Walking in the Rain (A Poem)

 

Walking in the Rain 

-Flordeliz Fullo 

 

Walking on my way home with a lingering heaviness in my heart; 

This gnawing pain that I had since the day I fell in love in the dark. 

Throughout uncertainty and confusion as the raindrops fell; 

They sting like needles pricking me in this never-ending spell. 

 

My eyes were once windows of endless passion and dreams so pure; 

Are now globes dripped with salty flowing tears that never endure. 

The reminiscence of a mysterious power that led me to despair; 

Your name is the rain that persecutes my emotions out of thin air. 

 

The coldness of the strong winds makes my delicate soul shiver; 

I still choose to saunter with this deep agony I cannot deter. 

To bathe in anguish within my being as I suffer in this misery; 

Searching for my lost childlike affections gifted with sincere amity. 

 

I am lost in the middle of nowhere asking myself what did I do wrong? 

Why do my unconditional love for you and harmony could not get along? 

In those countless of times, I gave my all to be with the one I so adore. 

At the end of it all, I let my emotions for you wreck me to the core. 

 

I stand while the rain poured down on me to let it wash away everything; 

The melancholy engulfed in the affliction of my deepest regrets. 

Weeping in the darkness of the clouds with voiceless screaming; 

In the sorrowful sound of ripples on the ground it all shall rest. 

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To the Stranger who Changed my Life: F.M.P

The beach in Ras Tanura taken July 27, 2024

 

Dear F**R**** M** P****,

Falling in love with you since the summer of April 2024, gave me so much challenges in terms of my emotions, my mental health and even my physical health. Hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa rin maintindihan kung bakit naging ganoon katindi yung feelings ko with you the fact na hindi pa naman tayo nagkikita. Though I attempted, fate and circumstances are yelling at me that our connection is not meant to flourish that after going to RT, I decided to finally give up chasing you and trying out my best to reach you. After that incident, my mental health got so much worse, the lost of my pride and intense desperation of being close to you gave me depression and so much anxiety that I hate my self everyday for the mistakes and wrong decisions that I took. It was like a deep cut wound that I am trying so hard to heal everyday na ang hirap kasi I am shrouded by guilt and hatred to myself. The extreme sadness of accepting the fact na baka hindi na tayo maging friends pa ever again when deep inside my heart, that I love you so much it hurts like hell everyday.

My heartbreak with you brought me so much negative consequences that I even ask God everytime "Lord, sino ba itong taong ito? Bakit ganito nalang yung feelings ko para sa kanya? Technically, we were strangers. I also have not known her for that long? Who is she? What is her purpose in my life? Why are we destined to know each other when it would just bring conflicts and pain in me?" These psychological wounds are too much for a person na hindi ko pa naman lubos na kilala. Sometimes, I am fooling myself na hindi naman talaga kita mahal. Like, baka na challenge lang ako, na hindi ko natanggap that I was rejected, maraming defense mechanisms ang gusto mag contradict but I still feel this deep emotions for you.

Not even the psychics, the Tarot Readers could discern the purpose of this connection. They just said na someday, in the future magkikita tayo kapag nalaman na natin or ako lang yung purpose ng connection na ito. This is the most mysterious feeling that I had with someone na kakaiba. Iba ka sa lahat. I don't know, kahit sa sarili ko hindi ko maintindihan kung anong nangyari sa akin bakit ang tindi tindi ng feelings ko para sayo.

My life has been in pain for months now and marami ng na compromise, mejo nasira yung cycle ko, naiba yung attitude and moods ko. My life turned upside down because of this desperation. Kaya now, if not forcing myself, I am now letting go of these feeling of this love or whatever it is. Gusto ko ng ipaubaya kay God yung damdamin ko para sayo para makausad na din. I can't be like this forever. Syempre gusto ko din i bring back my power, my will and my healthy outlook na nawala sakin simula nung nadurog ang puso ko. Siguro si God nalang yung makakapagsabi balang araw kung ano ba talaga ang purpose na nakilala kita at minahal kita kahit hindi pa tayo nagkikita. I know maraming lessons ang gusto Niya ituro sa akin.

Yes, you are right in the last time we talked. Marami nga akong toxic traits, masasamang attitude at tama ka when you said "Mabuti nalang." because I really don't deserve you. Sarili ko lang lagi iniisip ko and pinipilit yung gusto. Though intense yung emotions natin that time, I think I should still think about it constructively. Yung mga sinabi mo sa akin na negative traits ko are those traits that I need to improve in myself. Thank you for making me realize them. I sincerely thank you for waking me up to improve myself and gumising sa katotohanan. Baka nga ito na yung purpose ni God for knowing YOU - ang iparamdam sa akin yung mga kailangan ko baguhin sa sarili ko. TO BE A BETTER PERSON.

