Back in Boracay After 3 Long Years

After three long years, I finally had the chance to return to Boracay.

Since it had been quite a while, I wanted to make this visit extra special. I promised myself that this time, I would treat myself to an ocean-view beachfront stay, but still find something practical and affordable.

Like most travelers, I started comparing rates across different booking platforms. Hotel prices for beachfront properties in Station 1 were understandably steep, so I decided to check Airbnb for hidden gems. That’s when I found a beachfront ocean-view room at Kasbar Tourist Inn for only a fraction of what I would normally pay at a beachfront resort.

I booked three nights for less than ₱14,000. Honestly one of the best travel deals I’ve found in a long time.

Even before arriving, the host was already very accommodating and helpful, making sure my transfers would be smooth and convenient. For airport transfers, I booked through Southwestern Tours, and the experience was seamless from start to finish. They even had someone assist me through a small alley from the main road leading to the property, which was only about a five-minute walk.

Upon arrival, I was welcomed with a refreshing welcome drink. I immediately ordered myself an Aperol Spritz and brought it up to my room, the perfect way to officially begin my Boracay escape.

And the room? It looked exactly as advertised.

Bright, spacious, and thoughtfully designed, with the bed perfectly positioned facing the large windows overlooking the beach. What I didn’t fully realize from the photos was just how close the property actually was to the shoreline. I was literally just a flight of stairs away from the world-famous white sand beach of Station 1.

Mornings quickly became my favorite part of the stay. I loved sitting by the balcony, quietly watching people stroll along the beach while enjoying the peaceful ocean view. It was the kind of slow, relaxing moment you don’t realize you badly need until you experience it again.

Another thing I truly appreciated was the flexibility of the complimentary meals. Instead of fixed breakfast schedules, guests could choose to enjoy their meals as brunch, lunch, or dinner — perfect for travelers who simply want to relax and move at their own pace.

The meals were served at Kasbar Restaurant, which turned out to be another highlight of the trip. Their Moroccan dishes were absolutely excellent and easily among the best meals I had on the island.

This trip reminded me why Boracay continues to be one of the most beautiful destinations in the Philippines — not just because of the beach, but because of the simple luxury of slowing down.

Thank you, Kasbar Tourist Inn, for hosting me and making my Boracay return extra memorable.

Visit the link to book.

A Little Reset After Everything

After the scamming incident, I’ve been trying to find ways to cope and make myself feel a bit better.

I don’t know if it’s the best decision, but the very next day, I booked us an overnight stay at Acuaverde Resort in Batangas for May 1st. The trip hasn’t happened yet, but just having something to look forward to already feels like a small step forward—a reminder that not everything is stuck in that one bad experience.

Over the weekend, we leaned into a bit of self-care. We had a massage, and by Sunday, I went all in and booked a full set of beauty treatments—diamond peel facial, pico laser, mesolipo, RF body, Absculpt, and Buttsculpt. It felt a little excessive, maybe even impulsive, but in that moment, it was my way of taking control again.

Now, I’ll be honest—I’m currently broke.

But somehow, even with that, I do feel a little better.

Maybe healing doesn’t always come in the most logical or practical ways. Sometimes it starts with small decisions—like booking a trip, taking care of yourself, or simply giving yourself something to look forward to.

I Got Scammed Yesterday (So You Don’t Have To)

 So I got scammed yesterday.

With three consecutive trips lined up this May starting on the 3rd, I was craving a quick escape for the Labor Day weekend. Naturally, I thought—nearest beach, minimal effort—Batangas.

I started browsing for overnight packages and came across Cala Laiya. Everything looked legit. The Facebook page was Meta-verified, the photos were beautiful, and responses on Messenger were quick and reassuring.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583741464895

Then came the “lucky” part.

A room was suddenly available for my exact dates. I was told I needed to make an immediate payment to secure it. Given that May 1 is a long weekend, it didn’t feel suspicious at the time. It felt urgent. So I transferred the amount.

Luckily, I only booked the cheapest room for one night.

Right after the payment, I was asked to send a security deposit.

That’s when it hit me.

