Why I love Waide Family!

..is because of...

1. the ever lovely Bingo! He runs, bites, jumps, and kisses us whenever we visit in their house. And I was so amazed that whatever he's doing, when he hears his mommy Lisa coming, he'll stop and stare at the door to welcomes her. 

2. the mouthwatering food all the time! Lisa san is my cooking teacher nowadays (since Taku complain a lot about my cooking skill) and I'm trying to converse more in English with her so she'll get used to it. 

You think it's an advantage to her? I don't think so, I benefit more because I learn how to cook and I eat very delicious dishes! I love Lisa!

3. the interesting conversation! Jay and Lisa always make conversation interesting. I like them. And it feels like a family whenever the Hori family (Miwa, Taro and Momoko) are with us. Plus Mana san, her husband and also Jarred (the Chinese guy who paid 5,000 pesos at St. Luke's Hospital for hangover. haha)

Look! The Waide's having a family photo...with us! haha.

CS Manila for Batad Rice Terraces @ Mercato + Floydy

I think this is the first time for me to talk about Couchsurfing here. I've been a Couchsurfer since January 2011 when I was about to travel to Jakarta and whenever I look back, I always recall fun and amazing memories connected to couchsurfing. I met so many wonderful people in CS, particularly in CS Manila. I developed wonderful friendships and have continued doing what I love to do with the people who love them too.

When some parts of the Batad Rice Terraces were damaged because of the typhoon, CS Manila organized a series of fundraising for the rehabilitation of it. I was able to participate in one of them (and was able to eat at Mercato for the first time, too!)

with the very hardworking people who woke up early to make this event possible. 

And here are the lovely people that we have played Laser tag after eating a lot and messing around...

And yes, Taku & I enjoyed Mercato a lot except for the overpriced 'isaw' (grilled chicken intestine) that I forced to stuff in my mouth. haha. We have tried the famous Mochiko for the first time and I liked it!

After a few weeks, the i-will-miss-Floyd-moment that we've been waiting for came. Sadly, Floyd finally moved to Australia to meet Aussie girls. Huhuhu. Kidding aside, he's happily moving to a better career that caused us celebration! 

Here are the photos from Jay during the party at Izumi Sake Bar:

with Sara and Shiela

with Sara, Shiela, Taku and Floyd

We miss you Floydy!

TEDx Makati

I was a big fan of TED since I was in college. It became my habit to listen to the talks before going to bed because they help me to reflect on my own life and think about the more important things in life. I might not having the best life now but I believe I'm living life and I owe parts of it from TED's influences.

Taku used to volunteer at TEDx Tokyo and I was so lucky that he introduced me the TEDx Makati organizers. After a couple of meetings, finally, we've pulled 'The Big Picture' off.

As usual, wonderful innovative conversations were all over our favorite cafe (Kuppa) and everyone was so inspired to continue spreading worthy ideas coming in and out of each participant.

Here's the team leader, Adah, having her welcome talk.

Then, here's everybody!

We're hoping for more and more people to become interested with TED, be inspired and will be able to help us spread the ideas worth sharing. Until next event, we hope to see you there!

For all your ideas and (sponsorships! yehey!), here's TEDx Makati's contact information:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

NOTE: All photos are from TEDx Makati

NYE 2012: Universal Boys

Seems like we were childhood friends in a reunion trip, yeah? Upon looking at the photos of my year-end-new-year trip with Taku and his friends, I noticed that I've developed fondness in these guys, actually, I call them 'Universal Boys!'. Haha. I'm amazed with guys with wonderful friendships, in fact, I have some college friends (SIBAK) who are just like these guys, but this group is like...girls. I mean, aside from good looks (I owe them that since they treated me well during the trip. sshhh. Of course my Taku is no.1 yohooo!), I noticed that they're as vocal as girls to each other but since they're Japanese, it still looks like 'businesssy' to me, very rational and practical.

Here's what they do: At the end of the year, they travel together, have fun and on the last day, they will have what they call 'symposium.' Symposium looks like this:

In the symposium, they will talk EVERYTHING about:

1. Current trip
2. Upcoming trip
3. What happened to them in the year that passed
4. Their plans for the coming year

Being with these guys were so difficult at first because we have a totally different culture and language. Good thing I was working in a Japanese magazine and have worked with a lot of Japanese but you could imagine how many times I bowed or got nervous thinking about what to say if I was asked to say something when they 'cheers!' haha.

