From NLEX to Baguio via SCTEX and TPLEX

I am amazed at how much faster it is to travel to Baguio now compared to when I was a student there. The last time I visited was in 2017 for our company’s strategic planning, and it only took us 3 hours to reach Baguio from Quezon City. The main factor for the quick travel time was that we were able to maintain a speed of 120 km/hr without any stops.

During our recent visit, we left home at 2:30 AM to avoid heavy traffic, as Baguio has become more popular and accessible. There was a slight confusion about which exit to take, as Waze suggested the Dau exit. We followed the suggestion and ended up on the McArthur Highway. However, it was only a short distance to the Mabalacat Exit, which was the correct route. It took us 45 minutes from the Bocaue Exit to reach the Mabalacat Exit. We decided to have an early breakfast at PTT-SCTEX, where we stopped for around 45 minutes. After that, we resumed our journey and reached TPLEX in less than 20 minutes.

It’s important to note that TPLEX is different from NLEX and doesn’t have as many gas stations for pit stops. Therefore, if you need to take a break, it’s best to plan accordingly. The stretch from TPLEX to the Rosario Exit took about an hour, and the next suitable stop would be the gas stations along Marcos Highway. Due to the closure of Kennon Road at that time, it took us another 45 minutes to travel along Marcos Highway. It was surprising to see that Marcos Highway is no longer as isolated as I remembered, with numerous vendors selling sweets and vegetables along the way. There are also new establishments that have been built, although some obstruct the natural view of the mountains.

On our way back home, we made a stop at the eatery near the Total Gas Station. The eatery is called Max Grillos, and they serve delicious, clean, and affordable food.

To ensure a smoother travel experience, it is advisable to start your journey with a full tank of gas to avoid long queues at the gas stations. Additionally, opting for an early morning departure is recommended. This way, by the time you reach TPLEX, there will be sufficient daylight. It’s challenging to imagine being stuck in TPLEX during a dark night since many areas lack proper lighting. By planning your trip accordingly, you can mitigate potential difficulties and enjoy a safer and more convenient travel experience.

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Oh Belinda

“Oh Belinda” is a Turkish film currently available on Netflix. I will now provide my own interpretation of the movie. The story unfolds with Dilara, a renowned actress, shooting a shampoo commercial with little enthusiasm. Struggling to connect with the role of a conventional housewife responsible for cooking for her family, she finds it difficult to fully immerse herself in the character. The director suggests that she needs to completely embody the role of Handan. Driven by her determination to finish the shoot, she forces a smile and begins to bring her character to life. However, things take a bewildering turn for Dilara when she discovers herself freshly showered in a different bathroom. From there, her journey as Handan continues, and she experiences life as a working mother with two children, fulfilling the expectations of her husband, who not only requires her attention for family matters but also for his own sexual desires.

This opinion might not be widely shared, but I believe that Handan is a disenchanted housewife who has lost her love for her husband. Taking care of their two young children has become an obligation rather than a fulfilling role for her. She initiates an affair with her brother-in-law and even attempts money laundering to facilitate their escape together. However, she eventually realizes that running away with him would only worsen the situation, so she hides the money instead. It is my belief that she suffers from depression, leading her to believe that she is the famous actress Dilara, who is involved with the handsome actor Serkan. Being an ardent fan, she is familiar with Serkan’s personal stories. In her Dilara persona, she becomes convinced that Arzu, a less famous actress, is envious of her and wants to seduce Serkan. This obsession leads her to audition for the role of Arzu’s sister in a play, but she ultimately gets fired when she fails to show up. In reality, it is likely that the theater director manipulated her, aware of her mental instability. The conclusion of the movie, with her in the shower realizing she is back to being Dilara, suggests that she remains trapped in her depression and her alternate reality continues to consume her.

The enchanted shampoo, Belinda, serves as a metaphor for Handan’s yearning for a more magical and fulfilling existence, an escape from her mundane married life. Her feelings toward her husband have waned, which explains her inability to recall the first time they met. As an act of rebellion, she gets a star tattoo on her back, symbolizing her desire to break free. Her daughter, perceptive of her mother’s situation, consistently wears a stunned expression, understanding the turmoil within her. Unfortunately, Handan’s deteriorating mental health is not comprehended by her unsympathetic mother-in-law, who continues to criticize her. Although her husband, Necati, appears to love her, he likely lacks the knowledge and understanding necessary to effectively support someone grappling with mental illness.

Once again, I’d like to emphasize that the perspective I’ve shared is solely my own. If you’re interested, you can watch “Oh Belinda” on Netflix. Enjoy! 🙂

Hidden Agenda

Chapter 1: Isang Gabing Madilim

Gabi, sa isang madilim na bahagi ng kagubatan.

