In the morning, what I saw in bed was news about resignation agencies. Apparently in Japan the number of people who can’t say they want to quit is increasing. I thought, 'How pathetic.' Can’t they say 'I quit' with their own mouths? If someone says something unpleasant, just reply, 'Why would you say that?' You have a mouth, after all. That's just my personal opinion, though.
After such a heavy morning, I went to the hotel's breakfast. Today was the perfect combo of fish, scrambled eggs, rice, and watermelon. Just having breakfast at the hotel makes me feel like my mind and rhythm are coming back into order. Lately I’ve been able to wake up at 9 every morning. Maybe my internal clock is finally returning.
After breakfast I did a bit of work and lay down. Then my stomach started to gurgle in protest. Apparently something from yesterday disagreed with me, and I had diarrhea about three times. Fortunately it wasn’t serious—just a mild case of indigestion, it seems.
In the afternoon I went to pick up the laundry I’d dropped off yesterday. I remembered to put on sunscreen before leaving today. Walking in sunlight over 33°C, I felt really refreshed when I picked up the clothes. Just seeing the dirt come off the garments made me feel as if I myself had been cleansed.
Then I took a taxi to Iloilo’s tourist spot 'Moro Mansion.' Western-style buildings lined the area, trendy cafes, and the singing of a girl doing Taylor Swift covers echoed around.
Contrary to what the name suggested, it was a calm and beautiful space. Souvenir shops displayed T-shirts, pearls, and tote bags, and I picked a T-shirt as a memento of the trip. The material was good and it cost about 800 yen—absurdly cheap. Even the 2,500-yen items had a feel comparable to Japan’s HUGO BOSS. It reminded me again of the difference between a brand’s 'price' and its 'essence.'
Next I stopped by Molo Church. Someone inside was speaking into a microphone, but I couldn’t understand the content. Still, the space was very beautiful and the quietness soothed my heart.
Then I went to Jollibee—the Philippines’ national junk-food chain. I ordered a chicken sandwich with a vegetable set and chicken nuggets. The taste was 'normally tasty.' But even so, my number one might still be Japan’s DOMDOM cheeseburger.
When I was filming while ordering, the staff laughed together. It was a warm, playful reaction typical of Filipinos.
I had actually planned to work at the Starbucks near the hotel, but since I felt my stomach might start hurting again I decided to walk home. But halfway I sensed stray dogs and a change in the air, and my gut told me 'don’t.' I called a taxi right away, but it would take seven minutes to arrive. There were flies too, so I couldn’t stand it and canceled. In the end I went back to Moro Mansion and then took another taxi home. It was, in a typically Filipino way, a relaxed 'double drama' kind of afternoon.
After getting back to the hotel I rested a bit and finished packing for tomorrow.
For dinner I ordered INASAL for delivery: a stir-fried pork with rice and a spring-roll-like dish. The pork was juicy and delicious, but the spring rolls had too many bean sprouts and I gave up after three.
After that I plunged into work mode. Before I knew it, it was 3 a.m. I was completely in 'flow mode.' I forgot both sound and time and was simply immersed in concentration. Flow feels like proof that you’re living in the moment. That’s probably why it brings a sense of happiness.
Lately I haven’t been able to do video editing, but that’s a good problem to have because I’ve been getting a lot of work. Still, I need to shift from 'doing things to earn money' to 'earning by doing what I love.' In the end, what you love is something no one can beat you at. Someone driven by passion and someone doing it out of obligation have different potential for growth.
That’s precisely why I want to bet on 'what I love.' I’m still in the middle of that journey, but I want to record my challenges and the way I live, and maybe gently push the back of someone else who’s worrying in the same way.
