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  My 59th blog - 💌 A February Embrace: A Love Letter to Me "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." — 1 Corinthians 13:4,7   Dear Me, In this season of love, when the world is adorned with roses, sweetened by chocolates, and softened by warm embraces, I pause to write to you—the one who has journeyed with me through tranquil meadows and rugged paths alike. You are not perfect—indeed, you were never meant to be. Yet within those imperfections rests a quiet strength, a resilience that has carried you farther than you often recognize, and with a grace that deserves to be cherished.   I want to thank you for rising again and again, even when your knees grow weary and the road feels heavy, strewn with thorns and stones. For the laughter you share so freely, the tears you allow to trace their way down your gentle cheeks, and the courage you summon whe...
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  My 58 th blog:   A Place to Call Mine: My Journey Through Condo Options   The title says it all—it’s about my journey of hunting for a condo unit I can finally call my own. For those with deep pockets, finding the right one is a piece of cake; I might even liken it to picking out a shoe rack from an online store.   To be honest, I’ve been buying most of my odds and ends—clothes, shoes, and what-have-you—from Shein and Shopee. Not that I’m a paid endorser. Hell no! lol    I just happen to feel at home shopping from those two online outlets. Sometimes I end up with a lemon; other times I hit the jackpot. But hold your horses…I’m getting off track. Back to the condo unit search. Yes, that’s the meat and potatoes of this blog.   Here’s a concise list of things to consider when searching for a unit:      Location – Accessibility to work, transport, and essentials. Avoid building on top of fault lines, like the West Valley Fa...
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57th Blog:  I Was Just in Bondi Beach Last November I’ve already shared part of my blog about my trip to Sydney and Melbourne. For the second installment, I had planned to dive deeper into Sydney and recount our adventures day by day, right up until we flew to Melbourne on November 26.   On November 22, my cousin Romy and his wife, Rose, graciously played tour guides and, among other stops, whisked us off to Sydney’s world‑famous Bondi Beach. I was over the moon to see it again—being a beach lover, it felt like coming home. The air was crisp and a little chilly, but that didn’t put a damper on my spirits. I soaked up the vibe and drank in the breathtaking view of Bondi.   That’s why the news of the December 15 shooting at Bondi hit me like a bolt from the blue.   On that day in 2025, a father and son carried out a terrorist attack targeting Sydney’s Jewish community during the first night of Hanukkah. The tragedy claimed at least 15 lives and left dozens in...
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    56th Blog: Sydney Spirit, Melbourne Magic, Manila Reality (Part 1)   When my friend and I hopped over to Australia, the trip blossomed into a delightful adventure. The highlight? I was able to reconnect with most of our rosary prayer group members in Sydney. I’d already been to Sydney once before, but this time I returned with a mission: to meet my fellow Marian devotees and finally set foot inside the charming Lady of Dolours Parish church.   But this blog is not yet about my journaling of Sydney and Melbourne. Instead, I want to share what occasionally crossed my mind while I was enjoying the trip. I made a conscious effort to live in the moment because I knew that once I got back to Manila, reality would hit me like a ton of bricks. And what is that reality? Condo hunting.   Before the trip, I thought I had already found “the one”; however, complications with the seller threw a wrench in the works. To cut a long story short, the sale fell thro...
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  My 55th Blog: Selling the Past, Finding Home (and Keeping Migo)   Months before my brother passed away, I found myself asking my sisters the question I had been avoiding: What would we do if the inevitable happened? I had noticed my brother’s persistent cough, the way he winced at pains in his legs, knees, and arms. Something about it felt off—ominous, even. I tried to push the thought away, telling myself, “It’s probably nothing… just a phase.” But deep down, I knew better. And yet, as life has a way of reminding us, what’s done is done.   Now that my brother is gone, it’s just me and my niece living in our ancestral home in Wilson. My sisters eventually brought up the possibility of selling the property. I felt bad, of course, but deep down, I knew it was coming.   So, I started searching for a condo. And let me tell you—it was not easy. With the current prices and options, it felt like trying to find a needle in a haystack… a haystack made of overpr...
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  My 54th blog - From Chiang Mai Streets to Bangkok Nights: A Foodie’s Journey by Beth O.    (Oct. 23 to 31, 2025)   After our fun and unforgettable food trip to Fukuoka back in 2023, the foodies struck again—this time in Chiang Mai and Bangkok , from October 23 to 31, 2025. Our happy bunch— Lizette, Ditas, Suzie, Chinky, Ayette, Grace, Rowena, Jojo, Keiko, and of course, me —set off on another adventure filled with laughter, good food, and endless stories. Thailand holds a special place in Lizette’s heart, as she now lives there with her husband, Pum. Naturally, she became our amazing tour guide, leading us through the sights, flavors, and hidden gems of her adopted home. We couldn’t have asked for anyone better! A huge thank-you to Lizette for taking such good care of us, even while Pum was recovering from angioplasty. And to Pum—thank you for letting her come along despite everything. We’re keeping you in our prayers for continued healing and a smooth tr...
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  My 53rd blog:  Eulogy for Rene Ocampo Written by Beth Ocampo   Good morning, everyone.   Today, we gather to honor the life of Rene Ocampo—my brother, a man of contrasts, color, and quiet compassion. Rene’s story was not one of perfection, but of humanity. And in that humanity, we find the beauty of a life lived with laughter, creativity, and deep love.   In his younger days, Rene was full of energy and mischief. He loved being with his friends, staying out late, and testing boundaries—often earning a scolding from our parents. But that was Rene: spirited, social, and always chasing the joy of the moment.   He married young, and though that chapter ended in divorce, it shaped him in profound ways. His love for his son became his compass. He poured himself into securing a future for his child, often at the expense of his own well-being. Rene didn’t always prioritize himself—but he never stopped prioritizing those he loved.   Rene was the life of the p...
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