One thing that I also learned of this heartbreak ay yung natuto ako lumapit kay God. Mas natutunan ko mag PRAY wholeheartedly at humingi ng sorry sa mga bagay that I created out of my emotions and impulsivity. Ra***, IKAW ANG NAGLAPIT SA AKIN SA KANYA. Kung nasaan ka man ngayon SALAMAT., inilapit mo ako sa kay God ulit. A self centered person like me who cannot easily accept rejection and failure ay natutunan magpaka HUMBLE at HUMINGI NG TAWAD kay GOD at sa mga people around me. Kahit na marami tayong conflicts at sobra akong nasaktan, itong feelings ko sayo yung naging tulay ko para marealize and mga bagay na kailangan ko para maging mas MABUTING TAO. Salamat, for coming into my Life for a brief time.

Hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan magsstay sa puso ko itong pagmamahal ko para sayo pero ang gusto ko nalang isipin, yung lessons at realizations ko dahil dito. For the last time, ayoko pilitin na i reject at ika galit sa sarili ko na minahal kita. Gusto ko i consider ang feeling na to as a BLESSING to me. Hindi ko din alam kung papahintulutan pa tayo ng Universe at ni God na magkita sa future pero kung sakali man na mangyari yun, sana wala ng sakit, galit at annoyance and mamagitan sa ating dalawa. Hindi na ako umaasa pero kung gustuhin man ni Lord yun, balang araw gusto ko makikita kitang masaya at sa time na yun, there would be smiles on our faces and lightness on both our beings unlike sa mga nangyari. Natatakpan man ng darkness, annoyance, hate at pain ang connection natin and I need to let go of my hopes pero I know, powerful ang prayers - I will always pray for healing between us. Patawarin mo ako Ra*** sa mga conflicts na nangyari. Kahit hindi na tayo nag uusap, ipapasabi ko nalang kay GOD through my prayers na SORRY. And especially, I am so SORRY that I LOVE YOU.

All I have in my heart right now are the prayers na masaya ka, safe at healthy palagi. Wala akong ititira sa puso ko in your memory kung hindi ang unconditional na pagmamahal. Mahal kita. Sobra. Baka hindi ko na masabi ito sayo ever. Kaya here in this blog letter, for the last time - I LOVE YOU. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

-Flordeliz Fullo

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Long Beach, San Vicente Palawan: The Longest White Beach in the Philippines

 

The serene shore of the Long Beach in the afternoon.

Having visited some popular shores in the Philippines, the Long Beach found in San Vicente Palawan was one of my lifetime favorites. The province is renowned for its world class tourism showcasing the very famous El-Nido, Coron, the luxurious Amanpulo or the far Balabac but this beach has a lot to offer just like the other beaches of the province. My visit last 2018 was unforgettable. I was invited as one of the bloggers to feature the very first Palawan International Film Festival spearheaded by our very own Director Dante Nico Garcia, the head behind the world class film Ploning. The festival not only gave us a glimpse of the movie entries but also of nature unspoiled in the quiet town of San Vicente. We reached the town after more than three hours from the provincial capital of Puerto Princesa via private van. Another method is through plane as San Vicente has its own airport catering direct flights for different airlines.

Look at those gorgeous colors of the sand and the sea.

The great Long Beach of San Vicente Palawan is the longest white sand beach in the Philippines. The sand is not as total white like Boracay’s, it is more of light beige and the texture is fine just like in some islands in El-Nido. It is one of the most promising tourist destinations that are predicted to rival the mainstream beaches in the Philippines although deep inside me, I hope that it could be preserved just as it is because of its virginity to commercial tourism and that its local residents will continue to take care of the beach for generations to come. The beachfront of 14.7 kilometers spans in four barangays that you can tour by a motorcycle or a car, those barangays are Poblacion, New Agutaya, San Isidro and Alimanguan.

This is me falling in love at the first sight of the beach!

Strolling through the expanse of the long beach gives you a relaxing vibe that could release all your stress and worries if you want to refresh your mental health and take a break as there are no huge crowds along the area. Those coconut trees along the Rocky Mountains surrounding the sea are just so divine and truly worth the travel. The sea is perfect as waves were high the afternoon. The color of the beach water is greenish blue turquoise, an eye candy for beach lovers.

Tropical vibes!

If you plan for more adventures to do in the town, you can try Island Hopping in Port Barton and nearby Islands and visit Bato ni Ningning, the landmark that will give you a full view of the long beach up high.

