2025 - Recap - WHAT A YEAR IT WAS
Okay, let me start this off by saying I NEVER saw this year coming – like, not even a little bit. It all kicked off on January 1st in the hospital, of all places, because I ate way too much buko salad at our New Year’s Eve family gathering. I know, I know – who ends up in the ER from coconut dessert?! Apparently me. The nurses were all laughing gently while hooking me up to an IV, saying they’d never had a case quite like mine. I promised myself right then and there that I’d still enjoy good food this year, but maybe… y’know… pace myself a little? Spoiler alert – I tried, but we’ll get to the samgyupsal part later.
FROM MEDICAL WOES TO FRIENDLY HUGS
Once I was out of the hospital and feeling human again, the best part of the first few months was reconnecting with people I’d missed so much. Friends from the provinces who I hadn’t seen in years started coming into the city one by one – some for work, some just to visit – and we made it our mission to squeeze in as much quality time as possible. We became official “spa buddies” – hitting up different wellness spots every other weekend, getting massages that made us forget all our adult problems, and gossiping like we were back in high school. My best friend even drove all the way from Cebu just to visit, and we spent an entire day exploring the city together – it was exactly what I needed to lift my spirits.
And speaking of people I love – family time was NEXT LEVEL this year. We did regular dine-outs at all our favorite spots, from that tiny karinderia in Quiapo that makes the best kare-kare you’ll ever taste to the fancy Filipino-Japanese fusion place in BGC. We also held a Clan Reunion in April to celebrate our family’s roots and honor the memory of my Lola, who we lost two years ago. It wasn’t a sad affair at all – we spent the whole day sharing stories about her incredible cooking skills, how she built our family home with her own two hands, and how she always encouraged us to chase our dreams no matter what. We released floating lanterns by the lake at sunset, and I swear I felt her presence right there with us.
PASSPORTS GETTING A WORKOUT – LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRIPS
If there’s one thing I did right this year, it was traveling my heart out. First up were two local destinations I’d been dreaming about visiting forever: Siquijor and Dumaguete. Siquijor was EVERYTHING people say it is – magical, laidback, and full of surprises. We hopped from one beach to another, explored hidden waterfalls in the jungle, and even had a traditional healing session with a local manghihilot who said I needed to “lighten up my energy” – which, fair enough after starting the year in the hospital.
Then Dumaguete – the City of Gentle People really lives up to its name. We spent our days strolling along Rizal Boulevard, watching the sunset paint the sky in shades of orange and pink, and discovering cozy little cafes where we’d sit for hours just talking and people-watching.
But the international trips? Chef’s kiss. First stop was Tokyo, Japan in June – and wow, I was not prepared for how much I’d fall in love with this city. From eating the best sushi of my life at a tiny restaurant in Tsukiji Outer Market (where the chef didn’t speak much English but smiled so warmly he didn’t need to) to getting completely lost in Harajuku and discovering the cutest vintage clothing shops, every single day was an adventure. I even managed to catch a cherry blossom festival in some parts of the city – yes, I know June is late for cherry blossoms, but they had these amazing artificial ones that lit up at night and it was just as magical.
Then came Da Nang, Vietnam in September – and if I thought Tokyo was great, Da Nang took my breath away. The beaches are stunning, the food is INSANELY good (that banh mi from the stall near My Khe Beach is still stuck in my head), and the people are so warm and welcoming. We visited the Golden Bridge, which looks like it’s being held up by giant stone hands – seeing it in person is way more impressive than all the photos online. Plus, we found this little coffee shop run by a couple who spoke perfect English, and they taught us how to make traditional Vietnamese drip coffee. I came back home with three different types of coffee beans and a new morning ritual.
CHECKUPS, SHOTS, AND NEW FRIENDS
This year was also all about taking care of myself – both physically and socially. I finally got all my vaccinations up to date (including the ones I needed for travel) and made it to every single quarterly check-up with my doctor. She said my health has never been better, and joked that the buko salad incident was probably the best thing that could’ve happened to me because it forced me to start paying attention to my body.
