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    When I received the invitation to attend #GalaxyUnpacked2026 in Makati City, my heart was filled with gratitude. As someone who has been part of the Samsung Team for years, being invited again to witness the launch of the newest Samsung Galaxy S26 Series felt like a blessing.




    This wasn’t just a simple trip. It was a fully hosted 2-day experience — roundtrip plane tickets, hotel accommodation, food, and exclusive access to the event. But more than the perks, it was the memories that made it priceless.

    🌅 February 19 – Departure Day (Davao to Manila)

    Our original flight was scheduled at 12 noon, but it was rebooked to an earlier 8:00 AM flight with a 5:00 AM call time. I prepared myself by sleeping early… or at least I tried to.

    At 11 PM, I suddenly woke up because there was a fire near our place. I couldn’t go back to sleep. Instead of stressing, I decided to go to the airport super early — like 3:00 AM early. Hahahaha! Better early than late, right?


    At the airport, I did a self bag drop and stayed inside the quiet lounge. Since it was too peaceful, I managed to nap for a while.




    When I woke up, the place was already bustling with travelers. I grabbed something to eat and stayed at a café while waiting for boarding.




    #GalaxyUnpacked2026 Davao Team 



    Soon enough, I saw my colleagues arriving one by one. Despite the gloomy Davao weather — rain coming and going — our flight pushed through smoothly. There was turbulence along the way, but we arrived safely in Manila around 10:30 AM. 🙏




    🍽️ Lunch at MOA & Hotel Check-in

    From the airport, we went straight to SM Mall of Asia in Pasay for lunch at Manam. While waiting for our reservation, we strolled around the vicinity.



    MOA is HUGE. Waaahhh! Touring it in 15 minutes? Impossible! Hahahaha. So we just enjoyed the quick walk before finally sitting down for a satisfying meal.






    After lunch, we checked in at Savoy Hotel Manila, conveniently located right in front of the airport. We were all exhausted (haggard is the term 😅), so we decided to rest and recharge.



    Dinner was scheduled at 6:30 PM at Bom Gosto. We were refreshed and ready by then. Good food, good company, and laughter filled the night.




    We initially planned to swim, but since we finished dinner almost 9 PM and the pool closed at 8 PM, we decided to sleep early instead. Big day tomorrow — The Galaxy Unpacked!


    🌟 Day 2 – The Galaxy Unpacked Experience

    I woke up at 6 AM, prepared for checkout, and headed down for breakfast. The main dining area was packed with guests, so we were advised that breakfast was also being served near the pool area on the 2nd floor.



    So yes — we had breakfast right in front of the pool we originally wanted to swim in! Haytz… maybe next time. Hehehe.




    After breakfast, we went back to our room, finalized our packing, and checked out by 9 AM. By 10 AM, we were at the exclusive media preview.




    Seeing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Series and Buds 4 Pro unveiled live was surreal. The innovation, the technology, the energy in the room — everything felt elevated. Being part of that moment, not just as a viewer but as invited media, made me so grateful.




    Lunch was served at Whitespace Makati, and during our free time, we quickly went to Glorietta 2 to buy pasalubong before heading back to the hotel where our van was waiting.





    ✈️ The Flight Back Home

    By 4:15 PM, I was doing self bag drop again. Boarding time was 5 PM. Thank God — no flight delay!




    However, Davao weather welcomed us with rain once again. The turbulence was overwhelming this time. Hahahaha! Intense flight indeed. We arrived in Davao City almost 9 PM.




    It was exhausting. It was intense. But it was absolutely worth it.

    💙 Gratitude Above All

    This trip may have been just two days, but it was packed with unforgettable moments — from sleepless excitement and airport naps to turbulence stories and tech innovation.






    More than the launch, more than the luxury, what I treasure most is the opportunity to represent, to witness innovation firsthand, and to be trusted again.

    Thank you, Samsung Philippines and TARO AOX, for having me once more.