Look at those waves!

Sunset at GaStation. #InternationalPalawanFilmFestival

Priceless Sunset.

Serenity.

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Turkish Food Delight: Tolie Restaurant in Abha, Saudi Arabia

Tolie Restaurant is a Turkish Specialty Restaurant located in King Faisal Street, Abha 62521. If you are craving for authentic quality Turkish delicacy while enjoying the great city view of Abha then this restaurant is a must try. After a day tour in the Saudi Arabia’s summer capital our group decided to have a dinner, to try some Turkish food and it did not disappoint. The price may be slightly hefty, hence considering the overall cuisine, staff service and great ambiance it would be all totally worth it.

For a group of six persons, we ordered Chicken Wings, Humus, Mix Grill and Chicken Belen Tava, Muttabal for the main dish added by Fattoush Salad as side dish. They also served us Fresh Orange, Fresh Lemonade and Watermelon Juice.

My personal favorite is the Mix Grill, composed different kinds of meat; it is a delight for meat lovers out there. The grill is so tender and flavorful.  The Humus is great for dipping some breads and mixing with rice or meat. The drinks are refreshing and very natural in taste. They also serve complimentary Turkish sweets and tea after the meal.

Staff service was also great. The personnel were always quick to help if we need something or answer inquiries regarding the menu. They were also friendly and accessible with smiles on their faces.

The ambiance is one of the great things we enjoyed; looking through the night lights of the city of Abha gives off a warm feel with all the nature decorations and fancy lights all over the place. The aesthetic is good for your social media sites and group pictures.

 You may reach out their site for the menu: https://www.overmenu.store/tolie

Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/tolie_restorant

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Rijal Almaa Royal Heritage Village in Asir Region, Saudi Arabia

Rijal Almaa, also known as Royal Heritage Village is a historical tourism destination located in Asir Region, Saudi Arabia. It is 45 km far from the regional capital Abha. Rich in historical significance, the village consists of 60 tall buildings made from clay, wood and stone that are conserved for today’s generation. It is also a landmark connecting passage to other provinces and cities like Gizan, Makkah, Madinah and the country of Yemen. The architectural designs of the old fortresses are so unique as well as its historical significance being a center of trace during the ancient times. It is so photogenic that it will give off great pictures for your social media and learn about history at the same time.

Also found inside the village is a museum that exhibits a collection of interesting archeological pieces like ancient manuscripts, tools, clothing and weapons. Feeding your history geek self is a library inside the complex showcasing a huge variety of religious manuscripts.

Last 2007, Rijal Almaa was given the Prince Sultan Bin Salman Award for Urban Heritage. It has been announced that the government is on application for the site to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Truly, an important tourist spot to visit in Saudi Arabia.

Photo Credits to Ms. Rachelle Jane Lagura and Ms. Arnella Bontong.

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Visiting Al-Soudah National Park in Abha

Al Soudah National Part is a part of a tourism village in Abha, Asir Region in Saudi Arabia. A vast place surrounded by huge mountain ranges you will enjoy sightseeing if you want a good joyride. Some do trekking and mountaineering within the terrains. Visitors enjoy the cool and humid climate due to its high altitude, a perfect summer destination.

We left Abha, City at evening then arrived on the mountains before twilight. We were amused by the geographical mountain structures surrounding the place with all the Juniper trees. Those rocky roads gave wonder on how they were formed.  It feels like a slow roller coaster ride while the sunset was approaching. There were fogs all over. One thing I love were the baboons, a huge number of these monkeys were playing and running around the edges of the mountainsides. Be sure to lock up your car window of they might go inside. You can bring bananas if you consider feeding them.

I advise you to visit the place before sunrise so that you can enjoy a clear view of the mountains as well as appreciate the setting sun. Truly, Al Soudah is a wonderful attraction worth visiting.

Photo Credits to Ms. Mei-Ye Madarimot and Ms. Rachelle Lagura.

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Makan Indian Fine Dining Restaurant - Najran City

If you are looking for good quality fine dining Indian Restaurant in Najran City, Maka Indian Fine Dining Restaurant is perfect for you Indian Cuisine cravings. Situated in 4447 Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Street, Najran, Saudi Arabia, they offer a wide range of Indian Cuisine in their menu. The ambiance is great with decorations and artworks depicting Indian Culture. Staff service is excellent and friendly. We enjoyed the Buttered Chiken and Masala, as Filipinos we requested for a less spicy taste so they adjusted the spiciness for us. All dishes were tasty from the appetizer to the main menu.

Credits to Ms. Ma. Catherine Sunico for most of the Photos.

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