Armie Yuson

A Love For May

2013-06-11T02:18:00.000-07:00

It was the year of my Medical Internship and I was assigned to have my one month Manila rotation at San Lazaro Hospital and Jose Reyes Hospital for the month of May…

From Baguio, I arrived in Manila at the condominium that I rented for a month on the eve of April 30th. Right away, I unpacked my things, removed all of my clothes and had a quick cold shower. After changing into my home clothes and feeling fresh again, I just jumped-off into my bed and pulled the curtain at its side, I just stared at what the Metro could offer, Manila’ skyline and City lights…

While looking from afar and imagining what I will expect in my 1 month Manila life, I suddenly remembered this Girl close to my Heart, I have recalled all of my promises to her months before going here in the Philippine’s version of “A City that never sleeps”, that I would spend all of my time with her while I’m here in Manila for a month, being a keeper to my promises, I tried to call her and have asked her exact address as I was making an alibi that I would send her all the movies that we talked about. After getting her address, I right away rode the taxi and went to her place to give her a sweet surprise. There is a saying that “A key to a Woman’s Heart is an unexpected gift at an unexpected time” and I’m really after this Girl’s Heart, so I’m willing to take that extra mile to make her the happiest Girl in this lifetime & I wanted to be the sole reason of her happiness.

So when I arrived at her place, she still wasn’t there because she just took off from her work, oh by the way, I forgot to mention, she’s a Flight Attendant and has an evening flight prior to that. So I sat and waited outside her apartment’s door for 3 hours… And then I heard her heel’s loud steps, I stood up quickly, with the excitement within my chest and hanging up onto my face. Then she saw me… Just as I imagined her, shocked with me being there, a priceless and perfect moment… She said right away “Oh my Gosh, Armie, what are you doing here?! You’re crazy! I can’t believe you would do this!” with an unexplainable awe and smile. And then I said to her “I wanted to surprise you, a promise is a promise right?”, then She just kept quiet still keeping that unexplainable smile and hugged me right away… I made her speechless… While we were talking about this moment back in Baguio, She was already so excited – excited with all the time and plans she would spend and do with me here in my month’s stay in Manila.

Every after duty, I would swiftly change my uniform and run as fast as I could to arrive at our meeting place, endless surprises I have prepared just so that I could see her smile over and over again, that enchanting smile that keeps my Heart securely grounded to her…

On our First Real Date, with Her having no idea where I would bring Her, even if She kept on asking where, I’m still not giving Her any clues coz’ I don’t want to ruin my plan and the moment of excitement to the both of us. So I really kept my lips sealed. As we have arrived at our destination, just as I thought, She became quiet and was speechless again for the second time around, Her face painted an overwhelming expression, I knew at that very time, it was romance filling up the air, it was the perfect surprise, I reserved a Dinner Cruise for the Two of Us along the Manila Bay… So while the Yacht was Cruising, spellbinding breeze of the wind just blew us away, with a fine sumptuous dinner and an acoustic performance singing old romantic love songs… It was the perfect First Date… At that very moment, I knew, I already had her Heart and this time, I intended to keep it safe within my hands…

One of my many surprises that is close to my Heart was when I brought her to this Treasured Haven outside the busy buzz of Manila. It was Nature at its best, enchanted and Idyllic. We had our own privacy and time together. 6 days of romance-filled adventure, voracious food tripping and just exploring the exquisite & admirable Province together. It was the perfect First Vacation. I had the chance to let her experience how I lived my life, what my world was all about, I was given the chance to reveal to her the “True” Me… And I knew at that very moment, that she felt within her, that she was good to stay…

While we were walking down this seemly antiquated but scenic Dock at a divine & restful Sunset, I pulled this anchored boat towards us & lend her a hand while she slightly leaped into the boat, as I too have followed. I removed the anchored rope and just continued paddling until the boat was in the middle of the Lake… And then I stopped, I held her hands again, looked right into her, with her enjoying the place and moment that we have… I called out her name and she looked right through my eyes. And then I said to her “After going through at what I've thought are the grueling series in my life, from the day I gave up at everything, there I met you… You were unaware that you were already saving me from doing something bad to myself. You were unconsciously giving me the reason why I should pick up myself again. You let me believe that there is still Life within Me and that remaining Life is all you… Thank You… Thank You…” And He added “Please stay in my Life, I want what we have to be permanent, I realized how beautiful Life is again because I have something to look at now and that is you… I Love You…” With a short pause, she kept in silence, still gazing at her golden brown eyes while waiting for what she would say back to me… Then She replied but I did not hear what She said (Fireworks came into our background), I said “What did you say?” And She repeated it again – I did not hear Her for the second time until She is becoming blurry to my sight, it’s like I’m losing Her. I keep on calling out her name…

AND THEN I WOKE UP.

With a hazy vision at first, I looked around to orient myself where I am and then it clearly hit me, I’m at my condominium in my bed. I called out Her name and no one is responding, I suddenly looked at the clock and it’s Seven in the morning, I grabbed my phone and briskly scanned it, there’s no undeleted calls or saved messages coming from Her and I asked myself “What is happening?”, And then I saw on my phone’s screen that it’s May 1st… That is the time I knew that we never saw or even talked with each other at all, that I just had this Beautiful Dream… And when I woke up, it just left an Imprinted Memory within my Soul, even if it actually never happened in my Real Life…

I stood up, looked at the clock again with a sudden realization that I’m already late on my First Day of Duty. I was in a rush to take a bath & put on my uniform and then I opened my unit’s door & just when I’m about to leave, I looked back inside my condominium, thought of my Dream with Her and slowly closed the door…

- Poetic Prince

*** This Article is dedicated to the "GREAT" ARMANDO Q. LEYVA. Tatay, I always miss you and I love you so much...

A Letter From A Granddaughter

2013-05-21T21:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Tatay,

         October 29 was the toughest moment we had to go through and experienced as an entire family especially Nanay. It was not just us but everyone who dearly admired and loved you.

         You know why? Of course I know you do or else you won’t be where you are now.

         It was early morning of that day we asked you or I meant shouted at you so you could hear us loud and clear “TATAY! FIGHT! FIGHT! LABAN KA TAY!” to fight for your life until you wake up and be back to normal. I guess you got tired of fighting from the night before and just gave yourself up in the hands of our Lord.

         You know what Tay, this was the time that God did not answer our very important prayer. We prayed alone so hard. We prayed together so hard. We kneeled and beg him so hard to bring you back to life, to wake us up from this bad dream. But as you always say to us “MAY PLANO ANG DIYOS SA LAHAT NG NANGYAYARI SA ATIN - KUNG SASAGUTIN NIYA ANG PANALANGIN NATIN O HINDI. LAHAT YUN AY PARA SA ATING IKAKABUTI.”

         It hurts so much Tay to see you lifeless at the hospital bed but after the doctors and nurses removed the tubes in you, we all saw what is behind those — a SMILE ON YOUR FACE. Despite the pain you’ve gone through the night before, you were smiling. It is for us to conclude that you are happy where you are now. Happy in the presence of our Father. Then we again remind ourselves how God’s plan will always prevail and how it is always good.

         Tatay, allow me to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the best grandfather in the whole world (no one could ever replace you in my heart and in my life), for loving us, for being concern with our studies, jobs or anything that we do, for appreciating our efforts or any of our achievements, for being proud of us always, for your guidance and most of all for being an exemplary model of putting Christ first in our lives. You are a great man of God - you were always there with open arms and open heart to help those in need. You were never greedy and you knew what it meant to extend a hand. You gave away things and properties that were valuable to you just because God impressed it on your heart. I have attest of you putting all your words into action thus you’ve left a legacy behind — look at all the people who are mourning at your lost. They could not wait to see you at that box so they started seeing you while we had the 12 hour waiting period before embalmment.

        Tatay, we will miss you a lot. I will deeply miss your presence, your persistent calls to buy immediately what you wanted us to buy for you, your lectures and your knowledge on the new Apple gadgets available in the market that you would like to buy immediately.

         I would also like to apologize if I’ve done anything that hurt you. Also Tay, sorry that I haven’t married yet, as you always say “Ano? Di ka pa ikakasal? Matanda ka na at tumatanda na rin ako.” I know you would like to meet the man I would be married with and I feel so sad knowing you won’t be there when I walk down the aisle but I know you’ll be watching from above. You know what Tay, the reason I’m not yet married is because no one is asking (ha ha ha) but the main reason of it all is I would like to be married to a man who has a character like you. You have set the standards and I think it is just difficult to be like you because I myself is still not half way of what you are. I’m praying to be just like you.

         Tay, I know you would not like us to cry and be sad at your loss. If you are just here, I know you’ll tell of us “Tama na yan! Masaya ako dito oh! Babantayan ko kayo lagi. Ang importante, magmahalan kayo lagi at wag kakalimutan ang Diyos. Magpasalamat lagi sa kanya dahil yung ang pinaka-importante sa lahat.” For now Tay, allow us to grieve at your passing. It was so sudden, we’re left broken or paralyzed if that could be a better term of what we are feeling right now.

         My thought when I was at your place — seeing your cars, the dining table, the massage chair, your room and everything in it — “How do we all stand, when the pillar is gone?” Tay, I know it will be so difficult for all of us to stand and move on our own but please guide us in anyway. You will be our GUARDIAN ANGEL.

         Right now, God is helping us understand and accept peacefully why He got you. We all believed that you have accomplished all tasks He asked you to do. So you simply, gave up your working tools and joined Him in Heaven so you could both watch all of us from above.

         Tatay, I love you so much. I will do all my best in work, school and life so you could be proud of me more in heaven. I will continue doing what you’ve taught us to do. I will love everyone in the family and the ones you love as well. We will take care of Nanay and put her best interest first than ours.

