So this is 50.

A moment to pause life and reflect on the past half-century.

This is 50. I thank God for blessing me with a beautiful wife, a loving family, and an entrepreneurial journey where I cherish every moment, whether it’s a win or a loss, during this golden year of my life. This letter is dedicated to my boys so they can understand our journey—the Holy Spirit-inspired decisions we’ve made, the epic mistakes and missed opportunities, and how everything has connected to bring us to where I am today.

Golden Insights and Lessons in Life

Dearest Boys,

This may not make much sense to you now since you’re still studying, and it might take a few more years to appreciate the insights in this letter. I’m writing this as a time capsule for your future selves, as you begin your careers, start families, and build your own legacies. In this age of TikTok and micro-learning, I’m offering a long-form narrative that will grow in value over time—like fine wine—and I hope it helps guide you on your own earthly journey.

1. Quitting your day job: Was it worth it?

I quit my day job in 2008 after working at P&G for over 12 years, starting right after graduating from DLSU in June 1995. While much of the literature romanticizes quitting your day job to pursue your passion, I’m writing this 16 years later, reflecting on a long and fulfilling food and travel blogging career.

Quitting your day job is hard. I actually found the letter I wrote to your mom in February 2008 while I was in the US attending an Internet Marketing conference where Gary Vaynerchuk was featured for the first time.

The main reason I quit my day job was due to a Holy Spirit-inspired vision I had during the first-ever Kerygma Conference by Bo Sanchez in November 2007 at Ultra. Aids, you were with me at the time. As Brother Bo led worship, I held you and asked the Lord for guidance at a career crossroads: accept an expat job in Singapore or leave to pioneer blogging and open doors for digital marketing and content creation. I saw a vision of more people embracing and thanking me if I chose the latter.

As you graduate from college, seek a corporate career where you can learn invaluable skills like brand building, communication, networking, leadership, and managing work as if it were your own business. Stick with your corporate job for 7-10 years to gain these experiences, and if you find that you’re no longer growing, it may be time to consider quitting your day job.

I made the right choice in my career. My main motivation for quitting was to be there as you all grow, to share in the important moments of your life, and to support you every step of the way. Hope you appreciate our hopes, dreams and sacrifices for you.

You must discern your own path. Not everyone is meant to be an entrepreneur, which brings its own challenges when starting out. Always pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom in making decisions. What’s important is that you make a decision and don’t let the nagging “what ifs” or uncertainty about the future paralyze you.

Be a sigma. Don’t settle to be a Beta in your career.

2. Blogging… 20 years later. Is it dead or an enduring legacy?

I started blogging in 2005 when you, Aids, were born, followed by Joshua in 2007. I quit my day job in 2008 after realizing I wanted to be close to you both. Raphael arrived in 2010, and Yugi in 2014, both as part of the growing love story with your mom.

The blog is my love letter to you boys. I’ve done my best to capture your first experiences, our food and travel adventures, and the moments that mattered most. I wasn’t a writer when I started, so there might be some grammatical errors, but I tried to capture the essence and emotions of each moment. I’ve managed to document about 30% of our life story—feel free to search, read it from the start like a book, or find moments of inspiration. I hope it resonates with you.

Someday, I was hoping to summarize the blog into a book or a film. (Or kayo na bahala dito.)

They say blogging is dead, Instagram is fading, and your generation is captivated by the TikTok algorithm. Most of my blogging colleagues have moved on, and being a long-form blogger feels lonely these days, with everyone turning to short-form content creation or influencing. After 20 years, video and short-form content have taken over as I predicted, but it was the pandemic that accelerated digital adoption in the country.

I built the blog and social platforms for you as storytelling platforms for the future. If you choose to follow the content creator path, I’d be more than happy to share some tricks with you. Yes, I was born in the ’90s, and those were glorious times when we experienced life without the distractions of mobile phones or the urge to post on social media in the social climbing game of life.

They say nobody reads blogs these days—maybe just Gen Xers. But what matters most to me, and why I continue to blog, is for you boys, so that you can read this someday. It’s like an asynchronous storytelling platform, and you can explore the stories when you’re ready. Over time, it appreciates in value, like wine. This blog is a time capsule, preserving the emotions and deepest thoughts during each experience, offering a more honest reflection than watching a video.

