A Journey Back in Time

Love is a beautiful illusion… until it turns into a nightmare you never saw coming.  We all crave connection, the kind that promises forever. But what happens when "forever" ends without warning? Love is like life—it's unpredictable. One day, you feel all the warmth in the world. The next, you're left in the cold. The same goes for life: one moment, you're laughing, living, dreaming. Then suddenly, life throws something cruel your way. An accident, a betrayal, a loss—and everything falls apart. Loving deeply is hard. It demands vulnerability. And when you give that love to one person—completely, wholeheartedly—watching them turn into a stranger is gut-wrenching. What’s worse? When they walk away without a real explanation. It’s like abandoning a loyal dog in the middle of the road. And you're that dog—confused, scared, asking the universe, why? Days pass. Sadness seeps into your bones. The pain doesn't scream—it whispers, lingers, and eats at you ...

One of my plans when we were together was to travel the world, and Japan was one of the places on my list. But now, I don’t know if we’ll ever go together due to our current situation—she broke up with me out of the blue and has been trying to hide from me. On October 27, 2024, a good friend suddenly sent me a message with an image of a shrine. I instantly knew he wasn't in the Philippines, and he admitted he was at Meiji Shrine in Japan. Despite being left and ghosted by my girlfriend, she was the first thing that came to my mind. I asked my friend if he could buy me some charms. When he reached the temple, he sent me a list of different charms and asked which ones I wanted. I chose the following:     Protection from evil :   I chose this because she might be in a place where she’s surrounded by people who could negatively influence her or corrupt her mind.                 For your wish to be realized :   I choose this i...

Last July, I suffered a heartbreak when my beloved girlfriend suddenly left me a message saying we were through and then ghosted me. Despite several attempts to reach out to her, it was to no avail, and I got no positive response. I felt really down and neglected myself. My health deteriorated, and I became uninterested in everything, which made the people around me worry about my well-being. They did everything they could to lift my spirits—arranging dinners where I could vent my problems, cracking jokes to make me smile or laugh, and some even offered to manage my game account for me. In September, the game I’m playing had a collaboration with McDonald's US from September 17-29, 2024, where ordering certain meals through their app would get you the first in-game red wings.  I was really excited about it and asked a few friends for help, but we initially ran into issues since the promotion wasn’t available in all US states, and there were many problems with its mechanics. One of ...

When you love someone, you really do change for that person. I came to realize this recently after she broke up with me and ghosted me for an unknown reason. All this time, people were scared to cross me in any way because of fear. I grew up to be a revengeful person, and when someone did something bad to me, I didn’t just get even, I made them regret it tenfold. But this time, I don’t know why, I seem to have lost my edge. Now, looking back, I’ve noticed that I’ve changed a lot for one person, and here are some of those changes: I stopped attending open photoshoots in the late third quarter of 2018 because there were lots of girls there, and I didn’t want her to feel jealous, as she once told me she could easily get jealous. Even though I reassured her that she was the only one for me and that she didn’t need to worry, I still made the change for her. I didn’t let her know that I had made this change. At the beginning, I stopped using foul language when talking to her. Little did ...

Roughly a month ago, one of my childhood friends called and asked me to help her with the invitations for her second son's first birthday. Initially, I didn’t want to do it because I hadn’t been myself lately since my girlfriend left me. But eventually, I accepted the request, hoping it would distract me, even if only for a moment. As I was gathering the details, I was shocked to see where the event would take place—it was the same place where we had once been crowned King and Queen of the night. It was a night I’ll never forget—a night filled with joy as almost everyone in our company cheered for her to be my Queen. For me, it felt like destiny had spoken.   But unfortunately, as of today, I can only relive that memory on my own because my girlfriend left me before her birthday and claimed to have married someone, though she wouldn't say who.  After seeing myself in this photo, I now realize why people are worried about me. Aside from getting thinner, I look stressed, and my ...

Today marks the first year since my mom's passing, yet the memory remains fresh in my mind. I vividly recall waking up that morning, ready to start my chores and get to work, when I saw her. In that moment, I felt it deep inside—she had already left this world. But I tried to lie to myself, to deny the truth. However, I couldn’t escape it. I had to face reality, and as her son, it became my duty to give the woman who raised me a proper burial. During that time, I didn’t post anything because I wanted to keep it private. I also didn’t properly thank all the people who helped me get through it.  

It's been four days since I last wrote her an email, and that's because I've been enduring sharp chest pains recently. When I get home, I feed my dog and then go straight to bed, trying to sleep. The other night, it was the harvest moon. I made a wish, and on this day I was surprise and I got a glimpse of her after almost a year, even if it was only through a photo her roommate posted. I felt mixed emotions—part of me was happy to see her smiling and still as beautiful as ever, but another part was filled with sadness, knowing she is happy with someone else, and I no longer exist in her world. Still, I thank the heavens for granting one of my wishes and giving me the opportunity to see her, even if only in a photograph.        

