Back when I was sick, one of my blog readers messaged me to ask how I was doing. She had just found out she had cancer. From that moment on, we started lifting each other up. We would check in on each other to ask how the other was holding up. I would send her prayers, and we encouraged each other to keep fighting. Ang motto namin: hindi puwedeng sumuko because our kids need us.
I told her how much I admired her positivity, even in the face of something so heavy. I admitted that sometimes, nahihiya ako to complain about what I was going through, knowing she was carrying a much harder battle.
Last week, I sent her a message. She didn’t reply. Later that day, I found out… she had already passed away.
Sobrang lungkot. Ang bigat sa dibdib.
Life is really short. One moment you’re okay, and the next, everything changes. Sabi nga nila, you think you have a hundred problems—until you get sick. Then suddenly, you realize you only have one.
Now I catch myself wondering: How am I really living my life? Is this the kind of life I want to keep living? Have I been doing the things that light me up… or have I just been surviving, day by day, trying to hold it all together?
Nagmi-midlife crisis na yata ako.
Or malapit na talaga magmenopause.
Have you watched the movie, The Life List, in Netflix? It’s really nice. One of the daughters-in-law asked the mom if she should marry her son. She taught her the true love test: 1. Can you tell him everything in your heart? 2. Is he kind? 3. Does he help you become a better version of yourself? 4. Can you imagine him to be the father of your children?
These are apparently the questions you should ask yourself whenever you’re in doubt. But honestly, that’s not why I’m mentioning the movie.
The film is about a mom—who has passed away—who made her daughter complete a bucket list the daughter created when she was young, as a condition to receive her inheritance.
By the way, I really recommend this movie, guys. It inspired me to finally create my own bucket list… at 45 years old! =D
NANA’S BUCKET LIST: 1. Hug a panda. 2. See the Aurora borealis or Aurora Australis 3. Witness Anika get married 4. Hug my granchildren 5. Visit the 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites (Machu Picchu, Taj Mahal, Colosseum (done!), Historic Monuments of Kyoto, and the Great Barrier Reef 6. Get a tattoo 7. Skydive 8. Learn a new sport (ongoing!) 9. Learn and be good in investing in stocks 10. Run a marathon 11. Get a body fat of 25% or less 12. Sing well in front of a big crowd 13. Kiss under a mistletoe 14. Go on a solo trip to a new country 15. Go on a romantic stroll late at night after a good dinner along the Seine river 16. Travel to Prague 17. Finish my Master’s 18. Witness a miracle
Last year, I discovered Melbourne — my first experience in Australia — and it quickly became one of my favorite cities. I like it so much that I came back 2 more times this year, each visit adding new reasons, places and experiences to justify why I love it there.
One thing that struck me immediately is how homey Melbourne is. It feels like you are being hugged wherever you go. Weird, but that’s how this city makes me feel. Lol! The vibe is incredibly laid back, which was a refreshing change for a Manila girl like me. Parang walang nagmamadali dito. Chill na chill lang.
When I went the first time, I already felt that I want to settle in a place like Melbourne. Have you experienced living in one of their suburbs? Sobra child-friendly! Everywhere you look, there are clean, well-maintained parks and playgrounds — not just one or two, but playgrounds every 200 meters! And the parks are unlike the common ones you see here. They have accessible tree houses, climbable towers, trampolines, water features where kids can actually play and get wet in, really tall slides, different kinds of swings, monkey bars and kung ano ano pa. Akala mo may pa-contest ng pagandahan ng park eh.
The weather in Melbourne was another pleasant surprise. I visited during the tail end of their summer and autumn, and both seasons were comfortable and enjoyable. Sure, it can get cold sometimes but nothing extreme. The locals often mention that summer can get really hot, but honestly, I was lucky every time I went; it never felt overwhelming. Compared to Manila’s tropical heat, feeling ko nasa Baguio ako when I was in Melbourne.
As someone who loves staying active, I liked how easy it is to get around by foot. Melbourne is incredibly walkable. Hindi ka tatamarin maglakad dito, guys. Sarap maglakad lakad everywhere regardless if you’re in the suburbs or in the city. The sidewalks are wide and well-maintained, lined with greenery, and the streets are clean and safe. Public transport is efficient and accessible. Okay ako magcommute dito.
Now, where to go, what to do, what to eat when you’re in Melbourne. Here are some places and experiences that I want to share with you.
When you are in the city, I suggest you go to these places:
Flinders Street Station This train station is located at the heart of the Melbourne CBD. It was built in the 1900s and no visit to Melbourne is complete without seeing this station. It’s one of the most photographed spots there.
St Paul’s Cathedral Diagonally in front of Flinders Street Station is this beautiful church. I always go here whenerver I visit Melbourne. During my first time there, 3 years after my separation, I prayed and thanked God where I was that time. Hindi ko namalayan, tears were falling na from my eyes. I was just extremely grateful I was able to get past that stage of my life
Melbourne Parliament House From 1901 to 1927, this grand building was home to the Australian Federal Government while Canberra was still under construction. I’ve never managed to visit when it’s actually open (laging sarado when I pass by 😅). They offer free guided tours, and one day, I will go back to explore the inside and see the architecture up close.
