THE BRAVEST PERSON YOU KNOW: Part 2

One year is a short film inspired by cancer patients who are literally struggling and fighting for their lives.

In case you haven't seen the film I made for the 3rd blogging challenge of Wanderrgirl, here it is:

BRAVE from Iris Rivares on Vimeo.

"K" is a character of a 20 year old girl, who in spite of Cancer, shows courage and determination to live her life to the fullest. The film started with the "Big Day" scene. Why Big Day? Big day because that's the last day of her Chemotherapy. Yey! She's been fighting through Cancer for a year now, hence the title of the film. 

"K" might have lost a few hair strands, and her body might be full of bruises, but one thing that makes her brave is that she never lose hope and she never let Cancer take over her life. Even if she's uncertain as to whether she'll still be alive the next day, she still goes on with her life and makes every day of her life count. What I love most about her character is that she never lose faith in God. She trusts God fully and she surrenders everything to Him. She faces life with a smile, in spite of the pain she's enduring. And for me, that's BRAVERY. 

I did a little research about the lives of Cancer patients, through reading in the internet forum and watching Youtube videos. The more I get to know their stories, the more I admire these people. In fact, I even joined a Cancer Warrior group in Faceboook which is based here in Batangas. They posted a Christmas Wishlist for this year of the children cancer patients they are helping and I personally want to be one of their Santa's who would make their little wishes come true. 

God has provided me with so much and the best way I could ever repay Him is to give back to the people who are in great need than I do.

Lastly, I personally would like to thank Wanderrgirl for coming up with these challenges. Thank you for "pushing us" to think and to write about something that we love, because we didn't only get to write and express ourselves, but we also learn from the whole experience.

So Thank You, Wanderrgirl! :)

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

- Iris

The Bravest Person I know: Part 1

If I'd answer this question way back when I was younger, I'm pretty sure that my answer would be Superman, BUT since my childhood fantasies are now over (I'm 23 btw), my understanding of the word "BRAVE" has gone so much deeper and based more on reality.

So here's a short film I made which I'm happy to share with you guys. This is the first time I made a film like this, so I really do hope you'll all enjoy. I didn't sleep for three days to do this, but what the heck, it's all worth it! :)

HERE IT IS!- MY ANSWER TO THE QUESTION "WHO'S THE BRAVEST PERSON YOU KNOW?"

BRAVE from Iris Rivares on Vimeo.

Disclaimer: I'm not a pro when it comes to film-making, I'm just a newbie trying to explore the craft. I would really appreciate comments and tips, just no hate comments please! Hehe! And to be honest, I really enjoy every moment of it, from planning, to shooting and to editing. :)

Here's the whole story and why I come up with this film:

Part 2 of this post: > The Story behind One Year 

Thanks for watching!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

ALWAYS & FOREVER!

- THE LITTLE MISS BACKPACKER

This is my entry for the 3rd blogging challenge of Wanderrgirl. If you want to see the answers of the other bloggers or maybe you, yourself have own personal answer/s that you'd love to share with us, kindly click on the link below:

In Our Own Little Ways

With all that has happened in our country recently, now is not the time to be insensitive. 

Enough with all the hatred going on, enough with all the political issues, there's no point in pointing fingers because now, it's not about you. It's all about those people who have lost homes, families, and lives. Instead, let's make ourselves their source of strength & hope in this time of great tragedy and loss. And if there are two things that we could give them now, those would be HOPE and WILL - a hope for a better tomorrow and a will to continue to live after THAT traumatic experience.

It's overwhelming how everyone's doing their own little ways to help. In tagalog, "Nakakataba ng puso". With all the help that's coming from different countries all over the world, how could one just sit and do nothing?

A lot of people want to help but they think that they should need a lot of finances to do so. But really now, there's no such thing as big or small help, any kind of help as long as you give it with all your heart, could make such a big difference in someone else's lives.

I, myself, don't have the finances. I am not rich but all I know is that God has provided me with so much, even more than what I need. And maybe He gave me more so that I could give them to those who greatly need it.

So what am I doing to help?

I've come up with a list of simple things that I did/will do which I believe could be of great help to our fellow brothers and sisters in Visayas.

1. This time, every year, I've already started stickers for the planner (I guess you all know what I'm talking about), but this year instead of spending my money in overpriced coffee, I will just donate them. A thousand bucks may not be that big but it can surely help, and I think that is what's more important.

