Happy New Year, everyone! I really hope your year is off to a great start. It's hard to believe it's already been six days since we said farewell to 2024 and welcomed in 2025.
How are you doing?
2024 turned out to be an incredible year for me. It was a time I dedicated mostly to my family and even kicked off my fitness journey. I felt happier and more content than ever. I started the year with the intention of romanticizing my life, and I believe I succeeded in my own little way.
There are definitely more things I could have done, but overall, it was a fantastic year. And for my first post this 2025, I’ll take a walk down memory lane, month by month, highlighting the noteworthy events of the year. Let’s begin!
January 2024
- Celebrated the New Year (2024) in the province with my parents and sisters. This was my second road trip to Eastern Samar with my eldest sister, and this time, we were also joined by my other sister and her baby.
- Received a PR Advent Calendar from Dazzle Me Cosmetics. Every blogger dreams of getting a PR package, and as someone with a smaller blog and audience, I’m truly thrilled to have received such a thoughtful gift. It’s my first time getting an advent calendar, and it was actually a dream come true. Take a peek at what's inside below:
Related read - Dazzle Me Beauty Haul - 24/7 Lip Serum, SPF 50 Sunscreen, Misty Matte Lip Cream, and More
February 2024
- Binondo with my sister. It’s been a while since I visited Binondo—my last trip was in 2017 with my old coworkers. I'm really glad to be back, especially since it was just a few days before the Chinese New Year, which added to the excitement in the area. We checked out Jones Bridge, which looked stunning at night, grabbed some Chinese snacks, and enjoyed a meal at Ching Fung Snack House.
- Cousin Shan’s surprise Bachelorette Party. I’ve mentioned Shan in this blog HERE and HERE, but to summarize, she's my closest cousin and has been my best friend since I came into the world. In just a few days, she’ll be getting married, and I’m excited to help plan her surprise Bachelorette Party with her sister and other dear friends.
March 2024
- Parents visit Manila. My parents came to Manila to spend a couple of weeks for my cousin Shan's wedding. They were both principal sponsors, and I had the honor of being the Maid of Honor. I also helped pick out their dress and barong for the occasion.
- Shan’s wedding. My cousin Shan's long-anticipated wedding day has finally arrived. I feel truly honored to witness my cousin walking down the aisle and uniting with the love of his life.
- Singapore-Malaysia travel. I enjoy exploring new countries, and Singapore was a destination I hadn't experienced until now. During my visit, I spent time at the beautiful Gardens by the Bay and the iconic Marina Bay Sands. I also checked out various other attractions and had the chance to reconnect with my longtime friend Armstrong, who is currently living and working in Singapore.
- Eras Tour concert experience. I traveled to Singapore to experience Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. It still feels surreal to think that I got to see a concert in another country, especially one featuring Taylor Swift! I went with my best friend Nica and her sister, and we were fortunate enough to catch the final day of the Eras Tour at the National Stadium Singapore.
Related read - 5 Days in Malaysia - A Travel Diary
April 2024
- Liwliwa Beach, Zambales. I went on a wonderful overnight adventure to Liwliwa Beach in Zambales with my eldest sister and her lovable dogs, Maddie and Feejie, on April Fool’s Day. We stayed at Kwentong Dagat, a charming beachfront accommodation that perfectly complemented our seaside getaway. I enjoyed the delicious free breakfast they offered, and the whole place was really nice.
- 3 Days 2 Nights stay at Shangri-La The Fort for work. One of the highlights of my year was the all-expense-paid retreat we had for work. It was such an incredible experience to finally meet the owners and founders of the company I work for. I was also thrilled to connect with my coworkers, whom I had mostly spoken to online. We had an absolute blast during those days together, and the fact that everything was provided for us made it even better. To top it all off, I even won the Female Star of the Night—can you believe it?
- Milo Marathon 2024. I cheered on my oldest sister during her first race of the year while taking care of the dogs. She ran an impressive 10km, and I couldn’t be prouder of her!
May 2024
- Pansol, Laguna and Lucban, Quezon with my sisters. I had another spontaneous getaway with my sisters that I truly cherish. We spent the night at Camp Wiggles in Pansol, Laguna, enjoying a delightful staycation. One of the highlights was being able to let the dogs enjoy the pool with us. The next morning, we explored UP Los Baños and then took a side trip to Lucban, Quezon before checking out. It was wonderful to savor pancit hab-hab and Lucban longganisa again.