         I know you are already in Heaven watching over us. I am sure you are also looking down with love and pride at the family you built. You can be rest assured that we will never forget what you have taught us and that we will pass it down to the next generation.

         I know I can speak for everyone, we will miss you and we will never forget you because you’ve been the best and you have imprinted yourself permanently in our hearts. We love you.

         I will see you soon.

                                                              Love,
                                                             Ceetee

- The Thoughtful Son

*** This Article is dedicated to the "GREAT" ARMANDO Q. LEYVA. Tatay, I always miss you and I love you so much... Happy 79th Birthday Tay... :_(

ARMIEYUSON.COM Season 4 Opening Trailer

2013-01-25T01:45:00.000-08:00

I died on the 29th of October in the Year 2012 but I was unwillingly resurrected. I was brought back to re-live an old tainted purpose. But now, the Game of Life has already changed. It has become darker and merciless. It will never be the same again, the old would never come back. Discover the New ARMIE that you never knew and watch him as he face fiercer battles on his latest SEASON 4. Coming Soon…

- Season Opener

A FAN Filled Day (Happy Loner Traveller’s Supporters)

2012-10-25T04:57:00.000-07:00

When I started to do blogging almost 3 years ago, many doubted my ability to write and share my personal stories to people, some laughed, some made jokes about it and others were not even impressed at all… I started to write testimonies regarding my travels because it’s what I’m passionate about… The very reason why I write is because I want to share to myself what my life has been through, it’s like talking to myself, sharing experiences with myself, a personal diary of reflection... So that one day, I could go back to my writings and they will remind me of what my life has been about… What it has & how it was lived…

As I was continuously writing articles about my life’s experiences, I never noticed or was unaware that I’m already doing something worthy and meaningful, I’m already making a difference in people’s lives that I know nothing about. Because I was just writing for myself and then later on, I would receive messages of how I touched their lives through my writings, of how I inspired them to live life to the fullest, how I influenced them to travel and discover more of themselves, their capabilities in life. All of these I’m unaware of…

I met great people through my blogs, they started as my supporters which later on became my friends. One of my very first and longtime supporters were Judith Fianza & Krystel Niolar, later on was followed by Rikka Rocca, Krista Guerina, Jude Roxas, Narciso Trumata, Reymark Mawaga, Mark Dela Rosa, Eran Decena, April Esposo and expanded to Clarence Ochinang, Denton Caballero, Jennet Razo, Tricia Jaime & Dave Franco. And of course, the group Armieholics which was pioneered by Heather Ocampo. "These people were always telling me how I changed their lives for the better, how I inspired them to just enjoy life and make it meaningful, but the truth is, they were all wrong, coz’ they were the ones who inspired me, because of them, I challenged myself more to write greater stories that would not only infect lives but try to change the world too, showing that there is always goodness, positivity, faith, true love, joy, laughter, friendship and hope amidst all negativity happening today." So they are the very reason why my blogs are a hit, they were my inspiration for writing & shouting out my thoughts because they listened, watched and read my life’s battles, failures and success…

That’s why my blogs have improved a lot and I’m thankful to these people… Right now, I have a growing number of supporters loving and appreciating my works and it wouldn’t reach this point without my first supporters who listened to me when everyone else was judging me… And also, those people who did not believed in me before were proven wrong when I finally made it to the Philippine Blog Awards…

So right now, that my blog has already been known and continuously spreading around the world, I am using my Blogsite for a bigger and more significant purpose, I am now using my name for Advocacies, trying to help as much people as I can… And I am also adding things that would entertain you more and making it interactive through my Hosted Travel Films and Exciting Contests…

And hopefully, you will continue to love your Pambansang Manlalakbay, Armie “Happy Loner Traveller” Yuson’s unorthodox adventures and challenges to numerous undiscovered places in the Philippines… And I wish that you will always bring with you all the lessons that you have learned from my World…

- Happy Loner Traveller

The 283rd Day Of A Leap Year (9th Of October 2012)

2012-10-07T07:01:00.000-07:00

ARMIE YUSON ADVENTURES - HAPPY LONER TRAVELLER AT 28

It’s that day again, a day when you wake up and you can’t help but to recall what has happened all throughout your life, and you asked these same set of questions all over again. Have you reached your goals that you made 10 years ago? Did you become successful? Have you lived your life productive and useful? Are you already the person you think you would become 10 years ago? Well, I just have one simple answer to my yearly questions, “I Don’t Care Anymore”. For a change, I don’t want to set goals, be competitive and formulate another 10 year Lifeplan that would just end up disappointing me. Instead, I just want to live it one day at a time, enjoying every single hour making impulsive choices, creating a free-spirited life for me and just making the most out of every beat of my passionate heart & putting it into something more meaningful that you can call it as an “Inspiring Life”. Not perfect, not ideal but inspiring…

You see, I’m just like everyone else, I’ve also went through struggles and battles in my life, a lot actually than the expected number of difficulties that a usual person would go through, I guess that makes me an unusual one. But instead of pitying myself, I accepted it, I confronted those challenges because we can’t do anything about it but to take it and move forward with our lives "coz’ the “Reality Of Life” will always be unfair and it is up to us on how we would resolve our own problems and make it a fair fight, no one can help us but our own selves and for me, the best way to deal with it, is to live with it in every hardships encountered along the way…"

In the end, what matters most whenever you reflect about your life is not what you have achieved or done and not what you have become but rather what’s important is, is that you have found the right key in unlocking the door to your life that would allow you to just “Be Happy Living In It”, coz’ having a happy and content life is more priceless & satisfying than having a materially & monetarily rich life… And that probably is the best result that you can get out of life…

Thank you to our Almighty GOD for giving me another year to look forward to, a new period to fulfill & inspire... And I would like to take this opportunity to thank a set of important lives on my birthday. Aside from my Family and Childhood Friends, I especially am very grateful to all of my Supporters who patiently and tirelessly gave their time in watching my Travel Films, listening to my Songs, seeing my Photos and reading my Articles. All of my Supporters became my True Friends already because they are the ones who genuinely have appreciated all of my hard works which I am so passionate about, they saw what I truly am as a person and they gave their precious time to see me & they are the ones who made my work visible to everyone. They were just there when all of the people I valued in my life bailed out on me, they stayed knowing that there is nothing to expect in return. They are the heroes in my life. That is why they are the ones that I would like to thank for this year, some of you were already there when I started my Blogsite 3 years ago and some of you even promoted me to your Family, Close Friends, Schoolmates and even to your Students. You’ve watched me evolved as a Traveller, Writer, Singer/Songwriter and Travel Filmmaker & it’s because of you why I matured as such so I owe this to you guys… I also would like to include in my special thanks my CO-PINOY TRAVEL BLOGGERS (PTB) Mervin Marasigan of PINOYADVENTURISTA and Dr. Wendell Cagape of JOURNEYSANDTRAVELS for sharing your Travel Stories to me…

And lastly, I would like to thank my “BEIGH” who’s been there all throughout the 6 years we’ve been together… Truly, nothing compares to you in my life with the way you patiently took care of me especially on my rough times. You are one of a kind and your presence always defines how special my Birthday is for me. You always put me in a place where dreams and reality become possibly one, Thank you for doing that to me every single day… oh, and by the way, nothing much has changed, I’m still the old ARMIE “HAPPY LONER TRAVELLER” YUSON, the simple ordinary guy who tried living life extraordinarily… So that’s it, HAPPY 28TH BIRTHDAY TO ME… YEBAH!!!

- Soul Writer

A Traveller’s Abyssal Depth Of Azure (SCUBA DIVING)

2012-09-20T01:57:00.000-07:00

ARMIE YUSON ADVENTURES - SCUBA DIVING AT ANILAO BATANGAS

Eversince I was a kid, everytime I watch someone doing Scuba Diving on TV, I just can’t help but dream that I was doing it too. Scuba Diving has always been on top of my bucketlist. I love the ocean and its world below so much, "It’s as if I feel that I’m one of the lost sons of Poseidon, the Greek God of the Sea, that I’m a DemiGod who gets his strength and powers from the sea. Every single time I get back to the beach, only one feeling exists in my body and that is the sense of relaxation. The wind massaging my physique, the sand scrubbing my feet like footspa, the ocean bringing me into another world within the Earth, an even better world wherein those creatures living there knows how to value and appreciate what they have, compared to us humans from our world above."

Finally, another dream has been met, your Pambansang Manlalakbay, Armie “Happy Loner Traveller” Yuson will do scuba diving in Anilao Batangas! Finally, he can visit his friends in the underwater world and broaden his knowledge about them.

So my friends Davidson Santos and Rachel Villahermosa organized a Scuba Trip for us because it’s their newest hobby. The night before our Scuba, I stayed at their place in BF Homes Parañaque reuniting with my other friends for 23 years Jobie Doria who is now residing in the U.S.A and Aurora Del Mundo. After resting for a few hours, at dawn, we already headed in Anilao Batangas to this partially opened new establishment named HALO DIVE RESORT, there I met my cool Scuba Instructor Gage Veridiano and Divemaster & also my Divebuddy Melo Sabitsana. Gage Veridiano briefed me a short course about SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) and has taught me techniques & sign languages that I would use when I’m in the deep. It’s my 1st Open Water Dive and I would journey to a maximum depth of 67 feet! And the excitement and curiosity is with me. Finally! I could already see it in my own two eyes what I’ve always been hearing from people who have already tried this…

So our 1st Dive Site is called Dead Palm, I would be at a maximum depth of about 35 to 40 feet and it would take us 45 minutes to check out the corals and fishes of the underwater world. As I entered the gates of the hidden world below, I felt the peacefulness and quietness that their world has to offer. They really welcomed me with open arms. On my 1st ever Open Water Dive, I saw a hunchback Sea Turtle, School of Barracudas and 2 Triggerfishes to name a few. It’s really a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle from our world. If you want to hear the most beautiful music your ears could ever hear which is silence, then better try SCUBA DIVING! So before reaching the surface, we need to have safety stops, 3 minutes for every 15 feet. And we need to rest for about an hour before diving again so that we could let out the accumulated nitrogen in our body.

