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.
Located in the center of the Poblacion or town proper of Imus City in the province of Cavite, Imus City Plaza is one of the city's scenic and historical attractions. Imus City Plaza Imus City Plaza Details This plaza is located in front of the equally historical Imus Cathedral and Imus City Hall . Imus City Plaza is also the first place to greet you if you're heading to the cathedral via Sapinoso Street. Imus City Plaza - Imus City, Cavite General Licerio Topacio The general guarding the flag Checking out each angle of the monument Imus City Plaza History Imus City Plaza is probably easily remembered because of the monument with two vintage artillery flanking it. The monument stands as an honor to the children of Imus who joined the fight for the independence of the country against Spain. As for the man standing on top of the monument, he is General Licerio Topacio . He is one of the most notable sons of Imus. He is famously known for honorably declinin...
Located in El Nido in the province of Palawan, 7 Commandos Beach is a beautiful beach destination that is part of Tour A of the El Nido Island Hopping Tour. 7 Commandos Beach 7 Commandos Beach Backstory If you're wondering about the origin of its name, so did I... Due to my burning passion to find out the origin of things, I asked our boatman about where the name 7 Commandos Beach came from. However, (no offense) his answer doesn't have the drama that I expected. He told me that it was named by the owner who was a fanboy of anything military. So what I did was search the internet for more info hoping that it would lead to a dramatic backstory. 7 Commandos Beach - El Nido, Palawan The boat brings visitors to this beautiful beach Summer is always the best time to visit Beyond that "mountain" is the town of El Nido Check out that view! Rest in one of the nipa huts available... There were several online but the story that stuck was from a ...
Kamay ni Hesus Shrine, or simply Kamay ni Hesus is a famous religious shrine and grotto. It is l ocated in Barangay Tinamnan, Lucban in the province of Quezon. Kamay ni Hesus Shrine Kamay ni Hesus Shrine History Also known as Via Dolorosa Grotto , Kamay ni Hesus Shrine was built under the initiative of Fr. Joseph "Joey" Faller in 2003. He is known as a gifted healing priest. Due to Fr. Faller's healing masses, Kamay ni Hesus Shrine became one of the country's most visited healing centers. Kamay ni Hesus Shrine - Lucban, Quezon Statues of saints can be seen in different areas of Kamay ni Hesus Shrine A replica of Pieta by Michelangelo Pilgrims look like ants from a distance. Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church Inside the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church One of the highlights of Kamay ni Hesus Shrine is the 50-foot statue of Christ with his arm wide open found on the top of a hill. This statue is often referred to as the Risen Christ or Ascending ...
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 at Francisco Mercado Street corner Jose P. Rizal Street, Barangay 5 Poblacion, Calamba City in the province of Laguna, Jose Rizal Shrine ( Dambana ni Rizal ) is the birthplace of Dr. Jose P. Rizal -the National Hero of the Philippines. Jose Rizal Shrine (Calamba) Jose Rizal Shrine History Jose Rizal Shrine is probably well known as the ancestral house of Rizal's family. The house serves as a museum that contains furniture and items that belong to the Rizal family. Jose Rizal Shrine - Calamba City, Laguna Young Jose Rizal with his dog I wonder what Young Rizal had in mind Rizal Shrine NHI Marker For those who don't know, the house that stood in the lot is actually only a replica of the old ancestral house which was destroyed during the Second World War. The replica was constructed right after the war. The construction was supervised by the late National Artist Juan Nakpil. It was inaugurated in 1950. The entrance to Jose Rizal Shrine...
