Beauty of Batanes through the eyes of the ASUS Zenfone 3

Batanes was one place that was not even on my bucketlist, not because it was not beautiful enough to go to but because it was just so expensive to go there that I did not even dream about it anymore. It was beyond what I could rationally explain in my head. However, fate had other plans and a week ago, I found myself getting on a plane to head over to the beautiful island that is called Batanes.

 

The Batanes airport is very small, compared to other airports, it's quite tiny but it makes up for it's efficiency and the beauty surrounding it. I mean, where else can you see mountains and green lushes that stretch beyond what you can see in an airport. Batanes begins to awe you with it's beauty right from the moment you get off the plane. 

It's a small town with no high profile hotels but what it does have is personality and that feeling of stepping back in time because life here is very slow compared to the city. Here, they actually stop and smell the roses and they wake up at dawn to start their day. 

Batanes cannot be explained in words. Majestic, amazing, serene, tranquil, breathtaking ... all these words are not enough to describe Batanes. It is so much more than that. It is a feeling ... a sense of wonder like you have been asked to sit beside God and He chose you to see the beauty of his work. 

Luckily, I was able to capture it's beauty with my ASUS Zenfone 3 and I have never been more happy to have this phone with me than when we were trekking Batanes. After all, lugging around a DSLR can become taxing when you need to go uphill for quite some time. At least my ZF3 is very light and handy but it was able to give justice to the beauty of Batanes so here you go. Have a look through the lens of my Zenfone 3. 

Fundacion Pacita

Come, sit with me.

Creepy crawlies

Candid shot of Miss Jaja Ramirez

marveling at the beauty of Vayang Hills

Astrophotography using ZF3 Manual mode

All photos are raw shots since I do not know how to edit and I believe that true beauty should be natural and unfiltered. As you can see, this place is simply inspiring. It inspires you to be better, to appreciate more, to step back, and live life the way it's meant to be. For me, it inspired me to do this. 

I’m going to inspire people around me by doing something good, even if it’s something really small. Life should only end when you take your last breath, not when you reach a certain milestone or age. Life should always be about new beginnings and endless opportunities. I want someone to say that because I lived, their life was a little bit better. This is the legacy that I want to leave behind.

To Batanes, I may never return there but the 4 days I had with you will always remain. You are one of the best places to go to and I am glad that even for a while, you welcomed me in your arms.


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UNO Premier presents Nutrifab

The main body part that women struggle the most in losing is not the arm fat or even the thighs, it is actually the belly. This is the one body part that just won't easily go away and so any form of help would actually be appreciated and badly needed by any woman. UNO Premier may just have the solution to this problem with Nutrifab.
 

Nutrifab is currently running a campaign called the 10 day challenge wherein a person should eat a piece of Nutrifab once a day and in just 10 days, you will see results. Nutrifab is actuall dried prune that you just need to consume once a day. Prunes, or dried plums, are known for having a high content of dietary fiber and the ability to alleviate constipation.

The benefits of these fruits include a rich supply of vitamin C and potassium, and they can be regular components of a weight-loss diet. Prunes can help in weight loss because of their high fiber content. Fiber helps satisfy hunger hence enabling one to eat fewer calories. Eat them any time of the day, and keep the rest of your diet healthy to see a new and vibrant you!

Day 1 of the 10 day challenge. I ate this at 12:06 pm. Lets see how things go. @unopremierofficial #UNONutriFab #NutriFab10DayChallenge #MsKRoadto125 #PickledPlum

A photo posted by Kathy Kenny (宝云) (@mskathykenny) on Oct 31, 2016 at 9:09pm PDT

Timecheck and it is 10pm.  There has been one visit to the loo but no panic attacks because everything was smooth and safe. We can say that eating this in the middle of the day should be fine. It will help you with bowel movement but will not induce horror or fright that you might just go anytime without warning. It was smooth sailing if we may say so. If you’re looking for a product that will help you shed the pounds and give you a full body detoxification experience while increasing your natural metabolic levels then this may actually be the solution to your problem! It is just not the latest thing in weight reducing regimen but a proven natural way to lose that unwanted extra fat.

