🎉 LOL @ 50: My Golden Year of Love, Life, and Legacy 🌍

2026 marks a radiant milestone—my golden year—as I turn 50 in January. And like any moment worth celebrating, it deserves a tagline that captures the spirit of the journey. So here it is: “LOL @ 50.” Not just a cheeky acronym, but a mantra that reflects the richness of my life’s tapestry.


💛 What Does “LOL” Really Mean?

Sure, it’s the internet’s favorite shorthand for laughter—but for me, LOL stands for so much more:

  • Lots of Life – A half-century of living fully, embracing change, and savoring every chapter.
  • Lots of Love – For family, friends, travel companions, and the places that have shaped me.
  • Lots of Lessons – From boardrooms to backroads, every experience has been a teacher.
  • Lots of Learning – your lifelong pursuit, from technical mastery to legacy storytelling.
  • Lots of Likes – a nod to connection, affirmation, and shared joy.
  • Lots of Liberty – the freedom to create, to honor, to choose your path with purpose.
  • Lots of Longing – the ache of memory, dreams deferred, and love that stretches across time and distance.
  • Lots of Leisure – Because joy isn’t just in the hustle—it’s in the quiet mornings, the long walks, and the spontaneous getaways.
  • Lots of Leaves – nature’s cycles, the turning of seasons, and perhaps the pages of your biography.
  • Lots of Luxury – not just material, but the richness of experience, wisdom, and intentional living.
  • Lots of Luck – The kind that’s earned through resilience, grace, and a few serendipitous detours.
  • Lots of Laughs – The kind that echo through reunions, travel misadventures, and inside jokes that never get old.
  • Lots of Labor – the sweat and effort behind every achievement. It’s the unseen dedication that builds both family milestones and professional legacies. Labor here isn’t just toil, but purposeful work that carries meaning.
  • Lots of Loads – the burdens we carry: responsibilities, expectations, and sometimes emotional weight. Yet loads also signify abundance — carrying treasures, memories, and lessons that shape resilience.
  • Lots of Laag – in Filipino, laag means “to wander, roam, or go on an outing.” This is the joyful side of life: adventures, spontaneous trips, and the freedom to explore. 

And yes, “L” is also the Roman numeral for 50, giving this tagline a clever twist: LOL as “50 over 50.” It’s my personal challenge and celebration—to reach 50 countries in 50 years of existence. A passport full of stories, a heart full of gratitude.

🌟 Why This Year Matters

Turning 50 isn’t just about counting years—it’s about honoring the journey. From leading financial system transformations across continents to gifting travel experiences that celebrate family milestones, every step has been intentional, impactful, and infused with meaning.

This year, I’m embracing the golden glow of reflection and ambition. I’ll continue to support my family in the Philippines, nurture creative projects like my biography and the Popo Takyu novel, and—if the stars align—tick off one more dream destination to complete my 50-country goal.

✈️ The Journey So Far

From the spiritual serenity of Bhutan to the cultural crossroads of Central Asia, each destination has added a layer to my story. Travel has been more than leisure—it’s been a way to connect, to heal, to celebrate, and to grow.

And now, as I stand at the threshold of 50, I’m not just looking back—I’m looking forward. With laughter, love, and lessons as my compass, I’m ready to make this year unforgettable.

🌏 So the Journey Continues… ✨

Stationed now on the serene shores of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, I find myself at another meaningful crossroads—one that blends professional commitment with personal renewal. This island, rich in culture and resilience, offers a quiet backdrop for reflection and planning. And as always, my compass points outward: toward new experiences, deeper connections, and the next chapter of my evolving journey.

🏝️ R&R in the Pacific: Fiji & Australia Beckon

With the Pacific Ocean as my neighbor, I’m eyeing nearby gems for rest and recreation. The Fiji Islands, with their turquoise waters and warm hospitality, promise a gentle escape. Meanwhile, the eastern cities of Australia—Cairns with its gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, and Brisbane with its vibrant arts and riverside charm—offer a blend of nature and culture that’s hard to resist. These short breaks will be my way of recharging while staying close to my current base.

