When in... Philippines?

First, let me set the scene…

Last week, I failed you.

This week, I am explaining why and know that I have a very good excuse (well, I think so at least.)

Dear Younger Self,

Last Saturday, I missed my deadline.

Let me share the story of my trip to the Philippines. A journey that left me so jet-lagged I barely knew which day it was, let alone that I owed you a letter.

I flew there for a destination wedding to celebrate my big brother from another mother (also my coworker) and his wonderful Filipino bride, who I’ve made it very clear I’d marry myself if she ever divorced him. I’d like to remind you that she’s Filipino, and with the way Filipinos cook, I’d never again need to dash to the cafe up the road for very depressing servo burger again.

So yeh, by the time I got home, I was so exhausted from the 13-hour trip and my tall, generously proportioned self (I had to change up my words because my original description was a bit too casual) crammed into economy that writing a love letter was the last thing on my mind. Someday, I hope my business ventures will let me fly business class and actually sleep on long-haul flights.

Even though I only stayed for four days, my time in the Philippines was unforgettable. My hotel was in Antipolo, about an hour from the metro area. I was struck by the dramatic contrast between well-developed city spots and places that looked like a scene from a zombie movie; abandoned buildings, trash lining the streets, tangled power lines, and stray dogs everywhere. It was jarring yet strangely beautiful. Growing up, I saw myself as part of a middle-class family, so seeing a place that seemed to have only upper- or lower-class neighbourhoods was a shock.

Filipinos are famously kind to tourists, perhaps because of their strong sense of religion and community. I’m not religious myself, but I respect how faith can bring people together. The wedding took place in a huge public church, open to anyone who happened to wander in. I was even part of the ceremony, offering gifts to the priest as a symbol of gratitude and blessings for the newlyweds. Afterward, the reception felt like a WWE show, complete with an announcer hyping our arrivals to pumping music. The food was sweet and delicious, and I overdid it to the point of needing to “reset” my stomach a few times.

In the following days, I explored Manila with local friends who welcomed me with snacks and drinks the moment I walked in. The stark shift from struggling neighbourhoods to incredible skyscrapers was astonishing, and armed security guards were everywhere, hinting at the area’s crime rate. Still, and funny enough, I also enjoyed some great Italian food and seeing how a country so far from Italy could excel at Italian cuisine.

Eventually, I returned home, still processing everything I’d witnessed. In the Philippines, I often felt exceptionally tall, not to mention everything was also built for very short people. I hadn’t expected that, especially since the Filipino basketball team, who might I add averaged at least 6 foot 5, was on the same flight as us. Given that basketball and volleyball, two of the tallest sports, are so popular here, it was amusing (and a little surreal) being a tall woman constantly stared at.

Despite the surprises, I left knowing I’ll be back one day soon.

During the last hour of my flight home, I looked out the window at a very familiar destination, and that’s how it dawned on me again: travel is a privilege. It shows you how vast human experience can be, yet reminds you we’re all part of one species. Some of the locals I both saw and met might never leave their country purely because of a livelihood that they were brought into.

And for all that, I’m incredibly grateful.

I wish I could give you these memories directly, but hopefully my words paint a decent picture of what I saw and felt.

If there’s a lesson, it’s that going somewhere new always broadens my empathy and gratitude. Missing last Saturday’s letter was a small price to pay for the experiences that enriched me in ways I’m still unraveling. Thank you for your patience and for reading; I promise to keep these letters coming (occasionally late), but filled with life, colour, and maybe the occasional apology.

Love,

Le Hare

Get your highlighter out…

Originally, I intended this section to share key takeaways from my letter. Instead, I’m highlighting the “lifelights” of my week; the destinations or event that were quite memorable.

Places you might want to explore yourself.

Pinto Museum - Located in the historic pilgrimage city of Antipolo, just outside Manila, this was essentially the only tourist spot I managed to visit, but thank goodness I did. A friend from the Philippines recommended it, and it did not disappoint. The museum features around eight galleries, each with its own overarching theme yet all linked by subtle religious influences. I could write a whole novel about the pieces that resonated with me, but I’ll focus on my favourite.

Inspired by the bittersweet love story, ending in a failed engagement, between national hero José Rizal and his fiancée, Leonor Rivera. Because my newsletter centrs around love letters, I was immediately drawn to this exhibit. There were many works depicting José and Leonor’s relationship, but this piece stood out for its interactive element: visitors used to be able to write letters and leave them in a cabinet, underscoring the theme of forbidden love and the heartbreak that comes from letters never reaching their true destination.

From the affectionate nicknames they used to the hidden symbols on Leonor’s wedding dress (the one she wore when marrying another man), it was all deeply moving. It reminded me that sometimes letters don’t end up where they’re supposed to, just as I failed to send you one last week and whether from severe jet lag or the threat of some cyclone called Alfred, knocking out my power. Still, I keep thinking of you, hoping these letters, whenever they’re finally read and offer something worthwhile.

I’m a MASSIVE foodie, so naturally, I had to share some of my favourite eateries.

Quick side note: in the Philippines, every fast-food chain seems to serve rice (yes, even McDonald’s has chicken and rice!).

That said, because I worked at McDonald’s when I was younger, I rarely eat fast food anymore and though I made a small exception on this trip, if only to avoid getting sick. I also tried street food at the wedding, which was delicious, and if I’d stayed longer, I’d have been sampling every vendor in Antipolo.

On to the real highlights: in the photos I shared, you’ll see what I ordered. At Habitual Coffee, I enjoyed a “frozen cappuccino,” which was pretty epic, and at Crosta Pizza, we treated ourselves to two pizzas: WHAT THE PORK?!, topped with homemade Italian plum tomato sauce, fresh garlic, Omnipork fennel sausage, and fresh basil, plus THE RETIREE, with mozzarella, homemade fennel sausage, bacon bits, and pineapple. Honestly, it might be the best pizza I’ve ever had. It was so good I’m still daydreaming about somehow convincing Uber Eats to deliver it internationally.

A person can dream, right?

Here, I’ll read it for you…

I f*cking hate reading. But I love a challenge.

Two letters ago, I list the book: Like A Virgin: Secrets They Won’t Teach You In Business School by Richard Branson. I haven’t started reading yet. But by putting this out in the open, I feel more motivated to begin. Next letter, I promise I’ll have a better update for you.

In the meantime and so this hasn’t been a total waste of two minutes, I’ve found a few books that seem really interesting:

• Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant

• “Rising from the Ashes: Los Angeles, 1992. Edward Jae Song Lee, Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and a City on Fire,” by Paula Yoo

• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

For a quick dopamine hit…

I’m a bit of a screen addict.

I constantly find myself staring at a screen, but like many of my habits, I aim to transform this into something beneficial—not just for myself, but for others too.

So, here are this week’s interesting discoveries I came across online that I think is worth your time:

KidSuper Studios: I’m looking to build a website for my brand Love Le Hare, in which is currently a digital portfolio. This brand I came across when looking for Shopify Templates and as a fashion enthusiast, trust when I say that I hope to create pieces like theirs in the near future.

Beautiful Things: While researching UI/UX design, I stumbled on a website that basically showcases beautiful things, specifically 3D renders. It suggests that the best experience is through Apple Pro Visions, and I can definitely imagine how amazing these visuals would look in VR.

Augen: In my last letter, I mentioned buying an Omi Necklace, which I still need to set up. I also talked about my fascination with AI and wearables. Coming across this website makes me think that plugging our brains into a computer might be closer to reality than we realise. If you asked whether I'd move my consciousness into a computer just before I pass, I'd seriously consider it. Not going to lie.