It’s a leap year this year so thank you for the 366 days that we've shared. It was a memorable one. Like last year, numerous blessings and travel opportunities came into my life.
Let's look back and see what milestones we've crossed and achieved this year.
1. This year, there were 369 published articles (That's 187 more articles than last year 😄😄).
2. I have reached 4 million views (That's 420K new views this year).
3. I got my contract renewed as an ALT under the JET Programme. I’m officially in my 4th year as an ALT.
4. My Japan Residence Card, along with my family’s, has been renewed for another three years. I see this as a clear sign that Japan is truly where my family and I belong.
5. My family and I finally got to fly back to the Philippines during summer vacation to have Kai baptized and also spend quality time with my family and my in-laws in Mindanao. It was such a memorable time.
Congratulations Kanon and Sora!
6. Two students I trained from Rumoi High School, Kanon, and Sora, placed first and third respectively in this year’s Kobunren Hokkaido High School English Speech Contest for the Hokkaido District (高文連北海道高等学校英語弁論大会道北地区大会).
6. My family and I got to travel a lot around Hokkaido Prefecture. We visited 179 of the prefecture's 179 cities, towns, and villages. We have finally completed the #Hokkaido179 Challenge. We are now officially the First Filipino Family to Visit All 179 Municipalities of Hokkaido.
Team Nicerio was featured in Hokkaido Shimbun
7. We were featured in Hokkaido Shimbun for being able to visit all 179 municipalities of Hokkaido.
Featured in Manila Bulletin for being the first to visit all 179 municipalities of Hokkaido
8. We were featured in Manila Bulletin for being the first Filipinos to travel and visit all 179 municipalities.
Speaking of travels, here are the highlights of my travels for each month last year:
It is with a heavy heart that I share the sorrowful truth that this year has not ended without taking loved ones from us. We bid farewell to two dear souls who brought immense joy and love into our lives—our family dog, Bucky, and our beloved Tito Imbet.
Bucky
Bucky was more than just a pet; he was a cherished member of our family. His wagging tail and boundless affection filled our days with light. He had a unique way of sensing our moods, offering comfort during hard times and companionship during happy ones. His loyalty and unconditional love will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
Tito Imbet
Tito Imbet, on the other hand, was a guiding light in his family. He had a smile that could warm any room and a heart that embraced everyone. He shared his humor and unwavering support with all of us. Tito Imbet was the kind person who made everyone feel special, and his absence leaves a void that words cannot fill.
As we reflect on their lives, let us remember the joy they brought, the lessons they taught, and the love they gave so freely. While the pain of their loss is deep, the memories they left behind will continue to inspire and comfort us. May we honor them by carrying their love forward in our own lives.
Rest in peace, dear Bucky and Tito Imbet. You will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
With a heavy heart, I’m holding onto hope that 2025 will bring brighter days, as we have so much to look forward to and accomplish in the year ahead. Farewell, 2024, and thank you for the memories—both joyful and bittersweet.
Updated: October 30, 2020 Our adventure today will take us 46.11 kilometers south from kilometer 0 in Manila. The historic atmosphere still lingers due to the historical landmarks that you can see all around this place. One of the most famous landmarks this city has to offer is the Rizal Shine or more popularly known as Rizal's house. However I'm not here to give you a history adventure but instead, I will tell you the different side of this city. 88 Hotspring Resort and Spa Calamba City in the province of Laguna is a city that has more resorts than the number of days in a year. Because of the fast-growing number of resorts (661 and counting), this city earned the nickname Resort Capital of the Philippines. 88 Hotspring Resort and Spa - Calamba, Laguna Travelers and resort seekers who didn't read my blog The Adventurer's List would surely be unprepared for what's to come. It would surely take a day for you to choose and pick the most suitable reso...
Weekend 45: September 10-11, 2022 Day 313: September 10, 2022 Saturday - 9.9-11 Family Road Trip D2 Good morning everyone! Thankfully, it didn't rain last night but condensation made the inside of our tent wet giving us that Hamatombetsu rainy day camping experience once again. Regardless, the sun came up and helped us dry our tent anyway. Sato Auto Campground of Firefly We bought breakfast at Seicomart Numata We parked near Numata Agricultural Cooperative Agricultural Warehouse Numata Shrine We left the Sato Auto Campground of Firefly a little before 7AM. We then drove to Numata ( 沼田町 ) town proper to buy breakfast at Numata Seicomart before heading to Numata Shrine to pay respects and offer some prayers. Totoro Pass Catbus From there we drove south passing through Fukagawa City ( 深川市 ). We made a brief stopover at Totoro Pass to see the famed Catbus . Driving through Route 38 Originally, our plan was to spend most of the day in Ashibe...
Located in Barangay San Pedro in Sto. Tomas in the province of Batangas, the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio is a pilgrimage site dedicated and inspired by Saint Padre Pio. National Shrine of St. Padre Pio National Shrine of St. Padre Pio History The shrine initially started out as a bamboo and nipa chapel back in 2003. Then on November 7, 2005, a 1.6-hectare agricultural land was donated to the Archdiocese of Lipa by a generous couple. A year later, another generous individual donated 200 square meters of land to provide the right of way to the site. This land would be the site of the new chapel and later on the Shrine of St. Padre Pio . The salakot like roof as seen from the bell tower Devotees hanging handkerchiefs dipped in the Well of Hope or Bukal ng Pag-asa St. Padre Pio welcomes the pilgrims to the shrine Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry - National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio St. Padre Pio belltower St. Padre Pio painting A relic inside the Reli...
