Simple Paradise "US-USAN ISLAND"
Guimaras is not really well known to tourists when it comes to beautiful beaches and Islands in Visayas but did you know that there are still lots of beautiful and undiscovered beaches and island here in Guimaras? Which is all the more reason to get there before they’re discovered.
Guimaras – a short hop (via fiber or Roro) across the Iloilo Strait from bustling Iloilo City - is known by Filipinos for its sweetest mangoes and not much else. It’s never been a major tourist draw, but these days, that’s changing as the island draws visitors to its beautiful white-sand fringed islands.
What makes Guimaras attractive to visitors is the number of satellite islands around it, many located off its southeast coast. They have exotic names such as Nao-wai and Nalunga. Some of these islands are so sparsely populated you don't get to see a soul, while some have thriving villages. Most have fine beaches and lush hinterlands for trekking.
ONE OF THESE ISLANDS IS US-USAN ISLAND.
The mobile signal was spotty and there's no electricity so it's really best for those who wanted to have a peaceful visit. If you are looking for a place that is so peaceful you can visit this Island. There is only one house in front of the Islan and if you wanted to stay for a night, you can just bring some tents for your stay.
Beside the island is an island called "Inampulugan". An island that shape is like a crocodile with a viewing deck perched on top. There are mangroves and Hawksbill turtles. In the village, there’s a reminder of the island’s history, the remains of a World War II bunker used by occupying Japanese forces. Other day trips include ruins from the Spanish and American eras, including Guisi Lighthouse, an eighteenth century Spanish lighthouse near the beautiful Guisi Beach and, back on Guimaras itself, the remains of the United States Army cantonment, Camp Jossman, once home to the 19th US infantry Regiment and two battalions of Philippine Scouts.
Us-Usan is mysterious and enticing, a slither of land that’s said to be home to only one family, who live Crusoe-esque style near a dazzling white sand beach with a magnificent sandbar. The more you see, the more there remains to be seen, so I make a mental note to return.
Everytime the direction of the wind changes the formation of the Sandbar in Us-Usan also changes. Sometimes it's shape is like a swimming pool and sometimes it's just a straight line from where the boats arrive.
There are still lots of undiscovered and infamous islands and beaches in Guimaras but once you try to visit our Province and do an island hopping, you'll see that Guimaras is not just a home of the sweetest mango in the world, but it's also a simple paradise full of beautiful beaches and small islands.
What is the best answer to "I think we should stay friends"?
Some people arrive and make such a beautiful impact on your life, you can barely remember what life was like without them. -Anna Taylor
If you really love the friendship and have the maturity to handle being friends with this person, then by all means, let them know that you would like staying friends. And let your actions follow through with your words.
If you cannot handle being just friends with them, even if they want to be just friends, then the WORST thing to do is ghost on them, mistreat them, or cut them off. Talk to them, no matter how hard it will be to master up that courage. Let them know you care about them (if you do), but you need to tread the upcoming path in life without them. (You don't need to tell them everything you feel, just let them know your purest feeling towards them in the nicest way you can, for example, that you care).
The last, but most probable case, is that you’re confused. You don't know if you can continue to to care for someone and maintain that idea of ‘friendship' with them because the intensity you feel is just too real and too right. When you're with them, you are lighter mentally and emotionally. When you're away from them, you feel like a piece of you is missing. You love them-what you have is a soul connection and that's all you know.
Could it lead to something more? Maybe.
Should it? Definitely not.
You know in your heart that the best thing for you is being only friends. You keep reminding yourself of that…but why would you even have to remind yourself of that if you were not feeling something more than friendship?
Thus, you should take a break from the friendship, whether you openly tell them that you want a break or not. A mental, physical, and emotional break from them gives you time to reevaluate your emotions towards them, and (hopefully) start over with a clean slate whenever you're ready.
Don't rush your heart.
Always trust the process.