You know that feeling when your gut starts catching up with your actions? Yeah, that.

I decided to double-check. I went to the official website, called the listed number—no answer. Tried again. And again.

On my third attempt, someone finally picked up.

And just like that, everything unraveled.

The Facebook page I transacted with? Fake.
The rates? Different.
Availability? Fully booked until May 6.

I had been scammed.

Building Consistency, One Morning at a Time

This week has been all about consistency.

Nothing dramatic, nothing extreme just showing up every day and sticking to a routine that works. I’ve been waking up before 7 a.m., which, for me, already feels like a small win. To make things easier, I’ve started sleeping in my gym clothes. It sounds simple, maybe even a bit funny, but it removes that extra step in the morning. When I wake up, all I need to do is put on my sneakers and head straight to the gym. No excuses, no delays.

I’ve also been trying to prepare my work clothes the night before. It’s a small habit, but it makes a big difference in how smoothly the day starts. Of course, I’m not perfect at it yet—there have been a few mornings where I realize I forgot something as basic as underwear or dress socks. Not ideal, but part of the process.

Right now, my weight is hovering around 77–78 kg. I’m still a long way from my goal of 69 kg, but I’m not starting from zero. After the Christmas and New Year holidays, I had gained quite a bit—but I’ve already managed to lose 7 kg. That alone is something I try to remind myself of.

Progress doesn’t always feel fast enough, especially when you have a clear goal in mind. But looking back, the difference is there. And more importantly, the habits are starting to stick.

This phase isn’t about perfection. It’s about building a routine that I can sustain—even on days when motivation is low. Because at the end of the day, consistency beats intensity.

And for now, that’s enough.

Chasing Seasons, Cities, and Moments: A Year in Motion

I recently looked back at my last post and realized it was a recap of 2024 as I welcomed 2025. Now, somehow, we’re already well into 2026. Time has a way of moving quickly when you’re constantly on the move—but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

This past year has been a whirlwind of destinations, events, and experiences that blurred together into one long, continuous journey.

It began in Zamboanga City, where we welcomed the new year. Not long after, I boarded my first international flight of the year for an ocular in Sapporo, Japan. There’s always something exciting about seeing a destination for the first time with work in mind—imagining possibilities, mapping out experiences, and setting the stage for what’s to come.

By February, I was back in Sapporo—this time not just to plan, but to execute. There’s a different kind of energy when everything comes together, when months of preparation finally turn into a lived experience for others.

March didn’t slow down. A quick trip to Bohol offered a brief pause, but the pace picked up again just as quickly with visits to Portugal and a return to Taiwan—all within the same month. It was the kind of schedule that leaves you checking what country you’re waking up in, but also reminds you how lucky you are to be doing what you do.

April brought me back to Türkiye, but this trip stood out for a different reason. For the first time, my partner Carlo joined me. It meant a lot to finally share that side of my world—the behind-the-scenes of tour groups, the organized chaos, the little wins that make everything worth it. And Türkiye, with all its beauty and character, couldn’t have been a better backdrop.

May was, without a doubt, one of the busiest months. Hanoi for an ocular, Italy shortly after, styling an event in Bangkok, celebrating Ma’am Siony’s birthday back in Manila, and then returning to Hanoi again for the actual event. It was fast, demanding, and at times exhausting—but also incredibly fulfilling.

In June, I found myself back in Melbourne, a city that always feels both familiar and new at the same time. Then came July, with a trip to Da Nang, followed by a return in early August for another event. That same month, things shifted closer to home with a company team building in Laguna, a visit to Davao where I finally experienced Pearl Farm, and another travel group in Hong Kong.

By late September, I was back in Melbourne for the actual event, which carried on until the first week of October. From there, I flew to Greece, where the pace slowed just enough to take in the beauty of a place that feels almost timeless.

November took me somewhere completely different—Bhutan. Reaching the Tiger’s Nest was more than just a physical climb; it was one of those rare moments that make you pause, breathe, and fully take in where you are.

December brought me back to Italy, this time exploring Milan and Florence. Shortly after, our company sponsored trip took place in Seoul. The year wrapped up quietly, spending Christmas and New Year in Toronto—a welcome contrast to the constant motion of the months before.