I felt so happy on my 1st dive, I can’t believe that I was actually experiencing what I’m just watching on the Television. It’s really one of the “Must do’s” in your life before you die. The best way to explain the feeling is to experience it.

Our second Dive Site is in the Twin Rocks, here we can see Schools of Jacks (Talakitok in Tagalog) where you will get amazed coz’ you can witness tens of thousands of fishes in just one area. And I will be going to a maximum depth of 67 feet with expected strong currents. So as I was entering inside the territory of the Schools of Jacks, I suddenly had a problem with my breathing pattern, I hyperventilated and felt nauseous and then I panicked, so right away I did the “UP” sign because I already wanted to abort my dive but good thing, Gage Veridiano, my Scuba Instructor, approached me and calmed me down, and so I felt okay again and continued exploring Twin Rocks Dive Site… I saw more species like the Trumpetfish and better views from deep underwater… Another great thing is, my friend Davidson Santos has all of these high technology underwater gadgets where it has allowed me to document all of my adventures in the deep blue sea or Abyssal Depth of Azure as I call it…

I would like to give my special thanks to my Divemaster & Divebuddy Mr. Melo Sabitsana who owns AGTA BEACH RESORT and my Dive Instructor Mr. Gage Veridiano who owns SCUBANOX STUDIOS and heads the Scubanox Diveteam. Of course, to my friends Davidson Santos and Rachel Villahermosa for making my Scuba Diving dream possible. And thank you to my friends Ms. Jobie Doria and Aurora Del Mundo for paying our hotel room for the evening.

All in all, Happy Loner Traveller had a tremendous and unforgettable day for he has finally fulfilled his dream of visiting his friends from the underwater world…

- Happy Loner Traveller

A Traveller’s Primeval Unearthing (Tangadan Falls Of San Gabriel)

2012-09-08T05:53:00.000-07:00

ARMIE YUSON ADVENTURES - 1ST DISCOVERER OF TANGADAN FALLS SAN GABRIEL

Your Pambansang Manlalakbay, Armie “Happy Loner Traveller” Yuson’s scheme is to always feature “Off-The-Beaten” track destinations, to share to the whole wide world the places less travelled here in the Philippines. But never did he become the 1st Discoverer of a Place up until today…

It has been 7 months since my very last adventure and my feet were already itchy to experience yet another extreme and thrilling quest through fine sands, rough rivers and rocky hills. And I told myself, it’s about time to reunite myself with nature and explore the Philippines once again.

So on May 9, 2012 at 4 in the morning, I went to San Juan La Union, not primarily to surf but because I have heard from a friend of mine that there is an unknown place near there that has never been featured on Television by any Network or on the Internet by any Blogger, that even Locals from there has no idea that this specific place existed in their hometown. How unusual is that?

So right away, I decided to visit San Juan La Union but take note that the place that will make me the 1st Discoverer is not located in San Juan La Union but rather 20 minutes away from its surfing spot and it is in the nearby small town called SAN GABRIEL…

People from San Gabriel La Union make their living through farming, livestock and agriculture. And they have kept this astonishing asset of Nature away from visitors who only know how to spoil it and yet can’t even help to protect and conserve it.

So as I have arrived in the outskirts of San Gabriel La Union, Me “Happy Loner Traveller” with my team of Tour Guides (Surfing Instructors) brought me to this “Best Kept Secret” of San Gabriel. Just as I expected, it was the most electrifying and stimulating adventure to date, just like what I have experienced in Mount Pinatubo Zambales but only this time, I am more prepared. Well, you don’t need professional mountaineering gears for this, just have the basic ones like rubbershoes, long shorts, hat and long sleeves just to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the Sun, jagged terrain and sharp bushes of the Forest. So it took us 1 hour to get there because we were fast but an average of 1 hour and 45 minutes would do for non-extremist to get there because your body would require to rest as you will pass through giant rocks and steep hills. Take note that going to this place will be at your own RISK! So make sure to be prepared as there is no near medical facility in the place.

Now, I have finally seen that “Best Kept Secret” and I Armie “Happy Loner Traveller” Yuson was the very first one to feature the newly unearthed “TANGADAN FALLS”. It is as majestic and unquestionably unvarnished by Mankind. No wonder Locals doesn’t want this place to be discovered because it could only be the last space in the Northern Philippines not yet adulterated by Humans…

The 1 hour trek and hike was all worth it as I have splashed and refreshed myself in the cold sprinkle of the Falls. I even jumped off a 25 foot Cliff into the deep water to exhilarate myself…

"This latest Adventure of mine to date is my most cherished one because for the very 1st time in my life, I experienced and felt the feeling of being the only Adventurer to First Feature the Surreal TANGADAN FALLS…"

Special Thanks to my friend Laken Riel David coz’ through her I found this place and my guides Allan, Freddie, Francis, Chris and kuya Johnny for taking good care of me when I was there.

- Happy Loner Traveller

A Sin In The Dark About (The Unknown Ignorance Revealed)

2012-08-30T02:16:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder why there are more numbers of people in the poor sector rather than the rich? Have you even asked yourself why they became poor? That despite of people from the middle and rich sector’s efforts in helping them, they still couldn’t grasp that success within their hands? Don’t you have these questions bugging you up in your mind every now and then?

As I’ve been reading and researching these books from highly respected Authors and relating it to the Scriptures from the Bible and as I’ve consulted Historians & Bible Experts, I have come up with this conclusion. I came up with answers relating it to my expertise as an Environmentalist.

In one of the Scriptures from the Bible, God’s main order is “We should Love our Neighbors”, a law that he emphasized many times in the Old & New Testament of the Bible. So in order for one to be loved, blessed and be given success by our Almighty Father God, We must be obedient and follow his orders/law and to do that so, one must love his/her neighbors (Fellow People) but you see, if We didn’t obey that, then we commit a sin, if we hurt or do harm to our fellow people, we commit a sin and the grace of God is held back and we are punished as such.

We were given minds that can not only think and create but analyze and rationalize as well, that our intellect’s capability were not only prepared for the simple circumstances but even in the complex learning environment. But how come, majority of us never used the ability of our brains, especially for the most common situations. My questions now are, when you are throwing a small piece of trash on the sidewalk or anywhere, is it considered a sin? When you are throwing your cigarette butts on the roads, beaches or anywhere, is it considered a sin? When you are smoking and passively affecting people around you with your fumes, are you already committing a sin? Is illegal logging of trees considered too as a sin? My set of questions might allow you to think that these are nonsense and a small kind of problem, some of you might also think that I’m just asking stupid & irrelevant questions that it should be dismissed right away because there are bigger problems occurring in our world that should be given more attention to. But isn’t it that everything starts from small things and then progresses to becoming something big? That these simple questions could one day greatly affect our lives and the lives of people around us, that ignoring to acquire knowledge and being unaware of what is needed to be learned is already a sin, because being humans, it is our responsibility to know these moral obligations to our fellow humans, animals and the environment. That throwing garbage or a cigarette butt to the streets could one day give rise to flood because it would fill up and accumulate upon these sewers and prevent water from flowing therefore causing inundation of a municipality or city, reaching up to 20 feet with strong currents that could drown & kill a lot of people with the aftermath of losing a loved one, having Leptospirosis (From A Parasite Found In Rodent’s Urine) and Dengue (Aedes aegypti Mosquito Bite) with it. That when you are causing second degree smoking to other people then they started having these metastasizing Malignant Lung Tumors and when you leave the mountains bald precipitating to landslides & flood resulting to high death toll. That because of ignoring those simple rules and laws could endanger lives and harm our neighbors and with that we already have committed a sin, a sin that violates God’s command which is to “Love Thy Neighbor”. He formed a law for us humans to follow, He created people who will perform as a Government body establishing laws & bills for us to act in accordance with, He gave us Nature because He loves us and he ordered us to protect what he has made. And once we disobey this, we ourselves are the ones who will put “US” in danger.

A very good example of this are the Informal Settlers living along the Riverside, they are just dumping their garbage and wastes directly on the River leading to Water Pollution & blocked sewers that can later give harm to the biodiversity of Fishes living there, modifying their biomass and more importantly, bestowing adversity to their Fellow Humans.

So please, don’t just read, don’t just talk & share but LIVE & ACT by it. If you love your Family, Friends & Neighbors, don’t throw garbage in the streets, stop smoking near susceptible nonsmokers and stop destroying Nature. If you are a Grandparent, a Parent, a Child and a Husband or a Wife, I CHALLENGE YOU to CHANGE your Lifestyle if you truly care for your Loved Ones…

- The Prodigal Learner

Happy Loner Traveller In Your Clasrooms!!!

2012-08-09T00:53:00.000-07:00

I have been an Adventurer and Traveller for 6 years and a Professional Blogger for over 3 years now… I’ve nearly explored the Philippine Islands, most of Asia and some parts of the Western World. And I’ve documented every journey and challenges I have encountered, whether it be travels, lifestyle and/or personal struggles.

I write from my own experiences, the lessons I’ve gained, the values I’ve earned. And like what I’ve always said, writing is my way of communicating to the World. But I have no single idea on how big is my impact to those who’ve stumbled upon my blogs and have been my regular readers and viewers. Yes, I have been receiving texts, emails, messages, post-mails and calls on how I have touched and changed their lives through my writings. How I have inspired them to live a fulfilled life and how I opened their eyes to see how significant their life is, regardless of their status in this World. I appreciate those so much but I still haven’t digested in my thoughts on how powerful a writing could ever be over people’s lives.

