Breaking Through My Barriers Part II

Yesterday, I blogged about how I got into this amazing training program called Breaking Through Barriers (BTB) conducted by Train Station and how it has been changing my life since (slowly albeit surely). Before you read this blog post, head over there first to give you a little background then go back here to read the personal barriers that I have broken down so far since attending the BTB seminar. 

photo op with my coaches and classmates after getting our certificates

Like I said before,  I won't delve into the details of how the whole training seminar went for two days. You'll have to experience it for yourself if you also want to change your life for the better. But I will share with you the changes that have been happening in my life so far. I didn't plan this. I was actually skeptic if I can do this. I had very little expectations. I just wanted to be a little bit happy or at least not sad anymore. I was so tired of always waking up with a knot in my stomach and feeling crappy and depressed all the time. But after the training,  things did happen! Things I didn't expect to happen, did happen and continue to manifest. I guess our brain really is trainable. Once you learn how to unlock that part of your brain that holds you back, the possibilities for happiness are endless! 

So here they are:

Breaking Through My Barriers Part I

It's the last quarter of the year, the last chance I have of fulfilling one of my resolutions when this year started and that is to blog some more (God knows I got a ton of travelogues lined up for this!) I used to find solace, comfort, happiness and wisdom in writing my thoughts and experiences here and in my other blogs as well. But due to time constraint, overflowing responsibilities and depression... yes, depression, I haven't been able to realize (yet) my goal of blogging regularly. Well, I hope to change that starting this month. Since I'm usually on U.S. time zone, then it's still the first of October today and I'd like to believe, this is a good start. 

Let me then begin by telling you about the cause of my happiness lately; why I've been feeling a lot perkier than usual, my mood swings seem to have stopped and I'm just able to control more how I view my life these days. Though there are still pockets of moments when I'd just suddenly feel down, I now know how to switch it the other way. Here goes...

with RR Herrera and Carelle Mangaliag (owners of Train Station)

I've been invited by my dear friend Carelle Mangaliag, owner of Train Station and a renowned Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) pioneer and master practitioner here in the Philippines, to participate in one of her amazing programs called Breaking Through Barriers (BTB), countless of times. But I'd always find an excuse not to go. Don't get me wrong, many of my excuses were valid like I'd be traveling or attending a previous engagement or the last excuse I used was when baboo Peter got sick (which was true!) after I got back from my 2-week Siargao trip. But knowing myself, if I really wanted to go or do something, I'd move heaven and earth to do it. That's my personality. I'm  a rebel that way. Anyway, I digress... 

My Canyon Cove Escapade @ Nasugbu, Batangas

This three-day weekend escapade at Canyon Cove started when Khrist Caballero of Train Station (formerly Motivating Minds) texted me weeks ago to ask for my assistance in documenting and helping out training 300+ participants from ADP. Of course, I said yes! As long as it's for Train Station and it's about traveling, I'm always all for it!

Loving My Sociable Self (Boracay Affairs, RR Herrera's Birthday Party, Defending the Caveman)

I don't think anyone will believe me when I say that on paper (MBTI) and in my heart, I am an introvert. Isn't it ironic that when I was doing my one month soul searching thing in Boracay, I actually got reacquainted with my old sociable self? Blame it on some unexpected turn of events...

The Manor at Camp John Hay in Baguio

Prior to visiting Eurotel and touring the rest of Baguio, I was at The Manor together with the rest of the training team of Motivating Minds. It was my first time there and may I just say that I was so thrilled with our stay.

It was drizzling when we got there. I was kind of a bit bummed at first since I was wearing my suede cowboy boots and looking forward to doing long walks outside, amidst all the beautiful trees, pines and the fog which eerily surround the landscape.


Little did I know that the only walk I'd be doing at that time was when we went to Baguio Convention Center to check out the place and to prepare the tent venue for some outdoor activities. It was fun though! I could already imagine how the training would go the next day.