I genuinely love blogging and plan to continue until the end of my days. The monetization landscape has shifted towards short-form video and micro-influencers, but my hope is to reach financial stability through my businesses so that I can share stories I’m passionate about without worrying about ads, affiliates, or other monetization tactics. One day, I aim to remove all the ads and commercial sections, leaving the blog as a pure collection of stories worth reading.

Hopefully, someday you’ll share your own awesome stories and memorable moments here.

3. How Hard is it to become a First-Generation Entrepreneur?

Being an entrepreneur is often romanticized in literature and movies, but the reality is much tougher, especially if you come from a middle-income family with no mentors, connections, or prior business experience. It’s like shooting an arrow for the first time, trying to hit the bullseye on your own.

You start with:

Zero budget or capital.
Zero understanding of the industry and competition.
Zero knowledge of the market.

But what you do have is an idea—an anointed concept in your heart. I’ve learned that an entrepreneur is someone who creates something beautiful from nothing, serving many people along the way.

Being an entrepreneur is a vocation—you need to discern whether it’s your calling to create a business that serves and helps others. It’s essential to first work for a company to develop skills, especially in marketing and innovation, and to strive for a leadership role where you can learn to manage people and resources effectively.

To become a successful entrepreneur, you need to build and maintain your personal brand and reputation. Avoid burning bridges unless absolutely necessary, as connections are invaluable. Remember, failure is only a setback if you don’t learn from it. Embrace each failure, celebrate small victories, and surround yourself with people who share your journey and understand your struggles.

To succeed, you’ll need a mentor, a mastermind, and a master to guide you.

• A Mentor is someone generous enough to guide you on the right path without spoon-feeding you. We ventured into the coffee and burger business because Tito JoMag mentored us to success.

• A Mastermind is a group of 6-8 successful entrepreneurs from different industries who learn and share together. Our BizMindShare group includes Tito Randy, Tito Larry, Tito Ardy, Tito Nelson, Tito JoMag, and Tito Rich.

• A Master is an expert in their craft. Partner with masters like Tito Raymond in coffee or Tito Chef Ed in burgers, but avoid those who might take advantage of you or steal your ideas.

Don’t compare yourself to others—everyone is on their own unique journey, facing their own struggles and battles. Instead, focus on your path and always pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance. Ask for the gifts of wisdom and discernment to help you choose the right path for you.

4. Pandemic Regrets: What I Wish I’d Done Differently

The word “pandemic” has become something we avoid mentioning, as it brings back memories of loss, career changes, and a permanently altered way of life. We’ve learned to cherish time with family, live life in slow motion, and reconnect with our faith. However, there are things I regret not doing during that time, which I want to share so that if a similar moment in history occurs, you can learn from my experiences.

I regret not learning how to cook. I had the time and resources, but I prioritized enjoying the eating experience over meal preparation. Even though I didn’t initially enjoy it, I should have pushed myself to acquire this skill.
I regret not building my network on TikTok. I was initially turned off by the platform due to its content, and now playing catchup is much harder.
I regret not establishing a sustainable health routine when everything opened up. My love for good food with family has made weight management challenging, and I’m now racing against time to develop better habits and exercise routines.

Despite these regrets, the pandemic brought some positives: a stronger bond with my family, discovering true friends, finding the right partners, and building a second family within our faith community. In any trial, relationships are key—faith, family, and friends are the most important, and I have no regrets about the time spent with them during the pandemic.

5. Financially Stable at 50? Lessons Learned About Money and Building Wealth

“Struggling financially” is a relative term, and while the goal was always to be financially stable at 50, it often felt like a moving target. However, His grace has always been sufficient, providing exactly what we needed when we needed it in our financial journey. Raising four kids is a blessing, but it also presents challenges, especially as you approach college.

Here are key lessons I’ve learned in our financial journey that I hope you take to heart early on:

• Practice Tithing: Give back 10% of your earnings as a thanksgiving offering, acknowledging that all blessings come from Him.

