Category: Travel

woman overlooking island sunset

Closing January, Welcoming February (Again)

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It’s February 1 today.

And instead of planning this post properly, I ended up rereading something I wrote a year ago — “February: The Month I Finally Choose Me.”

I didn’t mean to analyze it. I just wanted to remember how I was feeling back then.

Short answer: tired. Even a little defiant.
Hopeful, yes. But very, very tired.

What struck me most was the list I made.

On one hand, I listed all the things that were working — businesses moving forward, improvements at Oslob New Village, new VA clients, better communication in our marriage. At the time, I acknowledged those wins but somehow still felt like I was falling behind.

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MomTraNeur

The Quiet Wins of My First Week of January 2026 (A MomTraNeur reflection)

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A quick note before you read:

I wrote this reflection during the first week of January, when things felt clear, grounded, and quietly victorious. I planned to publish it then… but life continued to unfold.

The days that followed were full. There was HR work for Oslob New Village. Tasks included hiring and screening, as well as managing payroll systems. Compliance was also addressed. Additionally, there was the invisible weight of holding a growing business and a family at the same time.

Sleep became irregular. Regulation became a daily practice again.

I’m sharing this now from Bohol. I arrived on January 18. I am slowing my nervous system down and allowing myself to rest. The wins still matter. And so does the honesty about what came after.

This post isn’t about perfection.
It’s about continuity.

Here’s a little glimpse of our arrival in Bohol before we dive back to the first week of January….

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What We Chose Instead of a Japan or Europe Trip (A year-end story about choosing home, nervous-system peace, and slow abundance)

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I’ve carried this story quietly for a long time…

Ever since we moved to Oslob in 2021, I’ve been holding an ache I didn’t always know how to name — the ache of leaving a home I loved.

Letting go of our Alabang townhouse broke my heart in ways I didn’t expect. We left because life required it: farming plans, business decisions, homeschooling, practicality, survival.

And since then, we’ve never really gone back, except for a short visit two years ago that only reminded me of what we had left behind.

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financial goal unlocked

How I Reached My Financial Milestone Without Sacrificing Health

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I Hit My Big Financial Goal—5 Months Ahead of Schedule!

When this year started, I wrote down a quiet, deeply personal goal.

It wasn’t about going viral or building an empire. It wasn’t even something I shared with a lot of people.

It was simply this:
To reach a financial milestone I had never hit before.
By December 31, 2025.

At the time, it felt impossible. Insurmountable.
But as of August 2, I’ve done it—five months early.
And I’m still in awe.

I’m 47. And for the first time…

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Why Slow Travel Just Works Better for Kids

Why Slow Travel Just Works Better for Kids

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Okay, so here’s the thing about family vacations. They sound magical in your head, the kids are smiling, everyone is bonding, maybe even a sunset in the background. But then you blink, and you’re sweating through a zoo map, your kids are being picky eaters, someone’s crying about their shoes, and you haven’t eaten since breakfast. Now, does any of this sound familiar? Well, it’s not you. It’s not the kids. It’s the pace.

Yep, you read that right, so that’s where slow travel comes in and quietly saves the whole trip. A lot of parents make the mistake of thinking they can cram everything into one trip. Now, sure, you might have been able to do that before having kids, but it doesn’t exactly work that way once you have a family of your own. But how?

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2024 LOOK BACK: A Year of Growth, Celebration, and Dreams Taking Shape

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As the clock ticks closer to the end of 2024, I can’t help but reflect on what an incredible year it has been for our family. This year wasn’t just about celebrations; it was about growth, stepping out of comfort zones, making bold moves, and seeing long-held dreams start to take shape. And so, as I sit down to reflect on 2024, I feel a mix of emotions. Though the latter part of December saw me struggling with a wave of depression, I now realize it was likely hormonal — my period suddenly arrived after a delay, which made me wonder if I might be entering perimenopause.

It wasn’t just hormones, though. My VA business has grown exponentially this year — I now have 12 clients! On top of that, I juggle multiple roles in our businesses: as co-owner and Chief Marketing Officer of our hotel, restaurant, café, and catering business, all while trying to keep up with the many business and personal development courses I’ve enrolled in. Somewhere along the way, I over-fatigued my already overloaded system.

Thankfully, I have my husband, Hanz, by my side. His unwavering support, his constant reminders to take breaks, and his effort to make sure my “love cup” is always filled to the brim helped me push through. Looking back at all that we’ve accomplished this year, the sadness has lifted. It’s been replaced by a deep sense of gratitude, hope, and joy for every big and small blessing that has come our way.

