pas•sion [noun]
strong and barely controllable emotion.intense sexual love. an intense desire or enthusiasm for something.
I guess I want to take a break of publishing travel guides and become more personal and share a long story about my “PASSION.” Yes, this blog has been here because of that- of writing and sharing about my passion.
(Note: To see the bigger picture, you can read “My 12 Life-Changing Moments last 2012.”)
I don’t want to sound “mayabang” but I would say that at this very moment, “I’m living my life.” NO, I didn’t say that I already arrived, far from it. I’m just saying that I’m ecstatic with what’s happening in my life right at this very moment. For that I want to thank my God for continually blessing me. I also want to take this opportunity to thank my family and friends who support me in this journey of mine. I don’t want to miss this opportunity of thanking my dear blog readers, followers and supporters for without you guys I would not be enjoying what I have right now.
Drinking a cup of coffee while staring at the sunrise in one of the islands of Busuanga, Palawan
“I’m just saying that I’m ecstatic with what’s happening in my life right at this very moment. For that I want to thank my God”
I’M LIVING MY LIFE.
Yes, I’m living my life. Going to any place I wish with the help of Cebu Pacific Air. My clothes are provided by Diadora and shades by Spyder Philippines. Thanks to blogging!
Yes, I’m living my life. I just graduated from SSI Open Water Course in Coron, Palawan. And yes, I paid for that in full- Php15,000. Although it hurt my bank account pretty bad, the experience of weightlessness and breathing underwater was a different high. I’m reminded of my Instagram post, “Your biggest asset is yourself…invest in your competence and abilities…” – Randell Tiongson. Now, I can add a different dimension in my blog posts. Plus I can be you dive guide whenever you are in Coron.
Nemo found in East Tangat, Coron, Palawan
Yes, I’m living my life. Investing and trading on Philippine Stocks Exchange and thinking of my future. If you want to start investing, try to visit Philstocks.ph.
Yes, I’m living my life. I just paid in full a piece of lot in Brgy. Dahican, Mati City, Davao Oriental and is now building a small kubo. It’s a 5-minute walk to the white sand beach and surf spot. I guess I can now call my self a local of Mindanao, a Bisaya. And yes, I used my blog earnings to pay this piece of lot.
Yes, I’m living my life. I surf almost everyday since 2013 came. The feeling of “stoked” has kept me sane and excited to live another day, to continue enjoying the ocean and its waves. I’m no pro but I have been to almost all the famous surf spots in the country.
A successful drop from a shoulder-high wave at San Juan, La Union
Yes, I’m living my life. Enjoying my free and flexible schedule without someone telling me to do this or that. No boss and no filling of leaves. I’m currently writing again my #ISANGDAAN Journey book.
” I’m no pro but I have been to almost all the famous surf spots in the country.”
A brag?
A brag? Maybe. But if you know me, the real me you would think twice.
Four years ago, I just ended my contract as a teacher in one of the private schools in Los Banos to follow my dream- traveling the world. It was hard at first and although I’m not into writing I pushed myself to write and share my crazy adventures to a handful of friends because they wanted to save on expenses while traveling.
I still remember that I would borrow money from my younger sister just to attend media events in Manila in order to keep my then new blog updated with the latest happenings in the running community. Back those days, I can’t afford a new shoes or shirt and I was using an old N3310 phone. I cut all my credit cards because I can’t afford to buy anymore. Yes, I was poor to the point that I somehow got depressed for being a bum. But I tarried, I continued even with minimal resources. There was a time where I would walk around Umali Subdivision selling cold cuts- burger patties, longganisa, tocino, bacon, ham, etc to carinderias and stores to somehow finance my dream. I didn’t mind doing that for the sake of pursuing my life-long dream. Because I don’t have lots of money, I learned the art of spending less while traveling.
“There was a time where I would walk around Umali Subdivision selling cold cuts- burger patties, longganisa, tocino, bacon, ham, etc to carinderias and stores to somehow finance my dream.”
Because of my crazy adventures I began to have a small following on my blogs until I was invited to be featured on Jessica Soho’s Summer Special. From that time on, my blog shoot up and daily readership of 200-250 almost tripled. I told myself this is it. I have to seize the opportunity and little fame and continually up the ante of my adventures. Advertisers came and it started the travel blogging career. I was earning GBP and USD while blogging. It continually funded my adventures. The same time I started pitching for travel magazines particularly in Mabuhay and Smile. They pay good and before long, I found myself enjoying travel blogging more and more. I also told myself to focus on one thing- “budget travel in the Philippines.” I want to be that guy that comes to mind whenever someone asks about backpacking the Philippines or traveling on a budget. (Try to google: Backpacking Philippines)
By the start of 2011, I was getting paid while traveling. I continued to receive emails from advertisers. During that time, I also went back into online stocks trading. Since my work is mobile and internet-based why not add this to my “hobbies.” I also continue to receive sponsored travel invitations and of course, I would accept them. Who doesn’t want free travels?
