The Balista in Coron Palawan (Part 2)

 Day 2: Exploring The Reefs and Wrecks of Coron

A must have for every traveller - water proof camera!!! Steve is a very resourceful person. He bought a waterproof handy bag for our smartphones!!! Sadly we were not able to bring Caspian(Canon 60D) because it might not able to withstand the extreme adventure!!!

As what I have mention in my first part of this blog, the Island's View Inn already has a tour packages set for that day! 

REEFS AND WRECKS TOUR:

- Calumbuyan Island/ Pass Island

- Coral Garden

- Lusong Gunboat

Included in the package: Tourist Aircon Van, Boat Transfers, Licensed Tour Guide, Life Vest, Buffet Lunch and Snack

0600hrs: Wake up time!!!

0700hrs: Breakfast time at Carinderia!!!

0830hrs: Fetch by the tourist van headed to the boat terminal. Only 6people rented the private boat and that includes Steve and I, a Filipino young couple and two foreigners(Female Brazilian and Male American)

1000hrs: We had a side trip for snorkeling!!! My first time to see the not so deep waters by snorkel. Beautiful corals. Indeed what a magnificient sight to see the deep waters, a living marine life!!! At first I am so scared because I fear  the unknown creatures that will come out in the deep waters!!! I also got bruise because of the corals and a reminder - DO NOT STEP ON OUR CORALS! IT IS A NO! NO! NO!!!

1130hrs: Reach the Calumbuyan Island/Pass Island for our Buffet Lunch!!!

Beautiful Island just to relax!!! 

With my favorite travel buddy, Steve! I love my husband!!! 

1400hrs: We stay for one hour at Calambuyan Island! Then we are off to see the Japanese Shipwrecks during the World War II.

1700hrs: It was a very tiring day but it was worth it. Having my husband around and enjoying God's creation was truly amazing!!!

Our Dream Trip as A Couple: Coron Palawan(Day 1)

Steve loves to travel and he dreams to travel with me in the island of Palawan. Now that we got married and we have the licensed to travel together. Steve decided to have our 1st ever getaway to be memorable and he planned our honeymoon trip in Coron Palawan.

After our wedding(December 20, 2013), the next day(December 21, 2013) we booked flight going to Busuanga via Cebu Pacific. First day of our marriage life was an awesome experience because right away we applied the vows we utter during our wedding. December is a very busy season. Due to heavy flow of traffic along the Newport Blvd, Steve and I decided to walk from the elliptical road of the boulevard through the Terminal 3 of NAIA. Just in the nick of time, they are having the last call for our flight! We were sweating vigorously! But thanked God we were able to check in our luggages!

Going to Busuanga takes a 45minute flight from Manila. Steve arranged a 4days and 3nights for our honeymoon. He decided that we go to Coron Palawan. Steve and I loves to travel especially going to beaches and islands. It is our mutual decision to spend two years of our marriage travelling and enjoy our life as husband and wife then having children comes next. A private vehicle(van) will fetch you and go to the city of Coron, it is a 30minute drive from Busuanga airport.

We stayed at Island's View Inn. The staff in this inn were very nice and accomodating. They are the ones who arranged for our tour packages while we stayed in Coron. Their room rates were affordable, check their website at islandsviewinn.com and find what suits your travel experience while at Coron.

Because we reached Coron at around 6pm and we are very hungry. We just docked our luggages and find a restaurant to fill our stomachs. The receptionist(Sorry I forgot his name! He is a very nice man) suggested a very popular restaurant named Lobster King. We took a tricycle to reach the place. It is very relaxing place and cozy one. There is even a stage for musicians that night. What a night to spent for a lovers like us. We tried their famous lobster! oh yes! and we loved their lobsters! They cooked it in two ways - steam and fry!!! Steve and I decided to take one kilo of lobster for steam and fry! We were so excited to eat them all and we add a seafood sisig to our plates! 

Lobster in a steam way!

Fried Lobster!

And Steve loves the fried lobster!!! I loved his smile as always!!! 

The aftermath!!! We were so blessed that night!!! The Lord blessed us beyond what we expected!!! No exact word could described how God brought us this far. From being a boyfriend and girlfriend relationship then now as a married couple blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ! This is just the first day of our Coron Palawan Escapades!!! 

