You know those random afternoons that turn out way better than expected? That was exactly what happened to us recently.
It was a regular workday, nothing special. But after office hours, my friends and I just felt like stepping out for a bit. We didn’t really have a plan—we just wanted to breathe, maybe grab something to eat, and hang out somewhere different. Luckily, the newly constructed Volunteer Park is right beside our office.
We figured, “Why not take a walk and check it out?”
As soon as we entered the park, we felt it—the calmness. It wasn’t crowded, the weather was just right, and there was this quiet, peaceful vibe that instantly made us feel relaxed. After being stuck indoors all day, it was honestly such a relief.
A few steps in, we spotted a BBQ station that had all sorts of street food on sticks. The smell alone was enough to pull us in.
The choices? Classic Pinoy favorites—isaw ng manok (chicken intestines), dugo (pork blood), paa (chicken feet), hotdogs, tenga ng baboy (pig ears), and isaw ng baboy (pork intestines). We were drooling already.
Of course, we couldn’t resist.
We picked our skewers, grabbed some drinks, and looked for a spot to sit. Luckily, there were benches available, and we got one with a really nice view—the wide, quiet river right in front of us, and Ayala Mall in Subic standing tall in the distance. It was such a pretty sight, especially with the soft afternoon light hitting everything just right.
We sat down, started eating, and slowly, the conversations began to flow. At first, it was the usual small talk. But as the minutes passed, we got more comfortable. We shared funny stories, joked around, and even ended up revealing things we hadn’t told each other before. Some stuff really surprised us—you know those random revelations that make everyone go, “What?!” followed by a burst of laughter? Yeah, we had a few of those.
There was something about that place and that moment that made it easy to just open up. Maybe it was the food, maybe it was the calm surroundings, or maybe it was just the joy of being around people you can fully be yourself with. Whatever it was, it felt good.
We weren’t in a rush. No pressure, no plans—just sitting there, eating BBQ, sipping drinks, and enjoying each other’s company. It’s kind of funny how simple things like this can end up being the most memorable.
For a moment, it was like we stepped away from all the noise and stress of everyday life.
I think what made it even better was how spontaneous it all was. We didn’t plan this. It wasn’t some fancy get-together. It was just one of those “tara, lakad tayo” moments that turned into something special. And honestly, that’s the kind of memory that sticks with you.
If you ever find yourself near our area, seriously—visit Volunteer Park. Grab some BBQ, sit by the river, and just chill. It’s the kind of place that reminds you how good the simple things can be.
Sometimes, we don’t need a big trip or a fancy dinner to feel happy. Sometimes all it takes is a park, some grilled BBQ, and our favorite people sitting right beside us.
