January

January wasn’t easy. It came in heavy. We lost our beloved Shiro.

1.7.2025.

It still feels unreal, no more fur floating around, no one's welcoming us anymore whenever we arrive. The house feels different now, quieter, emptier.  

 

Sunflower

Our company kick-off party at Shangri-La Hotel happened during this time. I met new faces, saw old workmates again, shared laughter, amazing food, and conversations. Seeing our boss, so warm, kind. This reminded me how blessed I am to be part of this company.  

Isabela

Because of a sudden adjustment in my schedule, we were able to push through with a family trip to Isabela, with both my family and my in-laws. More than a 10-hour drive, the longest one yet for the Kia Sonet. Zigzag roads that tested our patience and driving skills at night. We were on the road all night, Papa and I taking turns driving, fighting off sleep by eating a lot of nuts.

Find Kean

While there, we attended a couple’s birthday party—simple, warm, and full of familiar faces. Nothing grand, but enough to make the long drive feel worth it.

Double Jollibee Party Day

The day started early.

Hannah’s Birthday Party

9:30 AM at Jollibee Madrigal. I was happy to see my churchmates and the VG group there. It felt familiar. I joined the games (because I was forced), laughed a lot, and somehow ended up winning a Starbucks GC. Let's freaking go!

Then came the second round.

Rayna’s Birthday Party

1:30 PM, same place. Tine is coming back with her family and her baby. I joined the games again and I was forced again… and lost this time. We danced budots in a shameful way possible. We were there with Cath too, just enjoying the chaos, the noise, the kids. 

Got a new lovely lens. 

I thought my camera broke. Well, it kind of did. The flash isn’t working properly anymore, and that honestly made me sad.

So I started looking for a new camera. I was already getting drawn in, convincing myself, until reality kicked in and I realized I couldn’t afford it.

Instead, I bought a new Sigma lens and a detachable flash.

Nice.

...

In the middle of all of this. My lab results came back.

They were a problem;
I need to take action now. No excuses. No delays. I was talking to my doctor and it's sad. He told me to take the steps to change my lifestyle because my life will not be long if I continue my habits.

So I have to change.

My lifestyle.
My food choices.

I'm taking tons of medications and there are tons of side effects. I can’t keep eating like nothing’s wrong. I can’t keep using food as comfort while ignoring the consequences. I can't forget what the doctor told me: use food as a tool, not a reward. 

Dumplings:

  

 //sebajisoka

:)

There's something truly special about packing our bags and embarking on an adventure with family. This vacation was more than just a getaway—it was about slowing down, soaking in laughter, and cherishing every precious moment with my wife and our curious, delightfully silly one-year-old son.

This photo captures a beautiful memory from Boracay, where we celebrated our little one's first birthday. We played in the sand, rode in a boat, and created moments that will stay with us forever.

Looking at breathtaking scenery is always a special experience—it makes you truly appreciate the beauty of the world we live in. But there’s something even more magical about seeing it through your child’s eyes, watching their wonder and amazement unfold before you.

These are the moments that make all the hard work and hustle worth it—the ones that remind us why we do what we do.

//sebajisoka

In June after dark

A little busy this month but only a little. We had our first flight in 3 years. It's a local vacation only and the farthest we've been in the Philippines, in Davao. We were welcomed by our relatives there. 

Here's a short recap:

I don't have that much of picture since it's a vacation for the elderly. We just enjoyed the journey we're on. We are together with my Batangas relatives and both our families. 

A simple celebration of Father's Day. We attended the Sunday service and ate at Qusina in Festival Mall.

 

To end the month, we had a quick "Team building" - more like a meetup at Okada, again and we just ate and that's it. :D 

//InJuneAfterDark

//sebajisoka

Taiwan Travel

We went to Taiwan! And below is the list of my takes about our recent travel in Taiwan.

Food is all over the place and one of the things that tourists want to try and experience in Taiwan is their food. There are several night markets in Taiwan and we were glad to have one under our accommodation. Maybe the most famous food there is the Stinky Tofu, well, because it's stinky and intriguing. We tried several food but we're fed up with the smell of anything.