Wedding Path: Walking Down The Aisle

Every wedding that I attended, the favorite part I love is when the groom looking at his bride walks down the aisle. It is the most remarkable part of a wedding ceremony. A man patiently waiting for his bride. Admiring her from a distance and thanking God finally here she comes. 

As I stepped down from my bridal car, a sudden gush of emotions sets in. My heart is pounding like I am having panic attacks. I used to be a competitive person but this emotions were very rare. It was more than a school quiz bee. More than a licensure exam. More than a basketball tournament. I breathe in and out deeply because I am about to cry. Then Mariko saw me and she was surprised to see me and she uttered beautiful compliments and she cried. I cannot help myself, I started to cry.

Then I heard Steve, "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my beautiful bride." To my surprise, he sang the bridal song "As Beautiful As You".

As I walked down the aisle, I cannot prevent myself from crying. I am in awe on how God loves me. The journey was a reminder that God has greater plans for us and he made everything beautiful in His time. Ate Pen, our head coordinator, told me to "walk slowly" and smile. I am so blessed to see the people who loves us to witness our wedding. My Dad and Mom walked down with me. My Mom never stopped crying. She just whispered to me, "I love you, Ate!" 

After Steve sang, he embraced his parents and it moved my heart. Leaving our parents and start our own family is not that easy. Steve embraced my dad and says, "Thank you, Papa!" And he also embraced my mom. I never stopped crying. I was so worried about my make-up!!! Thank God waterproof make up were invented!!!

"You are so beautiful", as my groom uttered.

It is one of my prayers on that day, that I will be beautiful and shine for Jesus then next to my husband. It is by God's grace and love that everything made perfect. Thank You Lord!!!

Letter To Our Dear Guests

Dear Guest,

ITS A SHORE THING... And we are getting married!!!

The honor of your presence is requested at the beachside wedding of 

STEVE BALISTA and SHERLYN MYKA SUBRIDA ^_^

DRESS CODE:
- Feel free to wear earth colors. This colors will definitely looks good on you. 

- Girls: Lightweight fabrics like chiffon, georgette and cotton. Avoid too much fashion. We want you to look beautiful and comfortable. Avoid wearing stiff looking dresses.

- Boys: Cotton tops or linen tops. NO TSHIRT!!!  DO NOT wear jeans or maong or board shorts, please!!!

REMEMBER, THIS IS A BEACH WEDDING. IT IS A SIGNIFICANT DAY NOT JUST FOR US BUT THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE AND WE WANT TO BRING BACK THE GLORY TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. HONORING GOD IS ALSO SHOWING RESPECT TO OTHERS. 

I WOULD LIKE TO USE THIS PHRASE FROM ONE OF MY WEDDING COORDINATORS, "If you want to look good on photos when you're attending an event, dress accordingly. Don't dress down if you can dress up" 

SEE YOU BEAUTIFUL CREATIONS OF GOD ON DECEMBER 20!!!

Photos below will help you find a beach formal wear that suits the occasion.

(Photos courtesy by Nelwin Uy from Sotto-Hermosa Beach Wedding and other photos inspired beach wedding dresses)

Wedding Path: ALL ABOUT DRESSES

I am grateful for all the people who helped us when it comes to our wedding dresses. I read a lot from wedding magazine and browse photos of dresses for wedding entourage. Honestly, wedding dresses were so expensive nowadays. However if you are determine to find what you desire then you will not end your day disappointed. I am so blessed that finally Steve and I found the right people to take care of our wedding dresses.

For the Best Man, Male Secondary Sponsors and Groomsmen:

- Armani Khaki Pants

- White Cotton Polo Shirt

- Ensembled with Theme Buttoneire

- Beach Sandals/Slippers

For the Maid of Honor, Female Secondary Sponsors and Bridesmaids:

- One shoulder Venus Cut Chiffon Dress (From light to dark shade of Aquamarine Blue)

- Customized Footwear Accentuated for Sandals/Slippers

For the Bearers and Flowergirls: 

(Sorry ladies and gentlemen, this outfits is my favorite!)

