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Returned HOME twice this year

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Just like in year 2024, I returned to my hometown twice this year. August: A Homecoming with Purpose August brought a rare and meaningful pause in our lives. Our eldest brother returned home for a month-long vacation from his overseas work, and I, too, was on a two-month break from my year-long assignment in Micronesia. With all four siblings finally under one roof, we seized the moment for two important reasons: first, to celebrate our very first siblings’ reunion, and second, to begin the process of settling our parents’ estates. It was a bittersweet task—finalizing the transfer of the main property title under our late father's name and addressing the share of our beloved late mother. Amid the paperwork and legalities, there was comfort in doing it together, as a family, honoring their legacy with unity and love. September: Fiesta, Festival, and Friendship September gave me another rare gift—the chance to be home with friends during Surigao City’s fiesta in honor of its patron s...
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Doha Stopover: From Transit to Treasure

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Over the years, I’ve had several brief stopovers at Qatar’s Hamad International Airport—most lasting less than four hours, just enough time to stretch my legs before the next flight. But my first extended layover was during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Philippine government imposed a cap on arriving passengers. I was held at the airport for 24 hours, provided with complimentary accommodation at the Oryx Hotel and meal vouchers. Despite the generous hospitality, strict health protocols kept me from exploring Doha City. Fast forward to today, I finally got a second chance to experience Doha beyond the terminal walls—a 20-hour stopover on our return from a 14-day tour of Central Asia. This time, I shared the adventure with Anneth and Jea. Anneth and I booked a stay at the Royal Riviera Hotel, while Jea received a free hotel accommodation inside the airport, thanks to an approved transit visa. With time on our side and the city within reach, we made the most of our short...
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Location: Doha, Qatar
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