Patapat Bridge: Shake It Off Here

It is a must, to stop.

And look far beyond. 

North, Up. Beach. Clouds. The Sky.

And shake it off here.

Body Boarding: Aint No Wave High Enough

The soul has been longing to be waved.

And the saltwater vibe will surely heal.

It was fearful to be alone.

Few people came to watch. Then left.

The ocean just couldn't eat me alive, I thought.

That one hour trying to flow with it was nostalgic.

The waves were dancing. I danced with it. 

I came out alive.

Watch and feel the intensity.

Because the yearning for good life will never stop. 

Japan: Saitama's Enchanted Valley

I was waiting for the fairies to appear.

They were there,  hiding beneath the trees.

The mermaids were under the rocks.

The gnomes by the trees.

It is an enchanted valley.

A world full of the earth's beautiful creatures.

The vibes, I can feel it all.

Japan: A Walk In The Valley

Nagatoro Valley is nature that heals.

The mountain. The silhouettes. 

The lake.The rock tormations.

This place renews one's spirit. It takes away all the uncertainties. 

Its energy is electrifying. It brings your soul home.

South Luzon: Of Itlog ni Kuya & Mount Mayon

(Please read with Ed Sheeran’s Supermarket Flowers)

When the pages of this chapter of your life journey ends.

From uncertainties, your natural warmth embraced me. I just wanted to be. And you made me be me.

I was anxious to take over. But you made me feel at home, back to where I considered home for eleven years. Where I built my career. Where I started a family. Where I became stewards of God’s children. Where I gained my forever friends. Where I renewed my faith. It was nostalgic. I recall that this was supposed to be my first stint in Operations, but I exchanged it to which I thought then as a more comfortable place.

And so, I embraced this slowly. Each day enlightened me of how sincere everyone is. I felt that everyone deserved more.  So, I tried to fill me with wisdom that will grow me and that I can share to fill every soul too. I became passionate. I fought till the end. In the power of my hands, I did.  What should be. And what is right. And even if there are times things go wrong, I still try to sense what the universe has planned. In the darkness, I tried to understand every act. Forgive what is forgivable. And end what is wrong. Sometimes I became mad at my conclusions, but I tried to stand firm. Because it was called for, it must be done. It was tough. And I always prayed that heaven shower all the goodness. And let the sunshine brighten my senses. It is weird to be tough in a carefree soul.

In my heart, I feel grateful for every lesson of life that I learned. Thank you for enriching me with each one’s life. Each story made me more human. Made me more compassionate. To all and the people they love. I learned about family, happiness, and authenticity. I learned to care more. I learned to see the little stars on each one’s shoulders and the halos that radiates above. I see angels in all of you. I say so, because from the very start, I believed in the goodness of your hearts.

I will miss chasing boats - running in Calapan port to catch the boatride at one time; and being left by the boat at another time. I will miss flying,  and missing my flights. And oh, my favorite paradise. I will miss baked chicharon. I will miss my fave, Itlog ni Kuya. I will miss the giant turbines in the hills. I will miss Mount Mayon. Taal Volcano. I will miss dried fish. Apas. That omelet vegetable. Arrowroot. Pili. My fave, Laing and Pinangat. Lucban & Ginubatan Longganisa. I will miss my fave, Lomi. I will miss pandesal breakfast during meetings. And I will miss all the ghosts in the hotels. And maybe people from the government will miss me. Ahaha.

And I will miss your thoughtfulness and I will miss talking to you all (or even singing 'Listen To Your Heart' maybe)!

Thank you for making me spread my wings freely. Thank you for the trust. Thank you for being part of my journey. I wish you & your families love & happiness!

I must fly and continue my journey. And spread this joy & fulfillment you gave my soul. I am not just me being me. I feel greatness and find more meaning in this life. Doing what I do.

Wish me love. Wish me compassion.

I love you all!

Very truly yours, Heiz, Your Beautiful & Kind HR Manager. Maganda na Mabait pa. 

Japan: No Worries

Hakuna Matata.

No worries.

Japan: The Snow Walkers

These snowboarders slide down swiftly from the top.

Amazing! And I wait for them below.

And wish that one day, I will be sliding down Mount Naeba

with all the gracefulness. 

Gliding down safely.

I decided just to play with the snowflakes.

And have fun!

Japan: Out In The Snow

Brother:  You can get out of the car now.

Me: Wait.

Brother: How many more minutes.

Me: Give me 5 minutes (breathe in breathe out)

Brother: Open the door of the car now.

Me: Wait.

Brother: You have to change your clothes.

Me: Wait.

Brother: 1...2...

Me: Wait.

Me: Brrrrrrhhhhh.

Me: 1..2..3!!! Waaaaah OH EM GHEEEEE!

Japan: Snow Dance

When all you can do while freezing is to enjoy the snowflakes.

Japan: A Walk In Nagatoro Valley

When it is a perfect time to reflect.

To discern.

What is.

And what should be.

And why.

Just walk on. 

Because even that bird in the sky flies north. 

Japan: Bike

Biking in the farm.

Japan: The Rising Moon

The past days were full of surprises. 

First was when the pilot flew without me in my connecting flight. Second was when the staff made a mistake in rebooking my flight. Third was when I boarded the wrong better train.

Fourth was when I was freezing when I got out from the second train after 19 stations from my origin, half of it standing in a crowded train, the other half sleeping, waking at every stop so that I do not miss my destination. 

Fifth, I walked 10,000 steps or more. With only banana, eggs and water in my tummy. So I hope I lost some weight already.

In lieu of all the hullaballoo, the Japanese were kind and helpful. They gave me freebies for the inconvenience without me asking for it. They talked nicely. The Japanese old people I asked on the road accompanied me to train stations, helped me read ticket machines and train station signages. They looked at their phone whatever apps to determine all my specific queries. And an old man tried to understand my english, and he was talking to me in his language. And we understood each other. And all that patience. All heartwarming. All good vibes around here. This caring and kindness of strangers to a lost traveler. Because you can never know it all. It humbles my being all the time. And it is a contagious spirit. This is what I miss when I stopped travelling in the past years. The kindness that fill my soul. That calms my heart. That is all what matters to me now. In this freezing temp. 

And that was the time when the big bright beautiful moon appeared behind buildings while the train was moving. It was not the rising sun. It was the rising of the moon that made my soul feel better when after that, the lady announced the station where I need to get off. And I knew that from that time, everything will flow spontaneously. I knew then, that the universe makes it right for me to be here. I have reached my destination. 

ありがとうございます Arigatou gozaimasu.