November 20, 2020 at 08:01PM

Dear 2020, 

What was all that? 2019 pales in comparison to you. You clearly wanted to be remembered. 

I genuinely hope that the remainder of the year is all about healing, survival, celebration, reconnection and unity. 

Love, 

Me 

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November 20, 2020 at 05:05PM

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November 17, 2020 at 08:11PM

Pusoy pa more! 

How comical dear hubby looked when he tried to prevent the stray ball from hitting me as I sat and arranged my cards. People were actually watching while I was absolutely oblivious to what was happening. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤪 

The ball careened above my head and crashed against the tripod which was recording at that time. Lucky capture I guess, and lucky miss too, though I didn't win in any of the card games. 

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November 17, 2020 at 06:14PM

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November 12, 2020 at 08:01PM

To make sense of things running through my head, I resorted to reading some articles. 

Clearly there are different viewpoints about things. Some validated my thoughts and some pulled me in a different direction altogether. 

Ultimately, it made me realize that my daily “hurdle” is also a daily reminder of how blessed I truly am. 

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November 12, 2020 at 07:57PM

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November 11, 2020 at 08:00PM

Sandra Tsing Loh once said, "I am a member of the 'sandwich' generation, that group that must simultaneously care for elderly parents and support children." I, too, find myself in this sitch. Since 2016 to be exact...

Thus, it is inevitable that the stress of dealing with competing priorities gets the better of me. Add to that the effects of dwindling hormones, then boom! Insanity. 

So on this one day in a year, I decided to spend with dear hubby, away from everyone. I felt I needed the breathing space badly, so I single-handedly booked us for a stay in a villa by the sea. And I must say, that was one glorious and happy escape. 

Crimson Resort 

October 2020 

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November 09, 2020 at 09:19AM

Then 🍽 🍌🥚🍞💊🚿☺️ via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/CHWfC74gk-P/

November 07, 2020 at 08:02PM

Hoping and praying for better normal 

💦☀️🌴🍃 

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November 07, 2020 at 07:44PM

🤔☺️ via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/CHSc7DnAlR4/

November 06, 2020 at 08:05PM

53 years and 1 week... 

Showing off the laugh lines that helped me get through tough times, the wrinkles that were borne out of empathy for others, and everything in between. 

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November 06, 2020 at 07:50PM

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October 31, 2020 at 08:01PM

On the 30th day of the 10th month, a queen in the Pearl of the Orient Seas was born. It was the 303rd day and 44th Monday of the year in the Gregorian calendar. The queen just turned 53. 

Those are fun facts, but just kidding about the queen. 😁 

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October 30, 2020 at 06:01PM

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October 28, 2020 at 08:01PM

For some people, wanderlust stops when the kids come along. I agree that it could be daunting to tow little ones around unfamiliar places. 

For our family, the idea of taking the brood was intimidating at first: expenses, logistics etc... However, over the years, we have accepted that there will be mishaps and mistakes along the way. And there are many of those little annoyances, believe me. Lol. But we look forward to the far bigger bunch of good stuff that will happen as well. ♥️ 

Mt. Titlis, Swiss Alps 

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October 28, 2020 at 07:38PM

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October 27, 2020 at 08:01PM

Missing our brunches ♥️ 

This photo from 2016 appeared in my FB memories. Looking back to the time our school kids were much younger and our schedules were easier to manage. ☺️ 

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October 26, 2020 at 08:00PM

Virtually travelling to Cebu's South Sandbar which we visited with family and friends last May 15, 2016. 

It was memorable for how pristine and unexploited it looked, how overjoyed everyone was while paddleboarding and swimming, and how the boat ride back to the city triggered one of my worst panic attacks. 😣🤣 

South Sandbar, I remember that day very strikingly.

October 23, 2020 at 08:02PM

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Lisieux 2018 "Even now I know it: yes, all my hopes will be fulfilled... yes... the Lord will work wonders for me which will surpass infinitely my immeasurable desires."- St. Therese In a world full of uncertainty and despair, the great virtue of hope keeps us afloat, while we hold on to the promise that things will be better.

A post shared by Linnor 🇵🇭 (@linnor) on Oct 23, 2020 at 5:02am PDT

via IFTTT Lisieux 2018 

"Even now I know it: yes, all my hopes will be fulfilled... yes... the Lord will work wonders for me which will surpass infinitely my immeasurable desires."- St. Therese 

In a world full of uncertainty and despair, the great virtue of hope keeps us afloat, while we hold on to the promise that things will be better.

