Something stirs inside me, an unexplained feeling, is it sadness? Anxiety? Emptiness? It's not yet ripe for sorting and I am letting myself feel it. I believe ito's important to allow myself to freeze in a while when everything seems unclear.

The wandering

The urgent feeling to escape is blurring my logical reasoning. The closer I look within myself, the more feeling of retaliation I get. It's as if I am resisting my own existence, my whole being. Being lost is common to me but being lost with a feeling of defeat is a new sensation I hope not to feel. The sudden lost of direction, the purpose, the corrupt society, the feeling of hopelessness to the situation in my outside world is really affecting my existence. I am trying to shake it off and go on, but I can't stand seeing injustice being done, the unfairness and the bitter reality slapping me. I become a bitter machine, a barrel full of poisonous substance. The more I engage, the more I become dangerous inside, ready to snap, ready to go for a kill. 

Why? It's always why for me, why others turn a blind eye, is it the way this society should be lived of just to survive? The more bigger question for me is why am I being affected with all the things that's happening. Why? because lives are wasted, lives are at stake, and others are fine with this. Worst, while everybody is shouting that they really care, I am not feeling it, because for me, this world is becoming a superficial world full of dolls. They only look at themselves and not for the other people, its always a fake concerned and a fake smiles, a fake statements and a fake love. Nobody really cares! I developed a feeling of mistrust to all the good things because of the reality that is continuously and disturbingly slapping me. Is this really the society I lived in? At the end of the day, I am coming into conclusion that this world is really lived to be about I? It's the I-Society with phony compassion and wicked intentions. Agh! Enough of this wandering for now, I am afraid that if I see things clearer, I will not be able to swallow it and be choked to death and be doomed forever. 

"End of Separation, Beginning of Unification"

Demilitarized Zone, Korea

Dorasan Station

Trans Eurasian Railway Network

North Korea view from Dorasan Observatory

Scenes at the DMZ

King 2 Hearts's shooting area

"Travelling is not about money but of courage"-Paulo Coelho

I have gone into a 10 day trip to Korea to test this courage.

I am an average salaried employee and in fact a breadwinner. I have been in a lot of places in the Philippines, but unlike other kids, I am paying all my expenses. So in order to travel, I am really working my ass off to indulge to my guilty pleasures. My trip to Korea was indeed a leap of faith, the average length of my travels only lasted from 3 to 5 days and all of it were domestic.

But I am a believer that "there is no harm in trying" and "just do it" principle, so here I am, I am in my last day of my trip. I was shocked myself because I managed (together with my friend) to spend only an approximately 30,000 bucks for the duration of our trip. 

Hmmm... what do I learned from this experience? I learned that preparation is indeed the key. If I was more prepared as to itinerary and things to bring, I might save more time and money. In hindsight, I should have travelled more lightly, I brought a lot of clothes that were useless due to weather here. I was not able to check the temperature, all I know was it's spring time (another stupid mistake), and the temp when we arrived was 0 degrees and my armors were only cardigans. The result? I was forced to buy winter coats which was a little pricey, but it was a call of necessity, so I am charging it all to experience.

I have met a lot of people, travelling alone with different reasons, some to escape work, some for pleasures and some just to soul search. I kinda envy them but this trip expanded my horizons. Paulo Coelho is right, travelling is not about your monetary value, it's about your strength. It's the barometer of how far you can challenge yourself, and right now I am accepting the challenge. 

Cheers to my future travels! All I can say now is I survived Korea!! :) Haengboki!

New year and new hope!!! A new book of life is about to unfold this year with 2013 already smiling at us. We already bid goodbye to the dancing dragon and this year it's gonna be the changing snake who will ride to colorful journey of life. But before the book of the dancing dragon closed, I just want to look back to the previous year that really taught me a lot of lessons in life. It's full of opportunity, success, a little bit of misery but meaningful in general. I felt that the dragon year had really tested my courage and my spirit to the fullest. Well as they say its all's well that ends well.  

My first out of the country experience

This was really unexpected and I can't believe that the first will be my dream country KOREA!

12th IAEC, Changwon, Korea

Namsam Tower and Coffee Prince Trip with Minhee and Jimin

Streets of Hyewa, Korea

Gyeongbokgung Palace, Korea

Fascinating local trips

The perks of working with cities of the Philippines

Java Hotel, Laoag City

La Paz, Ilocos Norte Sand dunes

Museo Ilocos Norte, Laoag City

Puerto Princesa City, Philippines

Surviving lawschool life

Not with flying colors but luckily I'm still with San Beda, hopefully up until next year and to graduate as bedan.

