Maxene Magalona has returned to the Philippines after over a year in Bali, Indonesia. Image: Instagram/@maxenemagalona
After living for over a year in Bali, Indonesia, due to being stranded because of the pandemic, Maxene Magalona is finally back in Metro Manila.
Magalona, who is currently in quarantine following COVID-19 protocols, noted that there are still moments when she “can’t believe that [she is] finally back] in the Philippines after living in a foreign country for quite some time.
“I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed The Philippines until the day I flew back and felt the beautiful and comforting energy of being home,” Magalona said on Instagram yesterday, March 11.
“I’m so excited to see my friends and loved ones, reunite with my dog Coffee and eat all my favorite vegan Filipino food!” the actress stressed.
“Two weeks of quarantine may seem like a long time but I’m actually grateful that I will have time to spend by myself before I go back out into the world!” she added.
Magalona, who is also a yoga instructor, shared that she will be using her quarantine time “for self-reflection, detoxification and integration.”
She also shared how timely her decision is, as Bali’s New Year celebration called Nyepi–-which is also known as the “Day of Silence”–-will be celebrated this coming Sunday, March 14.
“This is a very important day of meditation, reflection and fasting with the purpose of returning to one’s self. There will be no lighting fires (lights must be kept low), no working, no entertainment or pleasure, no traveling, and for some, no talking or eating at all,” Magalona explained.
“The purpose of all of this is to instill purity and harmony and to contemplate upon one’s intentions for the upcoming new year,” she added.
Starting on the said special day, Magalona will be meditating more, reflect on everything she has experienced last year, as well as detoxify and cleanse her body through juice.
“This will be my offering to God as a sign of my infinite gratitude and devotion,” she noted.
“Celebrating my return home by returning to my true self. I’m finally home, Manila. I am my own home,” Magalona emphasized.
She also shared that she will be doing the said practice along with her Filipina friend Anna Fries, who is based in Bali, and will share their experiences via Instagram Live as they “go along on a special journey of coming back to our true selves.”
Back in September, Magalona shared how she and her husband, musician Rob Mananquil, were “content and happy” with teaching yoga, which she described as “truly a beautiful gift from God.” /ra
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