2. I'm currently organizing a garage sale which will benefit the victims of the Typhoon Yolanda. It's actually same concept with the #baHAIYANihan, only that it would be held here in Batangas. I've already started collecting donations from my friends which they voluntarily gave. It's amazing how everyone's so game when they found out about this project. We're still looking for a venue and hopefully, we could push through with it this coming 30th of November. *fingers crossed*

3. Being the creative person that I am, I've always had this passion for design. And I think, now is the perfect time to create something for a good cause. I'm currently working on a Shirt and Tote Bag Design and planning to sell it once the design's done. Proceeds will go to the victims of the typhoon. My kind-hearted mom agreed to give me funds on this one because she believes that it would be for a good cause. Thanks mom for always being so supportive! 

4. I am always online on social media, may it be on Facebook or Twitter. We all know how influential social media is nowadays, and I take advantage of that to inspire others (hopefully). I believe that it's human nature to help others, it's our instinct. We have to ignite the fire in other's hearts, that's the fire to help, to extend a helping hand.

5. Last but certainly not the least, I pray for them. I believe that God is bigger than any storm and that He loves us. Though there are things which are hard for us to understand right now, I have faith that everything happens for a reason. We may not know them now, but someday God will reveal them, in His perfect time. I always ask God to make me an instrument to help others, to use me and I've never prayed this hard to be honest. Now I know why God gave me this talent, this heart full of passion for arts, and that is to use them as tools to help others.

Those were just some of the things that I could do as of now. 

To end this post,  I'm gonna be leaving you with a letter:

Dear You, (yes you who are reading this right now.)

First, I just want to congratulate you for being alive today. Not everyone is fortunate enough to wake up this morning, so you're one of the lucky ones who survived. 

Maybe you're going through something or even having a rough day, but still I hope you realize how blessed you are to be able to live, to have a comfortable home,  to have an internet access and to have the time to read my blog.

I know that you are aware of everything that's happening in our country right now. I may not know you personally but I just want you to know that I have faith in you. I believe in you and in your capabilities to help. I don't know how you'd do it, but I'm sure you have your own little ways.

You are naturally a loving and compassionate person. I believe that you came across my blog for a reason. You don't need to be a celebrity, to be rich and to be famous to help. 

You and I, together we could make a difference. We could touch other people's lives or more so we could help rebuild lives. We could help, in whatever way we can, however way we can, in our own little ways. 

In behalf of every Filipino, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart

"Kahit gaano man kalaki o kaliit na tulong, basta galing sa puso, panigurado malayo ang mararating nyan. At huwag kang mag-alala, si God na ang bahalang magsukli sa lahat ng kabutihan mo, siksik liglig at umaapaw pa!"

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

- Iris

Little Miss Backpacker goes to a different kind of adventure!

Being the adventurous person that I naturally am, the idea of challenges always excites me. Name it, I'll do it. So when I knew about the blogging challenge # 1, which is all about "DARE", I got so giddy and a lot of ideas eventually popped into my mind.

But there was a problem, my ideas were out of this world, (you have no idea! haha!) and it became impossible to do it before the deadline.

So.. I had to think of another one, one that I could do in just a day.. (or a night!)

Days passed by and I haven't come up with anything yet.

It was already 10 PM last night and still I haven't started a single thing. Boo me! Good thing that my friends were at home and we had some exchange of ideas. Since PLAN A was impossible to do last night, we opted to go for PLAN B. They are my lifesavers!

After a few minutes of finalizing our plan, I then logged out my facebook, prepared the stuff I need for my dare, and voila! 

Little Miss Backpacker was now ready for this one kind of an adventure!

This is something I've never imagined myself doing.

CAUTION: You may want to try this once in your life. Dare?

Enjoy! :)

*** Please wait for the video to load. :)

 

Dare from Iris Rivares on Vimeo.

Personal thanks to my friends who helped me in this challenge: Pen-pen, Jessie & Marky! I owe you big time! :)

"DARE - it's more fun with friends!"

** This is my entry for the blogging challenge of Wanderrgirl. If you want to join or see the other entries, please click the link below! :)

http://www.wanderrgirl.com/2013/11/i-dare-you-blog-challenge/

I will make another post about my realizations after I did this dare. I think it deserves to be in a separate post since it's something more serious than this one. :) 

That's all folks!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

- LMB xx

Part 1: I Left My Heart At Malasimbo

Summer is finally here and what a better way to start the season with a beach trip and a music festival with your awesome friends? 

Last Saturday, a couple of friends and I backpacked to Puerto Galera to attend the Malasimbo Fest.

For those of you who don't have any idea what this fest is all about then let me personally introduce the Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival to you and why you should consider including it on your Summer to-do-list next year (and the years to come!)