Until recently, I’ve heard that my Articles are being discussed and related by 3 classes/block sections of B.S Pharmacy & B.S Medical Technology students in Saint Louis University Baguio City (My Alma Mater) under Health Economics subject by Ms. Rhoda Jennet E. Razo. It was immersed through the topic about “1) Achieving Good Mental Health Amidst The Stressors In Post-Modern Society” and “2) Environmental Tourism As A Key To National Progress”. And the students made a reaction paper about my works relating it to what they have learned in their class, they even added plentiful of creative artworks with it. I was unaware of it until I received all of their works, and I joyously cried with their heartwarming reactions. I never would have thought that I could have an impact to these kids and I never even imagined that one day, they would discuss Happy Loner Traveller’s works in their classrooms. It was a huge honor for me and I, personally am inspired to write greater articles and create educational shows, not only for the youth but for everyone as well.

You see, when you think that you are worthless, try to think again, maybe you have no idea that what you are doing in every moment of your life affects and changes another life, maybe even set of lives, with you being unaware of it. You have no idea on how powerful your impact is on another person, so never even try to think that you are “just nothing” in this World. We are all connected in every way possible, connected with each other and connected with nature. What we do always has an outcome to others. So, if you do good, it’ll always be goodness that will be given back to you.

You see, as a Writer, Word is the language of my profession. A Writer’s Words always reflects and represents real life situations and could strongly affect and ignite people’s feelings. A Writer has this power and responsibility to change human beings and even change the World. So the power of the human mind must always be taken care of, thus, writing is a big responsibility coz’ it pierces through people’s hearts.

I am so glad that these kids have learned a lot about real life from me, what they will never learn from their classrooms. Thank you so much to Ms. Rhoda Jennet E. Razo for introducing my works in her 3 classes, truly I am one with your principle, an “outside of the box” type of teaching, that in reality, 30% are learned from our classrooms and 70% are from our real life experiences.

And thank you to these kid’s creative works, I will forever cherish it in my heart. I just wish that you will carry all throughout your lives what you have learned from Armie Yuson. And I still believe that one small act of goodness from one ordinary and simple human being can still cause the most powerful explosion, stronger than that of nuclear weapons, to create awareness, change humanity and make the World continue living with peace, hope and love…

- Happy Loner Traveller

Diary Of A Prince

2012-08-01T21:44:00.001-07:00

I have met and known so many women in my life and not a single one of them even had the right to be compared to you… I am very proud to say that I may be or could be literally “The Luckiest Man Alive” for over half a decade, up to this very day and even in the far future, for I have a person like you in my life. You never gave up on me when you have all and every reason to do so… You were just there every single time, comforting and taking good care of me, even at the times that I may seem to not care about you. How truly blessed I am for having a one of a kind and rare person like you, I would brag about it all my life…

For the past 64 months, every single time that I’m having a problem in whatever aspect of my life, there would be no other person that I would run to immediately, not even my family nor my true friends, but just you because I knew that you’re the only person in this world that could understand me and that is just something that is so automatic about you. You are the only person in my life that just knows everything about me, all of my stories, all of my secrets, all of my pains, all of my mistakes, all of my past, present and future, you just knew the real me, the way no one else would have ever known in their lifetime. You have seen all my flaws but still you accepted me wholeheartedly and even loved me so much… The kind of love that you have shown to me is just inarguably incomparable to others. You just embody the words “Unconditional Love”, that most people believe to be just a “fairy tale” myth, coz’ everyone knows that sticking and standing by me is the biggest mistake a person could ever do, but still, you went through it doubtless, without fear or any hesitations. And with that Character, you’ve boiled my heart up to the most infinite degree it possibly could… I just love everything about you and I can’t even think of one negative word about you.

Thank you for letting me have that freedom to be myself, for supporting me to reach my dreams, for allowing me to know that you are just there like a permanent tattoo in my life. Thank you for being the person who allows me to have those “Multiple Smiles” in just one smile coz’ you strive hard to see me that way everyday. Thank you for being the only person to give me the gift of feeling the most affectionate sweetness, the most cuddling thoughtfulness, the most heartmelting care and the most faithful love a human being could ever dream for in this wonderful, oh, so wonderful life…

I am deeply sorry for all of my shortcomings to you for the past 64 months, but then, I already knew, that even before I said sorry to you, you already have forgiven me without any bitterness in your heart. Thank you “BEIGH” for being the proudest person with regards to having someone like me in their life, bragging me to everyone you know, even if I’m not worthy to be proud of. I am forever owned by you because you already claimed me from the very beginning, even if you never knew anything about me at all…

- Poetic Prince

King Dolphy : Father Of Philippine Comedy

2012-07-11T12:56:00.000-07:00

Rodolfo Vera Quizon Sr. or popularly known as Dolphy was born on July 25, 1928 in Tondo Manila Philippines and has passed away on July 10, 2012 at the age of almost 84 just 15 days before his Birthday. He is an Actor (Comedian - Drama) & a Dancer who created a masterpiece of 208 movies from “Dugo At Bayan” to “Father Jejemon” and numerous of TV (John & Marsha – Home Along Da Riles), Radio and Theater shows here in the Philippines and abroad. He has won countless of awards in his nearly 70 year Career, creating a Philippine history where he both won the Best Actor & Best Supporting Actor Award for 2 different films in the same year of the most prestigious award giving body for Movie & Films. He tapped into 8 different generations making him an Icon in the Philippines, with his astounding achievements in his chosen career. Billions of Filipinos then & now, who have been long gone and still alive knew all of his journey to his legendary lifeworks, an unmatched and unsurpassed career, creating him not only as a National Artist but a National Treasure. I won’t be diving into details with regards to his tremendous profession but I’ll dig deeper, I will focus on a more important part where he truly became a part of the lives of all the Filipinos for 8 decades, the real person behind the camera, the True Dolphy…

Many knew him by different names like Golay and Pidol but first and foremost, he is a great Family man, having 18 kids (1 Deceased), he prioritized on providing everything for his children and grandchildren, that even up to the very end of his life, he left each one of them undisclosed fortunes and requested them to not fight about it but to love & take good care of each other. And he made sure too that they are all equally loved and given the most important gift in this world, which is Quality time… As a Partner, his 23 year lovestory with his Queen Zsa Zsa Padilla has gone through tough times throughout the years but Zsa Zsa recalled that Dolphy is the most sweetest and thoughtful man she has ever known, and that “He was worth it”, she also added that sometimes it’s hard to say things that you want to Dolphy because he will do everything to make sure that you will received that gift. As a Friend, Dolphy never leaves a friend in dire need, witnessed and attested by so many, that is why Zsa Zsa told him that if ever he had a weakness? That is his Giving Heart, he’d rather have no money for himself, as long as he could share all of this to everyone, whether he knew them or not. As a Co-worker, Dolphy is truly a professional and he considers everyone in the workplace as equals, that no one is above to anyone, he befriends even the janitors and security guards of the set. But his most important feature that gave a significant impact to all Filipinos around the world is his genuine humility, and with that virtue comes the utmost and highest respect of each and every Filipinos that stumbles upon him. True respect for me is not being chased and screamed at by people & fans when they see you but rather when you walked into a crowded room, everyone becomes so silent and they just smile because they pay you their highest dues of respect & as far as I’ve ever known, only two people in the Philippines has ever done that, it is Dolphy and his late friend King Fernando Poe Jr. (Father of Philippine Action). Dolphy is without a doubt, 100 percent believed by all Filipinos as an Icon, a pillar, a legend & a treasure, but for Dolphy himself, King as he maybe to the Filipinos, he is still the simple person he knew way back in Tondo, who came from humble beginnings selling squash seeds in old theatres in Manila and has always made sure that his feet will always stay on the ground and I will quote him “Humility is the name of the game”…

Personally, I still can’t accept that King Dolphy is already gone, it’s hard and his passing has really made me cry… I may not have met him personally, but with his unchartered Charisma & effect on people, I feel like he is also my grandfather. I learned significant amounts of morals about life from him... The wisdom he shares to everybody has been there and will always be carried within our hearts forever… He served as my inspiration on why I began to dream & somehow would want to follow his successful footsteps in any of my chosen career and that I may also experience a fruitful life the way he has lived it… I could compare one similarity of mine to his, it is the way we love. Like what Zsa Zsa previously told, I am also like that, I want all the best things in life for my loved ones and I would do everything to pamper and provide them with everything they need and wished to have…

Dolphy’s life has embodied what a real Filipino experience would be, we may be from humble beginnings or from a rich family, we may have undergone so much trials and afflictions into our lives, but one quality a Filipino has, that unquestionably the King of comedy have remarkably influenced us, is giving a good old SMILE & LAUGH to all of our daily problems in life… Still the Greatest Medicine here on Earth… Dolphy, I love you… And for me, you are not only a National Artist but a HERO…

- Trusty Appraiser

ARANAR (Yuson Siblings)

2012-07-02T09:42:00.000-07:00

I am very lucky and blessed to have wonderful and amazing siblings. We each have our own super specialties, with me as a Travel Mastermind, my brother as a Technology Genius and last but not the least, my sister as a Book Whiz. But we all have one common denominator which unites the three of us and that is our love for Music… Eversince we were young, we were already introduced to music because our parents were also geniuses hiding in the closet when it comes to music. Me, Armie Yuson is a Vocalist & Pianist, my brother Lyko Yuson is a Vocalist, Guitarist, Bassist, Pianist & Drummer and my sister Inah Yuson is a Vocalist, Guitarist & Violinist. With the 3 Yuson’s Talent and Passion for Music, I came up with an idea, to make a Band involving the Three of Us and I named it ARANAR. The History of the name ARANAR is just the 1st syllables of our real names put together in the order of our age.

