A Look Back at 2025

2025 was a good year. We faced some challenges especially with my health. I broke my non-hospitalization streak by late July and had the misfortune of missing a step on the stairs. We spent most of the last quarter doing physiotherapy and exercise. 

The fall was a blessing in disguise. It was painful, but it forced me to do physiotherapy. Exercise was light, but more movement means more stamina. It helped me care for our garden better and we managed to harvest some produce!

Aside from our usual home maintenance projects, our biggest project was to clear my childhood home. Oh boy, I really did not expect that Mom kept a lot of stuff in her cave-like cabinets! I had to go through each and every box organized by our decluttering coach. 

The majority of the things were donated, stuff that were not useful anymore was thrown away, and some stuff were distributed among us siblings. I still have some stuff I need to pass to relatives. I am so glad we finished this project and don't have to worry about it anymore. 

Here's 2025 in 3 minutes -

One thing that's still a work in progress is saving Mom's plants. We moved a big batch in mid-December and have started working on re-potting them. This project will continue until we finish what we can save from her plants. It's a lot of work and a good daily workout! 

I like where I am now and have settled into retired life much better. I want to be more productive though, but to do that I have to be healthier. That's something we're working on together as a family. 2025 was a quiet year and that's the way I like it.

Have a blessed New Year everyone!

#BeKind #StaySafe

A Grateful Year-end

I'm writing this as I cringe since a neighbor just lit what sounds like a large size Judas belt. It ended with a loud bang. I never really liked firecrackers and I'd hide inside the house on new years eve. I'm just glad none of our immediate neighbors use it (well, so far). We've set up hiding places for our cats. Bailey had me stroke his back longer than usual earlier since firecrackers were going off as early as 4 in the afternoon. 

Anyway, I'm just grateful I have a nice hiding place in our basement. We turned on two air purifiers to make sure I don't have an asthma attack. We'll just have some pasta and barbecue for media noche. I also got a small basque burnt cheesecake from a neighbor, so we have something sweet. 

I'm happy I was able to complete another year of one second everyday (#1SE). I just make it a point to take a photo everyday to remember what I did for that day. Majority are probably photos of cats, my plants and us dining somewhere. Here's the video for December -

May you all have a blessed and safe new year! 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Happy Birthday Baby Jesus

It's Christmas day! Happy birthday Baby Jesus!

We are celebrating a quiet Christmas at home this year. We are complete, healthy and blessed. Thank you Papa God for everything. 🙏

#BeKind #Stay Safe

Remembering

It's All Souls Day today. The day to remember our departed loved ones. It's been only two years since I lost my Mom, 14 years since Dad left for heaven. In between that I lost almost all of my titos and titas. 

I buried myself in work when my Dad passed away. I went back to work immediately and told myself he wouldn't want me to dwell on losing him. I didn't have that excuse when Mom passed away. 

I faced grief in silence while facing issues with my health. Mom was my rock. She'd always tell me I can handle any challenge. What helped me was rescuing her plants and sorting through the belongings she left. 

Grief turned into remembering my parents, titos and titas fondly as I went through my Mom's things. It was hard, but I felt my Mom's love as I saw what she kept for me. She even marked some things she wanted me to keep. 

It's not easy being an orphan. I realized though, Mom prepared me all my life to be independent. To be strong and face life with deep faith. I know they are all watching us from above.

Have a blessed day everyone.

What Happened in October (2025)

I'm glad I made it this far recording at least a second everyday on my One Second Everyday account. October has been our most productive month this year. It was good we started it by having buffet breakfast in a hotel. It was my belated birthday celebration :)

I've been a bit more mobile this month and having a wheelchair really helps getting around. It's added cardio for the boys (haha). I stretch my knee often when we're out since it still hurts. I start PT next month, but Miggy has started his wellness and nutrition journey. It's the reason why we've been out more often. 

Since I want our home to look more accommodating, we spent a lot of time this month organizing. We got help from Ally Canita and her team. They helped us finish the rest of the boxes from my childhood home. It was a good decision to do that, since we're now ready to decorate for Christmas! Hooray! 

