Leo From The Other Side

08/11/2023

Over the years, I have struggled to accept that not everyone I want to talk to feels the same way about me. Just because I knocked on someone's door, they'd open it and reserve me a seat at their table. You see, I've always thought that if I just say hi, I will receive a hello in return, but no, that's not how the world works, apparently.

It made me unhappy, realizing that no matter how hard I try, some walls are just too high to climb. So, what I did was learn to accept rejections. I learned to just continue walking even when the people around me would stop and take a different path along the way. I learned to accept that people choose who they want to keep in their lives because there's just not enough time to keep tabs on everyone. I learned to value and appreciate the ones who stayed and not ask questions of those who didn't. No drama.

I learned to just accept goodbyes with an open heart, and everything felt better.

10/09/2023

I taught myself to always look at things and people beyond the surface.

Whenever I encounter a difficult situation, I try to look at what’s behind it. For the reason why it was sent and the lesson that life wants me to learn from it. The same is true when I encounter difficult people. I try to look at them from the soul. Not the things they do, but why they do them. Not why they burst out of anger, but where that anger is coming from. Not on the choices they make but on how those choices reflect their values and what they care about.

People are difficult until you understand their story.

So every day, whoever I cross paths with, I always try my best to remind myself that the outside is just a shell and that there’s always something in everyone that we try to keep to ourselves. It can be a potential or a trauma, but whatever it is, I always remind myself to respect people by letting them unfold it if and when they’re ready and not trying to forcefully dig it out of them.

25/07/2023

BLD Singles Ministry invites you to join our SINGLES ENCOUNTER WEEKEND #26.

Let’s embrace a weekend of personal and spiritual growth, and new beginnings as we discover the joy of self-love and building personal relationship with the Lord.

A transformative weekend that will unleash your individuality while building meaningful connections, reconnecting your faith and growing deeper in God’s love.

When: AUGUST 18-20, 2023
Where: SCALA RETREAT HOUSE, Brgy. Estefania, Bacolod City.

If interested, you may contact us thru these numbers:

Jem Pechera - 09605961327
Love Lyn Biñas Ducay - 09686989356
Caloy & Jing Uy - 09228882324

Or you may click the link to register:
https://bit.ly/SE26RegistrationForm

14/07/2023

Just like Annika Co, an It's Showtime Mini Miss U candidate, said, "Success is not just about what we achieve in life. It is about what you inspire others to do." And Pauline taught us DEDICATION. She's the epitome of that freaking word.

21/04/2023

I know I’m not the only one. Most of us are tired too. It’s exhausting to live a life of waking up each morning, working hard to earn money, and just surviving every paycheck to settle all the bills. We were taught to accept that this is how life is supposed to be, and we would often be condemned if we wanted more. "You should be grateful," despite the fact that you can’t fight what you’re truly feeling when you no longer find motivation and inspiration to do the things you were assigned to do.

It’s fascinating and saddening at the same time to realize that at this very moment, most of us have dreams that might never come true, and we have to master the art of survival instead.

Then people who depend on us expect us to be strong or emotionless, without shedding a single tear, when we just want to break down and pause to rest. We are forced to keep silent when everything is overwhelming.

All I can do is write these words, hoping that something will change. Maybe someday I will find myself in a place that was meant for me to chase after the happiness I deserve. All I can do is bleed through poetry, music, art, and the idea that there are people like the person reading this who share the same pain and struggles as I do.

I’m hoping that there’s more to this life than I am worthy of having.

Padayon lang. ✨
Puhon, kita napud paboran sa panahon. 😇

20/04/2023

Lately, you are doubting your worth and the things you want to achieve in life.

Remember that you worked hard and sometimes, we lose track of our goals. It’s okay.

Today, you need to break the cycle. No self-doubt, no self-rejection!

A positive mindset brings positive results.

20/04/2023

Pray for all the things that you're anxious about. Then, classify them into two groups: things you can control and those you cannot.

