Forget regret.

​1. Grief is heavy, but faith brings a quiet comfort.

​While the pain is profound, I am finding immense solace in my faith. Participating in the novenas has brought me a deep sense of peace. I find comfort in knowing he is in a better place, and I often picture his passing like a child falling asleep in the backseat of a car, lulled by the gentle murmur of my sisters' voices in the room. Just as a parent gently carries a sleeping child from the car into their bed, I like to think of Dad being tenderly carried into the next life. Someone also shared a thought that truly resonated with me: Dad was simply too good for this earth, and God took him home before he could suffer any further.

​2. Regret is inevitable, but so is the complexity of love.

​No matter what, there will always be a lingering sense of "what if." We are often so quick to judge situations without truly understanding the "why" behind them. My relationship with my father was complex; though we were estranged toward the very end, we were incredibly close for the vast majority of my 38 years. It hurts to think I didn't do more to bridge the gap, but the truth is, we were both stubborn—neither of us took that final step.

​While I was able to make peace with him, I still wish I had done more. If there is any lesson to draw from this, let it be the one I shared in his eulogy: Forgive, reach out, and make amends before it is too late.

​3. Time is an illusion.

​I kept telling myself we had more time. We were told he would make it until December, but within just a week of starting chemotherapy, his heart gave out. Time does not wait for our schedules. I had gone to Manila for my annual physical and proceeded with plans for my daughter’s birthday, fully believing we would have the chance to sit by his hospital bed later on. But God had other plans. It is a stark reminder to show the people you love how much you care today, because tomorrow is never promised.

4. The profound impact of community and a legacy remembered.

​As the first person to pass away in my immediate family, the wake opened my eyes to the incredible power of community. I was deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love—the food, flowers, financial support, and prayer cards. In the past, I only ever sent simple condolences, but going through this has taught me how much more we can offer to those who are hurting.

​More than anything, I am grateful for the stories shared about Dad’s youth, his adventures, and the thousands of lives he touched. A former employee shared a line of his that will stay with me forever: "Kung hindi tayo ang tutulong sa kanila, sino?" (If we won't help them, who will?). Hearing how many people were uplifted by his strong ideals makes me immensely proud to be his child.

​5. Humanity is flawed, but a legacy is defined by the good.

​We are all human, and we all make mistakes. There were choices he made that could be frowned upon, but the immense good he did in this world completely outweighs the bad. He was a man of deep purpose. While the hardships of the last ten years changed him—making him a different version of himself toward the end—and though he may not have been a perfect husband, he remained a great father and a loving man. His flaws do not erase the beautiful mark he left on this world.6l

6. Keep doing good, for the good always returns.

​Dad was a natural connector of people, a man who actively changed the trajectory of so many lives. This became beautifully evident at his wake, as a steady stream of people he had touched came to pay their respects—many of whom we hadn't seen in years. Witnessing the ripple effect of his kindness was a powerful reminder of how I want to live my own life. It challenges me to do better, to give more, and to live with the same expansive generosity.

Luca

She's grown up so much. She's smart and funny and makes friends so fast nowadays. She can rollerskate and shes currently learning how to speak Korean.

Manu

He has grown exponentially since we stopped breastfeeding him last year. He can talk clearly now and he knows so many words. You can't fool him.

Arnelli

This husband of mine is working hard to fund our out of the country trips and birthday getaways. We want to move abroad because we really feel how effed up PH government is but it isn't easy.

Anyway, so far we're ok. But given all the things we need to pay for its just kinda piling up and sometimes I'm overwhelmed.

It’s week 1 day 2 of my journey on Ozempic.

I felt drugged yesterday when I woke up to pee in the middle of the night. I had just taken my first .25 shot in the evening. Im also currently taking meds for my cholesterol and another one for pre-diabetes.

I’m a little bit dizzy. But when I eat I’m ok na. I also noticed I’m thirsty and also woke up with food coming up from dinner.

I’m gassy and acidic. Settling down on my stomach is not comfortable.

We just celebrated our son's birthday—it was a small, intimate party. We're planning to have a bigger celebration for Luca's birthday.

I found myself struggling with how to handle Coco’s behavior toward Luca today. For context, they haven’t been spending much time together since my sister moved back in. We’re not entirely comfortable with how things have been, because Coco tends to outright ignore Luca. I understand—she wants to be with her mom, and that's natural. But when her mom isn’t around, she’s usually with us.

Sometimes, it feels like Coco only turns to Luca when it’s convenient for her or when she has no one else. But then I remind myself—she’s only five. She’s still learning how to navigate her emotions and relationships.

Today marks 10 years of marriage. Ten years of learning, growing, and evolving together. We spent two hours reflecting on 2024, taking stock of the year—its highs and lows—and it felt so good to pause and review all that we’ve experienced as a family and as a couple.

The Positive Highlights:

Trips to Manila: Our trips to Manila stand out as one of the best parts of the year. We got to reconnect with your side of the family, especially the paternal side, and it was a joy to be surrounded by family, friends from college, and our hatch partners. Those moments were pure joy—filled with laughter, nostalgia, and warmth.

LU with Baby Club Friends: Our time in LU with baby club friends, Carlo Isla, and their family was another highlight. The kids had a blast, and we got to bond with people we care about. And of course, spending time with Aussy and her family made it even more special.

Clark Adventures: The trips to Clark with baby club friends were such a fun mix of swimming, movement, and relaxation. The kids were so happy, and it felt like the perfect balance of active fun and downtime.

Health Investments: The decision to prioritize our health at the end of the year is something I’m really proud of. It's been a long time coming, and investing in our well-being feels like the right direction for our future.

The Least Liked:

The worst part of 2024 was definitely my battle with dengue in September. It knocked me out in ways I didn’t expect. It was bad—really bad—but I’m grateful to have recovered. The feeling of being physically weak and out of control was something I won’t forget. It made me appreciate my health even more.

Another tough part was the small return on all the work we put into the small business. The finances were tight all year, and the stress definitely took its toll. But despite that, I’m feeling hopeful about 2025. We’ve learned a lot, and I know that what we’ve invested in, especially in terms of time and effort, will pay off in the long run.

Looking Ahead:

We talked about goals for 2025, and it felt really good to think about the future and how we can improve on the foundation we’ve built.

Quality Time with Our Kids: We want to spend more one-on-one time with each child. I love the idea of having dedicated dates with each of them, so we can build even stronger relationships. They’re growing up so fast, and I want to be present for each stage of their development.

Monthly Dates for Us: It’s been too long since we’ve had regular "just-us" time. We’re committing to one date a month, no excuses. That time together, without distractions, will help us keep our bond strong.

Health as a Priority: Movement is something we’re both committed to making a daily habit. From walks to stretches to strengthening, I want to make sure we’re not just existing but thriving physically. I also have the diastasis recti rehab on my radar, which I know will help me feel stronger.

We’re ready to take on this year with clear intentions and hearts full of gratitude. Here’s to the next chapter. Cheers to 2025!