We have our Sibling Rivalry but in a good way because that always brings out the best in us… Me & my brother collaborated in creating my 3 albums which totaled 30 songs. I could never be thankful to God for giving me my Two Extraordinary Siblings because when we are doing something together, we are just unstoppable in giving amazement to everyone and that is what ARANAR is all about…

- The Thoughtful Son

Request Sessions

2012-06-20T22:53:00.000-07:00

Like I’ve always said, singing has always been my first love. Singing always brings me to a place of heaven and peace, it just lifts me up whenever I’m sad… And I’m glad to say that some people appreciate my music too, they were telling me that they love my original songs and versions, that they were even downloading it to make it their mobile phone’s ringtones, what an honor for me…

So I’ve decided to give my listeners a gift, I’m allowing them to request for their songs that they would want me to sing and I’ll do my best to make a good version out of it… So here are your requests, I hope I gave justice to your songs…

- Soul Writer

Happy Loner Traveller Judges Miss Teen Alcala 2011

2012-06-10T06:31:00.000-07:00

Armie “Happy Loner Traveller” Yuson has been invited to be the Chairman of the Board of Judges in the Miss Teen Alcala 2011. Together with my Co-Chairman, Cynthia Mendoza, my Bestfriend in Medicine School, it’s our first time to judge a pageant and the experience was great. Thank you to the Event Organizer, Michelle Cataina for inviting us and for the VIP treatment and care we had, your hospitality is so much appreciated. Well, the Pageant was too long, it started at 9 in the evening and ended at 3 in the morning, but it was fun, it’s like a festival, the mood of the crowd was ecstatic! And me with my 4 Co-Judges made a rightful decision to make this 14 year old Katherine Sambajon’s dream to be the New Miss Teen Alcala a wish come true, mainly because she created several well-deserved performances for that evening. I was touched with her reaction when she won, she even went down the stage and gave all the judges a big hug, I really felt her happiness and I felt rewarded that I made a little girl’s wish come true on Christmas day. It was also a wonderful gift for me because the people of Alcala allowed me to be a part of their lives even for just a day, a special one like Christmas…

- Happy Loner Traveller

A Time To Give Back (An ESSC Batch 2001 HighSchool Reunion Special) PART 2

2012-05-25T10:06:00.000-07:00

ESSC Batch 2001 on their 10Th Year HighSchool Reunion Special has chosen to help the 250 Public School Students of Ambalangan Dalin Elementary School of whom surveys show that it is included in the 14 Public Schools were majority of the students are malnourished. Also together with their parents and co-barangays who have ailments and diseases that needs medical attention.

So, just a month left and donations from my batchmates were still being collected, I also asked for donations from other people that became our partners in this event. So the whole Batch agreed that this wouldn’t just be a medical mission alone, but rather we came up with numerous additional programs to make this event a really very special and unforgettable one to those people whom we’ve chosen to help.

So my first move was to come up with a logo for our event which was later printed to be used as our tarpaulin. ESSC Batch 2001 would like to thank our official partners in our “A Time To Give Back” event namely my uncle Mr. Arnulfo Romero (President of Mercury Drug) because through him, Pharex, Unilab & Mercury Drug donated large amounts of Medicines (Ritemed), also to my grandfather Mr. Armando Leyva of Classe’ Cooking Oil for the additional donations of Rice, my grandmother Mrs. Corazon Leyva for the additional donations of School Supplies, to Mrs. Josie De Vera for the additional donations of Raw Pancit, to Mr. Ingo & Mrs. Anne Hansen of Vmobile for their generous donations of amounts, to my aunt Mrs. Magnolia Punzalan for the additional Multivitamins, to my uncle Pastor Hipolito Sabangan & Pastor Carmen Dagaraga for lending us the Gospel Of Christ Church’s Van, to my aunt Daisy Salvador for cooking the Pancit, to Ms. Kori Quintos of Regional ABS-CBN for broadcasting our event and to my aunt Salvacion Romero & mom Cherry Yuson (I brought my mom to the market again after 15 years. Haha!) for accompanying me to the market a day before the event. The ESSC Batch 2001 would also like to thank Mr. Clarence Ochinang & Mr. Denton Caballero for being the way for us to reach these kids this Christmas. Thank you for helping us make our event possible.

As I arrived to San Carlos City Pangasinan from Baguio a day before the event (December 22, 2011), right away I went to Mercury Drug San Carlos Branch to get the streamer that they made for us and after that, I got the 400 assorted Medicines in my uncle’s home. And then I asked my mom and aunt Salva to accompany me in the market to buy the things needed (Rice, Raw Pancit, Carrots, Styrofoam, plastic fork, chicken, soy sauce and many more). It took me half a day to the market and it was very tiring, so I’m very thankful to my mom and Aunt Salva for enduring their time with me and I’ve seen that they too have enjoyed it because they knew that this event will feed an almost 350 people. After the market, we immediately went to my aunt Daisy who will cook & prepare the Pancit for our Feeding Program, it was less than a day for her to prepare & cook for 350 people and yet she still took the job and I’m really grateful to her because what she did was really exhausting. The truth is, my aunt Salva & aunt Daisy helped me here because of their love for my mom, my aunts were the first two people who took care of me when I was still a baby and growing up. And it’s like a reunion for us to be bonded again doing this activity. So, from the bottom of my heart, Thank you to my aunt Salva & aunt Daisy for their pure kind heart in lending out their hand to me.

All of you might think why my batchmates were not present in the preparation part, that is because majority of them are working in other countries but they all gave their donations, as well as our batchmates here in the Philippines, however, they are still in their work and could not get a leave for this day. But all of us participated in this Event. I was just the host of our Event that’s why I was the one present all the time. After all of the preparations, I had a meeting with Ms. Kori Quintos of Regional ABS-CBN and discussed to her the mission & vision of this Batch project and she gladly replied to us. At night, me with Aileen Domingo, Lucy and Mary Resuello started putting 1 kilo Rice in every plastic. After a few hours, it was 10 PM, I started to place all the School Supplies in a Big bag. So all is set and we’re just waiting for the BIG EVENT on December 23, 2011.

At 7:30 AM of December 23, I went to my aunt Daisy to get the boxes of Pancit and I was surprised that my uncle Pastor Hipolito Sabangan & aunt Marites Camacho were helping my aunt Daisy in the Pancit preparation. I was deeply touched with what they did and I was just speechless, I can’t thank you enough. I’ve realized that it is really the spirit of Christmas were Families become one, united and gathering altogether again. And my heart was so glad at that very moment.

So I went to my Friends to pick them up in our meeting place at 8 AM. Together with me are Dr. Christine Sy, Mr. John Ray Leaño and Mr. Jonald Ballesteros. Seeing them again allowed me to recall all the great memories we had in HighSchool. So we travelled an hour to san Fabian Church and from there we met with Mr. Clarence Ochinang, our guide to the school. As we were driving towards the event place, we saw how far, remote and mountainous it is and that our mobile phones have lost its reception already. It’s 11 kilometers away from the San Fabian Church & Highway.

As we arrived in Ambalangan Dalin Elementary School, our hearts melted with the teacher’s, barangay officials, parent’s & student’s warm welcome to us. They really made a formal program for us with the student’s performing and even gave us their plaque of appreciation.

So we conducted a Feeding Program, Rice & School Supplies Giving, Games & Prizes and Medical Mission. A Multi-purpose Program in one as I call it. The event started from 9:30 AM and lasted until 5:30 PM. With just the Four of us present in our Batch’s Event and with 350 people to attend to, imagine how tiring is that but the things we did for these people were incomparable to the fulfilling and rewarding feeling that we gained from them, and this will boost our heart’s energy forever. This experience and memory will be carried throughout our far descendants. The truth is, we were the ones who received the gift and not them, for their smiles really made us smile even bigger. Seeing these kids happy made a permanent mark to us that we would carry for the rest of our lives.

ESSC Batch 2001 had a remarkable 10Th Year Reunion, we were not wrong in making the decision to give these kids our party fund for it is more worthy for us to help these kids. Honestly, we enjoyed this more than our original plan 10 years ago.

We have learned a lot from these kids. That money is not the supreme importance in a man’s life, that there are more important and bigger things out there than our personal lives. And most importantly, the Batch would like to Thank our Almighty God for blessing our needs so that we may have the chance to share it to everyone… And with Armie “Happy Loner Traveller” Yuson’s Life’s Motto, “Seize every opportunity as if it’s your last coz’ you’ll only know in the end that it’s already too late… Enjoy the gifts that Life has to offer…” GOD BLESS EVERYONE and hope we have inspired you to do the same and be united with us for a common cause…

- Soul Writer

A Time To Give Back (An ESSC Batch 2001 HighSchool Reunion Special) PART 1

2012-05-18T23:01:00.000-07:00

It all started 6 months ago when I suggested to my friends for 23 years that why not create a cause wherein we could somehow try to give back all the blessings that God has given us because as I’ve seen it, all of my “Barkadas” have been really successful in their chosen careers, most of them working as professionals abroad. So I realized that it’s time to give back and be a blessing to others. Although, I have no idea on how to start and do it. Eventually, when I asked my childhood friends, one of them told me, why not a medical mission? Coz’ majority of us are in the medical field and I gladly took that idea. However, where and to whom we would do this mission? I asked for a sign to God if whether I should pursue this inner calling or not. 4 months ago, a reader and supporter of my blogsite Denton Caballero, of whom Clarence Ochinang (also a reader and supporter of my blogsite) has introduced my blogsite to, sent me a message that he is a 13 year public school teacher to this far and remote mountainous barangay in San Fabian Pangasinan, he shared to me his love for his students and told me that a great number of them are undernourished. And he asked me if I could visit his students so that I could make these kids smile. And right there and then it hit me, that this was the sign I’ve been praying for…

So, I thought hard about my visit to their school and I realized that I should also bring my batchmates in my alma mater, for the single reason that I also want to share to them the addicting, fulfilling and rewarding feeling when you help those people in need. That I want my childhood friends to realize how wonderful it is to give, especially to your fellow Filipinos. And I miss my “Barkada”, so I want us to do something altogether again, an additional to our countless golden memories…

Also, with fate’s side to us, it is also the time of our 10Th year HighSchool Reunion and what better way to celebrate it but in the month of giving, December… So all has been set, we have the calling within us, people to help, a built cause and a perfect reason and time to celebrate it. The only thing left missing is putting all of these together. 2 months before the Big Event, I opened the topic again to my batchmates and I’m glad that all of them complied with the idea and plan. We had our short term misunderstandings but we got through it and that is just normal especially when you are preparing for a Big Event like this and we are not the important ones, this event is not for us, but for the 250 kids with their parents and co-barangays that we are going to give blessings to.