Whether you're reggae or not, you'll surely enjoy the Malasimbo Fest! 

Why?

Just picture this.

The location: At the top of Mount Malasimbo in Puerto Galera, an amphitheater secluded with coconut trees.  

You're watching different music acts, superb local artists and foreign acts like Reggae Icon Jimmy Cliff and Award Winning Artist like Joss Stone, while you're sitting on a banig (mat), under the stars. Unconsciously, you get all hyped out and suddenly you see yourself grooving to the dj's techno mix just a couple of hours before sunrise. Even if you promised you're not going to dance along, believe me, you would eventually give in. That feeling is what I called the "Malasimbo Vibe". Yes,  I just invented that! *teehee* 

I felt like I've been imprisoned for a long time and then I finally found an outlet. I gave in as much as I tried to resist. I danced along with a crowd of different people who share same love for nature, music and arts. We were all literally dancing like there's no tomorrow. 

Yes. It's a little bit pricey. But you have a whole year to save for it. My friends and I have actually started out our Malasimbo Fund for next year. Yes! We love it so much, we couldn't wait for next year! 

TBH, my friends were skeptical at first because they had no idea what Malasimbo was all about and ofcourse, it's really expensive especially for students like us! I just dragged them along with me. But mind you, they were the ones who were actually dancing til 5 AM. 

Here are some of the photos I took during the last night of Malasimbo.

THE AMPHITHEATER

YOLANDA MOON :)

SIMILAR OBJECTS 

JOIN THE QUEST :)

SOME RANDOM GUY WHO "BLESSED" THE CROWD WITH "THE BANANA LEAF". 

AND FINALLY, THE EVER SO ADORABLE, JOSS STONE! :)

How did you kick off your summer? :) 

HAPPY SUMMER EVERYONE! :)
- LMB xx

Snapshots: A Weekend of Everything That Flies

Flying. 

It's More Fun in the Philippines.

Little Miss Backpacker goes to the 18th Hot Air Balloon Festival | Part 2

It was almost 4 AM when I reached the entrance to the Hot Air Balloon Festival and there were already few people when I arrived. I patiently waited in line while I watched a lot of people arriving. The gate opened at exactly 5:30. 

To be honest, I was quite disappointed with the way they handled the entry of the people. It wasn't organized compared to last year. They first let the ones who already had tickets to get in and for us who didn't have tickets yet, we had to wait. There were no signs where ticket & non-holders should fall in line. I remembered one lady guard even said "Yong mga walang ticket, wag kayong magulo, nakakabala kayo." I found it really rude for her to say that considering that we've travelled so far just to get there early and besides, it wasn't our fault that they were not organized. *face palm*

Non-ticket holders started complaining here and there so the guards had no choice but to let us in already. *muahahaha* However, we still had to fall in line again to buy our tickets. So there, I bought mine and finally I was able to enter! Such a relief! It was a not-so long walk (for me) before I reach the event ground itself. 

A beautiful sunrise welcomed us that morning and I was so happy to be able to take a photo of it. It was a great feeling to see Mr. Sun again after few days of continuos rain. 

I was so happy to get up close with the hot air balloons as they were being set up. Here are some of the photos I took that morning:

What a big bouquet of Tulips! Imagine yourself receiving this on Valentines Day? HAHA!

Heating up the Balloon

And of course I wouldn't let this day pass without having a picture with balloons on my background. It's a must! However if you're travelling solo like me, you had to ask some stranger to take your photo. So a big big thank  you to the photographer who willingly took my photos. *hehe*

See SM got it all for you - even Hot Air Balloon! HAHA.

Flying bouquet of tulips, one of my favorite this year! 

One of the favorite photos I took that day, a mother and son moment. The cute little boy taking a photo of his mom. Very cute and sweet indeed. 

Why hello there Mr. Pilot. 

With the Event Director himself, Captain Joy Roa. (Please forgive my messy hair! I forgot to bring my hairbrush with me. Haha! )

This one was unexpected, but he made my day even more memorable. That's Gerald Anderson in awe while watching the Breitling Jet Team's aerobatic performance, one of the highlights of the event. Paparazzi Shot eh!

And of course I just had to! :)

It was indeed a day of everything that flies. I'm really grateful that Mr. Sun did show up that day. My solo travelling was worth it! I couldn't explain the different kind of happiness I feel whenever I get to see hot air balloons flying everywhere. It's that one time of the year that I always look forward to. It's actually my 3rd time here and it only gets better every year. But wait, my day didn't end here just yet. Read more of my Hot Air Balloon Festival Day HERE.

Godbless! :)

- LMB xx