A Solo Backpacker Experience

Just this month, I had my first ever international flights as a solo backpacker.

Yes.

Mind you it would be great to have company when going to another country. It would be fun and exciting especially there’s someone to talk and share experiences to.

But being alone in venturing and exploring new countries is much more fun and exciting than being a pair.

Why? I‘ll share you my story.

On the first half of this year, I got an amazing reward.

It’s a gift certificate of 3 days and 2 nights stay in a hotel on any places listed, either international or domestic.  By the way, this gift certificate is good for two and I took the liberty to be alone in this trip instead. (You will know why.)

And they are free of charge! What a reward!

My first glance was not on the domestic routes but on the international ones instead. So I took the Malaysian route, Kuala Lumpur.

I planned my trips ahead and even made a quick stop in Singapore for a day before going to Kuala Lumpur. Then I made a detour in Manila to attend a four-day conference.

As I planned my plane tickets, pocket money and all, I made sure that everything’s well prepared and nothing is forgotten.

My Singaporean Experience

Since this is my first time to go out of the country, I was so nervous when I checked in for the international flight going first to Singapore. And to top it all, I was alone. So my nervousness heightens. But that doesn’t stop me to explore a whole new horizon even if I’m a solo backpacker.

When I arrived in Singapore early morning, there are NO phone signals. So I got a bit worried since I don’t know how to communicate with Chuck, a community friend, who will be my tour guide/guardian for the day.

After passing through the Immigration, Chuck is already outside waiting for me.

Thank goodness! What a relief!

If it wasn’t for him, I dunno if I can tour the country all by myself and it would be much MORE expensive than what I have planned for the trip.

When we went to Chuck’s home, we got to ride an Uber car. It was my first time to ride it and the driver seat is on the right side. How cool is that?

And so, we toured around places after settling my things. Bought some chocolates and key chains with promo rates as souvenirs.  We ate different cuisines, toured around Marina Bay areas and even walked around the underground tunnels to explore other places. We even went to Suntec City to attend a prayer gathering and met new people there. It was fun!

What’s more amazing is that there Wi-Fi connection is so fast that I can download or stream movies in minutes unlike in the Philippines. There are NO squatter areas and NO traffic! The places are clean and orderly. The people are much disciplined as well.

My expenses for the Singaporean day trip were much lesser than the budget I have prepared for! If I had a travel buddy joining me in this trip, chances are expenses would be bigger than planned. So it’s just right to have taken this trip solo and probably the two of us wouldn’t be accommodated in Chuck’s house since it’s a bit small.

On my whole day trip, I was so eager to ride a double-decker bus. I was so looking forward to it that all the buses we’ve taken are just the normal ones. By the way, buses and trains use cards as tickets for the rides. Meaning, fares are cashless. Even for Grab and Uber as well.

Before going to the bus terminal which I will be taking my Malaysian trip there, I was so excited when I got to have a chance to ride a double-decker bus before leaving Singapore! It was a dream come true!

My Malaysian Experience

After a 5-6 hour bus ride from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, I finally arrived in Malaysia! The second country I have visited for the very first time.

I arrived in the bus terminal very early in the morning, so I took a cab going to the hotel for my free 3-day and 2-night stay. And note there are still NO phone signals so the only thing I can rely on is the Wi-Fi connections.

As I have arrived in the hotel, it was SO early and I have to wait for 6 straight hours before I can check in at my room.

So what I did is that I walked around the outskirts of the KL Sentral area, which is just near the hotel so that I wouldn’t get lost. As I looked around, the places are more likely the same in the Philippines. There are beggars lying around the streets, some establishments are old and wretched and there are lots of construction sites around specifically near the river going to Chinatown or Central Market.

My plan was to roam around Chinatown or the Central Market when the goods are affordable and where I can buy a nice pair of shoes.

When I looked at the map and walked around, I got lost. I went to places that are not even close to the destinations I will be heading to. And so, I went back to the hotel and waited there for the remainder of the time.

Being lost at that time made me realized that I got to discover new places and explore around them. 

That’s why it’s a good reason to get lost sometimes.

When I finally checked in at my room, I settled everything, took a bath (I haven’t gotten a bath after arriving at the hotel) and relaxed on the bed watching TV.

My brother-in-law toured me around Chinatown and Central Market after his work. We ate Chinese and Arab cuisines. We even bought souvenirs including a pair of shoes, perfume and watch. We even bought chocolates in Central Market which are affordable as well. Even my brother-in-law bought a pair of shoes and shirts that night which he wasn’t planning to buy at all.