Struggles of a Nursing Student
"Hardships often prepare people for an extraordinary destiny." —C.S. Lewis
Hi! I'm Darlyne and I'm on my second year as a nursing student in a university here in the Philippines. Maybe most of us already are aware that taking a medical course isn't a joke. I mean, just the thought of being in college is already a whole new challenge so what more taking a medical course, right? And with this kind of situation we are facing, where the mode of teaching is mostly based on the internet, it's really not a joke.
I can still remember the struggle when I was in my freshmen year. It's really hard to adjust especially when you're not fortunate enough to buy the things you need for your online class. I don't have a stable internet connection because I have no wifi and I'm only using my phone's data and I'm just also using my phone because I have no laptop yet. The impact of not having these two important things is really big when it comes to class discussion and return demonstrations. There are times that I have missed attending my classes because I don't have a better connection. The struggle is also real when you have to deal with your phone's small screen just to present your demonstrations.
My first year was all about adjustments and coping. I'm just glad that most of the subjects during that time were minor subjects. The examination day is really a struggle because I need to find better connection and sometimes I need to really find a better place or travel just to have a good connection. It's not a joke but despite all of these, I'm still eager to finish my studies because I want to have a better living.
I went to the point that I just want to give up my dream and just work as a call center agent because I feel like the door of opportunity is slowly closing for me but God is really good. He managed to pit me back on track and he made me believe that I can do it despite of everything. So I will really try my best to achieve my goal whatever it takes.
Right now, I'm on my second year and the struggle is getting worst. And I also know that I will have to face a lot of difficulties, problems, trials, and judgments but I'm willing to deal with all of them just to achieve my goal, and that is to become a registered nurse!
The little thing we HAD
Dear Diary,
Today is August 20, 2021. Today is his birthday and as I greet him a happy birthday through messenger, I remembered our memories many years ago. It started when we were in grade 7, when he became my classmate. He was a happy-go-lucky kind of person. He's cool and good looking, too. We first met as classmates and then became friends after a month of being together in school. He was a very good friend but we're not really that close during that time because he also have his circle of friends and I also distant myself because I knew he has a girlfriend back then. So everytime he tries to get close to me, I always put a wall in between us because I don't want to have an issue with him.
A year after, we're already grade 8 and that time he wasn't my classmate anymore. The little friendship that we had slowly fades until we only became acquaintance. He broke up with his girlfriend that year and after several months he had a new girlfriend from the same school as ours. His girlfriend is just 1 year older than us. I always see them dating and I knew at that very moment that I have already developed something for him. But I never mind that feeling because I knew where I stand and I told myself to stop thinking of him because he's unreachable ( he's rich haha). I told myself to just focus on my studies and if I really want to experience that kind of stage, I should choose someone who's not high as him, I will choose someone who's on the same level as I am so that I wouldn't feel bad or insecure. So what I did was, I tried to move on and disregard my feelings for him. But the universe seems to play with my feelings. Haha Because...
After Another year, we're already grade 9. He became my classmate, again. I don't know what got into me that time because the moment he approached me, I responded so easily like I'm slowly letting him enter my life again. Like I'm slowly destroying the wall that I have built when we were in grade 7. I messed up with my decisions. Maybe because I knew to myself that I missed him a lot that I was really hoping that our path will cross again. So to make the long story short, we started our friendship from scratch again. But this time, it was different. Like it wasn't just friendship that we're building that time. We became closer and comfortable with each other. He shares his secrets with me, always makes me laugh, waits for me everytime we're heading to another class, he will message me everytime I'm absent and he will ask the reason why, he even tried to tech me how to play guitar (he loves music so much and he knows how to play some of the instruments), the reason why I started to love music. During that time, he also told me that he broke up with his girlfriend because the girl still loves his ex and they were back together. Haha I comforted him, together with our small circle of friends. They always tease us and then ask if what's the real thing between us-which I always answer, "nothing, we're just friends". I'm so afraid to ask him if what's really our relationship because I might mess up our relationship. "What if he treats his friends like that, what if that's his usual self. " I always convince myself with that kind of questions. So I just go with the flow.
