May 22–23, 2025 · Temecula → Oceanside → La Jolla, San Diego

A Letter to the Boy Who Buried My Barbie 😂

To the boy who once buried my Barbie —

You were always there. When I was fifteen with a crush and stars in my eyes, my brother apparently decided that was his business too. Nobody asked him. No invite, no warning — just shoes already on before I even said we were leaving. Yes, you read that right, I allowed this. There I was, talking to my crush, trying desperately to act normal and failing completely, gushing on the side like an absolute fool — and there he was, completely unbothered, tagging along like he owned the entire afternoon. 😂

When the barbershop gave you a haircut that had no business being on your head and neither of us said a word about it, we walked out together in silent suffering. You were pissed for weeks. I still laugh about it. I’m sorry. I’m an accomplice. Kind of.

You handed me an EDM festival ticket you didn’t even want to use, just so I could go and have the time of my life while you stayed home. You sat with me in Greenhills while I picked out your PSP like a proud ate completing a mission.

You were my shadow, my chaperone, my built-in plus-one for every awkward, messy, in-between chapter of growing up. And somehow, I always let you.

And then you became your own person, and I watched it happen. I missed the tagging-along, if I’m honest. But then you found Josh — patient, kind, understanding, and refreshingly thrifty — someone who would have spoken up about that haircut. And I watched you come alive in a way that made missing you feel completely worth it.

You once had a million dreams, and I had a front row seat to all of them. The messy ones, the funny ones, the ones that took longer than expected. But nothing — not one single dream — could have prepared me for how full my heart would feel watching you stand on that beach in La Jolla. Because for you and Josh, I think every moment together feels like it’s still never enough. And that’s exactly how it should be.

I couldn’t be prouder, or happier, for the man you’ve become. You deserved every single dream that came true.Here’s to forever, Yves & Josh. Love you 🥹

But that’s a story for May 23rd. Let’s rewind a little. 😄

Day 8 · May 22 · Rest Day (For Me, Anyway)

TJ Maxx · Temecula

While waiting for Auntie Lyn, I popped into TJ Maxx and found a Calvin Klein dress for just $20 (₱1,216) — originally $180 (₱10,940) — using the gift card from Aunt Baby. The Shein dress I packed wasn’t flattering at all, so this felt like the universe stepping in. Perfect find, perfect timing.

🍰 The Cheesecake Factory · Temecula

Auntie Lyn treated Auntie Liding, Mitch and me to lunch here. The interior was warm and cozy and the service was as always in the US, attentive.

🍝 Skinnylicious Chicken Pasta — $23.95 / ₱1,456. 🍰 Key Lime Cheesecake (shared) — $12.95 / ₱787.60. We shared the cheesecake because we were already so full from the pasta.

The absolute highlight of the experience, though, was the butter. It was impossibly creamy—unlike anything I had ever tasted before. I even had to ask the staff for the specific brand name. I could have happily skipped the main course and just eaten that butter with the complimentary bread all night.

A huge thank you to Auntie Lyn for the treat!

After lunch, we stopped at the cemetery to visit Mama Deling — my grandmother — on her birthday. It felt right to be there, even if it also felt a little bittersweet. I wish we could have been together, all of us, one more time. There happened to be a funeral nearby, and the guests thought we were part of their group and started handing us food. We graciously, confusedly accepted. Only us. 😂

Lewdan fetched us in the evening and we drove to Oceanside for Yves’ wedding the next day. Tonight was still free time.

🏨 Days Inn by Wyndham · Oceanside, San Diego

Room: $162 for 3 / ₱9,836Spacious and clean, shower and bathtub, right near the beach. Simple and comfortable — exactly what we needed the night before a big day.

🍽️ Denny’s · Dinner

Just a 5-minute walk from the hotel. I had the Wild Alaska Salmon — $17.99 / ₱1,092. Fresh, flavorful, and the perfect pre-wedding dinner. Solid choice.

Then we headed to a nearby convenience store. I picked up some Cheetos because the sign said ‘Buy 1, Buy 2 for $5.’ It turned out the second bag was $5—not both for $5 like I originally thought—but it was still a decent deal. We grabbed some water, too.

Day 9 · May 23 · The Wedding Day

☀️ Morning Walk · Oceanside Harbor

I woke up and walked to the harbour. I always feel most like myself in that quiet hour before the day begins.

☕ Stratford at the Harbor · Breakfast

A lovely café with al fresco seating surrounded by yachts — about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. I got a little turned around finding it, but that’s half the adventure.

🥣 Corned beef hash — $20 / ₱1,211 → Too salty and heavy on potatoes. A miss for me. 🍰 World famous coffee cake — $5 / ₱302 → Absolutely delicious, so flavorful! ☕ Iced americano — $4.50 / ₱272 → Hit the spot.

Note to self: next time just order the coffee cake and coffee and enjoy the view. 😄

After breakfast I walked down to the beach and watched surfers cut through the cold morning waves. The beach was impeccably clean — California beaches are in a category of their own. I was in a bomber jacket the whole time, too cold for the water, but I could have watched those waves for hours.

🏡 WorldMark Oceanside by Wyndham · Parents’ Hotel

I headed back and spent time at my parents’ hotel before getting ready. Apartment-style, with elevator, four bedrooms, soft beds, cozy blankets, full kitchen with supplies. It felt like a home rather than a hotel. Malen and I did Mama’s makeup here before heading to the venue.

💍 Yves & Josh · La Jolla, San Diego

The ceremony was held in a garden overlooking the beach in La Jolla — sunny, breezy, and somehow perfect. Yves and Josh walked down the aisle together with bubbles floating all around them. First came the family photos, then the ceremony began.

What I’ll carry with me most are the vows. Josh read a deeply heartfelt letter — so personal, so full of intention. He included lines in Tagalog, a language he was learning for Yves. Yves cried. Malen cried. I was teary-eyed. Yves spoke about a line in a film — about how their love might seem quiet and ordinary to others, but that it is sure. And that marrying Josh was the happiest moment of his life.

“Our love might seem boring and quiet — but it is sure.”— Yves, in his vows to Josh · May 23, 2026

“Pinapangako ko na pagaaralan ko pa ang wika mo unti-unti. Mahalin kita ngayon at magpakailanpaman.” – Josh, in his vows to Yves May 23, 2026

The couple’s first dance was Never Enough from The Greatest Showman — absolutely them. They also danced with their moms, and seeing both mothers beaming was the kind of image that stays with you.

Then came the speeches.

🎮 Lewdan: “They debated who would be Player 1 and Player 2 — now Josh is his Player 2.”💛 Josh’s best friend Michele: “Yves keeps Josh from being Josh.”🤍 Hiezll: “It’s forever now. Stay true to the vow.”

The food was wonderful, the drinks were flowing, and they had heaters as the evening turned cool. The DJ also played to entertain guests and everyone was having a fantastic time.

What I loved most was how much of them was in every corner — the Instax wall, the coloring station with messages for the newlyweds, the artistry of two people who put beauty into everything they touch.

Yves, you’ve been through so much to get here. You deserve every bit of this happiness — the patience, the understanding, the love. I’m so glad you have Josh. I’m so glad I got to be there. 🤍

We went back to the hotel, showered, and slept soundly — the good kind of tired, the kind that comes from witnessing something that really mattered.

UP NEXT: The second leg of the Road Trip, stay tuned! We’ll be in a different state 😁