My Escape Route

Saturday, May 07, 2022

UAAP S84 . Basketball then #PASAYisPINK

April 23 2022

Half of the games during 1st round of UAAP S84 Men’s Basketball didn’t have the 6th man for the reason that the players are in bubble. Until April 5th when they welcomed the 6th man into the scene and if you are not a fan you will never know how exited we are when it was announced. Schedule of the game for the 1st round was released in full maybe a week before the first game day.

We did got April 9 which was a Saturday that’s why we are able to finally watched live again and that was the last game day for the 1st round. After the last game of April 9, 2nd round schedule was released as well and April 23 is the only date that we can watch once again since it’s a Saturday and that is the only game that we are scheduled for 7pm game. I’m loving that 7pm game time not until it is hard to look for a restaurant to eat after the game and the late night commute.

Holy week weekend is already set for the Brobabes (April 16).

April 9 - I haven’t seen my friends for so long and we haven’t had that “politics” talk on our chat that I wonder who are their rooting for except for Lhea who’s been very vocal on Twitter and I do RT’s political stuff too so if you see it, you already know.

While we are catching up that afternoon, I was so hesitant to ask Gem who she’s supporting and I’m glad that we are in the same side that they are just silent because of work.

It was a relief to be honest then we were able to talk about it during that late dinner with Kit and we encourage him to vote as well.

So glad that I proved that we are all on the same side.

April 15 - Someone posted that the rally of VP Leni will be in Macapagal on April 23rd and it is already final.

I asked Gem if we will go straight to the rally after since we are already in the area. I was just worried that it will end up early since our game will be by 7pm and most likely to finish by 9pm.

April 16 - Brobabes in Tagaytay and we were able to talk about it until we separate ways the next day.

April 23 - Just like when I woke up that morning of April 9, that day just need to happen for me to tell this story.

Left the house a little early but the way to MRT is way too long, traffic is so bad!

When we arrived at MRT Shaw, there are already people who are wearing pink that they’re on their way already to Macapagal.

I can’t explain to you what I felt that time. I didn’t attend on some rallies nearby for some reason and I just can’t believe that we will be able to finally attend one.

UAAP - Tickets now are divided to 2 games and since our game will be at 7pm, we can enter MOA Arena by 3pm after the morning games.

Dap and I ate lunch and while we are roaming around MOA mostly people are wearing pink. Some parked at MOA so they will be really in the mall.

There is a different feeling when you are surrounded by fellow kakampink.

Gem and I already planned to wear pink during game since some are already doing it and the game before ours will be UP vs DLSU.

When she arrived in MOA Arena, she’s almost teary eyed with what she witnessed on the way to MOA. Thankful for Joyride, she arrived on time as well.

We entered MOA Arena, change our shirt to pink and good thing we didn’t wear it first since it was also so hot that day. We both commute so extra shirts are a must sometimes.

We made it to the game during half time and we are surrounded with people who you will never know who they are supporting because mostly are wearing pink. You will just identify them when they started cheering. We cheered for UP, of course and UP won.

Our game will be with UE and even at some point we already know what will be the result of that game, we still watched since we don’t know when we will be able to watch live again since we might not be able to make it to Final 4. We are also free so why not and since the schedule was released early, we can make a way to free the said date which are also weekend.

FEU won against UE .

There are only few people watching that game and upon the end of the game, someone approached us if she can interview us and I will be gladly to refuse but Gem said yes. Haha

She said that it will just be a short one where it will be shown on the halftime for the next game of FEU. It was just an introduced yourself, what school you’re supporting, when did you became a fan, why do you watch live and message to the players.

I waited for it on the said game and it was a short one and nothing to be ashamed of. So far no one mentioned that they saw me on TV and it was an early game so who really watches that. HAHA

Our game ended early like before 9pm and after the game we went straight to Macapagal.

PASAY IS PINK - I was really worried that it will end up early and we will not be able to hear VP speak but we made it. YAY!