Nutrifab contains pickled plum infused through micro puncture technology with special weight loss formula that delivers results! The proprietary blend is packed with the strongest and tested weight loss ingredients that is making a difference in the lives of many individuals who cannot afford to engage in calorie controlled diet or daily work out to lose extra pounds.

Do remember to consume fewer calories than you expend if you want to lose weight! Nurtifab will not miraculously slim you down but it will increase your metabolism and help you detoxify regularly which will then aid in weight loss. The good thing about it too is that it actually does not taste bad when you eat the plum. Think of a Chinese candy that's a little sweet, sour, and bitter all at the same time and you should be good to go.

naiisip mo ba ako

Naiisip mo ba ako
Sa mga sandaling
Kaliwa't kanan ang iyong ginagawa?

Naiisip mo ba ako
Sa mga panahong
Hindi tayo nagkikita?

Naiisip mo ba ako
Kapag kasama mo ay sya
Sa mga sulyap at ngiti nya
Ako ba ang ang iyong nakikita?

Naiisip mo ba ako
Sa tuwing naiisip kita
O naiisip mo lang ako
Kapag ikay napapag-isa na?

Itutuloy ko na ba?

Sapat na ba
Dapat ba
Kailan pa
Itutuloy ko ba

Ang daming katanungan
Tila walang kasagutan

May kasagutan ngunit salungat sa aking pinaniniwalaan
May kasagutan ngunit unti unti ako nitong sinasaktan

Dapat ba
Kailan pa
Itutuloy ko ba

Mga katanungang binubuo ng aking nararamdaman
Susugal ba akong muli
Pano kung dala nito'y pighati
Susugal ba akong muli
Kahit di ko alam saan ang tungo
ng bawat sandali

Kailan pa
Itutuloy ko ba

Handa na ba akong lumaban
Handa ka ba na ako'y ipaglaban
Kaya ko na ba muling masaktan
Gaano mo ako sasaktan

Itutuloy ko ba

Lalaban ako kung ipaglalaban mo ako
Susugod ako kung kamay ko'y hawak mo
Maghahanda ako kung sa bawat gyerang papasukin ko
Andyan ka lamang sa tabi ko

Sagutin mo ang tanong ko
Itutuloy ko na ba?

distansya

*Inspired by Karel Marquez's PRENUP video and my lovelife. Haha.

photo not mine

Distansyang sapat lang
dahil ayoko muling masaktan
Distansyang sapat lang
para madaling tanggapin sakaling ako'y iyong talikuran.
Distansyang sapat lang
dahil ramdam ko na ang iyong puso't isipan
ay sadyang nakatali pa rin
sa iyong nakaraan.

Saan ako dapat lumugar
Sa tabi mo ba o malayo sa iyo
Paano ko malalaman
Kung ikaw mismo ay gulong gulo
Handa ka na bang magmahal
O ako bay iyo lamang libangan?

Distansyang sapat lang
Sapat upang ikaw ay aking matanaw
ngunit di malimutan
Sapat upang ikaw ay maaninag
ngunit di mahawakan.

Didistansya ako hindi dahil ayaw kitang makapiling
Didistansya ako sapagkat hindi ka pa handa para sa akin
Didistansya ako at maghinhintay, aasa na darating ang araw
Handa ka ng tawirin ang distansya sa gitna natin.

Starbucks 2017 Planner

Today is the day we finally got our hands on the AWESOME Starbucks 2017 Planner. Yes, we say awesome because finally, Starbucks got their game back and they are giving us GORGEOUS planners that you would definitely want to get your hands on.

A photo posted by Kathy Kenny (宝云) (@mskathykenny) on Oct 29, 2016 at 12:00am PDT

So as you can see there are 2 designs which would make the collectors happy because they now just have to drink 36 cups to get these two designs as each card needs 18 stickers to be completed.

Say hello to my new #StarbucksPlanner ... love love love. #StarbucksCheerPartyPH #SipsofCheer #StarbucksPH

A photo posted by Kathy Kenny (宝云) (@mskathykenny) on Oct 28, 2016 at 8:52pm PDT

They are sticking to the traditional design that everyone loves and missed last year. We love Moleskin but we love our Starbucks Siren and Coffee Swirls more.