It deeply saddens me to lose my mom, and even more so to be replaced in the heart of the person I love most. I was left with heavy responsibilities and promises to keep, all while facing everything alone. At first, I held onto hope and gathered all my strength to push through, thinking about my future with the one I loved. But everything fell apart when she suddenly told me it was over, and that someone else had taken my place in her heart. I could understand if I had done something wrong, but the most painful part was being abandoned at my weakest, and without any proper answer as to why she came to that decision. Honestly I lost my faith, hope, and strength. I tried to stay silent and act normal, but the sorrow became too much to bear, and eventually, those around me noticed and began to worry for my well-being. Despite my loneliness, I am grateful to the people around me who have supported me, tried to cheer me up, and showed me kindness in their simple ways. I feel fortunate to...

Many older people tend to save their money in time deposits or passbooks because they feel it is safer than using an ATM. However, what they might not realize is that if an emergency occurs and they pass away suddenly, the process of closing their account can become a significant struggle. This is exactly what happened to me. My mom was a strong, independent, and active woman, but the pandemic changed everything. She was forced to stay home for more than two years, and due to the sudden change in her routine, her health declined. The unexpected happened: she passed away in September 2023. Weeks after her death, I faced a dilemma because, aside from her personal savings account, my own accounts were under her name. I asked some family friends if they knew the process for transferring ownership of the accounts to my name. Most of them said it would be a long process and would cost a fortune due to taxes. Some even urged me to forge her signature and gradually withdraw the money little by...

Gumamela , also known as hibiscus, is a stunning tropical flower famous for its large, colorful petals. These blooms come in various shades, including red, pink, yellow, and white, making them a popular choice for gardens. Characteristics Gumamela flowers can grow up to 6 inches wide and are often used in decorations due to their striking appearance. The plant thrives in warm climates and loves full sun, making it easy to care for. Uses Beyond its beauty, gumamela has medicinal properties and is often used in herbal remedies. Its leaves and flowers can be brewed into teas or used for skin treatments. Popular Varieties Some common varieties of gumamela include: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis : The most well-known type, often found in gardens. Hibiscus syriacus : Also called Rose of Sharon, known for its hardiness. Hibiscus schizopetalus : Features unique, frilled petals resembling a lantern. Conclusion With its vibrant colors and versatility, gumamela is a beloved flower in many gardens. Whethe...

Since we all live in a world where nothing is forever except change, love itself is not immune to the forces of time and transformation. Just like the seasons, love shifts and evolves. Spring brings the blooming of new emotions and the excitement of discovery. Summer warms us with the intensity of passion and joy. As autumn approaches, love matures, growing deeper with understanding, while winter, though cold, teaches us the value of endurance and patience. No season of love lasts forever, but the cycle of change is always present, and with it comes growth. In our lifetime, we encounter people who become dear to us—people we love deeply, each relationship a journey of its own. Alongside that love, we may attach significance to material things that remind us of those special connections. However, like everything else, these material things can break or become obsolete, just like phones or gadgets. But just as we work to restore what is broken, we also choose to fight for the love that...

On June 15, 2023, when she informed me that she was in Manila, I was excited, but she told me that she had promised her mom not to meet me. I was worried, I asked her location details, and immediately searched Google Maps to check if the location was safe. Although the surroundings seemed to be in a safe area, I was skeptical since Google doesn’t have access to the exact accommodation. Since my mom had just gotten out of the hospital a few months back, I was working from home to take care of her. the next day June 16, 2023 What I did was wake up early, finish all the tasks I had at hand, and prepare all the necessary food my mom needed. Then, I suddenly asked my team, “If my love is on her way to the airport and I want to go meet her, will you cover for me at the office?” Everyone in my team said, "Go," and assured me they would manage. Knowing that my queen loves to eat, I quickly went to Wai Ying and ordered some pork siomai and a big siopao. Then I proceeded to Great G...

If Cinderella has a magical shoe and in Asia there is the red string of fate, we have a magical shoelace.    It all started in 2013 when I met a girl during one of my fieldwork trips in Cagayan who caught my attention. Since I was too shy to talk to her directly, I asked for a group picture instead. When I got back to Manila, I asked her supervisor about her, only to find out she already had a boyfriend. So, although I didn’t pursue her, but from time to time, I would purposely bring her up whenever talking to her fellow supervisor in Cagayan.   I never thought we would actually meet in person again five years later when she came to Manila for our post-Christmas and Kickoff party. I took them to a nearby fast food place for dinner, showed them to their hotel, and left. But deep down, I couldn’t explain how I felt seeing her again, even more beautiful than before. A few days later, I presented our IT plans for the coming years while wearing a pink polo shi...