    Truly, tech meets passion — and I am just grateful to be part of this journey. 🙏✨








    Being part of a fandom is beautiful. It gives us community, shared joy, inside jokes, kilig moments, and memories that feel almost personal. As an OhmNanon supporter, I understand how deep that connection can be. We celebrate them together. We protect them together. We feel proud together.

    But recently, Krist’s message stirred emotions within the fandom. Some felt hurt. Some felt called out. Some felt embarrassed. And some felt angry.




    Instead of reacting immediately, I chose to pause.

    What was he really trying to say?

    If we strip away the tone and focus on the core message, it wasn’t an attack on OhmNanon. It wasn’t a denial of the fandom’s existence. It wasn’t even about shipping itself.

    It was about context.

    When an artist is doing a solo live, promoting a project, or working independently, constantly bringing up a ship can unintentionally shift the focus away from their individual effort. What might feel harmless or playful to fans can feel overwhelming or disrespectful from the artist’s side.

    Personally, I want to make it clear that I don’t engage in those kinds of comments on Instagram, Facebook, or X posts. My support for OhmNanon has always been rooted in admiration, not disruption. This reflection is not coming from guilt — it’s coming from a place of understanding.




    One line stood out the most:

    “If you really love them… give some respect to the artist that you love.”

    That line isn’t about rejection. It’s about boundaries.

    Love in fandom culture is loud. It’s expressive. It’s passionate. But love can also be disciplined. Mature love understands timing. It knows when to cheer and when to step back.

    As fans, we don’t intend harm. Most of us comment because we miss them together. Because OhmNanon means something to us. Because those moments brought comfort, especially during times when we needed it most.

    Photo credit @ohmpawat IG



    But perhaps this is a reminder that supporting them also means allowing them to grow as individuals.

    Shipping should add joy — not pressure.

    Support should uplift — not overshadow.

    Love should protect — not complicate.


    It’s okay to feel hurt. Feelings are valid. But how we respond defines us.

    If we respond with anger, we confirm the stereotype. If we respond with understanding, we show maturity.

    Being part of a fandom doesn’t mean we stop evolving.

    Photo credit @nanon_korapat IG



    This isn’t a shutdown. It’s a boundary.

    And boundaries, even when delivered imperfectly, are still a form of protection.

    At the end of the day, we can still love Ohm Pawat and Nanon Korapat. 

    Credit to the owner



    We just need to love them wisely. #OhmNanon forever ❤️💚💛💙





    Watching Heated Rivalry during the holiday season felt unexpectedly perfect—warm, intimate, and emotionally consuming. As a long-time fan of Rachel Reid’s novel, I carried both excitement and cautious expectations into this adaptation. Turning a beloved book into a screen experience is never easy, especially for a story built on tension, longing, and emotional restraint. Fortunately, Heated Rivalry understands its source material and treats it with care.



    The film began streaming on HBO Max in the Philippines on December 19, and I slowly watched it throughout the holidays, finishing just before the New Year. It became one of those rare watches where you don’t just press play—you feel every scene. The pacing allowed the story to breathe, mirroring the slow-burn rivals-to-lovers dynamic that made the novel unforgettable.




    As someone who loves BL series, I couldn’t help fangirling over this adaptation. I’ve been a fan of both Thai and Korean BL dramas, and Heated Rivalry hit all the right notes: the emotional tension, the push-and-pull between the leads, and the slow-burn romance that makes you cheer, sigh, and swoon all at once. It’s the kind of story that stays with you, just like the best BL series do, the like of BAD BUDDY starred by Ohm Pawat Chittsawangdee and Nanon Korapat Kirdpan. 


    What worked exceptionally well was the film’s commitment to emotional authenticity. The rivalry never felt superficial, and the romance wasn’t rushed for convenience. Instead, the push-and-pull between ambition, fear, identity, and desire was allowed to unfold naturally. This made the connection between the leads feel earned rather than manufactured—something many adaptations fail to achieve.




