The Breathtaking View of Taal Lake

The Philippines, as a tropical country, is hot and humid almost all year round.

And so it's even hotter in summer!

When people need to relax and unwind over the weekend, there's a place we can travel to escape from the lowland heat.

It's Tagaytay! Overlooking Taal lake.

A cool climate. That's one of the reasons why I love Tagaytay. A mountain resort about one-and-a-half hour travel away from the Philippine capital -- Manila.

It's not just the climate but also known for its scenic and breathtaking view of Taal lake and one of the world's smallest active volcanoes.

In June 2018, I had a great weekend in Tagaytay. Just a brief moment to rejuvenate from the noise and stress of the metro. That was my 3rd and last visit, and is memorable ever.

But on this charming tourist destination is a sad story of the recent volcanic eruption in January 2020. Its eruption was one of the most destructive, which caused a struggle for livelihood, health, safety, and loss of lives in Taal, the province of Batangas, and affected nearby areas and reached as far as Metro Manila.

Will I ever come back to this place?

Yes, I will, for sure. This fantastic place bordering the province of Batangas and Cavite will never lose its charm. The people remain resilient and will always strive to return to normal after a natural disaster.

The destruction of the ecosystem is a threat to the livelihood of fishing and farming and a significant loss in the tourism sector.

Now, during this time of the Pandemic, the people in Taal and Tagaytay are again under a significant threat of livelihood due to the disruption of businesses due to the lockdown. They have not fully recovered from the volcanic eruption in January when the lockdown due to the Pandemic was ordered in March 2020.

That's like continuous disaster and suffering. I hope it will end.

Tourism is a big loser during this Pandemic. It could hardly recover, given the strict travel restrictions and protocols on health standards. 

And so when this Pandemic ends, we have to help revive the tourism industry -- the significant economic sector in the country.

Is it safe to visit?

Since it will take years for another volcanic eruption to happen, hopefully.

Tagaytay, overlooking Taal lake, is close to my heart. It has memories to cherish for a lifetime. It will be a breathtaking place to visit for a lifetime.

© 2020 Del Cusay

Weekend Getaway in Boracay

I need a vitamin sea. That's how millennials or young travelers would say whenever they need a break.

The sea is medicine. Prescribed not by physicians but by none other than our very own friends, our colleagues, or people closer and special to us. We feel calm and relaxed when we are in a body of water. And so, our mind becomes clear and our soul uplifted. Our well-being is healed and rejuvenated, and that's the ultimate goal to achieve.

The truth is we want to escape reality once in a while. To live in a fantasy land where there are no pains and stresses. We pause, pack our things and go for a travel and adventure.

Dream on and go on.

In April 2016, I had a great weekend getaway on a small island on the west coast of Panay Island in the Philippines. Boracay Island. One of the world's best.

It's a hotspot for the world's beach and island lovers. A multi-cultural hub where the east meets the west.
That was my 5th time visiting Boracay in about two decades. And each time I saw it, its ecosystem and culture had undergone several transformations. I the old Island culture I missed.

I may have seen Boracay during its pristine days when it was less developed and had its Island vibe. So that brings back vivid memories worth remembering. 

Last year when it underwent temporary closure, it became like a ghost Island. Only a few tourists and businesses closed for about half a year. If we humans deserve a break, a busy Island deserves a much-needed break too.

When there is damage in an ecosystem due to commercialization, it has to clean and heal itself before serving people again. And so other more popular Islands in the country and Southeast Asian region followed suit. They also rehabilitated their Island paradise. That's a great move with great sacrifice and love. 

Take a break from the crowd. The party. The noise. The pollution.

I love Boracay. It has a different vibe among Philippine Islands and beaches. And so, I am pro-rehabilitation if needed, so it can breathe again and rejuvenate -- just like us human beings.

The Nami Resort will bring you over the hills and experience exhilarating fun from an old-style elevator reaching the hilltop. Nami resort got the best view of the Island, and it was just fantastic. The food, the music, and the ambiance are great. The experience was magical.

Boracay once again was closed just recently. This time due to the pandemic. And so, when people can travel again without restrictions, Boracay will open its paradise for responsible business owners and kind travelers.

Boracay is for everyone. One day, I may be able to swim in its water again. Witness its captivating sunset. See the sandcastles and leave footprints in the sand.

© 2020 Del Cusay

Father's Day at The Farm

Life at the farm. That's our best new normal during this time of Pandemic. We get the benefits of a clean and green environment for healing and rejuvenation.

Today, we celebrate a special day since it's Father's Day. We decided to visit and spend our Sunday at the farm, a sanctuary we had developed for about a year now.