(Flower Girls) One shoulder Venus Cut White Georgette Dress white Coral Orange Ensemble Flower

(Bearers) 3/4 Khaki Pants and White Cotton Polo Shirt

(Photos Above taken from Pinterest and Google Images)

Seeing these photose come to reality is so exciting!!! The rest of the entourage like our Principal Sponsors, we already talked to them and we want them to wear earth colors from brown to champagne to mocha. We want them to choose their dress. As for my groom's suit, I am so happy thay we were able to find one. I am looking forward to see him wearing that suit. 

My wedding gown was like hunting a treasure chest. A piece of advice for brides to be, stick to your dream wedding dress. Cut images or draw your wedding gown. I had the hard time to come out with a design because of information overload from magazines and what is trending and according to them wear a gown that fits your wedding theme. Before the day for the Couturier, I was praying the night before. I prayed to God my heart's desire about this wedding. Whatever I choose I wanted to shine for the Lord on my big day. I wanted to be the Bride that God prepared me to be. Then I rest in God's assurance. 

And God never failed me. We are on the hands of right people. My wedding gown describes what I am for Jesus. It is made with love and grace. I am so excited to walk down the aisle wearing my gown. 😘😁😘

Happy 1st Wedding Anniversary, Jonathan And Hananeel!!!

Repentance to Bring Blessing

Return, Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall! Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount warhorses. We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.” “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine— Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon. Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a flourishing juniper; your fruitfulness comes from me.” Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them. (Hosea 14:1-9 NIV)

It was 2012 when Hana and I had a chance to spend time together here in Singapore. It was late in the afternoon we were sitting overlooking the prominent Marina Bay Sands Hotel and its surrounding central business district. Our purpose was not to stroll the place, we were their to expect great revelations from the Lord. I have seen Hana in my subjective view based on what my eyes saw. Honestly, the Lord wants to open my heart and just be with here. But I do not want God to used me as a tool of blessing for Hana because out of my human nature I judged her based on what I saw.

I will never forget that day where she poured out her heart and just be herself as I listen to her. Just like her, I was moved. The Lord's presence was so tangible that I could not help but feel sorry not for Hana but for myself. The Lord taught me a lot after that encounter. I am too selfish. Hana always make her way to reach out to me but it takes a mile away from the Philippines for us to see what God wants us in our lives.

By God's grace, I am so happy to see Hana to be with Jonathan. She learned how to open her heart and align her heart in God's desire. I am blessed to see a different Hana, a lady who always seek God's heart. The bible passage I shared in this blog was the passage that we read the day we met at Marina Bay Sands. It is the Lord's love that bring Hana back to God and leading her to what God has intended for her and that is Jonathan.

Before this special day ends for Jonathan and Hana, I am praying and declaring great things ahead for your marriage and family. Continue to be a blessing. Have a great life ahead.

Quiet Moments with God: His Abiding Presence

Its been a very busy 12days vacation I had for the wedding preparation. Steve and I needs to settle things together. We want to accomplish everything accordingly. It is also our bonding time together. We are so blessed for the time we spent together. The only moment of rest aside from sleeping was at the car while he is driving and I am on a passenger seat next to him. Before we go out, we prayed together and declared greater days ahead. We also prayed for those people we met. Favor upon favor. Blessings upon blessings.

Steve stored playlist of praise and worship in a USB. He never failed to play it while we were on the road. It really soothes my raging spirit. Yes, I admit! Its been a stressful week. From squeezing out our creative minds for almost one year then time flies so fast that we only have 3months left for the wedding. From venue to caterers, engagement photo sessions to contract signing and marriage requirements. My personality as a perfectionist comes out. Its our big day, my wedding day and I want everything from small details to bigger one be extremely perfect.

On the other hand, Steve is exactly tremendously different from me. He is the coolest person ever I met. Define being cool? Relax in the spirit and he has the peace of God in his heart. Whoa! What a man! And I am blessed to have him. I thanked God for bringing him into my life.

Just want to share this song from Steve's playlist. Overflow by Israel Houghton.

I have learned that you cannot put God in a box. He is everywhere. Worship is not about music. Its about lifestyle. Worship is about a heart that never stops longing for God and thanking Him for everything not just in times of goodness but in times of trials and suffering.

Whatever situation you are into right now, let us declare how God will overflow His presence in our lives. His abiding presence that never left us.