But I really wish all friendships are like what they have, definitely, no one will feel lost in their own life.

This was the last photo of us together in the trip. I went alone to a separate hotel while some of them (including Taku) flew to Singapore and 3 of them stayed for a couple of nights, I can still remember how sad I was. haha. When I look at this photo, I miss the Universal boys and I always wish them well. 

Ohanami (お花見)

Photo taken by Tomomi Endo (April 2012)
Thanks for your never-ending support sensei!

I haven’t experienced “four seasons” (since The Philippines has only rainy and sunny days) and lately, since I’ve been surrounded by a lot of Japanese friends, co-workers and even Taku, I’ve seen the appreciation of the Japanese in the change of seasons that I find very admirable. I’ve received some emails from friends sending me photos of how beautiful the changes are and even when Taku went to a business trip in Japan last week, he sent me an email saying that he had seen “cherry blossoms.”

But my admiration to the Japanese traits and values was supported by the little fact that I’ve learned lately, that they even have the traditional celebration/party for flower viewing which is called Ohanami or less formally, Hanami (comes from the kanji for flower, hana and the kanji for “looking” or “to see,” mi which means exactly what it sounds like: looking at flowers). According to my friends, it takes place on no specific day which can be practiced any time during spring where they simply observe and appreciate the sophistication of spring – particularly sakura ume and momo blossoms (cherry, plum and peach, respectively). Japanese people do their good old parties under the picturesque cherry blossom trees with bento lunches and mats. They party with different groups- family and friends, and it usually involves a lot of sake.  I was amazed with the story that it is a job of the lowliest grunt in the office to go out early in the morning to the place where his bosses want to party later on that evening with a mat and stake out of a choice spot under the trees where he’ll sit all-day. How families try to teach the kids to appreciate spring is adorable also especially since cherry blossom don’t last that long.

Here’s the brief history of Ohanami by EastAsia Travel@Suite101:

Ohanami actually started as umemi, or plum blossom-viewing. That’s because back in the Nara period (710-784) – when flower-viewing is said to have first become a tradition – plum blossoms were gaining favor as symbols of culture and nobility. Ume trees had been introduced to Japan by envoys returning from China, who’d been enamoured with the Chinese spectacle of blossom observation and sought to impress Japanese nobles. By the Heian period (794-1185) ohanami had become a regular practice among the higher classes and was observed by eating and drinking outside. We also know from Lady Murasaki Shikibu’s Tale of Genji, a classic novel from the period that by then cherry blossoms had overtaken plum blossoms in terms popularity and become the primary flower associated with the ohanami tradition.

By the Edo period (1603-1867), the practice of finding a spot in the blossoming fields to enjoy sake and special bento had become a pastime for the common people.

Many plum blossom-themed poems appear in the Manyoshu, Japan’s oldest poetry anthology, and the fleeting beauty of both ume and sakura are recurring themes in classic Japanese literature. Along with singing, reading such poetry has become common practice in today’s ohanami celebrations.

                I like how Justhungry.com talked about the cherry blossoms and its leaves as food.

                I appreciate how Japanese people (especially my Japanese friends and colleague) appreciate little things and every natural process in our environment. I guess it talks a lot about how sophisticated and humble people they are.

It’s officially on my list of “30 Things Before 30” now; Cherry Blossoms are way too beautiful.

I am lucky because I'm happy!

I feel so uneasy lately, feeling like I haven’t accomplished something good and worthy for the past months, I was feeling so anxious and bothered so I have been trying to work on all the unfinished tasks at work very quickly for me to be able to figure out if those things were the cause.

But then they’re done and they weren’t.

Then I had some time with myself and my notebook and I’ve figured out that it was because I worry a lot for the past months and due to some unexpected sad and tough events in my life, I forgot to live a balanced and happy life with all my dreams and hope backing and cheering me up. I was looking for my balance everywhere, trying to tighten my grip to some happy parts of my life like Taku and wonderful friendships, but it should be “me” inside that I must hold on tightly or else, even the last happy parts of my life will be lost as a result of the behaviour and attitude that mirrors the worries and pessimism inside me.