By the end of 2011, I was ready for a bigger adventure of backpacking the Philippines for 100 days. So in February of 2012, I started a journey I would never ever forget in my entire life. I never thought that when you follow your dreams, the world would be awesome enough to reorder things for the fulfillment of that dream. “Dreams Do Come True” has always been in my heart and mind whenever I attempted to do something bigger than me. I just have to put my heart into it even though it scared the hell out of me.
“I never thought that when you follow your dreams, the world would be awesome enough to reorder things for the fulfillment of that dream.”
click to read the article—> 100 Days Around the Philippines Feature on December 2012 Issue of SMILE Magazine
Year 2012 was my year. Before it ended, I decided to enter into tour organizing which has been my bread and butter until now. Readers would always tell me that the tour of this or that is so expensive and so they were brought to my blog. And so I thought why not create tour packages that are more affordable to my friends and readers. And so clients came one by one at first and now in groups. I zeroed in in Palawan since that has been my home for at least a year. I made customized itineraries for tourists according to what they want and their schedule. I love what I’m doing and I believe it helped others to save on money. Plus the small amount I get in these tours I use for my further travels. And I think it would not hurt if I would tell you that my travels are not just for the sake of traveling. I always make sure that I do something for the development of the community I visit. (Google: Leaving a Legacy in Gubat, Sorsogon and/or #ProjectJomalig)
“And I think it would not hurt if I would tell you that my travels are not just for the sake of traveling. I always make sure that I do something for the development of the community I visit.”
Why I am saying this to you? If you think that I’m so ‘mayabang‘ and I’m just bragging it’s okay. I write this piece to remind me of what I’m doing year 2013 when I’m already 50 or 60 years old.
You see, if you just follow your heart and pursue your passion, that one thing you want to do for the rest of your life, you become free. You begin to be yourself, unlimited of the possibilities you can do. You begin to enjoy your life and live your life away from the expectations of your family or friends or the community where you belong.
“…if you just follow your heart and pursue your passion, that one thing you want to do for the rest of your life, you become free.”
I’m sharing this because I want to encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and do something crazy. If you can still read this blog, then you are well and healthy and its not too late making your dream come true.
Me? I’m just happy living my life, enjoying the ocean with my borrowed surfboard and sharing the stoked.
Life is meant to be lived, to be enjoyed, and I say that again- TO BE ENJOYED. Let’s do everything to do that each day of our lives. That’s all, bow.
Photo credits: Tiara Mejos Photography
“Life is meant to be lived, to be enjoyed, and I say that again- TO BE ENJOYED. Let’s do everything to do that each day of our lives.”
Stoked for life,
journeyingjames ‘m/
PS. Girlfriend nalang kulang. But wait! I fond her already! Read: I fell in love in Bali.
Since I encountered this blog, I have started to veer away from my pre-ordained path. Trained to be a lawyer but I am now a dedicated freelancer, socially enterprising traveler and full time lover…of life hehe. Each time I start to doubt myself whether it was all worth, I always remind myself “but Journeying James did it”. And so I push forward. Thanks James!
PS: you really should stop teasing us with your “girlfriend nalang kulang” posts. mahirap na. wanderlusters are known hopeless romantics. ika nga, marupok kami 24/7. 😉
congratulations James on having a great year of adventure and learning and i’m sure that this year will be awesome too for you… keep inspiring people 🙂 and keep on enjoying life…
thanks bosing flip! you are one of my inspirations. saludo
Can’t help but be in awe in everything that’s happening around you sir. We have been witnesses on how much you and your site has grown.
I know I may sound like a broken record but thank you very much for the inspiration in pursuing our own passions.
More awesome years ahead of you Sir James!
thanks thanks albin!
Congrats in finding your passion James. More to come. 😉
Wow! This is an inspiring post.
I frequent your blog for budget-traveling tips 🙂
I am just starting my journey in pursuing my passion and you, the sole sisters, and the rest of those bloggers who have shown that it can be done are my inspiration.
Thank you!
Stay on being an inspiration to others.
Cheers!
I don’t see you as “mayabang”. You inspire newbie backpackers like me to pursue our long-overdue (as I call it) adventures. Don’t worry, someone special will cross your path in the most unexpected way. 🙂 Woah! Romantic! Hehehe …
This post is the exact answer to my ordeal during this moment. Thank you so much. I am moved and inspired to pursue what I’ve been planning to do for a long time. Discovering your passion is sometimes a life long journey but when you do found it, you have discovered your treasure, a whole new adventure, your new life, your real self and true happiness. How many people are willing to pay everything just to find these things? You will never regret the way you live your life if you doing that thing that makes you happy..it makes you feel alive! 🙂 The time to be happy is now, why postponed it tomorrow?