We are not really there the whole day unlike all those people but I think it is safe to say that I belong to that 400,000++ people who came that day.

I was hesitant to really attend one rally before this since if I will be there I want to finish the whole thing and I don’t know anyone that is willing to do that. I can’t trust myself to be on the venue as well as early as you needed to be just to be in front. I worry that I will not make it throughout the day since my bladder and the weather might betrayed me. I don’t even know anyone before that is very game to stay until it is over.

I worry a lot when rallies are starting, there is this anxiety in me that I really can’t explain as well. Sometimes I prepare myself if I will be attending one like what to bring and what to wear just in case I change my mind.

It was just a perfect timing when Pasay was schedule on the same day that we will be watching a basketball game.

I didn’t tell anybody until we got there because the real agenda for that day was UAAP game.

UAAP first then Pasay rally.

I’m so glad that even there are few screen at the back as well as the audio was a little messed up, we were able to listen to VP live. That we are able to catch up even for an hour or so since I’m also hopeful that it will get extended since there are lots of artist who will perform or talk and it’s a special day because it is also the birthday of VP Leni.

Politics is one thing that I don’t want to post in this blog but I’m giving this one an exception. I’m still battling myself if I will post anything about it or not.

After the rally, we waited for Gem’s friends and we look for a place to eat and after that I don’t really worry that we will not be able to get home since buses are always available not until I realized that it was already 1am and MOA closed hours ago.

We’re stranded in Macapagal for some time. We tried booking a car via app but nothing. No buses as well. Last source was Facebook and we decided to sleep at Gem’s and just go home the next day.

It was a very tiring day.

It is easy to complain but I enjoyed it somehow.

It was a new experience after being locked up at home for years.

I’m also glad that I was able to attend a rally.

Thursday, May 05, 2022

Brobabes 2022 . Tagaytay

April 9 was only the beginning of my adventures for the month of April. Holy week was supposed to be rest weekend for me but since Lhea is on vacation here in the Philippines from the UK and holy week was her last weekend here, we are set to finally have a reunion.

Lhea spent a day or two here in Manila before flying out to Palawan to see family for 2 weeks and she is scheduled to be back in Manila by holy week and that is the only time that we can meet and fortunately, everyone is available for a Saturday trip on Tagaytay.

If it was not holy week, originally she wanted to go to La Union. March 20, 2020 she was supposed to go home unfortunately lockdown happened. We are already booked a place in LU for April 2020 but COVID. We got refund and just like everyone in abroad, they are just waiting for the restriction in here to loosen up so they can go home and visit family.

Since she wasn’t able to come home since then, she really wanted to see family and she did. I was so close on booking a flight to Palawan after her Cuyo trip but good thing I didn’t since I really can’t figure her schedule.

We still don’t have plan for that weekend since most people are on break and vacation most of places and nearby resort are also fully booked.

We end up in Tagaytay to finally make a sequel to our May 15 2015 roadtrip.

Lhea met Carla in Nuvali early that day and I was still waiting for Kit to wake up so I will be able to leave the house. I left the house by 1pm and we met in Sta. Lucia area so we can start this roadtrip and to be complete again after years. It rained a little and I still have to across a major footbridge and I got no choice but to use the parka. Haha

We finally fetch Gem in Paranaque and we are on our way to Tagaytay. Good thing it was a little sunny at SLEX not until it drizzled while we are lining up at Sky Eye. Lol

The only plan was to eat Bulalo but we somehow end up in Sky Ranch since we really don’t have much plans and it was still 5pm when we arrived in there that it is too early for dinner. Good thing there are food stalls in Sky Ranch before we decided to try the Sky Eye which took us maybe an hour lining up then we are told that it can only accommodate 3 people max on one pod so it is me and Lhea and on the other will be Kit and Gem.

It was not as cool as it is since it was night time, the glass aren’t clear and it was foggy but it was definitely cold inside.