2 months before the school year ended, we had our major project which is to make a short play about love. He was my group mate and our leader decided to make the two of us the leading role in the story. He will be my boyfriend and I will become his girlfriend. Haha That was very awkward because I have confirmed back then that what I feel for him is not just love for a friend it was something so foreign to me and I couldn't just fake it in front of him, though I tried. Everytime he teases me, I always feel awkward and it really shows on my face. I just wish that he will not notice any of it. After how many days, it was the time for actual presentation and our classmates were cheering like wild animals because they believe that we really had a thing. I wasn't feeling good that time because I had a fever and the fact that we're going to act in front of everyone makes me want to puke. Lol I'm so thankful that I didn't fainted in the middle of our play. Before we finish the play, there is a scene where we will act like we are going to kiss each other and I was so red that time. He hold my hand tightly and look straight into my eyes, saying that he loves me very much (part of the script lol), I managed to compose myself and told him I love him too (with quite shaky voice) and then he went closer (like about 3 inch close) and then the curtains closed and our friends started to scream so loud because they were so "kilig" that time haha. I was about to stand that time because I knew it was already done but I was surprised when he pulled me into tight hug. I was just shocked and didn't have time to react. I just thought during that moment that he was just thankful because the play was already done. Our group matesand the back of the curtain started to tease us but he didn't let go. We're just hugging each other for like a minute or two. He didn't say something within that minute and I didn't say something two. We stayed like that, never minding our classmates behind the curtains and our group mates. After like a long silence, he let go of me and telling me I was burning hot that time ("ang init mo") and I should already excuse myself so that I could take a rest. We didn't talk about what we did. After that scene, he became extra in everything he did. He became extra sweet, extra caring and also the late night talks about nonsense topics became our usual routine. But we never really talked about the thing between us.
Until we only have days before our closing, our section decided to have an outing. Some didn't came but half of the class were there. We went into a beach where we held our simple celebration. We swim and eat. We also watched some of our photographs and video clips for the whole school year. We're all laughing and our friend suggested something. "I think, we should have an open forum", she said. Everyone agreed to that and I started to feel nervous. The forum started and my heart beats really fast. When it was his turn, everyone cheered. Well, I kind of cheered with them to lessen the awkwardness lol. He looked at me and smiled. I wanted to leave that time but I didn't because I know I will just embarrass myself, I didn't even know what he's about to tell. What if he just smiled at me and nothing else? So to continue, he looked at me and smiled and then told me this, " I hope you'll not get mad at me after hearing this, I know you valued our friendship so much but I couldn't just help not to tell you this because I might regret it later on. What I feel for you is not just love for a friend, it was something that will put our friendship at risk. I know I shouldn't say or feel this, but what should I do? I didn't see this coming. I hope you're not mad at me." Booommm! And then our friends started to scream and tease us. They were so loud and not to mention that they were hitting me, and telling me I that my hair is very long. I was speechless for a long time that time. I just remained sitting, looking at him. After a while I noticed my self getting up from my sit, walk towards him and hugged him tightly. I was crying at that very moment. He hugged me back and told me that he's sorry for ruining our friendship. I didn't even say a lot, I was just nodding all the time and then finally, I told him that I love him, too. That I was also keeping it for a long time because I don't want to ruin our friendship.
Everything becomes surreal that time. Everyone is cheering and teasing us. Before we went home, the two of us decided to talk about our relationship. We were sitting in the seashore, our classmates were left in the cottage behind us. He asked me if we could try it. The boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. I wanted to say yes immediately but it didn't came easily. I told him that I was scared because, what if something happens in the future and we'll be ruined? He then assured me that whatever happens, our friendship will remain strong and he will do his best to to take care of it.
