Tuesday, December 17

Roxy Does

in an effort to increase the confidence of women around the world, Roxy brings you this 5 ep series of fun filled boardsports action packed with a lot of pink flowers and smiles.

and of course a cool reason to escape and enjoy the sea. 

Watch through all first 4 episodes and laugh with us with Roxy does Baler.

Creds to my fellow Roxy Shredder Tamara Benitez for the sick edit and concept.

Check out some kiteboarding action and a lot of stupidy on my end at Ep. 2 - yes as you know i have not entertained the idea of having a real car for the last 4 years, since i live in a 1-road island, so it's been a funny ordeal to drive again. hehe


Enjoy!






ROXY Does Baler - Episode 1 from Tamara Benitez on Vimeo.

ROXY Does Baler - Episode 2 from Tamara Benitez on Vimeo.

ROXY Does Baler - Episode 3 from Tamara Benitez on Vimeo.

ROXY Does Baler - Episode 4 from Tamara Benitez on Vimeo.

Thursday, November 14

lessons from the rain



shit that was scary. i really thought i was gonna die.
ok yeah its not like this when i crash really bad because its just me,
and nobody else is involved in the extreme sport but me. its not that kind of scared..

on this case, its your whole life, the people that you love, your friends, your enemies, your co workers, everybody.

its insane to be in a situation when everyone think its the end of the world.
i admit i was scared, shit scared.

but i was proud to say that i did prepare for this storm.
in the last month ive been anxious and restless with no apparent reason, and always blaming it on mercury retrograde, things happening that are so random and upside down, to a point that i even came as the girl who is "not ready" for halloween just to have a few laughs about it.
am so glad to be with my "older sister" anamie who has been taking care of me. my yoga mentor, and mom on the island louise, and her family especially the two lovely girls satya and jordan who kept our spirits alive and keeping up with pure intentions. to rozie, clu and eminand djila who was also with us during the storm.


i vividly remember when i was young, i'd be so happy when there is a typhoon because we can stay at home and play in the rain before the sun sets, go to the beach and brave some rain while laughing and trying to outrun the neighbor's dog. when the storm hits you run indoors watching the chaos outside through your room window, when the night comes playing card games and reading books/ playing with your shadow inside the little fortress you built outside the garden made up of your blanket, lit by candelight, snuggling up with your siblings, this is how a stormy day and aftermath is like. when i was young.

but a category 5 storm was something ive never experienced before.
shit scared.
to the point that i even said my goodbyes to dear people in my life


but yes, so it seems to me that i was preparing for something huge but i was not ready and just dont know  what i was really preparing for. preparing my presence of mind, keeping my heart warm and putting on personal challenges in my life.

and then it hit me, all those learnings in the past few months through my favorite hobbies yoga and kiting and just everything thats happening around me, has brought me to a conclusion that i was preparing for this. this b*tch yolanda coming in trying to destroy the spirit of my beloved country with all its beauty and warm people.

am so grateful that i was at this state of self, to be a survivor in this aftermath.
apparently, due to a lot of LUCK, our island was spared from total loss of life compared to the survivors in leyte, samar, bohol and the list goes on. all those people that lost everything including their loved ones. those who dont have food to eat, no shelter, no water to drink and no loved ones to help each other survive.

I admit the load was too much for me to carry,all my staff, my friends and family, i was not ready.

if you check out the satellite images when the typhoon was passing through PANAY island, the eye of the storm suddenly disappeared and what was a category5 became more like a 3 which was a big sigh on my heart.
this is also a grave example on why the Filipino people have strong faith in GOD, good karma, allah,  or whoever is out there.


so i would like to take this time to thank every single human soul out there who has helped us filipinos in any way you know how to survive this aftermath, you should know that we are grateful and we will immensely pray for your good heart.
as of now we don't have much here in Boracay, but we are ok, there are more people out there who need your help more than we do. please send all relief goods and through the areas of Capiz, Antique, Leyte those that need it most.



we are now in #lifeafteryolanda day 6.
electricity in the main road is back, And most establishments are running on Generators, although fuel is running low on supply.
power and clean water is conserved.
phone signals are on and off.
most of the people here have no work since
the airport was closed for a few days.


but in the end what matters the most is that we are alive and tried the best way we can to survive this aftermath. i actually like this whole idea being back to how it was like to live in Boracay the first time i came here when i was a kid.

we sleep under the stars, the moon is your streetlight, you hang out with your friends amidst tall trees and fireflies. you play in the sea during daytime, you come to work using pen and paper and not your smartphone. it is amazing how mother nature teaches us lessons to live well in a new perspective, and she does it through all her beauty and fury. it truly clenses away all the unnecessary if you look at thr big picture in this thing called life.


in line with current situations i've learned a few things.some of this may not make sense but yeah thats what ihave in my mind and heart right now. and i might add, some of these lessons were learnt thehard way.


1. conserve. conserve your energy and your usage of any form of energy in everything that you do.
if you can't conserve your energy, breath some new energy (prana). practice yoga.

