Since having kids, Jan and I have struggled to find time for just the two of us. Our best moments alone often consist of quick meals in a parking lot. As much as we wanted to travel as frequently as before, it wasn’t in our cards to travel this year because, as I mentioned in my previous post, we had already set aside our travel funds for next year’s family trip. Just think about booking a trip for five—it’s like setting your wallet on fire!

So when the chance to fly to Bangkok for free came up, I jumped at it without hesitation.

Jan and I have full-time jobs and we've never had a yaya or a house help ever since. You can probably imagine how deliriously happy I've been to leave deadlines and the chaos behind, and be free of parenting duties for a few days. I know that sounds bad but I also know we deserve this break.

Did you know that Cebu Pacific now flies direct from Davao to Thailand? 

Yes, you read that right. You can now enjoy flights to Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) 3x weekly! 

I never really thought I’d be traveling to another country this year, especially since Jan and I have already reserved our travel funds for a trip abroad with both sides of our families early next year.

But then opportunity knocked. Cebu Pacific Air, through the Davao Bloggers Society (DBS), sponsored our trip to Bangkok. So without hesitation, I opened the door, grabbed my passport and luggage, and set off on my way.

I remember I was in 2nd grade, around 1993, when our class adviser called the top students in front and handed each one of us what seemed like a certificate. It turned out to be a ticket to the Royal London Circus, something I had never heard of before.

Fast forward two years, another circus came to town: the All-Russian Circus. It was nothing like the first. This one had animal performers. I still remember seeing a puma, kangaroo, and a camel for the first time.

Unfortunately, the All-Russian Circus ended in a fiasco. The performers and animals were unable to fly back home after being duped by a local promoter, and they had to set up a mini zoo in Bajada to raise the money needed for their return. Since then, no circus has ever visited the town.

Both circuses left such a lasting impression that, even after all these years, some of the stunts are still vivid in my memory. They were surreal and magical. 

So when the Euro Xtreme Circus came to town almost thirty years later, I was eager to relive that magic all over again.

When we got to the Davao Global Township and saw the huge red-and-white striped tent, it totally brought back memories. I felt like that 8-year old kid all over again.

We were seated in the VIP area—right near the action. It’s funny how I had to avoid eye contact, especially with the clown, hoping to stay off his radar and out of whatever crazy act he had planned. My friend Olivia, who was sitting right next to me, wasn’t as lucky and got pulled into a silly dance.

Bless the clown though. Because every time things got too intense, he’d show up to remind us to breathe and loosen up after being so tense from the death-defying stunts happening right in front of us.

A friend posted this on Facebook. 

Out of concern, I reacted to the post with a "care" emoji and asked if he's okay—which was met with a "haha" reaction followed by an "OK kaayo!"

Remember my "How to be you po?" blog post? It was written in 2016. As I was checking my blog stats to update my media kit, I noticed that this post continues to gain traction. People read it even today. 

I read it again and, certainly, some things about me don't exist anymore. 

So I thought of reposting it and see how much I've changed over the years.