Thank you so much James! I have decided.
P.S. Maliban pa sa ibang highlights ng post, I love this part “Enjoying my free and flexible schedule without someone telling me to do this or that. No boss and no filling of leaves. “
wehehewww napa reply talaga ako! very inspiring, James! Ayan, pede na ba maki camp sa lugar mo jan??? 😀
cge lang.. everyone is welcome
Very nice post. Congratulations for living life passionately. 🙂
And about the lack of girlfriend, ito lang ang masasabi ko – I-Dawn Zul- er, no comment. 😛
nice and inspiring entry! keep it up!
I liked what you’ve said that your “a local of Mindanao”.
Me too a very proud one.
I also read you at SMILE MAGAZine, and its Amazing!
This post is just heartwarming.!
Not Mayabang at All.
This is what life should be about. I am so happy for you, kuya . And I am so fortunate to have met you and to have witnessed you achieve all of your dreams.
Calling all girls out there. He might be just the “one” for you. 😉
PS. If I’m in Mati, I will definitely visit your place 😉 haha See you soon kuya! Keep inspiring us! 🙂
thanks for doing a great job on my blog regine, i miss your blog updates na
““I never thought that when you follow your dreams, the world would be awesome enough to reorder things for the fulfillment of that dream.” –> Just like that quote from The Alchemist
Yes, the universe has a funny way of making things work out sometimes.
Happy travels and happy journeying, James! 🙂
very inspiring post indeed. definitely not mayabang. keep doing what you are doing, james. the world needs more dreamers who fight their way to become doers. you’re one of them. cheers!
Awesome post..nakakainspire:)idol tlga:) i never regret joining the booksharing kahit i lied sa office..hahaha!
Timely, im experiencing a drawback on my career and this post just made my day:) step by step, hopefully i can achieve this life of yours..way to go James! keep inspiring and travelling:)
Very inspiring James! Keep the fire of enthusiasm burning! 😀
James, you will always be one of my inspirations. 🙂 I am blessed to be friends with the Journeying James. 🙂
Way to go James! Hope to run with you again one day.
Panalo! very inspiring sir! keep the fire burning! 🙂
right after ng book sharing project sa sorsogon, hindi ako nagdalawang isip na mag camsur just after a few days! at ngayon hindi na ko makatigil!… i think i was also bitten by the “travel bug!” great post james! very inspiring!…
byahe byahe pa sir ed!
Akala ko mayabang ka..hindi pala..haha! This is a very inspiring post! You are indeed living your life!
May the universe align you to the girl of your dreams! 🙂
Congratulations, James for all the blessing that comes to you and I admire how these aspirations of yours turned to reality yet you dont forget others and share these experiences to everyone you meet. Continue you passion!
Thanks James for inspiring so many people and I believe I am one of them. I am 40+ from Canada and I never thought I would be using a backpack on my travels. I was always afraid I would be coming home with back pains. Anyhow, I just completed a 2-week backpacking in Spain, Italy and Switzerland. I loved it! I finally got rid of my bulky luggage and I am now planning another backpacking trip. Thanks James!
awesome james!i can almost feel u and yes,ur not a mayabang! 🙂 and yes, dreams do come true! im glad our paths crossed via my Mindanao backpacking which by the way inspired by you and glad to get to know u more via our library project! u rock! tc
Wheres the part of you being a cast in a defunc teen show? Nyeee! Haha! Keep it up james!
Wow, very inspiring sir James, ako rin gusto ko magtravel for life, I am starting to make a good living on the internet and recently filed my resignation so I could have more time to do travels and adventures. For the first time na try ko narin mag surf kahit di pa ako masyado lumangoy, naranasan ko na rin ipang takbo ng 10kilometers ang nirecommend mo na zem gear terra barefoot, pinangswimming na rin hehe.
Malapit na ako ikasal, pero umaasa parin ako na kahit may asawa na ako, magagawa ko parin na maglakbay at mapuntahan ang magagandang lugar d2 sa Pilipinas kong sinilangan.
Sir, may advice ka po ba regarding investing in stocks, long term? short term? nais ko rin mag invest d2 para meron ako ibang pagkukunan maliban sa online earnings.
