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 municipality of Nasugbu in the province of Batangas, Munting Buhangin Beach Camp is one of the few privately owned resorts in the area that doesn't really require memberships for visitors to enjoy. Munting Buhangin Beach Camp Munting Buhangin Beach Camp Details Although Munting Buhangin Beach Camp doesn't have white sand to boast, it's quite an isolated place which makes the resort stand out. Its light brown sand, sprinkled with different kinds of shells, is cleaned daily by the dedicated staff of the resort. Sadly, during my visit, a broken piece of glass buried in the sand gave one of my toes a deep cut but I know that it's just a rare case (no one needs to be fired) and nobody wanted that to happen. Munting Buhangin Beach - Nasugbu, Batangas One of the best places to go camping... ...or rent nipa huts and treehouse You might want to try kayaking here too Going up: parking / Going down: beach Munting Buhangin Beach Camp is ide...
Located in Santa Maria Street in the municipality of Daraga in the province of Albay, Daraga Church is the crowning glory of religious architecture in Albay. Daraga Church Daraga Church History Daraga Church is also known as the Our Lady of the Gate Church . It was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum on October 29, 2007. Daraga Church - Daraga, Albay Daraga Church NHI marker Daraga Church facade Daraga Church bell tower Team Nicerio visits Daraga Church Daraga Church was built by Franciscan missionaries in Daraga which was then a barrio of the older town of Cagsawa. However, after Mayon Volcano's 1814 eruption which buried the majority of the town of Cagsawa, survivors relocated to Daraga. The barrio was then formally organized as a town in 1815. Afterward, the town became the center of trade and commerce in the province of Albay. A view of Mayon from inside Daraga Church Daraga Church interior Daraga Church baptismal ...
First Timer's Guide to Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass Kyoto City is one of the most touristy destinations in Japan . There are numerous tourist destinations scattered around this 827.8 square kilometer city that commuting sometimes becomes too costly and stressful particularly for travelers who are on a tight budget. As of 2018 , the fixed rate for city buses is 230 yen for adults and 120 yen for children per ride. Now, imagine riding the bus 5 times a day or more... Luckily, there is something that can remove this concern from the equation. First Timer's Guide to Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass The Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass gives you that hassle-free and cost-efficient commuting experience during your visit. For just 600 yen for adults and 300 yen for children , tourists can get that unlimited bus ride for a day. However, before availing of the Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass , one should keep these in mind first... This one's for daddy and mommy This one's fo...
The last time I visited Daraga Church was during the 4th day of our CamSur - Albay Road Trip last 2014. Since that's almost a decade ago, I made sure to include it in our itinerary for the 8th day of our 2021 Bicol Road Trip . Daraga Church Revisited 2021 Daraga Church details For those who are unfamiliar with Daraga Church , it is located in Santa Maria Street, Daraga in the province of Albay. The church is formally called Nuestra Senora de la Porteria Parish Church ( Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church ). Daraga Church - Daraga, Albay Daraga Church was built under the supervision of the Franciscans sometime in 1773. the church was placed under the patronage of the Our Lady of the Gate. Daraga Church Facade Sadly, Mayon Volcano was not visible during our visit Daraga Church NHI Marker Can you spot the scary tarsier? The church facade is known for its Churrigueresque architectural style. It was built using materials that are abundant in the area like volcanic rock, wood, and...
Months prior to our visit to Japan , my wife tagged me to a trending post on Facebook about this unique Starbucks store in Kyoto City. This Starbucks branch was dubbed the " Edo-style Starbucks ." Kyoto's Edo-style Starbucks The said post piqued my interest as I was crafting our Kyoto City itinerary during that time. I then made sure to include it in the said itinerary and as a matter of fact, I placed it on our first-day plans. Before I write about what happened next, let's first discover the good-to-know information about this Starbucks store. You'd surely miss it if you don't know where it is... I had to ask around to find it. Yup, I'm in the right place! Kyoto's Edo-style Starbucks - Kyoto City Edo-Style Starbucks History The Starbucks Coffee Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya , better known as the tatami-styled Starbucks is located at Kyoto-shi Higashiyama-ku Kodaiji Minami-dori Shimogawara Higashi Ino Masuya-cho 349, Masayacho, H...