We also got help from a landscaper, Manong Henry, to clean up our front yard. The bamboo trees got so gnarly and I was afraid snakes might start living in it. What pushed me to get help was seeing a very long snake skin on our neighbor's car. It probably shed on the car while we were all asleep! The landscape project is my gold birthday gift for myself. Ahh, seeing pretty plants make me happy. 

Here's my 1sec video for October:

In between all the activity we rested and calmed down with our cats. They calmed down when August (now Gus) and Little Grey moved out. I'm really glad we were able to find the best fur parents for them. I guess the orange energy they had was too much for us and the tabby brood. Things are back to normal and I plan to bust out the new cat tower for them this weekend.

Happy end of October and Happy Halloween!

If you're bored and want to be scared, you may want to read some scary stories here -

https://moonlesstales.blogspot.com/

#BeKind #StaySafe

Big Bad Wolf 2025

I was surprised when the boys easily agreed to my request to go to Big Bad Wolf in Alabang. We went last year and enjoyed being surrounded by a lot of books. I have a short video of our visit last year here.

It was raining hard when we went last year and with typhoon Paolo (Matmo) we weren't sure if it was safe to go. We repeatedly checked the forecast and decided to go since we had other errands to do. 

Minus the food area, the whole tent was full of books even at the entrance. Almost half though we're children's books, about 35-40% fiction and the rest were general/nonfiction and Filipino books. The hobby books were negligible. I only found one book on quilting. Oh well, I guess they deemed we're not the market for it.

Nonetheless, it was still enjoyable. Who doesn't enjoy walking around a bookstore. It's like Disneyland for me. We got a couple of books, a few Christmas gifts and some activity books for a little boy we've been supplying books to monthly. 

Big Bad Wolf Alabang runs until October 13, 2025 at the Filinvest Tent. 

PS if you're going around on a wheelchair, just watch out for the big cables taped to the floor. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Throwback Thursday: July 2025 One Second Everyday

Delayed posting my 1 second everyday video for July again. Most of this month seems to be dedicated to recovery. 

July though was a very wet month. We were affected by consecutive typhoons. It was really stressful and was what brought me down by month end.

Most of our "outings" happened during the first half of the month. We got to dine at some of our favorite places and then got busy with adulting stuff.

Here's the short video:

I honestly don't want to have a repeat of this month since I ended up in the hospital.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Happy Birthday Miggy!

Another 365 days around the sun for my son, Miggy! 

Happy, happy birthday my love 💕 😘 💕 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Araw ng Kalayaan 2025

I only have one wish for this year's Araw ng Kalayaan (Independence Day). It's for our country to be freed from the hands of corrupt and evil people. 

:'(

#BeKind #StaySafe

The Month of May (2025)

Completed another month for my one second everyday project. May will always start heavily for me since Mom passed on the first of May two years ago. After that we celebrate Dad's birthday by the 19th. We spent most of the month at home. It was still too hot to venture out, so most of my daily 1SE was taken at home. 

We focused our time on health maintenance. Got our annual flu shots and did some check-ups too. The cats weren't spared and unfortunately Grogu got a deep wound which had to be stitched. We brought him home yesterday, but he kept licking and biting the wound. He was brought back to the vet and would best stay there until he completely heals. We have no idea how he got his wound. 

I spent a lot of time tending to Mom's plants. I tried propagating her bougainvillea and I re-potted a couple of plants we rescued from our childhood home. It's a lot of work and I'm still sorting her stuff (it's bottomless!). The boxes for donation is now a huge pile. We have to follow-up to have it picked up. 

The most important thing we did for the month of May was to vote! Only two of those who I voted for senator won. It was also very hard to chose who to vote for the local positions. Oh well, I hope the new generation can produce more diligent and effective leaders. 

Here's the one second everyday video for the month of May:

Since we only went out when needed, we squeezed in time to eat well. We were able to try Panco Cafe and the newly opened Brooklyn pizza place near our home. I also did a quest to find the best spinach pizza. Tried Pizza Telefono's and luckily got a free experience pizza from Shakey's. It was both good. Maybe next time we'll try Angel's Pizza. 

I'm so glad the rainy season is around the corner. The weather has improved a lot in the past week. We've also been able to collect rain water and the plants love it!

June will be about the birthdays of my boys and we have to plan for the second half of the year!