- Cha-Ching One Million Milestone event. My first paid event appearance in a long time as Izza of SavingsPinay PH. I met some of my fellow personal finance bloggers like Ameena of The Thrifty Pinya, Janice of The Pinay Investor, and Sir Fitz of Ready to be Rich.
- Met with my former workmates. In 2022, I left my previous job, and since then, I haven't had the chance to reconnect with my former colleagues, like my supervisor Ms. Love and my teammate Marie. It brought me so much joy to finally meet again after such a long time.
June 2024
- Eastern Samar - Cebu travel. I returned to Eastern Samar to celebrate my youngest sister’s college graduation, and I couldn’t be prouder of her for finishing Cum Laude! To commemorate this achievement, we treated her to a trip to Cebu. My nephew Lyron joined us on this adventure, making it even more special as we got to bond and spend quality time together.
- Cebu was truly a delight. I loved exploring the various places we visited and savoring the delicious food. We made stops at Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro in Cebu, Temple of Leah, 10,000 Flowers, Moalboal Beach, and Taboan Public Market. Of course, we had to indulge in some lechon!
- Upgraded my phone. I’ve finally upgraded my phone after using the same one since 2021, and I couldn't be more thrilled! From iPhone 11 64GB, I got an iPhone 15 Pro Max with 256GB memory! As someone who blogs and shares my life on social media, this was such a great investment.
July 2024
- Participated in 2024 Mid-Year Prayer and Fasting. I eagerly anticipate the Mid-Year Prayer and Fasting at our church. It's a wonderful opportunity to reflect on all that God has accomplished in the past six months and to prepare my heart for the months ahead.
- Attended Run2U in Manila Concert. Another concert for the year, and I was with Nica again. We watched Run2U in Manila, which was the fan meeting for the Running Man Korean variety show here in the Philippines. It was my second time attending the concert, and although the first one really left a mark, it was still a great show.
- Started my fitness journey by doing long walks. This year, I really embraced this routine and made it a significant part of my life. Since I began freelancing in 2022, I hadn't engaged in much physical activity, so I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment for dedicating myself to doing long walks.
- Makati carless Sunday. During my long walks in July, my eldest sister and I attended Makati’s Carless Sunday for the first time. The atmosphere was lively, with countless people walking, running, and cycling throughout the area. It was also great to return to Makati, a place where I used to work years ago.
August 2024
- Stayed with my Kuya and his family at Cavite with my other siblings. My youngest sister, Karen, finally touched down in Manila, and we were all excited to have her here. To make the most of her stay, we decided to head to Cavite to spend some quality time with my Kuya and his family. It had been a while since we last gathered, so we looked forward to catching up and enjoying each other's company.
- Read a lot of books. I had an amazing reading month in August, completing five books! I think this is the first time I’ve ever managed to read that many in a single month, and I’m really proud of this achievement.
September 2024
- Another short visit at my Kuya’s. I traveled to Cavite to support my Kuya and Ate Lhen after the heartbreaking loss of their beloved furbaby, Chibi. Losing a pet is never easy, and I wanted to be there for them during this difficult time. I knew how much Chibi meant to them and how deeply they were affected.
- Stayed at my parents in Eastern Samar for two weeks. Another highlight for me was staying at my parents' home in Eastern Samar for two weeks. This time, I traveled alone. During my stay, I enjoyed reconnecting with my parents, sharing stories, and savoring home-cooked meals by my Mama that I had missed so much. I also took the opportunity to revisit Eastern Samar’s beautiful beaches and continue my long walks every chance I got.
October 2024
- Reconnected with my Makati Victory Group members. After such a long time, I finally had the opportunity to attend an on-site church service again, and it felt incredible to be back. I'm also thrilled that I reconnected with my Makati Victory Group members during this visit. After the service, we enjoyed a delightful lunch together, catching up on each other's lives and sharing stories.
November 2024
- Sunday church with my youngest sister. If there’s one thing I can’t believe happened this year, it’s finally bringing a family member to church. This moment has been on my Christmas bucket list for such a long time, and I’m overjoyed that it finally came to fruition. I brought along my youngest sister, Karen, to church, and it was an experience I will always cherish.
- My 31st Birthday weekend at Lobo, Batangas. I celebrated my 31st birthday with all my siblings during a fantastic weekend at a beautiful private villa in Lobo, Batangas. We spent time lounging by the pool, eating, and going to the beach, where we created new memories with each other. It’s sad we can’t be with our parents but how lucky I am to have such supportive and loving siblings with me. I couldn't have asked for a better way to welcome another year!
- Espren Date with Steph. I also had a great time talking with my best friend Steph on our post-birthday date together. We shared our favorite memories and talked about how we've grown over the years.