For the former, plan and strategize how to solve those. For the latter, remove them from your mind.

Remember, you're already praying for them. 😊

02/02/2023

A GENTLE REMINDER TO ALL BOSSES

During these trying times, make sure that you don't forget to do this to your employees.

Stop bluffing them about,
"Pasalamat kayo at may trabaho pa kayo."

Be the Boss who says, "The safety and security of our workforce will always come first; We don't want them worrying about their jobs." (Ramon Ang, 2020)

Be the Boss that everyone loves and respects.

29/12/2022

Never ever let that peace be taken away from you. Never ever let someone tell you or influence you that you are not growing just because you are slow. Never ever let anyone make you feel you have no place in this world.

There is a space for you. Protect that space. Protect that peace.

06/12/2022

Gracefully Broken (a repost)

I was in Daiso last night, and there was a lady and two kids behind me in the LONG line. One was a big kid, and the other one was a toddler. The bigger one had a pack of glow sticks, and the toddler was screaming for them. The mom opened the pack and gave him one which stopped his tears. He walked around with it smiling, but then the bigger boy took it, and the toddler started screaming again. Just as the Mom was about to fuss, the older child bent the glow stick and handed it back to the toddler. As we walked outside at the same time, the toddler noticed that the stick was now glowing; and his brother said, "I had to break it so that you could get the full effect from it."

I almost ran because l could hear God saying to me, "I had to break you to show you why I created you. You had to go through it so you could fulfill your purpose."

That precious child was happy just swinging that "unbroken" glow stick around in the air, because he didn't understand what it was created to do - which was "to glow."

There are some people who will be content just "being," but some of us that God has chosen... we have to be "broken."
We have to get sick.
We have to lose a job.
We go through a divorce.
We have to bury our partner, sister, parents, best friend, or our best friend dogs.

In those moments of desperation, God is breaking us. But when the breaking is done, then we will be able to see the reason for which we were created. So when you see us glowing, just know that we have been broken but healed by His Grace and Mercy!!!

This one’s worth sharing.💕

21/11/2022

“Kung para sa’yo, para sa’yo.”

Don’t hold onto things too tightly. The things that God has for you, will come to you naturally, and they will hold you more than you would hold them.

What's meant for you will always be yours. Don’t force things/people out.

30/10/2022

The first and the original!!! Only in the Philippines MM's Bunny Cafe PH ✨

28/10/2022

Right now, a strong, cold gust of wind rocked my windows. I looked up at the ceiling just like that during Typhoon Odette's wrath last year. It makes me anxious. 😟

Lord God, bless each and every person affected by Typhoon Paeng and surround us with Your love, protection and your holy angels - our protector and spirit guides. Amen. 🙏

22/10/2022

Experience the festival that launched a thousand smiles!

As COVID-19 dimmed smiles all over the world, festivities took a backseat. But this year, we're proving our resilience once more as MassKara makes its biggest comeback! Taking to the streets with our biggest shows, biggest feats, and biggest celebrations yet, we're ready to welcome you to Bacolod and give you endless reasons to smile.

Like we say in our local language, "Balik Yuhum." It's time to smile again.

Happy Masskara Festival, Bacolod City. ✨

09/10/2022

On some days I know what to do with my life, and on some, I forget the reason why I am still here. There are also times that I strive hard to reach my dreams, but there are also moments that all I have done is to just exist. Sometimes I am so sure that I already figured out what I want; while on other days, I am clueless.

And that's life - it has its share of both ups and downs, of triumphs and losses, and that's okay. Both are alright to have and to be experienced.

09/10/2022

There are days when I would look around and find myself silently asking where everyone went. How things turned out the way they are now, and if I made some bad decisions I can no longer correct. Those thoughts come to mind from time to time, usually when loneliness catches up on me, but I eventually learned not to dwell on wondering. To just tell myself that some decisions needed to be made.

