METAMORPHOSIS

JANYL YVETTE R. ESMERALDA

When I was younger, Metamorphosis is just a process of transformation of insects from their immature form to their adult form or in short, a process that results to an immense change of their form.

Source: Pinterest.com

But as I age, I realized that people also undergo metamorphosis in different aspects of their lives.

First Stage

Have you ever felt like there is no progress in your life?

Like, you are just waking up everyday and doing the same old routine,

and what’s even more frustrating is, you feel like you are not growing.

You’re like that tiny cylindrical butterfly eggs.
Helpless and extremely small.

Well, let me tell, you are not alone.

I remember this quote I read from internet:

Source: Pinterest.com

Personally, more than a motivation, it serves as a wake-up call.

I think, it is trying to tell us that it is okay to feel down, as long as you don’t dwell there and bury yourself.

Do not let that get in to you because no one will ever suffer the most than you.

Do something about it.

Do things that will benefit and reveal the best version of yourself.

Source: exploringyourmind.com

Second Stage

Be inspire to a caterpillar who continuously work and eat leaf just so he can develop and be ready to face the next stage of his life.

If you’re tired of that same old routine, then it’s never too late to adapt a better routine, if it’s significant for your development. Just don’t give up.

Open yourself to many opportunities that will really impact you positively.

Remember, there’s an endless chance and ways of improving yourself, it’s just a matter of learning what works best for you.

Third Stage

The truth is, while you’re busy making your life better, life challenges will always come along the way. Actually, it is a part of your journey.

You may repeatedly stumble and start all over again from the first stage but that doesn’t mean you failed, it’s just a reminder that you can do better and for that, you should comeback stronger.

That’s why, it requires a lot of patience and courage to stand up over and over again.

You should be a butterfly larva who is patient enough not to form a pupa until they have reached their full length and weight because they know that they’re not yet capable.

And once they’re ready, they will cover themselves with a chrysalis,where rapid changes will happen for five to twenty-one days.

It’s the sacrifice they had to make just so they can be fully developed.

Just like you.

You must experience a lot of trials that will transform you first before you could even become successful, because the journey is what makes it really special and worthy.

Be proud of your brokenness. Be open to change. Be ready to rebuild. Every life deserves a fighting chance to make it. Your pieces may be scattered all over the place, but they’re here. Pick them up at your own pace and find people willing to help. You deserve to be whole.
Gabriel Valenciano

Fourth Stage

Once you endure trials and challenges, you’ll feel more empowered because you made it through your hard work.

You’re like that adult butterfly who mastered flying after emerging from the chrysalis for a period of time.

Happy and free.

A stronger and wiser person who’s ready to face the next cycle of life.

Hidden Paradise: A Guide to Five of the Best Tourist Spots in Biliran, Leyte that are Worth Visiting

by: Trisha Jasmin D. Bandong

When someone mentions Visayas, the top of mind vacation destination is either Boracay or Cebu. However the region has many other beautiful attractions, which may be more difficult to get to, but are worth the adventure.

When you travel around the Philippines, you have many choices of powdery beaches,old churches and many other natural wonders and historical structures that are worth visiting. Biliran is an island in Leyte that has several of these places, making it a popular destination for foreign and local tourists alike.

Discover ISLANDS.

1. Sambawan Island of Maripipi

The island has fine sand that glistens and verdant landscapes that slope down to the shore. This idyllic destination lacks the commercialization of many tourists spots in the region, making it a perfect place to relax and unwind.

How to get there

From Naval, visitors can travel to Maripipi for an hour and a half. From Maripipi,another boat ride is required to reach Sambawan which should take about 20 minutes. The nearest airport from Naval is Tacloban City. The trip from Tacloban to Naval takes about two hours. If you are coming in from Cebu, you can take a fast craft to Ormoc for three hours and another two hours from Ormoc to Naval.

From Naval, Biliran ride a bus, jeep or habal-habal to Kawayan. Once in Kawayan Port, rent a boat to the island for approximatelyP1000 to P2000, for a day or overnight trip.

2. Higatangan Island of Naval

Higatangan Island is popular for its shifting sandbars and beautiful color changes of the water and sand throughout the day. If what you are looking for is a combination of rock formations and unique sandbars, this is the place to go. There are a few private resorts in the island but the beach still remains beautiful to this day. Aside from the rugged rock formations, pristine white beach and crystal clear waters, Higatangan has an interesting history to it. It is said to be the island where former President Ferdinand Marcos took refuge during the second World War. Now, the highest point in the island is called Marcos Hill.

How to get there

From Naval, rent a boat and it only takes a short boat ride from Naval to Higatangan of 30 minutes.

3. Dalutan Island of Almeria

Dalutan Island is a very small island covered with coconut and palm trees which provides shade from the blazing sun. The white sand is not that fine but the main attraction of the island is its pristine beach, abundance in coral gardens, stunning view of the mountains and coastlines of Biliran Island and its proximity to Agta Beach in the mainland. The place is underdeveloped and a caretaker collects a small fee to every visitor. There are small cottages available for day visitors but you can also bring your own tent. Swimming, snorkeling and diving are the best things to do here.

How to get there

Rent a boat from Agta Beach Resort for a 20-minute ride to Dalutan Island, costing roughly ₱500 roundtrip. An entrance fee of ₱50 is collected in the island while cottages are for rent from ₱250 to ₱1,000 a day depending on the size.

Discover WATERFALLS.

With the tropical mountains come the waterfalls. From underground springs to surface runoff, these fresh waters combine to form streams that cascade roughly down steep slopes. Many of them empty on shallow pools hidden in the forest which makes for an exciting spot for nature travelers.