Here’s a month-by-month look back at the highlights of this unforgettable year. (Note to self: I hope to blog about each of these things in more detail this coming 2025…)

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Reflecting on the Adventures: My 2023 Holiday Recap

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As I sit down to recount the adventures of my 2023 holiday season, I must admit that this recap may come a bit late. It’s already March, and I actually created the vlog last month at a time when I was feeling a bit down. However, if you’re in need of some travel inspiration or just want to relive the magic, this is the video for you! It’s never too late to catch up on the fun! So, grab some popcorn and watch it here or down below:

The holiday season of 2023 was a whirlwind of adventure, relaxation, and memorable moments. As I sit down to reflect on the experiences of those days, I’m filled with a sense of gratitude for the opportunities I had to explore new places and create lasting memories. In this blog post, I’ll take you through my holiday recap, sharing highlights from my travels and the lessons I learned along the way.

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Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay + Spectra Adventure: Free Activities in Singapore

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If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the lookout for delightful family adventures that won’t break the bank. Well, I’ve got a treat for you today! Join me as we explore the enchanting Gardens by the Bay in Singapore and uncover a treasure trove of FREE activities that will make your heart bloom. Though we did some activities that we paid for, on this blog post, we’ll focus first on those things you can do and places you can visit at Gardens by the Bay without spending a dime!

Do check out too, our Day 1 adventure in Singapore in case you haven’t yet: RAIN VORTEX MAGIC: OUR SINGAPOREAN DELIGHT AT CHANGI’S JEWEL!

Oh, and I actually already went ahead and vlogged about our Day 2 at Gardens by the Bay. You can head over to my Momtraneur Youtube Channel and take a peek at our family adventure as you read through this blog post:

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Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa

Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa in Mactan, Cebu – A Blissful Birthday Retreat

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Hey there, lovely readers! Welcome back to momtraneur.com, your go-to source for family-friendly travel adventures and lifestyle tips. Today, I’m thrilled to share our recent escapade at Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa in Mactan, Cebu, where we celebrated my husband’s 45th birthday in style. This is just Day 1. I took tons of photos and videos so I had to divide my vlog into two parts to make sure I don’t miss sharing with you our wonderful stay! You can head to my vlog now and watch our Tambuli Day 1 stay:

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Rain Vortex at The Jewel in Changi Airport

Rain Vortex Magic: Our Singaporean Delight at Changi’s Jewel!

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Hello, wonderful readers! If you’ve been following our adventures, you know that Momtraneur.com is your go-to hub for all things family and travel. Today, I’m bubbling over with excitement to spill the details on the first leg of our 11-day/10-night extravaganza in the lion city of Singapore. But before we dive in, have you checked out our comprehensive guide on stress-free travel from the Philippines to Singapore? If not, click here to catch up on the deets!

Now, back to our epic journey! This adventure isn’t your ordinary vacay – it’s a triple celebration. We’re toasting to our first wedding anniversary, soaking in honeymoon vibes, and adding a sprinkle of birthday magic for our little man’s 8th birthday. Can you say, “holiday extravaganza”?

Our odyssey commenced with a landing that set the tone for the enchantment that awaited us – Changi Airport. Forget the humdrum layovers; Changi Airport is a destination in itself, and we made the most of our late afternoon and early evening stopover.

Our first stop? The Jewel. Imagine a futuristic oasis of greenery, water wonders, and mind-blowing architecture. The Jewel isn’t just a mall; it’s an experience! Strap on those comfy shoes, because you’ll want to explore every inch of this tropical paradise.

But hold onto your hats, because here comes the pièce de résistance – the Rain Vortex. This ain’t your grandma’s waterfall; it’s a multi-sensory extravaganza that’ll leave you awestruck. Little man was in birthday heaven, celebrating under a waterfall! Check! And guess what? You can get an exclusive, immersive look at our Jewel adventure by checking out our vlog here or below. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this visual feast – consider it your virtual ticket to the Jewel extravaganza! Happy watching, fellow travelers!

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Navigating the Lion City: A Comprehensive Guide to Stress-Free Travel in Singapore from the Philippines

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Hey there, jet-setting parents! If you’re like me, juggling the responsibilities of parenting while exploring the world with your little ones, then you know the struggles of planning a family trip. Well, buckle up because today, I’m spilling the beans on our recent adventure to the Lion City – Singapore! If you’ve been keeping up, you know the drill – it’s about to get personal, packed with tips and tales from our journey. But before we dive into the Singapore chronicles, let’s do a quick review and sprinkle in some extra travel wisdom, shall we?

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