After Sky Ranch it was dinner time and here we are again with a problem on where to eat. We ended up at RMS I’m not very familiar with the restaurant but it looks good, clean place and good food too. We are entertained by the band that was playing acoustic that was probably had a big tip from the people on the other table.

We were supposed to still have coffee but Kit want to go back already in the city. Haha That we end up having coffee at the 3 storey Starbucks in Macapagal while waiting for Lhea’s mom. Apparently we can’t stay where she is staying but the last option is at Gem’s place. Yay. Haha

Kit needed to go home and the Chikababes stayed for the night.

We slept late and woke up around 9am and we ate breakfast and catch up a little. If it was planned properly and if only I can still stay for a day I will end up going with Lhea running few more errands. Well it wasn’t planned properly and I badly want to take a bath already and I’m carrying so much stuff. Haha It was a Sunday and it is hard to book a ride home so I just booked a Joyride cost me only 50% compare to Grab.

I was home by 3pm on Easter Sunday.

Monday, May 02, 2022

Adjustments

April 9 2022 .

Woke up that day with some ray of sunshine peeking at my window. Somehow I know it will be a good day to finally see friends again and it just need to happen so I can finally tell some new stories.

It was also a day for so many first things.

Left the house by 11am, Dap and I we’re at MRT Shaw by 12nn.

I still want to roam around Megamall but I also want to go straight to MOA so whatever happen I will still have extra time or just go roam around there instead. We still don’t have tickets that’s why I also want to be there early. So for now, no to Megamall. Hehe

MRT - I miss train rides so much that we just enjoyed standing because you have to practice your balance to be an expert. Lol I didn’t know that few rules while riding the train that apparently you can’t have conversation while inside. Few people already heard my short story when a lady guard came to our area and reminded someone in front of us. I get used on not being with someone on my travel so I really don’t care on such. Now, I know.

While on that train ride, there are so many things running in my head. There was somehow a flash back when this pandemic started, when we are all ordered to stay home and all the protocols that we have to follow and the changes of this life in majority.

This is one reason why I enjoy commuting because there are a lot realization with it.

I was hesitant to take a short video during the trip that I know if I didn’t get my phone from my pocket, I will regret for not doing it. That video started my 1-minute video of everything which I got the idea from an online friend.

I just want to take photos and not regret for not doing so.

I bought my camera but it is challenging at times so we have to settle for the phone for easy access. Not really against with phone camera but still the quality of the photos.

People around me may or may not aware that I do take a picture of everything. Now that I was out and about, I want to capture more once again. I’ve been settling with some usual photos that I took once in a while from my daily routines and I need something new to look at.

After that train ride, we transfer to a bus and in a few we are already in MOA in which I really forgot when was the last time I was there.

There are a lot of changes in MOA but I was smiling inside of the mask and my heart is so happy that I was finally back in there. Over thinking about it days before was not worth it.

I can still be able to travel and commute to places. To be honest, there are lot of over thinking before I commute these days but you really have to conquer your fear to realize that you can do it. I fear commuting because of the virus but been to some and I’m more relaxed now. I still take some precautions for myself since that is the only thing that we can do for now.

I still hate malls on the weekend but no choice it was Saturday and we are there for the UAAP because if not for that, I will just probably stay at home. Though I want to visit IKEA but maybe next time.

MOA Arena and the ticket system, after all these years, you haven’t change. Lol Good thing our game was the last for the day so there are few lower box available.

I'm excited for this since it will be the first time that I will be watching the game post-lasik. This

is one event of my life where I struggle every time for using contact lens since I mostly don't like wearing glasses when I'm about to commute or go somewhere.

We are somehow back to the usual normal we all used to.

I did hesitate to go on this one but since there are scare that we might go on to another lock

down after some time or specifically after the election since there are no news about COVID

anymore with the specific numbers of new cases, deaths and recoveries. It is scary but we all

experienced being locked up at home and maybe regretting some life events that we should

attended pre-COVID. I don't want to regret some of the opportunities lately to go out even

attending to an event is expensive kindly charge it to experience.