The new year began with a quick trip to Florida and New York, before returning to Toronto and eventually flying back to Manila.

February picked up the pace again—Seoul, an ocular in Hanoi, and events in both Osaka and Melbourne, all within the same month. March had me back in Sapporo for ten days, revisiting a place that had already marked both the beginning and middle of this journey.

And just this April, I spent the long weekend in Seoul, followed by another group in Hanoi, before heading back to Osaka once again.

Looking back, it’s easy to see this past year as a list of destinations—but it’s really a collection of moments, people, and experiences that shaped each stop along the way. The early mornings, the late nights, the unexpected challenges, and the quiet wins in between.

It’s been a year of constant movement—but also of growth, gratitude, and perspective.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: no matter how many places you go, there’s always something new waiting to be discovered—not just in the world, but in yourself.

Here’s to slowing down just enough to share more of these moments—and continuing the journey, wherever it leads next.

Hello 2025

It’s been a year since I last updated my blog, and so much has happened over the course of 2024.

I started the year in Toronto, Canada, and was also able to visit Montreal during that trip. On my way back to the Philippines, I spent a few nights in Tokyo, which made the journey even more memorable.

In April, we moved into a two-bedroom condominium and rented out our old unit—a big step forward for us.

May turned out to be a busy travel month. I was able to return to El Nido and Puerto Princesa, visit Barcelona, and also make a trip back to Zamboanga—all within the same month!

By July, I found myself in Seoul, South Korea, exploring its vibrant city life. Then in August, I had the privilege of hosting the Teddy Manuel Masterclass, which was truly an honor.

Towards the end of the year, I traveled to Turkiye in November and returned to Japan the following month. I wrapped up the year spending Christmas and New Year back in Zamboanga with family.

Looking back, 2024 has been filled with blessings, travels, and meaningful opportunities. I have so much to be thankful for—and I’m looking forward to even greater things in 2025.

My 2023 Fitness Journey

I can’t believe it’s been two years since my last blog post. A month after my last recipe entry, I joined a non-profit that advocates for HIV and AIDS treatment and prevention. I stayed with them for 18 months before eventually moving to our partner clinic. I was so busy during that period that I never had the chance to blog about my new career path.

One thing that remained consistent, however, was my pursuit of the elusive six-pack abs. My fitness journey has been anything but consistent over the years, but this year has been different—I’ve seen the most progress so far. Right now, I’m working on lowering my body fat percentage to around 12% so my abs can finally show.

I’ve been following a calorie deficit diet, and it’s been effective. For cardio, I stick to incline walking on the treadmill, and for strength training, I rotate muscle groups throughout the week. My current goal for the next 10 days is to double my gym time—either with longer sessions or splitting them between morning and evening. The only challenge I’ve noticed is sleep: evening workouts tend to keep me awake longer. Hopefully, by shifting cardio to the morning and strength training to the evening, I can improve both my routine and my sleep.

My eating habits have also changed. Yesterday was actually the first time I overindulged on a buffet during a cheat day and ended up throwing up—a reminder that balance is still key.

Here’s a look at my workout and meals yesterday:

Morning Workout

• Dumbbell Row: 22.5 lbs (3 sets of 10)

• Lat Pulldown: 55 lbs (3 sets of 8)

• Seated Row: 55 lbs (3 sets of 8)

• Incline Treadmill: 14 incline, speed 5 (20 minutes)

Breakfast

• Coffee with Splenda

Lunch

• Chicken breast

Afternoon Workout

• Seated Row: 30 lbs (3 sets of 10)

• Lat Pulldown: 55 lbs (3 sets of 8)

• RDL: 20 lbs (3 sets of 10)

After the gym, I went to S&R supermarket for meal prep essentials: 3 kg of boneless chicken breast, 3 kg of frozen California mix vegetables, and an entire tray of eggs (I now eat 4 eggs per meal).

I got home just before 9 PM, steamed a portion of the vegetables, and ate 3 slices of the remaining chicken breast. I also prepped my meals for the next day.