Living in my Dreams at 26

At 26, I pause in life!

I reflect back by asking myself, "What makes Rheena happy?" There can be millions of answer but it only boils down to this: CHALLENGES! Nothing beats the experience of aspiring for something, struggling and achieving those goals. Let's get real, life will always give us something to think about and something to work on and such remains to be the cycle of existence.

Even Maslow's hierarchy of needs shows us humans innate hunger for curiosity to become everything that one is capable of becoming. To achieve our so-called 'Self-Fulfillment'.

Who would ever thought that one day I will thank all the obstacles that came my way that taught me to overcome fear, worry, anger & doubt. There was the challenge of surviving the auditions to be 1 of the 8 TV Sportscasters out of 500 applicants in-front of well-known producers and directors. The challenge of everyday critics that follows you. The challenge of finishing my internship in college while keeping the part time job that I want. The challenge of conquering jumping on a 15-ft high, 20-ft deep water. The trauma in visa application to be able to complete all travel documents. The challenge of being away from your family for 10 long months & mingling with people from around the world. The never ending challenge that makes us human. Nevertheless, I thank God for for the gift of having a superb family & great education that was my armor as I battle my way to the top.

Then comes the sweet victories in life that includes achieving my dream job of becoming a TV Sportscaster, being able to travel around the world and participating in the World's greatest events, being able to experience God's most beautiful creations such as , being able to meet friends from every corner of the world, and being able to aspire more knowledge and discoveries in life.








At 26, I thank all those opportunities that God have blessed me with, I thank the people who were great inspirations and source of wisdom to me and I thank myself for having the courage to take the road less traveled.

At 26, I wanted to travel more, work more, love more and CHALLENGE MYSELF more. The bucket list to live the rest of my life the best of my life still continues in the years to come. Life is happiest when I live it with limitless possibilities achieving my ardent desire of self-fulfillment. Life indeed is a race to excellence and success that certainly has no finish line!

Realizations in LIFE

The AWAKENING

There comes a time in your life when you finally get it ... When in the midst of all your fears and insanity you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out "ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on." And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes you begin to look at the world from a new perspective.

..........This is your awakening.

You realize that it is time to stop hoping and waiting for something or someone to change, or for happiness safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that there aren't always fairytale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you. Then a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

So you begin making your way through the "reality of today" rather than holding out for the "promise of tomorrow." You realize that much of who you are and the way you navigate through life is, in great part, a result of all the social conditioning you've received over the course of a lifetime. And you begin to sift through all the nonsense you were taught about :

how you should look and how much you should weigh, what you should wear and where you should shop, where you should live or what type of car you should drive, who you should sleep with and how you should behave, who you should marry and why you should stay, the importance of bearing children or what you owe your family?

Slowly you begin to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you begin re-assessing and re-defining who you are and what you really believe in. And you begin to discard the doctrines you have outgrown, or should never have practiced to begin with.

You accept the fact that you are not perfect ,and that not everyone will love appreciate or approve of who or what you are... and that's OK... they are entitled to their own views and opinions. And, you come to terms with the fact that you will never be a size 5 or a "perfect 10".... Or a perfect human being for that matter... and you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head or agonizing over how you compare. And, you take a long look at yourself in the mirror and you make a promise to give yourself the same unconditional love and support you give so freely to others. Then a sense of confidence is born of self-approval.

And, you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" hungry for your next fix, a new dress, another pair of shoes or looks of approval and admiration from family, friends or even strangers who pass by. Then you discover that it is truly in "giving" that we receive, and that the joy and abundance you seek grows out of the giving. And you recognize the importance of "creating" and "contributing" rather than "obtaining" and "accumulating."

And you give thanks for the simple things you've been blessed with, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about - a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, the freedom of choice and the opportunity to pursue your own dreams.

And you begin to love and to care for yourself. You stop engaging in self-destructive behaviors, including participating in dysfunctional relationships. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water and exercising. And because you've learned that fatigue drains the spirit and creates doubt and fear, you give yourself permission to rest. And just as food is fuel for the body, laughter is fuel for the spirit and so you make it a point to create time for play.

Then you learn about love and relationships - how to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving, and when to walk away. And you allow only the hands of a lover who truly loves and respects you to glorify you with his touch. You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say, intentionally or unintentionally, and that not everyone will always come through... and interestingly enough, it's not always about you. So, you stop lashing out and pointing fingers or looking to place blame for the things that were done to you or weren't done for you. And you learn to keep your Ego in check and to acknowledge and redirect the destructive emotions it spawns - anger, jealousy and resentment.

You learn how to say "I was wrong" and to forgive people for their own human frailties. You learn to build bridges instead of walls and about the healing power of love as it is expressed through a kind word, a warm smile or a friendly gesture. And, at the same time, you eliminate any relationships that are hurtful or fail to uplift and edify you. You stop working so hard at smoothing things over and setting your needs aside. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK and that it is your right to want or expect certain things. And you learn the importance of communicating your needs with confidence and grace. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that eventually martyrs are burned at the stake. Then you learn to distinguish between guilt, and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to Say NO. You learn that you don't know all the answers, it's not your job to save the world and that sometimes you just need to Let Go.

