What’s Up in Two Months

It’s been two months since I left my family and started living alone on this island. It was a decision I’d been planning for a long time—a quiet desire to disappear for a while. I remember coming home after backpacking, staying for only two days, and then packing everything I had. My parents had no idea where I was going.

At 4AM, while everyone slept, I checked my bike, took a deep breath, and started the ride. Seven hours from Davao to Siargao—exhausting, long, but worth every second.

When I arrived, I stayed in the cheapest place imaginable. Water for a bath felt like a luxury you had to fight for. It wasn’t ideal, but it was what I could afford. I promised myself it was only temporary—that one day, I’d leave that tiny room behind.

I looked for jobs on the island that offered employee accommodations. Eventually, I got hired at one of the luxury villas. I was excited, ready to start a new chapter. But that same night, I received a call from a client who wanted me to work remotely as a property manager.

Suddenly, I was stuck at a crossroads I didn’t expect. If I chose the receptionist job, I’d stay in one place, rooted. But remote work meant freedom—movement, possibility, the chance to keep exploring. So I let go of the villa job and chose the path that allowed me to keep my life open.

Now, two months in, I’m still deciding whether to stay here longer or move to another town. I miss the mountains and the climbs that used to clear my mind. But somewhere along the way, I learned to appreciate the present moment—to be grateful for where I am now.

And honestly, I’m happy here. Maybe even happy enough to stay for good.

I’ve met so many people from everywhere—shared drinks, stories, and nights that felt like little adventures. Everything feels new. Nobody knows who I used to be, and that alone feels like a reset button for my entire life.

Then there’s this girl.

I didn’t expect her. We spent time together, explored places I’d never been, and for a moment I felt a kind of happiness I hadn’t felt in a long time. I went home smiling like an idiot, wondering how I ended up there—how someone like her even entered my life. She’s beautiful, the kind of beautiful that reminds you of Lion’s Head Summit.

A lot of good has happened in these two months, and I know there’s more to come.

Life is too short to stay stuck in one place. Sometimes you need to pack your things, trust your gut, and let yourself experience something new.

Like they say, “The core human spirit comes from new experiences.”

So don’t stay where you feel trapped. Go where you’ve always wanted to go. And don’t be afraid to start.