October 20, 2020 at 08:00PM

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The trill of birds, the dazzling colors of a rainbow and a placid Sun Moon Lake during an afternoon stroll... What could be more tranquil than that?

A post shared by Linnor 🇵🇭 (@linnor) on Oct 20, 2020 at 5:00am PDT

via IFTTT 

The trill of birds, the dazzling colors of a rainbow and a placid Sun Moon Lake during an afternoon stroll... What could be more tranquil than that?

October 19, 2020 at 08:03PM

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Unedited clips from the archives

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via IFTTT Unedited clips from the archives

October 18, 2020 at 08:01PM

2020-10-18 This year looks a lot different from what we are used to. 

And seven months into the lockdown, restrictions are easing up a bit. Is it a good thing? I'm not really sure. Too many thoughts running... 

Meanwhile, here we are after the 32nd livestreamed Sunday Mass we attended. 

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October 17, 2020 at 08:04PM

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The boys

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via IFTTT The boys

2020-1010 Last Saturday's alfresco afternoon tryst happened more than 8 months after the last one. 

This time, ubiquitous bottles of hand sanitizers were on the table.  Masks were off only when eating, drinking and when taking photos.  There were no cheek kisses, no hugs, no high-fives or fist bumps. 

What used to be friendly gestures were missing, but the banter and muffled laughter through our masked faces more than made up for the lack.

A lot have changed since that Sinulog religious procession we all participated in last January.  Though we miss the old ways, we are settling into this new normal, whatever form it may take.

October 10, 2020 at 08:02PM

Posting this from 2018 because of #EmilyInParis 

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October 03, 2020 at 08:02PM

It may seem like our lives have now returned to some semblance of normalcy, but far from it. 

In reality, there were only about 3 other groups more than a meter away from us. Masked diners waited for food to be served. One family wiped down their tables and chairs. 

The way people were being cautious quieted my anxiety a bit as I sprayed alcohol all over my unopened can of juice... 

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October 02, 2020 at 08:01PM

Late this afternoon up in the mountains of Cebu, 30 minutes away from home. 

Too many things to prep for these days before stepping out of the house: quarantine passes, masks, shields, alcohol spray bottles, wet wipes or hand sanitizers, own pen for filling up health sheets. 

Missing the time when we would just up and go spontaneously without any thought. 

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October 02, 2020 at 10:10AM

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Before and after DIY. Not perfectly done but I feel accomplished nonetheless. Sept 16, I trimmed my long tresses. Oct 1, I colored my grays. 💁🏻‍♀️

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via IFTTT Before and after. Not perfectly done but I feel accomplished nonetheless. Sept 16, I trimmed my long tresses. Oct 1, I colored my grays. 💁🏻‍♀️

September 27, 2020 at 08:03PM

A new month in a few days... 

Things have changed beyond what we were used to and we are all adapting. Though we have lost some degree of control over our lives, I think there are some good stuff that have (and will) come out from all this modification in the way we live: new habits, new hobbies, more healthy lifestyle, less consumerism, more introspection... 

For now let's stay healthy and safe. Let's stay calm and stay sane, while we ponder on what life will be like after this. 

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September 25, 2020 at 08:07PM

The mask is only required upon entering the resort and while filling up the health questionnaire. 

I was just being extra. 😷 

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September 23, 2020 at 07:01PM

Happy to beach here ☺️. 

This was two weeks ago. I pray for the day when our extended family can visit again. 

For now we abide by the rules that only those with quarantine passes are allowed to go out and cross city borders. 

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September 22, 2020

HAPPY 82nd BIRTHDAY, MA!!!

May God bless you with more birthdays to celebrate with us. We love you.

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September 20, 2020 at 08:03PM

We picked our piping hot calamari with our alcohol-sprayed fingers, the same way we ate the fries that came with it. And both bottles of beer that Jerry consumed, also passed through additional disinfection. 

I'm sure the resort already did their health protocols but new normal is being extra cautious about exposure. 

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September 19, 2020 at 08:04PM

Relishing the beach weather away from other resort guests 😌 via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/CFUUU1ygUaL/

September 18, 2020 at 08:09PM

While smiling for the camera here, we were a mixed bag of emotions: happy to be out in the sun and breathing the sea breeze, but there was that feeling of unease; prepared, yet we wondered if our safeguards were enough. 

In front of us were very few people lounging, some were in the water and two ladies were on a banana boat. Everything seemed normal. However, lifeguards and guests with masks were proof that everything was far from the old normal we were used to. 

Even though it is safe outdoors versus enclosed places, and there is much more space to be 6 feet apart, we still couldn't let our guards down... 