So the idea was, instead of making our ESSC Batch 2001’s 10Th Year HighSchool Reunion a party for us, why not give the money that we can accumulate to those unfortunate ones especially on Christmas month, we could do something together as a Batch and it will be more satisfying and memorable. And this great move for the Batch would make us proud for the rest of our lives and we could tell this to our grandchildren and even our great grandchildren. Another thing is, our batch started to rekindle the fire again for other batches of ESSC and other batches of different schools as well, that all alumni of all schools could see that one batch is doing this again and that there is still pure righteousness in the world amidst the negative things that are happening today, and they could get inspired again to help. So if all Batches would help again, then there will be many who will receive goodness and we will all be united in doing this and that is the spirit of Christmas after all, everyone being united in loving and giving to each other, not just every Christmas but every single day for the rest of our lives… TO BE CONTINUED…

- Soul Writer

Happy Loner Traveller’s SuperMOM!

2012-05-12T04:19:00.000-07:00

A Woman’s life for me, is one of the greatest gift of God in this world. Being able to reproduce a similar heartbeat as theirs and freeing a new life from their womb into the world is still one of the most divine miracles in this vast universe.

But the responsibility of a Woman doesn’t stop from there, it is only just the beginning… The transformation into being a Mother is a 9 month journey of nothing but pain but is still sensational because that pain creates an unexplainable and special connection between the newly molded Mother and her Infant, a relationship that lasts a lifetime and cannot be broken or destroyed by any force, stronger than any chemical bonds developed by Nature. A role of a Mother gets tougher and tougher by time, slowly taking their own lives, having no more time for themselves because their family becomes their world, time & life. A duty of a Mother is the only career in this world where there is no leave or retirement, it is a forever adventure…

When I was born, my Mom was 23, together with my grandmother, they raised me up. My Mom is not a “Perfect Mom” but not being perfect doesn’t mean that she isn’t great, in fact, if you have a son like me? Then definitely, you are one of a kind Mom! Because handling a hard-headed boy like me who spends most of his elementary life in the principal’s office and is even naughtier than the Fictional Character “Dennis The Menace”, you would absolutely think twice if you want to be a Mom. But what I love about her so much is she did… She still accepted me and wanted to be my Mom despite of all the failures, disappointments & pains that I gave her for most of my life. In the end, at what I’ve thought that she changed and has left me & my siblings was her only timeout for herself and she deserves it, especially with all the things she went through. I may not at times understand my Mom but I get her. She is my adviser, my comrade, my confidant and my number 1 supporter. She is a biological Mother of 3 and is the adopted Mom of many. I have never been prouder to have a generous, tender-hearted and cool Mom like Febe “Cherry” Leyva Yuson. I just wish that all people could experience on how to be brought up by a Mom like her. Thanked God I have my own SuperMOM!!!

- The Thoughtful Son

Happy Loner Traveller Goes To MACAU (Comparing Philippines To Macau’s Global Success)

2012-05-07T00:39:00.000-07:00

Macau China is a former Portuguese Colony and is now a Special Administrative Region in China just like Hong Kong. It has both the influences of Chinese and Portuguese Culture. 95% of the people residing here are Chinese and the rest are mixed races called Macanese which are Chinese with a mix of Portuguese. Macau is mainly known as the “Las Vegas Of Asia” as Gambling is one of its main attraction here. However, Macau’s Economy is still largely based on its Tourism. Now, Armie “Happy Loner Traveller” Yuson will explore the cultures, attractions, people and tourist spots of Macau and he will try to know why Macau’s Tourism became a success not only in Asia but in the Global Market as well. He will get as many ideas as he can so that he could bring these new found informations to his beloved Country, The Philippines, and he could help improve the tourism in the Philippines more, so that we will be the next big thing, not only in Asia but Worldwide!!! He will point out the comparison between the 2 Countries, the advantages and disadvantages of our Country to theirs, so that we could focus on improving these for our Country’s Bright and developing future.

So as I arrived in Macau’s International Airport, I noticed that they are very strict in prohibiting of taking photos to the structures of their Airport. Honestly? Our Airport in NAIA Terminal 3 is far better than their Airport. So I checked-in to the most famous hotel in Macau and it is the Venetian Hotel. Venetian Hotel is the 6th Largest Building in the World in terms of floor space and the Largest Casino in the World too. It took 2.4 Billion U.S Dollars to build this Man Made Paradise and it had the concept of Paris France and Venice City Italy to it. The owner Sheldon Andelson, really is one of the greatest pioneers in the World when it comes to Modern Entertainment. Even if you’re not a Gambler, you could still enjoy Macau, there are a lot of things to do inside the Venetian. Venetian itself represents Macau already.

Aside from the Hotel and Casino, Venetian also has a Mall, Food Court, Pools, Golf Course, Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Theaters and much probably everything you wanted to see in a place. But the best attraction for Happy Loner Traveller is the Romantic Replica of Venice’s Gondola ride. For only 118 Macau Patacca (around an estimate of 708 Philippine Pesos), you could already have a worthwhile experience of the Famous Lover’s ride in Italy. And you could even request the Gondolier to sing an Italian Song for you. How Romantic is that?!! By the way, the currency conversion of Philippine Pesos to Hong Kong Dollars is similar to that of Macau’s Patacca, around 6 Philippine Pesos for 1 Patacca. So on my first day, I just roamed around the Venetian.

On my Second day, I made sure that I visited all the prominent sites in the main center of Macau. I went to the Senado Square, it is Macau’s Famous Landmark, together with it is the “Street Of Happiness” or also known popularly as “San Malo” where souvenirs are prominent. I also went to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ruins of Sao Paolo Cathedral and beside it is the Mount Fortress, a historical site similar to that of Fort San Pedro in Cebu or Intramuros in Manila both found in the Philippines. I also went to Macau Museum & the most sacred ground in Macau which is the A-Ma Temple, the name of Macau is thought to be derived from here. The main Religions here are Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. And for the rest of my itinerary, I just explored the rest of Macau, I walked and rode the bus most of the time and it just took me 3.20 Patacca (19.20 Philippine Pesos) per ride at night, I just wandered the streets and downtown of the busy district of Macau, just looking and appreciating the bright lights of the City. And I also went through the outskirts and Non Tourist spots of Macau and I really have learned a lot with regards to people’s attitude, lifestyle, education & values here. I even discovered wonderful places here not included in the maplist of the “must visit” Tourist areas of Macau.

On my Third day, the only itinerary left to do is to have a “Hotel Hopping”. Going from one hotel to the other is one of the Must do’s of Tourists here. So I went to Galaxy Hotel & Casino, City Of Dreams Hotel & Casino, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino and Grand Lisboa. Each Hotel has its own unique attraction to offer. One of the techniques that I used in Macau so that I won’t be spending too much money is there is a “Cotai Connection”, main Hotels in Macau have partnerships with regards to FREE BUS Rides all over Macau. So I always use this to my advantage and I always eat at the Food Court because it is cheaper than the restaurants outside and you can still taste their unique delectable cuisines. One thing that you should not miss doing here in Macau is tasting their Famous Portuguese Egg Tarts and Dried Meat, you can see a lot of it almost everywhere.

And now, after I’ve gotten to know Macau in my 4 Days & 3 Nights Vacation, I can proudly say without being unbiased that I will still choose Philippine Tourism a Million Times!!! Why? We have so much advantages and potential to offer our foreign investors and tourists. We are very excellent in English, even our diction, I was hard up in looking for places because majority of the Chinese doesn’t know how to speak English. I still have to look for fellow Filipinos to ask them how to find a certain place. Filipinos compared to Chinese are very accommodating and hospitable, no race could ever compare to our kindness over our foreign visitors. And it is very pricy in Macau, all of the things there are expensive, almost triple to that of Philippine Pesos.

Yes, I admit that these Man Made Structures really amazed me but it’s still incomparable to the Natural and unspoiled beauty of the Philippines. God’s Creation is still the best in letting you experience true peace of mind when it comes to his gift of Nature to us. I still choose Nature compared to Man Made Structures!

However, we could help put a little improvement to it with the use of friendly innovations too like placing a replica of the Gondola ride to Baguio’s Burnham Lake. And also, the things we need to focus on improving is our cleanliness to our surroundings, I just compared their downtown to us, their busy districts are still very clean while our downtown area is full of Garbage. And their Crime rate is very low while in our Country, you could hear a lot of crimes done by Filipinos to their Fellow ones. We must eradicate those things so that people from other Countries won’t judge us. It will help a lot in improving Philippines Tourism.

Major Countries in the World got rich and successful because they mainly focused on their Tourism. Malaysia has 450 Million Foreign Visitors last year alone because of their value to Tourists. Macau is listed as Top 21 in the World as the most visited Country by Tourists. Us in the Philippines? Only 2% of the Foreign Visitors explored our Country. So as you can see, We are very far behind from marketing Philippine’s Beauty to the whole Globe, whereas I strongly believed that we have the best Natural Beauties not only in Asia but in the World!!!