    I greatly admire the performances of Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as Ilya Grigoryevich Rozanov. Hudson delivered Shane’s emotional restraint and internal conflict with quiet intensity, perfectly capturing a character who feels deeply but struggles to express it. Connor, on the other hand, embodied Ilya’s confidence, charm, and emotional vulnerability with remarkable balance. His performance added warmth and depth, preventing the character from becoming a stereotype. Together, their chemistry was undeniable—subtle when needed, explosive when it mattered, and always emotionally convincing. As a fangirl and a reader, this was everything I hoped for.


    From a critical standpoint, while some moments felt slightly condensed compared to the novel, the film made smart choices in prioritizing emotional beats over excessive exposition. It trusted the audience to understand silence, glances, and unspoken tension—and that trust paid off.


    Overall, Heated Rivalry is a successful and emotionally rich adaptation that respects both its characters and its audience. It’s a rewarding watch for fans of the book and an engaging introduction for new viewers. And knowing that it will have a second season genuinely makes me happy—not just as a fangirl, but as someone who believes this story still has so much more to say. The rivalry may be heated, but the love story is just getting started.








    2026 didn’t start with noise for me—it started with intention.




    This year, my journal is more than a notebook. It is a planner and a diary, a quiet space where structure meets emotion, where schedules sit beside stories, and where I remind myself that productivity and presence can coexist.


    Why I Still Keep a Journal in a Digital World




    My life is filled with screens—deadlines, messages, social media posts, content calendars. But my journal is the one place that doesn’t demand anything from me. It listens.




    Writing by hand slows me down. It makes my thoughts clearer, my feelings lighter, and my plans more honest. In a world that moves fast, my 2026 journal is my pause button.




    The Planner Side: Mapping My Days with Purpose




    As a Blogger & a Freelance Writer, my journal helps me stay grounded and organized. It holds:

    • Yearly plan (not just work goals, but life goals)




    • Monthly plan that balance work, family, and rest



    • Project to make content ideas, deadlines, and creative sparks



    • Daily plan more about gentle reminders to eat well, move my body, and breathe



    • Additionally, the 21-Days Plan is a personal challenge I’ve set for myself—a way to stay intentional and focused on the health goals I want to achieve.




    I no longer overfill my days. One lesson I’m bringing into 2026 is this: a full schedule doesn’t always mean a fulfilled life. My planner pages are realistic, forgiving, and flexible—just like I’m learning to be with myself.


    The Diary Side: Where Feelings Are Allowed to Exist


    The diary part of my journal is where I show up without filters.


    Here, I write about:


    • Small wins that don’t make it to social media


    • Quiet worries I don’t always say out loud


    • Moments of gratitude that deserve to be remembered


    • Lessons learned from both joy and disappointment



    Some days, it’s just a few sentences. Other days, it’s pages. What matters is that it’s honest. My journal doesn’t judge how much I write—it simply holds space.


    A Safe Place for Growth, Healing, and Dreams


    My 2026 journal is also where I track growth—not the loud kind, but the subtle kind.


    The kind where:


    • I learn to say no without guilt


    • I choose peace over pressure


    • I honor progress instead of perfection


    It’s where dreams quietly take shape. Some may happen this year, some may take longer—but writing them down makes them real, and believing in them makes them possible.


    Why This Journal Matters to Me


    This planner-diary hybrid is my witness.



    It sees me on busy days and slow days. It captures my routines and my reflections. Years from now, when I flip through its pages, I won’t just see dates and to-do lists—I’ll see who I was becoming in 2026.


    More than anything, my journal reminds me that my life doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. It just has to be lived with intention.




    In 2026, I choose to plan with clarity, write with honesty, and live with heart.


    This journal isn’t about keeping up. It’s about coming home to myself—one page at a time.













    I’ve always believed that food is a language of love. It brings comfort, creates memories, and connects people in ways that words sometimes cannot. As someone who writes about food and attends culinary-related events around Davao, I often witness the work of great chefs—but rarely do I get the chance to stand behind their counters, hold their tools, and learn the craft from their perspective.




    That changed in December 2024, when I received an invitation that would take my passion for food to an entirely new level.

