Visiting my friend with cancer for an early Christmas started as a simple idea… and ended up teaching me the real meaning of the holidays.

Disclaimer: All views expressed on this blog are my own based on my own experiences and do not represent of any entity with which I have been, are now or will be affiliated

December 31, 2025
Batangas, Philippines

Over the years, I’ve realized that life gives meaning in many ways, but for me, it has always been through relationships especially with my friends. They’re the ones who fill the gaps when I can’t quite fill my own cup. And honestly, I don’t always show up with 100% of myself, but somehow they make up for that. I’ll be forever grateful for them.

I’ve promised myself to always be there for my friends, to give what I can. Not necessarily what I want to give, but what they need. Because that’s what matters, the little ways we show up for each other.

November 28, 2025 (Tuesday)
Ortigas, Manila

I saw on a friend’s Facebook story that a high school friend had been hospitalized. From the photo, it was clear something serious was going on, but I felt I had to see him for myself and understand what was happening. After receiving my US visa in Parqal, I made a trip to the hospital to visit him.

I learned that he was diagnosed with Stage 3 lymphoma, a rare type of blood cancer. It hit close to home – my cousin had also battled blood cancer, though hers was a different type, and unfortunately, it was already Stage 4 when discovered. Despite the shock, I felt confident that he could fight this, and I wanted to make sure that he knew his friends would be there to support him through everything he was about to face.

Seeing him that day, filled with positivity despite everything, was a reminder of how powerful hope and support can be. I knew the road would be long, and the cure was not just medicine, but also prayer, faith, and the unwavering support of loved ones both emotionally and financially. We all vowed to walk this path with him, to be there for the highs and the lows, and to never let him face it alone.

After the hospital visit, I was physically and emotionally drained, so I needed to eat. I noticed an Aston’s nearby, a restaurant I remembered fondly from my time in Singapore, where friends had treated me there. It wasn’t exactly the same taste, but it was comforting and enough to recharge me before continuing my journey to Batangas.

December 21, 2025 (Sunday)
Ortigas

Today, I was planning to meet my high school friends to visit our friend in the hospital, so I made plans ahead to coordinate with them. I traveled from Batangas to Ortigas and planned to stay overnight, since I was also meeting another friend to watch a movie and my youngest brother was arriving the next day, and we would be fetching him from the airport.

I arrived at SM Megamall around 1:50 PM and, feeling starving, decided to eat first at Mango Tree because I was craving Thai food. The service was good, but unfortunately, the pad thai was soggy and disappointing, especially for the price of PHP 620. I felt sad eating such a subpar dish. The Thai milk tea was okay, though I’ve had better drinks and dishes elsewhere, so I don’t think I’ll be coming back here.

Accommodation: Red Planet Ortigas
Amount: PHP 1,597.68/night
Check-in time: 2:00pm
Check-out time: 12:00pm
No security deposit required

Since it was nearing the holidays, booking a Grab or other transportation apps was difficult, so I decided to walk to my accommodation to check in. It was about a 10–15 minute walk from Megamall Fashion Hall. I had booked a one-night stay in a double room at Red Planet—my go-to hotel when I travel, and it never disappoints.

The room was spacious, clean, and equipped with all the basic amenities and toiletries. They also have a water dispenser, and convenience stores are just a five-minute walk away. The bed and pillows were comfortable, charging ports were easily accessible by the bed, and they even had a hair dryer, which I needed. Overall, it was exactly what I expected from a reliable stay.

Medical Center, Ortigas

What was supposed to be a 2:30 PM meet-up ended up happening at 4:00 PM. I almost gave up trying to get a Grab because of all the chaos with booking one, and I was about to tell my friend that I couldn’t visit and would come the next day. Luckily, I managed to book a ride and made it and that’s when I found out it was actually a surprise get-together for our friend as an early Christmas gift. I’m so glad I didn’t message him!

We ordered food for our mini celebration, and my friends had organized a special pre-Christmas gathering. It was so much fun—we played games, exchanged gifts, and just enjoyed being together. I even won one of the games, haha! Most of the games were captured on video, so I can’t really share them here. I left around 6:00 PM to meet another friend, but the memories of that afternoon stayed with me.

That day reminded me of life’s fragility, the power of friendship, and the strength we gain from being present for one another. It’s not just about facing battles alone it’s about the love, support, and laughter we share along the way.

Osteria Antica
Podium Mall, Ortigas
PHP600-1,500/order
Video in this link.

We had a reservation at 8:00 PM, so I went back to the hotel to freshen up before meeting a friend for dinner at Osteria Antica, a Michelin-selected Italian restaurant located in The Podium Mall. The restaurant had a well-lit, elegant atmosphere vibe, perfect for a dinner.

We ordered pizza (I forgot the name, PHP 700++), wagyu beef cheeks (PHP 2,200), rigatoni carbonara (PHP 720), and tiramisu (PHP 300+). The service was excellent, and the space was comfortable, but unfortunately, the food which should have been the star, fell flat. The dishes were bland and uninspiring. The wagyu beef cheeks were extremely soft but lacked flavor, and overall, nothing really stood out.

For the price, I expected much more. While the ambiance and service were good, the food didn’t justify the cost, so I wouldn’t return.

Avatar Fire And Ash
Megamall IMAX 3D
PHP860 with free Lays and 1 bottle mineral water
Video here

Avatar: Fire and Ash was a pure cinematic thrill. The Sully family, still reeling from Neteyam’s death, faces the fierce Ash People and a vengeful Quaritch, pushing them into war on Pandora. Jake and Neytiri must protect their family while navigating impossible choices, especially with Spider’s reliance on human tech adding risk. The story is intense, emotional, and beautifully crafted.

Watching it in IMAX 3D was incredible – the visuals, the cast, the storytelling – it all drew me in completely. At 3 hours and 15 minutes, the film flew by; I was hooked the entire time. James Cameron delivers pure cinema magic, left the theater at 2 AM and it was totally worth it—what a ride! I can’t wait for the next installment!

The next day, I finally got to see my brother in the Philippines after six long years, I missed him so much! His fiancé will be joining him too, and we’ve got more adventures and a mini send-off coming up. Can’t wait to share it all—stay tuned!

Love,
Maria