“Nakakapagod na.” She continued lamenting while still dragging her feet, pushing forward, hoping to not get swept by the bus. Through our short interaction, I learned that she’s from Subic and that she purposely came to Cebu to join the Cebu City Marathon. Oh, the lengths we go to for the things that keep us sane.
I’ve followed by heart, and it led me to Mt. Pandadagsaan—to trails only heard on tales, to experiences I’ll keep for life, and to people who were so generous with their time, heart, and effort. They say it takes a village to raise a child, I say it takes a whole running community to complete a marathon, most particularly if it is a road-to-trail kind of event.
For some reason, the meaning of ‘fun’ has now evolved into a pretty much messy definition. From what used to be a chill hike – to temporarily escape the strains of mundane life – now we’re pressured with time, endless assaults, unforgiving downhells, and intense mental battles.
This blog wouldn’t last this long without you in the picture. My heart is forever grateful.
Still feels like a bad dream – except that you’re no longer waking up.
The shortest distance between two points may be a straight line. But I guess there are certain views that can only be appreciated when we take detours. There are lessons that make more sense when we opt for the rough road. And there are presents that can’t be otherwise enjoyed unless we follow the longer route.
A remake of the 2004 movie, ‘Mr. Hong’, Hometown Cha-cha-cha features the story of the dentist Yoon Hye-Jin (Shin Min-A) who moved to the seaside village of Gongjin where she meets the literal jack of all trades, Hong Du-Sik (Kim Sun-Ho). The 16-episode series follows a very simple plot – one that we never thought we need in these daunting times of uncertainty.
There’s wisdom in watching once again the series that you so love in your childhood. The lessons you’ll learned keep on changing and the impressions you’ll have varies on your experiences. As Robertson Davies puts it: a truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity, and once more in old age, as a fine building should be seen by morning light, at noon, and by moonlight.
Beyond relationship status, I guess we have to learn to make better relationships with the people around us and of those whom we encounter. I’m happy to have spent my vacation with fellow volunteers who rendered their time and energy debunking misconceptions, assisting and pacifying patients, and providing a little ray of light in this time of the pandemic.
Watching Haikyu!! brought back those years. The crazy energy. The drive. The willingness to practice. The team. So nostalgic. It was the answer to Kei Tsukishima’s question on the first season of the series: if it was just a club activity, why spend so much energy and put your heart into it?
Dakilanglaagan 