Binondo Food Trip with Kalesa Tour

My father lived and stayed in Binondo during his college days since he is a working student. He works for a Chinese man who treated him like one of his sons. He helps in their distribution business of fresh fish to Manila market. 

My vivid memory of Binondo as a young child was going up to the Binondo building high stairs to visit this Chinese family. The first chinese words I learned are the Chinese numbers below which I love to recite repetitively during gradeschool.

1 - it
2 - nung
3 - sa
4 - si
5 - go
6 - lak
7 - tsit
8 - pwe
9 - kaw
10 - tsup
100 - pa

My parents could still recall that as a toddler, I stole an apple in one of the Binondo fruit stands but they pay for it eventually. They often repeat this story until now.😅

UP Diliman Oval Walk, Ayala Ave Free Car Sunday and Nuvali

When I had an elbow bone fracture in Q4 of 2025 due to slip and fall accident, it made me quite immobile. I could not do my usual swimming routine exercise and it made me feel sulky. In September last year up to January of 2026, I could only do moderate walk and started controlled weight lifting of kettle ball when my bone gradually healed in the last week of February.

Due to that long medical leave, I realized more the importance of health as top priority. Health is Wealth and it is good to start little by little until all exercises are becoming habits.

To make long walks interesting, I have tried this January three (3) outdoor places where I can freely walk with nice view:

1. UP Diliman Academic Oval (Weekends)

2. Ayala Avenue on Sunday (Free Car)

3. Nuvali Park, Sta Rosa

UP Diliman Academic Oval

I have seen frequently in social media that more people are flocking to UP Diliman every weekend for fitness run and long walks. If you go there on Saturdays, half of the oval is car free. If you visit on Sundays, entire oval is car free based on my reading in the news.  UP Diliman is my alma matter and it brings nostalgia whenever I visir. After doing walks, you can eat mangoes, tusok tusok fishball, carioca and yellow corn. You may also visit D Mall (the previous shopping center) to eat lunch and buy UP merchandise.

                          

Truly Rich Club (TRC) Annual Wealth Summit Conference

I follow Bo Sanchez in social media and the Feast since 20ish and have joined Truly Rich Club for stock advice and market analysis. As TRC members, we have ticket passes to the Annual Wealth Summit which usually happens every September.

My first time in the conference was in 2024 and since then, I am attending this as my schedule permits. This is a 2-day event jampacked with session talks from well known speakers like Brother Bo, Edward Lee, Rex Mendoza, Dimples Romana and other guest speakers who can share anything about business, financial advice, entrepreneurshop, money talks and any other topics that can help you how to earn wealth. 

Aside from nourishing your spiritual wellness, this session is also a good opportunity to network with other same minded people including the other members of the TRC family. There are various topics to choose from with break out rooms after the welcoming talk.

Shangri La Mactan 5 Star Beach Resort

When I learned that we will be having convention in Shangri-La Mactan, I was ecstatic. First things first, it’s free, then I can go back there for the second time and enjoy the premium class service of a 5 star beach resort with my colleagues.

The food in Shang is on my top choice. I savor every moment during buffet breakfast. Shang is also conducive for convention since the event venue is large and after long hours of listening to the speakers, you can unwind and enjoy beach fun activities or just by strolling in their vast garden. 

The swimming pool has a nice panoramic view and there are play area like billiards. If you want to just chill,you can soak in the seawater, play with the fishes near the shore or just drink you favorite shake.

The resort is relaxing with a minimum stay requirement of 2 nights. You can also go out of the resort and visit nearby tourist attractions or Cebu malls.

Grand Clan Reunion in Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental

My mother hails from Lopez Jaena. This is a municipality in Misamis Occidental named after our hero Graciano Lopez Jaena.

The last time I visited there was during grade school years. Our province is relaxing, simple life with fresh air and lots of fresh sea food. I can remember eating Swake (sea urchin) and I really loved this seafood! You can go to nearby beaches easily and there is a river where you can bathe outdoors.

                                                       

This time, I returned back after decades to attend family reunion. It is a well-planned 2 days reunion of 4 generations of Dolotallas Clan (my mother's great grand parents). I felt so loved that I have met my relatives convening together for fun, thinking that we all have the same bloodline. I met again my childhood playmates, my 2nd degree cousins and it brings back good memories.

Farming is the main livelihood in Misamis Occidental. I love to binge on mangoes freshly harvested from the farm. Im excited to go back again on the coming years.