I spent a thousand nights waiting out the storms inside my head, and they didn't see that.
They didn't know my traumas.
They didn't see the stitches, and instead even added some cracks.
They couldn't tell how heavy I felt carrying the weight of my frustrations, and they didn't even care.

So I had to burn some bridges to find my way back to healing. It wasn't easy. Some nights, they come back to haunt me. But my heart feels a lot more peaceful now, and I know I'll do it again if I have to.

08/10/2022

All the Best MM's Bunny Cafe PH !!!
Happy Anniversary 🥳

07/09/2022

You know what’s funny? It is that when we can almost remember most of our ‘first’ while most of the time we forget our ‘last’.

When was the first time you felt butterflies in your stomach? The first time you felt jitters all over your body just by seeing the person you love the most? When was your first kiss? I know very well that you can answer those.

But when was the last time you felt happy? When was the last time you smiled genuinely? Some of you might answer “I don’t know”. Wanna know why? Because at that very moment, we never knew that it would be the last time. We always believe that there will be a next time. We always hope that there will always be more.

That’s the sad thing. Sometimes we take things for granted because we think that we have all the chances in the world. To stay happy. To stay at that very exact moment. But sadly, we don’t.

31/07/2022

padayon ✨

LATELY, LAGI KONG SINASABI SA SARILI KO, "PAGOD NA KO".

Nakakapagod palang kumayod.
Nakakapagod palang habulin yung mga pangarap mo.
Nakakapagod palang mag grind para sa kinabukasan mo.
At mas nakakapagod kapag kinabukasan ng pamilya mo ang nakasalalay sa lakas mo.

Totoo, nakakapagod, pero normal lang naman mapagod, kasi ibig sabihin, may ginagawa ka.

Hindi ka umaasa at naghihintay lang na magbago ang buhay mo.

Hindi ka nagiging pabigat sa mga tao sa paligid mo.

Kaya kapag napagod ka, MAGPAHINGA KA.
Treat yourself, kumain ka ng masarap, mag relax ka, mag UNWIND ka.

Kasi DESERVE mo yan.

Deserve mo din naman mag samgyup.
Deserve mo din naman na mabili yung gusto mo.
Deserve mo yang out of town mo!
Deserve mo yan, kasi PINAGPAGURAN mo yan.

Kaya kung PAGOD KA NA. You're doing a good job! Kasi ibig sabihin, nag effort ka.

Ibig sabihin nyan, YOU are a responsible being.

Kasi alam mo kung paano i-value yung pinaghirapan mo, kasi alam mo kung gaano kahirap kumita ng pera.

Kaya kung PAGOD KA NA.

TAKE A REST, BUT DON'T STOP.

MAPAPAGOD PERO HINDI SUSUKO 👊

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19/07/2022

Quench your thirst and savor your food delightfully. MM's Bunny Cafe PH is the place to be.

Grab yours now! 💯

14/06/2022

The world can be harsh and eventhough you are hurting, the world will never stop just to let you rest for a while. It will continue to do its own thing whether you're having a good day or a bad one. Despite the world continuously moving even if you wished for it to stop even for a while because things are getting out of your hand, I want you to know that it is okay to feel vulnerable because you can't just always hide behind the tall fences you've built around you. It's okay to feel weak because you are not entitled to be strong all the time. It's okay to feel sad because just like happiness, sadness is not permanent so savor the emotion that you feel because that makes us human. It's okay to feel unloved because that's when we will feel the need to love ourselves for we already learned that we cannot expect anyone to return the love we've shared to people. We don't have to force true love because it comes naturally. It's also okay to feel drained because that's normal and we can just fret for a while, recharge ourselves until we became full of hopes once again. So remember that even if the world won't stop for you, it doesn't invalidate any of your feelings. It's okay to feel your lowest lows because it is part of the journey of reaching the highest highs.