Hey guys! Today's adventure brings me back to one of Kyoto City's most popular and picture-postcard UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Join me on my third visit to Kinkakuji ( 金閣寺 ). Kinkakuji ( 金閣寺 ) Kinkakuji Details ( Winter ) For those who are not familiar with Kinkakuji , it is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kyoto City. It is also one of the most recognizable and most-visited destinations in the city. Kinkakuji - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture The name Kinkakuji means Golden Pavilion and true to its name, it has an iconic pavilion covered in gold leaf. It was built sometime in 1397 as the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu . It became a zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. Kinkakuji 's 総門 The path from Kuromon Gate to the ticket booth Kinkakuji 's Ticket booth Kinkakuji vicinity map Kinkakuji 's 庫裏 Sadly, the temple was destroyed several times throughout history. The current one is a reconstruction built in 1955 after i...
Found at the B1F of Umeda Sky Building located at 1-1-88 Oyodonaka Kita-ku, Osaka City in Osaka Prefecture, Takimi Koji is a dining district in the basement of Umeda Sky Building . Takimi Koji Takimi Koji details Are you looking for a food trip destination for your upcoming trip to Osaka City? Then this place might interest you. Takimi Koji - Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Takimi Koji is a gourmet street hidden literally in the basement floor of one of Osaka's most famous structures - the famed Umeda Sky Building . It has a theme that recreates the vibes of the Taisho period (1910 -1920) in Osaka. Takimi Koji has been designed well that you would feel that you have time traveled in the past. You would surely appreciate the little details added by those who designed the place from the Taisho period advertisements to the lantern lights used in the streets. Welcome to Osaka during the Taisho period As most of you know, Osaka is the place to experience the culture of dining. L...
Pokemon Center Osaka ( ポケモンセンターオーサカ ) is one of the two Pokemon specialty stores in Osaka City. It is located on the 13th floor of the Daimaru Umeda Store in 3 Chome 1-1 Kita Ward, Umeda, Osaka City in Osaka Prefecture, Japan . Pokemon Center Osaka Pokemon Center Osaka details Pokémon Center Osaka first opened its doors in 1998. In November 2010, it relocated to its current, more spacious location on the 13th floor of the Daimaru Umeda building. This prime location is conveniently situated just a few minutes walk from both Osaka Station and Umeda Station, making it easily accessible for both locals and tourists. Pokemon Center Osaka - Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture At Pokémon Center Osaka , fans can find exclusive merchandise, including a special Pikachu plushie dressed in a Takoyaki T-shirt , a tribute to Osaka's famous street food. This unique item is a must-have for collectors and can only be found at this particular Pokémon Center. Sadly, it was already out of stock when we vi...
Located in Col. C. Riel Street in the town proper of Maragondon in the province of Cavite, the Bonifacio Trial House is a historical establishment where the controversial trial of Andres Bonifacio took place. Bonifacio Trial House Bonifacio Trial House History To know more of the significance of this establishment to the history of the Filipino people, I think it would be beneficial for us to have a quick history lesson first. Bonifacio Trial House - Maragondon, Cavite Museo ng Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio Bonifacio Trial House NHI History Markers It all began a year after the discovery of the Katipunan . A proposal to unite all the factions into one leadership brought its Supremo - Andres Bonifacio to San Francisco de Malabon (now General Trias) to settle the leadership issue on March 22, 1897. This meeting between the two biggest factions of the Katipunan came to be known as the Tejeros Convention. The Philippine Flag waves proudly outside the Bonifacio Trial House ...
The first time that we visited Kokawadera ( 粉河寺 ) was during the 14th day of our 2014-2015 Japan Trip which was actually during the 1st of January. Our main reason when we visited the temple was to accompany our Japanese family on their religious obligations during the Japanese New Year. This is called hatsumode . Kokawadera Revisited 2023 Hatsumode is the Japanese tradition of visiting a shrine or temple for the first time in the New Year. This visit typically occurs during the first three days of January, although some might go within the first week. Kokawadera - Kinokawa City, Wakayama Prefecture During hatsumode , people pray for good fortune, health, and happiness in the coming year. They also often draw omikuji (fortune-telling paper strips) and purchase new omamori (protective charms). Popular shrines and temples can become quite crowded as many people participate in this important cultural and religious event. The map of Kokawadera grounds Photos from Kok...
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