The middle of the decade. A quarter of a century has passed. 2025 was a year defined by challenges and enduring problems that just wouldn't go away. Yet, despite the many troubles I constantly faced, I was pretty chill, pretty calm, and very much at peace all throughout.
While 2023 was basically the year with minimal problems, 2025 on the other hand was the year I slept like I had no problem at all. As the year ends tonight, I remember the various milestones and highlights I experienced for the past twelve months.
I should say that, with God's grace, it had all been worthwhile.
Late February || Sana ALL
Private litigation lawyers all over Albay teamed up as one: Albay Lawyers League. We did our best in the recent IBP Elections. Though we were not so lucky, I would always remember the bond we had. After the elections, Albay Lawyers League morphed into Albay Bar Association where we use our legal knowledge to decipher the solutions to local and national issues and problems.
I'm forever thankful for the opportunity, the bond, and the friendship! Thank you so much, pañeros y pañeras especially to our president, Atty Kieth Ajero and our mighty VP, Atty Noel Allen Bose!
March 7 || Ate Therese Makes A Wish
I was invited to Ate Therese' birthday this year. It's always a great time to have dinner at her home and the candid picture above was one of the more memorable moments of the year. Thank you so much, Ate Therese and Tom for the birthday dinner!
March 8
ARBOL Tree Club's First Anniversary
Arbol Tree Club celebrated its first anniversary on a lush mangrove forest in Manito, Albay. The rains and chaotic weather were not able to stop the determination of the club to pursue its mission earnestly. It was a successful celebration despite the inclement weather...
March 8 || Concoction Patented
It was not an experiment but a discovery, that's what I tell others when I'm asked how many attempts I made for this concoction. Simply put, the very first attempt was immediately successful. By March 8th, I finally received the Certificate of Registration for
Baligang Probiotics.
March 13
First Glimpses of Osaka 🇯🇵
Our Japan tour kicked off this day and officially began when our plane descended on Kansai Airport near Osaka. I remember the cool, crisp feeling of Japan air. It was still winter so we felt the cold upon arrival.
March 15 || Mine Cart Madness
I thought I was going to die. Just about ten seconds before we began the ride, my phone was still outside my pocket. Luckily and fortunately, I was able to slip it inside
less than a second before the "madness" began! The ride itself almost stole my soul as it suddenly and without warning plunged several meters down and moved sideways quickly and unexpectedly. It was a wild, wild ride indeed!
March 15
Whimsical Donguri Republic
We had a pleasant time shopping at
Donguri Republic, the official novelty store of
Studio Ghibli. The shop brings the magic of the movies but the films remain so much more whimsical and dreamy. If you're a fan of Studio Ghibli and you're going to Japan, always include Donguri Republic on your itinerary.
March 16 || Slept All Day
After leaving Osaka for Kyoto, my left leg hurt so much my knees couldn't bend while crossing pedestrian lanes. I was sick the entire day, I didn't go out while my siblings continued on with the tour.
March 17
Rickshaw in the Bamboo Forest
Good thing, my knees finally healed after a full day of rest. I could finally walk normally. On this day, we hopped on a rickshaw and toured a bamboo forest. It was a great and relaxing time with siblings. 👌🏻
March 18
First Time Skiing!
Skiing is a dangerous sport. Safety should always be on top of everyone's mind. After making sure things are safe, the fun begins. It was still some scary af. 😅
March 19 || Snow in Kyoto
It snowed in Kyoto unexpectedly. As Winter was almost over, we were no longer expecting snow to fall on city grounds. But, a day before leaving for the Philippines, we saw snowflakes falling from the sky!
March 20
Vernal Equinox
Few moments before our flight back to Manila, we snagged the very last chance to see plum blossoms up close so we immediately hailed a cab and went to the nearest park in a sort of Amazing Race fashion (packing all our bags, leaving them at the reception, and did all sorts of things all in a quick manner).
Springtime was about to begin so it was the perfect time to see these beautiful flowers in person. Those short thirty or so minutes of frolicking in the park was well worth it. Such a pleasant way to conclude our Japan tour. 👌🏻
Special thanks to our father for sponsoring our trip! We enjoyed it so much, thank you!
March 28 || ACCI Induction Party
My sister and I were invited to the induction party of the
Albay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI). During the party, the club bared its ambitious goals for the future not just for the members but for the business community in Legazpi and Albay as well. In few more months, I eventually joined the club.
Special thanks to Ate Therese for inviting us and to Pres John Glenn Lee for welcoming us to the party and to the club.