    In the last month of 2024, Dianne Sia of Davao Food Guide personally handpicked a select group of Davao influencers, including me, to experience something unique and deeply immersive—a “Day in the Life of a Culinary Student” at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies (CACS). This wasn’t just a typical media event. It was a real, hands-on culinary class taught by none other than Chef Gene Gonzalez, the esteemed founder of CACS, award-winning chef, restaurateur, and author.

    The theme for that class was Vietnamese cuisine, a cuisine I’ve always admired for its freshness, balance, and calming comfort. Little did I know that this first invitation, given in the holiday season of 2024, would spark a year filled with unforgettable culinary experiences and a deeper appreciation for the art of cooking.






    First Invitation: Embarking on a Vietnamese Culinary Journey

    Walking into the CACS kitchen for the first time felt like stepping into a different realm. Stainless steel counters, organized tools, fresh ingredients laid out like a palette of colors—everything was pristine yet inviting.




    But the highlight of it all was seeing Chef Gene Gonzalez in person.

    He had a confident calmness about him—firm yet warm, experienced yet open. You could easily tell that years of teaching, cooking, and writing had shaped him into someone who didn’t just cook food; he understood food. He respected food. And he wanted us to respect it, too.



    Vietnamese Cuisine: A Symphony of Freshness


    If there’s one thing that stood out immediately, it was how fresh, vibrant, and balanced Vietnamese food is.

    Unlike heavier cuisines, Vietnamese dishes thrive on:

    ✔️ bright herbs like mint, basil, and cilantro
    ✔️ fresh vegetables
    ✔️ light broths
    ✔️ subtle spices
    ✔️ sweet, sour, salty, and umami harmony

    Chef Gene reminded us that Vietnamese cooking is about respecting the ingredients, letting natural flavors shine, and avoiding unnecessary heaviness.

    🥢 What We Cooked

    Although I don’t remember every single dish because it’s been a year, a few things remain crystal clear:

    ✨ We cooked spring rolls
    ✨ We created Vietnamese noodle dishes
    ✨ We prepared comforting soups











    And through all of them, one dish became my absolute favorite:

    The Spring Rolls

    I fell in love with how refreshing and wholesome they were. Soft rice paper wrapped around vermicelli noodles, herbs, vegetables, and protein—it was simple, but it tasted like a gentle hug. And dipping them into the Vietnamese-style sauce? Heaven.





    Even now, whenever I eat spring rolls, I remember my first time creating them at CACS. The aroma of fresh herbs. The coolness of the rice paper. The subtle but meaningful balance in every bite.

    That’s what Vietnamese food does—it lingers.


    A Truly Hands-On Experience

    One thing I admired about this class was that we weren’t just watching Chef Gene cook. We did the work:

    * slicing vegetables
    * rolling spring rolls
    * balancing sauces
    * assembling noodle bowls
    * tasting broths
    * adjusting flavors

    There were no shortcuts and no spectators—only students ready to learn.





    And even though we were influencers from Davao, that day, our cameras took a backseat. We weren’t there to pose. We were there to cook.

    🎓 Certificate of Completion—Worth ₱5,000

    At the end of the day, CACS awarded us a Certificate of Completion worth ₱5,000.




    It wasn’t just a certificate for me. It was a symbol of effort, learning, and stepping outside of my comfort zone.

    Cooking Vietnamese dishes with my own hands made me appreciate the cuisine in a deeper, more personal way.







    The Class I Regret Missing: Dubai Pistachio Chocolate

    Toward the end of June, Dianne messaged again.




    This dessert had been going viral online—creamy, pistachio-rich, indulgent. And to think that Chef Gene was going to teach us how to craft it? I was thrilled.

    Sadly, due to prior commitments, I had to decline.

    To this day, it remains one of those “sayang!” moments in my content creator life. But I always believe that timing has its own wisdom. If that experience was meant for me, it will come again someday.

    And thankfully, another opportunity did come.





