After a few years of pandemic disruptions, I finally found myself back in the Philippines—refreshed and ready to explore, thanks to a smooth and seriously impressive business class flight with Philippine Airlines. Comfy seats, great service, and food that made me question whether I’d even left the ground yet.
Touching down in Manila, I felt that familiar warmth—not just from the tropical heat, but from the people, the memories, and the connections that made this place my second home. I checked in at Conrad Manila, a new favourite, and soaked in the view of Manila Bay while sipping poolside drinks as the sunset lit the sky on fire. The glass reflections, the city glow, the seamless layout of the hotel—it was all beautifully orchestrated.
This trip had a special purpose. It was a long overdue reunion with my high-performance analytics and data science team—some of whom I hadn’t seen since before the pandemic. I also had the chance to reconnect with former staff from a previous company—people I built strong relationships with over the years. It’s a real testament to the bonds we formed that, even though we’ve all moved into different roles and companies, we still make the effort to come together. We caught up over dinner at Hard Rock Cafe Manila, swapping stories, laughs, and a few "where were you when" pandemic reflections.
But more than that, I was here to farewell one of my closest mates, Louie Rosales, who is off to chase a new dream: relocating to Canada. For years, we had imagined this move together, and after securing him an inter-company transfer in our former workplace, it’s now becoming real. I couldn't be happier for him.
The goodbye get-together at C Lounge at the Conrad was as heartfelt as it was lively. We had a surprise visit from Kim, who had also relocated overseas and happened to be in town at the same time. Seeing so many familiar faces—most of Louie’s team (and previously mine)—made the evening even more special. There were drinks, hugs, speeches, and a quiet recognition that an era was closing. Louie, you've been more than a teammate. You've been a brilliant colleague, an exceptional leader, and above all, a friend. Toronto is lucky to have you.
The rest of the week was a mix of downtime and reflection. I spent slow afternoons by the Conrad pool, with great service (shoutout to Vincent, the legend behind the bar), and explored Pasay’s stunning development, including the sleek new Amazon.com building, complete with 5th floor rooftop gardens. The area has transformed dramatically—it’s hard to believe it’s mostly reclaimed land, with barges still expanding the footprint.
Before heading home, we wrapped things up with a Goodbye and Congratulations dinner at China Blue by Jereme Leung. The wok-fried U.S. beef tenderloin with asparagus and Hunan pepper was the perfect dish to toast years of friendship and shared ambition.
It’s not often you get to visit your “second home,” reunite with your team, and say goodbye to someone who’s shaped so much of your career—and life. I’ll be chasing these memories for a long time. And I’ll be chasing Louie in Toronto, too. 🇨🇦
