Life Lately: January 2025 – New Year, Sinulog, Hiking, Birthday, & more...

Hey! It's been a while since I was last here. I know I've been MIA right after saying I would be writing more. I'm really sorry about that, but I have a very good reason for my sudden disappearance.

First off, I finally got a new job about two months before the year ended, which has taken up most of my time—especially since I work at night and sleep during the day. It’s been quite an adjustment for my body clock and routine, but I'm glad I’ve managed.

Second, for the first time in a long while, I finally feel alive—finding joy even in the most mundane moments. I’ve been reconnecting with and rediscovering myself while distancing from all the negativity and toxicity of life.

Anyway, I'm back with lots of stories I’ve been meaning to share! To kick off my first posts of 2025, I’m starting a new monthly series where I’ll be sharing snippets of my daily life, travels, and, basically, how life has been lately.

Since I work in a different time zone, I had to celebrate the start of the year at work and away from home. Despite that, I still wanted to welcome this joyous occasion with a carefree and positive energy—the kind of energy I hope to manifest throughout the year. So, I decided to dress up a little fancy.

I didn’t have anything in my wardrobe that matched the Pantone Color of the Year—Mocha Mousse—so I opted for a dress I had only worn once. It turned out to be perfect, as it closely resembled Future Dusk, the lucky color of the year.

Our company prepared a meal for those of us working during the New Year, which was very thoughtful. It allowed us to celebrate in our own way without completely missing out on the occasion. My colleagues and I shared a meal together as the clock struck midnight.

During our break, we decided to go out and treat ourselves—and as you can guess, I couldn’t resist getting a matcha drink.

My New Year was pretty uneventful yet memorable. I basically went to work, had a meal with my colleagues, went home, attended Mass, slept, and had a movie marathon on my day off.

On the first weekend of the month, I got to hang out again with my OG roomies—Nizza, Joy, and Sofia. Their schedules had been pretty hectic, so I was really glad to see them again after the holiday rush.

On a spur-of-the-moment decision, we went for a walk on Cebu’s longest bridge—the Cebu-Cordova Expressway. It was Aubree’s and my second time conquering the bridge, while it was Joy, Sofie, and Nizza’s first. The funny part? The three of them ended up needing a massage afterward!

That same week, the Sinulog Festival officially kicked off. I had promised myself to attend and complete the 9-day novena mass in honor of the Blessed Child, Sr. Santo Niño. At first, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to complete it because of my work schedule, but I was thrilled to find out that my colleagues also planned to attend.

So, after our shift, we rushed back to downtown Cebu for the novena mass, and on weekends, I attended it with my roommates. And I’m happy to report that I completed it—yay!

Don’t ask me where my energy is coming from—I’m just grateful that despite the sudden changes in my routine and schedule, I still got to enjoy my weekend.

On the second weekend of the month, I did our usual morning walk/jog with my roommate Erika. Around this time, the Cebu Sports Complex was temporarily closed for renovation—maybe in preparation for the upcoming Sinulog? I’m not sure.

Anyway, we decided to switch things up and walk from our place to Cebu Business Park, which had become our favorite spot so far.

By mid-January, my wavemates and I finally had our first get-together outside of work—perfect timing as we were also celebrating our second month as newly hired employees.

We kept it simple with a breakfast outing before heading home. It was a great chance to relax, share stories, and get to know each other beyond work. Even though it was a short gathering, it made me appreciate how much we had bonded in just two months.

The third weekend of the month is the most anticipated weekend for Cebuano Catholics as we celebrate the Sinulog Festival. Aside from the 9-day novena Mass, many activities were prepared for the celebration. And even for those who don’t practice the religion, there were plenty of entertainment events to enjoy.

In previous years, I only got to experience the religious side of the festival since I lived far from the city. However, this year, I finally got to enjoy the entertainment side as well—thanks to my colleague Jeb, who was experiencing Sinulog for the first time since she’s from Mindanao. To make things easier, we had a sleepover at my place, as road closures would make it difficult for her to travel to the city during the festival.

I wasn’t able to witness the Fluvial Parade due to work, but for the first time, I got to experience the Solemn Procession. On the day of the fiesta, we woke up early to watch the Sinulog Grand Parade, where different contingents from all over the country—not just Cebu—performed their halad (offering) dance in honor of the Holy Child. The parade also featured celebrities, which added to the excitement.

Jeb and I ended the festivities by attending the last Mass and watching the spectacular fireworks display, which was visible from our window since I live near the sports center.

On the last weekend of the month, my colleagues and I went on a spontaneous hike to the infamous "Starbuks." This spur-of-the-moment idea came to life when I mentioned to Lee and Aires that I enjoy going for runs or hikes on weekends. We casually talked about places we’d like to visit someday, and before I knew it, this small idea turned into a big plan—not just for the three of us, but for other colleagues who shared the same interest.

Since it was their first time hiking to Starbuks, I ended up being the guide, as they weren’t familiar with the area. We originally planned for an early start, but the weather had other plans, and we almost had to cancel. Luckily, the rain cleared up, and the day turned out beautiful.

The ascent was a bit rough for me at first—maybe because I was trying to keep up with my colleagues' pace. But along the way, I decided to go at my own speed so I wouldn’t tire out too quickly. When we reached the top, the place was buzzing with hikers, both novices and pros. We took some time to rest and enjoy breakfast before heading back down.

My first hike of the year turned out amazing, and the people I was with made it even more special. With that said, you’ll be seeing more of these faces in my future entries—this is just the start of our adventures together!

That same weekend, after our hike, we also celebrated Erika’s 20th birthday in advance. She had shared with me how she wanted to celebrate, so I suggested a few shops and cafés we could visit. We initially planned to go to Tops of Cebu, but due to the weather, we decided to ditch that plan. Unsure of where to go, it was a good thing we passed by Tamp on our way home after the hike.

I suddenly remembered that Tamp has mouthwatering food and cakes, which was perfect since Erika just wanted a small, fancy dinner with cake for her birthday. She wasn’t one for big parties, but she did want a cozy and intimate celebration with good food and close friends.

In the end, it was just Erika, Aubrey, and me who went to Tamp, as our other roommates weren’t available. We had a great time chatting, eating, and making sure Erika felt special on her big day. As always, their food and desserts did not disappoint! We ended the night with lots of laughter, shared stories, and a promise to celebrate even bigger next year.

I know you’re probably wondering what my weekdays look like since I mostly share about my weekends. Well, to put it simply, my routine revolves around working at night and sleeping during the day. It may sound repetitive, but I still try to make the most of my weekdays by spending time with my colleagues whenever I can. Whether it’s small coffee breaks, quick meals together, or just sharing stories in between tasks, these little moments make work more enjoyable.

These photos are just a few snaps I took during workdays. Work has been going well so far—I still have a lot to learn and unlearn, but I’m growing more confident in my abilities each day. Of course, there are challenges, but I’m hopeful that things will continue to improve. What makes it even better is having understanding colleagues and a supportive management team who are always there to guide and encourage us. For that, I’m truly grateful.

And to wrap up this post, here’s how I ended the month—with a spontaneous breakfast with my roommate, Erika. Lourence, on the other hand, was having her Sleeping Beauty moment, so she wasn’t able to join us. I wanted to include this because, for the first time in a while, I got to enjoy a spontaneous and delicious meal after work—no planning, no scheduling, just a single call, and it was happening. It felt like a small but meaningful moment.

January was pretty insane for me—I honestly don’t know where I got all the energy to stay active and social for the entire month, but somehow, I made it through.

I hope I can continue enjoying the rest of the year just as much as I did at the start of 2025!