Sagada: A Hidden Treasure worth Exploring

It started with a simple conversation over coffee and then in less than a span of two weeks we were off to Sagada.  I know Sagada by name and that it is far north from Baguio, it was also one of the locations in the movie "That Thing Called Tadhana" but I had no clue what is in store for us there!  

For the first time (after all our travels) I had no time to even check what we can visit there.

Based from what I know, you can either go straight to Sagada via Nueva Viscaya or en route Baguio first then to Sagada.   There are a lot of Travel and Tours company nowadays who offers tours and packages to Sagada so you don't have to drive 12 hours long to visit the wondrous place.  In our case, with the help of our friend Arianne, we utilized one.

Our pick up point was at Megamall, it was 9:30pm and then picked up our two other friends in SM North.  Then we went all the way to Shell Station in NLEX to wait for the other van that will also go to Sagada.

You can imagine the 12 hour drive and it was no joke, I slept almost half of the time and we also had to do stop overs for bio break.  It was unfortunate from our end that while we were stretching Nueva Viscaya all the way to Sagada, a trailer truck blocked the 2way road.  It took us around 3 more hours just to pass by that traffic (of course this information came from one of our friends because the entire traffic I was asleep).  We were supposed to arrive Sagada at 6am but we did at around 10 to 11am.

We went straight to have our lunch at Salt and Pepper.

Looked like someone doesn't want to share his mocha shake!

Aminin na kung kanino ito!!! Ganyan kami ka gutom talaga!

After that quick lunch, we were accompanied to our house.  

It was one of Sagada's Homestay and they called it "The Pink House", it has three bedrooms (2 of the rooms can fit 4 people with two double beds and 1 for 2 people). Then it has one bath and a kitchen.  

Okie, first time in our travel history that I wasn't able to take a shot of our house interior.  Can you just imagine the 14 hours travel that we did, it was very exhausting (Sige, next time no more excuses!)

Then right after fixing our things we went off to our first Sagada Adventure.  
Walang Pagod! Gora lahat!!!

What's next?

Xoxo

Teaser: A wonderful place!

 
It all started with a conversation over coffee that they want to spend time and appreciate nature.

Then they all decided to go to...

 

Where can this place be?
Well a jump shot is always a "must" in all our travels! yey!

Watch this space!

Xoxo

A strength we did not know we had!

My ultimate favorite Bible Verse is the one from 1 Corinthians 13:4.
It goes:

Love is patient.
Love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast.
It is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrong.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

I am a hypocrite if I say that my love life is perfect, it is not!
My husband and I made this conscious effort to always make things perfect in our own ways and we know that we are doing a great job at it.

We have been blessed to be married for the past five years and it seemed like we were engaged just two days ago and our wedding was yesterday.  Time really fly so fast and if we are not enjoying this journey together then we wouldn't have stayed this long or wouldn't be able to share wonderful moments together.




Wedding is just the start -- 
Married life is not always a fairy tale like what we see on television. 
It is a conscious choice to stay married, be in love and be happy with who you are with and what you have in life.

There will be moments where your love for each other will be tested.
I remember posting this picture of us some two years ago.






















          Taken in Penang Malaysia





Like any other ordinary couple out there, we have been through a lot (not all people know about it because we managed and will always do!).

Two months ago, we experienced not just a flat tire nor an empty gas but a total vehicle wreck!  As if nothing was left and we had to get another set of ride to carry us in this journey called life.  An adversity where we had one choice to make - face it with courage and strength!

Like any other accident happening on the road (or in the sky), being one of the co-pilot of this vehicle, I panicked, as if it's the end of the road (or sky) for me. As if there is no tomorrow and i will never be able to drive again.  It was really a catastrophic experience for me.  While for my co-pilot (Sweets), he managed to put his oxygen mask first and then placed my own oxygen mask to my face.  He made sure that we will both be alright after this incident.  Like what Arianna Huffington always tells us (from her book Thrive), whatever we do, we always have to put our oxygen masks first and then we can help others.  This is what Sweets did for me.

We never imagined being in this situation and it made us realize several important things in life.

1.  Life will never be fair - instead we have to make way to make it fair for us.  Make it in favor of us and what we want to achieve in life.

2.  Family will always be there - no matter what obstacle you encountered, even if you do not have a very close relationship with your family, the concern and sincerity of their actions will manifest even in their simplest ways.

3. Money is not all that matters - well practically speaking, it really does matter (how can we survive if we cannot eat or shelter ourselves) but my point is that even if you have all the money you can get, it will never give you the same (even an ounce of) happiness with what your family and close friends can give you.

4. Things happen for a reason - Walt Disney was not born successful, he was fired by a newspaper editor because "he lacked imagination and had no good ideas" but he didn't bother to linger on that thought, instead, persevered and worked hard to achieve who he is now.

5. Prayer and Faith in the Lord is the greatest form of weapon in winning any battle.

If you know me well, you know that I am a very positive person and I also realized (after what happened) that like any other person here on earth, I can also be fragile and weak.  With the support that I got from the people who loves me (and my husband) we are slowly making it through the travesty.

