More Than a Hive Meetup!

A white Hive shirt, a long road to Bukidnon, a simple reunion, yet it left a core memory forever.

Life has been very busy every day since I started joining the Graduate Studies Professors.

As a teacher in a public school
and currently serving as the Officer-In-Charge, I have spent my days filled with meetings, reports, school activities, and countless responsibilities. Sometimes, my schedule becomes so full that I forget to reply to messages or even remember plans that I made a few days ago. Then on weekends, with my Master’s students.

But sometimes, life has a beautiful way of reminding us that some moments are worth making time for.

This story started with a very simple message.

Last Thursday, I received a text from Jude.

“Ate Pink, Jude ni from Hive. Avail ka this 21? Manlaag sila Adam og Ayane diri Bukidnon. Mag adto pud me Dahilayan after nako sila ma sundo sa airport, uban ka?

Ako pud ihatag saimo ang imong tshirt. 🥲 Wa gyud nako na deliver te uy. Nakalimot ko sa ka busy. Sorry gyud.”

I smiled while reading her message and I immediately replied,

“Hello, Jude. :) July 21? Hehehe. What time man? Kay para ma arrange nako ako school. Ako man jud School-In-Charge now.”

She answered,

“Landing nila sa Laguindingan kay 5:45 AM. Basig masundo nako sila around 6 AM. Travel going to Manolo basig abot me around 7 AM. Amo nalang ka pick-up-on sa Manolo ate? Or uban ka sa airport? Or pabalik nalang kay adto Dahilayan.”

Then I replied,

“Pag balik nalang Jude, kanang going to Dahilayan na. Hehehe. Paagi lang ko sa Alae.”

That was all. Just a few short messages. Nothing extraordinary.

But little did I know that those simple conversations would become one of the happiest moments of my week.

⸻

Days passed. School became even busier. Every day brought another task to finish, another meeting to attend, more memoranda to make, another document to sign, another concern to solve.

Because of my hectic schedule, I honestly forgot about our conversation.

I completely forgot. Until this morning, I suddenly received another message from Jude.

“Ate Pink, good morning. Naa nako sa airport nagkuha nila Adam. Basig mga 8:00-9:00 AM me maka anha Manolo dapit.”

When I read it, I was surprised.

“Oh yes!”

“They’re here already!”

For a few seconds, I couldn’t believe that they had finally arrived in Bukidnon. I quickly checked my schedule. Sadly, I still had work to finish. Being Officer-In-Charge means my responsibilities always come first.

So I replied that I would meet them after office hours. Around 4:30 PM.

Thankfully, they were willing to wait. And I am truly grateful for that.

While waiting for the afternoon, I suddenly remembered the last time I saw Jude. It was way back in 2023. It has already been quite a while.

Then HivePH had another meetup in 2024.

I really wanted to attend. I prepared myself mentally. I looked forward to seeing everyone. But life had other plans. My father suddenly suffered a stroke.

At that moment, there was no question about what I needed to do. Family always comes first. So I stayed.

Although I missed the HivePH meetup way back in 2024, I never regretted choosing to be with my father during that difficult time.

Still, a small part of me hoped that someday I would finally meet everyone again.

And today became that day.

Finally, after all those months, I received something I had been waiting for.

My Hive shirt.

This was intended for our Hive Meetup last 2024. The moment I held it, I felt genuinely happy.

It may just look like a simple white shirt. But for me, it carries a lot of meaning.

I remember seeing photos of everyone wearing the same shirt during their Manila meetup.

Back then, I was only looking at pictures on my phone.

This time, I finally had one of my own.

Holding it made me feel connected to the HivePH family even more.

It reminded me that although I was absent during the previous gathering, they never forgot me.

That simple act of bringing my shirt all the way to Bukidnon meant a lot.

Sometimes, it’s not about how expensive a gift is.

It’s about the thought behind it. And this shirt carries memories, friendship, and kindness.

⸻

When we finally met, something felt very natural.

There was no awkwardness. No feeling of meeting strangers. No need for formal introductions. It simply felt like seeing friends I had known for a very long time.

That is one thing I love about Hive. Most of us first met through our blogs.

We learned about each other’s lives by reading stories. We celebrated achievements together. We comforted one another during difficult days. We supported each other’s work.

Although many of us had never met personally before, we already knew each other’s hearts through the words we shared.

When we finally met face-to-face, it felt as if we were just continuing a conversation that had started years ago.

The distance disappeared. The screen disappeared. Only friendship remained.

Looking around our table, I realized something beautiful. Without Hive, I would probably never have met these wonderful people.

We came from different places. We have different professions, different experiences, and of course, different stories. Yet one platform connected all of us.

One community became the reason why complete strangers became friends.

And now, those online conversations have turned into real laughter, real smiles, real handshakes, and real memories.

That is something truly special.

⸻

I also appreciate the effort they made just to come here.

Bukidnon is not exactly around the corner. They traveled a long way from the airport through the winding roads until finally reaching our beautiful province. Yet despite the long travel, they still made time to visit.

That alone is truly amazing and heartwarming.

⸻

While talking, laughing, and taking photos together, I realized how grateful I am for this community.

Hive has become more than just a blogging platform. For me, it has become a place where genuine friendships grow.

Every blog tells a story. Every comment starts a conversation. And every interaction slowly builds trust.

Then one day, those usernames become real people standing right in front of me.

It’s amazing when I think about it.

Most importantly, it reminds me that friendships can grow in unexpected places and kindness is for free.

⸻

Who would have thought that those few words would lead to laughter, stories, photos, hugs, and another beautiful memory to keep?

Today, I am thankful for the new memories. I am also thankful for the Hive shirt that I will proudly wear. Most of all, thankful for the friendships that continue to grow despite the distance and the passing of time.

Also, today reminded me that the best part of Hive is not only the blogs I wrote nor the rewards that I receive. Perhaps it is the people behind every post and the people who started as virtual friends. And little by little became real friends.

Hive connected us through words, but this time, it connected us through smiles, laughter, and a journey that brought us together in Bukidnon

Thank you, Jude, Adam, and Ayane. Thank you for bringing a piece of Hive to Bukidnon.

Finally, nagkita na gyud mi! Insert my other friends in here, and to everyone in Hive. Happy to be back once again!

@adamada
@judetheartiste
@ayane-chan
@demotry
@indayclara
@wittyzell
@romeskie
@lhes
@cindee08
@cthings
@juanvegetarian
And all my HivePh Friends

Also, to my late sister @erikasue, I believe you are happy watching as from above. Love you all!