Parks here and there. Too many parks to choose from and anyone can easily access, aside from being near their main transportation, most of the parks has no entrance fee, you can access their temples and museums and even the famous Taipei 101.

Discipline and cleanliness. Most of the places that we've been through, if not all, were clean. It's almost impossible to see any trash. People are disciplined, anywhere you look, you won't see anyone trying to have politics over something, whether in lines, trains or in restaurants.

Kuya Leo, our tour guide, is one of the best tour guides I've ever met. His cab has music, wifi, an extra Tablet for music streaming of your choice. Wait, he also has a microphone so we can sing along the music. There's free water, candies and a fan if it gets hot.

But the most striking thing about Kuya Leo, his beliefs, his not afraid to tell you about it and encourage you about his Christian faith. I remember prior going to a temple, he told us to not to pray or make a wish. It's okay to take pictures and all but there's only one true God.

Taiwan is a small country, you can fit about 8 Taiwans in the Philippines base on mylifeelsewhere.com, but their culture is pure, their transportation is way advanced than the Philippines and they respect anyone.

//TaiwanTravel
//sebajisoka

I went abroad

I just came back from Taiwan few days ago and it was fun.

Things that I noticed about Taiwan:

• Transportation is the real deal (And yes, even the what-I-thought-an-amusement-park-ride, the cable car)
• Their country is so clean
• Taiwanese is well-disciplined
• There are good and weird night market food
• Non-English speakers
• Sooo many temples
• What is traffic?

Those are some of the things that I noticed about Taiwan, and I think we Filipinos should adopt many of their characteristics and all the good things about them. I take my hat off to their transportation and discipline. 

I just can't take some of their food, But if ever I'll get a chance to come back, I'll definitely try more. :) 

 I'll be posting more of our experience soon, for now, enjoy one of the few pictures that I have below. 

//Taiwan
//sebajisoka

Alon

In the middle of the night we were sailing the sea

Water splashes all over our smiles

And minion of stars dominate the night sky

Huge waves came in by batches

As we headed to midnight

We were afraid

But It's a mixture of joy and fear 

I know that I don't have the power to calm it down

No one on the boat has

Bad thoughts started to sink in

I don't know how to swim

I don't know how to save her 

when the worst case materialize

All I do is to close my eyes and feel the sway

lead by the waters this night

It feels like dancing

Somehow, freeing

Then, I remember this famous story of the man who sleeps in the storm

The waves were wild

The wild was turbulent

but He is calm

This is a story of a storm in the middle of the night with some fisherman

Everyone was afraid

But He is sleeping

With that in mind, I close my eyes

Trusted Him, whispering small but hopeful prayer

He woke up and stood up to calm the storm

Everyone was amazed

In our scenario, there's no calming of storm

but we arrived on the other side, safe and in peace 

//Iloilo

//sebajisoka

EL Nido + Puerto Princesa

I recently fell in love with travelling, when I say recently, it's like 2 years ago. 

It's a get away from the stress in life.

Yes, we have some stressful moments when travelling, from packaging to shopping for pasalubong.

I've been to several places in my humble 25 years but never I have been on a plane to go to other provinces or other country. 

This year, I break some records, together with my lifetime best friend, Jassiee. We went to Palawan. 

See our vlogs here:

While travelling, I'm amazed with the fact that we're floating in the air. That there's no hard ground under us. I'm not riding the bus anymore. There's no underneath in this place. It's just air. It's just the sky and the actual ground is far down below.

Another thing is, when we're in El Nido. We jumped into this boat. We're floating again, this time, in water. In the ocean, on top of water and the ground, actual ground is nowhere to be seen, but sure, it's down below. 

If you grew up in Manila. You'' wonder how this El Nido came to happen. This is a paradise. The views are great, the water is clear. And it's more than just Instagram-worthy scenery. If you haven't been to El Nido, I'm not sure what you guys are waiting for.

Then, we went to my long time bucket list item, Puerto Princesa Underground River.