One day, you'll breathe fresher air and as you look around, you'll realize that you're already at the top of the mountain that you never thought you could climb. ✨

31/05/2022

May we never deprive ourselves the chance to take pause and eventually ponder the simplicity of life. And by saying simplicity, I mean things that are often missed by majority because it seems that busy life is the ideal existence. Something I will always challenge.

Pause. Fathom. Breathe.

For I know that big things may manifest success, but small things remind us of what satisfaction is. And more often than not, this satisfaction brings peace. This is what I am longing for.

I am not ahead. But I am not left behind. I define my timeframe. I define my life. Hence, you define you. ✨

27/05/2022

well, couldn't agree more to this. 💯

"some people are only there because they can benefit from you."

How I end up losing friends.

I used to go out with numbers of friends. I tried my best to fit in every set of friends I have. I learned to master the art of disguise. One day I’ll be the nicest person the next day I’ll be the smart guy, then some other days I’ll be the bad guy. ‘Twas like I was an actor in every movie. And just like every role, you will always have to put an effort to make it realistic. It was not easy. It gives me so much anxiety. But I still like the idea of having a lot of friends.

Fast forward, in the year 2020, I left my job I was unemployed for a month with no savings, heart broken from a recent break-up, and struggling to put my life back together. Only few of my friends was there to cheer me up, or even just a simple act of asking how I was doing. It felt like I was stranded in an island, I see boats passing by but no one noticed me.

After a month I found an online freelancing job with the help of my older sisters. Every single day I was gradually getting my life back, and even made it better. It was when I received a lot of notifications from my friends again. At that point, I realized that there are only few people in our life that is there for us through ups and downs. Some people are only there because they can benefit from you. But those people who stayed even at the lowest point in your life are worth keeping.

And because of those experiences, every-time I meet new people, I always show them the real me. The right person will always accept who you are.

30/04/2022

When I was younger, I thought by this age, I already figured out what my life would be and all those dreams. Having your own house, driving your own car, traveling from country to country, yet here I am without any of these.

But it doesn't mean I failed. I still choose to move forward and get better everyday. I will never get tired of reminding myself that i'll get those dreams someday.

I guess, you may have these thoughts too. But always remember that life is not a race. You are not delayed. You are at the right time. God has already prepared so much for you. Just do your best and you'll get there. ✨

27/04/2022

Getting By Without Friends

1. See it as something that is temporary. Even though it hurts now, it doesn’t mean it’s permanent. You’ll find other people who will treat you well. Be gentle on yourself and recognise it will pass.

2. Learn to enjoy your own company. See it as a time to reflect on your life, and really think through what you want for yourself. Also, find different interests you can do on your own and maybe try something different you’ve never tried before.

3. Spend time looking after an animal. Pets are accepting, reliable and loyal. They’ll never hurt your feelings and are good company.

4. Treat other people you meet really well (talk to people at the checkout, or smile at those you meet). That will likely result in a warm, friendly response and will remind you there are others who appreciate you.

5. Hang out with those who like the same things as you. If you’ve taken up a hobby or you like watching sport, speak to people you meet at these events. Even though you don’t know them, they are still good company.

6. Don’t let this bad experience hold you back. Keep reaching out to others, have the courage to take risks and eventually you’ll start to make some much better friends.

20/04/2022

a new and exciting buntastic experience is coming your way.

visit MM's Bunny Cafe PH 's newest location at Kalayaan Hi-Way Dormitel, Araneta Street, Brgy. Tangub, Bacolod City. (beside Petron Gas Station)

see you Bacoleños! 🐰

14/04/2022

Let our planet earth breathe 🌬️🍃

Let Earth breathe! 🍃

Recently, scientists all over the world has been appealing to the mass to take part in saving our planet from possible climate crisis and global warming catastrophe. Let us do our share to conserve water, take care of plants, use energy wisely, delete emails that might contribute to energy waste, save electricity.

