Instahaiku

blame it all on my short attention span.

[bellestar66]

let’s just say a few wild weeks and @traderjoes brookies made me do this 😋 #bellestarbakes #homebaked #homebaking #sweettooth #aboutlastweekend https://www.instagram.com/p/CqUQiYIO83K9s0Vgph98O8XTZTETQFD1sFCynA0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bellestar66]

writing for a living gets in the way of real writing 😬 but i’ll never forget my first love 💕 here’s a 5-minute scribble on the morning of #worldpoetryday ✍🏻 #instapoetry #writing #life https://www.instagram.com/p/CqEsHBHOnN47Sl5v6ptIJFCs4b3u2yk9Mjjw3g0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bellestar66]

before this day ends in asia, i absolutely cannot miss greeting my best FIN (only we know what this means!) @obeywan a happy 40th OMG 🎉🎂💕 how could i have ever known, at 13 years old, that you would be one of those people who would always be a part of my life in one transformative way or another? i will forever be grateful for that day you decided to spend your spare time in between classes to hang out with us. 🤗 and from that moment on, you’ve been one of those rare people i can count on—whether to give me extra food for lunch since i didn’t have much, being my math tutor so i can graduate from high school, helping with my transfer papers in college so we could be in the same campus, being a devoted godfather to clair, the drunkest best man at our wedding, the voice of reason all throughout the time i’ve known you. a friend who makes time and distance invisible divides by being one call away each time. as you celebrate this milestone and enter a new decade in your life, i wish you all the happiness in this world, more adventures to unlock in your personal and professional life, as well as a lifetime filled with love—because you, of all people, deserve this and more. i will forever be grateful for the gift of friendship you’ve given me throughout all these years, and i can’t wait for the day we can take new photos again, together, laughing and roasting each other like only we can. hope you’ve had the best day! love and miss you, bey ❤️ #bffs #highschool #birthday #celebrations #love https://www.instagram.com/p/CpsOMvXOeUBkBwsi9bboM8LRtLFgCj2xfHGd000/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bellestar66]

almost 18 years ago, i narrowly escaped a future that was sure to extinguish my spirit. but despite the darkness of that time, it gave me something—someone—to live for. and i want to show her how life is done. without hesitations. without fake glass ceilings. without holding back. without waiting for your dreams to happen when you can shape them the way you want to. without excuses. i want to her to grow up knowing she can do anything as long as she brings her full self to it. that she shouldn’t let any preconceived notions of her gender, race or country of origin deter her from making things happen. that despite life being unfair at times, as long as you try your best, you’re already winning. and this morning, i got a message from the lil one reminding me of the most important role i play. someone who shows her everyday that she can, and she absolutely will. 🙌🏼 and i know that one day, it will all be worth it. 💕 #internationalwomensday #embraceequity #girlmom #momanddaughter #miffyfamjam https://www.instagram.com/p/CpjYG-4OjzwEJTmOWSLa7DCHpxjfwzJlpK6_Tg0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bellestar66]

well, i just suck at math, so— #greatquotes #outandabout #whatahoot (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpbsDCuOwHD9HmISw2yF1LjPsPBmh5PRT3sP3U0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bellestar66]

LA in 72+ hours 🌴 #notavacation #fun #friends #foodgasm #latergram (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpEvzkEut9kjqcK5PIw-Wit8UDYW0y9t2H3pHA0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bellestar66]

can’t believe it’s been 2 years since i rejoined the amazing @tiktok comms crew OMG 🚀 and what better way to celebrate it than by visiting our LA office for the first time? 😍 i mean, it feels like 5 (or 10!) years really…but who’s counting when you’re having fun?! 🤗 #bytedancebelle #tiktokversary #lifeattiktok #lifeinPR https://www.instagram.com/p/CpAmr88uf7tFyJLcH6i6oyMJBqpGLCdTZQMiro0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bellestar66]

tried snow tubing for the first time and it didn’t disappoint BRR YAY 🥶 #miffyfamjam #aboutlastnight #iloveweekends #winterfun #torontolife (at Chicopee Tube Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co5wOFHOqPF3iypSoJgPvPXUmUb7uMIEG9HOYQ0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bellestar66]

happy hearts’ day vibes with the #miffyfamjam 🥰💕 #aboutlastnight #valentines (at Downtown Toronto) https://www.instagram.com/p/CorzPdPOs9beUfkyh_j6k6a4pIyHlH9fmJxsaE0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bellestar66]

one week back here in 🇨🇦 and missin’ the motherland 🇵🇭 already 😩 i’ve gone back and forth many times for a decade and a half but this vacation hit different. maybe it was the two long years of being away, and being away this far, amid so many changes in our lives in between. every second of my time back home—being present with my loves and eating everything i’ve been craving for— was just pure joy. truly thankful for the blessings i’ve been given which made this trip possible. with my heart filled with all these wonderful memories, i head back to a more grounded reality, filled with the possibilities of a brand new year. i won’t and can’t say i’m ready, but as i look forward to my next time back home, i am filled with hope and faith in whatever it is that will be 🙌🏼 #latergram #holidaze #itsmorefuninthephilippines #ofwblues #balikbayan #memories (at Metro Manila) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoAVzKRuMAjAMalmkNP1_OKowsreW-Dy29mxkU0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bellestar66]

