A Letter to 2024

Dear 2024

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!
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).

We are the first Filipinos to have visited all 179 municipalities of Hokkaido
We are the first Filipinos to have visited all 179 municipalities of Hokkaido

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
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
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:


January

Chippubetsu Onsen Chip Yu & Yu - Chippubetsu, Hokkaido
Chippubetsu Onsen Chip Yu & Yu - Chippubetsu, Hokkaido

Sunflower Park Hokuryu Hot Spring - Hokuryu, Hokkaido
Sunflower Park Hokuryu Hot Spring - Hokuryu, Hokkaido

February

Asahikawa Winter Festival - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido
Asahikawa Winter Festival - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido

Takikawa Lantern Festival - Takikawa City, Hokkaido
Takikawa Lantern Festival - Takikawa City, Hokkaido

COSTCO Trip - Ishikari City, Hokkaido
COSTCO Trip - Ishikari City, Hokkaido

Horokanai Seiwa Onsen Luonto - Horokanai, Hokkaido
Horokanai Seiwa Onsen Luonto - Horokanai, Hokkaido


March

Moekko Haru Matsuri - Rumoi City, Hokkaido
Moekko Haru Matsuri - Rumoi City, Hokkaido

Takasago Onsen - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture
Takasago Onsen - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture

New Chitose Airport - Chitose City, Hokkaido Prefecture
New Chitose Airport - Chitose City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Birthday at Kinnobuta Izumi-Chuo Station - Izumi City, Osaka Prefecture
Birthday at Kinnobuta Izumi-Chuo Station - Izumi City, Osaka Prefecture


April

Strawberry Picking at Tanaka's Strawberry Farm - Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture
Strawberry Picking at Tanaka's Strawberry Farm - Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture

Philippine Consulate - Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Philippine Consulate - Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

Osaka Castle - Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Osaka Castle - Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

Asahikawa Ramen Village - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture
Asahikawa Ramen Village - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Kamuinomori Park - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture
Kamuinomori Park - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Showa Day Road Trip
Showa Day Road Trip - Oshima, Hiyama, and Iburi Subprefecture

May

Bihoro Roadside Station - Bihoro, Hokkaido
Bihoro Roadside Station - Bihoro, Hokkaido Prefecture 

Lake Mashu - Teshikaga, Hokkaido
Lake Mashu - Teshikaga, Hokkaido Prefecture

Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park - Ozora, Hokkaido Prefecture
Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park - Ozora, Hokkaido Prefecture

June

Weekend walk along Rumoi River - Rumoi City, Hokkaido
Weekend walk along Rumoi River - Rumoi City, Hokkaido

Starffin Baseball Stadium - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture
Starffin Baseball Stadium - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture

July

Shakotan Observation Deck - Shakotan, Hokkaido PRefecture
Shakotan Observation Deck - Shakotan, Hokkaido Prefecture

Mermaid Statue - Setana, Hokkaido Prefecture
Mermaid Statue - Setana, Hokkaido Prefecture

Okushiri Island - Okushiri, Hokkaido Prefecture
Okushiri Island - Okushiri, Hokkaido Prefecture

Asahikawa Tambo Art - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture
Asahikawa Tambo Art - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Shikisai no Oka - Biei, Hokkaido Prefecture
Shikisai no Oka - Biei, Hokkaido Prefecture

Hakuginso Campsite and Hakuginso Onsen - Kamifurano, Hokkaido Prefecture
Hakuginso Campsite and Hakuginso Onsen - Kamifurano, Hokkaido Prefecture

One night in Osaka - Kumatori
One night in Osaka - Kumatori, Osaka Prefecture

Home Sweet Home - Cavite, Philippines
Home Sweet Home - Cavite, Philippines

August

Bonding with my in-laws - Panaraga Beach, Surigao del Sur
Bonding with my in-laws - Panaraga Beach, Surigao del Sur

Narita International Airport - Tokyo City, Tokyo Prefecture
Narita International Airport - Tokyo City, Tokyo Prefecture

September

Rebun Island - Rebun, Hokkaido Prefecture
Rebun Island - Rebun, Hokkaido Prefecture

Ainu Kotan - Kushiro, Hokkaido Prefecture
Ainu Kotan - Kushiro, Hokkaido Prefecture
Shimukappu Roadside Station - Shimukappu, Hokkaido Prefecture
Shimukappu Roadside Station - Shimukappu, Hokkaido Prefecture

Yushun Memorial Park Yushun Memorial Hall - Niikappu, Hokkaido Prefecture
Yushun Memorial Park Yushun Memorial Hall - Niikappu, Hokkaido Prefecture

Cape Erimo - Erimo, Hokkaido Prefecture
Cape Erimo - Erimo, Hokkaido Prefecture

October

Filipino Hokkaido ALT Reunion - Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture
Filipino Hokkaido ALT Reunion - Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Kokemomo flavored softcream - Sarufutsu, Hokkaido Prefecture
Kokemomo flavored soft cream - Sarufutsu, Hokkaido Prefecture

Himenuma Pond - Rishirifuji, Hokkaido Prefecture
Himenuma Pond - Rishirifuji, Hokkaido Prefecture

November

Shirataki Roadside Station - Engaru, Hokkaido Prefecture
Shirataki Roadside Station - Engaru, Hokkaido Prefecture

Aikawa Viewpoint Parking - Kimobetsu, Hokkaido Prefecture
Aikawa Viewpoint Parking - Kimobetsu, Hokkaido Prefecture

Jigokudani - Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture
Jigokudani - Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture

December

Asahikawa City - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture
Asahikawa City - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Featured in Hokkaido Shimbun
Featured in Hokkaido Shimbun


Team Nicerio featured in Manila Bulletin
Featured in Manila Bulletin

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

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

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.

#2024
#Dear2024
#Hokkaido179

Sincerely yours,


Neil Alvin Nicerio

The Backpack Adventures


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