Located in Rosario in the province of Cavite, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros is famously known as the location of the historic Tejeros Convention of 1897. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros Casa Hacienda de Tejeros history Casa Hacienda de Tejeros was originally built in the 17th century. The hacienda and its surrounding lands were formerly owned by the Augustinian Recollects. The estate was once the largest and grandest estate in the country. It once covered as much as 1,125 hectares with the casa occupying 4 hectares of it. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros - Rosario, Cavite The NHI Marker of the Casa Hacienda de Tejeros The name tejeros came from the Spanish name tejer , which means "to weave". It's due to the fact that the weaving industry is one of the major industries of the municipality of Rosario. Going back to its historical importance, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros played an important role in 1897 when it hosted the assembly that the new leaders of the revolution were elected. ...
Located in A. Luna Street, corner Timbol Street the town of Concepcion in the province of Tarlac, Aquino Ancestral House is an old Pre-war mansion owned by the (highly political) Aquino clan. Aquino Ancestral House Aquino Ancestral House History The Aquino clan, as most of us know, is a political clan known for producing generations of politicians. The most famous (and last occupant of the house) is Benigno Aquino Jr. also called Ninoy by most. He is the senator turned martyr during the Marcos regime. His wife would then become the 11th President of the Philippines after his assassination and the subsequent EDSA People Power Revolution that toppled Marcos from his seat of power. Several decades later his son Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III would become the 15th President of the Philippines. Aquino Ancestral House - Concepcion, Tarlac The house is surprisingly well maintained Aquino Ancestral House NHI Marker The beautiful maiden in the garden Check out the roo...
Maragondon is one of the southernmost towns of the province of Cavite. It is also one of those places in Cavite where one can still feel the "provincial vibes" compared to many of the other towns and cities of the province which already embraced urbanization. Top 10 Things To Do in Maragondon, Cavite For those planning to visit the town to check out what it has to offer, here are the Top 10 Things To Do in Maragondon, Cavite. 1. Admire the sculpted images at Inukit Site 2. Cross the Caingin Hanging Bridge 3. Take a photo of the ancestral houses 4. Visit the Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-Tourism Park 5. Go boating or swimming at Maragondon River 6. Go to mass at the historic Maragondon Church 7. Swim or sunbathe at Patungan Beach 8. Visit and learn about Andres Bonifacio's trial at the Bonifacio Trial House 9. Hike Mt. Buntis 10. Hike Mt. Pico de Loro AKA Mt. Palay-Palay I hope my list of Top 10 Things To D...
Located in the coastal part of Rinku Town, Izumisano, Sennan in Osaka Prefecture, Sennan Marble Beach is an artificial beach that is one of the best places to watch the beautiful sunsets within Osaka Bay. Sennan Marble Beach Sennan Marble Beach Details As was written, Sennan Marble Beach is an artificial beach that is part of the reclaimed land which is now famously known as Rinku Town. Sennan Marble Beach is famous for its white marble gravel-covered coastline that stretches for about 900 meters. Sennan Marble Beach - Sennan, Osaka Prefecture Gotta love the view Sennan Marble Beach " Always with you " Due to the exquisite sunset view from Sennan Marble Beach , it has been included in Japan's Top 100 Sunsets. Since its opening in 1995, the beach has become a favorite destination of couples who wanted a romantic place but does not want to go far from Sennan. Hence it is not a surprise when the beach was designated as a Lover's Sanctuary. The ti...
Located in the vicinity of Mt. Nagpatong in Maragondon in the province of Cavite, Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park mark the supposed place where Andres Bonifacio and his brothers Procopio were executed in 1897. Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park History We learned from the previous post about Bonifacio Trial House the story of the trail leading up to the last days of Andres Bonifacio . Since I did not fully elaborate on his death, I think it is very relevant to talk about it now in relation to our featured destination - The Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park . Check out the images on the BAYANI Check out the images on the KKK A perfect angle to see the KKK and Bayani I'm wondering if that face is scared, shocked, or excited... The statue of Andres Bonifacio wearing a very fashionable camisa de chino Our local guide showed us the way to the peak of Mt. Nagpatong After his...
The last time we visited Nara Park ( 奈良公園 ) was on the 16th day of our 2014-2015 Japan trip . That was also our first time to see this world-famous park with our own eyes. Nara Park ( 奈良公園 ) For those who are not familiar with Nara Park , it is home to hundreds of free-roaming Sika deer . This 502-hectare park also includes the grounds of temples and shrines which are popular tourist destinations themselves like Todaiji , Kohfukuji , and Kasuga Shrine (some of which we also visited). Our photos in Nara Park: Although the deer of Nara Park are mostly friendly, you still have to be extremely careful Check out the road going to Nara Park Nara Par k is located at the foot of Mount Wakakusa . It was established in 1880, making it one of the oldest parks in Japan. Aside from that, Nara Park is also designated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Science and Technology (MEXT) as one one of Japan's "Places of Scenic Beauty". The hundreds of free-roamin...
Day 12 May 28, 2018 Eiraku Yumenomori Park After several days of having great weather (which allowed us to go on a back-to-back road trip), we experienced on and off rain today. Our adventure for today... Our original plan last week was to go to Universal Studios Japan today but thank God for the accurate weekly weather prediction of the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) we changed plans and booked for it tomorrow as there is a lesser chance of rain compared to today. Looking at it, it looks like we made the right decision as it rained straight till 9AM. It's Ella's day today An hour after the rain stopped, Mr. Toshi told us that he wants to bring us, particularly my daughter Ella, to the Eiraku Yumenomori Park which is also called Yongkura Yume no Mori Park which is just a few kilometers away from their house. We agreed of course but my wife decided to stay to cook lunch for us. It was only Mr. Toshi, Ella, and I together with the family dog Yomogi who wen...
Congratulations on reaching the 4M views.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteCongratulations on all your achievements Neil.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Rest in peace to your uncle.
Thank you so much!
Delete