Then I read the “Happiness at work and in life” by Chiqui Escareal-Go, President of Mansmith and Fielders, Inc. and also an advocate of positivity and kindness. Here are some of the parts that raided me. haha:

There was a study that said “Happier people are able to choose better partners because they perceive themselves as better looking ” and  “(they) also earned more money at work!” I imagined then that happier people are better able to choose a job that fits them well because they know what they want more clearly, and this translates to better productivity.  Just like choosing a partner in a relationship. If you know you deserve better, you wouldn’t settle, right?  And in the end, you will probably get what you want and you also wouldn’t mind waiting.

What is the boss’ role in corporate happiness?  There was a 2009 Swedish study that tracked more than 3,000 men over a period of 10 years which revealed that those with “bad bosses” suffered anywhere from 20 to 40 percent more heart attacks than those with “good bosses”.  Clearly, a leader’s attitude, behavior or mindset impacts the entire organization so much, thereby affecting and dictating the culture and performance levels of his team, and even more seriously, as this study shows, even his people’s mortality.

This leadership effect can be applied in all aspects of society –  from the smallest unit of family to the immediate neighborhood, high school gangs to college fraternities, the smallest barangay to the highest levels of government.   And to further emphasize the dichotomy, we could describe the opposite of good and happy when we look into the effects of divorce, child abuse, murder, hazing, graft and corruption.

Happiness is not a common thing to be read in the same sentence as strategy or innovation, peace and order or rule of law, neither do we often have a leader talking about happiness as a goal or as in incentive. They might say that achieving sales quotas will make everyone happy, but it is said as a consequence rather than as the cause or source.

How do we define happiness?

Tal Ben-Shahar, a Harvard professor, defined happiness as the overall experience of pleasure (which gives a present benefit) and meaning (which leads to a future benefit) .

Many successful entrepreneurs are naturally positive people who do not mind working 14 hours a day (or more) because their work gives them both meaning and pleasure.  Their love for their work and the promise of success are enough to fire their passions.   We could compare these hardworking entrepreneurs with social workers and medical volunteers who are able to transform lives through selfless acts of kindness, giving up their own personal time or even risking life to help those in need.

Why do people do good?  Because it makes them happy.  Can you imagine if we ask why people work well and the answer is – because it makes them happy?  Imagine what our workplaces will be like, and more importantly, what our country will be like?

To view the whole article, please click here.

                I looked back and realized that I get all the good things (travel and discoveries, good job, more opportunities, happy dinner with friends, daydreaming with my family, good health and Taku) that I wish for when I’m the happiest. I write a lot and hear people say “Cyra, you’re such a lucky person” when I am worry-free and happy…that can only be achieved when you have faith and HAPPY. ♥

                Spend your weekend daydreaming with your Lovies! Happy Friday!

Hunger Games, the next big sequel!

“How I wish the TV Production is that high-tech and systematic,” that was my detached expression while watching the Hunter Games. Haha.

I don’t know anything about the trilogy not until Taku asked me last Friday if I wanted to watch a movie on Saturday. I asked him what movie because I haven’t looked at movie guide since The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo was shown. “Hunger Games,” that’s what he said. It’s actually a story like Battle Royal, a 2000 Japanese thriller film based on the novel by Koushun Takami. Then I looked at the trailer and dreamed about complicated scene and Taku was punched in Africa on a Friday night. Haha.

Watching it, I felt so immersed in the film. I actually didn't want to watch it since I don’t like the feeling that they were unlucky and living in a place, a “district” in particular (as used in the movie), that they were forced to do something that was against their will, but I was very curious on how the story will go. When the movie started, I was feeling the pain of leaving home and the hopeless situation of dying without a choice and I got so hooked with every detail.

Timing is a big part of Success; we should know how to do things at the right time. Practically, good timing was shown all throughout the film but looking at how the film captured a big part of the market I can say is because of timing. They just released the movie when everyone’s almost done with the phenomena of Harry Potter and Twilight and everyone’s still thinking about what could be the next big sequels. Well, it can be “The Girl with a dragon tattoo also though Hunger Games is easier to grasp for most of us I think.

It’s also a very good timing for the Filipinos to watch, or maybe the rest of the world too, since we have more and more reality shows nowadays. Oftentimes, we get so hook to them and think that everything that they show and say were true and we try to imitate them because they couldn’t afford to lie from several little camera planted in the whole place where they’re contained. That’s why this movie is a reminder on the things that should be important to our lives, that the only thing stronger than fear…is hope and maybe, Love.

I know that this is  just a start of the Hunger Games journey and as it led me glued to its world, I’m going to make myself available to get glued to the next few episodes, may it be from books or film. Happy Hunter Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!