Let us help each other be optimistic in promoting our Country, Let’s innovate, create and be ONE COUNTRY. It is time to give back to our Country. Let us love the Philippines!!! Coz’ in the End, All FILIPINOS will Reap the Benefits…

- Happy Loner Traveller

The Prince Who Wishes To Never Love Again

2012-04-30T09:43:00.000-07:00

Those people, whether it be young or old, who already fulfilled their well-being and lived lives with a sense of contentment, being loved by their partners with their fruits, always say that when your True Great Love comes, You would never love another one in your lifetime because you have already found what you deserve. Many of us listened and dreamed to those wonderful fairy tale beliefs but only a few were given a chance to experience it. And I was not one of them…

At what I’ve thought is the lowest point of my life, God unexpectedly gave you to me, I suddenly believed that you were the gift that I’ve always been praying for, that you were here to save a miserable man like me. That my heart gathered such Fairy tale thoughts of you and I. But it only turned out to be a make-believe, that I have been only blinded by those inspiring beliefs that blissful people have created to marvel their overjoyed lives over us who only have dreams about it but will never even have the glimpse to bear through it, at what I’ve thought is the greatest story of my life, turned out to be the most grueling chapter of mine. It just became more painful, more disastrous and more agonizing. I have never thought that my life would be at its most lowest point, ever than before. Coz’ you made me think and you made me feel that I could soar up again together with you but why did you leave me from the time that I needed you the most, you just melted and vanished away, leaving no trace, at the hope that I would never find the path to connect myself with you again. Do you still have a heart? Do you know how destructive the feeling of what you’ve done to me is? When the only person you have trusted with the pulse of your heart, shared with the breath of your soul and opened the most sacred part of your life to, abandoned & forsaken you swiftly just like a newly born child left in the streets. I have never been so destroyed like this, it’s as if I am an orphan, begging and pleading just to experience how to be truly loved. Because you were the only left person in my life that I expected to let me have the feeling of being loved and taken considerable care of, as I am with you, that we will pursue our created & built dreams together. But only to know, that what is supposed to be mine were all given to another man... Knowing about this was the most painful thing of all the pains that I have endured just to prove my love for you, but this time, there was no more proving for me because someone in your life is already feeling the opposite of the torturous, piercing & throbbing sentiments of my heart… I expected because you let me, I hoped because you allowed me & I believed because you told me… You told me that I was your “Soulmate” but everything just went to a place called “Forgotten”. I felt so betrayed because I remained so faithful to our vow up to the very end…

Now, even if I am not included in those “Lucky Ones”, I gained a significant and meaningful lesson from them… And that is… “You don’t earn someone’s love, you should have already deserved it in the first place. We were born in this world to have the right to share love and be shared with love in return…” I am the Prince who wishes to never love again because I already have what I deserve...

- Poetic Prince

Happy Loner Traveller & His Armieholic Friends!!!

2012-03-17T08:56:00.000-07:00

I’ve been known by many people in the Philippines and even in other countries as “Happy Loner Traveller”, a person who explores and documents on his own all the “off-the-beaten track” Philippine destinations in order to promote it to the whole wide World!!!

But not all of the time I travel alone… Whenever I come back to a particular place, I’ll make sure that my friends should also see what I have admired in that specific destination. So I always organize the most affordable and quality vacation that all of us would enjoy.

In the past 4 years, I have organized 5 vacations for my true friends! Whenever I organize trips for my friends and after witnessing their faces getting amazed on all the places that I bring them to, there’s that feeling within me, a priceless inner joy that is so addictive… And I also want to share with them the delightful feeling of discovering newer things & places through their eyes, it’s like imparting with them a part of Happy Loner Traveller…

I’m not only happy when I travel all by myself, I’m also equally as happy when I’m journeying with them who’ve been my true friends for 23 amazing years!!! I hope I could have more travels with them in the future…

- Happy Loner Traveller

ARMIE YUSON (Happy Loner Traveller’s Journey To The Philippine Blog Awards 2011)

2012-03-04T07:15:00.005-08:00

I discovered my passion for writing at the age of 9 years old and I discovered my thirst for travelling and extreme adventures at the age of 22. I’ve been touring around the Philippines, from Batanes to the southernmost tip of Mindanao for 5 years already and I have seen, felt and experienced a lot. Mostly, what our fellow Filipinos have been going through in terms of poverty. So I have built my advocacies through the shout of our fellow Filipinos, I condoled with their calling to our government. And I used what I already have, which is my love for writing, movie making, photography and travelling, I came up with my 3 missions in life and that is to promote Philippine tourism, so that I could allow more job opportunities in the tourism industry to open for our fellow Filipinos in dire need of a livelihood and to teach everyone to protect and conserve our Mother Earth & its dying Natural Resources. For more than 2 years, I’ve been blogging about my advocacies, exploring and featuring off the beaten track Philippine Destinations that would add new flavors to Philippine Tourism. And also in between, I share my personal struggles and achievements in life so that I could somehow inspire my readers that behind every pain, misery, cruelty, heartache and mistakes in our lives, there is always hope, joy, love, positivity and acceptance. I guess, Life is really like that, you always have problems, but what’s important is how you remain to stand, fight and take the challenges of those problems and when we win? There’s nothing sweeter than a Big Knockout Victory!

So I’m thanking God for finally giving all my 2 year hardwork the recognition it deserves, because God knew all the effort I gave to built my world on what it is today ARMIEYUSON.BLOGSPOT.COM. Finally, my voice have been heard after 2 years of blood, sweat and tears. Philippine Blog Awards 2011, the most prestigious award giving body in Philippine Blogging has given me a news that would literally make me cry and jump for so much joy! And that is after 5 months of waiting, I was announced to be a finalist in 6 awards. And that is in the Reader’s Choice Award 2011, Blogger’s Choice Award 2011, Travel Category 2011, Lifestyle Category 2011, Podcast & Videocast Category 2011 and Top Single Podcast & Videocast Category 2011. Praise God!!! Just being a finalist feels like a winner already because hundreds of thousands of entries were nominated and it faced 3 gruesome processes just to be cutdown to the finalist part that comprises of 5 to 10 contestants only. It’s already a Big privilege for me just to be included in the list of the Top and Elite Bloggers in the Philippines.

So I dressed my best and attended to the biggest event of my Life. It was held at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium RCBC Plaza, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines at 6 PM. When I arrived at the event, I was just so excited to meet all of my co-bloggers and witnessed how popular they were in the blogging world. I was just a newbie here starting to make my own name. So the program proper started and everytime I see my blogsite on the screen and hear my name being called by the hosts when they were recapping the Finalists, I was just plain nervous with a little expectation that my name would also be called. With me vying for 6 awards, I prayed to God that he would just let me win even with 1 award only because this has been my dream for 2 years and an award is an embodiment of me being officially announced as the best blogger in the Philippines. However, I didn’t bring home any awards, I felt a little sad but after a shortwhile I was okay again, because I realized that being a part, a Finalist in 6 awards of this National Event is already a Big Gate for opportunities, this has allowed and inspired me to keep doing what I love to do and that is to keep changing people’s lives and giving them hope. This Awards night has also given me hope to work harder in giving truthful and amazing stories that would make a difference in this world, stories that would touch lives and stories that would allow strangers to carry “Me and My World” with them. I also realized that maybe I didn’t win right now is because I was built for a Bigger purpose, it all comes with God’s plan… I already won because I won the hearts of my readers who became my dear friends. That for me, winning the hearts of my readers is the greatest and priceless award in my Life and there is no sweeter victory than that…

So hopefully, with God’s grace again, I could be nominated on July and be included in the Finalist on late November and be announced as the Winner in December of next year in the next Philippine Blog Awards on 2012… I just would like to say thank you to the 680 people who supported & voted for me in the Reader’s Choice Award 2011 Category. To all the people who shared the voting site especially to Samuelle… I also would like to say thank you to the Board Members of the Award Giving Body for placing me in the Final list of the 6 Categories. And thank you to Kathrine Ibal for accompanying me, being my photographer and capturing memories of the most important event of my Life…

- Happy Loner Traveller

A Traveller’s Zoobic Experience (Tiger Safari Of The Philippines)

2012-02-16T07:00:00.001-08:00

I have been around the Philippines and I can honestly say that the most hospitable and accommodating people are found in the staffs of ZOOBIC SAFARI located in Subic Bay Freeport Zone Zambales, for they treated me with the utmost care that I have never imagined someone would do to me in a million years…

It all started when my friend/supporter Aprilyn Esposo who is a staff photographer there invited me to go back to Zoobic Safari for they have launched their latest unique offering found only in their Zoo all over the Philippines and that is NIGHT SAFARI held only during Saturdays from 5 PM to 10 PM… So I decided to give a visit to Zoobic Safari and to her as well.

When I arrived at Subic Bay Freeport Zone, I went straight to Zoobic Safari. As I entered Zoobic Safari, I saw a jumping joyous and blissful staff holding an SLR Camera on her hand, right away I knew that it was Aprilyn Esposo. She was at work at that time so she endorsed me to a group day tour at Zoobic Safari and I was shocked because it’s Free! So I started doing my usual “Happy Loner Traveller” works. After the day tour, I went back to check on Aprilyn Esposo again, she just got out from her work, I rested for a while and she accompanied me to tour Zoobic Safari once more but this time, the NIGHT SAFARI tour which is a separate payment from the day tour and shockingly, I got it for Free again! Aside from the Night Safari group tour guide, Aprilyn Esposo was my own personal tour guide and photographer. The nicest thing about what she did for me when I was there was eventhough her shift from work is over, she still stayed and accompanied me all throughout my NIGHT SAFARI tour. After the NIGHT SAFARI, I got again, a Free Buffet Dinner. I’m getting used to Freebies and I’m beginning to love the feeling! But the most surprising thing that the staff gave me is I got a Free Accomodation at CROWN PEAK HOTEL with Breakfast! This is the time that I really felt the most touching gesture that these people have let me experienced. I never spent a single peso on my trip here in Zoobic Safari and I really felt their hospitality, they treated me as if I am a Celebrity! An unending Thank you to Ms. Aprilyn Esposo, Ms. Elizabeth “Betchay” Alvarez, Mrs. Agnes Payad and the rest of the staff of both Zoobic Safari and Crown Peak Hotel… I will never forget your kindness to me, it’ll all be forever cherished in my heart’s memories.