“Kailangang hindi nila ako maabutan!” 

Takot na takot na sabi ng isang babae. Basang-basa ang damit nya sa pawis. Puro galos sa pagkakasabit sa mga halamang may tinik ang binti nyang puno na ng dugo. Umaalingawngaw ang warning shot ng baril ng mga humahabol sa kanya sa madilim na kakahuyang iyon. Hindi na nya alam kung anong oras na ba dahil balot ng dilim ang gabi liban sa kapiranggot na liwanag na galing sa buwang papaliit na. Nagkubli sya sa puwang ng isang malaking puno. Pikit-matang pinaglalabanan ang takot sa ahas at iba pang hayop sa kakahuyan. Nanghihina na sya, parang hihimatayin sa pagod pero kailangan nyang makaalis sa lugar na yon at maisahan ang mga lalaking humahabol sa kanya.

Sa kabilang banda ng kakahuyan ay parang mga asong ulol ang apat na lalaking humahabol sa kanya. Ang isa ay iika-ika pa habang tumatakbo at panay ang mura.

“May kakalagyan kang babae ka. Pag namatay ang kuko ko sa paa, isusunod kita!” gigil na sabi ng lalaking may kabilugan ang mukha, kulot ang buhok at sarat ang ilong. Humahangos namang humabol sa tatlong lalaking nauna ang isang matipunong lalaki na naka-leather jacket, ang boss ng grupo. Pinaputok nito ang baril at saka sumigaw.

“Wala kang mapupuntahan kaya kung gusto mo pang mabuhay, sumama ka na sa amin nang hindi na kami nahihirapan,”sabay putok ng baril. Abala naman ang dalawang iba pa sa paggalugad sa bawat sulok na matapatan nila. Yung payat na matangkad ay hinampas pa ang kulumpon ng baging na nakapulupot na matandang puno. 

“Mabuti pa ay maghiwa-hiwalay tayo. Dito ako sa direksyon na ito pupunta. Okay lang ba sa yo, boss?” suhestyon ng pinakabata sa kanila. Tumango ang lider ng grupo at sumenyas sa dalawang kasama na magkanya-kanya.

Nanatili pa din sa puwang ng malaking puno ang babae. Nakatulog na ito sa pagod at sakit ng katawan. Kapag kuwa’y may malaking palad na nagtakip sa bibig niya. Nanlaki ang mata nya sa nakita. Natunton na sya ng lalaki. Sumenyas ang lalaki na wag mag-ingay kundi ay papatayin sya nito. Tumango-tango ang babae at nanginginig habang itinayo sya ng lalaki.

“Akala mo siguro ay hindi kita matututunton? Sinundan ko ang bakas ng dugo mo sa mga dahon. Mapupusok ang kasama ko pero kulang sila dito,” itinuro ng lalaki ang sintido. Inalis nya sa pagkakatakip ng bibig ng babae ang kaliwa nyang kamay habang nakatutok ang baril gamit ang kanang kamay. Napaatras ng kaunti ang babae at tumingin sa paligid.

“Matigas talaga ang ulo mo, ano? Alam mo bang isang putok lang ng baril ko ay tapos na ang problema ng bosing ko?” gigil na sabi ng lalaki.

Nangilid ang luha ng babae. Nagmamakaawa ang mukha nitong nakatingin sa lalaki.

“Huwag maawa ka. Wala akong kalaban-laban sa inyo. Wala akong kasalanan sa inyo. Hayaan nyo na ako. Hindi ko maintindihan bakit ginaganito ninyo ako,” pagsusumamo ng babae.

Nakaamba pa rin ang baril sa babae. Nakataas ang dalawang kamay, dahan-dahang lumuhod ang babae at nagsumamong pakawalan. Nagdadalawang-isip ang lalaki sa gagawin. Hindi niya kayang manakit nang walang kalaban-labang babae pero hindi niya rin kayang harapin ang galit ng bosing nya. Sa bandang huli ay nanaig ang pagkatakot ng lalaki sa sinasabing bosing. Isang malakas na putok ng baril ang pinakawalan nito.

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Finding A Long Lost Friend

Sa gitna ng walang kaabog-abog ay naalala ko ang isang dating kaibigan. Matagal na kaming walang komunikasyon sa isa’t-isa. Halos dalawampung taon na ang lumipas na napakabilis. Ang huling mga palitan ng salita ay hindi masaya dahil pareho kaming nabalot sa kalungkutan ng buhay. Iyon ang mga panahong ginugugol ko ang oras ko sa pagpapagaling sa sarili gawa ng mga suliraning may kinalaman sa pag-ibig. Sa pag-ibig noon umikot ang mundo ko—pipi at bingi sa mga pagsusumamo ng iba na alamin ang dinaranas nilang pagsubok sa buhay.

