Skip to content
The Boho Travels

A blog by Monica Manuel

  • Home
  • Hello
  • Get in touch
Menu Close
  • Home
  • Hello
  • Get in touch
Tarlac

Journeying North Luzon: Microtel by Wyndham – Luisita, Tarlac

I found it difficult to write this post. Not for lack of things to say but more because I don’t know where to start. It has been overwhelmingly fun and…

0 Comments
September 2, 2017

Latest posts

  • Dreams do come true: Traipsing around Rome, Italy
  • Dreams do come true: Making our way from Amsterdam to Rome
  • Dreams do come true: 4 weeks in Europe
  • Journeying North Luzon: Microtel by Wyndham – Baguio, Benguet
  • Journeying North Luzon: Microtel by Wyndham – Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija

Instagram

🔆 I miss chasing sunsets. 🔆 . After visiting 🔆 I miss chasing sunsets. 🔆 . After visiting the Eskaya Tribe (a story for another day), we rode the bus for about 3-4 hours just to get a glimpse of the Chocolate Hills [the ONLY tourist spot we went to during our backpacking trip to visit indigenous peoples communities in the Philippines]. . We arrived when it was already almost dark and just in time for my favorite - watching the skies change colors! 😍 . Even if we only spent roughly 10 minutes in this place, it was such a treat for me - I love the colors of sunset and how it makes everything surrounding it look like magic. . I took my time and cherished every minute of it. And, I was enjoying it too much that, if we had stayed a few seconds longer, we would’ve probably missed the last bus ride back to Tagbilaran! 😱
Life isn’t all rainbows & sunshines. We have our Life isn’t all rainbows & sunshines. We have our ups & downs, rainy days & sunny days, our own seasons. . How do you know when someone is going through some sh*t in her life? What do you do? . Last week was tough. I had bouts of anger, frustration, insecurity, self-pity, self-loathing. There were times when I just wanted to throw the towel in and give up. . But one thing I learned is that, even if we pause and take rests, we have to keep moving. . This is reinforced in Maru’s Body & Emotion in Motion sessions. We use music, our body and movements to process emotions. It is meditative, cathartic. It can allow you to recognize and process emotions that you may not know exists. . And, of all the sessions I had, last Thursday was by far when I shed the most tears, when I felt my emotions the deepest, when I recognized feelings I didn’t know I had. . I bawled. I blamed myself - a lot, for a while. Then, Maru mentioned the words, “compassion” and “forgiveness”. Slowly, I felt compassion for myself. Slowly, I forgave myself. Slowly, I let go. Slowly, the space opened up for me to create what I am grateful for again. . I am extremely blessed to be surrounded by people who provide me the space to be open - without fear, without judgment. . But, here’s the thing. Had they not asked, had I not felt safe to share, had I not been open that I’d been having a tough week - I don’t think anyone would have noticed. I was smiling and throwing jokes still, dancing, moving. If people looked at me, they would probably assume that everything was A-okay. . So yes, we don’t know what’s going on in another person’s life, fully. They may look like things are fine just because they’re smiling, they’re cracking jokes, or just because they seem like they have a healthy social life. . But, we don’t know. We don’t know if they have demons that they are battling with. We don’t know their problems. We don’t know their issues. . So, I invite you - . 🔆 Let’s be kind & compassionate. Let’s be empathic & forgiving. Let’s reach out, check in on each other, and ask how we are doing. Let’s be the safe space for love and openness. . How are you? I mean it, I’m here if you need anyone to talk to. ♥️
During our stay in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, the During our stay in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, the T’boli kids we spent time with taught us more than their culture. As much as they were giving us the gift of their talents, their music, their art, they also provided space for us to give what we could offer. . They listened intently as we shared our experience from our trip to the Cordilleras, the northern part of the Philippines. They asked tons of questions about Tara’s life in Canada and how it was like traveling/living in different parts of the world. . Tara, being of native American descent, showed some videos of their dances and their traditional clothes.  We also spent one afternoon learning about how they work their beads in their tribe, the Ojibwe tribe. . It was heart-warming witnessing the merging of cultures, especially from the point of view of someone who does not know the tribe she belongs to. I say that because knowing your roots gives you a much better appreciation of where and who you are now. It gives you a sense of community, belongingness. It gives you strength, courage, and power - knowing that your tribe always has your back. . And, it was clear to me that these kids, at such a young age, have a full sense of who they are. They are so open, hungry for knowledge, craving for experiences. It was refreshing to see their love for learning what is still out there and embracing the opportunity to share themselves to the world. All these as they keep themselves grounded in their roots, as members of their tribe. . . . #MulaSaBaul #LakeSebu #SouthCotabato
Had so much fun tonight attending @servedmanila’ Had so much fun tonight attending @servedmanila’s online rum & chocolate pairing event, featuring @donpaparum’s satisfying rums perfectly paired with @theoandphilo’s uniquely Pinoy chocolate flavors. . I’ve been a fan of Theo & Philo’s chocolates since years ago. I even brought some as pasalubong to Amsterdam when I visited my former company. Being so busy then, I thought to myself, “What would be the product that would best represent the flavors of the Philippines, without breaking the bank or having to go beyond my baggage allowance?” Since @boscoffee carries the brand, I bought all the flavors available then and brought them to Amsterdam. It was a feast and treat even to myself (first time trying most of the flavors!). . My partner, who makes me a cultured human being 😂, had been talking about Don Papa for months. She’s based in California and was just stuck here in Manila due to COVID-19. She’s always looking for something unique, interesting, Filipino to try. Aannnd, Don Papa is one of them. No kidding, she would mention the brand almost every week since she discovered it! . So, when we found @servedmanila’s event, we thought it was worth it. I mean we haven’t gone out on a date for quite sometime (we’re scared like that). And, uhm, it’s a class. So, for sure that would be fun! #nerds . The event ran for almost two hours. We learned so much from the presentation [perfect pairings on my stories!] and laughed with the class and at each other (my partner and myself). I don’t drink much, see. So, even if we were just literally taking sips, I got tipsy at the first pairing. 😂 . I’m such a klutz and was dropping things every now and then that Rio said - it’s a good thing we did this online. Cos I would embarrass her too much? 🤷🏻‍♀️😂 . We took a stab at this new normal event and, personally, I liked it. I love to try new things AND I get so anxious around people. So, this is perfect for me! . Thank you, babe. Loved our date 😘 . . #donpaparum #theoandphilo #servedmanila #datenight