Why hello there future planners. I really love how @starbucksph comes up with new designs. #starbucksph #starbucks #starbucksplanners #planner2017

A photo posted by Kathy Kenny (宝云) (@mskathykenny) on Oct 28, 2016 at 3:40pm PDT

The two designs come in coffee and geometric pattern. I personally love the Coffee design simply because I am a coffee lover through and through. My brother gets the 2nd planner per our tradition and luckily, he preferred the other design. DAEBAK!

Finally made it to my most awaited event of the year, the #StarbucksCheerPartyPH of #StarbucksPH where #SipsofCheer are everywhere.

A photo posted by Kathy Kenny (宝云) (@mskathykenny) on Oct 28, 2016 at 8:49pm PDT

I also have a video unboxing of the planners for those who want to see it, visit and subscribe to my channel okay?

Maybe ...

Maybe you and I were meant to happen
Only in the dark corners of a room
In a place where no one can see us
Where nobody knows you nor I.

Maybe you and I were meant to be
Only in the dark corners of your mind
For you are not ready to forget and let go
So you cannot hold me in your arms.

Maybe you and I were meant to love
Only in your visions and dreams
Where everything is absolutely perfect
And nothing is absolutely real.

Chicdriven Speaker

Around two weeks ago, I was blessed enough to have been invited to speak in front of a crowd at Alabang Town Center and talk about my struggles, challenges, and workaround about being a single Mom. It was a little nerve wracking because I was with other women who were far more impressive than I was and they led perfect lives, you know, happily married with kids and yet making a mark in the fields they were in.

I was far from being half of what they were so when I was invited to be part of the panel, I was really grateful. I just hoped that I would actually make sense and be able to share something that was worth listening to.

Survived the #Chicdriven Home Hacks seminar. Hopefully people actually learned a lesson or two. Now off to my home so I can catch up on time with my son and my kdrama. Thank you @issalitton for this opportunity. It was so much fun and thank you for the flowers too. It's been a while since I got one. Haha.

A photo posted by Kathy Kenny (宝云) (@mskathykenny) on Oct 1, 2016 at 1:57am PDT

The talk went by pretty fast and I think I did pretty well if I were to based it on the reaction of the audience. I was able to give out pointers that I felt could help women and Moms out there who are struggling with their time in balancing life, being a Mom, and being a woman.

I hope that I can get more chances to do these kind of things. I feel that my experience can actually help out others. After all, they did say that learning from your mistake is smart but learning from others mistake is wise.

Mystic Brew has MOVED!

Two weeks ago, Mystic Brew Cafe opened the door to it's new home near Mary Mother of Church inside BF Resort Village. It's actually just a stone's throw away from it's old location but this time around, it's prettier, cozier, and simply more positive.

They also have a few additions to their menu and I would have to definitely recommend the Truffle Bacon Pasta as well as the Adobo Congee. In the two weeks since they have reopened, I am pretty sure I have ordered the Truffle Bacon Pasta more than 10x and the Adobo Congee 2x already ... in just two weeks.

Goodbye diet because the pasta now comes in FOR SHARING servings and when PMS hit, I ate a FOR SHARING plate ALL BY MYSELF. I am ashamed but my tummy was very happy.

 

C: Alg Asuncion

They also have new drinks that you can try but the best one is that BUTTERBEER is back! Careful though coz they only serve 15 of these in the morning and 15 at night. Make sure you get to Mystic Brew Cafe before they run out because it is in demand!

They also offer Coffee Jelly, Vietnam Coffee, as well as Banana Milk Coffee. They still have their famous Braso de Mercedes cupcake which is a must have. Seriously. Believe you me.

If you are in the area, drop by, chill, drink some coffee and indulge in awesome tasting pasta and get to know the people within the cafe. You'll realize that you'll feel right at home and it's exactly what a community neighborhood cafe should be.

Mystic Brew Cafe
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Stapler ka ba?

One of the reasons I don't like letting people in is because I easily get attached. Yes, I am a stapler and when I let people in my world, I want to keep them in. It's not a bad thing right but most of the time, they leave. As with any stapler, when you take off the staple, it leaves a mark.