Target ko this year makapunta ng palawan; coron, el nido, puerto princesa at mga iba pang lugar na nakikita ko d2 sa blog mo.
wuw, pumped up na ako,
ano nga pala ung ‘stroked’ hehe
maraming salamat po
Congrats James! And thank you so much for sharing your travel adventures with us. You are indeed an inspiration! Excited na ang lahat na mabasa ang post about your gf. sana malapit na yan.hehehe. Keep safe.
thank you mr. james for sharing this journey I was move and so Blessed. So timely I had so much realization such a great post it was so inspiring, what more so good than living your dreamed life. I hope i will be able to bring out the passion in me soon..
keep the fire burning!
“You begin to enjoy your life and live your life away from the expectations of your family or friends or the community where you belong.”
This is a very inspiring post. I was glad to have finally meet you in Siquijor. Hope we could travel together soon. Patulog sa kubo mo sa Mati 😊
Well said! continue pursuing your passion and sharing your happiness with us your readers 🙂
hahahaha may PS pa talaga eh noh! 😛
nice!! congrats and good luck!!
hoping to meet the legendary journeying james soon this year sa mga tour package mo 🙂
whew! don’t look for love, let love find you. ehehehe.
just claim God’s promise in Habakkuk 2:3:
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
be joyfully single like me…God is preparing for His best. 🙂
You just don’t know how much you are inspiring a lot of people, and I’m one of those. After reading some of your blogs, I found myself smiling and I get motivated… I hope to see you in person…haha :)I want to ask you a lot of questions.. 🙂 God bless and Take Care.. 🙂
“Life is meant to be lived, meant to be enjoyed”
Find what you enjoy and squeeze every last bit of life out of it, great post James
Sir James, maraming salamat sa pagbibigay m0 ng inspirasy0n sa maraming tao na gust0ng makamit ang kanilang mga pangarap sa buhay. And c0ngratz sayo, because your already enjoying your life,living your passi0n, a dream c0me true. Naalala ko pa dati nung high school ako, na kelangan k0ng magmaneho ng pedicab para may pera akong pambayad sa field trip namin. Keep inspiring others. `m/
that’s passion you have there when you are driving the pedicab. saludo!
Congrats Sir James! You already found what makes you feel happy and victorious in your life now, your passion. I like the way you said that you are living in your life now. It shows happiness and victory.I can read it in your article. Thank you for sharing it. Your experiences turned into an inspiration to many people.
thanks jhaypee! i hope more people will live their life now
Wonderful story James!
One of the best travel articles I have read!
Keep it up!
thanks sir leandro!
I read this today at a moment na may pinagdadaanan akong mabigat, and realized how big my life is. Thanks, James.
Great post, i’m glad I found you online. I love to travel, it makes me happy and I’m also thankful that I’ve been given the chance to realize it little by little. One reason I resigned from my previous job ay dahil hindi naapprove yung 2weeks leave ko but i’m very glad I took the trip, the experience was priceless and I’ll definitely do it again 🙂
congrats for taking that trip! you made your life more exciting. cheers and more travels for you
natawa ko sa P.S. hahaha 🙂
cheers for enjoying what your living for! 🙂 which is ganon naman talaga dapat.
p.s. hawaan mo naman ako ng tapang to go out solo.
you can travel solo tin! i believe you can
This is my second time I read this article, pero mas sobrang iba ung effect nya sa akin ngayon. DREAMS DO REALLY COME TRUE!!!
P.S. You are featured in Smile Magazine, not sure if it’s August or September 2013 issue but I grab a copy. 🙂
2013? I dont know that. as far as i know, my latest feature was december 2012. and thanks for reading this article twice. 😉
Great article! Thanks to you. You are one of my constant reminders to never settle for mediocrity. Livin’ the dream!!!
yeah! thanks sir will, yep live the dream
Masha Allah (As God has willed)
this is a term used by a Muslim to praise someone AMAZING.
Im happy for you bro, it was more than a year since we were talking this dreams in your third hometown (third kasi my lupa kna sa Mati eh yun ung second home mo..hehehe), and now here you are stepping your stories for real…
Just want to remind you to train me ha (yan sinabi mo sa akin long time ago) hmmm.. after I finished my “Ibadah” act worship) Ill start mine too..you are right, just pursue your passion,, and it will come true.. Thanks for inspiring me more.. Cant wait to explore my feet..
more adventures to you…..
sukran bro!
i am reading your article and am amused with your point of view. i came to the u.s. real young went to school here got a good education and even a millionaire in dollars many times over. i can travel and have done so to all places: morocco, argentina, tahiti, dominican republic, tanzania – name it. i’m a bit cynical about it and have lost the excitement. maybe because i take things for granted. sometimes here at home i go to l.a., las vegas, new york or tampa for work and i literally just go from airports to meeting sites and head back to the airport. Sad, right? but i will not take your enthusiasm from you and i am happy for you. i’m filipino and next time i visit let us hook up. cool?