'Near death' experience

What I thought was a perfect day of fun and recreation ended with probably the closest to a near death experience of my life. 

I went to an outing at a swimming resort with my group of friends from my work. It was, as I said, a real fun day in the water. I swam a lot, of course. I do think that in my past life I was a sea creature, a shark, or plankton, maybe. So whenever I'm in water, I'm so happy. Plus I was with the company of people I really like. 

But, having left responsibilities in the office, I have to go to work and close the Lifestyle pages even if it was already late, AND, of course, I was tired. But it's alright, responsibilities are responsibilities. 

Things got bad when I was waiting inside the FX in Echague, Quiapo bound home. I was sleeping, when I heard noises that I thought were regular firecrackers. Three more loud bangs. 

Then the other people inside the FX started clamoring, I was alerted, look outside, and the first thing I saw (with a blurry vision) was the fire on the muzzle of a gun just beside the window of the FX.

The shootout was happening just outside, one or two meters away from me. I stoop down, survival instincts. Two more shots were fired and the shootout ended. 

The guy nearest to the window (then me next to him) recalled, "Naglakad lang paalis 'yong bumaril. Ngumisi pa. (The shooter just walked away with a smirk on his lips.)" 

I took a really quick look and saw the shot man lying helpless and bloody on the ground. 

The FX sped away when the mob started circling the poor man. And after much talked inside the vehicle, we deduced: 1. that the shooter had the intent of killing the man; 2. the victim had no gun; 3. the victim was shot three times, in the chest, one of the arms and one of the legs; 4. the probable reason was money or drugs; and 5. how thankful we were we weren't harmed. 

Really thank goodness, and God, for I was kept safe. Who could have say? At any moment, a bullet could have gone our way, and what? But no. It didn't. 

I was left unharmed. For the people who loves me and wouldn't want anything bad to happen to me. 

The world is like this. It's as bad as it is as beautiful. And we get it both ways. We live. Then we die. So until we're all here, let's live it like there's no tomorrow. 

Corregidor Adventure it is!

Everybody loves "first times," do we not! So I just felt truly excited when I learned that I'll be able to go to Corregidor. Who doesn't know of this land of history that served as a bastion of defense during the war era?


Basta! Anywhere in the Philippines where there is a significant sense of history and culture, I will see!


With the Corregidor Adventure, I was lucky! And even more lucky to have been able to immerse myself in an Amazing Race-type of challenge. Fun! It was a different twist to just seeing the ruins of time! 


Sumout kami sa masikip na tunnel, pumasok at umakyat sa kweba, nag-trail sa gubat, tumakbo, tumakbo pa, hiningal. Hahaha adreline! Bring out your competitive side! 


Here's a taste of Corregidor. 

Bring in the sun! ^^

Somewhere in the bottom of that sea, lies millions of silver coins the American's dropped from the plane when they realized they cannot bring it to their land. 

"These ruins will never be restored, replaced and rebuilt. They were left like that by the war, and they will stay that way." Mr. Armand, tour guide

Guns as big as tanks.

Can't Breathe

This is something I'd better be writing inside my own journal. But nonetheless, I choose to share my angst with the world. Who cares. I'm entitled to this space on the global world. And it's not as if many would actually bother read this. Still I wouldn't care. 

This day is not a good day. I hate waking up early. And early means anything earlier than my normal 10am "rise and shine" clock. 

And so I don't know. I was too cranky in the morning. Anything irritated me easily. It did not help that the event I went to was boring. Though it did made me happy that they served free food and wine. Any free food is always good to me. Well, minus the slow service, everything was OK. The red wine was good. 

Was it the red wine that made my head feel heavy up until now?

Also, I don't know what the cause is but I can't breathe properly. Seriously. My airways in the nose are blocked. The flow of air is not normal. I need more air. Maybe that's the reason why my head feels heavy. Lack of oxygen. 

Then my heart feels tight. My chest feels heavy. Gosh. I can't breathe properly. It feels as if something is binding my heart. And then in some instances, it would palpitate and pump fast. I feel dizzy already. 

This is bad. I feel bad. 

And after all these, in the back of my mind, I feel worried. My father is sick for two days now. I hope he was able to see the doctor today.

I hope all I need is a good sleep. But then I need to get up early again for tomorrow. Will it be a fun day in Corregidor? I pray.

And heart feel normal already.