State Library Victoria The oldest public library in Australia—and one of the prettiest! I had to see the La Trobe Reading Room in person and it did not disappoint. I love libraries, and this one is chef’s kiss. Ang sarap mag-aral dito, kahit hindi ka talaga mag-aaral. 😄
La Trobe Reading Room
Hosier Lane Melbourne’s street art scene is iconic, with spots like AC/DC Lane, Degraves Street, and of course, Hosier Lane. I went expecting to be blown away… and to be honest, medyo underwhelmed ako (lol). Maybe it was the hype. Still worth a visit, just manage your expectations. The vibe is cool and artsy naman!
Shirt: MANGO; Denim Jacket: STRADIVARIUS; Pants: EASY ACTIVE; Shoes: ON
Queen Victoria Market I kept hearing about this place on my earlier trips but only visited on my third time in Melbourne—with Anika! It’s like a big open-air tiangge selling everything from souvenirs to fresh produce. It’s definitely touristy (and a bit pricey), but still fun to explore. My fave find? Canvas bags with hand-painted designs. Super cute!
Southbank Stroll If you’re into a mix of old and new architecture like I am, take time to walk around Southbank. It’s right along the Yarra River and full of great cafes and restaurants. I didn’t get to explore it fully, but it’s on my list for next time—perfect for a relaxed city walk with nice views.
There are a lot of nice places also outside the Melbourne CBD.
Sovereign Hill Sovereign Hill in Ballarat is a living museum that brings the 1850s gold rush era to life. It’s one of my favorite places near Melbourne. You feel like you’ve time-traveled—with people in costume, gold panning, and horse-drawn carriages. I made an Instagram reel if you want a sneak peek!
YARRA VALLEY WINERIES Just an hour from Melbourne, Yarra Valley is great for wine lovers—or road trippers who want beautiful views. We had lunch at Beechworth Bakery in Healesville (est. 1984), and I highly recommend their Ned Kelly pie—steak with bacon, cheese, and a whole egg for $8. So good!
I don’t really drink, but I gave wine tasting a try at Yering Station, one of the oldest vineyards in Victoria. I got the Village tasting for $15. A friendly reminder: bring a designated driver—strict sila sa alcohol laws. I was already woozy halfway through 😅. My favorite? The Merlot!
YARRA VALLEY CHOCOLATERIE AND ICE CREAMERY Honestly, not mind-blowing, but if you love chocolate (like I do) or you’re with kids, it’s still worth a quick stop. Lots of free samples and sweet treats to try!
BRIGHTON BEACH HOUSES The Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes are a must-see when you’re in Melbourne. These colourful wooden huts have been around since the early 1900s and were originally used as changing rooms by beachgoers. Each one is painted differently, and they all sit in a perfect row right along the sand. If you do not mind having just 12 square meters of space and no running water or electricy, you can actually buy one of these at 400,000 AUD each, provided you are a resident of Brighton.. and if a previous owner decides to put his up for sale.
BALLARAT WILDLIFE PARK If you are a first timer in Melbourne, you definitely have to see, pet and hand feed some of the 100 free roaming kangaroos at the Ballarat Wildlife Park. They are adorable. My tip is you go early in the morning. Dudumugin ka ng kangaroos. Anika and I went late in the afternoon and bundat na sila. Ayaw na kumain. They were all just lazying around the place.
MACEDON RANGES / MOUNT MACEDON If you’re in Melbourne during autumn, do a day trip to Mount Macedon. Start with a stroll along Honour Avenue, a lane lined with massive oak trees that turn fiery red, orange, and gold. It’s breathtaking. Even though we were a few days late for peak colours, it was still gorgeous.
We also hiked Camel’s Hump, the highest point in the Macedon Ranges at 1,011 meters. The view from the top? Amazing. It’s a 500-meter uphill walk—chicken lang for Anika, pero ako hupa agad 😅. Definitely a spot where you want to slow down, breathe, and just take in the beauty of nature.
GEELONG BEACH One of my absolute favorite places. I wish I visited more often while we were in Melbourne. I want to spend more time walking around, exploring the area or just tumambay lang dun ng wala lang. It has a 133 kms of coastline (magsasawa ka maglakad). It’s really beautiful there. My mind was quiet for once and I was able to relax even for a while.
Anika and I also strolled the Eastern Beach Reserve boardwalk—built in the 1930s. It’s got everything: sea baths, pools, diving towers, floating islands, changing rooms, and even cafes. Catch the sunset here—it’s romantic and super calming.
After three visits, I’ve realized that Melbourne isn’t just another city on the map—it feels like a community that embraces life’s simple joys. Whether it’s strolling through a quiet park, sipping coffee in your kitchen or at a cafe, or admiring beautifully preserved historic buildings, every moment here feels thoughtful and grounded. Totoo, no exaggeration. There’s just something about Melbourne that sticks with you, even after visiting other countries.