April 19 || Night Safari
We heard melodies emitted by birds and insects in the dark jungle. That was our way of celebrating Earth Day this year. Thank you,
Mirisbiris Garden and Resort for hosting such a fun and educational event where kids and younger generations learn and understand the ways of the jungle up close and personal!
June 11 || Toastmasters Nightout
Mayon Toastmasters Club celebrated Independence Day with some speeches and a lot of beer, beer and beer! That was one of the most FUN toastmasters sessions ever! Thank you Fam! Hoping to have more of this soon!
June 14 || Powered Paragliding
That was probably the scariest fifteen minutes of my life. I was up on air just wearing a pair of slippers when we paraglided into the atmosphere. One wrong move could lead to an accident or, worse, death. But my brave soul was yearning for an adventure so off we go no matter what!
June 25 || Arbor Day Celebration
Arbol Tree Club joins the
Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (OCENR) in celebrating Arbor Day by planting trees in the southern highlands of Legazpi.
Special thanks to Audrey Chazzy Torres for organizing this activity with the OCENR and to Sir Christopher Prior, and my astral twin, Regine Eina for representing Arbol Tree Club!
June 30 || Say 👌🏻
It was a serious meeting where
Arbol Tree Club officers and members outlined and organized future goals and projects when, out of the blue,
VP Nino suddenly thought of a playful way of smiling into the camera.
From then on, "👌🏻" has become a simple and lighthearted way of representing the club. Perhaps it could be a very powerful symbol with a resonating impact in the future. Who knows, who knows.
July 4 || Friday Night Out with Friends
It was a Friday night of singing and dancing where we just had fun, fun, fun! Due to busy schedules, this was the only time we did it this year. Hoping and wishing for more time in 2026 with you guys! Till next time!
July 17 || PodCast with Smart Speech
It was my first time to appear on a PodCast. Aside from my profession, I talked about the vision and missions of Arbol Tree Club. Special thanks to
Jaime Apostol for hosting the podcast and thank you for making me feel comfortable all throughout!
July 26 || Mayon Toastmasters Induction
Mayon Toastmasters Club inducted its new set of officers on July 17.
Paul Andrei Oliquino, a 23-year-old Computer Science graduate took his oath as one of the youngest presidents of the club ever. Congratulations, Andrei! Looking forward to our future sessions soon!
July 29
Legal Aid with Albay Bar Association (ABA)
Albay Bar Association (ABA) held its first legal aid mission at Oro Site, Legazpi City on July 29. Several indigents secured the pro bono services of the lawyers of ABA.
August 23 || My Godchild's First Birthday
Baby Francine celebrated her first birthday on August 23. She was God's miraculous gift as Ate Char was already 40 years old when she was born. Prior to her arrival, Ate Char and her husband had no child. But Baby Francine is now here and they are now a happy family. 🥳
September 6
Albay Yacht Club General Assembly
Albay Yacht Club had its annual general assembly on September 6. In between serious discussions about the club's future projects and goals were laughters and light conversations as the meeting turned out to be unexpectedly fun and light-hearted.
In the picture were Vice Commodore George Nakano, a Japanese national based in Legazpi City with Pacific Blue and Cynthia Curry as his businesses, and my cousin's husband, Ken Olsson, who was there as a tourist and visitor.
September 12
Wacky Legal Aid Mission
What was supposed to be a tiring and exhausting day turned out to be fun and hilarious.
Parents Against Vape together with
Serbisita organized a multi-purpose charitable activity in Casiguran and Irosin, Sorsogon. I was there to provide pro bono legal services to indigent residents.
What I will never forget was the super hilarious time we had on our way back home when we got lost several times yet we laughed over our mistakes and still had fun! I will never forget that ride! Oh, where are you, Mary Joy Noy? Too bad, we didn't have a picture with you! 😅
September 20 || Pleasant Birthday Dinner
It is rare for me to have a pleasant birthday. It's usually tiring and overwhelming but this year's was different. It was nice and easy. Well, it wasn't really devoid of problems whatsoever; I was simply calm all throughout, firmly believing that God always has better plans. Thank you Fam for spending my birthday with me! 😘
October 15 || Albay Energy Forum
Albay Bar Association organized a four-part energy forum tackling the problems and issues of electricity in Albay. The first part was concluded on October 15 where we unearthed several information and data yet to be disclosed to the public. The event may be serious but it ended up to be engaging and informative. In the picture from left to right are
Atty. Taikee Calleja,
Atty. Frezalva Burce, and
Atty. Keith Ajero, the president of Albay Bar Association.
