and him”.
18. Have other passions. Do not focus solely on your love for that person. I believe what Buddha said, “never attach yourself to someone or something too much.” It’ll be a suicide if you will. Expand your interests. Do something that you love doing while loving this person.
19. Learn to be happy on your own. Love can never be given without loving yourself first. You can never give what you don’t have.
20. Make God the center of your relationship. You can never go wrong with Him.
This is what I have learned with the past relationships I have been to and I am still learning.
Love is sweeter the second time around indeed. It definitely gets better each time.
Meanwhile, In The World Of Advertising
I had an opportunity to advertise the school that I was working for in May this year. I must say, the program is really good. It’s an intensive English program for Koreans who want to study in the US. Most schools affiliated with it are located in Washington State.
Not as seamless as I had hoped it to be but atleast, I get to experience it.
The first time I get to be chosen to introduce a school. The longest 8 minutes of my life. It was a fun experience over all though.
Will I do it again?
Definitely.
And When I Hear These Songs
I feel so much alive. Soulful songs whose melody and lyrics left an imprint on me.
Missed by Ella Henderson
Colors by Amos Lee
Still Hurting by Lea Salonga
Believe by Ella Henderson
And So It Goes by David Archuletta
Under Street Lights by Brooke Annibale
Colorblind by Amber Riley
No Name by Ryan O Shaugnessy
Whoever’s reading this article, I hope listening to these songs touched you like what it did to me.
Fire Fly Watching
It was a magical experience. Imagine tinkerbell in a tree with her friends playing around in the dark. It felt like the disney movies that I watch when I was a kid.
The van picked us up at 6pm. We had a very fine dinner at Siennatel Hotel, about 30 minutes away from the city. The hotel is so gorgeous. The view from where it stands was so peaceful and relaxing. I would rate it as a 5 star hotel cause of the warm smiles, really clean amenities and fantastic views overlooking the patio.
For dinner we had a choice of chicken, beef or fish with veggies on the side. My family and I really enjoyed it. After eating, we went straight ahead to Iwahig Fire Fly Watching. It’s about an hour’s time from where we were. The ride is a bit rough. There’s not much lights so you really can’t see anything while on the road.
Finally at Ihawig fire fly watching. You will see a pathway of lights that will welcome you. They’ll give you a lifevest and a “salakot” which is a native hat here in the Philippines. The boatmen will guide you to your boat and will assign you which seat to take. It’s a 4 seater boat, including the boatman. My brother was quite hesitant to jump in cause it was so dark. You barely can see anything and the water is just a few inches away from you and the waters are about 8 feet deep.
Legend has it that when a tree is surrounded by fire flies, a fairy lives on it. It’s amazing. There was one fire fly with us on the boat, like an angel watching over us. Seeing them altogether in a tree was so magical. The tree lit up like a christmas tree. The boatman had a red flash light and when he turned it on, they beamed with more light! It was so surreal. They look like trees from neverland. I was recording it but it was so dark, my phone camera couldn’t capture it. Seeing it with my own eyes make me realize how beautiful our world is. It’s the magic of the night, a quiet beauty that doesn’t need glamour. The tree would look like it has powers and seeing them glow through the flying fireflies was really an amazing experience.
I only took a few photos because it was so dark. Flashlights are not allowed cause it will sue the fire flies away.
Here are the photos:
For an actual video, this is a clip from youtube of how it looks.
I would love to go back again.
They’re just a wonderful sight to behold. I am so thankful to have witnessed such a beauty. More so, I am more amazed by my Creator.
For you my reader, I hope you get to see what I saw.
It’s one of those moments that took my breath away. Definitely one for the books. I would share this story to my kids one day.
Lessons In Life
My own realizations. My own learnings.
Don’t take anything too seriously. Never complicate things that are simple. Be light on yourself and other people. Always find joy in little things.
Be honest about who you are. Stay true to your roots and be who you want to be. If you don’t know it yet, take time doing the things you love. Things that excite your spirit and makes you look forward to live.
Never care too much. It’s poison for you and other people.
You’re the only one responsible for your happiness. Not your family, friends, special someone. You have to start your own sunshine. It’s true that happiness is an inside job. It can never be achieved by external gratification. When you are at peace with your past and is fully alive in the present, you’ll be silenced with the demands of your mind, heart and soul.
Family will always be family but never meddle too much with anyone and never let anyone meddle too much with you. This is your life. Shape it how you want it to be but be ready for the consequences. There’s always a result for every action.
Keep a humble spirit. When someone rejoices at your misfortunes, keep calm. Life is a wheel. You may be experiencing your lowest of lows but nothing is permanent. Pray and be at peace with God and yourself.
Love will never find you unless you do the things you love. Find yourself. Be happy with yourself first before loving another soul cause only then you will know how to love another. Be the person you want to see in your partner. Actions always speaks louder than words.
At work, be genuine about learning. Choose the job where you’re happy and fulfilled. A job where you are proudly involved with. A job where you are you are challenged to grow and believes and respects your potential.
Having your faith will always be greatest refuge. Always run to God, whatever your concern is. The small ones, the big ones. Anything. Tell Him anything. Make him your bestfriend. He always listens and He always calms the storms. Just run to Him and Trust Him.
Still
This is a video of my uncle’s family and I singing for the Sunbeam Covenant Church in Singapore taken 2 years ago. We were performing Still by Hillsong. It’s one of my favorite Christian songs.
*Dave de Guzman in drums,
*Jio de Guzman in electric guitar,
*Chul de Guzman in acoustic guitar,
*Tita Arlene de Guzman in piano,
*Tito Mot de Guzman in Bass and
myself in vocals.
It’s such a blessing performing with a musical family and being on stage altogether for God. We performed every 2nd and 4th sunday of the month back then. The kids were great too. Some of them, at such an early age, already know how important God is. It was amazing to witness that.
I miss doing this.
Ginger 