People told me stories what they either have experienced (throughout their life) or heard (through ear).

Stories have been passed on.

Stories I have been told:

• ​“You are American. You will easily fall for a lady. Do not marry her.” (I am not even financially ready for marriage. Connect first. Marriage is far away from my list. Connect, cuddle, and chill.)
• ”Be aware of your surroundings. You will get captured.” (I am not Roger Federer. I have no strong value. I am only Michael Caceres.)
• ​“Never leave your drink unattended. Somebody might poison or hypnotize you.” (We are all gonna die anyway.)
• ”Always watch your possessions. Remember, how they were positioned, and where they were placed. (If my stuff gets lost or stolen, it is fine. What matters is I am still breathing.)
• ”Visit the massage parlor spots. It is cheap. You pay, and you really get what you want.” (I hear this from many people, especially guys, in the States.)
• ”Be careful who you meet.” (I went on meeting new people anyway. I am still alive.)
• "Do not go further away from Makati alone." (Well, I did. I am alive in one piece.)  
• ”Every girl over there will fall for you.” (Not necessarily. I am not the movie character, James Bond. Most importantly, I met a very pretty nurse at the hotel.)

Last night, I arrived in San Francisco airport at 8:40.
​
Later tonight, I will write another blog post, “Post-Philippines Trip.” I will talk about my story from this 12 day trip.

Many stories to talk about. 

Bumble is an online dating phone app. (For further info, just google it.)

​Here goes my Bumble date story...

​In the Philippines, I get a successful match on my first arrival date on January 17. (My last date was a year and a half ago.)

(I am here until the 29th. Free hotel stay and food covered by my good friend’s Dad. Courtesy from his appreciation to me.)

My Bumble match and I exchanged messages to each other. Then, I set up a date with her.

My uncle insisted me to have her meet us at our hotel’s horizon on level 24, which serves an open cocktail bar and dinner daily from 5-7pm.

I told him, “That’s fine. Meet her a bit. Then, give us space.”

He said, “Ask her to tag a friend. I want a good conversation. I want some good company.”

(Side note: My Uncle is married to a loving, caring wife. Keep reading a bit further, and guess what Uncle will do.)

I answered, “Yes. That’s fine.”

​An hour later, my date and her friends (also her co-workers) met us at the Horizon. (She actually brought 2 friends with her.)

​My uncle was seated alone on a sofa facing across her friends. My date and I sat next to each other on our own sofa.

(Total of 3 sofas in a mini-lounge area. 3 sofas were positioned as a U-shape. Hopefully, you are able to picture that in your mind.)

​My uncle continued on talking about me in front of my date and her friends. (He was my wingman.)

My date and I had our privacy connecting with each other.

Then, my Uncle wanted to take a picture of me and date. Also, he wanted a group picture of us. I said, “I guess.” The girls did not seem to care anyway.

(After the date ended, I went on showing off the pictures taken from Uncle to a few of my friends. That excitement when I have not been on a date for a while. Also, my first ever date on Bumble.)

An hour later, they had to be at work. They were already running late. I walked them to the elevator. Then, we parted ways.

I went on date with my Bumble match tagged along with Uncle and her friends. This rarely happens. It was hilarious.

Say what you want. Game-changer or not. I do not really care anymore.

My older-self would be very analytical. I did not go for the kiss. I should have pulled her to my room. I was not able to execute. Therefore, I lost. She might not contact me anymore.

I was a pick-up artist.

(I was greedy. I kept going for the better girl. I do not prioritize picking up girls for one straight hour anymore. It would get into my head. I must pickup every girl I see. If I missed that opportunity, I lost. When I missed talking to one, I was too harsh on myself. I was not able to be my true-self. Now, I have freshened and managed my mind. I have the skills to pickup girls. It is in my blood. My good friend told me, “May the force be with you.”)

I am coming to a point now, where I only want to connect with a girl. After my bumble date, I enjoyed her presence. Sex is great, but it is not my championship goal, unlike before.

​Live in the moment.

My good friend’s dad is taking me with him to Manila. (His appreciation from me to him.)

​He told me something like, "You are always there when I need help."

​He will be attending his high school reunion over there.

(We are staying in Manila from January 17-29. Tonight, we are heading to San Francisco International Airport. Tomorrow, our departure is 12:30am.) 

​He will be showing me a rich, classy life. (Even if I was ever rich, I ain't about that life. He already knows me. It is wonderful to at least experience it.)

​We will be staying at Shangri-La Hotel in Makati. (I only paid for my airfare. My Uncle is covering my hotel stay.)

​First and foremost, building relationships is powerful. I choose it over everything, especially money.

​Again, be humble to others. Do not expect anything in return. (If you are given something in return, be very grateful. Remember, do not feel obligated to give them something.) Be your true-self. 

Now, I perceive it differently.

​It is only a motivation to continue on reinventing myself at any time of the year. First and foremost, it is up to me. (You already know.)

I used to think a new year will change me. (I would wait, until a new year comes.)

​One word: Procrastination. (Yes, I still procrastinate but it is not as worst as before.)

Today, I told my Uber Driver about this.

​Then, I asked her, “How do you see New Year’s?”

”I do not start changing right when New Year comes,” she answered. “It takes time for me. Maybe 2 months in.”

​Be the change you want to be. Expect failure. Whenever you are ready, start your (up-and-down) journey.