On the whole morning till afternoon of the next day, I just stayed in the hotel watched movies and TV series using their fast Wi-Fi connection.

The room that I stayed in was more organized and clean than the other hotels I have stayed in the Philippines. Even the compliments and towels are replaced on the next day and all are arranged accordingly. The room is cozy and relaxed that I stayed there for the whole morning till afternoon.

After my brother-in-law’s work is done, he toured me again. But this time, we went to the Petronas Towers, the so-called Twin Towers of Malaysia. We got to ride different trains to our destinations. The trains there are more spacious and chilly than the MRTs and LRTs of Manila.

When we went got to the Pertronas Towers to have pictures taken, we also got an amazing opportunity to watch the dancing fountain LIVE!

It was so cool and amazing! It was like watching a theatrical musical in water.

On my last day in Malaysia, I readied myself to go to the airport bound for Singapore and have a connecting flight bound to Manila.

My expenses for my Malaysian trip were once again much lesser than the budget I have prepared for! If I had a travel buddy with me, chances are we won’t be lost and won’t be able to discover new places. Expenses would be high on food, souvenirs and tours. And I won’t be having a ME time in the hotel if I had a travel buddy with me.

My realizations of being a solo backpacker

When I have arrived in Changi airport for my connecting flight bound to Manila, I have realized some things.

It’s thrifty when I go solo even on international trips. All the tours I had are all unplanned and even though I haven’t explored all the tourist attractions in the country, I got to have my ME time and chill.

I even got time to meet new friends and get lost to discover new places. I even saved money from my trips abroad. I got to enjoy the places I have visited on my own and had a time to discern and reflect on my next plans. These are just some perks of being a solo backpacker.

Prior to my international trips, I been to places on my own and it’s amazing to be just myself and enjoy.

Sometimes, we need to be on our own to reflect, discern and meditate on the things we need to do when we get back home. Sometimes, being alone in a foreign country can give us a boost of confidence and explore new heights without anyone judging or making comparisons.

So take a time off and go to places on your own. You’ll discover more things than having a companion.

Jun's life on clouds: A Family of Warm Disciples

Jun's life on clouds: A Family of Warm Disciples: A disciple is someone who believes and supports a person. A friend is someone who believes and supports a person as well. Therefore, a ...

A Family of Warm Disciples

A disciple is someone who believes and supports a person.

A friend is someone who believes and supports a person as well.

Therefore, a disciple is a friend.

On the first Saturday of this month, we had an overnight-stay at a resort. It is a Feast-wide gathering and fellowship of all Warmth servants.

When we were about to go to the venue, it was raining hard and all the vehicles are jam-packed with tons of people lining up. So the group decided to get a v-hire for all of us, including some of the production servants (just to drop them off).

When we arrived at the venue, the place is more likely exclusive for us. Then we settled in, freshened up and got ready for the activities.

The activities are simple but a lot of hard work and thinking. It even includes teamwork, cooperation, support and guidance to complete the tasks as a group.

It was so funny and fun at the same time. I made all of them as my friends that day. We cracked jokes, bullied some people (for fun), shared a lot of things to one another and helped out on our food.

As what we usually do at the Feast, we accommodate and bring warmth to each other on that day.

 We shared our impressions to one another. We got to know more and learn a lot from each other. We even got to chit-chat with them.

At the end of the gathering and fellowship, we winded up as very close friends. A family of very close friends.

Then, it struck me. I just realized that we are not just servants, but friends. And as friends, we are disciples as well.

Disciples are not just harvesting fish among the vast sea. They’re not just preaching the Good News to people. They are not just making attendees to servants. They are not just followers to the rules. They are not just aiming for more members in the group. They are not just making people to serve.

Disciples are friends.

Friends are helping and supporting people. Friends will break rules just to help them. Friends care for the welfare of others. Friends listen and understand the good and bad sides of people. Friends wait for people when they are ready to serve.  

Sometimes, we tend to forget what the true essence of discipleship is. Making disciples is making friends. As long as we make a lot of friends, we make a lot of disciples as well.

Personally, I made lots of friends in the light groups I have. But it doesn’t mean that I have to let them serve because I need them to.  I let them serve when they wanted to, no matter how long and how ready they are.

Just like in the Warmth gathering, they are all ready to help, serve and make friends. They even wanted to help me in my service no matter what other people may say. They will do it because they wanted to and they care and support me. That’s an act of true discipleship in my case.  

That’s why I love serving in the Warmth ministry. Because I see them as my family of warm disciples.