being home is always about the people 🥰 what’s so special about my #notanotavacation this time around is that i got to meet friends from almost all stages of my life—from grade school, high school, college, and my life overseas OMG 🤗 i’d like to thank all my friends who took time out of their busy schedules to meet me, even for just a fleeting moment, who hung out for a bit, visited me at home, shared great meals and tons of laughs together, just like old times. ❤️ and to those i haven’t met this time, you know there’s always the next holiday 💕 missing everyone already ☺️ #latergram #itsmorefuninthephilippines #holidaze #ofwblues #balikbayan https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn79wRJuKiWBWUoGfyXqFI73FZ1Y-K91_9km6c0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bellestar66]

from our lil #miffyfamjam to yours, wishing everyone welcoming the year of the water rabbit a happy lunar new year! 🧧🎊🐰 gong xi fa cai! 新年快乐! may prosperity in the form of tons of peking duck (or whatever abundance means to you!) await as we hop into a brand new year 🐇🍊 #lunarnewyear2023 #aboutlastnight #torontolife #goodeats (at House of Gourmet 滿) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnvsOsrtVqiFbsg_JHtPM67cxZOxkbYcEL8-Bc0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bellestar66]

hair refresh in the tropics—always a treat 🌴 apparently i need to continue taking a break from bleaching to give my roots some much-needed recovery time, but thanks to the stylists at @norahairsalon.manila the lil one and i still had a wonderful cut and color sesh! love the milk tea and chocolate shades which helped remove the brassy undertones and complemented a nuanced layered cut 😍 looking forward to visiting this salon again when we’re back 🤗 #newhair #hairstyles #cutandacolor #japanesehairsalon https://www.instagram.com/p/Cni296PP6XemtwNODCp2MbOpICDuAU8dkG6n4c0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bellestar66]

making every single weekend (and meal!) count with the #fambam! ❤️ thanksgiving mass and @francescademesa’s new 🚗 blessing at padre pio shrine • staycation at the lovely @casacyleinaamadeotagaytay • fantastic dinner at @balaydako • sumptuous late lunch at @napaatcrosswindsph • batangas bulalo and several other stopovers and #greateats along the way 🤗 more core memories unlocked and ready to be brought back home to the great white north 🙌🏼 #aboutlastweekend #latergram #holidaze #foodgasm #family #love #blessed https://www.instagram.com/p/CneZIT3PBTXN0HdWMUdATHGDHC_B0AUqAhCXSE0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bellestar66]

“doesn’t it seem to you, that the mind moves more freely in the presence of that boundless expanse (of the sea), that the sight of it elevates the soul and gives rise to thoughts of the infinite and the ideal?” 🌊 - gustave flaubert, madame bovary #greatquotes #lifesabeach #itsmorefuninthephilippines #holidaze #latergram (at Acuaverde Beach Resort And Hotel) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnUXn9uvcX15twibijG28q4UhfTtqQh0iKtbik0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bellestar66]

2022 is a year that broke me in many ways. it was the year that made me question a lot of things in my life. i won’t and can’t lie, it was another year tougher than past years i’ve had in recent memory. but it was also a year that healed me in some ways, as i learned to let go and accept things for what they are. to not sweat the small stuff. to allow myself to breathe and enjoy the moment without planning for all that’s coming up. to do things just for the fun of it. to be comfortable with the fact that I can’t be ahead and win all the time. i am reminded of the duality that prevails in our lives, the essence of our existence. the contrasts and changes are our constants. one always will have to make way for the other, so reality will continue to unfold. and in this cycle of duality, nothing is ever permanent. i wouldn’t say i’m ready for what the next year will bring, but i’m ready to embrace what is yet to be, with all the cautious optimism i can have. i will find the reason for every season, a bookend for every chapter of my life, as i continue turning each page with grace and gratitude. 💕 wishing everyone who has been a part of my life, in one way or another, a meaningful year ahead. may 2023 be kinder to us all 🙌🏼 #happynewyear #hello2023 #reflections #musings https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm1Pcl6PFxAlSsljBwJGFpCpNFaNOC_94Yrd6g0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bellestar66]

happy happy birthday to @robert_baldoza aka the luigi to my mario, my first-ever friend in this life, not to mention our favorite brother and godfather (and not just cos he’s the only one LOL) 🎉🎂💕 being able to celebrate your special day IRL this year is such a blessing, just as you continue to be a blessing to us all. thank you for being the best partner in taking care of our #fambam. you deserve all the blessings one can possibly have, and as you welcome yet another year, may your dreams come true 🙌🏼 love always, ate ❤️ #birthdays #celebrations #love #family #holidaze2022 https://www.instagram.com/p/CmwaFKiPm9hcb6-A6eSz82DGFpuN7SHO8K4dK00/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=