Today, I commuted from my island to the big, bustling city of Cebu and I met two kind strangers.

I know that most people here in Tumblr have never tried and are not willing to commute in the streets of the Philippines because it is very *dangerous* and *risky*. But honestly, it isn’t if you wear the appropriate clothing and have a good sense of street smarts. Politeness helps too.

There are a lot of nice people you can find in PUJs really. There may be creeps once in a while, but as long as you make it clear that you’re not interested in them, then that problem is solved. Like today, when I rode a tricycle to one of the stops in my place, I had to sit beside a guy who smelled like he drank too much liquor and what was worse was that he was quite tall and he had to have his elbow rested on me! I had to shield my chest area with my backpack. It got kind of creepy because I thought he knew my tactics and was trying to intimidate me, so I moved to another seat once a passenger vacated. That event gives me the shivers every time I think about it.

When I went to Ayala I accidentally lost my stop and landed in I.T. Park. I rode a habal-habal (an ordinary motorcycle that has passenjers. Kinda like a PUJ, only illegal) and since I didn’t want to pay him with a 100 Peso bill, I had the nerve to ask a random stranger for some change. I saw a random Korean walking toward my direction, so I called out,”Excuse me! Excuse me!”

Seeing me, he raised his eyebrows then gave me a smile. “Yes?”

“Do you have any change for 100 pesos?”
“Ah… how about 50?” he looked at me, genuinely worried that I wouldn’t accept two 50 peso bills.

“50 pesos is great!” I said. He fiddle with his money and then we traded bills. He gave me this really nice smile and I thanked him awkwardly with my messy hair in the way, and he continued walking psat me.

That Korean was super cute and tall, pretty muscular too. And I just asked him for some change. Wow. It’s really cool because most Koreans in my place are said to be arrogant and hot-tempered, but really, it’s best not to judge anybody because people are different. :)

When I went home, I decided to ride PUJs even though I’ve never done so alone before. I always rode V-Hires (vans that allow commuters) home because they were faster, albeit pricey. When I rode a jeep to hi-way, I missed my stop (second time of the day!) and I was almost lost! I had to walk a bit to a sidewalk to look for somebody to ask directions. There were two nice-looking ladies on the sidewalk, and when I asked for directions, they were kind enough to offer to walk me to my stop! One of the women couldn’t go though, because her boyfriend was waiting for her in that area and she couldn’t leave him, so her friend told her that she’d walk me by herself.

The walk to my stop didn’t seem too long because the lady was very nice and friendly! Her name was Joy, and she was a packager in Silver Swan. She is a single mom and has a baby boy and she told me a few life lessons and encouraged me to ‘do well in school’ and ‘don’t believe in boys- there aren’t any decent ones left on Earth!’

I on the other hand, talked to her bits about my life and some confessions I’ve never told anybody before. It’s funny to know how you can let yourself go with a complete stranger.

When I got into my ride, I continually told her thanks and watched her walk away. It was only then that I realized I should have given her a headband I bought earlier today. Tut tut.

I now see ate Joy whenever I pass Silver Swan packets and think about her baby and pray for her, and hope that she is safe. She was such a kind woman.

Also, I hope that Korean has a nice stay in Cebu. And I hope all commuters get to find kindness in other commuters. 

(Source: patgallardo)

#personal #doodles

Pamelle cut my sideswept bangs into full bangs today. They’re ‘just above your eyelid crease’ in length.

I’m not sure how to feel about them. I’ve never had bangs before. 

A day before I turn old. Weird.

(Source: patgallardo)

#personal #picures #senior life #that's not my cam btw

Last night, my mom scavenged through thrift stores to get me this very pretty white dress for my oral speech today.

It’s very pretty. It has this old, vintage charm that I’ve been searching for in dresses.

Thanks  mom! ♥

#personal #senior life

I’ve got a drawing job now. I have to think of a really cool way to execute it.

Bring it on!!!

Also, that’s not a hand. That’s a piece of bread acting as a poor substitute of a hand.

#cute #digital #doodle #funny #personal #senior life

I’m crying because my groupmates tell me that I didn’t care for our group because I didn’t go to their place just for project making. When I told her that I had no idea, she told me that I lied.

“I told your little sister. Twice.”

When I told her I had no idea, she said that kids don’t lie (and my little sister lies). So I end up crying, which makes my grandmother come up and ask me what happens. When I tell my friend that I’m calling her to clear up stuff, she says no, because her house is already dead quiet.

I was crying so much, my grandmother made me call her and my grandma told her that I had no idea and churva. Then she says that all she did was ask if I wanted to be in the list or something.

Now my friend probably thinks I’m overreacting. Wonderful.

#personal #senior life #friends

I am the youth of the land. I am told that I am fickle and playful, that I am soft and easy going.

I’m alive. Or so I think. I haven’t been updating much because of school and tests. I just passed them. At this rate, I have to go away from the computer and focus more on my studies.

Anyway, I’m liking girls with patterns, nursing a pleasant thought that Black Star could possibly be in love with me (he just doesn’t know it yet, but his gaze gives it away), and hoping that my qt of a Physics teacher doesn’t leave the school before I graduate.

Welp.

#personal #doodle #digital art

Good morning Tumblr.

I haven’t been updating in a week because of school.

I missed celebrating Taemin and Minwoo’s birthday because of school.

I had my midterms this week.

I failed a test. That would be Computer. I might even fail Math.

It’s only been the first half of the first quarter and I already have enormous eye bags.

I’m also scared if I can take Chemical Engineering. I can barely pass Physics.

But even though I’m partly tired of school, I don’t want to quit it.

I’m not going to let school beat me.

#senior life #2011 #pictures #personal

scripteddestiny:

You are one hot papa.

I found it unfair why Hector died. I was on the Trojans side because Hecor was so honorable.

(Source: paperstickandstone, via galacticzombie)

#reblog #senior life #personal #Hector #Troy #Eric Bana

Today, two people commented on my height.

The first one was the school principal. 

When I was getting the certificate my section won in this contest, she was hesitant to give it to me until she saw the badge in my necktie. “Ay, you’re fourth year? I thought you were a first year! You’re so baby faced!”  I was laughing and everything but I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not…

The second person was the owner of the shake stall in school.

When I was waiting for my order to be finished, the vendor/owner was making small talk by asking what section I was belonged to.

“Ah, O. Fourth year O.” 

The owner looked at me hard, then said, “Fourth year? You’re graduating?”

When I told him I was, he laughed and said he thought I was a freshman because I was so small. 

It didn’t help that the people lining around me were Freshman girls who were taller than me. 

(Source: patgallardo)

#personal #senior life #doodles #digital