My Top 3 Favorite Face Masks

Since a Face Mask is now a necessity, I'm sharing my top 3 favorite face masks based on comfort, security (how safe it is), and most especially price. I cannot afford those really expensive masks reviewed by YouTubers so I decided to share mine as well. 

Christopher Plummer and Edelweiss

Christopher Plummer passed away 2 days ago at the age of 91. He played so many characters, but I will always remember him as Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music movie opposite Julie Andrews.

Though it wasn't his voice that everyone heard in the movie, his performance of Edelweiss will always be an iconic moment in cinematic history.

Here's my simple tribute to Mr. Plummer.

Camera Comparison (Samsung A30 vs Realme 6)

All the vids and pics I've posted the past 1.9 months were taken by my Samsung A30 phone. Now that the phone is showing some signs of the wear and tear that it has endured, I decided to buy a new phone. I have been reading and watching reviews for months so I knew all along what phone I would be getting, and that's the Realme 6.

Although my A30 is a year plus older than the 6, both look very similar, and so far, they also are performing similarly. Since I use the camera most of the time for my vlogs, and everyday random shots, I decided to make a camera comparison for both phones. My Samsung phone has a 16 megapixel main shooter, while the Realme has a 12 megapixel main shooter - and you have the option to use the 64 megapixel cam, too. For this comparison, I used just the 12mp in the Realme 6.

Which phone do you think has the better main camera? 

Katrina Alyssa Turns 18 | Debut in the New Normal

Ever since she was small, my daughter has always been the type of person who never demands for anything. She rarely asks for something that's not necessary, because we've always educated her about how difficult it is to look for money yet so easy to spend it.

For her 18th birthday, she never asked for a debut. She just wanted a big cake and to wear a gown. We, on the other hand, were planning to give her a simple debut with just a few of the closest people to us.

Then the pandemic happened.

Everything was cancelled.

The world stopped.

Our plans then changed. We made different backup plans so we'll be ready on what to do depending on what Community Quarantine Status we'll be in.

Since we're under the Modified General Community Quarantine this month, we went through with one of our plans.

We had an intimate family dinner at an exclusive room at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, but with a big beautiful cake, and pictorials of the beautiful debutante in her beautiful gown. We had an impromptu program with surprise video greetings from family and friends. Simply said, we gave her a virtual debut. Aside from the debutante and her parents, the only other attendees were my parents who we live with. 

I'll be sharing the details in my next blog. 

In the meantime, here are a couple of videos from that memorable evening.

My Letter for My Daughter as She Turns 18

Today, my daughter turns 18. 

I made this letter a year ago, and I posted this here in my blog on September 24, 2020 scheduling it to be posted on January 6, 2021.

Whether or not I'm still around today as she turns 18, I hope she gets to read this letter.

I love you, Katrina Alyssa! 

Dear Katrina,

Today, you turn 18 years old. You have reached a major pinnacle in your life, but it has only just begun. I eagerly wait with anticipation to see what your life has in store for you. Of all the things I am capable of giving you today, I feel my words are the most valuable.

These are exciting times for you.

Finishing high school, going to college, starting a career, moving out on your own..? Paying your own bills, dating, marriage, having kids. The possibilities are endless. But, I’m not going to lie. A lot of times, life is going to get rough. That's for sure.

However, it’s all in how you handle the stress of life that determines whether or not you will succeed. Having a negative attitude towards the stress and being pessimistic will not, I promise you, resolve anything. Taking deep breaths, keeping an optimistic attitude and developing a character that doesn’t quit will take you much further in life than anyone tells you.

I can still remember 18 years ago, on the day that you were born. You were a very beautiful baby who looked like a troll doll. From that moment on, my life evolved around you. There was nothing I wouldn’t do to keep you safe.

When I look at you, I see my own eyes looking back at me. They are thoughtful, ambitious, spontaneous and quick to find the good in others. I can only hope you learn to find the good in yourself. 

People will disappoint you. It’s in our nature. It’s the ones who disappoint you, own up to it, apologize and never do it again that are worth keeping around. At the same time, be careful with whom you choose to associate and don’t be so naïve to believe that you can trust just anyone. 

Make others prove their worthiness to be trusted as anyone of sound mind will ask of you.

Be someone people can rely on, but don’t allow yourself to be taken advantage of either. Stand up for yourself and for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

Love yourself and don’t allow anyone to make you feel less of a person through their words or actions. You, and you alone, are in control of your emotions and well-being. By allowing someone else to taint your self-worth, you give them power over you.

Choose your battles. Life is too short to be arguing with someone all the time about everything. This goes for friends and family as well as any future romantic relationships.

Be empathetic and put yourself in the other person’s shoes, and try to see things from their perspective. 

