The end is the beginning and the beginning is the end.

The past year was a series of anniversaries, endings, and new beginnings. In this blogpost, I present the highlights of my year – my own version of #2017bestnine. I’ll do away with very long wordy blogpost which I did in the previous year. This year, let me take you back to everything that’s happened in the past year through pictures.

1.RESEARCH

Our undergraduate research paper was published in several online journals this year.  Cannot help but be proud of our group!

2. HIV STATUS

My partner and I got tested for HIV and we both learned that we’re in the healthy side of statistics. We encourage everyone, LGBTQIA and straight, to take the test. Read more: Know your status.

3. WARD 5 and NRS FAMILY

I enjoyed my very first summer outing with the Ward 5 Family! We went to Bolinao in Pangasinan and enjoyed the beautiful Patar Beach.

Nightingale Research Solutions celebrated its first anniversary on August this year. We continue to offer research consultancy services. For more information, visit our page here: NRS.

I’ve been in the service for more than a year now. I am proud to say that I have finished my two-year return service pending the submission of my final RSA report. 🙂

4. HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS

Grabbed almost all the opportunities to be with my high school classmates. Low maintenance, ever-supportive friends!

5. Project GifTED and Serge Aclan

Project GifTED was launched early this year and was able to receive grants for its project proposal : the establishment of the Lipa City Youth Orchestra. After receiving the top prize during the Angat Buhay Youth Summit last August, we were also invited to visit South Korea to pitch our proposal for more funding. Here’s the story as told by Rappler: Project GifTED.

Hanyang University (Seoul) invited us to pitch our project proposal and join the 2nd 17 Hearts Festival. The event was held last November. Project GifTED was given another grant amounting to 1,000,000 Korean Won.

6. BIRTHDAY AWAY FROM HOME

I was in Korea during my birthday. Happy that I was able to celebrate it with new friends from various countries in the world.

Here’s a photo of the post-birthday celebration with the Family.

And finally, a very late birthday celebration with my closest college friends.

7. MEET and GREET

In the middle of 2017, I organized a family dinner where they “officially” met Neil as well as the partners of my two sisters.

8. WEDDING!

Just this December, one of our cousins got married and I was asked to be one of his groomsmen. It was a wonderful wedding experience and celebration of love.

9. NEIL AND I

Finally, Neil and I celebrated our first anniversary last September. Our relationship isn’t and will never be perfect but I am happy and blessed that this is true. I’ve never been happier. I’ve never been more certain. Borrowing the lyrics of the song Forevermore, you were just a dream. I never thought I would be right for you.

I never thought I am the right one for you.

 

Many other great things happened this year. Thank you to everyone who made 2017 an awesome year. Let’s leave all the negative behind and look forward to bigger and better things. There are many things to be thankful for. But more importantly, there are many more to look forward to.

Here’s to hoping for a greater year this 2018! Cheers! 🙂

Photo credits: Javillonar, E. Jarabe, A. Jarabe, Rosales, RR Tamayo, Magno, Falzado, Rappler, bestnine2017, Gilo, Office of the Vice President