My 2k and 3b blockmates

Fashion Accessories business

and the highlight of this year was being able to establish our own business with Ann Perreras as our Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and Emy Ruth Gianan as our Creative Director (CD) LOL I just invented those titles but we are all the BOSS of our own fashion accessories business. Visit our facebook page Perky Burloloy.

We also happened to join two (2) bazaars organized by the Orangee Productions in Mercato Centrale and Manda Cetrale. This is really a dream come true and the only thing in my 2012 list I was able to achieve. Hahaha.

Burloloy @Mercato Centrale, BGC The Fort

Burloloy @ Manda Centrale, Greenfield District Mandaluyong City

So there! Finally I am closing the 2012 book and bidding the dragon goodbye!

Welcome 2013!

When I was 12 years old and during my 6th grade in elementary school, we have been privileged to be visited by Korean Volunteers to conduct Education mission. These Korean Volunteers stayed for quite awhile and taught us a lot of things. This was the first time I was introduced to Korean Culture. During that time, they were offering a lot of programs to all the students in our school. I chose to learn Korean Language and Taekwondo. The volunteers were very kind and that is the start of my admiration to Koreans and I really hope that I will have a Korean friend. I kinda forgot our Sung sang nim (teacher) name, but I remember that we really became friends to the point that we made some letter exchanges when she went back to Korea. However, we lost communication. 

I actually forgot about Korean Culture for awhile as I have been busy during my High school years and eventually went to college. However, my fascination to Korean Culture is still there. This was renewed when I was given and opportunity to teach Korean Students when my guests in Shakey's (I worked as Restaurant Marketing Coordinator in E.Rodriguez Branch) asked me to work for them. Well since, I was really looking for a lighter job then since my post as Shakey's RMC was affecting my studies, I accepted the offer and became a tutor. 

This is where I met my two (2) beloved students and my Korean chinggu (friends). I remember the first day we met since I was the one who gave them, well not actually gave them but suggested their English name. They are Minhee (Minnie) and Jimin (Jenny). 

We have had a lot of experiences together and they have been involved into different unfortunate situations here in the Philippines, but we surpass all the troubles that strengthened my relationship with them as well as to their families. So after they went back to Korea, they are actually asking me to spend a vacation there on December 2009, free of charge, but since I was quite busy with my starting professional career, I was not able to obliged. 

So it has been three (3) years since we have seen each other personally, and I really missed them so much, especially out bonding time. Luckily, I was given opportunity again to go to Korea to attend a work related seminar and I just extended my stay to meet them and explore the country. 

I was really overwhelmed by the loved that both my students and their parents showed me when I went to visit them in Incheon. They picked me up in Gwangmyeong Station, in full force even it was quite late, they even delayed their dinner so that we can eat together. They treated me to a very sumptuous dinner and made me feel at home and allowed me to stay to their house. I have had some chatter with the whole family, over Mekju (beer), dried squid and my pleasantries to them which includes dried Mangoes. Although Minnie's parents were not really fluent in English, I know they are trying hard to convey their message to me. I was particularly touched when both Minnie's parents told me that I should treat them as my second family and expressed that they were very grateful of my visit to Korea. They also thanked me for taking care of both Minnie and Jenny during their stay in the Philippines. By the way, Minnie and Jenny were cousins. I was really privileged to have a second home and family in Korea, a lot greater than what I have ask for during my elementary days. 

Anyway, during my stay in their house, I was really treated so well and was able to grab a photo with the whole family. It was one of the highlight of my travel to Korea. I missed them already, especially Minhee and Jimin. It was quite sad that Minhee was sick now and I really hope that she will be able to recover soon. I wished to see them and spend a longer time with them when I go back to Korea, hopefully on March 2013. :) 

Awesome was an understatement for my first bullet train experience in Korea! It was my first time riding a bullet train and my first time to travel alone in a very foreign place. The experience was both scary and liberating at the same time. Literally, I was lost in translation. 

I have shared here my very first international conference held in the most southern part of Korea, Changwon City. My ride to KTX or the Korea Train Express was one of my many firsts experience  in my travel to Korea.Though it was not the fastest bullet train, it was relatively efficient being able to traverse Changwon to Gwamyeong in two (2) hours (5 hours ride if you take a bus). 

So from the CECO, I bid goodbye to Kuya Alvin and Kuya Paulie. I was the first one to travel up north to Seoul since I am meeting Miniee, Jenny and their family in Incheon. So despite my hesitation and fears in travelling alone in a country where only few can understand and speak English, I composed myself and braved travelling alone. I took a cab and while on my way to train station, I was able to took some pictures of Changwon since I haven't explored it thoroughly.

