To the first half of 2025
It’s never too late to realize your worth—I learned that the hard way. In many ways, it feels like I’m starting my life over. But this time, I’m choosing to focus on myself.
For so long, I was chasing validation from others. I’ve been gaslighted and emotionally manipulated in a past relationship, and in trying to fit into the mold of “settling down,” getting married by a certain age, and starting a family, I lost sight of who I was.
Sometimes, when I look back on my journey—and revisit old posts on this blog—I feel a deep sense of nostalgia. I miss the version of me who was full of light, curiosity, and authenticity. Now, I’m working on reclaiming that spirit and rediscovering the person I used to be… and the one I’m becoming.
This is something I’m really proud of—I’ve been hitting the gym regularly and steadily reaching my fitness goals. For the first time in a long while, I genuinely feel good about how I look and feel.
One of the biggest challenges I’m currently working on is improving my sleep. It's been tough—I’ve been getting low scores in my sleep tracking, and honestly, I didn’t realize how much it mattered. Ten years ago, the science of sleep wasn’t as developed, and the technology to track it accurately was still in its early stages.
Now, I’m honestly amazed at how my sleep data connects to my overall well-being. Grabe! Rest and sleep used to feel like luxuries for me—but now I see them as essential parts of becoming my best self.
Dati, ang mindset ko was "sleep is for the weak" or "okay na yung 5 hours, basta tuloy ang galaw." Pero hindi pala ganun.
I guess now that I’m not getting any younger, I’ve started paying attention to the little things—like what I eat, how active I am, and the calories I burn. It actually feels good and rewarding to see the results of these small changes.
Bit by bit, I'm learning that taking care of myself isn't just about working out—it's about the full picture: rest, nutrition, movement, and mindfulness.
Aside from focusing on self-improvement, I’ve spent the past year exploring different hobbies and getting involved in communities that bring me joy and purpose.
Pokémon GO Community Ambassador – Baguio
This was definitely the highlight of my 2024–2025. I applied to be a Pokémon GO Community Ambassador, not really expecting anything—just hoping for a chance to give back to the local players and help bring the privileges of the program to a passionate gaming community here in Baguio.
Since then, we’ve hosted several successful events, and the community continues to grow steadily. I’ve made new friends and found a solid, supportive team behind me. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to give back through a game I truly love.
Up North Comedy
Now this one was a total curveball.
It all started with us hosting open mic nights at the café. Being a theater kid at heart, I found myself missing the stage. My first exposure to stand-up comedy was watching Rex Navarrete’s DVD special during a college sleepover—and since then, I’ve been a fan of stand-up and local comedians.
As fate would have it, John Racho—one of our regulars—pitched the idea of starting a local stand-up comedy group. That’s how Up North Comedy was born.
The group had a slow start, with performances that were raw and unpolished. But John’s connection with the hit comedy group Koolpals helped us refine the talent pool, turning rough diamonds into real performers.
This opportunity reignited my passion for performing, and being on stage again felt like coming home. We recently celebrated our first anniversary show, Lakbai Musika, in La Union last May 30, 2025. What a ride.
Pokémon TCG and Gundam
I also got hooked on collecting Pokémon cards—definitely a case of healing the inner child. If you’ve followed my blog, you’d know how deep that runs. But lately, it’s been a love-hate relationship. It’s tough being a fan when you’re dealing with scalpers and sky-high market prices. It gets frustrating when you're trying to complete a set and stocks are scarce.
So, while I’m taking a break from the TCG scene, I’ve found a new creative outlet: building plastic models and learning to paint miniatures. It’s therapeutic. Finishing a model gives me a real sense of satisfaction, like I’ve slowed down time and cleared my mind—especially on overwhelming days.
I’m also venturing into the Gundam TCG. Fingers crossed it turns out to be a rewarding new hobby.
The Beyblade Boom
One of my favorite unexpected things that ever happened in our café started on an ordinary December day. For some reason, my friend Mark convinced me to try out the new Beyblades. The updated technology and competitive rules made it surprisingly exciting, as he had suggested.
Curious, we gave it a shot. We bought a stadium and a couple of Beyblades to battle it out. I ended up inviting some friends from other hobbies to join our mini-tournament at the café. It was so much fun that it quickly turned into a weekly Wednesday tradition—and before we knew it, the hype exploded.
With all the community building, hobbies I'm doing and network building. I've became quite busy this past couple of months.
The Boardgaming Club
The café has been constantly evolving, adapting to the ever-changing market landscape. What started as an art hub has now grown into the go-to place for all things hobby-related. One of our strongest communities—and a major part of our market—has been the boardgaming scene.
A passionate and ever-growing group of tabletop gamers and enthusiasts has become the backbone of our café. I’m forever grateful to our loyal customers who have become friends, and to the new business partners we've met along the way.
To celebrate the end of the year, we organized a special event: a 3-day, 2-night gaming retreat at an Airbnb. I joked that you could go to sleep with someone playing and wake up to someone still playing—and honestly, that’s exactly what happened!
We're currently planning a summer getaway at a resort in Bataan this June. Fingers crossed it pushes through!
End of the day
When everything is quiet—when the daily hustle winds down, the night breeze settles in, and I’m alone in my apartment—sometimes, the loneliness creeps in. I think it’s natural to feel lonely when you’re by yourself.
Lately, I’ve realized I’ve been chasing external sources of happiness, perhaps as a way to cover up that feeling. That’s why I’m learning to slow down, reconnect with myself, and rediscover what truly brings me joy.
I’m grateful for everything that’s been happening—for the growth, the lessons, and the fact that I’m managing both myself and the business. Still, I hope that one day, I’ll get to share these small victories with someone who shares the same goals and values as I do.
But for now, I'll continue my journey on self-improvement, both mentally and physically.
Thank you for reading. Cheers!
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Wow thank you for your awesome comment! cheers!