My solid affilitation jajajaja with korean and taiwanese dramas date back as far as 2005. In fact, korean and taiwanese dramas are part of my happy thoughts. They rekindle so many, but so many beautiful memories during my mid 20s, my life in the Philippines and the friendships that I built through these dramas.
When I changed continents and zip code jajajaja, one of the things that I brought to Madrid are my F4, Taiwanese group CDs. F4 was a famous Taiwanese pop idols. They were the leads of Meteor Garden which was huge in the mid 2000s of the Asian entertainment pop culture. Aside from F4, I also got hooked up in Korean dramas/series. The plot and storyline is always predictable, but it is a breather, no brainer, just breezy to watch after a lond and hard day at work, during my Accenture days. Jejejejeje
It has been more than a decade since I first laid my eyes on Meteor Garden and Winter Sonata, a Korean Drama but I still get the feels jajajajaa. But more than the teenager, goofy and giddy feelings that they bring, these korean and taiwanese dramas remind me of the following:
1. The friendships that I built through these Korean and Taiwanese dramas. WWe may now live in different countries, different timezones but we still keep in touch. These are friendships that started getting all goofy and giddy with these good looking actors but eventually, these friendships blossomed into real, authentic deep friendships, in good and bad times. These are the friends who were with me when my heart was broken, when I went through some tough personal times, when I adjusted to my new life here in Spain. Thank you to my closest girl friends (you know who you are!!) for all the love, support and friendship through the years! I love you!!!
2. The best years of my corporate life spent in Accenture Manila. My career as an IT professional kicked off in Accenture even if my university degree was Boradcast Communications. I am always grateful to my first ever Accenture lady boss, Maybelle Deza Limpingo, who believed in me and gave me the breaks that I needed. I loved our team, we were a team of young, dedicated professionals. We worked long hours, but there was a strong sense of trust.
3. Also, during that time, as part of our regular Accenture team building, company culture, there were regular social activities where the employees convene. I was, at times, the host of those gatherings. There was even a time that there was a contest to determine the best look alike of the lead actress in Meteor Garden. I remember contacting my colleagues to vote for me even if I look so different from her. I had big curly hair, I was very very plump, I am very morena hahahaha.. Thanks to the support of my colleagues.. I bagged the Look alike recognition! It was indeed very funny during the awarding because everyone was just laughing, at disbelief, that I won the prize. Hahahahahah
4. My obsession with the Mandarin and Korean language to the point that I speak fake Mandarin and Korean. Hahahahaha I can fake the accent. There was even a time that my Swedish colleague in Telefonica requested me to translate a text a in Mandarin. Jajajajajajaja And of course, I admitted that all along, I was just speaking fake Mandarin. Jajajajaja. Badoink! moment for me. Jajajajaja.
5. All the commuting time that I spent in Manila, after a long day at work, just to reach the primetime block and watch these dramas. It reminds me that at one point, traffic in Manila was bearable and not as horrendous as it is now. I hope and pray that our infrastructure and traffic system in Manila will improve tremendously to assist the labor workforce and ease the commuting time.
6. How my family in Manila just laughed at me because of this silly obsession, how much they tolerated and accept this silly "vice". Thanks to Mom and all of my siblings for loving me as I am. :)
Generally, these Korean and Taiwanese dramas bring out the teenage, the peter pan in me, they are not heavy at all. Plus the lead actors are always so pleasant to look at! They are just so clean looking, "poreless" people. Hahahahaha But on a more serious note, watching them relieve the special bond that I once shared with my closest girlfriends. And even if we are far now, I just remember the fun conversations and they never fail to paint a smile on my face.
Thank you F4, thank you Korean dramas and thank you to my friends for sticking it with me through thick and thin. Much love!! Mwuah!!!!
My F4 CDs
My F4 Poster :)
all of these photos are taken from the net. Thank you.
A scene in Meteor Garden
My love from the star
My love from the star
Love Letter
Lovers in Paris
Winter Sonata
Descedants of the Sun
Today, 28th of June, I am officially on my 1st month of medical leave. My medical leave is attributed to my anxiety attacks.
I am grateful for this medical leave as I am able to do things at a slower and more tranquil pace, I am in close contact and coordination with my medical team (my general practitioner doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist and therapists).
During this month, when I am on my medical leave, I dedicated my time, energy and efforts on the following:
1. Medical visits - necessary to keep in touch with my doctors and of course, taking my prescribed medicines and pills
2. Adapting to the medicines that I am taking - just last week, my doctor increased the dosage of one of my pills and I was sensitive the entire week, almost crying the entire week and was quite exhausted even if I was doing minimum activities
3. Maximizing my time with my son - I took him to his school and is taking him to his summer camp. I always cook his food. I spend time all the possible free time that I have.