November 8
Baby Joaqui's Baptismal Day
Another miracle child, Baby Joaqui was born when Ate Cious was already 39 years old. On this day, he was welcomed into the Catholic World. Ate Cious and her husband, Jason, are good friends of mine. Thank you, Ate Cious and Jason, for inviting me to this very important event! 🥳
November 9 || Uwan's Wrath
We will probably forget Uwan but let it be remembered that he was here for 17 hours. He was the longest supertyphoon ever. Good thing, electricity came back just an hour after he left.
November 13 || Chikungunya Virus
Merely four days after a typhoon, I was beset with another problem -- a Chikungunya virus. I remember my sister making faces when she discovered it. Too bad, it wasn't caught on camera... but it was grotesquely hilarious! 🤣🤣🤣
November 28 || A Lasting Legacy
Tabaco City Lions Club headed by its president
Trixie Sia held a massive Bicol-wide simultaneous tree-planting activity. People from all over the region planted trees on selected areas. Despite being ambitious, the event turned out to be successful. Congratulations,
Ate Trixie!
December 1 || A Day at the NBI
Having a common name can be a tad bit inconvenient. Because of sharing a name with a person charged with a crime, I spent a few hours answering questions at the NBI. I thought to myself, "so this is how it feels to be suspected of a crime." A tall barrier separates me from the investigator whose face I could not see at all. Eventually, I got my NBI clearance but I will pursue legal steps to avoid this situation next time.
December 5 || The Feast Light Group
The
Finance Ministry of
The Feast Bicol had a
Light Group session on December 5 where we talked about Christmas and its very essence. We exchanged experiences about the happiest Christmases we had and what we think will make us feel the Christmas Spirit. Thank you so much, Sis Tin, Sis Ela, and Bro Andoy for the heart-warming session! Looking forward to more Light Group sessions in the future!
December 14 || GINiGINaw
This was our Christmas Party at the gym. At first, we were only about five people who went there so it felt lousy. What we didn't know was that it was going to be fun, fun, fun! We enjoyed the drinks, the food, the presents, the games, but most especially the bond we later had that night!
So what was behind the caption of the event? For some reason, Imelda Papin's hit song "Giniginaw" was played during the party. 🤣🤣🤣
Thank you so much Life Fitness Gym for holding this fun Christmas Party! I had fun with you guys!
December 15
IBP Christmas Party with the Bar Boys
Immediately the following day, I attended another party; this time, with fellow lawyers at the IBP Christmas Party. I sat on the table with my group of friends, the
Bar Boys. The camaraderie among fellow lawyers is always top-notch. It sometimes feels as though they were my friends since childhood. 👌🏻
December 16 || Pastores A Belen
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| Photo Credit: Sto Domingo Tourism Office |
We were wowed by the spectacular display of colours and lively dancing at the
Exciting Bicol Pastores held at the Albay Astrodome, Legazpi City. Thank you, Ate
Lily Malasa for joining me in watching this colourful and entertaining centuries-old tradition!
December 20 || Rap's Bachelor Pad
Rap's Five-Story House was blessed on December 20. I was surprised to see how modern and high-tech it is. I wish I could visit you more often, Rap! Thanks for the warm welcome! 🫰🏻
December 21 || Happy Orphanage
Tabaco City Lions Club headed by
President Trixie Sia together with eight-year-old birthday celebrant
Catriona celebrated Christmas at
Holy Cross Children's Foundation at San Antonio, Tabaco City. The children at the orphanage surprised and entertained us with several dance numbers. The children as well as the guests enjoyed the entire activity. All had great fun.
December 25
Sense & Sensibility
Having a leisurely walk on the meadows of Quituinan Ranch feels like strolling off the pages of a Jane Austen novel. Our fam enjoyed the cool and gentle breeze that circulated in the area. What a way to celebrate Christmas. 👌🏻
December 28
BUCELS 2000 Silver Anniversary
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| Woo Lau, myself, Karl, and Bethezel. |
My gradeschool classmates and friends celebrated our class' silver anniversary at
Casa Lorenzo. We had a sumptuous dinner, some singing, and a lot of political discussions (we're nearing forties now so that probably explains 😅). Nevertheless, the party was fun and easy!
December 30
Indian Soul + Filipina Heart
Thank you
Paul Martin and
Rhizza for inviting me to what I would call an exotic wedding! I thoroughly enjoyed the event especially the food and the program... Wishing you a fruitful, happy, and lasting marriage! 🤗
In A Nutshell
I experienced tremendous personal growth in 2025. Though I wasn't able to produce new significant achievements other than paying my car loan in full, I have become a much better person. For 2026, I'm very excited as I face a completely new era where I'm finally debt-free and where simplicity would reign...
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