And speaking of paying attention to what matters – I met so many amazing new people this year! I joined a recreational badminton league (even though I’m terrible at it) and made friends with a group of people who love the sport just as much as they love trying new restaurants after games. I also got involved in a community that supports young people chasing their passions, and that’s where I met Mia – an incredible LGBT artist who’s been working tirelessly to showcase her work and build a platform for other queer creatives. Hearing her story about overcoming obstacles and staying true to herself while reaching for her dreams inspired me more than words can say.
FROM STAGE LIGHTS TO WORK NIGHTS
Okay, let’s talk about the exciting stuff – the entertainment! This year marked the first time I ever went to a concert, and I didn’t do it small – I saw THREE incredible artists. First was Regine Velasquez in February – I’ve been listening to her songs since I was a kid, and when she started singing “Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka,” I was a mess of goosebumps and happy tears. Then in May, I saw Klarisse de Guzman – her voice is even more powerful live, and she was so funny and down-to-earth between songs. But the BIG ONE was Mariah Carey in October – I mean, come ON. She walked out on stage looking like a queen, hit every single high note, and even stopped the show to sign a fan’s album cover. I screamed so loud my throat hurt for two days, and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.
And if concerts weren’t enough, I went to see a theater production called “Delia D” in November – the last time I’d been to a play was 20 years ago when I was in college, and I’d forgotten how magical live theater can be. The story was about a woman fighting for justice in a small town, and the acting was so powerful I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. After the show, I even got to meet some of the cast members, and they told me about how they’d been working on this production for years. It made me want to start going to the theater more often – life’s too short to miss out on stuff like that.
On the work front, things were pretty amazing too – I got recognized for excellence in my department, which came with a bonus and a fancy plaque that’s now hanging on my wall (right next to my concert tickets, because balance is key). It felt so good to know that all the late nights and hard work were being noticed, and it motivated me to keep pushing myself to do better.
FOOD, FREEDOM, AND FEELING GOOD
Let’s circle back to food because, let’s be real, it’s a huge part of my life. This year I developed a full-blown obsession with samgyupsal – I must’ve gone to at least 15 different Korean BBQ places, trying to find the perfect combination of meat, marinade, and side dishes. My current favorite is this little spot in Makati where they let you cook your own meat on the table and bring out unlimited kimchi. I even learned how to make it at home – it’s not as good as the restaurant version, but hey, I’m trying. And of course, all my travels meant getting to try so much new cuisine – from Vietnamese pho to Japanese ramen to local dishes in Siquijor that I can’t even pronounce but will never forget the taste of.
Another huge milestone this year – I celebrated my FIRST anniversary of living independently! I moved into my own place last year, and honestly, there were times I thought I’d fail miserably (remember the buko salad incident?). But this year, I really found my groove – I spent an entire weekend shopping at IKEA and putting together furniture (with way more swearing than I care to admit), and now my apartment is filled with pieces that make me happy and feel truly like home.
Which brings me to the most important thing I started this year: my wellness journey. I decided to focus on all five areas – mind, body, heart, soul, and faith. For my mind, I started meditating every morning (even if it’s just for five minutes) and reading more books instead of scrolling through my phone. For my body, I started a regular exercise routine – mixing cardio, strength training, and yoga twice a week – and trying to be more mindful about what I eat (when I’m not gorging on samgyupsal, that is). For my heart, I made a point to tell the people I love how much they mean to me – no more waiting for special occasions to say “I love you” or “thank you.” For my soul, I started spending more time in nature, whether it’s taking walks in the park or planning trips to places with beautiful scenery. And for my faith, I reconnected with my church community, joined a Bible study group, and found peace in taking time each day to reflect and pray. It sounds cheesy, but it’s made such a difference in how I feel every single day.
WRAPPING IT ALL UP
So yeah – this year went from a pretty rough start to being one of the best years of my life. I went from lying in a hospital bed eating nothing but clear broth to traveling the world, making new friends, seeing my favorite artists perform live, and finally figuring out how to take care of myself the way I should’ve been all along.
If someone had told me on January 1st that by December I’d be where I am now, I would’ve laughed in their face. But life has a funny way of surprising you – sometimes with buko salad-induced hospital stays, sometimes with trips to magical places, and always with people who make the journey worth taking. I can’t wait to see what next year brings – though I’m definitely going to be more careful with my New Year’s Eve desserts!
