Ten Years Later, I’m Still Here

I came to Davao in 2015, not to move or start over, but just to take a break. I needed a reset. The plan was to head back to GenSan after a day of going around. While waiting for the bus, I killed time at the mall, wandered around, and spotted a hiring office. I didn’t even have a resume with me, but for some reason, I thought, why not? I applied just for fun. Next thing I knew, I was hired. That was not part of the plan. But here I am, ten years later, still in Davao. Safe to say that “quick break” turned into a full-length plot twist.

Starting out wasn’t easy. I had a few contacts here, but I still felt like I was floating. Most days, I just went through the motions. Alone, homesick, and constantly figuring things out as I went. Looking back, I think I survived a lot of things just by pretending I knew what I was doing.

Losing both of my parents was something I never really dealt with properly. There was no time. I had bills to pay and life didn’t exactly pause to give me a moment. Even now, I still haven’t grieved the way I probably should have. It’s like emotions were bookmarked for later. And “later” still hasn’t come. One of these days, I’ll take that break I’ve been putting off. Hopefully not in the form of a dramatic cry in the middle of a mall again.

Things started shifting when I joined Davao Bloggers Society. I just wanted to join something, be part of something, maybe attend a few events. I became a member, then social media director. After the pandemic, I was asked to take on the role of Vice President for Internal Affairs. Now, I’m serving my second term as President. I did not campaign for it. No fancy speeches. I just kept showing up and somehow ended up here.

The pandemic came in like a wrecking ball. I got stuck in Davao with no backup plan and no one to lean on. Days blended into each other, and the silence got loud. After all that, post-pandemic life didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet either. I had a few breakdowns. I finally reached out for help. At one point, I genuinely thought of giving up. But I didn’t. Mostly because giving up also seemed like a lot of work.

Then came Peachy. And later, Eros. I don’t want to be dramatic, but those two really pulled me out of some dark days. I always say they’re more than pets. They’re coworkers, therapists, and unpaid emotional support all in one. Zero qualifications, but very effective.

Somewhere along the way, I also fell deep into the K-pop life. Didn’t see that one coming. I started flying to Manila for concerts, joined fan meets, and even organized the biggest EXO fan meet in Davao. I’ve also been asked to judge K-pop events, which still feels random but fun. It’s the kind of hobby that takes over your schedule, your savings, and your Spotify playlists. And honestly, I don’t regret any of it.

Traveling became part of the picture, too. I got to go on my first international trip and visited Disneyland in Hong Kong. Growing up, I never thought that was something I’d experience. That kind of stuff always felt far from reach. But I made it. Took a million photos. Rode the rides. Ate overpriced popcorn. I really lived my childhood dream in full.

Then early this year, I surprised myself by getting into jogging. It started slow, just me trying to move more and clear my head. Somehow it turned into an actual routine. I even joined a few runs. Still not the kind of person who’ll call himself a runner, but I do enjoy it. It’s one of those things I didn’t expect to like but ended up needing more than I thought. It’s quiet, grounding, and for once, I’m not just running from life but actually running through it.

I’m not living the soft life just yet. But I’m in a good place. I can get the things I want, I know what I still need to work on, and I haven’t lost that tiny bit of hope that life can still surprise me. Sure, I have a few regrets. But there’s still time. I’m not done yet.

Ten years later, I’m still here. Not because I figured everything out, but because I kept going even when I didn’t. No grand lessons or perfect ending. Just me, still moving, still trying, still laughing at how unpredictable this all turned out to be.

Let’s see where the next detour takes.