All the small steps that we will start to take today may spare us years to live in this home. Let us not waste this opportunity. 🍃

02/04/2022

"fake it til' you make it"

I tell myself this almost every day as I force myself to get out of bed. It's exhausting trying to be "okay" and strong when I feel like I'm dying on the inside every day. I smile and interact, but all I want to do is get back into bed and shut off the world.

21/03/2022

Being in your early 20s or late 30s is crazy because there’s people who are literally married and people who’ve never even dated and people who are trapped in their childhood bedrooms waiting to get out and people who are trying to live out romanticized dream lives and people who are completely on their own and people with multi tiered support systems and we’re all supposedly peers and none of us think we’re doing it right at all.

17/03/2022

Try their best sellers and you won’t regret. 👌

⠀
📍 Visit them at #25 Ramylu Drive, Brgy. Tangub, Bacolod City (beside Brgy. Tangub Gym).

⏱ Store hours: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Monday to Saturday)
Sunday (CLOSED)

⠀
☎454 - 7008 Store hours may vary. Contact them to confirm.

10/03/2022

Minsan, solo mo lang talaga.

Ikaw lahat. Ikaw ang bubuo ng pangarap mo. Ikaw ang tutulong sa sarili mong pag-unlad. Hindi dahil sa ayaw ka nilang tulungan subalit lahat naman tayo, may kanya-kanyang bigat na pinapasan.

Minsan, mabigat na ang mundo para sa ilan kaya sila man, nahihirapan.

Hindi sa dahil galit sa'yo ang mundo. Sadyang minsan, ang buhay ay ganito -- kung hindi mo ikikilos, walang gagawa para sa'yo. Ikaw ang pangunahing bida sa istorya mo. Ikaw ang papanday sa ninanais mong buhay.

Minsan, solo mo lang talaga. Solong byahe ng buhay. Malungkot? Siguro, minsan. Hanggang sa nasasanay ka nang maraming laban sa buhay na ikaw lang talaga.

Pero mananatili kang lumalaban. 💪🏻

©️ Life Stories with Kuys Dyek

06/03/2022

"You're a strong person, you can get through this soon."

I bit my lip. I sighed before answering,

"People think that strong people remain tough in every trial. They think the jokester in the group will forever be laughing. They think that not saying anything means you're not dealing with any problems at all.

What if I have been strong long enough and now, my last straw is gone—I'm on the verge of giving up? What if I can't see any silverlining anymore and as I go with the flow, I don't even care where it takes me now?

And what if I say I need help, would you extend your hand to me the way I did when you were the one needing my presence?"

In this world where nothing is certain, it's important to seek for inner peace, because that's where genuine happiness will be rooted from.

No matter how much you try and make 'happiness' your goal, if you're not at peace with yourself—your circumstance, flaws, and even the good things about you—then, it will be hard to achieve it.

It's never wrong to ask help from your friends and even from professionals. Healing takes time, sure, but you would also need the right support system to get through it.

Don't be scared, we can't ever remain strong forever anyway. It's okay to break sometimes.

—Cho Amisola
https://www.instagram.com/imaquilldriver/
https://facebook.com/imaquilldriver/

Art: .hyun__

04/03/2022

Minsan, sa kakatingin natin sa tagumpay ng iba, hindi na natin nabibigyang halaga 'yung mga maliliit na tagumpay na mayroon tayo. Hindi naman ito tungkol sa laki o liit ng mga nararating. Huwag tayong malungkot sa mga hindi pa natin naaabot kasi may oras pa naman. Habang nabubuhay, may pagkakataon pa tayo.

Malayo pa ang hahakbangin natin, pero subukan nating tumingin pabalik, marami na rin tayong naabot.

Mabagal, oo. Pero umuusad naman pala. ✨

26/02/2022

How to Find your Purpose

1. Take time to ponder the questions “What really matters in life; what do I want to have achieved when I look back over my life?”

