Patty Laurel's Love Letters ♥

Patty Laurel
Patty's photo courtesy of Mango Red

We've seen her growth from a UAAP courtside reporter to a media practitioner, preschool teacher, college professor, and lifestyle blogger. Thanks to her personal blog, Patty Laurel generously shares her life experiences (from random food trips to major travels!) with us online  for years now. She has undoubtedly found her niche in the digital world. Through her blogging, we get to witness not only  the evolution of her online space but also the wonderful transitions in her life - one of which is her recent engagement to boyfriend Patrick Filart.

Just like many of us, we know Patty also had to go through tough and painful times when it comes to matters of the heart. It's just amazing how everything turned out so well in the end. Her journey to finding love should serve as an inspiration to every Single Belle. 

With her permission, we'd like to share with you parts of Patty's heartwarming posts this year. One is her "Love Letter to the Big Guy" and another is her "Love Letter for Singles." 

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The Single's Guide: Dreaded Questions Part 2

The Love Life Edition

For most singles in their late 20s or early 30s, it's so common to hear these questions: “Kailan ka ba mag-aasawa? Hindi ka pa ba mag-aasawa? You’re not getting younger ah, when are you getting married? Kailan ka ba magsasama ng boyfriend/girlfriend sa bahay? Wala ka bang ipapakilala sa amin? Kailan ka ba magkaka-boyfriend/girlfriend? Bakit ka walang boyfriend/girlfriend?” Choose whatever suits you as we’re sure there are different versions of the dreaded question. Phrased in numerous ways, the same question really drives at a similar point. It simply puts you on the spot for the lack of someone special in your life. We know you’re also possibly fed up with the awkwardness it brings. If you think you've had enough, join us as we "prep up" with some possible answers. There's no better way to face your tactless Tita and the rest of the nosy gang but with a set of ready-made remarks.

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Bianca Gonzalez: Learnings from a Supergirl

Image: Bianca Gonzalez's Official Facebook fan page (Pinoy Big Brother Unlimited photo)

TV and print personality Bianca Gonzalez solidified her celebrity status when she joined the Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition in 2005. The reality series stint contributed a lot to her being a household name today. Since then, we were able to witness the developments in terms of her relationships, career, and life in general. We find it inspiring to have seen her build confidence in the hosting field and grow as an individual through various endeavors. And when it comes to love, we recognize her wisdom and maturity. We can  recall there was a phase in her life she was always interviewed about her thoughts on love and moving on. Now that she's in a happy relationship, we're convinced she's a perfect life peg for all the single girls out there.

Read on as we bring you the top 5 life learnings we got from Bianca and her personal thoughts on singlehood and relationships.:)

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Why Are You Still Single?

Image: All the Good Ones AREN'T Taken book cover, goodreads.com

Being single shouldn't be a burden. Spreading this belief remains to be one of the driving forces in maintaining this blog. However, we are very much aware that society equates happiness and success not only to a stable career but also to a  steady relationship with a special someone.

We have probably lost count of how many times we've been asked about our relationship status. Because of the pressure, what gives more discomfort than revealing we're unattached is answering the follow-up question, "Why?" Many of us often just give off an embarrassed smile and blindly accept accusations of being picky and idealistic (watch out for an upcoming article to tackle this issue!).  But seriously, aside from constant ranting sessions with friends about how hard it is to find "The One," have we really thought the situation through? Have we sat down and reflected on what the possible reasons could be that we're still single (that is if you're seeking to be in a relationship)? 

Image: archive.blisstree.com

A random find at a local bookstore helped shed some light on this. The title All the Good Ones AREN'T Taken (Change the Way You Date and Find Lasting Love) was quick to catch our attention (not to mention the book had a chocolate truffle on its cover!) and give some semblance of hope. What kept us reading through it was the author's interesting classifications of unhappy singles. 

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The Single's Guide: Dreaded Questions Part 1

Image: journeyoffitness.blogspot.com

Hello Single Belles! I’m sure all of us have encountered at one point or another people who ask about the touchy subjects -- weight, age, and love life. Tired of dealing with such awkward situations? We’ve come up with suggestions on how to answer annoying questions and hopefully put an end to the tactlessness. For now, allow us to deal with one of the major concerns – the weight issue. (Love life questions deserve their own spotlight.)

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Hazel Chua: What She Gained from Losing!

Images: Hazel Chua's Facebook fan page & Good Housekeeping Jan-Feb 2012 (Summit Media)

The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition was certainly a primetime hit in 2011. In the span of a few months, a bunch of weight loss challengers instantly became household names. Apart from their astounding physical changes, what really struck us in the program were their amazing  transformations in life. One particular journey had a huge impact on us throughout the season - that of Hazel Chua's. Her story mirrored the struggles of ordinary single girls, overweight or not.

Read on to discover her journey and get a few fitness and life tips.

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Being Alone May Boost Your Social Life

Being Alone ≠ Loneliness

Images: Flickr Creative Commons - bench (DieselDemon) and cup (pj_vanf); socialprecision.com

Being alone is not synonymous to loneliness. As a matter of fact, it can actually contribute to being a happy and well-functioning individual. Studies show that spending some time away from family and friends leads to a better appreciation of time spent with them. 

Read on to find out the reason behind and what you can do about it.