If my memory serves me right, this is the 4th time that I visited Baguio in my entire 24 years of existence in which the 4th time was truly extra special because I got to spend it with my boyfriend, Louis. I usually go to Baguio with my family and idk why I never tried to go there with someone else on my past trips. We celebrated our 6th anniversary together by taking a trip in one of my favorite cities! If I would pick a place to celebrate, it would definitely be the beach but Louis isn't really into the sun and beach. He prefers relaxation over cold weather so we opted to go to Baguio instead.
On a Saturday, 20 individuals were invited to be part of an intimate gathering by posting a selfie under the tree along with a personal story. Since our stories have already been shared on Instagram and sir Ito Kish and BJ have already read them, it was BJ Pascual's turn to share his own story of humble beginnings to current work success in the Fashion industry that involved his passion: Photography.
August has been pretty good to me in spite of the many negative vibes I have encountered. I was finally able to give myself a very belated birthday gift: A much needed trip to Baler. I cannot stress enough how badly I wanted to go to the beach ever since my last trip to Zambales last January. LAST JANUARY! Insane how time flies so fast as I'm writing this, it's already the first BER month of the year. 7 long months of waiting (which felt like forever) and finally...BALER!
Baler has always been one of the many beautiful places here in our country that I wanted to visit so badly. It doesn't matter if I burn my butt off for seating 5-6 hours just to get there because I know it'll all be worth it. There were a lot of changes in the plan before I proceeded with Baler btw. Originally, it was me and my boyfriend going together but due to work commitment, he couldn't come with me anymore so the thought of travelling solo triggered. I began researching safe places that female solo travelers can go and felt kind of sad because majority was part of the VisMin region already which left me a few options in the Luzon area: Sagada, Banaue and Pagudpud. Solo travel is something I have never done before. "You going to the beach alone? You're not really that insane yet right?" I remember my former TL telling me when I told her about my plan. Then all of a sudden, in the midst of researching, I found myself half thinking. I felt scared to proceed for my own security. Maybe next time when I feel much more determined and adventurous to go but for now, it's a NO (Oh my god that rhymed!). So I asked a few selected friends whom I think would agree to come with me and found Trixia.
We encountered a few glitches prior to our arrival in Baler. I left our house at 10 PM because we were trying to catch up the 1st direct trip to Baler at 12 midnight in Cubao. I did not expect how insane the Friday traffic was even at that hour! I arrived 15 minutes before 12 on the terminal and worst, we found out that all trips were already fully booked! My eyes narrowed for a good 3 seconds when I heard the news. I couldn't afford to wait long so we took the Cabanatuan route instead. From Cabanatuan, we had to ride another van bound to Baler which is cheaper. And our journey continued on the most uncomfortable van ride ever. I was mostly crouched on the same position for 3 and a half hours!
By the way our budget was PHP 3,000 for 3 days and 2 nights, ALL IN. It's very doable, you just have to mind your expenses all throughout the trip. We went a bit beyond the budget because we were eating all the time! Also, find the cheapest accommodation possible to stretch your budget. We stayed at The Circle Hostel. They have pretty cheap rates depending on the season. We were charged the "off season rate" which is PHP 450/night & head for a bunk bed. The main mode of transportation in Aurora is tricycle. Haggle as much as possible to tricycle drivers who can take you around the spots in a budget. Trixia and I spent 350 each for 2 days on 2 different tricycle drivers. PHP 150 for a round trip from the hostel to Diguisit Beach and 200 for a round trip from the hostel to Ditumabo Falls, Hanging bridge and Balete tree (We didn't proceed w/ the hanging bridge and Balete tree anymore). I think the price will all vary depending on what you have agreed upon.
During this trip, I realized a couple of things:
1. That I am not made for trekking or going up mountains. We trekked to Ditumabo falls and even though the path wasn't totally complicated, I was complaining all the time and kept asking our guide "Kuya, are we there yet?"
2. First time experiences aren't so bad. I have a knack for places I have never been to and slowly crossing out the many things I have never done. Like trekking and seeing an actual waterfalls and soaking in it. I was in total awe and wonder as to how come the water from the falls doesn't run out and doesn't flood in the entire area??? I mean, I'm curious. God created such beautiful places.