2. Make time for solitude and silence. Filling every minute makes it hard to listen to our intuition, or that inner guiding voice.

3. Seek out people who inspire you and then learn from them. There are many people who live inspiring lives. We can learn from their experience, and what they have to share.

4. Consciously monitor your progress. It is easy to slip back into unproductive habits. Hence, we need to be committed to sticking to our plan.

5. Accept that struggles and setbacks. It will be part of your experience. There will be times when you are tempted to give up and stop trying but choosing to keep going will lead you to your dreams.

24/02/2022

It's not about winning. But what it's about is not giving up. If you have a dream, fight for it. There's a discipline for passion. And it's not about how many times you get rejected or you fall down or you're beaten up. It's about how many times you stand up and are brave and you keep on going. ✨

22/02/2022

While everyone else is busy trying to be billionaires, I'm here silently praying for my little dreams. I pray that one day, despite all the holes in my chest and the blisters on my feet, I'll find a place to rest where I can find peace without even looking for it. I hope to find a spot where all of my fears disappear and I'll feel safe just talking to the moon about the things that I learned in life. A place where I could dream again.

You see, I don't have a lot of wishes in life. But I do wish that after all these battles, when all is said and done, I get to accept what the stars wrote for me and still look at life with a smile on my face and an open heart.

—jmp
Artwork: Marinel Sheu

// last few copies of my book available. Get yours here: https://shp.ee/q32fwqt (Shopee PH)

22/02/2022

Manifesting like whoa! ✨

Today is February 22, 2022. If written in numbers, this date has one of the most number of a identical numerical figures in our lifetime. In numerology, this is believed to be one of the luckiest days in the year as number 2 signifies higher vibration of sensitivity and intuition. Not to mention that it also falls on "Twos-day" (Tuesday)!

May this day bring peace and fortune to us! ✨

20/02/2022

“ Puhon “

To wait. Someday. But it means "In God's time." ✨

19/02/2022

You are not as special as others, because you are special as you. You've always been enough and special just the way you are. And always will be. ❤

Have you ever felt like an outcast? Na parang lahat ng tao sa paligid mo are living their dreams and celebrating the gifts that were given to them. Tapos there you are, still figuring out what's special in you.

But you know what? Ayos lang naman to feel that way. What you're feeling is valid and understandable. Mahirap naman kasi talagang hindi magkumpara at mapatanong kung para saan kaba talaga. Lalo na when you see the people around you, looking so sure of what they're doing with their lives. Tipong mapapatanong ka na lang bigla kay Lord ng, "Bakit sila ganun, ako hindi? o kaya naman, "Bakit sila may ganun, ako wala?"

The answer is simple,
you are not as special as others, because you are special as you.

Hindi mo kailangang maging special katulad ng iba. Dahil special kana bilang ikaw. Kaya there's no need to compare yourself with other people.

Because God made you beautiful in your own unique ways.

Kaya walang kahit na ano mang kulang sa'yo. Because just like Mirabel, you've always been enough and special just the way you are. And always will be ❤



Follow us on IG: Elevate Imus
https://www.instagram.com/elevateimus/

17/02/2022

Oftentimes, we give so much value in achieving something that we tend to associate giving up with weakness or failure, when truth is, it takes an equal amount of courage, if not more, to walk away from something you've always wanted. It takes a lot of trusting yourself to turn your back on a dream and start walking towards a different direction, realizing that no matter how hard you try, some things just aren't meant for you. That just when you thought you're starting to have things figured out, it's never going to work because the rules change.

For me, giving up is growth. It means trying to find where your greatest strengths will take you farthest and letting everything else fall to the side. It's answering your own questions without fearing the what ifs, and while it sure can be terrifying, sometimes, it's the only thing to do. It's neither weakness nor failure. It marks the start of a new beginning, of trying again, of hoping one more time.

—jmp
Artwork: gemi333

// we're down to last 100 copies of my book. get yours here: https://shp.ee/q32fwqt