Prewedding Shoot

I don't want to sound defensive, but I want to explain why we ended up having this type of photo shoot just because I know that to some people, it's a bit "grand".

To start off, we didn't pay much for this shoot. Had we rented a condo unit (which I had intended when I thought renting out a yacht would be too expensive), or a public place, we would probably end up paying the same. We had a pretty good deal from a friend so we decided to push through with it! Lucky, I know! 

Years ago when we just started dating, Rab said, "when we get married someday, I'd like to have our prenuptial shoot at a yacht because it's somehow aligned to my line of work, and I also dream of having one someday. If ever I don't get to own one, I'd have those photos to look at when I'm old." It was nice to hear that from him at that stage because at least I knew I wouldn't be wasting time and emotions for him; and he was thinking about marrying me. Anyway, months before I actually had the courage to ask my friend, I was looking at different yachts for rent and they were all too expensive. I already told Rab that I think we had to go to plan b which is to rent a condo unit. As mentioned above, well, we went with the original plan.

We're not really morning people therefore we really hate waking up early. It wasn't necessarily hard to pick a date, but it wasn't easy either. I had to make sure everyone would be available: the makeup artist (a good friend), hairstylist, photo & video team, the yacht, stylist (a best friend), my dad or our driver (to drive the PV team), and of course, the groom to be. We woke up really early that day since we had to travel from Manila to Subic and start at 12NN to get good shots.

When we started, both me and Rab were very awkward because we're not really used to being subjects for a shoot! Especially me! I'm used to being the one behind the camera. But the Digital Elements team was so good we somehow didn't get lost doing poses. BIG THANKS to our HMUA as well for making us feel confident about ourselves and of course our stylist for making us look fab! Another big big big thanks to my dad who drove the team. 

I didn't think it would be that tiring but oh my gosh. There was a part of the shoot where we had to lie down and close our eyes as the PV team was doing the drone shots. I fell asleep! Lol! At the end of the day, I knew that it was a success and I WILL NOT HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY. I love that we didn't go for plan b, and I love that we have these fab photos to look at for the rest of our lives.

Special thanks to:

Digital Elements

Makeup by Iya Gueco

Hair by Renzo Lusterio

Styling by Nikki Sapo

Here are some of the great photos:

Of course I had to include my dad!

Feeling all the love at my Bachelorette Party!

I have a lot of friends but there are a few I keep close to me. Though we were incomplete that night, I had the best time! I, once again, welcomed an old friend named Jose.

My bride squad surprised me with this party in Antipolo. My maid of honor, Nix, knows I sort of (and really, just a little bit) want to have a bachelorette party in Bali, but we both knew that would be too hard to pull off since I have 3 invitees that are overseas and will be coming only a few days before the wedding and I didn't want them to not be present. I also showed her this villa I saw which is located in Bataan but it was booked already. Anyway, this place was great and it served the purpose!

We're all adults here, yes? Though you'll see a huge di** cake, my bachelorette was rather conservative. No strippers. Lol! But Nix prepared several games which were so fun and dirty at the same time! We didn't need strippers!

I don't think I ate. Maybe I did. I don't know. Right now, all I can remember is the tequila and my girls. There were a lot of dancing and good conversations. Sums up to a perfect bridal shower. I never imagined I'd have my favorite girls in one place. 

Once again, I'd like to thank all of you for making this possible and for making me very happy! I love you all!

2019 Highlights

Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm all about our wedding. But answer this, if you were in my shoes, wouldn't you be?

#tinadhanakayrab

There are a lot of things that will run through your head during your preps. 99% of them don't really matter. People often forget what matters most. I'm glad I'm a last minute girl and that I didn't really focus on the glitz and glam of the wedding. (Don't get me wrong, I know our ceremony and reception looks glamorous.) I've received a lot of compliments during the wedding - our ceiling was beautiful, the principal tables were glamorous, yada yada yada.

Playing with my Room

After Rab and I repainted my room clean white, I told myself that that's the most I would do apart from keeping tidy. I said I wanted to maintain the minimalism. But who was I kidding?

2018 Highlights

Along with several highlights of my 2018, first of all, I would like to jot down the things I learned the whole year.

My Harry Potter Engagement ⌁☍

December 28, 2018

Purple Owl, Tagaytay City
No, I didn't have any idea.
Yes, I was surprised up to my very core.
My inner goddess was screaming and jumping the whole time.

P!ATD Pray for the Wicked Tour MNL

Thou shalt repent in Manila, Philippines
10:20

On Being Domesticated

do·mes·ti·cated

/dəˈmestəˌkādəd/

adjective

Nuvali Day

Nuvali will now be a part of our lives. This is my brother's house, and since it's located down South, it seems impossible for him to live in it (for now). There are no concrete plans on wether he will migrate to Nuvali, but it's still a possibility.