Mixed emotions, I'm afraid, I'm excited.

I'm afraid because it's pretty dark in the area. There are bats. We don't know how deep the river is and we're riding a small boat.

I'm excited because this is one of the 7 Wonders of the world. One of the tourist destination in the Philippines. This is historical. And it is one of those wonderful creation without the touch of human being.

//PuertoPrincesa
//ElNido
//Palawan

//sebajisoka

Nag-AirBnb para magvlog

Tama po yung title, hindi kayo nagkamali ng basa. Sadyang ganun magwaldas ng kaperahan ang mga kaibigan ko, isama niyo na din pala ako. #Ridiculous.

After so many weeks of planning and brainstorming kahit magkakaiba ng schedule. Here we are, June 16 - 17. Below is the screenshot of our collaborative effort to make the staycation happen. 

So, it was in manila. And the place is pretty cute. You'll get more than what you paid for. I don't have any words to add but you can check our YouTube channels for the result of our crazy ideas.

//TeamFlexUnited//sebajisoka

Ilocos Trip

So hey. Guess what? God provides. We honestly don't know where we got the money for our Ilocos Trip Last May. By the way, I'm sorry for the late post. 

We spent more or less 30k for this trip. And that's amazing. I don't have much to say but here's the Vlog that we've made:

Enjoy and don't forget to subscribe! :)

//Ilocos Trip
//sebajisoka

Baguio Trip

Apologies for the late post!

So, yeah. We went to the summer capital of the Philippines, Baguio City! And if I haven't discussed it here, well. Here you go. We have planned for at least 4 out of town travels this year.  So far, we have Mt. Batulao in Batangas now, in Baguio and this May in Ilocos. 

I'm super pumped with this trip as I used my brand new camera! The Canon Vixia Mini X. And this is the footage that I took, compiled it altogether, added some transition and some background music.


It was a very rough day since it's a day tour only. I don't have words for now, you can just enjoy the video and don't forget to subscribe to our Channel! HAHAHA! :)

//BaguioCity
//sebajisoka

Mt. Batulao Videos

As promised, here are the videos! After all the hours spent on a computer finding music and the right pieces at the right time, here you go.

The Vlog

The MV

Enjoy! :)

//Mt.Batulao

//sebajisoka

First Time Hikers ft. Mt. Batulao

I'm actually creating a Blog, a Vlog, and a music video type of media. That's what you call the 3rd level of redundancy. 

Anyway, I just had my first literal mountain! I'm with Jasmin, Hazel, Denise and Charlie. All first time hikers and of course, newbies should be on the most basic and easiest type of mountain. Well, you don't call it a mountain if it's not challenging. (Now, that's a metaphor)

So, yeah. Our meeting place is in Laguna at 4am. We're ready and excited. Hazel lead the way while navigation is on us and we almost got lost. But that's adventure because DIYs. Hahaha!

We have our little snacks like egg and something else and we went hiking. It's wet, slippery and fun. The views were amazing as we count our steps to infinity. Well, it feels like we're on top of the world. 

I mean, look at that mountain. Isn't that wonderful?

Eto din po, wonderful. Hahahah!

Along the way, we met a lot of hikers, they're kind and in good cheer. There are dogs around and all kinds of animal, from horses to goats and off course, this dog, one of the highlights! 

NakikiGoPro lang po. 

Putik all the way, naabutan din kame ng ulan while we're on our way to the mountain top and it became more challenging.  

Of course, the non-stop picture taking and selfies. 

Matabungkay, 'cause we can.

What I found out about hiking is it's tiring, exciting, contaminating, challenging, fueling, fulfilling and everything. Yes, he had our amazing time, thanks to our guide and the people we met along the way and to ourselves, though we didn't reached the Peak 12 due to rain, we managed to conquer 10 peaks or the 10 levels of Acrophobia and it's not bad. 

Jassie, my bebi. HAHAHAHAHAHAH!

I'll be posting the Vlog and the Music Video type chuchu once I finish editing and uploading those. 

//FirstTimeHikers

//MountBatulao

//sebajisoka