#baliwag

WHAT HAPPENED IN SEPTEMBER I can’t quite remember

I just know that before this month ended, I put on Lady Gaga’s Harlequin record for the first time, set-up some dramatic lighting, and for an hour I have seen myself dancing in my room, in front of an old mirror, with my whole body, mind, heart, and soul. By the end of this one-man show (a striptease actually), I was gasping for air, a bit drenched in my own sweat, but fucking really satisfied because hell yeah, I miss coming back to this side of myself, pleasing my audience which is me and only me.

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I am a crazy scorpio boy yet you wouldn’t know that at first because that is part of the mystery. A lot of people I encounter tell me that I don’t look like one or wouldn’t pass as a scorpio, but have they ever thought that maybe deceiving them was part of the trick? A game I am so good at just to get a good sense of everything? Joke’s on you, mate, ‘cause I am meticulously calculating my every move and while at it, also learning every bits of you. Afterwards, I’ll know, I’ll just fucking know if you deserve to be in my life for longer.

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I’ve also read this somewhere: the secret to living your life is to waste your time doing the things you like. For the month of September, I did like being a baby-sitter, an obedient son, a sporty cousin, a sexy lover, a red-hair cyclist, an ignorant, and even a brat city boy. I can be anyone; I can be all things as long as I really put my mind to it. I can kill you with my eyes, catch feelings and then lie. I can be your deepest fantasies, or maybe forever isolate my ideologies, but I could do it really — waste my time until I die doing the things I like.

IT ENDS TODAY I choose to free myself from chaos

Sometime this July, I had a short but meaningful conversation with a psychic friend and he told me something I truly needed to hear, he said that my Karmic year has concluded and that I must live my life a little more freely from now on. He asked me if I had dealt with a lot of heaviness in the past year and I couldn’t agree more because I did. But it’s over now and he’s right on that one too. I love how my life treated me the past month, silent battles were won and I’ve been wearing more smiles lately than a while back.

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I have spent the first 2 weeks of this month still in Taiwan and I think I have mentioned the details of that in my June entry, but I just really want to remember my ecstatic feelings over it. Now I’m back here in the Philippines, back home. Back to my old routine, and appreciating the calmness of it all. I am still carrying the happiness I have regained from that work trip and I think I will stay in this lane for now.

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I am at peace and I am loving every second of it. Sometimes I worry about endings but perhaps I just need to appreciate this little life while the serenity lasts. That is it. I am just here, bracing myself for more light, love, bliss, and even pinches of bleedings ahead because I believe that’s how life creates its balance.

Baliwag, 150

The buntal hat is one of the most celebrated cultural products of Baliwag, Bulacan, attracting visitors interested in travel experiences rooted in tradition. Made from fine fibers of the buri palm, this handcrafted hat reflects the patience and skill of local artisans. For many tourists, seeing how buntal hats are made has become a meaningful travel highlight when exploring Baliwag’s heritage sites and local markets.

The production of buntal hats is closely connected to nature, as the raw materials come from locally grown palm trees that thrive in the Philippine climate. Artisans carefully harvest and process the fibers, respecting nature while transforming it into something both functional and beautiful. This harmony between craftsmanship and the environment shows how communities in Bulacan have long depended on nature in sustainable ways.

The Baliwag Clock Tower in Bulacan stands as one of the most recognisable travel landmarks in the heart of the town proper, located prominently in front of the historic St. Augustine Parish Church. This iconic structure is noted for being the first self-supporting clock tower in the province, rising several stories and often featured in local travel itineraries and photos taken by visitors exploring the heritage core of Baliwag. Its presence not only marks time but also acts as a central point for travelers making their way through Bulacan’s cultural sites.

While Baliwag is primarily an urban centre, the surrounding nature in parts of the city adds a pleasant backdrop to a visit to the clock tower and nearby plazas. The area around the plaza and adjacent Glorietta Park offers shaded spots with trees and open space where visitors can pause and enjoy some fresh nature ambience amid the bustle of town. Beyond the immediate clock tower site, Baliwag features pockets of green and relaxed spaces that reflect the mix of city life and nature that the broader Bulacan region offers.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Baliwag is its grand processions, especially during Holy Week. The city is famous for hosting one of the longest and most elaborate Lenten processions in the Philippines, featuring beautifully crafted carrozas and devotional displays. Locals and visitors alike gather to witness this solemn yet awe-inspiring tradition that reflects the strong spirituality of the community.

Beyond its religious events, Baliwag also shines during its lively festival celebration each May. The Buntal Hat Festival showcases the city’s craftsmanship, culture, and creativity through colorful parades, dances, and exhibits. This festive atmosphere brings people together, highlighting the pride of Baliwag in preserving its identity while welcoming growth and modernity.