Sights in Changwon City

I already have a printed ticket since our liaisons have already arranged it all for us. The ride from Changwon to Gwangmyeong costs me 41,900 won (around 1,800Php). It was quite expensive but it was all worth it. By the way, if you want to travel Korea, they have this program wherein you will be given an unlimited KTX pass. It's cheaper because if you are to travel for 7 days and you want to explore South Korea from North to South using the KTX, it will only cost you 75,000 Won (around 2500-3000Php). For more information about the fares and train schedule, you may check the KTX website here.  

Upon arrival, I really don't know what to do, so I used my common sense and proceeded to the ticketing station. My scheduled trip was at 5:35PM, I queued at 4:45PM, to my dismay I waited for 30 minutes, I thought there was a problem with my ticket since the ticket lady called someone on the phone, who was not answering. I was just standing there, not being able to understand a thing. My patience was being tested. When it has been 20 minutes since I queued, I asked her, what's the problem? They just keep on saying, no problem. I am explaining but they don't seem to understand what I'm saying. Eventually, I was approved and they told me to proceed to the train station without giving me anything. They told me to just show my printed ticket. Damn! If I have known, I should have skipped going to the ticketing office.  Anyway, at that time I was still tense. I don't know where should I go and it was really hard asking people. I just go with the flow. In the train station, I asked the guard if where should I wait since there was a seat number provided in my printed ticket, however there were two numbers and I don't know what that stands for. So I rely on him in good faith and waited on the place where he asked me to wait. The train arrived. I immediately ride on it and look for the seat number 12 as indicated in my ticket. But, I was approached by another person saying that it was his seat. Goddamnit! I already put my luggage above and it's not easy to take it our since it's very heavy. Grrr. He told me that I got the wrong couch. So I took out my luggage and proceeded to the next couch while the train is moving. My problem in the next couch was, I didn't know where to sit since I can't see the seat numbers, maybe brought about by anxiety and mixed feelings. I just sat in the first vacant seat I saw. Fortunately, a guard arrived and I asked where my seat is located. Finally, I'm at peace.

KTX Changwon Station, Korea

What to expect in KTX

It's a bullet train, yes, but you won't feel that it is moving while inside it.  Although when you look at the window you can see that it was really moving fast, but everything inside was at still.  What I particularly like was the fact that the KTX is equipped of wifi, so you will not be bored. The experience was like riding a plane. It has foldable table. I was in economy class, that it why, its a bus type. But they also have a special seat. The special seat is more spacious and it's four-seater, two-seats facing each other. It also have a big table in the middle. 

I was really thankful for the wifi since I ran-out of prepaid credits to contact Minhee, who will pick me up at Gwangmyeong. I used my Kakao Talk to call her. I was really excited and exhausted at the same time. I slept after I talked to her but I alarmed my phone so I will not miss my station. I was scheduled to arrive at 8:10PM. 

There are eight (8) stations between Changwon and Gwangmyeong. After every station, people come and go, and my seatmate changed twice. You really need to prepare yourself if you are alighting since I think based on my estimate, you need to alight for three minutes only. So I was ready to meet Minhee and Jimin in Gwangyeong, only to be shocked that the Gwangyeong station was like an airport. I have a hard time looking for Minhee and Jimin since I thought it would be easy as there will be only one (1) exit, but no there are 8 exits, left and right.

Gwangmyeong Station, Korea

Since I have no phone credit, I looked for a phone booth. Luckily, I have a lots of coins. Finally, I contacted Minhee, but since they are on the other side, it still took them a while to find me. But I was ok, the station was very high end, there are LED TV's to entertain you while waiting.

Finally, after three (3) years, Minhee, Jenny and I were reunited! I was picked-up by the whole family of Minhee and I was really flattered. They brought me to restaurants in Incheon where we ate dinner together and afterwards, had some bonding time and enjoyed the nightlife of Incheon.

Over all, the train experience was superb! and the feeling of being lost, weirdly, was my favorite part!

Remember I told you here that Korea is really a country of beauty and fashion? Well in my short stay in Korea, I was influenced to be "vain" in a good way, I learned how to take care of my skin and my face. If you happened to visit the busy streets of Myeondong and Hyewa, you will know why.

When I set my foot in Seoul, I was bombarded with many signage of beauty stores. Bombarded is the term I used because they are really a lot, when I said a lot, you can see it in the train stations and in every streets, left and right. I saw some familiar store which are already here in the Philippines such as Etude House, The Face Shop and Skin Food.

Before I went to Korea, I really don't really give a shit about these beauty products, I don't even know what a bb cream means (insert rolling eyes here :p) until my bff told me that she wants it for a souvenir gift. What made me more curious to these stuffs are both the small lectures on the importance of taking care of your skin by using moisturizers from our liaisons, who happens to be both male, and Ahjumma Yim Ann, the mother of  Miniee, my Korean friend.  So since I'm already in Korea, I indulged myself of these stuffs!

