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Bacolod and Los Angeles 2026 | A Journey of Gratitude
Location
Bacolod, Philippines
Los Angeles, CA
San Diego, CA
Date
June 2026
- After six years without a proper vacation, this trip carried far more meaning than simply boarding a plane. It marked the end of one of the most difficult chapters of our lives, an excruciatingly long season that tested our faith through the collapse Shakespeare and Co., the company I had worked at for 13 years where I lost everything including the entirety of my end of service benefits, my entire life savings and months of unpaid backpay as a result of the company's bankruptcy, then another job loss 3 years later when Salmontini closed its doors in early 2026. Through all the years of tulmult and uncertainty, my wife never wavered. She carried me when I struggled to carry myself. I owe my sanity and my life to her, because it was her steadfast faith, prayers and support that kept my spirits afloat whenever I was weary on on the verge of spiritual and emotional collapse. This trip was, above all else, for her.
Our first stop was Bacolod, my hometown, a place I hadn't returned to in a decade following my father's passing in 2016. It was a chance to spend precious time with my Mom, improve her tech life as I gifted her an iPad and installed Plex (the private Netflix style home media service I setup for ourselves) on her TV so she could enjoy her old tv shows and biblical movies she loves. We left with full hearts and a decision we never expected to make: one day, this is where we want to retire. The warmth, kindness, and genuine hospitality of the people reminded us why Bacolod will always hold a special place in my heart.
The second chapter took us to Los Angeles, my wife's hometown and another place deeply woven into our family's story. For six years I'd dreamed of bringing her home. I carried a quiet sense of guilt that life's circumstances had robbed us of opportunities she deserved, and this journey felt like finally keeping a promise I had made to both of us. Between family, baseball games, road trips, sunsets, incredible food, and countless laughs, we celebrated not only how far we'd travelled geographically, but how far we'd come together inspite of our trials and tribulations. Nothing gave me greater joy than being able to see the utter joy in my wife's eyes and spirit, as I treated her to every possible theme park in California, from Disneyland, to Universal Studios, to Sea World San Diego and finally the proper Magic Mountain experience as the last time we visited in 2020 was in the dark, in the middle of winter, and far too short as I tried to squeeze to much into our itinerary. We also had the magical experience of visiting our favorite pastor, Dr. David Jeremiah at Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon where we also were fortunate to experience an amazing car show, besides an inspirational sermon in person! We also fulfilled another dream of visiting a real United States Navy Aircraft Carrier, at the USS Midway museum in San Diego where I finally was able to touch my favorite fighter jet of all time, the F-14 Tomcat. Of course we snuck in a bit of sneaker and cap shopping, as well as another delightful bowl of ramen at Tatsu.
Looking back, this wasn't simply our first holiday in six years. It was God's reminder that storms don't last forever. Sometimes the greatest blessing isn't the destination itself, but finally reaching a season where you can breathe again, give thanks, and share life's adventures with the person who never stopped believing in you. Above all, we are thankful to the Lord for his mercy and benevolence, without whom this trip would have never been possible. He truly makes the impossible, possible.
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