A smile at the right time will always go a long way.

When you find the love of your life and eventually get married, …
I’ll skip that part and reserve it for your wedding day..
40 years and 2 days from now.

Speaking of love, don't settle. Marry that special person, and he should make you laugh. Whatever you do, don’t allow him to place you on a pedestal to be worshipped, because when valuables fall, they break. Make sure he sees you as an equal and is willing to walk beside you and not force you to walk behind him nor in front of him. 

If it feels wrong, don’t do it. If you know it’s wrong, don’t go along with it.

Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up. Yes, you’re now officially an adult, but that definition goes far beyond just being a number. Being an adult means being responsible with all aspects of your life. There is plenty of time to move out and live on your own. Other than your current job after school, your only other job for the next few years should be discovering who you are as a person, going to school, and learning from the mistakes of the adults around you - your mama and I included. There are many of us who came before you that have made plenty of mistakes. Don’t make the same ones just because you want to be treated as an adult.

Think long-term and not short-term. The mistakes you make now can haunt you forever. You don’t want to live with that kind of guilt.

Ask for advice. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help is NOT a sign of weakness… instead, it is a sign of maturity that shows you know the depth of your limitations.

If someone gives you constructive criticism, don’t assume they’re being critical. Take it for what it is and smile. It may be the best advice you ever receive.

Above all else, remember that you are loved.

Though having birthday parties has never been a thing in our family, we are celebrating today because today is a huge milestone in your life. You may not have a big extended family to celebrate with you, but you can be assured that right now, you are surrounded by people who would each give their own lives to protect you and keep you safe. None of us want to see you fall, fail or get hurt. Your family is forever with you. 

Follow your dreams. Never give up on something you desperately want. Ever.
Don’t make the same mistakes I’ve made in my life.
You are my first-born. You are my only daughter.

You are my love and all things good in my heart. When you hurt, I hurt. When you have joy, I have joy.

Happy birthday,  baby.
Your mama and I.
We love you forever.

Visting Our Barkada's Grave

Last July, one of my closest friends since high school passed away due to complications from COVID. He was buried the next day with us watching through Zoom. It was very sad and very damn painful for us.

Every end of the year, our high school barkada always meet up for our annual catch-up. This year, since Charles will no longer be with us in our catch-up, we made sure to visit him for the first time at his final (physical) resting place. His wife and 2 kids were our guide. It was bittersweet for all of us.

Rest in peace, Charles.

We will never forget you.

Ever.

Thinking Out Loud - December 30, 2020

As a new year approaches, let us reflect on the habits and attitudes that are toxic for us and for everyone around us, and are better off left in the past. One is always looking at the negative side of things. For example, instead of punishing your child for having 20 mistakes in the test, why don't you focus instead on the 80 correct answers? Instead of being envious with someone because he has something you don't have, why don't you focus instead on what you have that he doesn't?

We as human beings have the tendency to almost always focus on the negative. Let's be aware of that, and difficult as it may sound, let's try our best to change that. Not for others, but for ourselves. Often times we get sick not because of what we eat, but because of what is eating us. We grumble about having too much work or having low pays while others don’t even have. We complain about waking up early while others don’t even have a reason to live. We grouse about gaining weight while others don’t even have food on their tables. Everyday, the Lord fills our lives with so much goodness. All we need to do is open our eyes and give thanks for each of them.

Stay positive in life, and negative with negativity.

Breaking Down

From college until I was in my late 20s, I would only sleep for a couple of hours a day because I thought that sleep was a waste of time. I'd rather do things to make myself productive. My mantra was, "I'll have plenty of time to sleep when I'm dead".

From my early 30s to the present (I just turned 40), my body has been asking for the rest and recharge that I deprived it of for many years.

Since the quarantines started in our city in March 2020, I have been doing most chores at home including the heavy ones because my father is already getting older and weaker. That took a toll on my body more.

Now a lot of my body parts don't feel right, and I have this feeling that my body is slowly breaking down. As we say it in our language, "Naningil na ang lawas."

I hope nothing serious will happen anytime soon because I don't have plans of telling my family. Too many problems especially with budget and all.

Jesus, take the wheel.

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas, everyone! 

Thank You, April Boy Regino

I was never a big fan of him, but as a music lover and as an artist, I had sooooo much respect and appreciation for him because of his music, and because of the genuine happiness he brought to soooo many people. As an artist, I do music to express myself and because it makes me happy doing it. If what I do makes people happy, that's a big plus. April Boy made a difference in the lives of people, and I'm sure his music will forever live on.

Thank you, April Boy Regino, for your music, for your heart, and for the happiness you brought to millions of Filipinos.