My Radisson Blu Experience @ Cebu

I was at Radisson Blu in Cebu from Feb. 23-26, 2011. However, I was not there on vacation. I was once again part of Train Station (formerly Motivating Minds) and I was there as their assistant. The first time I assisted this amazing team of trainers was on January 2010, for the Kotex Youniversity. My next experience with them was last December when we went to Malapascua and Moalboal to train the hotel staff. My Radisson Blu experience with them is my third time and we were there to train the key personnel of Toyota from all over the Philippines. But this time, I am doing it with pay. Yipee! When I told you before that I am exploring another career path, well, I was pertaining to this. Who knows, I might end up like one of the greatest trainers I know (Carelle Mangaliag) and if not, I'm still happy to be part of a team that makes an amazing difference in the lives of people they train.

Speaking of the MMC team, I was with the following amazing people:

L-R: Lissa Romero, Martin dela Paz, Dennis Temporal, Ian Monforte, PJ Lanot, Carelle Mangaliag, RR Herrera, Khristlin Caballero, Elaine Francisco-Ledesma, Kris Bacani
PJ Lanot is missing in the group photo above... Now, I know why. ^_^

Let me give you the highlights of my Radisson Blu trip last weekend including videos of the following: when we checked in, by the pool and the concert during our last night (with Nikki Gil, Geneva Cruz, KC Montero and JR)...

Sardine Run @ Pescador Island in Moalboal, Cebu

It was supposed to be the last day that our team, Motivating Minds, will train the staff of Club Serena. However, when Carelle and RR decided to stay late the previous night to finish the training, we had the whole morning to ourselves. It was a perfect set up which means my friends get to dive while I get to snorkel at no other than the most famous marine park in Moalboal, Cebu --- Pescador island.

Carelle, RR and Ian were all raving about it. I just hoped it wasn't like my experience at Gato island where I couldn't see anything underwater because of the illegal fishing going on causing the water to be murky with dead fishes floating. On the other hand, I was still excited. They were hoping to catch the sardine run on video and I was hoping to catch it too from the surface where I'll just be snorkeling.

The boat ride from Club Serena to Pescador island was about 30 - 40 minutes. The boat docked near the shallow part of the coast where I can already see the beautiful and colorful corals from where I was sitting. I thought I'd snorkel there too. Unfortunately, as soon as all the divers went underwater, the boat moved to the deeper part of the coast where the water was so choppy. I was scared to snorkel at first. But thinking that we'll be going back to Manila later that afternoon, I gathered enough courage and just went into the water.


I was dumbfounded with what I saw. There were like a billion sardines swimming all around me! I snorkeled right into the middle of the sardine run! I couldn't explain how I felt. I was just too happy that I didn't have to dive just to see this! I was one with the multitude of sardines swimming all around me.

The Amazing Training at Malapascua

We arrived at Malapascua island on Dec. 1 and checked in at Exotic Dive Resort. But it was only on the second day that my volunteer work there really started. If you want to read everything I've blogged about so far during this trip, please head to Malapascua 2010.

Anyway, I'm not just describing the training we did there as amazing but I am also telling you that Carelle Mangaliag and RR Herrera of Motivating Minds (now called TRAIN STATION) train people HOW TO BE AMAZING in all aspects of their lives! In this particular instance, they shared their expertise in neuro-linguistic programming and its proper application to both work and family life so the locals can achieve their goals for their community.

Malapascua - Moalboal Trip with Carelle Mangaliag: an Introduction

This very enriching vacation/volunteer work I did at Malapascua and Moalboal in Cebu started last Dec. 1, 2010 right after our trip to Dumaguete from Nov.26-30, 2010 (which I will just blog about after this Cebu trip).

me inside PAL's Boeing 747

One day, as I was finishing all my tasks at work before heading to Negros Oriental with my hubby, my friend RR Herrera (yes, the former child star ^_^) called me asking if I know how to dive because their company, Train Station (formerly Motivating Minds), is looking for a diver who can help document the training they will conduct among the locals of Malapascua and Moalboal as well as the staff of the dive resorts they will be staying at (the very accommodating Exotic Dive Resort in Malapascua and the beautiful Club Serena resort in Moalboal). Excess funds from the office of former DOT Secretary Ace Durano (he's amazing!) will be used to cover the plane fare and food while accommodations and dives at Malapascua will be handled by Exotic Dive Resort. In Moalboal, Club Serena will take care of the dives, accommodations and food. All of these things will be provided to the team in exchange for the training that will be provided to the people there which will be based on Neuro-linguistic Programming principles being taught by Carelle Mangaliag and RR Herrera of Train Station.

