#thenewtops

01/31/26

So, here’s The Extended Crew. My cousins, their partners and their daughters who are somehow already in college (time is a scam, anyare?). Honestly, I actually told them NO at first. My nephew and I were already about to have our own dinner outside when my cousin invited me to visit Tops just to relax. I refused… mostly because I haven't spoken to her in 3 months but she really insisted. Turns out, the promise of that cold Tops air was stronger than my commitment to being petty. Kahit mag-isa sa gedli, basta malamig.

Just because we arrived together doesn't mean we’re eating together. My nephew and I pulled a tactical move and grabbed our own dinner at a different spot. Kanya-kanyang trip lang 'yan. Spent a quick 30 minutes with the group then disappeared. Why deal with the interrogation table when you can have a quiet coffee and zero… musta life? questions?

My nephew and I literally isolated ourselves for 2 hours. Dalawang oras na muni-muni. If you’re at a rehabilitated place, you might as well rehabilitate your own thoughts. Watching the city lights while successfully avoiding eye contact is a top-tier vibe. Kunwari indie film protagonist pero deep inside, ine-enjoy lang yung katahimikan.🤣

Aside from the 100 pesos entrance fee to Tops, you can pay an additional 50 pesos to go to the higher deck. It’s actually so much fun watching the city zoom in. You can’t see the people but the way the buildings and cars look from up there is a total vibe. Highly recommend if you want to see the city breathing from the shadows.

Every time the wind hit, I was mentally back in Baguio. Cebu has these tiny pockets that feel like the highlands and I was soaking it all up. Honestly, I’d rather be surrounded by pine trees than family drama. Ramdam na ramdam ko yung lamig, kulang na lang talaga strawberry taho.

Funny how things go. I isolated myself, observed the crowd and honestly? It was the most relaxing time I’ve had in a while. 10/10 would… stay alone together with the crew again.