“Happy birthday!” bati ko sa text.

“Salamat, pero walang happy sa birthday ko,” tugon niya.

Kung bakit hindi ko masabi sa kanya na nainis ako sa tugon niya. Hanggang dumating ang panahong ayaw ko na din siyang kausapin pa. Mabigat na ang dinadala ko at ayoko nang dumagdag pa siya. Pero hindi ko inasahan na ang katahimikan sa amin ay daraan mula sa araw patungong buwan. At sa bilis ng takbo ng panahon, inabot na ng dalawang dekada ang putol na komunikasyon.

Dumating ang ginhawa sa pagod kong isip at puso kung kaya’t may lakas na akong hanapin ang mga taong naging bahagi ng buhay ko. Ngunit sa loob ng maraming taong paghahanap, naging mailap ang pagkakataon sa akin. Naaalala ko ang mga panahong naging mabuti siyang kaibigan sa akin. Isa siya sa mga nasasabihan ko noon ng mga bagay na hindi ko kayang sabihin sa iba.

Sabi nila, mahirap daw magpakita ang taong ayaw talagang matagpuan. Minsan, napapaisip ako kung isa ba ako sa mga taong gusto niya lang kalimutan. Na baka isa ako sa mga kaibigang dumaan lang sa buhay niya ngunit hindi nakatalagang pumirmi. Sa tagal nang panahon, heto ako at umaasang sana ay nasa maayos lang siyang kalagayan.

Ah, bakit namin hinayaang maging ganito ang pagkakaibigan namin? Napakaraming kaganapan sa buhay ko na hindi na niya alam. Siguro nga ay may mga bagay na hindi pinipilit ngunit kusang darating.

Setting Boundaries

Setting boundaries is an important aspect of maintaining healthy relationships, whether it’s with friends, family, coworkers, or romantic partners. Boundaries help us to establish our personal limits, protect our emotional and physical well-being, and communicate our needs and expectations to others. In this essay, we will explore why setting boundaries is important, how to set boundaries effectively, and the benefits of doing so.

Why setting boundaries is important

Setting boundaries is essential for several reasons. First, it helps us to protect our emotional and physical well-being. When we set boundaries, we establish limits on what others can and cannot do or say to us. This protects us from emotional and psychological harm, as well as physical harm. For example, if we set a boundary that we will not tolerate verbal abuse, we are less likely to be subjected to hurtful or harmful language.

Second, setting boundaries is essential for maintaining healthy relationships. Boundaries help to establish mutual respect, trust, and understanding between people. When we communicate our needs and expectations to others, we create a clear understanding of what is acceptable behavior and what is not. This leads to more honest and open communication, which can help to build stronger, more positive relationships.

Finally, setting boundaries is important for establishing self-respect and self-care. When we set boundaries, we are acknowledging our own needs and priorities. This allows us to prioritize our own well-being and happiness, which can lead to greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image.

How to set boundaries effectively

Setting boundaries effectively requires clear communication, consistency, and assertiveness. The following steps can help you to set boundaries in a healthy and effective way:

Identify your boundaries. The first step in setting boundaries is to identify what is and is not acceptable behavior for you. Consider what behaviors or actions are unacceptable, and what actions or behaviors are important for you to feel respected and valued.

Communicate your boundaries clearly. Once you have identified your boundaries, it’s important to communicate them clearly to others. Be direct and assertive in your communication, and avoid using language that is overly aggressive or confrontational.

Be consistent. It’s important to be consistent in enforcing your boundaries. If you allow others to cross your boundaries once, they may continue to do so in the future. Make sure that you are consistent in enforcing your boundaries and communicating your expectations.

Take care of yourself. Setting boundaries can be difficult, especially if you are used to putting the needs of others before your own. Remember that taking care of yourself is important, and that setting boundaries is an act of self-care.

Benefits of setting boundaries

Setting boundaries can have many benefits, including:

Greater self-respect and self-care. Setting boundaries allows you to prioritize your own needs and well-being, which can lead to greater self-respect and self-care.

Improved relationships. When you communicate your needs and expectations to others, you establish clearer communication and mutual respect, which can lead to stronger, more positive relationships.

Reduced stress and anxiety. Setting boundaries can help to reduce stress and anxiety by protecting your emotional and physical well-being.

Greater sense of control. Setting boundaries allows you to take control of your own life and priorities, which can lead to a greater sense of control and self-confidence.

In conclusion, setting boundaries is an important aspect of maintaining healthy relationships and protecting your emotional and physical well-being. By identifying your boundaries, communicating them clearly, and being consistent in enforcing them, you can establish clearer communication, mutual respect, and understanding with others, and prioritize your own self-care and well-being.