✝️ Holy Week Pilgrimage: Armenia & Georgia

One of my most cherished annual traditions is celebrating Holy Week in a new country—a spiritual ritual that grounds me in faith and cultural discovery. This coming year, I’m drawn to the ancient Christian roots of Armenia and Georgia, where sacred sites like Geghard Monastery, Khor Virap, and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral whisper centuries of devotion. To witness Easter in the cradle of Christianity will be both a pilgrimage and a profound personal milestone.

🧳 Balkan Solo Sojourn: A One-Month Hiatus

Come October, when my one-year contract concludes, I plan to gift myself a one-month solo journey through the Balkans—a region that intrigues me with its layered histories, resilient cultures, and breathtaking landscapes. With my existing visas, I’ll explore:

  • Serbia – where Belgrade pulses with energy and echoes of empire
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina – a mosaic of East and West, memory and hope
  • Montenegro – dramatic coastlines and medieval towns
  • Albania – raw, authentic, and rapidly transforming
  • North Macedonia – rich in heritage and hospitality

And if the stars align and I secure a Schengen visa, I’ll extend the journey to include:

  • Croatia – with its Adriatic charm and ancient cities
  • Kosovo – a young nation with a deep soul
  • Bulgaria – where monasteries meet mountains
  • Romania – a land of castles, legends, and layered identity

🌟 A Year of Movement and Meaning

This year isn’t just about ticking off destinations—it’s about weaving together the threads of purpose, tradition, and transformation. From the Pacific to the Caucasus to the Balkans, every stop is a story, every journey a reflection.

Location: Manila, Metro Manila, Pilipinas

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Water, a Natural Wonder in Malvar, Batangas

Image
A call of duty led me to Malvar, Batangas for a week. A week is too long to stay in one place, so I googled on the potential tourist spots or natural wonders in the town or nearby places like Lipa City or Tanauan City. Then I found one very interesting plac in Malvar town itself, the Calejon Falls. Located in Brgy San Gregorio (trivia: Calejon was the old name), I took the usual and only transport around here - tricycle. Those who have been here said in their blogs that the trip cost 50 pesos, but the driver (I didn't get his name) charged me 55 pesos per way. It was around 10AM when we crossed the STAR Tollway and reached the dropoff point.   One there, I noticed no signage, nor guide posts, no indication of which way, where to go, what must and what not to do. I realized that this supposedly interesting natural wonder, which should have been a touristy spot, is not maximized by both the municipal and barangay local government. I suspect the spot is privately owned....
Read more

ACtive Wanders around Central Asia

Image
This has been the well-planned travel the LAAG friends ever had. The trio (Anneth, Crisanto & Jea) agreed to obtain a travel agency, "Wandering Lens" of Singapore, to manage the land arrangements of the our 15-day Central Asia Tour. The 4-country travel, covering Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, started on Aug 16 and finished on Aug 31, 2025 via Qatar Airways. Jea flew from Auckland NZ, while Anneth from Singapore, and I from Manila, we met at Qatar to and from Almaty KZ... And thus we extended our travel itinerary maximizing our 20-hour stopover in Doha, Qatar (featured on a separate blog). Kazakhstan It was Nomadia Tours who managed locally our Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan trips. Elaman, the owner of the agency, acted as our driver and tour guide. We spent a total of 4 days in Kazakhstan staying 2 nights at Renion City Hotel in Almaty City and another 2 nights at Aryn House in Saty Village. On Day 1, we had a short city tour covering the following: ✅ vis...
Read more

GAYS, AS CLASSIFIED

Image
Being Gay Did you ever catch yourself thinking that a man you see is gay? What traits of a person or cues of his appearance or movements can really cause such an opinion? Mostly people thought of gayness in two ways. First one is person’s girly appearance and manners. If anyone sees such person in public, almost 100 per cent people would call him gay. Second is based on the fact that the person engaged in same sex activities, may it be first hand story or just rumors. The term gay was originally used, until well into the mid-20th century, primarily to refer to feelings of being "carefree", "happy", or "bright and showy". The term later began to be used in reference to homosexuality . In modern English , gay has come to be used as an adjective , and occasionally as a noun , that refers to the people , practices , and culture associated with homosexuality. Gays appear in different faces. Some who manifest girlishness don’t necessarily have physical at...
Read more