Somehow I’m also thankful for the mask since I was unexpectedly smiling from ear to ear randomly just like when we are once again inside the train, arriving at MOA and being inside MOA Arena again with live basketball and of course, friends.

It is also nice to see some familiar faces that I wonder how they are during the pandemic but so good to see them after all of the crazy things.

I can’t say more it was just really a nice day and I was able to finally escape hometown for a day. I was able to enjoy and have time for myself and it was a very good distraction with all my worries in life.

One problem is that since I’m living with routine for the last 2 years, I still have to adjust a little with all the changes but it was worth it.

I haven’t shared my realizations for the past years since I got so overwhelmed with everything. Hopefully this is also the start be able to tell stories again and some real life realization.

Saturday, April 30, 2022

Random . April 2022

I’m being disoriented with what day it is.

Looking forward to Saturday where we might be able to watch UAAP again after two years!

Cancelling some events just to be free on Saturday.

Not a huge fan of Volleyball but during the pandemic, that’s one regret that I had not watching even one UAAP volleyball game even we planned to do it.

How to adjust on this post pandemic life.

It was raining the whole day.

Left the house without a mask. Great.

Hopefully it will not rain on Saturday

Back on doing some games before bed so I will stop browsing the internet but still I do end up thinking a lot.

Nice basketball games today! Yay. That’s the feeling that we all miss.

Can’t believe that weekend is just a few hours away. I’m so looking forward to Saturday and I’m now anxious. Haha

Work guilt.

Why do I have so much backlog this week.

11 months of working out daily. Yay! 04.09.2022

MOA!!!! And it didn’t rain. Huhu

Basketball game after so many years. Lol

It was all I needed. Thankfully everything went well.

Yesterday was one of the best day for so long.

I never felt this kind of tiredness for years but thankful that I workout and I walk daily.

I’ll write about yesterday in a very long form with a lot of realizations.

Got to move, on a Sunday.

Lazy Monday.

Done with all the task before this holy week break. Finally rest days.

Lol was there really a rest day for me.

You can’t play the “not feeling well” card these days, you know.

Friday mass.

Still sleepy.

Finally we are starting this trip now. #Brobabes 2022 after that 2015 trip.

Tagaytay for the first time since maybe 2019 or whenever it was

Sleep over with Chikababes

So many thoughts in my head.

After all these lockdown, my body is adjusting with all of my weekend activities. Need to change some of the daily routine.

From not seeing friends for so long to hanging out every weekend. Yay.

Hello Monday stress.

There are things that I can’t explain to you the reason. It will be appreciated if you will have patience for a moment.

Trust the process even it is frustrating at times.

I’m not a good liar.

All you have to do is wait because one way or another, you are not forgotten.

Transporting to April 9 so I can finish writing it all before I go on with what happen last weekend.

And I didn’t write all week. Lol hello again weekend.

Its going to be a full activity day. UAAP and hopefully to be able to catch up on #PasayIsPink. Happy Birthday VP Leni!

Saturday went well until we got stranded at Macapagal. Lol

Impromptu overnight at Paranaque

BILLIE EILISH WITH HAYLEY!!!!!!! OMG / the first thing I saw upon opening Instagram and my jaw drop.

Back to work on a weekend

Ugh. Monday.

Test of patience.

Catching up on my sleep. Lol

Waiting game .

I just maxed out my 128gb iPhone. Lol

Literally, I forgot to write these days even in here. I’m trying to catch up

Vote wisely for everyone’s future.

Oh wow. Not really shocked but RIP.

End of the month are usually busy.

Back firing at you. Lol / Make it a healthy competition!

It is raining.

Two weekend write up down. One more to go.

The struggle is still real.

We are planning to finally watch a volleyball game but I think it will still not happen this year and it is hard to be a FEU supporter after that statement.

Crazy cravings.

There are really movies that are not worth watching.

Staying in for the weekend after 3 consecutive weekends spent with friends.

