"Success is not just about the destination, it's about every little step we took to get there every delay, every walk in the sun, every shared laughter, and every quiet moment holding hands, facing tomorrow together."
After a heartwarming and joy-filled Luzon trip with Elaiza's family and relatives, we found ourselves once again packing our bags this time, not just for leisure, but for something deeper… something that brings us closer to our shared dream: Canada.
A week after our Luzon adventure, we flew to Cebu City on May 25, 2025. Our mission? To process our bank certificate, one of the critical documents we needed to submit to the Canadian Embassy for our study and work permit. It was a crucial step in proving our financial readiness and securing our future abroad. We were opening a show money account under BDO Bank in Cebu City, thanks to the unwavering support of SMARTVISA Consultancy Inc., our trusted agency.
The Arrival: Rain, Delays, and Sugbo Nights
We were scheduled to fly at 6:00 PM, but the heavens had other plans. Due to heavy rains, our flight was delayed for an hour the aircraft needed a safe passage, and we waited patiently. We finally touched down in Cebu close to 10:00 PM. Tired, but still with spirits high, we headed straight to Sugbo Mercado, the vibrant night market that welcomed us with open arms (and empty stomachs).
Right in front of Sugbo stood Avida Tower 2, our home for the next 4 days. It was a cozy condo, modest yet perfect. The night breeze in Cebu felt warm and reassuring. As we settled in, I looked at Elaiza, and silently whispered, “This is it… we’re doing it.”
The Hustle Begins: Balancing Work and Purpose
Monday, May 26, was nothing short of a whirlwind. I had to juggle work (thankfully, I’m a Virtual Assistant who can work anywhere) and appointments. It’s a blessing to work under Casey Lightbody, such an understanding and supportive boss. Her trust in me means the world, especially in moments like this when personal and professional lives intertwine.
We woke up early. By 7:00 AM, we were on our way to meet Ma’am Nancy Go, the lending partner of SMARTVISA. She’s sharp, focused, and a little intimidating at first but who wouldn’t be when dealing with large sums of money to help hopefuls like us reach a bigger dream?
The process was intense. Emotions were high. There were tears, misunderstandings, and tough talks with Lai and my parents. But we pressed on. “This isn’t just for me. This is for us. For our future.” That kept playing in my mind.
After signing the BDO account forms, we went straight to Sto. Niño Parish – New Palm at Mactan. We prayed. Thanked God. Prayed again. Because faith, for us, is not a backup plan it’s the foundation of our dreams.
Moments That Matter: The Little Joys of Exploring
After church, we crossed the street to McDonald’s Mega Newtown for breakfast. While I worked on my laptop, Elaiza wandered around the area. She’s always curious always full of wonder. I admire that about her. Then we headed to Magellan’s Cross, a historical gem that always finds its way into every tourist’s itinerary. But this time, it wasn’t just a tourist spot, it was a symbol of faith and resilience.
Next stop? Pungko-Pungko sa Fuentes for lunch! Local food, simple joys, shared smiles. I tried to be present in every moment, but I couldn’t help feeling a little melancholic. These solo trips, just Elaiza and I, discovering places together they feel like pockets of paradise in our fast-moving world.
We visited Chingkeetea, a spot that brought nostalgic stories from Elaiza about her CDO friend, Adin or “Buak” as they called each other. Their bond made me smile. These quirky, lovable things reminded me why I fell in love with her in the first place.
Their Spanish Latte hit differently perfectly blended, not too milky, just enough bean. If you’re a coffee lover like us, you’d know when it’s the real deal.
Cebu Nights: Lattes, Love, and Laughter
As the sun burned its way into our skins, we retreated to our condo. I resumed work while Elaiza rested. But come nighttime oh, Cebu lit up again.
A Day of Milestones: Mama’s Birthday & SMARTVISA Visit
May 27, 2025 — A special day. My Mama Tita Angie’s birthday. I love her dearly. We started our morning at Atmosphere Dine Sportsbar & KTV for breakfast. The day was already shining bright with joy.
That was also the day we got our bank certificate a huge win! Then, finally, I visited SMARTVISA Consultancy Inc.’s HQ for the first time. Guys… it’s real. It’s legit. The way they operate, the professionalism, the structure I’m more confident than ever that we chose the right people to guide us.
We explored SM City J Mall, had snacks at Sushi Station, then rode buses and jeepneys just to get a feel of the local commute. It was exhausting but necessary. After heading back, we had dinner at Chili’s SM Seaside, enjoyed more margaritas, and… got tipsy again. 😂 That night, we indulged in dark Euros chocolates, but no magic this time we were just too tired to even keep our eyes open!
Bittersweet Goodbyes
May 28, 2025 — Wednesday. Time to go back home to Davao.
It was hard to leave. Cebu, in just 4 days, had become more than just a place to process papers. It became a witness to our hustle. A holder of our memories. A quiet observer of our love, laughter, and determination.
Key Takeaways from Cebu
Love thrives in the hustle. Balancing work, travel, and dreams isn’t easy but with the right partner, it becomes beautiful.
Gratitude multiplies joy. Every meal, every church visit, every new coffee shop they became blessings worth celebrating.
Faith and perseverance go hand in hand. Delays, arguments, exhaustion they were all part of the climb. But so is grace.
Never underestimate the magic of little things. A smile. A latte. A tipsy laugh. A shared silence. They build a love story worth living.
Comments
Post a Comment