As I swing through a hammock, I reminisce how it all started back in June 2019, from when it was conceptualized until it materialized.

Today, a year after, we are harvesting fruits and vegetables, which my parents started to plant since the lockdown and home quarantine due to the Pandemic. My parents didn't stop their usual organic farming activity, and it's paying off-- it's harvest time.

We have varieties of vegetables like eggplant, bitter gourd, string beans, spinach, and squash. We also have fruits like Philippine lime or Calamansi, tomatoes, avocado, banana, watermelon, and coconut. These and many more in weeks to come as we expand and develop other areas for planting.

We aim for sustainable farming practices to provide our own food on the table in this time of crisis and as a way of living -- a new lifestyle.

In previous years, I may not have celebrated Father's day at home, so this year is an opportunity to be present and to show gratitude and appreciation to our dear Father.

I will forever be thankful for the love and inspiration; this crisis allows us to plant, grow and harvest what we've produced.

Father's day isn't only for a day; we celebrate it in our lifetime. Wherever we are, he will always be in our hearts. Our Father, our hero, our motivation, and our source of endless inspiration. 

© 2020 Del Cusay

A Journey of A Thousand Miles

Life brings us to the place of our dreams. That's the beginning of a beautiful journey ahead. We dream it, we believe it, and we live it.

We manifest and hold on to that dream, we bring our intentions to life, and it starts with a single with— a single step.

Life may bring us to several places in our lifetime. Some destinations may still need to be planned, but opportunities and destiny take us there.

In 2016 after a thousand miles journeys abroad, life brought me to a lovely place; known as the city of love— Iloilo City, Philippines.

The place is special to me since I lived there for about a year, from mid-2002 until mid-2003. It is where I studied my first year in college, being the center of higher education in the Region. Back then, the city had its charm with century-old churches and old ancestral houses preserved and restored— such a timeless beauty.

The city has to live up to the expectation dubbed as the 'City of Love,' and true to its name, it is the loving nature and the lovable character of the people that captivates the soul.

13 years since I left, I came back to live and practice my profession by working in a medical center near the esplanade, where I used to spend some morning strolls and sunset viewing. I have seen the city's growth as it embraced modern development in infrastructure while preserving its old heritage. Now the city is a fusion of the ancient and contemporary world. It has a more charming vibe among the developing cities in the Philippines.

That journey to the 'City of Love' brought memories to cherish for a lifetime, until one day, another journey began to another place; to the country's capital region of Metro Manila, back to the site where I started to work and discover places and the world.

Today, our world may have stopped. Life may have led me back to my greater comfort and security, to my birthplace, and to be with my family — my loved ones.

The thousand miles journey brought meaning to life, but away from my family. But now, a journey of a thousand miles includes a 'home sweet home' closer to my family.

Life is good to return to their loving and warm embrace during this crisis, where uncertainty unfolds. I was far away from them for years, searching for a living, but now I am living with them, searching for meaning.

Now, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Wherever we are in this world, no matter how far the distance we've been. Still, we'll always return to the most special place in our hearts. 

Life will always protect and comfort us, and life will always lead us back, even after a thousand miles journeys and beyond. 

© 2020 Del Cusay

Living Our Best Normal

We want to live our best life. That is not just an aspiration but a realization of our life purpose. Our goals and dreams are what fuel our being towards not just success but also fulfillment -- our heart's desire.

In these times, we are now one world and one humanity, which used to be divided by the color of our skin, the amount of money in our wallet or in a bank, divided by religious affiliation and social status.

Today, we feel the oneness of humanity. That we are united through a shared experience. We are all vulnerable to the global threat to human health;  either we survive or continue to suffer -- we're all in this together.

We are slowly adapting to a 'new normal,' which is an initiation of how much we have learned about survival skills and the test of our life's top priorities.

In the 'new normal,' people may realize that money may not save a life at some point. That money isn't our ultimate purpose of living. And the health we sacrificed for cash will be gone when we lose the battle. 

Living in the city would start to lose the appeal, and people will see the value of life in the rural area-- in the countryside.

There is so much learning the pandemic taught us. People in the metropolitan now see the natural world uncovered to them. The surrounding mountains from afar, the chirping of the birds, and the clear blue skies used to be enjoyed in rural areas. Still, nature showed a glimpse of the natural environment people in rural areas want while in isolation.

People will now invest more in health and wellness rather than living in a highly stressful environment to gain wealth. Sustainable living in a safe and peaceful rural area is what can give us the peace of mind that we all need. If there's a shift to this mindset, people will live healthier and livelier.