Moreover, you learn to look at people as they really are and not as you would want them to be, and you are careful not to project your neediness or insecurities onto a relationship. You learn that you will not be more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man on your arm or the child that bears your name. You learn that just as people grow and change, so it is with love and relationships, and that that not everyone can always love you the way you would want them to. So you stop appraising your worth by the measure of love you are given. And suddenly you realize that it's wrong to demand that someone live their life or sacrifice their dreams just to serve your needs, ease your insecurities, or meet "your" standards and expectations. You learn that the only love worth giving and receiving is the love that is given freely without conditions or limitations. And you learn what it means to love. So you stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. You learn that "alone" does not mean "lonely" and you begin to discover the joy of spending time "with yourself" and "on yourself." Then you discover the greatest and most fulfilling love you will ever know - Self Love. And so it comes to pass that, through understanding, your heart heals; and now all new things are possible.

Moving along, you begin to avoid Toxic people and conversations. And you stop wasting time and energy rehashing your situation with family and friends. You learn that talk doesn't change things and that unrequited wishes can only serve to keep you trapped in the past. So you stop lamenting over what could or should have been and you make a decision to leave the past behind. Then you begin to invest your time and energy to affect positive change. You take a personal inventory of all your strengths and weaknesses and the areas you need to improve in order to move ahead, you set your goals and map out a plan of action to see things through.

You learn that life isn't always fair and you don't always get what you think you deserve, and you stop personalizing every loss or disappointment. You learn to accept that sometimes bad things happen to good people and that these things are not an act of God... but merely a random act of fate.

And you stop looking for guarantees, because you've learned that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected and that whatever happens, you'll learn to deal with it. And you learn that the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time - FEAR itself.  So you learn to step right into and through your fears, because to give into fear is to give away the right to live life on your terms. You learn that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophesy and you learn to go after what you want and not to squander your life living under a cloud of indecision or feelings of impending doom.

Then, YOU LEARN ABOUT MONEY... the personal power and independence it brings and the options it creates. And you recognize the necessity to create your own personal wealth. Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never ever settle for less than your heart's desire. And a sense of power is born of self-reliance. And you live with honor and integrity because you know that these principles are not the outdated ideals of a by-gone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build your life. And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting and to stay open to every wonderful opportunity and exciting possibility. Then you hang a wind chime outside your window to remind yourself what beauty there is in Simplicity.

Finally, with courage in your heart and with God by your side you take a stand, you FAKE a deep breath and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.

A word about the Power of Prayer: In some of my darkest, most painful and frightening hours, I have prayed, not for the answers to my prayers or for material things, but for my "God" to help me find the strength, confidence and courage to persevere; to face each day and to do what I must do.

Remember this:- You are an expression of the almighty. The spirit of God resides within you and moves through you. Open your heart, speak to that spirit and it will heal and empower you. My "God" has never failed me.

Heaven of Marinduque: Bellaroca Island Resort

Are you planning to have your vacation on Santorini in Greece, or in Maldives perhaps? Well, these two are great places for a dream vacation that requires tiresome planning and great amount of money.

A place that is known for its luxurious and astonishing beauty. Bellaroca Island Resort and Spa, a private island that can be found in Buenavista, Marinduque, stands out from other luxurious resorts because of the Mediterranean architecture that this resort possesses.

Compare to the mystical beauty of Marinduque, Bellaroca Resorts is something that Philippines can be proud of. The fact that I can have my dream vacation without leaving the country; I can also experience the extravagant life while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of my very own country.

The resort offers 10 private villas equipped with its own private infinity pools and Jacuzzi, 30 hotel rooms, food and beverage outlets, and water sports activities and tours for their valuable guests. Moreover, witness and experience their very own natural hot spring swimming pool, 9 – Hole Golf Course, seaside pavilion, tea house facing the beautiful ocean, picnic grove engulfed with tropical gardens, Enjoy tranquil moments at their seaside café and marina, and last of all, their very own rejuvenating spa services at the Hillside Spa Room. Unwind and relax to a total comfort haven surrounded by amazing tropical garden, astounding view of the ocean and clear blue sky.

Guests can get there through private transfers such as luxury yachts, charter flights, and helicopter arrangements between Manila and Marinduque through their Reservation Department.

Bellaroca Island Resort and Spa’s rates range from 420 up to 1,320 U.S Dollars. The resort also establishes a Child Policy for children 12 years old & below, which states that there is only a maximum of 2 children per room that is accompanied by 2 adults. 

Relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy the comforting relief that Bellaroca Island Resort can give you, the Heaven of Marinduque.

The Undiscovered; Calaguas Island

If there's any holiday in the calender apart from Christmas and New Years that most Filipinos are excited about, it's the Holy Week; a long vacation when we can spend quality time with family and friends. A holy week fever when places like Boracay, Coron or Cebu are fully booked and since I always opted for a different kind of adventure, me and my boyfriend decided to go beach camping in Bicolandia.