They leave but they leave their mark with me and it hurts.

See, when I make the decision to let you in my world, it means I've already started planning things in my head of where we can go, what we can do, and I have visions of the two of us staying together. No, I don't mean come to off like a psycho or a creep. It just means that I like you already and I see something in the future with us which is why I've let you in my world.

However ...

but if you can't ...

 

because not knowing where I stand and waiting for something that might not happen is the worst feeling in the world.  Mahirap maging stapler sa mundo ng pabilisan ng pagtanggal ng feelings.

Letting go ...

Honestly, the only reason I initially listened to it was because Song Joong Ki said in an interview that this was the song he was listening to on repeat and it made me curious. Why would one of Korea's top actor have this song on repeat?

See, I'm a lyric person which means lyrics are the first thing that gets to me when I listen to a song. Of course the beat matters but it is always the lyrics that would make me listen to a song over and over again.

Day 6's Letting Go got me. It just got me. It went straight to my heart and stayed there, slowly ripping away the pieces and making it bleed little by little. It reminded me of all the times I had to let go of men I've come to care for, of men I've loved, and of a man that I gave my whole being to.

Letting go of my first love was painful. I didn't even realize back then that he was my first love. I didn't understand why I cried when I found out that he had a girlfriend. I thought that it was just because it was wrong. We were too young. It was why I said no when he asked me to be his girlfriend. After all, we were just in elementary and we should be focusing on school. It took me a couple of years to realize that I had fallen for my best friend and he was my first love. It was also because of this love that I stopped talking to him when he had someone because my young heart couldn't take the pain. I had to let go.

Letting go of my first boyfriend was my first real heartbreak. It took me 7 years to really get over the pain of losing him. He was the first guy I kissed and the first guy who held me in his arms. He was the first guy I imagined spending the rest of my life with so when he was gone, I couldn't understand why. Yes, I was the one who left but I thought that eventually, some years down the road, we'd get back together. We had to. He promised me that we would spend the rest of our lives together. He just had to get rid of the embers of his first love and we'd be okay but he got her pregnant a year later and they had to marry. I had truly lost him and I had to let go.

Letting go of the father of my child took years but in the end, it was just a relief. He killed me slowly but surely in the last 3 years that we were together. A cut here, a smash there, a slice here, a punch there. It took 3 years but he managed to kill any confidence I had in me, any belief in love that I had, and he managed to hurt me enough that I could not even hate him. I just felt nothing, absolutely nothing for him when I let go. He managed to turn someone who was so in love with him into someone who was just an empty shell. I couldn't hold on to us because there was nothing left in me and of me, absolutely nothing. The Kenny that I was ... was gone. I had to let go.

Letting go of the man who I thought I would marry eventually destroyed me. I was able to regain a bit of who I was and felt that I could love again but I was wrong and this was why he left me. Whereas the father of my child merely emptied me out, the man whom I thought I was going to marry finally destroyed me. It took 3 years of pain, misery, begging, being used and rejected but eventually, I realized there was only one thing I could do. I had to let go.

And now ... my heart flutters once again but it's so confusing. I do not know whether to fan the flame or douse it out. I no longer know how to play the game. The signs confuse me and hurt me. I feel like a pendulum being swayed from happiness to confusion constantly. He confuses me. Back in the day, when a guy liked a girl, they say it and they make sure that there are no doubts left in a girl's mind as to what their intentions are. Now, it's constant messaging one night then completely nothing the next. It's an I like you one day and being completely ignored the next. I'm too old for games. Do I have to let go?

I really don't want to but if I must because he doesn't feel the same way that I do then I have to let go. I must let go. 

Dr. Pao Bellosillo's Anti-aging Tips

 

Dr. Juan Paolo Bellosillo, International Fellow of Integrative Medicine and American Association of Integrative Medicine, sat down with us one rainy afternoon to discuss and talk about one of the biggest concern of beauty lovers. AGING.

Doc Pao as he is fondly called was kind enough to give us 6 tips on how we can age gracefully or if possible, stop time from showing on our skin.