2. time is gold. so use it wisely and spend it with people that respect the value of your time.

3. Be grateful. always

4. have good intentions for yourself and for others and you will find happiness.

5. go on daylight saving time.

6. live in-sync with your natural environment and you will find peace

7.practice free energy sports harnessing natural elements.
go kiteboarding, it gives you a different perspective of nature and the element of the wind and sea on how powerful it is. learning to respect the other living things in this earth.

8. spend some time in hardship away from your comfort zone, its character building.

9. live a purpose driven life, dont exercise your right to live, maximize it for the greater good.

10.sometimes we need to be selfish to be selfless.


i know a few of you my kiteboarder friends from around the world is scheduled to come visit me and see my wonderful country full of good intentions, i am happy for you in braving to come, especially my girlfriends from the Triple S, all the KTA riders coming in on FEb, my friends from Greece, Paris and Amsterdam , FlyTheEarth and a lot more, i maybe too busy rebuilding my home, my island life, to organize all our trips, and help you on your itinerary but when the time comes, spend a day with me or two or even more and i will find time. share a piece of this to you, let me show you around the way i know how. feel the nature we live in the way we live it, and understand why i believe the filipinos are the happiest people on earth.

in times of darkness and rain, find time in appreciating the little things, for it is in them we hold most of our energy.

PS: for those who want to help, please help in your own little ways.
--- and remember to always have good intentions.
be a patron
a positive vibration patron.
Staying Strong. :)
















Saturday, September 7

Rise of the Neo-Bourgeoise


In one of the discussions about decisions and opportunities, my yoga mentor and “2nd mom”, Louise, told me in a sarcastic tone “it’s hard to be young, you have so many choices, so many opportunities that you don’t know what to do and where to go.”

And that is completely true.
Have you ever wondered what would have been, if you made that other choice?
What would be your life be like?

Well, I am not saying that I am not contented with what I have chosen, I am completely happy with where I am now but just to give a try and to create some sort of discussion with my brain, as I always do.


My two-week break after an intense summer season of kiteboarding in Greece has brought me to the City of Love, Paris.

Paris?
Why did I choose to go to Paris?

It’s been the hardest summer away from home I’ve ever had, I must admit. It was a struggle for me. But Alas, I’ve made it through in one piece, thank god! Now, it’s time to rest and start fresh again. (PS: love your body, you only have one)
In most, if not all my yoga practices, I’ve been wishing in my intentions for a sign, a sign to help me decide on where to go to take this much needed rest.

Find your Balance. Hold your Ground.
(not really much of a sign, but a clue on what my soul needs right now in order to regenerate and prepare me for what I think is the busiest upcoming season in Asia).



A bit of History.


My Aunt, The youngest amongst my mom’s siblings, resides in Paris.
I remember when I was young I would look up to her. My mom would show photos of her in her travels and performances.
Her story is like a fairytale, she is this graceful, beautiful dancer traveling the world with her art (dance) and finally residing in Paris, fell in love and got married and now a mother of 2 beautiful girls, running a family owned restaurant at the heart of the city.

Being born from a family of artists, dancers and “amateur” beauty queens, my parents, particularly my mom made sure (being the only girl amongst four children) that I was on same track. I was juggling classical ballet, piano lessons, ballroom dancing classes, theatre arts, painting, etiquette classes and even an interactive computer course on basic French for kids, plus of course school.

After university, I was determined to go to Paris, go to arts school and be everything that I always dreamed to be when I was 7 years old.

But things change, we change, i changed. i cannot imagine myself living away from the beach, it was just to hard to be away from the ocean. 


My childhood best friend shared the same sentiments, we were inseparable and always up to no good, dreaming about stars, theatre, dance and fashion A LOT!
Her name is Adrienne, she is now living in Paris studying fashion design. 


------------


Although I was groomed to be a prim and proper young lady, I loved playing in the streets. Skating, Biking, Roller Hockey, all these fun activities that only boys were playing at that time. (I was still one of those lucky kids who played in the streets, climbing trees and jumping cliffs instead of playing Wii.)

Looking back, or even until now, am sure my mom disapproves of most if not all of the activities that I do, which do not fit into the category of Lady-Like, but now she is just left to accept what her little ballet princess has become.  – I hope she still likes the fact that I often wear a rainbow ballet tutu when am out to have some fun kiteboarding. Right mom? 

I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO THANK MY MOM, with all the hard work she has done to make sure i grew with all these knowledge behind me. Oh Believe me it was not an easy job to raise me. LOL

----

As much as I know I do not need to justify my career of choice to anybody, I would like to share with you what kiting brings to me - in my own sense of the world around me. it gives me so much inspiration .

Kiteboarding, which I truly believe is my own interpretation of Dance, an expression of my soul the way I know how, within the elements where I think I truly belong and that is wind, water and a board 



I loved the fact that i came to paris at this time, it was destined to be so i believe for me to be here at this state of soul, heart and mind. With openess to the world but also knowing what and who you want to be in the next few years.
thank you universe 
Namaste <3 font="">


-----

So before setting out to this small city adventure
I’ve set out a few goals for me to do.