Melbourne truly feels like a place I could call home. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend experiencing it for yourself — you might just fall in love with it as I have.
It’s been a while, guys. I missed blogging so much. After 13 years of doing it, hindi ko maalis sa sistema ko, sa totoo lang. Almost everyday, I imagine myself blogging. There are so many blogposts in my head na sometimes nakakaloka. Every where I look, may pang blog post ako na nakikita. Force of habit, I guess.
Anyway, Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! For the first time in a long while, I can say that without bitterness or pain… and without tearing up. Lol. Tama nga siguro sila. Time heals. People always ask if I think I’ve fully healed from that life-changing event. Honestly, I’m not sure anyone ever feels 100% okay after a marriage breaks down. But what I do know is that I’m so much better now than I was last year. A lot better than two years ago. And a hell of a lot better than three years ago. That’s where I’m at now, and I’m sure of that.
Yung loneliness that came from the separation, if not minimized, halos wala na. Hindi na ako bitter when I see couples together while I’m out at the mall. I don’t cry when I see old couples walking together anymore. I can listen to love songs now. Dati exage, hindi talaga. Taon din yun na ganun. Now, I even have a playlist of love songs I currently like on Spotify. I’ve stopped comparing my life to those “sweet” couples on social media. I realized how much pressure it can create. Social media often makes it seem like everyone else is living a picture-perfect love story, and comparing myself to that was only making me feel sad… and angry.. and bitter.. and.. you get it.
There are so many realizations for me. One of them is I realized that being alone is better than being in a wrong relationship. Mabuti nang literal na magisa ka kaysa you are with somebody nga and yet you feel alone. For me that’s worse. And, I know some of you might not agree with this, but I truly believe that staying in an unhealthy relationship just for the kids can actually be more damaging in the long run. I’d rather separate and provide my child with a peaceful, stable environment. I’ve been there as a kid, so I that is where I’m coming from.
How to move on?
Madaming dasal. It’s important to believe what God says in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Pinanghawakan ko yan and until now, pinanghahawakan ko pa din.
After letting yourself feel everything—the hurt, the sadness, the anger, the bitterness—you have to trust that time really does heal. Acknowledge these feelings because they’re not going to stay with you forever. Focus on what you gained rather on what you lost. Mahirap gawin ito, yes. Pero kailangan eh. Otherwise, hindi makakabangon. Ano ba pwede mong na-gain? Peace of mind, girl. Malaking bagay yan.
Prioritize your well being. Rediscover yourself. Love yourself. One day, I will blog about self love. Matagal tagal din before naintindihan ko yan. I realized that as time passes, nagkakaroon ako ng peace. It started when I finally let go of all the “what ifs,” the “what could have been,” the blaming myself for everything that happened, and trying to control what was already out of my hands.
Surround yourself with people who love you. Naisip ko, ang swerte ko pa din kasi madaming nagmamahal sa akin. And I also focused on nurturing my relationship with Anika. Lumabas, tumatag pa lalo yung relationship namin mag-ina after what happened.
Then came the day when I stopped letting my sadness control me. I stopped the self-pity. I got busy—working out, fixing up the house, reconnecting with friends. I accepted that it is what it is. There are a lot of things I cannot control and that is okay. Not everything in my life will go as I planned. Pero sure ako, since God loves me, I’ll be okay. I’ll have a better future because God is in control. Siya bahala. And after I surrendered to Him everything, I prayed that He would help me stop monitoring all the things I surrendered to Him.
So to everyone who’s been where I was—or is still there right now—this post is for you. These are my answers to all the questions you’ve been sending me. Don’t lose hope. It may feel tough right now, but I promise you, things will get better. Nasasayo din yan. Apart from our God, walang ibang makakatulong sa atin kung hindi tayo lang din.
Before the kwento, endorse ko lang my super comfortable exercise shorts. It’s not too short para makitaan and it’s flattering to the figure. You can buy it from HERE. It’s only Php 300. Very sulit its price sa quality. I mean, hindi siya yung timpong will tear while you’re in the middle of exercising.
Moving on, I want to share with you guys why I started exercising.
Do you remember that party, guys? That was the surprise party for Anika’s 7th birthday. After her blindfold was taken off, she saw all her cousins, classmates and friends. She couldn’t process her feeling so she cried na lang instead. She was crying while I was carrying her for at least 5 minutes. Grabe. It feels like yesterday lang. Ngayon, 7 years later, I find myself navigating the world of teenagers and I tell you, this is a whole different stage of parenthood! Nakakaloka.
One of the questions I am often asked is how am I raising teenage Anika. Nakikita kasi na we’re close and Anika’s thriving. She’s into sports, has good grades, maayos ang set of friends and malapit kay God. I know it’s a journey, this teenage stage and I’m far from that point where I can be judged if tama ba ang mga ginagawa ko now or not. However, so far, so good kami. Thank you, Lord. This is the reason why I made a segment here called Raising Anika Tips.