False Love Alarm

Love is a beautiful word. It’s so beautiful that it hurts.

Yes. Love hurts.

Sometime in our lives, we tend to fall in love with someone. Daydreaming and thinking about ways to get up close and personal with that special someone. All-day call and text just to get some of that person’s attention.  

Rain check: Not all the time we get what we want especially in Love. We can get to be friends with that person but not as partners in life. We can get to be in a relationship with that person but not as married couples.

Sometimes when we fall in love, we fall down hard and that will hurt a lot. After that, we tend to close ourselves from the world and cry out to the Lord. Blaming Him of not getting what we want.

In other words, it’s a false alarm. Rather, a false Love alarm.

Let me share you a bit of my story.

A year ago, I got a crush on a person. At first, we just talked and talked about our common interests and hobbies in life. After the conversation, I felt like I’m beginning to like her. And that’s the start on my crushing on her.

But I said to myself, “I still need to discern if she is the one for me.”

It took me a whole year of discernment just for that! Apart from it, I continued to build a name for myself in my music and writing careers (I’m getting better on this one!)

On that same year, there are certain circumstances that I felt like God is making His move about my discernment on her. There are already three (3) scenarios to be exact that I should make my OWN move on her. Even my friends would say that I should ask her out. And boom! The famous #AskHerOut tagline was born! Credit to my friend who persistently reminded me to do it.

And so, I give in to their request. I felt that it’s now the right time to court her because every time I saw her, I feel that I’m drawn to her more and more.

And so I did. I started to text her, talked to her and even gave a gift. I felt like I’m making progress.

Then, the unforeseen event came. We talked about “The Us” and she even told me that she’s dating someone else. She just wanted us to be friends. No more, no less.

Boom! A prick of thorn hit me so bad that it hurts. For three (3) straight days, I still feel that pain. I was expecting that she’s still available. But sad to say, someone got her first. False alarm, Jun.

But I just realized something. Even though we’re friends, I can still help her out on her relationship to be happy. Whenever she’s happy, I’m happy as well.

And also, I feel that God is still working on me right now to become a better me. Even though, I’m ready to fall in love, God thinks I still need to prepare myself for battle. I still need to focus on Him and to the dreams He had for me.

Although it’s a false love alarm, God will truly give that true love that He planned for me. While I wait, I’ll do what I have to do – make more friends and eventually find that princess.

So, never give up. It may be a false alarm. But to God, He will give you the True Love you seek for.            

To Hide or To Let Go?

             

                Do you have a secret?

                A secret that you have kept from the longest time.

                Well, I do. Everyone does.

                I have a deep, dark secret that I have kept ever since I was a kid.

                I haven’t told anyone just yet because of Fear.

                Fear has taken a toll of me.

             I’m afraid if someone knew about my secret, they’ll laugh at me, prank on me and won’t even be friends with me.

                That’s the effect of fear.

                But now, I have learned that my past does not define my future.

                And so, I’ll reveal my secret.

Secret Revealed

               I am going to tell you about my deepest and darkest secret that has kept bottling inside of me for the longest time.

                 Hold on to your seats. Get ready to be shocked by what I am going to tell you.

                 Ready?

                 Here it goes.

                 When I was about 9 years old, I was molested.

                 Yep. You heard that right. I was molested.

              I was molested by my playmates. Every time I finished my homework, I would go to my male playmate’s house to play computer games because I love computer games. Then we’d play the game under the bed. Afterwards, my playmate would touch my private part. He thought I was gay since I was a bit gentle and thought I acted ladylike.

               And then did the unthinkable. I was a kid back then and I don’t know what’s wrong and right at that time. I got a bit carried away and even did it several times after that incident.

                 I never told my parents about it. I was scared.

                So for the longest time, from elementary to college, I haven’t told anyone. Not a single one about it.

             When I was working for a couple of jobs, I haven’t told someone about it also. Until I thought that a community can help me let go of it.

Help from a Community

               When my workmate from Accenture introduced me to a Christian community, I got excited. Finally, my darkest secret will be lifted off me when I will be part of the community. The thought of being in a community will help me let go of it. That was my thought. But the truth is, it wasn’t helping that much.

                The community have molded me to a better person.

                Yes. That’s true.

                Have I opened up my secret to someone in the community? Nope.

             In other words, it was helping me to become a better person through their activities, training, sharing and other stuff. But the thing is it wasn't able to help me just yet to open up my secret to any one of them.

               In time, I just observed them so that I can know to whom I can share it when I am ready to talk to that person. In 3 years time of being in that community, I wasn’t able to share it to someone. To anyone.