Between life in the city and in a rural area, the 'new normal' would point the arrow to the less crowded place where one can breathe fresher air and enjoy a fantastic view of the natural environment free from pollution.

And hearing from someone I highly respect, Master Del Pe, a Modern Sage and an International Life Mentor, inspired people about living not just the 'new normal' but living our 'new best normal' because we put the highest priority on health and wellness to survive and live longer, we strive to live with our best self no matter the challenges and threat that will arise on years to come.

To live our most extraordinary life and our 'new best normal' is beyond living not just a safe and secure life but a sustainable life we all deserve. 

© 2020 Del Cusay

Life in The New Normal

Life on the beach. That is what people miss on a hot summer day. This is supposed to be a fun-filled dry season for families, groups of friends, coworkers, or solo travelers. But this season has fallen into isolation.

The last year's summertime was one of the best vacations ever. I never thought that it would be the last summer to get sunburned. The last time to enjoy the summer breeze and the serenity. The last time to leave footprints in the sand.

After several weeks, our economy and the rest of the world are slowly returning to life, but it may be hard for people to get back to life -- the kind of life we used to live.

While viewing my digital photo album, I saw smiling and happy faces. I saw how we used to celebrate family gatherings without physical distancing. I saw how we used to travel and go to public places without a mask. That was just a recent past, but now it feels like we have wholly entered a new world; with a new definition of love.

The new normal is tough love. When families at home couldn't even give a hug and kiss. When old friends or acquaintances couldn't even recognize each other due to facial protective covering. When partners couldn't hold their hands. And when young kids and our elderly are best protected by staying at home. All these for the sake of love -- love on the new normal. 

But I still believe in a profound human connection. We may still be able to give a smile to someone we know or anyone we meet along the road. A new definition of a smile -- a smile of gratitude on the new normal.

Our new normal is not only about hygienic measures. It goes beyond our new lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle where most people will give their utmost priority.

We will now be more health conscious and eat the right kind of food, get some physical exercise, get some nourishment from the sunlight, plant and harvest our own food, get adequate sleep, prayers, meditations...

Activities that nourish our body, mind, and soul would be most important. We stay away from worries, fears, and anxiety. Though at times it's normal to feel that way, we can still escape, regain our best selves, and live our most extraordinary lives.

For now, we may have already learned some tools and techniques as we move on to a new normal. You may now have known to quiet the mind and relieve stress through meditation. You may have learned the art of flexibility of the physical body through yoga or internal stamina exercises. You may have started doing backyard gardening. You may have learned to follow your passion for visual/digital arts like painting and photography. You may have started to love reading books, articles, and blogs. You may have found joy in sharing your passion through vlogging.

At this time, we must have overcome our Fear zone and moved to the Learning zone. And now, as we start living on the new normal, we are entering the Growth zone, where we have learned self-mastery and become a higher version of ourselves.

A lot has changed in a matter of weeks in isolation. We may now still be dreaming about that planned summer vacation. You may now be ready to explore what awaits you in the new normal. 

Circumstances may have changed, but hoping they will not change our being, our beliefs and values, our humanity, and most of all, our faith in God.
© 2020 Del Cusay

Opportunity in Crisis

We feel people's fear. This pandemic teaches us to be sensitive to different kinds of emotions. Anxiety, panic, boredom, anger, irritability, and depression are some of our common reactions. People may not say it, but we sense the negative vibe of people's lower emotions. 

We sense fear because our consciousness detected a new threat to our being; in humanity. Hence, what we feel is just average and expected.

But how can we escape this threat? How long shall we feel fear? How can we go back to living an everyday life?

During these times, education experts say we live in 3 different crisis zones.

Fear Zone. This is our initial tendency to threaten. It's normal! Feel the fear. Acknowledge this feeling and not be in denial. Our physical expression can't mask our feelings deep within for one main reason we are all together. We are wired to feel for each other.

Learning Zone. This is an excellent opportunity in times of crisis. We make use of the time we are in isolation. Most people might still be stuck in a fear zone, but learning shouldn't stop us. Students, working professionals, parents, young kids, and even old retirees can learn something new during this time. New knowledge and skills are our weapons as we return to living a 'new normal' during and post-pandemic.

Growth Zone. This is about taking control of our emotions and mind.
When we achieve a certain level of self-mastery, we grow and transform into a more fantastic version of ourselves. We succeed because we refuse to remain a victim of circumstance and prisoners of fate.

So, in what zone are we now?

