That day was special because it wasn’t just an ordinary get-together—it was a little reunion. In the picture, you’ll see Clyde, Johny, Apen, Justine, KJ, Dominic, Ina, and me. Ina and I were the only girls in the group, and we didn’t mind being outnumbered—it made the day even more fun. The reason for the celebration was Apen’s arrival from Negros. It had been quite a while since he last visited Cebu, so we thought it was the perfect excuse to spend time together. We decided to take him to Acacia Boulevard, one of those places in Cebu that’s great for hanging out, relaxing, and just enjoying each other’s company. The highlight? Tuslob buwa—an iconic Cebuano street food experience that’s always better when shared. We laughed, swapped stories, and enjoyed every bite. That day wasn’t just about the food—it was about friendship, memories, and making moments count.
The second picture felt like we were in a fiesta! HAHAHA. There were lots of colorful plastic decorations hanging on wires—just like the ones you often see during celebrations. Some even had light bulbs attached, making the place look bright and lively. With the music, the lights, and the cheerful vibe, it honestly felt like we were throwing a welcome party for Apen’s return to Cebu.
For the tuslob buwa, we had two kalaha (pans). I was in charge of cooking for Clyde, Johny, and Apen, while Ina cooked for Dominic, KJ, and Justine. Since we were the only girls in the group, we took over the cooking duties—hehehe. It was fun stirring the pan, laughing while cooking, and making sure our friends enjoyed every bite. Food really tastes better when shared with the right people.
These were the ingredients the tuslob buwa stall prepared for us—pig’s brain, chopped onions, slurry, garlic, and the seasonings (which weren’t in the picture yet because they added them later). On the table, there was also a butane stove, a pan, and plates ready for cooking. Everything was set up so we could enjoy the experience right there, cooking together while chatting and laughing.
While we were eating, I asked to take a picture of them—Apen on the left, Johny in the center, and Clyde on the right. These three aren’t just any friends—they’re virtual assistants of a CEO. Can you imagine how big that position is? Yet here they were, eating and dressing so simply, like regular guys. But don’t be fooled—they’ve got money! HAHAHA. I feel so lucky to have friends like them because anywhere we go, I don’t have to worry if I’m short on cash—they’ve got me covered. HAHAHA. More than that, they’re generous, fun, and real.
This one’s a funny capture! HAHAHA. Apen didn’t even notice I took a picture of him—and it’s not exactly his “best angle.” His teeth were showing because he was about to drink water, but then Clyde cracked a joke. Apen laughed without opening his mouth, just showing his teeth (with braces!) while looking at Clyde. The funniest part? Clyde isn’t even in the picture, so it looks like Apen is just smiling at the air. Moments like this are why I love taking candid shots—they tell the funniest stories!
Justine told Apen that I secretly took a picture of him, so Apen immediately turned to face the camera and told me to delete it. HAHAHA. But instead of deleting, I did the opposite—I took another picture! And guess what? It turned out even uglier because they were both moving when I captured it. The result? Justine’s face mid-sentence telling Apen, and Apen’s “caught in the act” expression. HAHAHA. Honestly, these unplanned shots are priceless. No perfect pose can beat the comedy of a perfectly timed ugly photo!
I took a selfie with Clyde, and then Justine suddenly photobombed us—doing a Spider-Man hand sign! HAHAHA. So naughty! It made the picture look so random but extra funny. But here’s the juicy part—Clyde confessed he has a crush on me. HHAHAHA. He’s handsome, right? LOL. HAHAHAHA. I swear, moments like this make hanging out with friends even more fun—there’s always laughter, unexpected surprises, and a little bit of kilig in the mix.
I took a picture of us without realizing that some of our friends were at the back. HAHAHA. The camera I was holding was too low, and since I used the back camera, I could only see the people in front. I didn’t notice the ones behind—until I secretly checked later. HAHAHA. At least they managed to fit in the frame! They were even leaning in and moving around just so they could be seen in the picture, like they were squeezing their way in. Honestly, that made the photo ten times funnier. It’s the kind of chaos I love capturing!
Back at the chair and table, we had just finished eating when Clyde took a selfie of us—but we weren’t even looking at the camera. HAHAHA. We were too focused on listening to Apen share about what happened in his province and why he decided to come back to Cebu. He explained that in the province, the signal is very weak, making it hard for him to work. Here in Cebu, he had the opportunity to land a great job—as a virtual assistant for a CEO. Not bad, right? Big role, simple guy, and an inspiring story to share.
And that’s how our day went—full of laughter, stories, and memories we’ll keep forever.