4. Yoga and meditation
5. Quiet solitude moments - I take the time to walk/do footing at my pace, connect with nature by being in parks, places with a lot of trees, I read books, watch tv/netflix at my pace
6. I connect to work. I have my work laptop at home and connecting at work, doing some tasks is also relaxing for me and it makes me stay connected at work. :)
7. I regularly go to the Church. After taking my son to his summer camp and completing my morning walk, I make it a point to go to the Church to pray, give my thanksgiving to our Lord, our Savior.
8. I get in touch with family and friends who are across the miles!!!
9. I spend time doing therapeutic massages and acupuncture. Thanks to Pilar and Borja who have been very helpful and attentive to me.
10. I cook a lot.. I concoct special and easy dished but made with so much love!!!
I am grateful for this medical leave and I trust and put all my faith that this too shall pass. Everything will turn out well. So help me God. Thank you Lord Jesus!!!
**** not my images. taken from the web. Thank you.
Today is my father's 16th death anniversary. It is an integral part of our rich and strong Filipino heritage to commemorate the lives of our departed loved ones. We usually visit our departed loved ones in the cemetery, request for a mass offering and normally,it is a family affair. We are very clannish, we cook the favorite dishes of our departed loved ones and recall his or her beautiful life as we share his favorite foods.
As I am living overseas, I commemorated my father's 16th anniversary with a Church visit where I said my personal prayers. I cooked one of my father's favorite dishes, Igado. I called my mom to ask for her recipe. I also bought fresh, beautiful flowers. I made a simple offering and prayers.
It hasbeen 16 long years.... I love you always Papa and thank you for appearing 2x in my dreams this week. I was all giddy and happy when I shared the details of my dreams to mama and my siblings. My heart is so full as I recall your voice and smile,even only in my dreams. Thank you for everything and for continuously touching our lives. I love you always.
We had a major puente (long weekend/holiday) in Madrid, Spain on December (Day of the Constitution and Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception). Our family took that opportunity for a quick get away to Lisbon, Portugal.
It was our son´s first time to travel to Lisbon and he was just so excited!!! We arranged our logistics:
1. Hotel Accommodation - we stayed in the city center in the marques de Pombal area, very accessible and well communicated. We stayed in a 4 star hotel, indicated that we need an extra bed for our little one and we availed of the breakfast promo of the hotel. This was a good choice, because we always wanted to stuff ourselves with good breakfast. hehehehe.

2. Travel arrangements - Portugal is a neighbor of Spain. It is reachable by plane by a mere 55 minute trip or via train, night train which is 9 hours. As our son is a lover of trains, of course, we took the Night Train - Train Lusitania. We availed of the suite, where we have 2 beds and our own toilet. Upon entering our suite in the Train Lusitania, it gave us feeling of being cramped as obviously it was not spacious plus we have our luggages. But after organizing our things, the space was good for a family of three. We changed into our pyjamas. Our toilet was also provided with basic toiletries. The night train also has a bar/restaurant where you can take a quick bite. It definitely was not an Orient Express but the joy of having slept in the train was awesome and unique!!! Our son enjoyed the experience. And it was indeed a realxing 9 hour travel time. We were able to sleep well. Though it was noticeable that the railways upon reaching Portugal are more bumpy. Hehehehe. It was breathtaking to see the sunrise!




The big day came and we enjoyed the sights, sounds, food and vibe in Lisbon!!! It was December so Christmas spirit was felt all over the city!! We were blessed with good weather during our stay, except on one day that it rained but not bad because we spent that day in the Oceanarium!
As we have a 7 year old son, obviously we made kid friendly plans and itinerary. We made sure to visit the Oceanarium which was a blockbuster!!! It was huge and a has a wide collection of animals!!! We also visited the Science Museum/Pavilio de Conocimiento where my son just absolutely lost it!! He loved it there.. We built legos, we tested earthquake intensities, we played with the pendulum and a whole lot more and it was an absolutely awesome experience!!!!
We also saw and eventually rode the iconic Lisbon Tram!!!
We also made a trip to Belem where we saw the Torre de Belem and the Ministerio de San Jeronimo.
We also made a trip to the Fatima Shrine. It looked different without many pilgrims. And it has tremendously improved from our first visit (2006).
We had lovely evening walks in the Plaza de Independencia!!!
The Lisbon metro is reliable though there are lesser trips than the Madrid metro. But metro fare is reasonable.
Food was awesome!! We ate the Pastel de Belem jajajaja, a lot of bacalao/seacod and frango (pollo). But beware, most of the Lisbon restos will serve you with ý lot of appetizers but they come with a cost.. So better to say no politely and state your orders than bite the appetizers. Jejejejeje
My little one got sick on our last day but we were prepared as we always travel with our first aid kit. Good thing my son´s fever was gone right away.
We went back home to Madrid with our hearts full, overflowing with gratitude and love for the beautiful, relaxing family getaway. Thank you Lisbon! Until the next time!!!