3. That I can live in Baler.
"Travel now, worry later." were the words I made out in my head that I want to leave behind as my track while I looking through the many words past travelers from the hostel has left behind. You get to paint and leave behind your "tracks" on the walls or pretty much anything at The Circle Hostel. I realized it takes some quiet time in a much calmer place to get a regular person's rhythm back again. Baler, you got me. I almost never wanted to go because everything just felt so chill. This is the kind of life I'd choose more than anything: simplicity.
#WHERESTEPHYWENT is a hashtag I made to properly label and document my travels. You may check out the hashtag on Instagram to see the many beautiful places I've visited. I will make it a point to document my experiences and travels (through the hashtag) and improve the way I speak in front of the camera. I still feel and look awkward! Please let me know what you guys think about the vlog! Thank you. x
Last April, I remember my best friend and I talking about Charlie Puth and how we wish him to come and have a concert here in the Philippines. A few days later, a concert announcement came for August 14th and we went nuts over the news. We made sure to buy tickets on the very day it went on sale to the public. I was aiming for front row seats but because TicketNet's website sucks, we landed at the 10th row spot after 30 minutes of trying. That's how fast the VIP seats were selling.
Since I loved most of his singles, I made sure to listen to his whole album as well so I could sing along with him and the crowd on the night of his concert. His songs also served as my go-to remedy for bad days, until now.
I cannot remember the last time I fan girled so much over someone that I admire. At some point during Charlie's concert last night, I was euphoric enough to get teary eyed. I never understood people who cry at concerts actually or whenever they get a chance to meet and greet their idols. I feel like they're over reacting but last night I slowly understood them. I was overwhelmed to live in that moment. As another Charlie (from Perks of being a wallflower) have said: "I feel infinite." and I swear last night, I felt the same way.
And if there's another thing I would advice people to try, aside from travelling young, it's to experience attending a concert. I swear it feels great!
I cannot remember the last time I fan girled so much over someone that I admire. At some point during Charlie's concert last night, I was euphoric enough to get teary eyed. I never understood people who cry at concerts actually or whenever they get a chance to meet and greet their idols. I feel like they're over reacting but last night I slowly understood them. I was overwhelmed to live in that moment. As another Charlie (from Perks of being a wallflower) have said: "I feel infinite." and I swear last night, I felt the same way.
And if there's another thing I would advice people to try, aside from travelling young, it's to experience attending a concert. I swear it feels great!
*last photo not mine
I just realized it's so difficult to vlog on concerts! I was creep snapping all the time since point and shoot as well as DSLR cameras weren't allowed to take videos. And the security/bouncers were so creepy. UGH. Since my phone's camera suck, I had no choice but to bend the rules. I apologize if my vlog is shaky and the audio is a bit bad. There's a part in my camera that I don't realize I'm covering that's why the audio sounds weird. But I do hope you enjoy watching it in spite of its flaws. I'm still a newbie in this whole vlogging thing and I'll be working on it next time. Please do play it on HD and give it a thumbs up on my Youtube channel. THANK YOU!
There are 2 awesome things that happened over the weekend here in the Philippines: 1. Paradise International Music festival with Kanye West heading the line up. 2. Hailee Steinfeld's Mall show at UPTown Mall in Taguig City. I was truly desperate to grab tickets for free bound to ParadiseIMF by joining countless contests on Instagram but unfortunately (or shall I say fortunately?) I didn't score one. So as a fall back for my poor soul, I opted to go with my friend, Bernz to Hailee's Mall Show. We haven't seen each other for 2 years! It was a very spontaneous decision to go, really and I'm thankful I was able to set aside my lola side for this.
This blog post highlights a lot of firsts for this year: first blog update, first beach trip, my first time ever in Zambales and our first attempt to surf without an instructor. (hint: We're first timers.) Lame attempt and a dangerous one. I know.