From the 'fear zone' during the first few weeks of quarantine, I am now in the 'learning zone' where I feel a lot of positivity and personal empowerment. 

I have attended several webinars offered by local and international organizations and have learned from Thought leaders about different subjects of expertise.

I listen to educational podcasts and read valuable insights from online articles. I keep on learning and auditing existing knowledge and beliefs. I keep on pondering and updating obsolete information that hinders growth.

There's growth in learning.

Soulful Sunday is a great opportunity not to be stuck but to learn to adapt and engage in new interests and habits.

Farming has been a great activity for us even before the pandemic, and we continue to plant seeds for a bounty harvest in this uncertain time.

This is an opportunity to cultivate, develop and create sustainable living. Organic farming practice is what we need for a healthier body and immunity to fight the unseen enemy.

Life in the countryside will always be exciting. It's just a matter of changing our mental state and the definition of success. There's a lot of learning and an opportunity to live a more comfortable and healthier life. 

As we move on, we will look back to realize that fear sabotages and taking in control of our destiny. And so, our antidote is a dosage of learning to become better and bounce back more vital than ever.

© 2020 Del Cusay

Positivity in Uncertainty

Energy follows thoughts and intentions. That's one of the most essential pieces of wisdom I have learned and adopted for years.

We can make things happen when we pay attention to our thoughts and with a higher level of optimism. We can let almost impossible things happen.

But how can we stay positive in a world full of negativity? With the recent global crisis due to the pandemic, people get scared and anxious about what lies ahead of our uncertain future -- the coming days and years.

We are all at risk. But at this time, somebody must be ahead of us. Somebody must not be so scared as we are. They are our elders, our parents, and our grandparents.

What makes them have the highest level of positivity is the struggles and life experiences that they have survived through the years.

Yes, they may be the most vulnerable, but they have the most positive spirit all through these times.

They are not the weakest but strongest because of their faith in the highest Divine power. Their religious or spiritual affiliations and activities are what make them truly alive.

My Soulful Sunday is spent at the farm, and on this day, my parents show us how to live and survive this crisis.

The striking statement I have heard from them is that extensive farmland only serves its purpose if cultivated for sustainable farming.' That's the reason why they put their energy into it.

As I visit the farm after a week of home quarantine, I am glad to see the vegetable farm, which they have spent most of their time and energy on.

They may never know what tomorrow will bring, but they know how to survive and thrive. There are no excuses, but only developing habits and a positive mindset.

In days and weeks to come, we will harvest vegetables and fruits that will give us nourishment and a healthy body. Our goal is to strengthen our immune system, starting with healthy food on the table. Farm-fresh produce for better health and stronger immunity is all we need.

A lot of positivity for today. A lot of flashbacks and realizations. A lot of energy, but with positivity in uncertainty.

© 2020 Del Cusay

Transfiguration in the Eyes of A Child

The child grows fast from birth to a toddler. From the time they opened their eyes until they started walking alone. A physical transformation that makes us delighted. A child was born and is yet to live a great life. 

This Soulful Sunday, we spent a good time at the farm, and we brought our little one to explore the world that is new to him. The last time we got him to the farm was on new year's day, 2020, when he was just learning how to walk.

On New year's day 2020, when he was 1 year and 1 month old, we saw his curiosity to explore his environment. Although he couldn't speak and express his emotion of joyfulness, it can be seen in his smiles and actions.

Now at 13 months, he can walk by himself and is very playful. He can show different emotions. He laughs when feeling happy and cries when feeling uncomfortable.

A child is living in a different world. It is within our world, but they see things differently, as if they have their own. Whenever we don't feel like smiling, a child is there to give us a smile. Whenever we feel tired, a child lifts us up and gives us energy. A child has lots of powerful energy to change her mood and emotion. A child so small can change how we see the world.

Sometimes we may feel like having enough, yet a child can be happier and more excited. We may feel tired or bored with what we already have, but a child can have endless fun in exploration. A child starts to experience how to live, get hurt, fall down, rise up again, and give his biggest smile.

This 2nd Sunday of Lent talks about the transfiguration of Jesus at Mount Tabor, which was witnessed by his chosen Disciples. Jesus transformed into a bright human being just before the eyes of the Disciples.

Here on Earth, our God may show up in many ways through experiences of lavish living and even suffering. However, we may become blind in our faith and not see the bright side of life.

Unlike the child, he sees more beyond what we grown-ups can see. A child can remind us how to see the world with the most profound sense and gratitude.

 Our Quest for Personal Transfiguration begins as we emulate the innocence of a little child, giving us a radiant glow as we live life with happiness, joy, and peace.