So, in search of the perfect BB Cream for my friend and to avail of moisturizers, I walked the streets of Myeodong and this is what I found! A very big poster of my Korean crush Jang-Geun-Suk!!! (batting eyelashes!)

My friend Miniee bought moisturizers there and she told me that the products in Nature Republic was awesome! However, even though I love Jang Geun Suk, I did not buy yet since I have a lot of stores to check such as once that I've mentioned, Missha endorsed by TVXQ, Tony Moly and Innisfree endorsed by Lee Minho and Yoona of SNSD.

It was in Hyewa that I was able to check all the stores. But I can't help it but to fall in love with the products of Nature Republic! It's a plus factor that their sales person are very accommodating and very helpful to a first timer like me. From among all the stores that I went through in Hyewa, it is only in Nature Republic that I was able to be pampered and treated as a client and not a mere customer. Although I know the sales lady was having a hard time explaining everything in English, she is really trying hard. That is why I bought a lot of products their from moisturizers to spray mist!

And just recently, I was happier when I saw that Nature Republic is already in SM North Edsa here in the Philippines! (Haengboki!)

Why I like Nature Republic? 

Nature Republic carries its brand to be all organic. Just like the seminar that I've attended when I was in Korea, the Nature Republic brand is bringing harmony to Mother Nature and Beauty. Their products are indeed made of organic materials such as Aloe Vera, Mung Bean and a lot more.  I like Nature Republic particularly because its all natural and when you used it you will feel that you are indeed one with the nature. I am not a beauty product user because I have this notion that they are made of chemicals but once you used it you will feel safer and indeed possess a young looking skin naturally. 

I particularly love this moisturizer because it fits the not-so-cool weather here in the Philippines. This was suggested by the kind salesperson that I met in Nature Republic Hyewa branch. I asked her what moisturizer would suit a sunny weather and she suggested this one. It really has a soothing and cooling effect. I used this after I wash every morning and the Nature Republic Aqua during nighttime. 

Nature Republic's Petit Cherry Rouge Lipstick

Me and My Sister

It’s been six (6) months since I traveled to the land of fashion and beauty, KOREA!! I committed that I will really write a good blog about my experience but I've been busy with work, school and burloloy stuff so my entry was far more delayed than usual! Anyway, my visit to Korea was really awesome and life-changing experience (ANSAVEH?!). I fall in love with Korea, with all the busy streets, fashionable and beautiful people, all I can say is, I will definitely go back there the soonest possible! (Chos!) 

Well, my travel to Korea was quite unexpected, but I guess, if it’s meant to be it’s meant to be! I was told by our Executive Director that I will join the delegation to Changwon, Korea to attend the 12th International Association for Educating Cities Congress (IAEC), imagine my surprise!!! I was the last minute participant but my visa was approved first! I really cannot contain my happiness because it was a dream come true to have Korea stamped on my passport first!! 

For the purposes of sharing my travel experiences, I will write three or four blog post; From the congress that I’ve attended in Changwon, to my first bullet train experience and of course to touring different streets in Seoul with my former Korean students Miniee and Jenny.

So let me start with my first out of the country international conference with the 12th International Congress of Educating Cities

More than 2,000 representatives from city councils, national bodies, embassies, and technical staff specialized in the field from more than 40 countries participated in the event. A total of 136 delegates from the Philippines participated in the event which was composed of  city and municipal mayors and officials, the LMP Secretariat and the LCP Secretariat. 

Of special note was the participation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, Mr HwangSik Kim, the Governor of South Gyeongsang, Mr Dukwan Kim and the Mayor of Changwon, Mr Park Wan Su, in the Opening Ceremony of the Congress.

The discussion of Prof. Kim Shin-il was one of my favorite. His discussion focused on the integration of green environment and development. According to him, this can be achieved through harmony between humanity and nature in Urban Planning. 

Another highlight of the event was the cultural showcase from the booth presentations and the cultural nights. I am proud that I was able to assemble the booth for the Philippines. Of course this will not be possible without the help of Kuya Alvin and Kuya Blady. I can proudly say that Philippines had one of the most colorful booths in the conference. 

 Other booths

Cultural Shows

But what was really memorable was the new friendships that we were able to create during the conference. We were lucky because we met very kind Korean people in the persons of Hye Ran Choi, Leslie An and her mother who volunteered for our booth and our very helpful liaison officers Beom Hee Jo and Sungho Lee. If not for them, we have not survive the conference, with our very demanding job doing the ushering of mayors, documenting the event and marketing for the Philippines.  

So there you go! That caps off the conference. For my next entry, I will feature some of the places in Changwon City and my first hand experience of riding a bullet train. Hopefully I'll be able to document my Korea Escapade before the sembreak ends! AJA! :)