So to make the long story short, I said yes and we are officially together, not as friends but as boyfriend and girlfriend. We're always happy with our relationship until the next school year came. We're still classmates during our last year in junior high and still happy with our relationship. Well, not until we talked about our plans for our next school. We are both planning to transfer into a university in the city for our senior high school. But the problem is we will still be apart from each other because he will enroll in the university where his mother enrolled during her college years. And I couldn't afford that kind of university. I'm just going to enroll into semi-private university far from his school. I was sad that time but I know that I should support him just like how he supported me with my choice. We promised to always communicate with each other and if we have time, we should go out sometimes or visit each other's school. And that made me happy again.
Fast forward...During our senior high, the fist semester was still good because we can still managed to go on a date or just meet at the plaza and have a walk while talking. But the second semester wasn't like that. I became busy with my studies and he was, too. We're still communicating but we barely see each other. Sometimes (like some weekends) we were out for a date but most of the time not, because I'm spending my weekends in our province while he's spending it in the city. Our small arguments started to piled up because we don't have time to talk about it in person. We're just fixing it through phone calls or texts. During our last year on SHS, it became worst. I have lots of workloads and I still have thesis to make just like him so we really didn't see each other for 2 months that time. I was very busy because I'm already preparing myself for college and I wanted to take up nursing. While he, on the other hand, will take Education. Everything seems to change and fall apart, until one day we talked. We decided to fix it before it permanently disappear. And then I came up with the decision, "what if we broke up for the mean time? I know you have priorities and I have mine, too. We're still young and we still have a lot of time in the world. If we're really meant for each other, then the universe will find a way to make us together again". We were both crying that time, he still wants to fight for it but I'm afraid that if we still push it, our friendship will be at risk, too. And I don't want that to happen.
So we both decided to end our relationship and focus first on our studies. We remain friends, it was a bit awkward at first but I know that the care for each other never changed. We sometimes talk over the phone, asking each other, "how are you" and after that it will take us months again to talk. It was very hard at first and we told each other abou it but our decision was final.
Until I enter college. It was hard to adjust first, but I still managed to get along with my teachers and classmates. I know that he's doing well in his course, too and I'm just so proud of him. We really remain as friends, though we barely talk but I still understand because I know that college life is even busier. We're still checking on each other sometimes but I know that something has changed already. He's now happy without me, and I'm also happy without him.
Right now, we're on our second (2nd) year in college and I still support him with everything even just through social media. He pursue his career in music together with his studies and I'm so proud of him right now. I have small regrets of breaking up with him, but if given a chance, I will still do it again.
I hope, someday, if the universe will decide to make our paths cross again, it will already be for a lifetime. And if not, I still wish him all the best in life.
Lucky to have a best friend
I just want to share something about me and my best friend's story during our SHS journey because I already miss her so much. I haven't seen her for quite a long time now because of this pandemic. I hope someone could relate to this.
I can still remember the feeling when I was officially enrolled in a University for my Senior High education. I originally came from a province and being enrolled in a university felt like heaven during that time. I was very happy during that time because finally, I am able to achieve something that was once my dream. I even thought I was still dreaming when the truth is I'm really living in the reality.
First day of school came, it was one of the best day of my life. The day became even special because I'm finally meeting my best friend again after 4 long years of being apart (she transferred to Palawan during her junior years). She waited for me in the lobby that time and I can still remember our screams and tears after seeing each other again. Haha. I was still showing my ID at our school guards when I heard her scream my name. That was very embarrassing because most of the students and teachers stopped walking and glanced on us. Hahaha. But we don't care because we really missed each other so much. We hugged tightly and teared a little bit. Haha lol. So to make it short, we had a catch up while we were walking towards our room (we're classmates😭!!!).
She's very talkative and so am I. Haha She told me her experiences during her junior life and I told her mine, too. We had a great catch-up that time all we did was laugh and strike each other. I thought it will be awkward for us, to talk with each other after a long time but I've already proven that time that I was wrong.