Located in Barangay Sta. Mercedes (Patungan) in Maragondon , Cavite, Patungan Beach is one of the province's little-known beach destinations. It is situated inside Patungang Cove which is south of Mt. Palay Palay which is also known as Pico de Loro . Patungan Beach Patungan Beach Details The area near Patungan Beach is home to about 100 - 200 families, most of which are fishermen hence the alternate name of the barangay - Patungan Fishing Village . According to the locals that I interviewed, their place was once an isolated barangay , reachable only by boat, horse, or foot. Thankfully, with the completion of the Nasugbu - Ternate Highway and Kaybiang Tunnel , the barangay was finally connected to the province. However, there is still no direct public transportation system that serves the area coming from Manila. Patungan Beach - Maragondon, Cavite The beach from a distance Check out these photos of Patungan Beach: Just a heads up, ...
Starbucks Hakodate Bayside ( スターバックス函館ベイサイド店 ) is one of the branches of the popular coffee chain. It is located at Suehirocho 24-6, Hakodate West Wharf, Hakodate City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Starbucks Hakodate Bayside Starbucks Hakodate Bayside Details Starbucks Coffee Japan opened its Hakodate Bayside Store on October 29, 2010, at Hakodate Nishi Wharf . This charming store, located in the heart of Hakodate's stunning bay area, seamlessly blends the natural beauty of the cityscape with Starbucks’ signature design. Utilizing the existing building, the new store provides a cozy and inviting atmosphere, making it a must-visit spot for locals and tourists alike. Starbucks Hakodate Bayside - Hakodate City, Hokkaido Prefecture Hakodate shares several characteristics with Seattle, the birthplace of Starbucks, making it a perfect location for the company’s first store in the city. Both are vibrant port towns with scenic hills and bustling morning markets, whil...
Learning Kanji - Numbers At first, learning kanji felt pretty overwhelming —all those complex characters and meanings! But now that I’m preparing for the JLPT N5 , I’ve come to see it as a challenge worth taking on. I’ve already got a good grasp of hiragana and katakana, and now I’m slowly adding basic kanji to my study routine. There’s something incredibly rewarding about recognizing a character on a sign, a menu, or in anime—it makes me feel like I’m actually starting to understand real Japanese. Since the JLPT N5 covers essential and frequently used kanji , I’m tackling them little by little. And where better to begin than with numbers ? You see them everywhere—on prices, dates, times, and more. They’re also some of the first kanji learners encounter, and for good reason. So today, we’re focusing on the kanji for 1 to 10, 100, and 1,000 . They’re straightforward in structure, but once you learn them, you’ll start noticing them all around you. Let’s get started! 一: 1 二: 2 三: 3 四: 4 五...
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse ( 金森赤レンガ倉庫 ) is the general name for a group of red brick warehouses that now operate as a shopping mall along the bay area of Hakodate City. It is located at 14-12 Suehirocho, Hakodate City, in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse Details The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is a captivating historical site located in the bay area of Hakodate City, Hokkaido. These iconic red brick buildings, which once served as warehouses, now function as a vibrant shopping mall, offering a blend of history, culture, and modern commerce. But the story behind the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is as fascinating as the destination itself. Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse - Hakodate City, Hokkaido Prefecture The current location of the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is on reclaimed land that once housed a shipyard and a foreign settlement during the Edo period. This area, initially called " Jizo-cho Tsukishima ,"...
Shin Hakodate-Hokuto Station ( 新函館北斗駅 ) is a station of Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). It is located at 1-chome-1-1 Ichinowatari in Hokuto City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Shin Hakodate-Hokuto Station Shin Hakodate-Hokuto Station Details Shin Hakodate-Hokuto Station , located in Hokuto City, Hokkaido, is a key stop on the Hokkaido Shinkansen line, offering convenient access to the region’s stunning landscapes and historical sites. Opened on March 26, 2016, this station serves as a crucial transfer point between conventional rail lines and the high-speed Shinkansen, connecting travelers to Hakodate Station, which the Shinkansen does not directly serve. Shin Hakodate-Hokuto Station - Hokuto City, Hokkaido Prefecture The history of the station dates back to the opening of a railway station in the Ichinowatari area in 1902. Originally named " Hongo ," the station was renamed in 1942 to " Oshima Ono " after local villages merged. The station’s name w...
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!
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