It’s my second time in ZOOBIC SAFARI, the last time I went here was 3 years ago. When I came back to ZOOBIC SAFARI, many has changed, it has improved a lot, they added more attractions, more free & exciting gimmicks and more Animals that would really make you come back here for so many times and never let you get tired from their Zoo Experience! For 2 and a half hours, you could experience 13 unforgettable attractions which are the Zoobic Park, Rodent World, Serpentarium, Savannah, Forbidden & Zoobic Cave, Animal Muzooeum, Aeta’s Trail, Zipline, Croco Loco, Animal Show & Parade, Close Encounter (with Tigers & Lions) and their 2 main offerings, the Tiger Safari Ride and the Latest NIGHT SAFARI!!!

You can also ride their Zooper Train, buy at their Zoovenir Shop or have a photo with their Tiger Cubs or other Animals at their Zoombic Foto, a definitely unbelievable souvenir like no other! You can also visit their Animal Care Center and witness how they prepare the Animal’s Foods, how they treat Animals at their clinics and their nursery & hatchery section! You can also have their delectable and savory Aeta-inspired EAT ALL YOU CAN cuisines at Buho Grill.

My Personal best adventure here is my favorite Tiger Safari Ride, it’s a 10 minute episode where you can witness and imagine how they live in their natural habitat, the Wild! You will be locked in a customized jeepney where the Tigers are the ones who will come to you. A really worthwhile event! You can even feed them chickens and you can observe their large teeth!!! It’s just so amazing! I’ve tried this 3 times already and the only thing that I can say about it is that YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH! You would want to repeat it over and over again!!!

So now, to see their latest temptation, the NIGHT SAFARI, it’s the same itinerary but this time it’s where most animals are active like the Big Cats of the Jungle, the Crocodiles, the Owl and other Nocturnal Creatures plus with an additional attraction which is the Greyhound Walk, it allows you to have a 15 minute walk in a real live Rainforest at night with just a Greyhound on your side without lights but only pure darkness and echoes of the Jungle. How cool is that?! You will get to have the distinct feeling of being so close to the Jungle… Only seen in ZOOBIC SAFARI! The Main Event of the NIGHT SAFARI is their Night Safari Show & Parade, where you can witness the simulated & rehearsed parade and talents of our Animal Friends together with the Theatrical Presentations of their staff alongside with my favorite breathtaking Aeta’s Performances by playing Fire with their hands and mouth… Their Fire-breathing Masterpieces just literally took my breath away… To put it simply, just WOW!!!

I am glad to meet and get to know the Aetas working here in Zoobic Safari, 30 percent of the staffs here are Aetas and I’ve learned a lot from them and their cultures. I am glad that our Government gives Free Scholarship Educations to our Ancestral Forefathers and I met one who is a graduate of AB Political Science but instead of practicing his degree, he came back to his village and gave awareness to his co-Aetas that they have a lot of great privileges offered by the Government, they just have to be open minded about it which slowly they are now. I’ve also talked with one of the elder Aetas and he said that if I comeback, he would make me a Free Blow Gun which they are using to hunt for birds or wild boars, I am deeply touched with what he said, that it’s not about the money but what’s important for him is the deep relationship formed between brothers, the appreciation that we learn from it…

I’ve been to many Zoos, even from the Zoos of other countries like Ohio Zoo in the U.S but what is unique about this Zoo that no other Zoo in the world has, is the feeling that you are one with the Animals. As I was observing everyone who’s going in and out of Zoobic Safari, I have sensed their fulfillment that they have gained to appreciate our Animal friends, that they have learned to protect and care for them already. That is why this is the only Zoo, not only in the Philippines but in the World that has “Real Audience Interaction” especially with the kids. And one more thing, they have the only WHITE TIGER in the Philippines!!!

I am guilty that this is the BEST Experience of my Life, with our Animal friends and Staff’s excellent and superb hospitality, who wouldn’t want to come back to ZOOBIC SAFARI everyday!!!

Thank you Aprilyn Esposo for opening my eyes again to the continued beauty of ZOOBIC SAFARI!!! I definitely and strongly recommend that you must visit ZOOBIC SAFARI at once!!! Let us Learn from these Animals, it would help us open our eyes to love again our dying nature…

- Happy Loner Traveller

A Traveller’s Wild Encounter (Zoobic Safari And Ocean Adventure)

2012-02-08T06:27:00.000-08:00

Subic Zambales is a former military naval base of the Americans during World War II but as time ensues, it has been slowly converted into shipping ports, resorts and various tourist attractions.

My Wildlife Encounter started when I stayed at Camayan Beach Resort which is inside Subic and owned by the same company who owns Ocean Adventure Park. It is a Beachfront resort where you can do kayak. And it’s just a 3 minute walk to Ocean Adventure Park where you can witness performing Dolphins, Sea Lions, and False Killer whales. I also visited ZOOBIC SAFARI, which is a mini-zoo and their main attraction here are Tiger encounters, Yes! You’ve read it right! They will place you inside a secure transportation and you will enter into their natural habitat. It’s a different approach and it is the first here in the Philippines. You can feed them fresh chicken, they can jump on top of the jeep and you can witness and have an idea of their natural killer instincts. It’s different when you see them locked in the cage of the Zoos because what you will experience here is an unusual one. You will be the one who will be placed in a cage and they are the ones who will come near you. It’s an awesome and definitely a must try experience… You can also take pictures with these amazing loveable animals, my favorite is me carrying a 6 month old heavy cub on my lap!!! It’s a photo to cherish for a lifetime!!!

There is a growing number of new attractions in Subic. We now have the Treetop Adventure, a Zipline experience and the JEST Camp which gives a jungle survival experience with the Aetas. This is good for our country, that our demand for tourism is increasing and I’m happy coz’ it’s going to the direction which my advocacy was created for…

- Happy Loner Traveller

Get FREE “HAPPY LONER TRAVELLER” T-Shirts!!!

2012-02-03T10:02:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the shirts that Armie “Happy Loner Traveller” Yuson is wearing on his Photos & Videos? Do you want to have one too? Well, it’s just plain EASY! Just like my Facebook Page FACEBOOK.COM/ARMIEYUSONOFFICIAL and be an ACTIVE USER to my Page (Likes, Comments & Shares) and randomly I will select one ACTIVE Facebook User EVERY MONTH to have my FREE “HAPPY LONER TRAVELLER” T-Shirt! As simple as that! So, what are you waiting for, LIKE and be ACTIVE on my Facebook Page FACEBOOK.COM/ARMIEYUSONOFFICIAL… Always Visit my sites ARMIEYUSON.BLOGSPOT.COM & HAPPY LONER TRAVELLER & THE LIFE OF ARMIE YUSON!!!

- Happy Loner Traveller

A Traveller’s Act Of Compassion (A Helping Hand)

2012-01-21T06:51:00.000-08:00

The last time I’ve visited Cagayan De Oro was last January 7 of 2011 and I had a blast with its extreme adventures like the White Water Rafting, as well as its delicious mouth-watering grilled foods in the street party held every weekends. Cagayan De Oro gave me a unique journey where no other place in the Philippines can make you experience, people’s golden smiles have also warmed my heart, it’s as if I am one of them… So in the later part of 2011, I heard a very heartbreaking news, that Typhoon Sendong, the last typhoon to hit the Philippines on 2011 has left nothing but a tremendous catastrophe to the people living in Cagayan De Oro especially to those near the Cagayan De Oro River where the popular White Water Rafting is held. Typhoon Sendong washed out the entire village and killed an estimated 2,000 people and it really broke my heart coz’ a place that was once dubbed as the City of Golden Friendship has been totally destroyed and the most painful thing is, it happened just a few days before Christmas. They said that it just happened overnight, people from their houses were already resting until an unexpected flood with a strong current carrying large logs that were cut off by illegal loggers just splashed on and hit every household and people within it. Just imagine that there was a sudden 20 feet high elevation of the water from the river with strong currents that you can’t swim against with plus big logs just hitting every part of your body especially your head and you can’t see it because there was no electricity and it's dark, no doubt even the most alert and trained person couldn’t escape death. They said that the flood and logs came from its neighboring province Bukidnon. I was shocked and sympathetic, I felt the sadness brought about by this tragedy, I even imagined myself in that situation, thinking of ways on how to escape, or if I could even escape that dreadful situation.

In one of my first articles written 2 years ago, I experienced a similar situation but a lighter one, but still I know the scenario of what happened there in Cagayan De Oro. And I wrote in my past article and even predicted that in the future stronger storms, earthquakes and other natural destructions will arise because of the consequences of our unthoughtful actions. We created all of these, there is no other to blame but ourselves and now, hard as it may be, we must face nature’s revenge to us and the only thing that we can do is not to cure our dying nature but to prolong its destruction. To act now to prevent the further annihilation of our world. Let’s increase our awareness, let’s make our voices be heard and let us make a difference… Let us not wait for the time that even us would lose our loved ones and would also feel the hopelessness that people from Cagayan De Oro Felt just because we didn’t do something about it. It is now time to start paying respect to Mother Nature.

As a start of help, me, Armie “Happy Loner Traveller” Yuson together with my Vmobile Business Partners are already helping our brothers and sisters from Cagayan De Oro by giving boxes of goods for their needs… I am encouraging you to be one with us… Remember, that a Compassionate Heart will always be the greatest gift we can give to them…

- Happy Loner Traveller