- Vice Comedy Club experience. Another November baby is Karen. This year, she decided to make it extra special by inviting us to join her for a night of laughs at the Vice Comedy Club. When the show started, the comedians shared funny stories and clever jokes that made the audience laugh hard. I have to say, though, some of the jokes were a bit edgy and not suitable for everyone. Still, the overall experience was amazing!
- Started running. After spending time taking long walks, I decided to gradually transition into light running. At first, I wasn't sure if I had it in me to run even a short distance. However, as I continued my walks, I discovered a newfound strength and stamina that surprised me. I found joy in the challenge, and with each light run, my confidence grew. It was a remarkable realization that I was capable of more than I initially believed.
Related read - Goodbye Marh, Hello April 2021
We indulged in an amazing feast that included a mouthwatering lechon from Ping-Ping’s, steak, an arranged charcuterie board, fresh salad, creamy pasta, and other delicious dishes.
Even though we weren’t all together, the warmth and happiness we felt on New Year’s Eve showed that love brings us close, no matter the distance. As the clock struck midnight, we raised our glasses to welcome the new year, filled with hope, joy, and treasured memories of our time together.
December 2024
- Sister’s Garmin Run race. My sisters and I came together to support our eldest sister in her 21km Garmin Run. As we cheered her on, it was so inspiring to see my Ate give it her all. Watching her push through each kilometer brought a sense of pride and joy. In that moment, it wasn't just about the race; it was about family, support, and the shared experience of witnessing someone we love pursue their passion.
- Another stay at Cavite. I decided to stay a couple more days in Cavite because my Kuya was on an extended vacation from work. It was a great opportunity to spend more time with family and enjoy various activities together. I did some runs as much as I could and played badminton with my nephew Lyron. One of the highlights of my trip was when we visited SVD Farm in Tagaytay. The scenery was breathtaking, and we explored the lush landscapes and enjoyed the fresh air.
- Date with Nica. Nica and I finally met after the Run2U concert in Manila in July. We had our usual afternoon of lunch, visiting a bookstore, and enjoying coffee while catching up on updates in our lives and more. We also exchanged gifts; she brought me some Te Tarik from her recent trip to Malaysia. I'm grateful to Nica for over a decade of friendship.
- Christmas Lunch Makati Victory Group. After such a long time, my Makati Victory Group members and I finally met for a Christmas celebration. We enjoyed lunch and exchanged gifts. We also reminisced about old times and caught up on each other's lives, strengthening the bonds that connect us.
- Date with my cousin Shan. I also had dinner with my cousin Shan. It’s hard to believe she is already in her third trimester! Time has flown by so quickly. I couldn’t be more excited for her as she prepares to enter this new season of motherhood. We talked about her pregnancy journey, and she shared her hopes and dreams for the little one.
- Celebrating Christmas, my father’s birthday, and New Year’s eve with the family. I ended the year on an incredible high note, surrounded by family as we celebrated Christmas together in Cavite. It was a heartwarming gathering, and I felt so grateful that we were all united for this special occasion. For the first time, we decided to have a gift exchange, which added an exciting twist to our holiday celebration.
The day after Christmas, we continued our family celebrations by honoring my father’s 68th birthday at Dahon at Mesa Tagaytay. The picturesque setting and delicious food made it a memorable occasion. Unfortunately, my youngest sister had to work, so we couldn’t be with her.
As we transitioned into New Year’s Eve, our family gatherings took on a different shape. Although we had to celebrate separately, it was delightful to see how each group embraced the occasion. Those who had families of their own held their celebrations, while my eldest sister, youngest sister, parents, and I came together for our own intimate gathering.
We indulged in an amazing feast that included a mouthwatering lechon from Ping-Ping’s, steak, an arranged charcuterie board, fresh salad, creamy pasta, and other delicious dishes.
Even though we weren’t all together, the warmth and happiness we felt on New Year’s Eve showed that love brings us close, no matter the distance. As the clock struck midnight, we raised our glasses to welcome the new year, filled with hope, joy, and treasured memories of our time together.
Overall
2024 has been a year centered on family, filled with cherished memories and meaningful experiences. I’ve spent quality time with my loved ones, creating bonds that I will treasure forever.
It was filled with personal highlights too, such as my trip to Singapore and Malaysia, attending the Eras Tour, starting my fitness journey, going to on-site church, celebrating my 31st birthday, and reconnecting with my Makati Victory Group members, among many other experiences.
I am grateful for 2024 and looking forward to what 2025 has in store.
How's 2024 for you?
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