The Filipino film - Only We Know

What is a great love? 💭

I watched the Filipino film Only We Know on Netflix last night. It's such a heartwarming story full of quiet truths about love and relationships. It made me reflect deeply on the kind of love I’ve known from the past, and even the one I have now.

I used to think love was about sharing the same passions, hobbies, or dreams… that being “compatible” meant liking the same things. But now I’ve learned, it’s more about how great life feels when you’re with that person. It’s not about being the same, but about creating a rhythm together from two different souls who somehow fit in harmony.

There’s a line in the film that asked: “What is a great love?”

That question stayed with me and reflected on it.

When I was younger, love was that kilig to the bones feeling (the butterflies) , the thrill, the excitement that makes your heart race. I thought great love was the one that never ends, the one you end up with.

But growing older taught me something deeper. That sometimes, great loves are the ones that remind you life is still beautiful, still worth living… even after heartbreak. ❤️‍🩹

This film also taught me about loneliness and grieving. How even the most beautiful love stories can end, and how losing someone doesn't mean the love disappears. Sometimes, grief is just love with nowhere to go. We grieve not just the person, but the version of ourselves that existed when we were with them. And yet, from that loneliness, we grow, we learn how to carry love differently, more quietly, more meaningfully

And maybe, loving someone isn’t just about being together, it’s about helping each other grow, even when you’re apart. Because real love doesn’t cage you; it lets you bloom. It’s about wanting the best for each other, even if your paths no longer meet.

The film also touched on companionship. That as we age, we long not just for the one who sweeps us off our feet, but for the one we can sit beside in silence and still feel peace. Someone you can talk to endlessly about nothing and everything, and never grow tired.

No one else can define the relationship you’re in. Not labels, not people, not time! Only the two hearts who choose to understand each other. And sometimes, the sweetest kind of love is friendship. 🌿

Only We Know reminded me that while we’re young, we shouldn’t stop loving just because we’ve been hurt. We shouldn’t stop searching for love because youth gives us the chance to experience many great loves. Each one shapes us, heals us, and teaches us how to love better next time.

Maybe that’s what a great love truly is....not the one that lasts forever, but the one that makes you see life’s beauty again. ✨

So, keep on loving and searching for that great love.

Who knows, it might just be in your neighborhood. 💕

I can highly recommend you watch this film. It is not the typical Filipino cringe love film, but heartwarming and full of wisdom about life and love in general.

Enjoy!
xoAi

A Tearjerker Film: Lessons Learned from Hello, Love, Again

"Hello, Love, Again" is an emotional and deeply moving sequel to Hello, Love, Goodbye. It’s the kind of film that tugs at the heartstrings, leaving audiences in tears as it explores love, sacrifice, and personal growth. Beyond being a love story, it’s a reflection of real-life struggles, especially for those who have had to leave home in search of a better future. If you've watched Hello, Love, Again, here are some key lessons one could take away from it:

1. Love Evolves Over Time

Love isn't always about staying together at all costs. Sometimes, love requires distance, growth, and even letting go before finding its way back. The film likely explores how love changes as people change.

2. Prioritizing Personal Growth Matters

Like the first film, Hello, Love, Again reinforces the importance of self-improvement, career goals, and finding oneself before fully committing to a relationship. Growth sometimes means making difficult choices.

3. Timing is Everything

Even if two people love each other, being together depends on the right timing. The film emphasizes how circumstances shape relationships and how patience plays a role in love.

4. Sacrifices are Part of Love

Love isn’t always easy—it requires sacrifices. Whether it's choosing career stability, family responsibilities, or self-respect, the characters in the film face tough choices that reflect real-life relationships.

5. Distance Doesn't Always Mean the End

Just because two people part ways doesn't mean they stop loving each other. Sometimes, love survives despite distance, and sometimes, it fades. Either way, it teaches people to appreciate what they had.

6. People Change, and So Do Relationships

The person you once loved may not be the same years later. The film touches on how people evolve with time and experiences, which may strengthen or weaken a past connection.

7. Closure vs. Second Chances

Not all love stories get a second chance, but sometimes, reunions happen for closure rather than rekindling romance. The film explores whether old flames should be reignited or left in the past.

8. The Struggles of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) Are Real

For Filipinos living abroad, especially OFWs, Hello, Love, Again is deeply relatable. Living overseas, away from family, is one of the greatest challenges Filipinos face—sacrificing their own happiness just to provide for loved ones back home. It is incredibly difficult to be away from home while also trying to nurture a romantic relationship. The film highlights how love is not always enough when weighed against the responsibilities and obligations that come with being an OFW.

9. Home is Not Always a Place, But a Person

One of the most touching realizations from the film is that home isn’t always a physical house—it can be found in a person. Sometimes, no matter where you are in the world, a single person can make you feel safe, loved, and at peace. But when that person is no longer there, it can feel like losing home all over again.

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Personal Reflections:

Some scenes in the film truly hit hard, especially when Joy said, “We are strangers. You don’t know me.” That line carries so much weight—it reminds us that time, distance, and life experiences change people. Even those who were once deeply connected can become strangers. It’s a painful but real truth that many go through, especially those who have walked away from love in pursuit of something bigger—whether it’s career, family, or personal healing.