Xoxo

Balai Ilocos: Touch of Ilocos in Pagsanjan

We celebrated the Wedding Anniversary of Mama and Papa at Balai Ilocos, in Pagsanjan.  It was my first time there and I was happy that we chose to celebrate there. 

My brother (Gboy) was the one who introduced the place to us and I just had to wait for a perfect occasion to celebrate there. Mama and Papa's Anniversary was the perfect day to celebrate and a valid reason to celebrate with the whole family. 

Balai Ilocos is just an hour away from San Pablo Laguna (if you have your own vehicle) and thus not so far from our place. Even though it was just an hour trip, we still made our reservation and went there earlier to make sure that we will have our seats (sometimes it gets packed in there).

You will never miss Balai Ilocos.  After you pass the stone arc of Pagsanjan, just look at the left side of the road and in just about less then 2 minutes, you will already see the place.  It is a big, two storey old house with large stairs at the middle of the house.  You will definitely not miss it.

Just before setting foot to the restaurant (old house) itself, you will already feel the old vibe of Ilocos (well yes we are in Pagsanjan, but it feels like Ilocos). Then when you reach the restaurant area, you will even more feel the vibe of an old house, an old home.

I found out that the house was 105 years old (almost similar to the age of my parents combined).  It's very rare for us to set foot on such an old place and it's just an awesome feeling.  Like turning back the time. (Yes good old times).

When you go up the stairs, you will be welcomed by this Balai Ilocos standee.

Even before you enter the door, you will see that there is a great photo opp by the window. 

Then you will be welcomed by these inviting tables and chairs, who are whispering "come let's eat!".  

This is the owner of the house (woman), the owners of Balai Ilocos decided that the portrait of the owners remain in the house and it made the vintage feel more surreal.

This is an amazing gallery of pictures, they are all pictures of the owner and their family!  Also a growing family like ours.

There is also a piano upstairs, not sure if this was an old one but it looks like it. Louise played some notes and its working just fine.  

Above it is an old fashioned transistor radio, Mama didn't expect that the music that she was hearing was really from that old radio.  Amazing that it was still working! We even tried the volume and station buttons to see if it was really working and it was! Ahihihi

By the window, there is this old fashioned chess set with a nice pair of high chairs! 

Downstairs (right side of the house) there is a garden area where one can rest and feel the breeze of the wind.  This is Papa and Sweets and I felt like sleeping as well. 

The left side of the house was set up for cafe!
These are the tables, I think there were about more than 5 of the round tables.
Tito Ninong Boy, Papa Gary and Tita Ninang Lynley had a sip of their specially made brewed coffee.

This is the bar! Still vintage!  

This area was windy as well.. Nice cool, province feel, really!! 

Here are more vintage items in this home!!

A definite place to go, not just to eat but to relax and go back in time!  

Another blog post shall be posted for the food! 

Xoxo

Happy Friday: Happy Anniversary Mama and Papa

One of the things that Papa Gary told me is that we (Sweets and I) should always celebrate our anniversaries -- whether it's wedding anniversary or bf-gf anniversary.  It will always be the memories that will count and not the material things that we posses.  

Now that it's their (Mama and Papa) anniversary, of course I will not let the day pass without having a celebration.  It's not only a celebration of their wedding day, it is most definitely a celebration of our family. 

The history began in: 
1982 - there were the two of them (Mama and Papa)

1983 - there were the three of us! (I'm the first born)
1984 - there were the four of us! (dumating si Gboy)

Akala namin tahimik na ang buhay!! Nang biglang... 

1993 - there were the five of us! (dumating ang pasaway)
1998 - there were the six of us! (dumating ang bunso)

Fast forward to:
2009 - there were eight of us (Laine and DJ joined us)
2010 - there were the nine of us (dumating si Sweets)
2014 - there were ten of us (nakikigulo si Ajee)

How time fly so fast!!! 
We are not perfect but we are definitely a happy bunch!! 
The family who eats together, tumataba together!! 

Always proud to be part of Hernandez - Diaz clan! 

Xoxo

People come and go...

But memory stays!! 

I have been into several separations already.
I was separated with:

 - my team (three times already)
 - my best friends
 - my mentors
 - my loved ones

Is there a category for separation anxiety? I guess its all the same -- people leave or either you leave them and it's just the same thing! It's the depth that differs.

It will always be different depending on:
- how that person has been a part of your life; of your daily existence.  
- How that person touched your being and helped you for the better
- how that person made you realize that you are important and that you are worth someone

I can think of many reasons but its the separation question that keeps me wondering.. Is there a timeline for such? I know there is.. Time itself! 


So I guess one thing to note is that we always have to value each moment that we are with the people we love.   We will never know what will happen tomorrow!! 

You will always be our mother Ms My! 

My 2nd Year (again) with Accenture

I can't believe that it's my birthday today here in Accenture! How time flies so fast and I can't wait for more years with this wonderful company.

Accenture is an advocate of Leadership, they are experts when it comes to building great leaders and  in my stay here in Accenture (total of 8 years) I have seen a lot of leaders, I have worked with them and learned a lot from them.  A true testament of one of our Core Values of " Stewardship"!

Let me share a great video from Simon Sinek about how simple it is to be a leader and I was truly inspired by his speach and I hope you as well!! 


 
Xoxo