I got my sanity back!

We just celebrated our first anniversary last month and we decided to push through with our long-term plan to visit the majestic Palawan. Taku was sweet when he convinced me to push through with this trip to refresh my "system" since I've been through a lot weeks before that trip. Thanks to him, I got my sanity back. :)

Palawan is very beautiful and this amazing experience made me say what everybody's saying, "It's more fun in the Philippines!" (The Dept. of Tourism's tagline is really working, huh?) When I first visited Coron, I stayed in El Rio y Mar and that was a very amazing and serene escape for me but this time, we stayed in their sister resort, Club Paradise, which exceeded our expectations. You may opt to have a tranquil escape from the city (since they just have TV and wifi in their clubhouse) in this island or try out the unlimited things and trips that they offer. But the part that I enjoyed the most was the intimate moment with the sun, waves, a pen and my notebook, a good book and Amoretto Sour. Plus we met a wonderful couple who were in their honeymoon (It was really nice meeting you Irene & Raine!).

Since we were so hooked with video editing that time, we tried to do the storytelling through video and here's the teaser (haha):

And here's the whole Palawan experience:

Enjoy the sun and the sand this summer!

Please visit http://hoywherewewere.tumblr.com/ for more. :)

(We flew to Busuanga via Air Philippines and flew back to Manila via Cebu Pacific Air)

Cipika Cipiki

It was my first time to travel abroad. It wasn’t the first time to sleep in bus station and airport but it was my first time to meet such a wonderful man with a wonderful song (which I don’t understand. Haha).

I’ve been asking my Indonesian friends about this but they couldn’t figure out what was I singing so here is the lyrics and the video (which I finally found in my old files) and please, please let me know the whole version:

“Sayang sayang, chowoku sayang.

Aku salalu sayang

Satu hari lima kali

Kachup, kaningmu laki…

Satu hari lima kali

Kachup, kaningmu laki..”

As far as I can remember “aku” is “ako” in Filipino and “me” in English, Satu is “isa” and “one” in English and “kaningmu” is “alalahanin” or “remember.” Is it right?

I wonder if this good man who taught me how to ride Bajaj, how to go to Gambir station and how to say “Aku mamili pirdana SL. Terima Kasih” (Filipino translation: “Pabili ako ng SL na sim card. Maraming salamat po.” English Translation: “I want to buy SL Sim Card. Thank you”) just made up this whole song.

(I flew to Jakarta via Cebu Pacific Air.)

Let's pack and move!

There's so many things in this world that we can only learn through travelling. So many things that will inspire and push you to keep going. So many things, moment and people that can give you inspiration and strength to last the tough times. 


We can do whatever we want to do...anytime. 


Just pack and move!

It's been a year, buddy!

I had a happy accident about a year ago and it proved that everything is perfect in its own time. I still smile upon the thought of the first question, "Do you like Japanese food?" 

Until now, he makes sure that I'm very well fed.

I found a buddy (that supports me in pursuing what I love), partner and best friend. 

This was our 2011 (the last part of the video, I couldn't think of anything interesting to say . haha) and we're looking forward for more places, people and culture to love and discover in the years to come! 

NOTE: I used to edit videos a lot when I was in college but yesterday, I was very much inspired by the videos made by Rick Mereki then I tried to incorporate all the photos of our trips last year (which was so hard for there are thousands!). 


You should watch MOVE, LEARN AND EAT, and be inspired too!

She was a beautiful bride.

She was a beautiful bride.


It was one of the most beautiful wedding I've ever witnessed.

I thought that I already prepared for the event and will never be emotional but at the moment the church's door was opened and Zha in a beautiful pink shoes and white tube gown with a very beautiful smile appeared, I've proven that "wedding" is part of my long list of I-thought-I-was-already-prepared-for-this memorable moments. 


After 7 years of having each other, they're now finally Mr. & Mrs. Dilig and words can't explain how happy I am for both of them. Her hair and make up were so beautiful and done by our dear Katchie and their on-site video, covered and produced by Framed Up Productions, was one of the best on-site wedding videos I've ever seen. 

Though my parents missed the event because Dad was rushed to the hospital, I know they were very happy to see the videos and photos and see that the whole family just celebrated love together!

with Taku and my sister, Charmaine.

The Bride is getting ready while cousins were playing.

Guess who's under the table???

Family comes first... in picture taking. Haha.

And everyone's just surprised, MVV couldn't afford to miss the fun.