1. LIFESTYLE CHECK. Since aging is a process we all have to face as we grow old, we must ensure that we start from within: our being. Beauty is definitely not just skin deep. It emanate from within to out and the stress we encounter daily will show up in eyebags, dark spots, wrinkles, and what not. To ensure that this can be avoided, do a lifestyle check. Your lifestyle choices will reflect on your wellness, spirituality, psychological, physiological, and social wellness. No amount of moisturizer can ever beat clean living and a peaceful mind. Anti-aging should start at the biological unit, our cells.

2. BE REALISTIC. There is nothing in this world that can really stop your skin from aging. It will happen. However, you can delay it with the right skin care and the right ways of living.

3. YOUR HEART. The one thing a lot of people overlook when they yearn for anti-aging is their heart. Your heart is the one solely responsible for pumping blood into your body and if it’s not healthy, you will definitely see the results on your skin. We only have one heart. Once it stops beating, we are gone. This is a saying that I often remember and it reminds me that on top of everything, my heart is the first one I need to take care of the most.

4. STRESS. Every time you allow stress to impact you, it actually becomes a threat to your life and this could even lead to death. When someone is stressed, it shows on their skin. When someone is stressed, it will show on their hair, eyes, lips, everything. Never allow stress to make an impact on you. Learn to control and let go.

5. NON INVASIVE TREATMENT. With Doc Pao, you can get photoplethysmography, a method that determines the age of the artery which has been impacted by lifestyle and exposed to many stressors. This will allow you to truly gauge what changes you need to make and what maintenance you need to follow.

6. YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT AND WHAT YOU DRINK. The food and drinks we take in affect our body. There are many foods that yield good vitamins and these are the things we should eat more of. Berries, salmon, almond, walnuts, spirulina, and green leafy veggies are a must if you want to achieve that youthful glow. All the food mentioned here also have anti-inflammatory properties that will help reverse the ageing of the artery. Acai drinks that come with banana and spirulina have high anti-oxidant and free radical battling properties that can actually reduce the inflammation or stiffening causing factors or thrombus formation in arteries.

In this day and age where everyone is obsessed with looking young, always remember that to look young on the outside, one must feel young on the inside. Be wise. Live a legacy before you leave a legacy. When you take care of your heart, you take care of everything else from within and this will always give you the youthful flow you desire.
 

waiting for Mr. Right

It has been 3 years since my heart broke into a million pieces. It took a very long time for me to truly get over that heartache but I finally did. In fact , after 3 years, I now feel ready to dip my toes in the water again and actually date someone ... perhaps even be in a relationship.

Last week, I met someone whom I thought could have been the one. We've been talking for about a month or so and have had 2 fights already which we actually resolved pretty fast. It was one of those things that I really liked ... being able to fight and quickly fixing it. However, it seems I was mistaken.

We had another fight because he missed our date and didn't make up for it. I felt that he should have and when I didn't see the effort I felt he should have exerted, I snapped and said hurtful things. I said that because I felt hurt as well. He didn't even bother to reply. So much for that then.

So here I am, at 1am in the morning, missing that jerk so much but I can't message him since I deleted his number and he doesn't have any social media. I prayed to God that if he wasn't the right one for me, God needs to take him away and it seems God did just that because he just disappeared.

 

So since Mr. Jerk has disappeared, I thought I'd make it easier for God to find my Mr. Right and send him to me. Perhaps even before I turn 36? I really have simple wants in my Mr. Right dear Lord and I hope that this is also the kind of man you would send over to me. 

1. He needs to make me smile. I have a resting b!+(h face so making me smile is quite important. Also, with the many negatives in the world, wouldn't it be nice to have someone who constantly makes you happy. In return, I will also do the same for him. You know I can be pretty funny when I want to be. 

2. He needs to accept my family and my son. This is a no brainer and a deal breaker. 

3. He needs to be a little showy. I seek validation and I am very touchy and showy so if Mr. Right isn't, it might be awkward. I don't want someone who does extreme PDA but the Kdrama backhugs, holding hands, and chaste kisses in public would be pretty awesome.

4. He needs to have a life but I need to have a part in it. This means that he should be able to go on and live his life with his family and friends but at the same time, not completely forget me to the point where I wonder if I a simply an option. 