Starting that day, we became inseparable. We really stick with each other even if we met new friends. Our circle became bigger and happier. It was hard to adjust with my city life but because of her I managed to get along with everyone. We were always together even in grade 12. By the way, we took STEM strand because we wanted to be health care professionals someday.
I know that student's life isn't always about laughing with your friends or having a good time in a classroom. There will always be breakdowns and struggles. I'm just lucky that my best friend is always there to cheer me up and to encourage me.
I can still remember those moments when we're on our way home in the middle of the night, convincing ourselves that we are brave enough to face whatever organism we will about to encounter on the road. We only walked on our way home because there's no jeepney left. And until now, we are still laughing out loud everytime we talk about it. Hahaha
We have made a lot of memories together- funny and sad moments, we experienced it all. And I miss those times so much, especially this very special day, our graduation.
Right now, we are apart again because of this pandemic and also because we're already on different universities. She took Education and I took Nursing. But we are still communicating through messenger and we're also texting and calling each other. Our friendship is still going strong despite of everything and I'm already so proud of what we have achieved together.
We maybe apart again but I know that our friendship will just continue to be strong. I'm so proud of her achievements and I hope we could meet and do some catch up again, soon.
Finding Peace in the Midst of Chaos
"There is always calm in the midst of chaos, love in the midst of hate, and hope in the midst of despair. You may not find them immediately, but have faith and hold tightly to your beliefs." -Anonymous
Hi, everyone! How are you? How are you coping with your battles in life? How's your mental health? I hope you're taking good care of your health especially your mental health. The situation we are facing right now isn't simple but I hope, wherever you are, you're still doing good with your life.
During this time of pandemic, there are lots of things that trigger our anxieties and depressions. It feels like we are imprisoned in the realm of life, like a sailor on his tiny boat, on an infinite ocean. This pandemic seems to be infinite, like there's no hope for an end. Everything becomes boring and it seems like we are barely living. The hope is slowly fading and most of us already end their lives because of this so-called unending situation. Most of us weren't able to adjust with the changes, tired of living with the same situation everyday- the reason why they end their lives.
I really feel sad everytime I hear some news about suicide. And what saddened me the most is that, those who committed suicide were at my age. Most of them were students who weren't able to cope with their everyday struggles. Covid-19 made most of us lonely and alone. We couldn't visit a friend to talk about our struggles and to share our feelings with because everyone is afraid to get infected. In a blink on an eye, we are all restricted to do most of the things that make us happy and relaxed.
But despite of this situation, I know that everyone is doing their best to find their way out of this problem. We should not give up because there still lots of reasons to live and suicide is never a solution.
If you can't go out ang go to your favorite place, you can just simply open your windows and watch the wonders that God has made. Just like the nature, you can always find comfort just by looking at the nature. You can always find peace and comfort with the wind. You might not see it but the fact that you can feel it on your skin, that's already enough to make you find the comfort that you need.
If you ever feel like you are helpless and tired of surviving, just look at this photo and remind yourself that there will always be a new beginning. Just like the sunset in a very long and tiring day, our problems will soon fade. The new beginning will come with the hope that everything will be back to normal and we could live our lives just like the way we wanted it to live.
Sooner or later, the sun will rise again. The darkness will disappear and the hope will rise. Remember that nothing is permanent in this world. The only permanent is change. This will be over soon. But first, let's find joy in the waiting. Don't let your emotions overpower you. Compose yourself and learn to swim with the waves. Your mental health matters so learn to take care of it. Hold on to God's promises and believe that nothing's impossible with God. Let's strengthen our faith in him.
Showing others that you're strong to face your battles will also give them courage to fight for their own battles, too. Let's help one other. Let's heal together. Our life doesn't stop here. Our future is still in our hands.
-The day might seems to be so long and tiring, always remember that there will always be sunsets and sunrise.
Hi, everyone! I just discovered this platform yesterday and now I'm trying to explore and figure this out. Hope you guys would support me.😁 Keep safe y'all
@aemiebarbie143