After an 8-hour drive from Manila, Ian and I reached Camarines Norte at half past five in the morning. This was my second time in Bicol but this will be my first time to one of their surfing spot, Calaguas Island. With the help of Ian's cousin and a group of 20 other people, a two hour boat ride brought us to an Island where most travelers haven't reached yet. 

Going through the rough seas was worth the trip considering the stretch of fine white sand that will razzle dazzle you kilometers away from the island. An island that boasts its powdery white sands, crystal-clear waters and unspoiled natural resources embraced by a serene and charming atmosphere.

Stunned with its beauty, my boyfriend and I started taking pictures wanting to envy our family and friends about this undiscovered Calaguas Island. We just can't help it but start pitching our tent so we can shelter our bags while we sunbathe at the shores. Luckily there was one nipa house standing at the center of the island with its restroom that was generously alloted for the visitors of the island.

Food was included in the package and I just couldn't resist a plateful of  Bicol's well-known 'laing' and 'pinagsantolan' together with fresh tomatoes, fish, and rice. I even brought home 'pinagsantolan' which my Dad  really liked back home. With the heat and unlimited facilities on the island, it was so delighting to see that a local decided to have a halo halo stand to feed the visitors cravings for a refreshment.

To add more, typical beach activities made it a perfect summer spot such as surfing, skim boarding, snorkeling, trekking on the mountain found on the islands side, sunset watching, and a henna artist to complete it. With the picture perfect Calaguas Island and its great waves, most visitors engaged themselves to surfing and skim boarding with the help of a known skimboarder/surfer/ islander, TJ (Slick Surf Skimboards Pilipinas).

A great experience, an awesome place, a great group headed by an excellent organizer. There was no hotel, no signal, no lights, and no doubt it was an awesome Calaguas Island.

Explore, Dream, Discover

People often say that this or that person has not yet found himself. But then, the self is not something one finds rather it is something one creates. Have you experience the constant struggle of every person to escape the chaos and confusion created by modern society and the quest to  understand life at its best? If you can just gather the courage to get out of your comfort zone, detach yourself from a meaningless life, go into the wilderness of your intuition --- then slowly you will discover something more wonderful. What you will discover is yourself with a global perspective that no other college degree can offer. This was me launching myself to the experiences the world has to offer and this is my story: 

It took me seven years of living life revolving around the hard court interrogating personalities lives before I could even cross-examine my life. There were ten thousands of questions, and simply one smart answer: "Self Fulfillment". Then comes opportunity to become everything that one is capable of becoming, but the hardest part is giving up the job that you love in exchange for the job of your dreams. At that moment, the Universe is telling me that we cannot be what we want to be by remaining what we are…and so I left my sportscasting job in exchange of working on a luxurious cruise ship. It was TIME for new explorations, time to be more independent, time for a once in a lifetime adventure --- it’s MY time & I’m owning every millisecond of it.

From East to West, I travel around the world for free and without a doubt it was far better than winning in the lottery when that ticket of a lifetime was given to me. Anxiousness encapsulated me as it was a whole new world for me considering the next 13 months I’m on my own embracing this contemporary world...this is freedom!

I’ve set foot on hundreds of different countries, embrace diverse cultures, come across new faces, and the funny thing is I've even encountered myself. Just when I thought everything was given to me in a silver platter considering the exciting perks while earning a paycheque, and just as Uncle Ben once told Spiderman that 'with great power comes great responsibilities', I cannot deny the fact that there is still balance in Life.  

Yes i was able to:

* meet new friends and learn about other cultures,

* minimize my living expenses; have the benefit of free travel, free accommodation, free meals

* travel to the most enchanting places and experience the World's Famous such catching live F1 racing in the Monaco Grand Prix, getting up close notable celebrities in the Cannes film festival, joining exciting shore excursions for free

* enjoy big shopping discounts from everywhere

* experience a unique job thats pays well

Monaco Grand Prix

riding a camel in Tangier, North Africa

 in Sorrento one of Italy's loveliest

a walk around the walls of the Old City in Dubrovnik Croatia

Leaning Tower of Pisa in Livorno, Italy

where fairy tales do come true --- Venice, Italy

However,

* I felt the emptiness of being away from my family and my truest friends,

* I got exhausted working 7 days a week, 11 hours a day

* I deal with temporary friends

* and I left a man who despite my absence defended me and loved me unconditionally.

It was a crazy fun life and I would have to agree that one’s destination is never a place but a new way of seeing things. I learned to appreciate myself more by grabbing the opportunity to grow and realize what matters, who matters, who never did, who won't anymore, and who always will.

Finally, 105 countries within 14 months, 7 days a week, 11 hours a day of work…. It was a lifetime adventure that I will forever cherish.  Good old days are now packed on my excess baggage and just so you know --- I decided to make the rest of my life, the best of my life.

my 7th heaven

nothing beats being with my Partner in Crime, Ian

And for anyone out there who wants to experience the world...what are you waiting for? Go ahead and spin the globe, take out the map, head out & find your own nowhere.