Carelle Mangaliag's Awesome Birthday Bash

It's almost been a year since we first met this feisty, talented, beautiful and amazing Neurolingusitic expert, Carelle Mangaliag, and her equally talented, gorgeous and adorable beau, RR Herrera, at Les Caraibes Resort in Batangas... same time I also first met Aiza Seguerra in person.

Me and Aiza Seguerra last Oct. 17, 2009. Obviously, I was drunk in this photo.

And on those rare occasions that Peter and I would be with them, it would always be a joyous union of warm-hearted and carefree souls. They're just two of the most wonderful people we know, so full of love, affection, generosity and kindness not just for each other but for all the other people, loved ones, families and friends who surround them and are with them in their daily lives.

Last September 11, 2010, Carelle celebrated her birthday at Maruve Bar in Ortigas Home Depot. Peter and I almost didn't make it coz I was buried with tons of work that I couldn't leave hanging. The party started at 8:30 pm, the same time that I was on the verge of panic because I was still not done with work. But I remember RR saying that the party was going to be until 5:00 AM. This is one of those occasions that I didn't want to miss so even if it meant arriving at 12:00 midnight, it's better than not going at all.

Full house @ Maruve Bar & Restaurant

Carelle has such a beautiful voice... as usual.

Carelle's friends singing more songs...

The happy birthday girl!

Cebu - Kotex Youniversity w/ Carelle Mangaliag

I took this trip last January 29-31, 2010. For those who missed reading Part I, please click the link below:

My Stay @ Cebu Waterfront Hotel

 ~~~oOo~~~

Looking back on this trip makes me feel so much more blessed. Just when I expected to do some grueling assistant work, I was actually given a day off on my first day. Like I shared on the first part of this travelogue, I just spent my afternoon eating, bonding with my new acquaintances from DECS and Kotex and basically just lazing around the hotel. And so on my first night there, I decided to come see my sister who currently lives in Cebu. They were kind enough to pick me up from the lobby of Waterfront Hotel and from there headed to a laid back food place that sells very affordable seafood. It was pig out time once again! And can I just say that Cebu really has the finest tasting dishes I know. Whether they be hotel-made or straight out of a grillery, they just never cease to satiate my starving soul… err, tummy. ^_^

After our fantastic meal, Abba and Chris decided to hang out in one of the bars and have some drinks. I obliged. After all, I did want to enjoy my night there in case I won’t have time the next day to spend with them.

My Stay @ Cebu Waterfront Hotel

Jan. 29, 2010, 7:00 am, I was already at the Centennial Airport with my hubby waiting for Carelle and RR. I guess we were pretty early since they were still on their way and our flight was scheduled at 9:30 am. I’m usually like that. Better be early than get stressed about being late. ^_^ To make the most of our time, Peter and I shared breakfast at Le Bistro located at the ground flooor of the airport. It used to be Figaro. But I guess Ms. Chit Juan turned all her Figaro franchises intoLe Bistro instead. Smart move! ^_^

We ordered a  big cup of  hot Mocha drink and a slice of carrot cake. Yum! Had I known that there was Jollibee upstairs, I should’ve ordered Pinoy breakfast instead. I was still kind of hungry then. The carrot cake stimulated my appetite. Hehehe.

Then we met up with Carelle and RR outside Jollibee. As soon as we got our tickets, we checked-in  our stuff and spent the rest of the time napping. Well, I tinkered with the available free wifi at the airport while Carelle and RR caught some zzzzzs. They haven’t slept yet.