When we no longer see ourselves shining so brightly, we see the transfiguration of Jesus in the eyes of a child. Because it is in their eyes that we see the greatest hope to learn how to live fully and see the world brighter again.

© 2020 Del Cusay

The Windows' Wind Blows

Waking up early morning staring at the window. That's a great feeling when witnessing the timelapse from dawn to sunrise! The purple skies at dawn and the silhouette of the trees are a soulful morning greeting— an experience worth living.

In my hometown, the second half of February is the coolest day to remember. The cool wind and the foggy morning are perfect for a cup of hot coffee.

A rainy day is a perfect time to hibernate and spend some pure thinking over a cup of hot beverage. It's all coffee... coffee and unlimited coffee!

So many thoughts coming in, just like the non-stop pouring of the rain. And when it's time to contemplate, it has to be the finest frequency of tuning in. Only the best frequency for healing the body, mind, and soul.

What makes us feel heavy at times is when we tune in to so many frequencies simultaneously. Whenever our thoughts are in the past, it gives us certain anxiety about whether we did our best. When we tune in to the future, it worries us about what lies ahead. And then, we forget to live in the present moment.

As I stared out the window, I could tell the taste of my coffee, hear the birds chirping, and feel the gentle wind blowing. That's how I tune in to the present, and it's just a wonderful thing.

While tuning in at present, I couldn't let it pass to tune in to one of the finest frequencies of the recent past. A heavenly frequency of a great climb to remember.

That's a selective tuning-in for a Soulful Sunday moment. It brings back not just pleasant memories but also relives heartfelt moments.

The wind blows of February will be missed. The foggy mornings will soon be over, and the rainy days will quickly end. But the memories will stay forever and be tuned in to be an excellent frequency for all seasons. 

The next time I stare out the window, it will never be the same again until the same season comes again. But I have learned to tune in to a healing frequency even when it is raining and when the sun is not shining.

© 2020 Del Cusay

Weekend Retreat at The Farm

Highland retreat is a soulful activity for the family. And the weekend is the best moment to take a deep breath and experience the solemnity of nature away from noise and distractions.

An excellent way to be connected with nature is to feel and embrace silence. To be distant for a while and be grounded. That's our human nature; we always find ways to heal our bodies and soul naturally. And for us, it will always be our little sanctuary— our farm far away from the city.

A weekend retreat is a food for the soul. We breathe in good energy as we breathe out the toxic negativity. These stagnant energies are considered a poison that must be released into our body system. And nature has its way of helping us to cleanse and to heal.

Our coffee tastes even better as we have a soulful conversation. This begins a journey towards the soulful discovery of our capacity for sustainable environmental development. It is in this place where plans and dreams are materialized.

As I sip my coffee, I reminisce about when I first saw this underdeveloped site in the middle of 2019. And in July of this year, the dream materialized through the capacity of my parents, who are into years of farming on this farmland.

This place is where we can experience solitude as we contemplate or meditate. It teaches us an important life lesson about contentment but being bold and daring to dream and survive.

We are leaving our little ones with a natural environment for them to continue on this legacy and enjoy a quality and blissful life. As they grow up, they will learn to love nature and do their best to protect and preserve it.

Our weekend highland retreat is a simple celebration of life. We will forever be thankful to the Divine for a meaningful life— where dreams are alive. 

© 2019 Del Cusay

When Christmas Tree Makes You Happy

Decorating for Christmas is a jolly moment for our family. It gives a joyful vibe and a nostalgic feeling about our childhood. As we decorate, we also reflect on how our decorations evolved through the years. Back then, we did not have a giant Christmas tree, but we made sure to have something to decorate for Christmas.

It is more fun when a family gathers to help each other do Christmas decorations. We reminisce wonderful stories worth sharing as we put on those Christmas lights and hang the Christmas balls. Those memories last forever, adding color to our life as we celebrate Christmas.

For Christmas 2019, we wanted our Christmas tree to reflect what we feel and what kind of life we want. So we set up sparkling multi-color Christmas lights around the Christmas tree with glittering accessories.

Life has been challenging and a bit dark at times, but the Christmas tree reminds us to stand out and unleash our inner glow to increase our brightness and uplift our souls.

This is a season to be jolly, and it is so true. As we gather around the Christmas tree before the year ends, we would want to give our last best shot. We wish for a brighter year ahead and renew our energy to make it more refined and powerful.

Oh, Christmas tree! You bring light and color to the holidays. You bring smiles to the kids, the family, and everyone. You give meaning to a life worth living. 

© 2019 Del Cusay