• Invest Early: Start investing in the stock market as soon as possible. Set aside 10% of your earnings or a fixed monthly amount for passive investing in your favorite companies, with a long-term perspective.

• Forced Savings: Save money by committing to down payments on assets like land or setting up automatic transfers into a pension program or a separate bank account.

• Start a Business Early: Begin your entrepreneurial journey early to learn from your mistakes. By the time you have a family, you’ll have a cash flow business to rely on.

• Avoid Credit Card Debt: Credit card companies are like gangster and they charge exorbitant interest rates if you can’t pay on time. They can become a significant financial burden.

• Track Expenses: Develop the habit of tracking your expenses to ensure you’re living within your means. Create a system that works for you and your future partner.

6. The Unhealthy Side of Food Blogging: a wakeup call.

Overeating and excessive drinking are harmful to your health and can eventually catch up with you, so it’s wise to develop healthy habits early on. Tito Spanky’s miraculous recovery from a stroke is a reminder that not everyone is so fortunate. Many stroke victims don’t fully recover, and the financial burden can overwhelm families.

Growing up in a non-foodie family, one of my motivations for becoming a food blogger was to explore different flavors and ingredients and to create food traditions with our family. However, this doesn’t mean we should overeat; we need to be mindful of our choices.

Here are some healthy tips we’ve learned along the way:

Pick up a sport: Engage in activities like badminton, pickleball, golf, bodybuilding, basketball, or soccer to stay motivated, exercise regularly, and shed extra pounds from eating and drinking.
Gut health is important: The more I learn about healthy eating, the more I appreciate the importance of gut health in nutrient absorption and digestion. Include foods like yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, or other fermented items in your diet. Limit alcohol intake, as it’s acidic and harmful in the long run.
Gym and bodybuilding: Building muscle is essential, and establishing a bodybuilding routine early on helps. While we were more diligent when younger, continuing this habit as you age is crucial.
Go for an annual checkup: Don’t skip your yearly checkup; it’s important to know what’s happening with your body and monitor health markers to stay on track.
Take care of your parents: It’s God’s promise that caring for your parents will lead to a longer life.

This is an ongoing journey for all of us…

7. Raising Boys: What my 4 boys taught me about Parenting?

Parenting is challenging, especially when raising four boys who will one day lead their own families and carry on the legacy of the family name. I’m not an expert, and we’ve made many mistakes along the way, but we’ve always strived to learn from them and adapt our parenting styles. Here are some tips for parents raising boys:

Instill good habits and behaviors in your children before they turn 10.
You can solidify these habits by modeling them, enforcing them daily, and being diligent about correcting bad behaviors. Children learn quickly at a young age, so it’s important to establish positive routines early on, especially when it comes to praying and going to church, organizing their belongings, saving money, and exercising regularly.
Know their friends and be intentional about curating their circle.
Friends have a powerful influence on shaping who your boys become, so it’s essential to ensure they are surrounded by peers from stable families with strong values. Seek out families where parents are actively engaged, as opposed to overly controlling or absent ones. The environment in which your boys are raised—their neighborhood and school—plays a key role in defining their character and personality. Make these choices strategically and early on for their long-term development.
Get them involved in sports and music early on.
Keeping them active in sports from a young age is crucial, and being part of a varsity team requires dedication and hours of training. As parents, this means committing to supporting their practice sessions and ensuring they are prepared to compete. Learning a musical instrument, like the piano or guitar, is equally important for their mental health and self-esteem. It provides a creative outlet and helps build discipline. Choose the best coaches and teachers to help them develop these skills and be ready for the next level of growth.
Boys love food, so invest in introducing them to different food and travel experiences. Food is often a love language for boys, and exploring various flavors can expand their knowledge and satisfy their appetite. Avoid pre-empting their experiences by warning them that the soup is too hot or the dish is too spicy. Let them explore and discover for themselves. This approach is especially important when encouraging them to eat vegetables—don’t project your own dislikes or preferences. Let them try carrots, cucumbers, salads, and other healthy foods without any bias, so they can form their own positive associations.
Fathers should bless and pray over their sons as often as possible.
We learned from our faith community that a father’s spiritual authority plays a crucial role in guiding their children toward God. Praying for them during tests, competitions, or significant life events brings them strength and peace. Make it a habit to bless them daily, especially during their formative years, as they head to school or face important moments in their lives. The Holy Spirit is powerful and ask them to pray to the HS for guidance.
Stay tech-savvy and actively engage with your boys to understand their online world.
Build a daily communication habit through platforms like Messenger, Discord, or Instagram. Monitor their online activity responsibly by tracking their phones, being aware of the content they consume on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram Reels, and paying attention to whom they interact with online. In case of emergencies, ensure you know the PIN codes for their phones so you can intervene and investigate promptly if something goes wrong.
The school is NOT always right.
School administrators can sometimes make mistakes and may not always prioritize your child’s best interests. Don’t hesitate to advocate for your son—stand up to school politics, biases, or any misguided decisions that don’t serve your child’s welfare. Stay involved as much as possible by attending school activities, getting the best coaches for sports programs, and participating in events to gain better insight into your child’s school environment. Your engagement will help ensure that your son receives the support and opportunities he deserves.
Get to know the special friends in your sons’ lives.
We learned this lesson the hard way. We used to tell our boys to only focus on having girlfriends in college or later, but sometimes they form deep connections with special friends much earlier. It’s important to get to know these people who are significant to them. One of our son’s special friends passed away, and we never had the chance to meet her. These relationships play a big role in shaping who they are, and it’s important to understand and appreciate that side of them.
Stop teasing them.
Growing up, we had a saying, “Ang pikon talo.” As boys, we often made fun of each other, exchanged insults, or downgraded one another. It was something we thought was normal, but in hindsight, it backfired with our own kids. While healthy banter can be fun once in a while, it’s important to focus on uplifting their spirits rather than bringing them down. Some say the younger generation isn’t as tough, but they need to navigate their own challenges without being subjected to harsh treatment, especially from their parents.
Rite of Passage for Teenagers
Create your own family rituals to mark the transition from childhood to the teenage years, especially when your sons turn 12. While we may not have formal rites of passage like Jewish families or the Viking tradition of sending sons into the wild, it’s still important to recognize this significant stage. In our sons’ school, this was the time we sent them off on their own to China during the summer break. The teenage years can be challenging—they become moody, seek independence, and often resist your guidance. During this time, it’s essential to model the behavior you want them to embody and inspire them to act responsibly. Teach them to be gentlemen. Though it can be difficult, this is a crucial stage in their development into young men.

10. On Finding the One You’ll Love for the Rest of Your Life

Finding your forever partner is key to living a fulfilled life.
First, you must discern whether family life is truly for you. If it is, seek out someone who can be your lover, business partner, travel companion, and soulmate during your journey on earth. Marriage is not just about the highs, physical connection, or constant happiness. It’s about finding that special someone who will stand by you, love you, and support you through the tough times.

Find a partner you adore, desire, and enjoy spending time with for the rest of your life.
I always love being with your mom—whether we’re traveling, working on business projects, or simply staying in and sharing intimate moments through good and tough times. I fell in love with her the first moment I saw her at the DLSU library during our freshman year. Finding the right life partner is crucial, and once you find them, hold on tight and cherish that connection forever.

Living an awesome life loses its meaning if Christ isn’t at the center.
It’s essential to put Jesus Christ at the heart of your relationship and dedicate your family to the glory of God. Our marriage grew stronger when we joined a Catholic community, like the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP). This community provided a spiritual support system during challenging times and served as a prayer group that intercedes for one another. Make sure to join a catholic charismatic community together with your wife.

Live an Awesome Life,

Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet

Disclosure: I wrote this article 100% by a human with my biases, opinions, and insights.

P.S. This is a tribute to the Gen X middle-class struggle during a pivotal time in the Philippines’ transition to what economists call a demographic sweet spot by 2030, where 50% of the population is now dominated by Gen Z—under the age of 25, working, with disposable income, and no dependents.

Nobody writes essays like this anymore—do people still care? Do reflections like these even matter? I’m writing this for my boys, as I always have, and I hope that one day they will appreciate the blood, sweat, tears, triumphs, disappointments, and sweet successes that laid the foundation for this long-form narrative.

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