5. He needs to have dreams because I have so many dreams of my own. I will be there to cheer him on and support him but he also must be ready to do the same thing with me. 

6. Lastly, I need someone who puts me first over his pride. If he misses me, he will let me know. If we fight, he will choose to fix us rather than be right. If he wants to see me, he will make a way for it to happen. He needs to show me how much I really mean to him because I will do the same thing. 

It's true that I yearn for the little surprise gift or bouquet of gerberas and stargazers  but more than anything, I just want Mr. Right to treasure me and show me how much I really matter. I don't dream of someone who looks like my Kdrama idols but I do want someone who will make me feel like one of the leads in a Kdrama ... loved, treasured, and someone worth fighting for. 

Hopefully Mr. Right is just around the corner. I'm finally ready to meet him and show him that I'm his Miss Right and that whatever we will have, we will have for the rest of our life.  

a little bit of this and a little bit of that ....

A few days ago, I wrote about how my heart fluttered for someone; something it hasn't done in quite a long time. Apparently, it reacted too early and now that flutter just died a painful death.

Maybe it's me ... maybe it's just bad luck with men ... maybe I am just too defensive, too cautious, too eager? I don't know. All I know is that we were supposed to meet up, have dinner, and a couple of drinks. You know, typical date stuff. Granted that I haven't been on a date in over a year but I still know what people do on a date and I was really excited about this.

How excited?

I had my nails done. I chose my outfit carefully - - - sexy but classy, lace top that shows a little skin but not too much, tight pants, and 3 inch heels. I looked really good. I even used my special shampoo (ladies you know what I mean) and my hair smelled like a garden of roses. Everything was all set.

Maybe that was what I did wrong ... maybe I shouldn't have looked forward to this too much. I should have just treated it as another ordinary day but I didn't want to fool myself. I was excited. I was very excited coz I liked him. Perhaps I shouldn't have liked him then at least it wouldn't affect me so much.

You see ... everything was good to go on my end but on his end, I should have seen and heeded the signs. I didn't ... I never do until it's over.

He got home very late. I had the feeling that things were going to go wrong but I thought to myself: "Hey, he likes you. He'll make sure he wakes up on time. " WRONG! He woke up really late. He woke up late enough to guarantee that he won't make it to the first half of the night but I thought, "Hey, the other half can still happen. I'm sure he'll want to make up for it. After all, he said that he wants you to be his girl. He'll make an effort." WRONG AGAIN!

It was raining.
It was traffic.
It was raining really hard.
MMDA app said that it was heavy traffic going to where I was. 

I woke up late. It's raining heavily here. It's traffic going there.

This was said after I told him that even though I was pissed, I still wanted to see him. WAY TO GO JERK! Oh sorry, I take it back. This is not even a jerk move. To say it's a jerk move is an understatement. This is just plain rude and insulting.

Of course I snapped. What women wouldn't? I told him that he should have said that there was also a zombie apocalypse happening. It would have been more credible you know. I mean come on! This is Manila. It's traffic everywhere. If a guy really wanted to be with a girl, traffic would not be reason enough for him to not push through with the date. Mind you, HE ASKED ME OUT. HE ASKED ME. Then HE DITCHED ME!

I felt so bad for myself. This was the first real date I was supposed to have in over a year and it turned out to be a non-date because he never appeared. In fact, after I told him that he should have said that there was a zombie apocalypse, he didn't bother to respond.

JINJA? DAEBAK!

One of my last messages to him was a response to a question he has asked me earlier when we just started talking. He asked why I was still single. I told him this is why. It is because of men like him who couldn't and wouldn't make an effort. How can you pursue a relationship with someone who can't be bothered to show you that he actually wants to be part of your life? I must have been crazy to have even entertained the thought of being in a relationship with this man.

I wasn't asking for the stars and the moon. A little bit of this and a little bit of that was all I needed and he couldn't give it. I felt hurt but I know that I'll get over this eventually. I've always been able to pick myself up and pick the chipped pieces of my heart. At least I know where I stand and it's not next to him. How could I stand there when he never made space for me to stand on?

PS. I really hated the fact that a part of me still hoped he would appear and save the night. He didn't. I doubt he ever will.