If you are planning to see some of these amazing Biliran waterfalls, you’ll be delighted to find many of them in the towns of Caibiran, and Almeria.

4. Tinago Falls of Caibiran

Tinago Falls is one of the best attractions offered by the province of Biliran. It is simply a hidden paradise worth discovering. The name “Tinago” is a Visayan term for“hidden” which fits the place. The hypnotic waterfall blends perfectly with nature as its cold waters cascade beautifully in breathtaking scenery

How to get there

It is reachable through a 30-minute habal-habal ride from downtown Naval then a quick 30-minute hike. It is possible to visit it anytime, and the best option would be to rent a habal-habal in Naval for a full day tour which should not cost more than ₱700.

5. Ulan-ulan Falls of Almeria

Ulan-Ulan Falls is one of the most visited tourist spots in Biliran,tucked in the forests of the mountainous province. There are many waterfalls Biliran and Ulan-Ulan falls is one of the four popular ones. The cascading waters creates a mist or sprinkled waters similar to a rain. The word“ulan” in the local language means “rain“,hence the name. The magnificent falls is surrounded with lush of green vegetation and the basin has enough wide and depth for a swim

How to get there

From Naval, Rent a habal-habal or bring your own vehicle to take to you to Barangay Sampao. Travel time is approximately 20-30minutes. Get off the signage leading to the waterfalls. Hire a local guide or follow the trail.

These are some of the tourist attractions of Biliran Island. There are tons of beautiful islands, waterfalls and beaches surrounding this little island and the locals calls this island the “Hidden Paradise”.

8 Steps To Becoming A Better Person

Sherry Reyes

Growth is painful
Change is painful.
But nothing is as painful as staying
stuck somewhere you don’t belong.
unknown

1. Establish a vision.

If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.
Steve Jobs

Whether it’s a fitness, business or relationship goal, establishing a vision is key. Your vision serves as your compass and prevents you from getting lost on the path to your ultimate goal. A vision forces you to be specific about what you’re going after, and once you have it, it becomes part of your identity and propels you into action each day.

2. Recognize your weaknesses.

Addressing your weaknesses is a huge step toward becoming a better person, but remember, the goal isn’t to be perfect. It’s the striving to improve that makes us better people.

Without being overly self-critical, make a list of your weaknesses. Note ways to strengthen those weaknesses when you have time. Focus on one at a time and create specific strategies for improvement. For example, if you tend to overwork, set aside time to relax and play. This will improve your attitude and your health.

If you have difficulty recognizing weaknesses, ask a close friend or loved one to gently break a few of them to you. Personally, I can be overcritical in my tone. I have asked my loved ones to let me know when I slip, but they are kind enough to do it in a loving way before I hurt someone. As they point it out, I am less inclined to do it. If necessary, ask a friend or family member to help you be accountable. Make sure you let them know that you don’t want a master list of everything you’ve ever done wrong.

3. Embrace the pain, adversity, and fear.

Fear is a natural part of life and it’s actually good in certain circumstances. Fear is nothing more than your body trying to protect you. As you’re pursuing a better version of yourself, acknowledge your fear and tell it thanks but no thanks.

Adversity and small failures are nothing but feedback and information for you to use as you proceed along your journey. It’s OK to have butterflies while doing unfamiliar things. But remember, all you need is those 20 seconds of courage to take the leap forward and grow.

4. Reflect, acknowledge, and appreciate your current accomplishments.

Ambition is a double-edged sword. On one end, it motivates you to pursue your goals. On the other end, you never feel good enough or that progress is happening because you’re so fixated on the result, which feels so far away.

Try tracking your progress on a daily basis. This allows you to see daily growth for what’s working and what isn’t. After all, what gets measured gets improved.

Journaling is one of the best way to manifest success, happiness and growth in all facets of your life. Journaling provides clarity over your objectives while also improving your mindfulness, happiness and self-confidence. Writing down three things you’re grateful for each day can teach your brain to look for positive opportunities and shift into an optimist mindset.

5. Be open.

Open, flexible minds allow you to live your best life and receive a lot of good things. This means being non-judgmental, non-critical, and accepting of other people and events. Buddhists talk about it as non-resistance—not judging anything that occurs (yes, even your boss swiping the credit for your idea).

What can you be more open to and/or tolerant of? Your annoying colleague, your ex, your parent who treats you unfairly compared to your sibling?

Openness, acceptance, and a willingness to be in the moment and allow external things to just be, feels like the best emotion of all—peace.

6. Don’t try to do it alone.

No one succeeds in this world alone. Players have coaches. Singers have producers and co-writers.

Having support allows you to have someone to be accountable with, to get an unbiased perspective on the development and pursuit of your goals. No one gets immunity from the fear, doubt and uncertainty that pursuing new endeavors presents. It’s pivotal to have a support network to catch you whenever you begin to slip back into your old habits and play small.

Make it a goal today to think of three people who can provide support and accountability for your new journey

7. Let go of anger.

Letting go of anger is easier said than done. While anger is a perfectly normal emotion, you can’t let it fester. When this happens, you may make unwise decisions, and more important, it may affect your health. Research suggests pent up anger can cause digestive problems, difficulty sleeping, and even heart disease.

8. Don’t make excuses.

Blaming your spouse, boss, or clients is fruitless and won’t get you very far. Instead of pointing fingers and making excuses about why you aren’t happy or successful in your personal or professional life, own your mistakes and learn from them. When you do this, you will become a better person. When I personally started living up to my mistakes and downfalls, my life turned itself around. I became happier and healthier, and my relationship with my wife improved. We are happier than ever.