Jericho

28!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whaaat 🤯🤯🤯🤯 How did we get here???? Life was never worse but never better 🤘

I’ve lost track of how many Moleskines I’ve filled, but this one, by far, is my favorite. I picked it up it last year in New York at their shop in Grand Central Terminal, and it’s been my companion throughout 2024, travelling with me to different corners of the world. By now, I’ve slipped into it too many little keepsakes I don’t want to put anywhere else—worn tickets, photos from moments I didn’t want to pass, letters from my dear friends, postcards from places that may always hold a soft spot in my heart, etcetera, etcetera. Soon, I’ll start with a new journal for the coming year, but I wanted to honor this one before it gets lost in my life’s shuffle. Because I’m simply grateful for the people (you know who you are) who I shared these memories with—tucked away in this notebook, so deep, it may be hard to find them again.

Bad was the blood of the song in the cab on your first trip to LA, you ate my favorite spot for dinner. 🌴🍔

I found myself alone in Peru, on a train to the lost city of the Incas. I found myself with a bunch of strangers, catching my breath in the Andes as I hiked to the Mountain of Colors. In the afternoons, I found myself sitting by the window of a small coffee shop in the town of Aguas Calientes. I found myself along Calle Nueva Alta, whose cobblestones witnessed moments of my life that none of my friends will ever get to see. Across the world, thousands of miles from home, I found myself over and over and over.

So here I am in my [rented] apartment in a big city, they just dropped me off. 🎶

Flew to my hometown and I stayed at my parents’ house. It’s a new experience sleeping in my childhood room now that I’m 27, but somehow everything essentially feels the same.

When it comes to fashion, honestly, I think I’m pretty basic. I usually gravitate towards classic styles/colors that are easy to mix and match. Hope this helps! 😄

Proud to be a member of the #bellroycarrycrew, all the way from the Philippines 🇵🇭

#bellroycarrycrew #bellroy

Back to a first glance feeling on New York time, back when you fit my poems like a perfect rhyme.

While I’m still here, I’d like you to know that I’m 26 already. I spent my birthday swimming at the beach, and I was very happy.  

I moved to a new apartment, but I don’t have much to say except for a lyric from Lorde’s Solar Power:  Just another phase you're shooting on through, the whole world changes right around you 🎶.

If you really care enough for some updates from me though, life has been a bit of a plateau lately... but I don’t want to complain. I have nothing else to say other than that, becuase most of my thoughts are already in my little journal. I still love coffee though. 

At this point, I just wanna be grateful for all my friends, family, and the memorable experiences that I’ve had. Luv u all and stay safe! I guess I’m 25 now 🥴.

hello

Just a quick life update, I had a mini furniture refresh all thanks to IKEA Philippines. And I think this is just what I needed to start off the new year. If you told me 5 years ago that I’d be where I am now—writing this in “my” own place that I actually like, eating Pad Thai takeout for dinner—I wouldn’t believe you. 2017 me never would have thought of surviving with his own money, paying rent, calling his own shots, etcetera, etcetera. There’s definitely a long way to go, and the climb will always be unending, and it will always give me new trails to discover... but I’m taking this brief time to pause, and appreciate how far I’ve come. You know what they say: progress is progress, no matter how small. 

This time last year, I was alone in my apartment, and I told myself that I’ll sure be home for the 2021 Holidays. And so I flew home just last week, 2 days before Christmas. Not much has changed in my parents’ house; I still feel comfortable in my childhood room; eating breakfast in our kitchen table still feels right; and old photographs newly placed in brand new picture frames still look familiar. My family got a new dog though, and I finally met her (I think she likes me, her name is Molly). This is my first time to spend Christmas and New Year at home since I moved out after college in 2017. That was 4 years ago. So while I’m still here, I’m taking pictures in my mind so I can save them for when I’m back in Manila by next week.