Another scene that stood out was when the guy had to sacrifice his love for Joy to return to the Philippines for his sick father. This moment put love and duty on opposite ends, showing how life sometimes forces us to choose between the people we love and the responsibilities we carry. This particularly resonated with me because I lost my dad while living in Poland. Being away from home, knowing that my brothers are struggling, is never easy. This film made me reflect on my own sacrifices, my longing for family, and the weight of being far from home.

However, Hello, Love, Again also made me appreciate my life here even more. It reminded me that while I am still given the opportunity to live and provide love, I must also remember to nurture myself. I need to fill my own cup first before pouring into others. Because love—whether for family, a partner, or myself—can only truly flourish when we take care of our own well-being.

This film was more than just a love story—it was a mirror that reflected the realities of life, love, and the sacrifices we make.

Final Warning: Bring Tissues! (Spoiler Alert!)

I’m warning you now—bring tissues when you watch this film! It will hit you right in the heart, especially if you have ever loved, lost, or sacrificed something dear to you. Consider yourself warned! 😭💔

 

Life in Pictures & recipes

1. Walking uphill to see the whole view of our small village.

2. Getting colder when the sun is about to set. So, i have to cover my whole head and a bit of my face. It was a wonderful walk anyway uphill.

3. I love this boy to death. This is one clear picture of him. It is hard to take picture of my little boy either he don't like it or just want to make fun when seeing that camera is eyeing on him.

4. They like to make silly poses.

5. I chopped his bangs. Obviously, I didn't cut it straight.

6. My first attempt to bake 'PAN DE COCO' one of my favorite pastry/bread in the Philippines with coconut flake filling. (recipe is at the bottom)

6. Chocolate Moist Cake i baked last weekend. (recipe at the bottom)

7. stir-fry vegetable with sauteed shrimp paste.

8. Trying to warm my feet for cold season is now here.

RECIPES:

PAN DE COCO ( COCO BREAD)

You need for the dough:
yeast (1 pack instant, i used 7g )
3 cups flour
3 tbsps. cooking oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup warm water

How to:
empty the packet of yeast in a cup of warm water, put 1 tsp. sugar. Set aside for 15mins. IN a separate bowl, prepare 3 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar and 3 tbsps. cooking oil. Then mix the prepared yeast and knead the flour for 30-45 mins.

for the coconut flake filling:
1 pack sweetene coconut flakes (7 oz.)
5 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. water

* put sugar and water in a pot until caramelized. Add sweetened coconut flakes. Mix until sugar is evenly distributed. (if you want it sweeter just add sugar.)

After leaving the dough for 1 hour, you can divide it into 10 pcs. Put the filling and leave prepared dough for 30 mins. covered with cloth. Bake it in 350*F /180*C for 15 mins. 

Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE MOIST CAKE

You need:

2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 cup dilluted milk

1 cup boiling water

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon iodized salt

2 pcs. eggs

 How to:

Mix all dry ingredients and make a well and add the rest of the ingredients. Beat b electric mixer fro 3-4 minutes. Pour in a lined round pan 9x1'' or 9x1.5''

Bake at 350*F for 25-30mins or until done. Toothpick comes out clean when tested.

For frosting/filling

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 cup evaporated milk

1 1/3 cup cornstarch

1 cup white sugar

2 tbsps. butter

2 tsp. vanilla 

* mix all and strain. Cook in a double boiler or in slow fire and stirring constantly.

But in the picture i only use TOFFEE frosting / filling.

8 egg yolks

1 can condensed milk

1 tsp. vanilla

2 tsp. coffee powder

 how to:

-add eggs, milk, coffee powder and vanilla. beat on medium speed of electric mixer for 2 mins. 

-cook the filling until thick and spreading consistency is right.

-spread in filling in between cakes.

Enjoy!

* The chocolate moist cake was adapted from the blog of angelspice77-rai.blogspot.com

Grill party!

We just had our Pinoy grill party here in Poland. I am one of the organizers of this years grilling. Setting up the logistics and that makes me busy the past days coordinating with everyone. Overall, it was really a blast again.

The pictures will explain everything.

Meet the lovely Filipinas here in Poland:-D

and the model mommies. Do we look like models of sunglasses?

More grilled foods on the table.

sweets!!!

My children, Izabela and Jan are really enjoying the heat of the sun and playing with other kids.


Looking forward for this year's grill party again.

:-D

Popular Filipina in Poland

Looks like Filipinos are making a name here in Poland. One of the very successful Filipina here is Cristina Bien. She is the winner of last year's 'Szansa na Sukces', a popular program here in Poland which caters to people who has that guts and talent in singing.

Cristina Bien is not a newbie in the singing world. Before she reached Poland, she is already making a name in the Philippines and in Thailand. When she hits 'Szansa na Sukces' that marks another name for her here. She started singing in Warsaw, Poland particularly in Novotel and from then on she made appearances to some polish TV programs.

Appearance of Cristina that made her to compete for the finals.




and her winning piece during the finals of Szansa na Sukces.




She was one of the stars who dances on the ice too. The show in polish is 'Gwiazdy tańcą na lodzie'. But she never make it to the finals coz of broken rib problem during rehearsals. First time to dance on ice actually.


Who'll be the next?