2023: A Year that Was

 So here I am once again at the end of another year — looking forward on what’s to come and looking back on what happened. And what happened in Year 2023 was a LOT.


2023 is the year when I finally earned my Master’s degree, with flying colors to boot. I am now back to work but in a different office with a higher responsibility and increased stress. I admit that I was surprised to be given a higher position right after I finished grad school. “It is too early for me”, I said. But then I had no choice but to fulfill the tasks given to me.


Trying to Blog Again


After a very long hiatus and spotty updates on my blog, I decided to return to blogging this year. I was unsuccessful since I only posted [ins number] of articles this year both in Filipino Sojourner and Pinoy Informer.


I also ventured to vlogging by posting FB reels and revisiting my Youtube. I am still a newbie, however, that’s why my viewers are very few. I do hope that 2024 will be a good year for my vlogging journey. You can watch all my Reels on my FB page. Please follow me there too.


My Fatherhood Journey


I still struggle in being a good father. I have the tendency to snap and snarl whenever I lose my cool with my makukulit na kids.


Well, my kids had great achievements this year. They got awards at the end of the previous school year and they are doing well in the current school year. They also joined the church’s choir, which was hreat because it honed their talents.


Anime, Manga, Light Novels Galore


2024 is the year when I encountered great anime, manga, and light novel.


Top of my list is the light novel “Ascendance of the Bookworm”, which is now at the climax. It is enjoyable to read the rise of the MC from a lowly commoner to the top dog of their world.


Another anime that I enjoyed is “Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy”. It is different from isekai where the MC was rejected by the goddess and had to live at the edge of the world. I enjoyed the anime so much that I even read its manga just to satisfy my cravings for it.


“Log Horizon” is another notable isekai. It followed the game trope but with an intriguing storyline. Too bad that its light novel is on hiatus for a long time already.


Other good anime, manga, light novel that enjoyed this year are:


Spice and Wolf (manga)

Hinamatsuri (anime)

Girls’ Last Tour (anime)

Bofuri (anime)

Spy Family (anime & manga)

Kubo Won't Let Me Be (manga)

Asobe Asobase (anime)



Let’s Go! Pokemon Go


My kids caught on to the Pokemon craze. They watched the TV show and played the card game. I also introduced them to the Pokemon game, which includes Pokemon Go.


I am glad that my kids enjoyed Pokemon, which I went gaga over too during high school.


Looking Forward for 2024


The incoming year will surely be challenging but full of blessings. I hope and pray that God will continue to guode and protect me.


Happy new year everyone!