Ice on the Goal

27/09/2025

Three years ago, while I was catching up with a friend from elementary school, I got a call that shook me to my core. It was my wife, her voice trembling: “Burrito is missing.”

I dropped everything and rushed straight to the native forest at the Botanical Gardens to look for him. As the sun went down and darkness wrapped around us, we searched with nothing but hope and a flashlight. Our friends and family joined us that night and the nights after, combing through the forest, calling out his name.

Days turned into nights, and nights into days. We barely slept. We pitched a tent at the park, ready to run the moment someone reported a sighting. Each time the phone rang, my heart raced with hope, only to break again when we came up empty. I was shattered. I couldn’t stop thinking: What if Burrito is looking for us too? What if he’s cold, hungry, and scared?

Word spread on social media, and something beautiful happened. Our community came together for us. Strangers became friends. People brought food and coffee to our tent, helped print flyers, and shared our posts. We must have looked desperate, but I didn’t care. Asking for help didn’t feel like weakness, it felt like love.

On the 11th day, 26 September, 2022, in God’s perfect timing, we found him. Grace and I were overwhelmed with gratitude.

To everyone who stood by us during that painful journey, who searched with us, who encouraged us, who prayed for us, thank you. You carried us when we felt too tired to keep going. Burrito’s homecoming was not just a win for us, it was a celebration of what community can do when it comes together.🫶🏽

21/07/2025

Some people won’t respect your identity not because they’re transphobic, but because they just don’t like you.

What helped me was learning not to take every act of disrespect as a reflection of who I am — but of who they are.

This post is for anyone who’s ever been misjudged, misgendered, or misunderstood.
You don’t have to become bitter just to protect yourself.
Stay kind. That’s your strength.

29/06/2025

Just because someone like me can live openly now DOESN’T MEAN THE WORK IS DONE.

I know Ricky Reyes and Rene Salud said na LGBTQ+ people today should just be “happy being tolerated” — and that pushing for something like the SOGIE bill is “entitled” daw.

Like… okay. I get it. They came from a TOTALLY different time. Back then, being accepted in beauty or fashion was already a big deal. And I respect their achievements, for sure.

BUT being tolerated is NOT the goal.

Just because people are “nicer” to us now doesn’t mean everything’s okay na. Trans people are still targeted. Q***r people still live in fear. Some of us can live openly — but not all.

Let’s be real: progress didn’t happen on its own. People FOUGHT for it. And we still need to push — not just for acceptance, but for actual RIGHTS and PROTECTION under the law.

Now think about this:

If you’re sick, would you ask a lawyer for medical advice? Just because he’s famous and educated? Of course not. You’d go to a doctor, right?

Same goes with LGBTQ+ issues. Just because someone’s gay and popular, doesn’t mean they’re the voice we should follow. Let’s listen to people who’ve really been fighting for EQUALITY since Day 1 — the real advocates.🎯

25/06/2025

Post-Op, One Month In 😍

Heya goal-getters —
About a month ago, I had what I hope is the final phase of my gender-affirming surgery. Since then, I haven’t lifted weights or gone for a run — and that’s okay. Healing is part of the journey too.

How am I doing? Honestly — grateful. No complications so far, and even though it’s early days, I’m in awe of what I see in the mirror. More than the physical, it’s the peace I feel that’s shifting something deeper. I trust this will have a lasting, positive impact on how I show up in life.

And here’s something that makes my heart full: some of the trans folks I mentored months ago have also had or are having their surgeries. Some landed jobs, built better habits, and are stepping into their own confidence. It’s real — when you feel better, you give better.

Affirming and celebrating trans health creates ripple effects.

It’s not just personal — it’s collective.

It’s care that multiplies.

28/05/2025

One of the things you’ve got to put on hold after surgery is hitting the gym. It’s a tough sacrifice, especially if fitness is a big part of your routine—but healing comes first.

21/05/2025

A big part of my trans journey has been the medical side of it.

It’s been 13 years. And I still remember the early days when I’d spiral into self-pity, thinking:

“If only I were cis, I wouldn’t have to go through all this…”

…the endless needles
…the surgeries
…the risks
…the pain
…the medical bills
…the paperwork
…the awkward conversations

Over time, I made peace with it.

Even after having bottom surgery and getting all my documents updated — I’ve come to accept one truth: I’ll never be a cis man.

And that’s okay.

Because being cis or trans doesn’t make anyone more or less of a man.
With surgery or without. With hormones or without.
You are valid — exactly as you are.

Yes, I’m more comfortable in my body now.
But real happiness isn’t just about checking everything off a list.
It’s found in the courage and resilience it takes to keep moving forward — even when it’s hard.

What used to feel like a curse, I now see as something rare.
This trans experience is something not everyone gets to live.
And in many ways… that makes it incredibly special.

To myself — I hope you recover smoothly.

🌱🏳️‍⚧️

30/10/2024

16/09/2024

🙏

24/08/2024

This is what my beard looks like after two months without shaving. People keep asking if I use beard growth products, but I don’t. My facial hair growth is all thanks to testosterone (T). But just having T doesn’t mean you’ll get a full beard—other trans guys who take the same T as I do don’t always grow one. I know genetics play a big role, but I guess there’s also some ‘luck’ involved since my brother and most of my cousins can’t grow full beards either.😅