#BeKind #StaySafe

You Win Some, You Lose Some

After voting yesterday, we headed to Wendy's for breakfast. It's a rare opportunity to have breakfast out. We arrived at Wendy's before six in the morning and soon enough a number of senior citizens arrived too. 

While eating I felt some sadness. I realized it's the first time we went to vote without my Mom. I checked the voters list and only me and Miggy were on it. Mom didn't vote during the presidential elections even though we went to pick her up. She wasn't feeling well and told us to go ahead and vote. 

One thing I also looked forward to was seeing our neighbors, the Titos and Titas and friends I grew up with. Sadly, I didn't see any of my Mom's friends and just saw one of my friends. I may have been too early, but then my Mom would've been 90 years old this year. 

I'm writing this post while watching the news. I'm happy to see two of those I voted for senators are in the top 5 and the party list I voted for is #1 on the results. The rest of those I voted for did not win (maybe only the vice mayor?). Oh well, you win some, you lose some. At least there's still hope. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Voted Early (Philippine Elections 2025)

I'm really grateful to COMELEC for opening the precincts early for PWDs, senior citizens and pregnant women. We went at 5 in the morning to vote to avoid the crowds and more importantly, the heat. 

I wasn't feeling well yesterday. My mind willed my body to cooperate. I did not want to miss exercising my right to vote. I was still a bit unstable when we arrived at 5:06am. 

The process was pretty straightforward. Check your name on the list and cluster, go to your precinct, show your ID, sign on the list, get your ballot, vote, feed your ballot to the machine, check the receipt and then get inked. We were done in less than 15 minutes considering I kept making sure I did not overbite (of course I had a kodigo).

I was expecting to see my Mom's friends. I belatedly realized my Mom would've been 90 this year, so most of her friends would be +/- 10 years of her age. I'd usually see Tito Mel overseeing the PPCRV and childhood friends running around as volunteers. I've been away too long and the PPCRV volunteers now we're probably kids when I lived abroad.

I never changed my precinct. My voters ID is still the original one they issued when I registered for the Sangguniang Kabataan elections. My whole family voted in the same precinct and I actually found my Mama Lola's voters ID from the 70s. That's what you call legacy :)

Vote wisely!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Public Office is a Public Trust, Time to Break Political Dynasties

 "Public office is a public trust" is enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution (Article XI, Section 1). It is a clause that all of us should remember, especially candidates.

What we've been going through in the past 9 years has been disenheartening. Year after year, candidates promise to do things better, to make our lives easier. Sadly, we're still plagued by so many issues, especially corruption. I remember during PNoy's time, it was Secretary Butch Abad's job to put controls on spending and regular reports on reducing corruption was made. We saw a lot of improvements especially in our economy. 

A big problem that contributes to backward progress are the political dynasties. My professor, Dr. Julio Teehankee, has made a study on this and discussing why electing the same family is bad for us. In the city I live in, the same family has been ruling over the local positions for over a decade now. They just switch around positions (congress/mayor/vice mayor etc.). You'd think that after ruling over our city for over a decade they would have at least solved all flooding issues.

Sweetie sent me a list of local candidates. He noted that there are 5 people with the same family name. They are obviously from the same family. I hope they realize that public office is not meant to be a business or security blanket for you and your family. There are surely a lot of talented and skilled people who can manage our city. 

Vote wisely tomorrow!

#BeKind #StaySafe #VoteWisely

Not Every Voice Deserve Your Attention

It was wrestler Michelle McCool who said, "Not every voice deserves your attention". Sweetie was watching the WWE Hall of Fame 2025 while I was working on a project, so I was listening while the hall of famers gave their speeches.

I was originally going to write about Fr. Jerry Orbos' feature on Bernadette Sembrano's channel. I picked up a couple of reminders as well from the interview, particularly to "live your mission".

Combining lessons from a wrestler and a priest seems so far-fetched, but the life of Michelle and Fr. Orbos' were both riddled with challenges. They both pushed and come out victorious in their own paths.

The past few years have honestly been very challenging for me especially health-wise. I have not functioned normally since I retired and had a couple of heart episodes. COVID-19 and other issues made things worse and my mitral valve needs a replacement.

