BEING AN ISLANDER FOR TWO MONTHS AND COUNTING HIGHLIGHTS

It has been more than two months since I moved to Boracay and has been about the same time since I had a decent blog post.

I moved to Boracay on April 6, 2019 to help out in staging the first ever Boracay Island Drone Film Festival and never left since then.

For the most part, it was just me and my business partner, Coach RM Lobaton, doing everything from top to bottom. It was both mentally and physically draining.

It was emotionally tough as well since I just anchored myself to a new environment not knowing what lies ahead. There were days when I would catch myself “crying” behind my shades out of exhaustion. Once, while dragging my bike on the beach carrying three roll up banners that I picked up from LBC D’Mall, I asked myself if I have done the right thing- moving to the island and all.

There were nights when I did not feel like sleeping anymore because I would have to wake up early the next day anyway. It was hard but I managed. We managed. Thanks for having a business partner who has the grit, is grounded and has a higher emotional quotient than me.

We were able to successfully stage the event. I will be posting a long delayed blog about it in the coming days.

https://www.facebook.com/boracayislanddroneacademy/videos/1814905831988909/?__xts__[0]=68.ARBNrHGKN20Coq3HzLyB0YEI52mn43cZhbiAjH9W7z37NBjypjOratr0fO6WFckTfHarxvzD5K5rjpkxM5S-oNpCJEmkwX-ZK1reAJyBR83LAkF4BdNWc2S2usQ_kXZ-GrjiEErvHZyrOIU5AwSZo0OQzfIFGlyMGwyvBxDYetbVRW9kCR7n1siW6y628W0HkiTIYHJNLA-z5ccoy9YB5Ie6FkUzqPY3vqBej3uTAtCXqaz_fMD80UcNtxTzmkMQKKqMd7dlrk4ZiU5t7_QC9-7zNgnxkzkGp4W76hSp_0s2IHRvqQtZ4rsvEkzz5FZFHkihDM2-FlrC5SDIDatXNkVFZ-rdX1GzToluApsgVFemL85KeKmIoxLCNiYt0LbNob4qd8w7AJMInc2mI4q_RZbZairsG5Atk8riSRG3rQ5eJr86iy8Tfyo&__tn__=-R

In May, almost simultaneously, I had the opportunity to assist in two television shows of mainstream television network ABS CBN. I was Magandang Buhay’s Official Drone Pilot during their #TresIsBest Third Anniversay Special shot entirely here on the island.

I also got to assist in one of Jeepney TV’s episodes with my good friends Tam, Anette, Jen, Allen and Jireh.

It was two weeks of bliss because I got to do what I like doing and what I think I am good at- flying and being part of production.

For the past few weeks, I have been waking up at the same time as if I were still living in the city. Whether I had a good night’s rest or not, I would wake up at 6:30 every morning just staring at the ceiling and counting my breaths… waiting… waiting for me to fall asleep yet again. By 8’ish, I would be up and about.

A friend who lives in New York once asked me via messenger how I plan to spend a vacation now that I am always at the beach. I guess one of the things that I miss is that feeling of looking forward to going to the beach and doing nothing. For the first few weeks, quite honestly, I just did what a normal vacationer would do, that is, swim, party, repeat. But, you see, leading a vacationer’s lifestyle on the island is not sustainable.

It took a while for me to imbibe the island vibe really and I am still unlearning stress and pressure. The heck, I still wear a wrist watch… I am one of the very few people on the island who actually wears one. Thanks to years of living in the metropolis slaving myself away to the daily grind of the corporate world.

Today, my business partner asked me to take a day off. When I got his message, I was already on my bike to work. I suddenly found myself lost for a good ten minutes on the beach not knowing where to go. He told me to go around the island and take a break. Rest.

I guess when someone asks you to take a break, it means you badly need one. So that’s what I just did. I thought of sleeping the whole day and night and wake up tomorrow but my neighbors (I think) just got a new set of speakers and plan to test how loud they play the whole day. So I decided to go to D’Mall instead and spend time with friends at Red Coconut. I left my bike and walked for a change.

I still have a long way of unlearning stress. Wish me luck! Signing out for now. Peace.

Joel Andrada

I am a Travel & Lifestyle Online Content Creator, a Certified Digital Marketer and Film Maker, a Licensed Drone Pilot and a Comedian Wannabe from Boracay Island, Philippines.

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