Good day, Hiverians!
It’s been quite a while! I’ve been busy with responsibilities—and of course, taking some well-deserved rest and relaxation. We all need moments to chill and recharge, right?

Today, I’d love to share an interesting experience I had for the very first time. If you remember from my previous blogs, I mentioned staying at our Senior Pastor’s house. I also shared that I returned home two weeks ago. Then, just last week, I received a call from Nanay Ladia. She said she needed some help and assistance because their son—a seaman—was home in Canhaway with his family for a vacation. They were also celebrating their grandson Jireh Luke’s 5th birthday!

Nanay Ladia called me on a Tuesday, and I was actually busy that day because I had been given a wonderful opportunity. My elementary school was celebrating its 78th Graduation Ceremony, along with the 8th Recognition and Moving-Up Ceremony. One of the teachers asked if Ate Jean could take photos, since they didn’t have an official photographer. We also handled the printing of the photos. It was such a blast! I was so blessed by that opportunity, and the experience was absolutely worth it—thanks to Ate Jean!

After that, I traveled to Canhaway for my next duty—haha! At the same time, plans were already being made for some much-needed chill time. Nanay Ladia told me to prepare my things by Thursday, as we were going to visit a very popular resort in Anda, Bohol—Bugnaw Si-e, which is owned by a Congresswoman.

When I first heard about it, I couldn’t believe it! This place had always been a dream destination for me. I had visited once before but only made it to the entrance gate. After that, I forgot all about my dream of returning.
But God didn’t forget.
Without realizing it, He had already answered that prayer. It’s true—our desires, dreams, and prayers may slip our minds, especially when we feel they’re out of reach.
But God sees our hearts. He honors our desires and rewards our faithfulness and commitment to Him.
So here I am now, finally stepping into that dream.

Let me introduce you to this beautiful place that’s new to me—but already feels so special.

As soon as we entered the gate, their reception area caught my attention, and I immediately took a photo of it. Nanay Ladia and Pastor were there for our check-in. I thought we were just going to enjoy the pool, but to my surprise—we were staying in the hotel! Awesome!

We headed to our designated room, the F4 Family Room. Look at us with all our things—phew—what a heavy day, haha, yet a relaxing one!

As soon as I entered the room, I took a photo of myself wearing their super cute slippers.

I also snapped a picture of the bed—I loved how everything was well-arranged, neat, and clean. I was also a bit shocked when we entered because the floor was slippery! I kept asking, “Why is it slippery?” like it was the biggest mystery ever—haha!

I took a photo by the window because the view was super duper beautiful. I couldn’t wait to explore the place and take more snaps. I also caught a sweet moment of Jireh Luke watching from the window, trying to open it—so precious!

I noticed they had a menu inside the room, which was a new experience for me. It was my first time staying at a hotel, so I was definitely expecting the unexpected.

The pillows were huge, fluffy, and super relaxing—the whole room had a soft and cozy ambiance.

While Nanay Ladia was heading outside, I took a photo of her at the door. It was a nice candid moment. I still can’t get over the fact that what once was just a dream is now a reality.

After we settled in and organized all our things—especially the food—it was time to have some snacks and enjoy the moment outside (and the pool later!). The weather was quite hot—it was around 2 PM—so snacks first before diving in.

Outside, I saw Pastor Jose sitting at the chair and table in front of the room, enjoying his coffee—because coffee is life, hahaha! I said, “Pastor, just stay there and relax—I’ll take care of everything!”

Meanwhile, Nanay Ladia came outside too, so of course, I had to take a photo of them together—husband and wife enjoying a peaceful moment. I told them to just relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery around us.

In front of our room were some lovely flowers. They’re called magic roses. It wasn’t their time to bloom yet, so they weren’t at their full glory, but they were still beautiful.

The resort also had a creative touch with an “I ❤️ Bugnaw Si-e” design made from Bermuda grass, with each letter shaped out of stone. It was such a unique and beautiful sight!

Snapped a quick selfie before heading to the best part—visiting the private beach!

One thing that caught my interest even more was when the receptionist mentioned they had a private beach. I couldn't wait to explore it! They also had access to a public beach, though it wasn’t part of the resort. Without hesitation, I decided to check out the beach first to see if I was in the mood for a swim—haha!

It was quite a distance from our room—we had to go down a long flight of stairs to get there.