T’nalak is a cloth woven by T’bolis in the com T’nalak is a cloth woven by T’bolis in the communities around Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. Using abaca fibers, in their original color or dyed red or black, it is believed that the patterns must be inspired by the dreams of the weavers. Weavers of t’nalak are called “dream weavers” and their creations are sometimes referred to as “weaved dreams”. . We met these T’boli dream weavers when we visited Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, as they were completing their t’nalak. They only work on their designs when it is cold because abaca fibers tend to break when it is warmer. It takes them about 6 months to complete a pattern. . We spent days with them. They would usually just work on the t’nalak and keep to themselves. But, you would always see them smile, welcoming every question, every interaction. It is as if they do not know that they are making magic. . . . #MulaSaBaul #LakeSebu #SouthCotabato
My very first plane ride was to Mindanao. At that My very first plane ride was to Mindanao. At that time, there was still misconception about this region. I admit I also had my own. The rebels. The bombings. The news would sometimes make you stop and think twice before booking that ticket. . But, sometimes you need to go beyond the stories that you read, experience and discover things on your own. And, making that choice of joining the trip was an eye-opener. . We visited indigenous peoples communities, including the T’bolis. I fell in love with their culture. I remember being so mesmerized by the colors of their clothing, their accessories, their beauty, their smiles. . Fast forward to 2012. I still had the same doubts and fears. But, I knew the people of Mindanao to be so kind, compassionate, generous. I believe in humanity. Yes we need to be cautious AND we need to conquer those fears and live. . This leg was a welcome reprieve from the fast-paced northern part of our trip. We spent 4 days in South Cotabato and stayed at the T’boli School of Living Traditions. It was 4 days of learning about their cultures, their passions, and their community’s way of preserving their traditions. . The kids took the lead in educating us. They played their instruments, sang their folk songs, and performed their traditional dances - usually after meals. In the evenings, we would have conversations with the teenagers and exchange knowledge on how it is like living in different parts of the world. . But, the instances that gave me the heartiest of laughter were not captured in photos. Like when we would laugh incessantly because we found it difficult translating the story from their dialect to Filipino to English. And, when I felt scared and exhilarated while riding one motorcycle with FOUR (!) other passengers (plus the driver) on a highway. . They say you will never forget your first. And, my first was Mindanao. It was because of my experience in this region that I fell in love with our indigenous cultures, art, and people. It was because of my experience here that my eyes were opened up to a different world beyond my own. . What’s the story of your first? Share below 🍻
Before heading back to Manila for our flight to So Before heading back to Manila for our flight to South Cotabato, we squeezed in a night in Guina-ang, Mountain Province, to deliver books as part of our couchsurfing host Russell's project, 1Book Blessing. . It was a divergence from our planned itinerary, the kind that will make us do the amazing race until we settle in our next destination. With no accommodation booked and with little information about the place, I was surprised at myself that I just went with it. Normally, I like things planned. I like knowing my options. I like knowing where I’m going and what to see there. . But, this trip was, in itself, a leap of faith that I was glad I took. We were just a few days into our 2-week backpacking trip and my memory bank was already full. I experienced so many things I never imagined I would ever have the courage to do, seen such beautiful landscapes I was not aware could be found in the Philippines, and met such wonderful and generous people on the road. . On our last morning in the Cordilleras and while Tara was speaking to a class about Canada’s climate, I decided to walk outside to take pictures of the beautiful mountains surrounding the school. I must’ve had 5 minutes and it would be a great opportunity to experience the cool breeze and take in the sights before we leave for Manila. I mean, I do not know of any school with this amazing view near my city. . But, the universe had other plans. When the kindergarteners saw me and my camera, they went ahead and made faces in front of me. These adorable kids were laughing, giggling, playing! It was as if the universe conspired to have this moment immortalized. . So, no, I did not get to take a picture of the mountains. And, that’s okay. Those five minutes connecting with the kids and taking in their infectious laughter - so precious, worth it. . . . #MulaSaBaul #MountainProvince #PilipinasKongMahal
One afternoon a few years back, while we were cros One afternoon a few years back, while we were crossing a #hangingbridge in Mountain Province, Philippines, we saw these young lads playing by the Chico River (you have to squint a bit to see them though, lol). . It made me stop and ponder on how much happiness SIMPLE THINGS can give you. 💕
Up close. Tara while getting her traditional tatto Up close. Tara while getting her traditional tattoo from Apo Whang-od. . A few months before this was taken, I resigned from my job, had my heart broken, and felt like I didn't have anything. I was on a bout of depression, I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I was so lost and most of the time would just stare into space. . Then, my friend, Tara, and I went on this 2-week backpacking trip to 5 provinces in the Philippines and it opened my eyes to so many things. . I realized that life is indeed beautiful, if I just let myself experience it. ♥️🌈
Connect with me on Instagram

Subscribe

Email is required. Email not valid.
This field is required
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Build your own brand

Build a personal brand
Copyright © 2020 The Boho Travels. All rights reserved.