    Returning to CACS: My Fresh Pasta Journey


    This month, I received yet another exclusive invitation from Dianne.

    This time, I didn’t even think twice. I said YES immediately.

    The theme? Pasta Fresca.

    Fresh pasta.
    From scratch.
    Made by me—with my own hands.




    Making Pasta From Scratch

    There’s something so grounding about working with dough. It demands patience. It teaches focus. And it rewards you with something delicious.

    Under Chef Gene’s guidance, we mixed, kneaded, rolled, and shaped our own pasta dough.




    We didn’t use artificial coloring.
    In my recipe, I used beet, giving my pasta a natural, stunning pink hue. While other's used octopus ink for a black hue.

    As I kneaded the dough, I could feel my arm muscles working. There was weight to it, pressure, and intention. It reminded me that cooking is also a physical act—one that connects you to the ingredients and to yourself.

    🍝 I Created Two Beautiful Pasta Dishes


    I’m proud to say that I created not just one but two pasta dishes—each with its own identity.






    🍝 1. Beet Fettuccine with Alfredo + Walnut + Basil Pesto

    This dish was creamy and comforting.
    The Alfredo coated the beet pasta so beautifully.

    The walnut gave it crunch and character.
    And the basil pesto added vibrancy and depth.




    It was rich but not heavy.
    Pretty but not complicated.
    Comforting but not boring.




     🍝 2. Beet Spaghetti Aglio Olio with Mixed Seafood + Wine + Basil


    This one was the star.

    Garlicky.
    Aromatic.
    Elegant.

    The mixed seafood soaked up the flavor of the oil and wine perfectly. The basil added the final touch. And the beet spaghetti gave everything a vibrant, Instagram-worthy appeal.

    This dish felt like something you’d proudly serve at a restaurant.

    ---

    What These CACS Classes Taught Me Personally

    Beyond recipes and techniques, my CACS journey taught me:

    ❤️ 1. Food is storytelling

    Each ingredient has a purpose.
    Each dish has a memory.
    Each flavor has a truth.

    ❤️ 2. Learning has no age

    You’re never too old to try something new.
    Never too busy to learn.
    Never too late to pursue a passion.

    ❤️ 3. Creativity grows when you step into new places

    Cooking Vietnamese dishes and making fresh pasta unlocked skills I never knew I had.

    ❤️ 4. Passion is best shared

    Cooking with other food lovers, guided by a chef who lives and breathes his craft, made the experience even more meaningful.




    Would I Return to CACS

    My answer is simple. Yes. Over and over again.

    Every class changed me—even in the tiniest ways.
    Every dish taught me something new.
    Every moment inside that kitchen reminded me of the magic of food.




    To Dianne Sia, thank you for believing in me and inviting me into these exclusive learning spaces.




    To Chef Gene Gonzalez, thank you for sharing your knowledge with humility, passion, and heart.

    To CACS, thank you for giving me memories I’ll always carry with me.




    This journey wasn’t just about cooking.
    It was about rediscovering myself through flavors, textures, and experiences I never expected.

    And I can’t wait to see what’s next.







    Thinking of Taking Your Own Culinary Journey?

    If reading about my experience made you curious—or even inspired—to step into a professional kitchen and learn the craft, CACS is the perfect place to start. Whether you’re a beginner, a food enthusiast, or someone dreaming of turning passion into profession, CACS offers hands-on training guided by industry experts who truly care about shaping future culinary talents.

    Unlock your culinary potential! Enroll now and start creating magic in the kitchen.

    📍 Center for Asian Culinary Studies – Davao
    Don Dionisio Complex, J.P. Cabaguio Avenue, Davao City

    📞 (082) 317-4564
    📱 0995-175-1589
    📧 [cacs.davaocity@gmail.com](mailto:cacs.davaocity@gmail.com)
    🌐 [www.centerforasianculinarystudies.com](http://www.centerforasianculinarystudies.com)

    Follow them for updates and classes:
    📸 Instagram: @cacsdavao
    🎵 TikTok: @cacs.davao






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