It's my first time to go around Manila. The only other time I got to be there was when I had connecting flights to Cebu. Whenever I'd think about going to Manila, I'd get overtaken with paranoia given the way people talk about its dangers  So, paranoid was what I've been the whole time I was there. But I took it as part of the adventure. Anyway, like one author said: "We can't always be safe. We can only be strong."

Good news is I got out there ALIVE. There were a couple encounters that proved Manila isn't the friendliest place, but perhaps if we counter it with patience and humility, then we'll be fine.

Now, on to a few details of my trip:

If there was one place I always fancied to go, it was BGC. Through Instagram, I learned that BGC has a lot of IG-worthy spots—from picturesque landscapes to wall arts, and dainty cafés.

I didn't get to dine there, however. I just grabbed some iced tea from Starbucks after taking some shots, watched people pass by  and went to my high school friend's apartment in Las Piñas to have lunch FOR FREE.

Thankfully, when I was there, the traffic wasn't as horrible as I expected; probably because of the holiday. So there was not much to complain about. The waiting game was real though when we had to wait for the jeepneys to fill. But that was it.

My high school classmates—Renalyn and Genaro—and I spent the entire afternoon catching up while eating ICE CANDY! It tasted like HOME.

(Excuse my hair. Haha.)

Later that same day, we also decided to go to Luneta Park. I am happy that now I'm able to say that I've been there 'coz I feel like the only person who hasn't.




 After everything, I checked in to Kabayan Hotel. I was excited to do so because I've always wanted to try the Kapsule Room.

It was cool. It was nothing fancy but comfortable enough for a quick trip. You have your own electric socket. The WiFi is fast. You have blinds that you can lock from inside so nobody can sneak a peek. You have a big locker. I loved it! Got the room for only PHP 850, and it already comes with free breakfast.

The Kapsule Room was so cozy that I wanted to stay there longer, but I was already booked for a condo unit the next day [through AirBnB]. Another high school classmate, Ivah Michelle, picked me up and helped me look for Pinecrest Residential Resort. The condominium is located at the New Port City, Pasay. I didn't get to take photos of the unit I rented, but click this link to the AirBnB listing in case you want a preview:

Here's some photos I managed to get at the place, though:

My stay at Pinecrest Residential Resort was a vacation on its own. I didn't have to be somewhere far to feel like I'm having the time of my life.

The evening of my second day in Manila, I met some other high school classmates. It was a little reunion. Nostalgic enough to bring the feels in.

It wasn't such an eventful stay because Manila wasn't really my main destination at that time, but I have to say at least that I feel safer about coming back next time. It was such a cheap trip. So, if you're planning a budget to trip to Manila as a first-timer, take note of the same places I went to. You can go there and snap good shots #forthegram FOR FREE.

That's it for now. See you on my next trip!

A post shared by Myth Reid (@mythreid) on Jun 28, 2017 at 1:19am PDT

String of Firsts—that's how I envisioned this whole trip to Hong Kong would be. It would brim with things I would be doing for the first time. Of course, I expected the jitters to come with me, uninvited. More than anything, however, I was stoked to take on the experience in the hopes to come home with a better understanding of the world and of myself.

Lake Holon, T'boli, South Cotabato.

When I was a kid, I never had any idea what traveling was. For me, traveling meant going down from the mountain to go to church or go to school, or visiting my relatives in Davao or they visit us in Bohol. I had never even dreamed of going overseas to work. It was either that as a child, my imagination was quite limited or I had the understanding of the only resources we had available and where they could take me. But if there's one thing I was aware of at such a young age was that I already wanted to ESCAPE. It was only when I already started earning though that I could finally fulfill that wish. And although it wasn't all crystal clear to me yet, traveling was already in the works of changing me and of course, my life.

At the outset, it was all really just about 1. Escapism. First, it was because working in the BPO industry was too stressful. Second was because life is stressful in general. It wasn't about anything deep at all like finding zen or what-not. It was always like this-life's-hell-so-let's-get-outta-here sort of thing. Things eventually shifted, however. Escapism was still part of the goal, but one tick off the bucket list after another made traveling mean more than just that.

2. Traveling provided me a vehicle to memory lane.

Through traveling, I have learned about the whens, and the hows, and the whys of the places I've visited--some facts I may never even find online. It's nice to be able to look back to stories of yesterdays.

3. Traveling brought me closer to nature.

In an age where it's easier to get unhealthily boxed off, traveling is helpful. It brings a person out to breathe fresher air. Traveling has given me an avenue to observe nature, experience it through different sensations, and appreciate the magic it often offers.

4. Traveling opened my eyes to more and more art.

As if getting to see creative photos on Instagram isn't exhilarating enough, getting immersed in the actual places yourself gives you a more wonderful feeling. Being able to see art outside a four-cornered device is always magical to me. Capturing them even with just my own eyes is a perspective I would always look forward to getting.

5. Traveling let me see more good people.

From people who would remind you to care about Mother Nature by picking up your left-over stuff to people who would carry your backpacks all the way to a campsite to make a living is the sweetest scenery you can watch. This is what's most amazing--knowing that humanity still stands a chance. For me, this is definitely the most meaningful part of every journey. Learning these peoples' lives and culture is some lovely add-on!

I could go on, but the point is not about how many things I could list down, it's about how each destination, each experience has touched me. The thing about traveling is that you don't even have to force it to change you. It just happens. You do not need to choose which lessons to pick up and make something out of. The lessons choose you. And if you let it, it changes you completely--unbeknownst to you or not.

That's what I did. And even if for the many times I've come home I still end up seeming like the same person I was before I left, I know down deep in, I am more valuable because I learned. I am now equipped with knowledge about the world and its people which is helping me form new perceptions about them.

This is how traveling changed me. And with changed perceptions, it's changing my life as well. Progressively.

Share how travel changed your life, too through this link.

#TravelokaPH #WhyITravel #TravelokaStories