It was one of those spontaneous nights with my barkadas that we’ll always remember. In the middle of the night, we suddenly decided to go on a joyride from Bacayan all the way to Balamban. The sky was already dark, and the streets were quiet, but that made the adventure even more exciting. We wanted to try something different, something that would give us a new memory to look back on. Instead of taking the usual long route, we found a shortcut through Talamban and just kept following the road. The cool night breeze, the sound of our laughter, and the hum of the motorbikes made the ride unforgettable. In this picture, we were almost at our destination, but we paused for a while to take a photo together — a quick moment to capture our smiles before continuing the journey on the motor we used.
Ate Rege, Myka, and Emmalyn couldn’t help but smile the moment my phone faced them. I was actually planning to take a photo of the “Balamban” sign, but since they were standing right beside it, they decided to strike a pose and join the shot. We weren’t at our destination yet, but the night air was too refreshing to just pass by. So, we pulled over for a quick stop, letting the wind brush against our faces while we enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. The place was dark, with only a few lights in the distance, but instead of feeling eerie, it felt calm and safe — like a quiet pause in the middle of our adventure. That short stop gave us time to breathe, laugh, and take in the moment before getting back on the road toward Balamban, ready to make more memories.
The “Balamban” sign was huge, so even though I was standing far away, it still looked big and clear in the picture. The fresh green grass around it made the place even more attractive, adding a nice touch of nature to the scene. The letters of the sign were lit up, glowing brightly in the darkness, almost like a warm welcome for travelers passing by. That small source of light stood out beautifully against the dark surroundings, giving the spot its own charm. Even though it was nighttime, the place felt alive in its own peaceful and simple way. Hehehe.
This is the place I was telling you about. In the picture, it looks like a house glowing with light. There’s a signage that says “Village Oven,” but honestly, I forgot if that’s really the name of the place. What I do remember is that it’s still part of Balamban. The food there is just like what we normally enjoy in a carinderia — simple, home-style Filipino dishes that hit the spot after a long ride. The place was lively, with so many motorcycles parked outside, a sign that it’s a favorite stop for riders and travelers. What makes it even more special is what you see when you go upstairs — a breathtaking view of the city lights across Cebu City, shining like little stars scattered over the horizon. It’s the perfect spot to rest, eat, and take in the beauty of the night before heading back on the road.
The picture actually turned out a bit blurry when I took it, probably because my phone isn’t that updated or expensive. Hehe. Plus, the spot was too far away, and my phone’s zoom is pretty limited, so I couldn’t get a clearer shot. Still, I wanted to capture it because it’s one of those simple spots you can easily see along the way. It might not look like much in the photo, but in person, it has its own charm. There are even more beautiful places nearby — I just didn’t get the chance to take pictures of them.
This is our handsome driver for the trip from Bacayan to Balamban. They even dressed up in sporty outfits just to look more attractive for the ride — or so they claimed. Hahaha. They also made sure to “flex” their helmets, as if to proudly declare that they were our official drivers for the night. How funny is that? Moments like these really make the trip even more memorable. The one on the left is my brother, who also happens to be the husband of Ate Rege. Riding with friends and family made the whole journey even more special and fun.
Of course, we also had to strike a pose! Haha. In this picture, you can see Ate Rege, Emmalyn, Myca, and me — all smiling and ready for the camera. We were the “angkas” of our drivers, proudly showing off our happy faces after such a fun ride. Actually, Aishiah was also with us, but for this particular shot, we decided we needed to “slay” the moment. Hahaha. It’s one of those silly yet sweet memories where we just wanted to capture the joy we felt that night, enjoying the ride, the company, and the adventure together.
Aishiah was sitting quietly in the chair at first, looking a little sad because she wasn’t in the earlier photo. When I noticed, I decided to take a picture of her, too. At first, she only gave a shy smile and still wouldn’t look directly at the camera, but it was enough to make the moment sweet. She’s only 4 years old, but she’s always so pretty and full of charm. Aishiah is the daughter of Ate Rege and my brother Daniel, and moments like this remind me how even the smallest gestures can make someone feel included and happy.
This night was one of pure happiness. From the laughter on the road to the little moments we captured in photos, everything felt light and joyful. Being with friends and family made the adventure even more special. It’s the kind of night we’ll always remember with a smile.