Since he has a house there, we obviously have to come there once in a while. Rab and I enjoy long drives together and we enjoy coming to Nuvali because we can easily go to Tagaytay, or simply chill there. Nuvali is a lovely place. The Ayala malls and properties are a delight to stay at. That part of Laguna doesn't have much traffic, and I feel very very safe.

This particular house visit was a cut above the rest because Rodney and Ojela were there. I never imagined they'd agree to come, so I really enjoyed this day.

We left Manila at around 3AM to avoid the Manila traffic. We arrived in his village at around 7-8 in the morning, and then left for Solenad at around 9AM.

Conversations, food, laughter, and love - these made the tiring day very worth it. We got back to our house in Quezon City at around 6PM, and we were all dead tired. We all crashed in our living room. We all woke up around midnight and decided to have pares and sisig along Commonwealth. Unfortunately, I only have a few photos but to me, these are enough for me to remember this special day.

Seven Months Into 2018

I was feeling a bit emotional for the past few days and that's why I decided to open my blog, read my 2018 posts and remind me of how positive I was at the start of the year. After reading, I suddenly realized why I'm here on this platform - I'm here because of me. I'm here because I want to remember how I felt, how I was, or how I want to be. It just so happens that I get to share it with you too.

Fourth Time's A Charm

Upon my second visit to this wonderful country of Hong Kong, I told myself that this is a country I'd go back to over and over again. There's just nothing to hate. It doesn't require a visa, and air fare won't shoot up too high because it's not very far from the Philippines. Other than that, I will never get tired of their food. I love eating at Chinese restaurants here in the Philippines. There's no surprise that I enjoy everything I eat when I'm in Hong Kong.

Tyler's Cafe

Part of quite a long list of resolutions, I've decided to visit cafes I haven't. Home brewed coffee and Starbucks may still be my go-to coffee shop when heading somewhere, but I'll be searching for a new cafe to work at or stay the whole day.

I'm Not A Morning Person

Is there really such a thing? A morning person?

Keep On Improving

Just like most people, I want to have a list of things that I want to improve, change, or remove.

Over the past years, I know I have improved a lot. There are still a lot more to improve, and of course I wanna work on them the soonest. Change is constant, but it doesn't happen overnight. With this list I am creating for myself, I'm hoping I get to be reminded every once in a while.

With that, here's a list of shallow things I want to work on this year:

I want to take more pictures using my DSLR. Doing so, I hope I won't end up using my mirrorless camera less. I can picture short trips where I have both of them with me. Last year, the only time I used it was during New Year's Eve. Yes, I know, sayang. I want to use it more because I know it's a good camera and it can bring me back to the hobby I have not touched for a long time. I plan to have a 2018 Photo Book and I intend to put not only memories but also a bit of art.

I want to revive OPM. I know only a few new artists and that breaks my heart. Filipino musicians are good, and correct me if I'm wrong, more often than not, these artists are much more appreciated abroad. They're more appreciated by foreigners, not their kabayans. Admittedly, we have this impression that OPM is baduy. Some people would even say that if there are some Pinoy artists who do R&B, it's jologs and trying hard. I'm not a crowd, but I want to go back to appreciating OPM and be proud of it.

I want to learn how not to stress over the little things. I am not ashamed to admit that I am an overthinker. There are nights (like tonight) where I can't sleep just because there are too many things happening inside my head. Most of the time, I don't even know what they are. On the other hand, I get stressed so easily, I cry on the spot. I have had so much stress at work for the past few months and I just lost it. Whenever there is a problem, big or small, I don't have time to deliberate. I just..well, get mad, cry, or walk out. When Rab or my friends have finally placated me, that's the only time I approach the problem in the right manner. I don't want that anymore. I wanna learn how to differentiate the big and small things and I want to learn how to just let the small things go.

I want to finally accept the things I cannot change. This can be about friendship, work, relationship, family, anything under the sun. I am very sensitive and when it comes to people I used to be a

7 Days Into 2018

Every new year, do we really expect things to magically turn better? Or magically change?

Welcoming 2018

Happy New Year!

Twenty Seven at Twenty Seventeen

Wow, that was quick.

Girls Down South

My friend Nicole and I have been planning to go to the South since last year. Thankfully, I had to do do some things at my condo (in Makati) so we finally had the chance visit Sunnies Cafe.

Bohol, 2016 Pt. II

I'm probably a very annoying companion when you're traveling with me and there'd be a tourist guide saying boring things about history. Okay, so I'm not into history that much. What surprised me is that my boyfriend was listening intently and was actually enjoying the "lecture". I should have listened and made a pop quiz just to test him. Lol!