People may not know this but honestly I’m into poetry. I love reading poems. Most especially if it gives you all “the feels” when you’re not really going through something. When I stumble upon great poems I’m always like “Aaaahh this is so beautiful. I wish I could have written it.” Though I’ve been writing poems as well when I feel sad or whatsoever, it’s normally just for my own reading pleasure only. I just don’t really have the guts yet to expose my poems to everyone because I’m afraid of their reactions: “What’s with the drama?”, “Are you going through something?”, “Oh my god! Are you secretly in love with someone?” “Are you broken hearted?” Like Spare me. Reading Lang Leav’s poems have been one of the things that I really love doing aside from reading different Fashion Blogs. Her poems give you that instant “feels”. It’s really amazing how her poems speak for her readers and not for herself. That’s why I admire her and her works so much that she inspired me more to write poems.
To jump start my December, I attended this most awaited book signing: Lang Leav's book signing that happened last Saturday, December 6 at Shangri-La Plaza. I missed a lot of book signing already and with Lang's, I knew I can't miss this one.
It's time of the year again! The much awaited First Flair of the The Bloggers United (Summer Fair) for this year happened yesterday, May 10, 2014 at the Metrotent in Ortigas City. Bloggers United is now at its 8th installment partenered with Sunsilk to bring out the best summer bloggers united experience for you and your entire barkada! :) There were so many fun activities, promos and freebies in store for all the attendees yesterday which made attending to this year's Summer Bloggers United much exciting! I'm so glad I got to grab 3 of my lovely friends with me to this much anticipated Summer event!
I honestly could not recall the first time I've seen or heard something about Bloggers United. I'm quite bad in reminiscing the simplest details but I remember seeing a blog post about it once in one of the best fashion blog here in Manila (either on Break My Style or Camille Tries to Blog). Bloggers United never rung a bell at all to me way back when I wasn't fascinated yet with blogging, fashion or dressing up. I only learned about it when it reached it's 5th round (Bloggers United 5) which took place I guess last summer in SMX convention center and this time, I would like to share to everyone of you my experience to my FIRST EVER Bloggers United! :)
WARNING: This post will be flooded with so many pictures! :p
The day before the actual event I told my gay but lovely friends and my boyfriend as well who will be accompanying me to this most awaited event to come a tad bit early ahead of time before the door opens for Bloggers United 6. Because upon doing my research (Yeah, I do that most of the time as a first timer), All Bloggers United events were all jam packed with shoppers slash blog readers. My friends planned to buy entrance tickets to the actual venue and it's always best to line up early just in case the tickets gets sold out. My company were lucky enough to get their tickets quickly and it's very unfortunate of me that I wasn't able to redeem my prize ticket in which I won from Ate Patricia Prieto's blog giveaway. So I had no choice but to purchase my ticket as well, instead of waiting impatiently for the confirmation of my prize. My jaw dropped when I saw the line to the entrance of the Bloggers United:
As expected the line was indeed insane and endless!! I wasn't able to take a lot of pictures inside the venue because I fear that my Ipod would get snatched or stolen, I chose to bring it out ONLY whenever I see a blogger or two. But here's an idea of how it looked like from the inside and how crowded and hot it was:
***Here are some pictures with the Fashion Bloggers that I was fortunate enough to interact and take pictures with!! :) ***
Kryz Uy Of Thirsty Thought
I srsly died when I saw her, I didn't expect her to look completely super stunning in person! It's like every one around me stopped moving when I saw her smile in the camera when a fan or a reader of hers asks for a picture. She's mesmerizing! I confess: I'm not really a big fan of her but after seeing her and everything, she earned not just my admiration and attention but my friends' as well! LOL.
Lissa Kahayon of Scene Stealer`
You guys have no idea how a big fan girl I am of this blogger most especially to her fitness regimen and routine. If you follow ate Lissa Kahayon on Instagram, I'm pretty you guys already have an idea of what I'm talking about. Hoping I have this magic wand to switch bodies with her. (LOL talk about selfishness! erase erase!) This hot chic got ABS dude, some REAL ABS!
Alyssa Lapid of alyssalapid.com
Aside from her style, Ate Alyssa is HONESTLY someone that I admire the most in terms of "word content" in blog posts. Her "deep" sentence construction and excellent grammar always gets me carried away whenever I read her blog. It's like reading a literary piece or a novel of some sort that's really entertaining and refreshing to read. Whenever I visit and read her blog, I'd be like "Hopefully one of these days, I'll be able to justify why I came up with this outfit and what happened to me on this day the way she does it in her blog."