               But the good thing is, I got to open up on other things and got a bit talkative. Still, searching for someone to talk to, my friend in the community invited me to attend the Feast once more.

                Oh! I forgot about that. They have talks that can be applied to my daily stuff.

               I was attending the Feast back then when I was still serving in the community. Then I got preoccupied with so many to-dos in the community that I forgot about the Feast.

                And so I came back attending the Feast.

                Guess what? I never thought that I can share my secret in the Feast.

  A listening ear

              Attending the Feast for a long time now, helped me boost my confidence level of meeting new friends through the Hugs (not really a hugger though, back then), the talk series and even serving in some ministries.

                One thing that caught my attention is the Love Someone Today thingy.

                Got curious about it, I joined one.

                As my LST or Love Someone Today progressed, I eventually told someone my deepest and darkest secret.

                He just listened. Listened to the very last drop of detail I can possibly share about it.

              And what amazes me is that he understood me. He never judged me even my secret he never questioned about it that much.

                He just asked me one question.

                He said, “Have you told someone else about it?”

                And I said, “I haven’t told anyone just yet because of fear.”

                From that point on, I have realized something.

                The past does not define YOUR future.

Letting go of the past

From that point on, I said to myself,
”You know what? That secret doesn’t matter to me anymore. It’s long overdue and  I have to let go."
By that, I was also inspired by Bro Bo’s confession of his molestation.
Yeah, got molested, too.
But in a different case.

Revealing my secret is like a thorn cut off my stem.

I felt so peaceful. No more heavy loads riding in my back.

So what’s happened to my secret?

It’s not a secret anymore because the truth will set y
So going back to the question, To hide or to let go?

                I much prefer letting go coz its healthier and you will be free.

           So friends, let go. As Frozen soundtrack had sung: ”Let it go, Let it go. Can hold it back anymore....”

                Learn to let go and you’ll be amazed with the results!

              

From total Strangers to best Friends

 

Have you joined a club, an organization or a community recently?

Most people joined one so that they can have more friends, more learning (depending on what they can offer you) and nurture the talents or gifts you have.

That's the most common reasons people join a group.

But have you ever wondered when we join a group, we know some of them? Even a single one? 

We join one group from a friend, either your parent or your relatives.

But...

Have you ever joined a group that you don't know a single person in it?

Well, I do.

Here's my story.

Before and After the Music 

I was in a Christian community called the CFC-SFL (just ask me personally if you wanna know the meaning if it). Anyways, I really, really wanted to join the music ministry in our community.

Alas, I wasn't given a chance. It hurts a bit because I have completed my whole session on voice lessons and yet I wasn't given a part in the music min. 

That hurts a bit. I think it was not yet my time to shine in the stage...

So my plan B was to join the music ministry of the Thursday Feast of the LOJ community.

What's more is that I don't know a single one from that ministry. Not a single one. Period.

So, I did my audition and passed. Like I have a perfect score on my music class. It was overwhelming at the same time scary because I'm in a ministry of strangers unlike in my other community where I know all of them.

But that was a very bold move I have done because....

I've got a chance to sing on stage.

Sang solo on stage (well, I just sang solo on the first verse of the song. That's a huge accomplishment for me).

I even learned NEW songs (back then songs sung are just in a songbook, not that updated).

And.... I got the chance to know my band mates.

It's a fun experience indeed.

          

After the Retreat

After the I Love Life retreat, I started making my first ever blog.

Kinda a newbie on this one. 

But the compliments are overwhelming. That's why I'm still on it until now.

Then an opportunity knocked.

I was given a chance to join the Bulletin for the whole Feast in Cebu. I never thought I would be joining one since I'm just new on writing. Well, maybe they liked the way I write my blog post.

Oh, that's why.

Then I joined their meeting for the very first time at the same time, I was given my very first assignment. (the meeting was for the KCON and it was my first meeting to join.)

Well, it’s very much overwhelming because I got to meet a new set of strangers on that meeting.

I was so silent back then. Just observing. Silently, listening to each one.

Then I got the chance to talk and know them, even for a short time.

I got the chance to be featured in the Bulletin for several issues already. And it was heartwarming to see my article published and read by many.

That's why one of my other goal is to publish a book in Shepeherd's Voice.

Meeting Strangers

I've read an article from the book "Is your love tank empty?" by Bo Sanchez.

He met an unchurched man. A stranger. He learned lots of things from this man. 

Not to be judgmental. Not to be critical. It's a wonder that he met someone whom he can learn from. From a stranger.

Even I, myself, have experienced that scenario.