I put my head down the past few months to prepare for the challenge. I've also been praying for strength and healing. My doctors wanted me to do surgery last February, but I wasn't ready. I hibernated to stabilize my mind, my heart, my soul and my faith. I purposely reduced the noise around me. As Michelle McCool said, "Not every voice deserves your attention" (especially those who are up to no good).

And I realized, it's time. I'm ready to push forward to live my mission and as Fr. Jerry Orbos said, "Promise sealed with a heart". Just trust in God.

Happy Easter everyone 🙏

#BeKind #StaySafe

Black Saturday 2025

Still observing quiet time for reflection this Holy Week.

Have a blessed day everyone.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Good Friday 2025

A blessed Good Friday 🙏

#BeKind #StaySafe

Maundy Thursday

A blessed Maundy Thursday everyone 🙏

#BeKind #StaySafe

February Month End Round-up

I looked through my one second a everyday video for the month of February and realized I spent majority of my time going through Mom's things. I was able to go out at most once a week.

The highlight of my month though was getting to watch "Ex Ex Lovers" in an actual movie house. The MarJo flick matched the nostalgic feeling I've been experiencing while going through my Mom's things (yes, it's bottomless). The movie was also a good break for me and Sweetie from going through a gazillion boxes.

I'm bent on finishing what were doing in the next few weeks. It will be a huge load off my shoulder to clear the house. I know how valuable my Mom treated her things. She took good care of it so it can be passes on to the next generation. A lot though are items that can be better passed on to people who will have good use for it. 

Onwards to March!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Memories of EDSA People Power Revolution

I write about my EDSA People Power Revolution almost every year, but I think it's more important to wrote about it again today. We just never forget the atrocities and abuses that led to it.

A lot of those who fought for it are long gone. My Dad, my Mom, my titos. My Kuya was the only one in the family who went to EDSA.

I remember it was still dark when Tito Ben called my parents to let them know something was going on. Tito Ben was in the AFP back then and warned my parents that something was about to happen. The mood at home was tense, but I was allowed to continue learning how to bike in our lawn (I was just 10 years old back then).

I noticed there was a lot of air activity happening that day. A lot of helicopters were flying around. Mom and Dad closely monitored the news on the radio and unwillingly allowed my then 23-year old Kuya to go to EDSA. 

Since I was a child I knew that the government was doing a lot of bad things. This was the reason why everyone had to be home before sunset. My parents would get really angry whenever my siblings would come home late. I wasn't even allowed to play out on the street. 

My teachers and the nuns of our school also made sure we knew what was happening. We even had an activity where we cut news clippings from that time (I'm hoping to find my folder while sorting my Mom's things). I wrote about why Scholasticans always fight for what is right here a few years ago (one of my most popular posts).

My generation was probably shielded by our parents from the abusive regime. Not many of us were directly impacted and got to enjoy the fruits of the fight our parents and elders pushed. It took them a long time to overthrow the dictator. Our role is to ensure that the period of abuse does not happen again. 

Never forget. Never again.

#BeKind #StaySafe

2025, New Year in Manila

We welcomed the new year ice again at home. We stayed in the family room to avoid the smoke. Good think the ones who used firecrackers were a bit far from us. I've always been nervous about it since I was a child.

I ordered some honking chicken horns, but it did not arrive on time. Our neighbors took care of providing the noise and I'm grateful for that. I didn't want to add to the noise since our cats were already anxious. 

For media noche, we just had leftovers from the get together. I cooked 3 kilos of chicken adobo, so we had a lot of that left. We also had some pancit canton, so I didn't have to make spaghetti. I'm also glad we had sansrival and apple pie. Yum-yum! 

I prepared a grand breakfast though - corned beef, cheese omelette and fried rice. My Dad said don't spend money on new years day, so you can save all year. It's been hard to do that, but I was finally able to do it today. Yay! 

We just chilled the whole day. Organized a bit of stuff. Wrote on my new planners and watered the plants. Also gave Meredith, Anakin and Bailey a dose of Frontline since I noticed they've been scratching again.

I had too much activity, so I elected to watch a movie on Netflix to rest. Dinner was leftovers. Tomorrow we can start fresh since I think we cleared out our leftovers. 

I have no new years resolution for now. I'd like to keep it simple and focus on health, wellness, family and family projects. 

Happy new year everyone! May God bless you and keep you.

#BeKind #StaySafe