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September 16, 2020 at 08:00PM

It has been raining lately and most days have been overcast. However, we were fortunate to have a nice, bright and breezy day last week. Perfect for the work holiday too! 

So after months of being cooped up at home except for essential errands, we dared to venture out. Armed with our quarantine passes, masks and shields, we drove to our destination 18 km away. 

Finally! ☀️🌊🌴 

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September 15, 2020 at 08:08PM

2020-09-15 This wasn't really an attraction but I felt it was a nice spot for a shot while waiting for my brother to take us around Boston Common and Public Garden. 

I could hardly recall what exactly happened, but this photo reminds me of that time when confusion ensued because we couldn't find him and he was frantically searching for us too. 

Funny how photos bring back memories like that. I am shaking my head and grinning in amusement now. ♥️ 

Boston 

May 2014 

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September 14, 2020 at 08:00PM

2020-09-14 Friends tell me they cannot imagine themselves packing so much sightseeing in a short span of time. For peso-pinching travelers like my family, it is how we make the most of our budget for five.

This photo, for example, was taken at Solvang where we had lunch. When we traveled from Anaheim to San Francisco, instead of renting a self-drive vehicle, we opted to take a tour bus which had stops at Santa Barbara and Solvang. 

It was a better option for we didn't have to take turns at the wheel for the long drive or risk getting lost. We just slept on the road, then explored the places and took photos in every stop. It was fun, I highly recommend it. Caveat, read user reviews to be sure. 

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September 13, 2020 at 08:04PM

2020-09-13 Isn't a mom always the biggest fan of her youngsters? There may be times when things are not a-okay, when tempers flare up or when views clash but never will I ever be not thankful for and proud of these three ♥️. 

Banff, May 2017 

#sundaythoughts #reminiscing 

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September 12, 2020 at 08:03PM

2020-09-12 The sons while playing frisbee on a cold spring day on a beach in Orleans, Cape Cod (May 2, 2014). #reminiscing via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/CFCSjHRAT1S/

September 11, 2020 at 08:09PM

2020-09-11 We didn't mind exploring Ayutthaya on a sweltering day (2016). via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/CE_ud50gvS6/

September 10, 2020 at 08:01PM

2020-09-10 Osmeña Day holiday in 2016 fell on a Friday. Thanks to the long weekend and fare discounts, hubby and I thought it a good time to go on a short trip to Thailand. 

It was hubby's third, the eldest son's second and the first time for me and the other sons. Of the few days we had, 1 day was spent exploring the ruins of Ayutthaya. 

In this photo, the sons are dwarfed by the remains of the Grand Palace. 

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September 09, 2020 at 08:02PM

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2020-09-09 Dance with the waves, move with the sea. Let the rhythm of the water set your soul free. -Christy Ann Martine

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via IFTTT 2020-09-09 Dance with the waves, move with the sea. Let the rhythm of the water set your soul free. -Christy Ann Martine

September 08, 2020 at 08:09PM

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2020-09-08 Subway scene... when one of us is always extra. 😂

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via IFTTT 2020-09-08 Subway scene... when one of us is always extra. 😂

September 07, 2020 at 08:02PM

2020-09-07 Channeling Tokyo and Rio in bunny suits on our way to get our torta fix, but instead of Salvador Dali masks, we have acrylic face shields. 

#heist #lacasadepapel 

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September 06, 2020 at 08:01PM

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2020-09-06 Solo travel is not really my thing. I get overwhelmed being in an unfamiliar place with strangers. So I'm happiest when sightseeing with family, relatives or friends. This was two years ago on a short cruise on Sun Moon Lake with my family and my in-laws.

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via IFTTT 2020-09-06 Solo travel is not really my thing. I get overwhelmed being in an unfamiliar place with strangers. So I'm happiest when sightseeing with family, relatives or friends. This was two years ago on a short cruise on Sun Moon Lake with my family and my in-laws.

September 05, 2020 at 08:06PM

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2020-09 When she's in town for a few days, we usually go and see new places. This was one of those times when we went to the newly opened Michel's Garden in Carmen, Cebu. Soon when the quarantine rules are eased up, it would be nice to drive back and visit again.

A post shared by Linnor 🇵🇭 (@linnor) on Sep 5, 2020 at 5:06am PDT

via IFTTT 2020-09 When she's in town for a few days, we usually go and see new places. This was one of those times when we went to the newly opened Michel's Garden in Carmen, Cebu. Soon when the quarantine rules are eased up, it would be nice to drive back and visit again.