There is an activity on one of the talks in the Feast (a weekly gathering) that allows a person to talk to someone I don't know personally. In other words, talk to a stranger.

And so, I did.

I talked to a stranger. Lo and behold, we became friends just by talking.

Amazing isn't it?

Even in the I Love Life retreat I attended, I have met strangers and become friends. Partners. Travel buddies.

Sometimes, being too comfortable with the friends we already have can make us doubt our friendships with them when they got additional friends. (I've experienced this one first-hand).

Be open to strangers (those who you can befriend, not just any strangers roaming in the streets). You might have opportunities knocking at your door when you meet them.

An Eye - Opening Journey

I'll share you a story.

There was once a newborn baby who had a weird eye condition.

His left eye has this rapid wiggling effect that even his parents don't know what to do with him. So they took him to a doctor and examined him further.

All the doctor can say is that it can be operated but lose one eye or replace it with another one.

His parents have insufficient funds to manage his operations and so they let him be.

The boy grew up and when he look at you straight up, he'll look at you at a 45 degree angle from the right. Since his dominant one is his right eye, so that explains why he looks at you that way.

As he grew much older, going to middle school, he managed to straighten up on his focus of facing people. It means that when he look at you, he now looks at you straight with both eyes not the 45 degree angle look.

He then goes to high school. 

The school held a Star Search competition within the year levels to see who would be the best on which craft each of the levels will be presenting.

The boy joined the dance contest portion. He was so excited because he likes to dance.

When their group started performing, the boy felt dizzy and see flashes of light in his left eye. He left the group since he cannot focus anymore on his dance steps due to the flashing effect. It took minutes to send those flashing effect gone. And when the flashes are gone that was the same time the group finished their performance.

Poor kid. He wasn't able to enjoy dancing due to that condition.

From that time on, he is experiencing frequent flashing effect on his left eye but just for a few minutes.

Then he was able to reach college level and graduated. He even got his first job a few months after graduation.

He really felt blessed at that time despite his eye condition.

Then comes the climax of his story.

After his shift from work, his best friend (who is also his workmate at the same time, his housemate) asked him to have a time off and watch a movie.

So he accepted his friend's offer and they watched a movie.

After the movie, he felt the flashing effect again in his left eye. But this time, it took more minutes than the usual.

So he looked for a bench to sit on and waited for the flashing effect to be totally gone.

Not knowing what happened, his friend asked him if he's alright and he said no. At that instance, he felt his vision was getting slooower by a second. And he can hardly keep up with the people roaming around the mall.

So his friend took him by the hand and led him outside to go home.

Are you wondering who can that boy be in my story.

Well, that's me.

"Woah, but you don't look like you have an eye condition,"

You might say that because my appearance deceives you (not to mention I look like a normal handsome and cute boy next door. Just joking around --- with a smiley face)

Anyways, that was the times like I was watching the Matrix movies in slow motion. I felt like I was in the movie myself. It might felt good when you're in a live movie (laughing).

I still have those flashing thingy as I write this one.

I even consulted a doctor of what my sickness really is.

He told me that the name of my eye condition was ocular myopic degeneration.

What's that? 

I don't even know at first what it meant. But my doctor told me that my retina is getting thinner and might get detached in the long run. So there is a possibility that I may incur blindness.

Oh, did I mention above that I DO have blindness in my left eye before ever consulting my doctor? 

Well, it's just partial blindness. Just like a thin strip of bacon placed in my left eye.

I asked the doctor if there is a cure for my condition.

And you know what he said?

A big NO.

Oh. My. Gosh. What will happen to me? Will I never see people again? Even the ones I loved? Even the girlfriends I have? (that's too much to ask. I'll with one. Wink)

I even asked God if there is still a future for me regardless of my disability.

True enough, He heeded my question.

He replied me back in a form of a retreat two weeks ago.

I have learned so much from it that it reminded me of what kind of journey I will be taking ahead of me.

This eye condition of mine proves that I am unique from the rest. Aside from the good looks (no kidding, right?).

It also proves that even if my eye condition will never ever be cured, I can still go on with my journey in life. Showing off the best of my abilities either through dancing (as you have read in my story), signing (I do love singing as well) and through writing (I wanted to share what I can share).

Through all the drama that I have in my life, It was an eye-opener.

God instilled so much talent in me that I should start sharing with all of you.

Imperfect as I may be just because I have this eye condition, there is more to life than being frantic about it.

Friends, enjoy the imperfections you have. Enjoy the life ahead of you.

It will become your eye-opening journey towards life.