Then it was time for midnight snack...

And Pareng Jason enjoyed the 2-pc Chickenjoy!

Congratulations Zha & Ego!

Tweeting helped my dad.

My dad turned 59 last Tuesday. This year, he celebrated his great day with the same enthusiasm but in a different venue, hospital. :(

Growing up, he's a very strict dad but he always explain his point. I don't know why but he's very expert in world history (that's why he's very bored in the hospital because there are no CNN or BBC and he keeps on watching teledramas). He's a very naughty and loud person, "makulit" as everybody says. I remember when I was in elementary, everybody's saying that if I'll have a boyfriend without finishing college yet, my Dad will ask me to marry and leave the house as soon as possible because he's very strict. But it wasn't true, he's strict and makes sure that you'll stand firm (and fight for it if necessary) to whatever you believe in. He's a very cool and kind man.


Since he is in the construction industry, he drinks a lot as part of motivation in his workers and as part of "pakikisama." He's always the last man standing in drinking that made him look more scary and strict. We thought we're prepared for this but when Dad's liver started to have a problem, we realized that there's never a preparation for these kind of things.


His hemoglobin dropped to 7.3 last Friday, half of the normal 14. His liver wants rescue in producing red blood cells that made me and my whole family panicked. He was getting weaker and more pale.


I didn't know where to get them but I knew, I must.


Then, I tweeted (part unconscious).


After a few minutes, Tonyo Cruz, a famous blogger in the Philippine Blogging community, retweeted my post. Then 5, 10, 20 people that I didn't know, retweeted what I said. Some of our friends sent group text messages. I was overwhelmed by the fact that many people care about my dad, some were my friends and colleagues, some didn't even know him.


I remember writing about the power of posting and re-posting a month ago because I was so impressed with the natural kindness of people and I didn't know that when it happens to me, it's much more impressive.


On Sunday morning when I was looking for people who'd donate O+ Blood for my dad, Enzo, a Filipino photographer and blogger from Bulacan and Carina delos Santos, a very kind-hearted Filipina from Muntinlupa who started donating blood when she saw the hardships of her family in looking for blood donors when she had dengue (and almost had blood transfusion), arrived in the hospital and told me that they will donate blood to my dad. I mentioned the places where they lived for you to realize how grateful I was that they went all the way to Taytay, Rizal and donated blood to my dad. How cool was that? Who are these people? :)

Though because of the schedule and several other things, Enzo wasn't able to donate. Me and my family truly appreciate his kindness. 


Amazingly, both Carina and Enzo didn't know Tonyo, the person that they both follow in Twitter and the person who disseminated the information about my dad. I am very thankful to Tonyo's big heart and I would really appreciate if I'll have a dinner with him and would be very grateful to finally introduce Enzo and Carina to him. 


Words can't explain how grateful I am.


Several people sent me emails, Facebook and text messages, and even tweets from friends from Indonesia, US and Singapore, expressed their prayers and support for dad's fast recovery and for me and my family's strength. Thank you very much.


My dear sweet friend Agatha Tapan, dropped by the hospital to pray over my dad. 

My ever supportive friend, Danica, brought a cake for me for my dad's birthday.


I don't know how will I be able to thank my aunts (Tita Billie & Tita Carol) who were there from there from the very start. I never felt scared, I was never alone. My Ate Marissa coordinated with the Red Cross for the blood which made me feel so much better together with the prayers of my cousins and friends.


After the transfusion of 3 units, Dad's hemoglobin was 8.7, increased but still not a good number to proceed with the operation since that time we learned from the result of the CT Scan that he has Cirrhosis of the liver. So we asked our friends and colleagues again for help.


My Japanese supervisor, Kaoru Ito, donated blood for my dad. It was very unexpected since Japanese people are mostly scared to visit hospitals in the Philippines unless their familiar with it, so I was very surprised and thankful to her.

These are the people who donated blood for my dad that our family will always be thankful:

And of course, I was okay because of Taku. He reminds me everyday that tomorrow will always be another great day and that tough people know it. For the record, it was his first time to meet my parents and surprisingly, my Mom had spoken Japanese again and entertained him. Haha.


Dad's still undergoing the second unit of blood transfusion and might finish the last tonight. Hopefully, tomorrow morning, he'll push through with the operation and he'll be able to get out of the hospital after.


Again, thank you for the support and prayers and God bless you more! Let's keep on tweeting!