Dani Barretto of Style is Eternal
While her younger sister, Julia Barretto made her way to Show Business, Dani Barretto proved everyone that not all Barretto can only be famous for acting and beauty but also for FASHION BLOGGING as well. She took a different route not from the usual ones that the other Barrettos has taken. She slowly introduced herself to everyone through her Blog "Style is Eternal" and surely enough she gained a lot of followers slash readers slash fans from her style blog! As a matter of fact, I am one of her blog readers as well! :) It was so nice of her to answer a few questions that I had in mind (not to mention, memorized) for her like "Don't you have plans to go to show business as well like Julia?", "How old are you?" and I even joked at her (in which I seriously mean it) "You know what? I tried to copy your hair style and eventually I failed!" (face palm) and she laughed! then she said "Bagay naman aaah?! (while touching my hair) Pero dapat pina cut mo ng medyo mahaba para mas maganda." After that INSANE/EMBARRASSING conversation, I requested for a picture with her doing her signature and famous "Dani Baretto Pose" together and there goes the result! Dani Barretto is such a sweetheart!!
Mikyle Quizon of Style Division
I didn't expect to see how HOT Dani Barretto's Boyfriend was in person! My god!
Patricia Prieto of Paradigma
But of course, I reserved the BEST for last. You know what they say "Seize the moment" and obviously I did! =))) Her stall was actually my target when I first entered the venue of BU6 and When I first approached her I said "Hi ate patricia!" and she answered back with a plain but with a smile "Hi!" and then... "I'm Stephy Macasaet!" her eyes narrowed and she kinda freaked out "Ohhhh!!! Oh my god! Stephy? Stephy Macasaet? HI!!!!" then she hugged me! MY GOD!!!! SUPER KILIG AKO!! "Ate you're so pretty!!!" I said, "Hmm." she said with a modest look on her face. "I'm so happy to see you ate!!!" I said, "Me too! I actually felt happy when you joined my Giveaway and I was like "Oh my god! Stephy joined my giveaway!" oh! wait! come here! come here!" she said. Then I was so shocked, I just stood there waiting for her (I thought she's got something for me. hihihihih) "where's my camera?" she said while looking through her bag, then she took out her Hello Kitty Instax mini 8 and my jaw dropped. "How much is this thing ate?" and she just smiled at me. "Let's take a photo together, let's make it like a selfie type." and then I smiled widely from ear to ear while looking to her camera and she gave me the copy as soon as the film came out. "Just hold it still. The picture will come out when it gets dry. The picture is still light but it will get darker later on." she instructed me and I was like a dumb holding it the whole time in fear that the picture might get ruined as it gets darker and clearer and here's the shot:
After this photo was taken I saw a straw hat displayed in her stall and I said "Oh my god ate I like this!! How much is it?" while holding the hat, "It's yours, you keep it." Ate Patricia whispered. My eyes narrowed. "Wehhh? Hindi nga ate?!!" "Yes! You keep it na!" she said. "Aaaaawwww!! Thank you ate!!" I said smiling like crazy! *sigh* Her kindness melted my heart guys to tell you the truth and here was straw hat that she gave me:
Little did I know that the hat was from Cotton On! I've seen her wore this hat once in one of her oufit post in Paradigma! :) I felt really luck T_______T thank you so much ate Patricia for being so accommodating, warm and sweet when I visited your stall!! Too bad I wasn't able to say good bye to you properly when I left for lunch T_____T My stomach ached so bad, Nabigla ata when I ate a heavy lunch (I wasn't able to eat a decent breakfast when I headed to World Trade.) So yeah, hoping I'll meet you again! :)
Bloggers United 6 wouldn't be this memorable and fun if it wasn't because of my lovely companions. We posed in photos, ate lunch and roamed around together. It was really fun! We all plan to go to Bloggers United 7 and hopefully all the bloggers that we are anticipated to meet will all be present at the same time! LOL! Thanks to my girls: Kenneth, Franz and Sydney and of course to my Boyfriend, Louis who never left my side the whole time! ♥











