Thursday, April 28, 2022

UAAP S84 . First Live Game in 2022

This day will never be possible if the UAAP never allowed the 6th man inside the arena after 4 game days.

We got late basketball schedule for April 7 (Thursday) & 9 (Saturday) and we are all busy on a weekday so we settled to watch live on Saturday.

One week of waiting. I got very anxious plus it rained for a day and I don’t want to rain if i will be traveling to MOA from hometown. I’m so hesitant but my cousin, Dap convinced me and said that we will watch rain or shine. YAY.

I wasn’t thinking about it that I just want to survive the week and enjoy Saturday. I just couldn’t figure it out why I was extra busy with a backlog on Thursday and Friday. It makes me feel so guilty to go out the next day but I make sure that I finish everything.

Saturday came and I can’t believe that I woke up seeing some ray of sunshine and I became so excited.

The whole week, I was slowly getting ready on what to bring and what bag to use and the shoes. I haven’t been out that I need to prepare all of these in advance so I will not forget some things as well. Good thing I did that since one of the side of the strap of the bag broke and I was able to see it in advance.

Everything went well as planned. Thankful for the free MRT ride as well and we made it to MOA without raining. It was a good day.

I’m so excited to see Brobabes and finally hangout for the whole day plus enjoying basketball, the one event in our lives that started it all. Maybe that’s one reason why even after 10 years we still watch and enjoy it.

Game days are packed now since 4 basketball games are happening in a day (10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm) unlike before that there are only 2 games in a day.

Gem miss UAAP so much because she was so busy pre-pandemic that she can’t find time to watch anymore so most likely this was her first game after maybe in 4 years (I’m not sure so as she). Haha

Kit wasn’t answering us when we asked him all week if he will join us and upon buying tickets, I let go of the idea that he will be joining us. When Gem and I met after buying tickets, she asked me if I bought one for Kit and I said no since he wasn’t answering us all week. We decided to call him and I know that he have his hesitations as well but he said that he will go last minute.

After buying tickets, our game will still be at 7pm so we decided to go around MOA on where to eat but apparently everything is full. It was a Saturday and a holiday although I want to roam around but it was tiring without any place to stay so I told them that maybe we should just go inside MOA Arena already and eat whatever food there is inside. We went inside by 2pm just in time for the 4th quarter of AdU vs DLSU. Perfect timing since we miss Coach Nash who is the current head coach of AdU.

It was so good to watch a UAAP game again after 903 days for me. Lol

It was so good just to be inside MOA Arena as well.

After the AdU and DLSU game we went outside to eat and there are few choices but it is okay. Hopefully there will be more choices next time since we are all willing to eat most especially for some who stays the whole day.

We waited for some chairs and table to be emptied since some are already done watching their respective games and some just arrived to watch the next game which is ADMU and UST.

We just talked outside and re-entered the arena by 4th quarter of ADMU and UST. While we wait for Kit who arrived just after that game.

3/4 of Brobabes are united again after 6 months when we hangout in my hometown.

We still have 1 hour to spare before the FEU-UP game so we did catch up for a while.

It felt like we hangout and talk 24/7 which is not but I guess if you have this kind of friendship turned family now, we just know.

GAME TIME

I’ve been keeping track of the 1st round and with the lousy game we have which is understandable for everyone since most of them didn’t have proper basketball game since 2019. There are also lots of new faces as well with the changes on the coaching staff which by the way, I didn’t get any update during the pandemic. I kind of step away from basketball stuff since somehow it also stopped.

This season it is also hard to predict who will win except for ADMU, anyway. Lol

It feels so good to see UP win since we also witnessed them during the time they are always at the bottom of the standings. UE is the one that’s at the bottom at the moment.

So good to be able to celebrate if our players will shoot, jump if it was a 3-point shot, shout defense if they are on the other side of the court, to cheer for our team and to finally sing that FEU hymn again.

We didn’t win but it was not as hurtful as it is before. Maybe for me it didn’t matter anymore as long as we were able to witness a UAAP basketball again, to be the 6th man inside the arena.