The goal of this trip is to revisit my childhood dreams for a 2 weeks.

To rest my body to prepare for a good season back in Asia.

To visit my family and feel like a kid again.
(since I was in the worst homesick-ish state i’ve EVER been)

To visit some friends, particularly Adrienne 



To get some inspiration for the mind and soul.
(PS: don’t forget to exercise your mind as well)

To Skydive.

To go back to learning French
(I got stuck in learning about fruits when I was young)

Finish my workbooks
(its always books before boys J) LOL


Gain a few kilos to at least not look unhealthy-thin
(although now I think I have to loose 1 kilo again)



--


On my first day out in Paris with my auntie,
Clad in her classic Balenciaga demeanor, she gave me a look from head to toe with
what she believes is a tacky taste in color combination and prints that resides in my outfit for the day.
Are you a hippie? She said.

Tuesday, July 30

From Paros With Love


From Paros with Love from Best Kiteboarding on Vimeo.


This video says it all. Am stoked, sunburnt and really happy with the outcome of this project.
I love spending time with rad girls like Victoria in this Place which i call home in Europe.

Hope you guys enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making this kite movie.

Peace, Love and Good Vibrations
From Paros, Greece

Wednesday, July 17

D.E.A.R. Time

When i was in the exclusive school for girls, yes i went to an exclusive school run by german nuns. Probably one of the best and strict schools in the Philippines, we had this thing called DEAR time which stands for Drop Everything and Read. A lot of my classmates hated it, but i loved it! it is a great way to keep us reading and learning.

This summer in greece i am spending a LOT of time Studying for some projects am gonna run for the next season in Asia. To tell you the truth i am a bit anxious about it as it is a big responsibility which i think i am not ready for. But am also very excited about it, a big challenge! So am spending this nice sunny summer kiting and studying. As much as i want to go back to a proper university to finish my masters i would be choosing between school-future- and my sport/lifestyle. Which is a big no-no.So am taking small bits of everything right here in Greece. My days are filled with boring theory books, and some funny ones of course to keep my mind iterested, yoga, training, kiting and as usual taking beautiful photos in picturesque Greece. It may be boring to most but hey chilling here is good, also the food here in amazing! A great place to stay healthy and fit, plussss it's effin' windy. Today i get to update my blog because the wind is too strong for me, i would be needing a 1.5m kite or something.
Anyho, the boys pumped their small kites and went looping like cray cray, i almost had a heart attack!
Learning is something that you should not stop doing, may it be a new sport, a funny book, a new hobby, a new dish. Whichever it is! Fuel your life with learning, there are sooo many things to try out there.
Am also saving some cash for this hobby i want to start. Check in the next few months on what i have in mind. Hehe am crossing my fingers and hope that i get to save up for it.

So thats it for now,
I know i have to update this space more but for now check instagram for my daily musings around the wonderful med.





































Thursday, July 4

The view from the Top

I never really thought i'll do my first flight on a paraglide here in Paros.
Veso, who decided to come and hang out with us here at Paros to kite for a few days brought his tandem wing, me, grant and william went for a spin.
And...
I LOVED IT!


now am in really big trouble, as usual i will get hooked on this sport and probably go mental again on doing crazy turns or what not.

Veso is a professional acro paraglider from Bulgaria who also started kiting a few months back. 
check out his adventures at 

He took time off to chill here and now on the way to prepare for an acro tour/competition around europe.
Goodluck!

---

I was super stoked when he was keen to take me up paragliding.
i even tried to pilot it and to my surprise it was easier and lighter than kiting.




PS: sometimes being small is cool, according to the pilot behind me it was easy to bring me up because i was tiny. Although this strap infront me is actually really in the way of my face all the time because am too small on the seat. it's really cramping my view. LOL


We also did a few simple "tricks" (check out some photos)  and you'll see the paraglide almost being sideways.


If you know me very well too, you know that i love themeparks, rides and roller coasters, especially if it involves free fall.
so yes, i did love this experience, its like being on a roller coaster with a better view.


I wanted to experience more turns but i didn't expect to go fly before my friend Grant, i decided to eat some cookies on the way, when we were climbing the top of the mountain.
Ha, that was a bad idea. 
i didn't wanna vomit in mid air. lol.


I had the most adrenaline i've ever had in awhile, which was good.
i was smiling the entire day & night even after 2 days.
The experience was amazing.
So calm and at the same time extreme (if you think about it).



It is also such a nice view up there. 
I would like to see the earth on that view more often.
it also gave me a lot of inspiration to do some art, 
so am back on the drawing board for some rad artwork coming out
from this wonderful experience.
-

The only thing that i probably would not like about it in the long run is climbing the mountain but
as long as i have my camera, am good to go!
i took a few snaps on the way.




The more you fly the more it grounds you to the earth.

--
Thank You for the wonderful experience! 
Ahhh! can't wait til my next flight.