There’s something about the sound of waves that instantly soothes the soul. That day, nature gifted us a quiet and peaceful vibe—clouds drifting above, rocks standing majestically, and the vast ocean stretching beyond.

It was truly a rest-and-relax kind of day, one I deeply enjoyed. The ocean's presence brought a deep sense of calm and peace that I didn’t know I needed.

Of course, I had to seize the moment. I captured wide-angle shots that showcased the beautiful rock formations with nature glowing in the background.

And yes—selfie time! I couldn’t resist using Nanay Ladia’s amazing camera. I loved seeing myself smiling in those pictures—it was a moment of genuine happiness.

Later that afternoon, I asked Pastor Jose to take a photo of me with the ocean in the background. I didn’t swim that day—I just wasn’t in the mood—but the next day, I did take a quick five-minute dip. Even under the blazing sun, the ocean was majestic, a testament to God’s wonderful creation.

After spending some time exploring the place, I could feel my body itching to jump into the pool. Eventually, I gave in to the urge and decided to dive in as soon as possible, eager to cool off and relax. You could see it all over my face—the bright smile, the sparkle in my eyes—pure joy radiating from within. It was a kind of happiness that nothing else could compare to.

We also have a group photo—a family in the Lord who truly understands me. They sometimes join in on my silly antics, but more importantly, they always give their best when offering advice, especially whenever I visit their home. I’m so deeply grateful to God for blessing me with this extension of my family in Christ. Truly, they are a gift and a blessing.

The weather was perfect, the surroundings were cool and refreshing, and the experience was simply awesome—what a wonderful afternoon!

There were kids happily splashing around, clearly enjoying the ambiance as they stayed in the pool—a simple yet perfect proof of just how fun and refreshing the place was.

After a long afternoon of photos, a short swim, and snacks by the pool, we ended the day blissfully. Come evening, the plan was set: dinner at Quinale Beach, about 5.2 km from Bugnaw Si-e. Known for its long sandbar and wide shores—perfect for beach games—it made for a beautiful dinner setting. Our stomachs were full, our hearts content. Truly blessed and thankful for God’s provision.

The trip back to Bugnaw Si-e was a bit intense—it got really dark and for a moment we weren’t sure we were on the right path. Thankfully, Google Maps came to the rescue, and we arrived safely.

While waiting outside due to a small concern, I decided to stroll around and take in the beauty of the resort at night. The lights around the pool were magical. I snapped photos of the rooms, glowing softly with cozy lights. It was the perfect setting to unwind, disconnect from gadgets, and simply meditate on life. I also took photos of the Bugnaw Si-e Resort signs—the one at the reception, beautifully designed and vibrant at night, the one near the pool, and even the signage near our room. Every detail was thoughtfully placed, each corner worthy of a snapshot.

Back in the room, it was time to settle in—but not before finishing a bit of schoolwork. From around 8 to 9 PM, I was deep into my assignments. I even fell asleep at one point, only to wake up at 10 PM to turn off my laptop. The air conditioning was freezing, and with my sinusitis, it made sleeping a challenge. I woke up again at 3 AM, cold and struggling to breathe, so I used the time to finish my remaining tasks. Nanay Ladia caught the moment on camera and joked, “This is Jessica doing her schoolwork in a sosyal and expensive hotel—so demure and classy!” We had a good laugh.

Look at what we have here—this is all we got to satisfy our cravings.

Smile! Smile! Smile! Let the dreams fly!

And yes—I couldn’t resist doing the trendy hotel mirror selfie, just for the blog (and memories). I think I didn’t look too bad!

FRIDAY MORNING EVENT

Morning came, and I stepped outside, still cold from the aircon. I sat near the comfort and shower rooms, having my devotional while waiting for everyone else. Still sleepy from my 3 AM wake-up, but thankful nonetheless.

We also have this ticket as proof for our breakfast.

Finally—breakfast time! Nanay announced it was a buffet, and as a self-declared food lover, I was in heaven. Plenty of food, a beautiful resort, and great company—what more could I ask for?

Before checkout, I passed by the same spot I explored the night before. It was quiet now, with everyone still enjoying breakfast. It felt like a full-circle moment.

Check out this beautiful rooms during daytime. Cool one!

This trip was truly a breath of fresh air—filled with laughter, peace, and unforgettable memories. I’m beyond grateful for the experience, and I’ll cherish every moment.

Until the next adventure! Thank you for the support :)